Perspective - Pastor's Pen for 27th September 2026
Inspired by seeing the newly shorn Feijoa hedge at the church, I thought it was time to trim the hedge at the manse, before Spring warmth and rain gets a chance to supercharge its growth. You get an interesting perspective from up top, seeing the neighbourhood differently. I even trimmed the other side of the hedge, the one I don't have to look at. I talked to Kevin the neighbour and he gave me his views on things and the plans he had for a new fence and his own hedge. Just normal neighbour stuff.
Like Kevin, many of our neighbours are from Asia and celebrate the Autumn festival. Of course, in New Zealand it's Spring, but we'll eat the mooncakes anyway. It's no different from sending Christmas cards with snowmen and freezing winter scenes to folk welcoming a blazing Southern Hemisphere summer.
We are remembering this mooncake festival today, sharing food and fellowship, gathering the church family and learning some new things with our friends from Auckland Chinese Presbyterian Church.
As with any festival or celebration that has come down to us through our various traditions, the common factor is gathering the family, sharing food together and giving thanks for the good things we have.
From a Christian perspective, we trust that every good thing comes to us from God. As we read in the book of James 1:17; "Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow." Trust in Him, know his peace and celebrate His eternal gift to us, Jesus Christ. Shalom
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