The Lamb of God ChronicleDecember 2014

The Lamb of God Community PO Box 35 054 Christchurch 8640Phone [03] 383 2631 Fax [03] 383 0609 Mobile 021 817 232Email: Lamb_of_God@clear.net.nzWebsite: www.lambofgodcommunity.net

INDEX TO CONTENTS

Reflections Page 1-2Our People Page 2News, Articles, Notices Page 3-5House Group Resource Page 6Kairos NZ News Page 7

Web Sites Page 7Members/Info/Records Page 8Birthdays/Anniversaries Page 8-9National Prayer Watch Page 10-11

REFLECTIONS ‘…Green Week in God’s Wonderful Creation…’

I work hard and I work long hours and have done this for mostall of my working life. That’s just me, and I guess there is aninfluence handed down from my dad. He was a skilled engineerand tool-maker and spent most of the war years getting fighterplanes back up in the air as quickly as possible out of RingwayAirport, Manchester. At times I have often pondered howblessed I am to have never, not even for one day, not had aplace of work to go to. Again I think an attitude of determinationinfluenced by my dad. However I rarely saw my dad relaxing-but I do. I like to read, hike, climb at altitude. I am definitely not

an enjoyer of cities nor do I like holidaying in cities with the exception of Rome. Give meisolation in God’s Creation. With retirement getting closer I am looking forward to alsore-engaging into the Canterbury Astronomical Society and setting up another bigtelescope at home [don’t tell Veronica]. So this month I am posting some photos of myrecent Green Week. Green Week is when I am less available to people, but I am stillworking but likely on talk/conference preparations or upskilling with study. I am an earlyriser and so by 10am I could easily have been keeping projects and emails at bay for sixhours, then out into the wilderness and engaging nature.

In the photos [on the right and next page], enjoy counting howmany other people are on the beaches, or walking the trails.And enjoy the new way of getting Veronica to be an inch or twotaller!

November has been a month of mixed news for Veronica andme. The concerning news is the final Quantity Surveyorestimates on the cost of repairing damage to our home fromthe February 2011 earthquakes [yes- moving towards fouryears ago] has escalated to $520,000. The problem is our

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insurance cover is capped well below that amount.That will likely mean we will need to move from No 9after thirty-five memory filled years.

But where can we go?

Very good news in November has been thirty-fourunderway members in Auckland, having completedthe formation courses, taking the full membershipcommitment, and in Wellington four Kairos aged

young adults taking underway commitment. Blessed be the Lord.Your brother – Roger

Senior Coordinator

OUR PEOPLE

With sadness, yet confidence in the Lord, we remember: Barbara and Terry Ryan [Blenheim] as Barbara’s sister recently passed away.

[Note to all Branch leaders: Please send your local news/snippets to Roger Foley or TomCaballes so that we can acknowledge important occasions in the lives of our brothersand sisters and make sure we do not miss any of them.]

NEWS AND ARTICLES

‘THE GATHERING of the SOUTH ISLAND CLANS @ HANMER SPRINGS…’

We have apparently over ninety registrations, and climbing. That is awesome. Membersof other branches are welcome to enquire if they have an interest. We should have theprogramme agreed and available soon. Hurunui District Council has welcomed us andare allowing use of particular facilities at a very low cost. Great news is we will haveDave and Jane Hughes from Ann Arbor also joining us. Thanks be to God.

UPDATE FROM AUCKLAND BRANCH

A momentous occasion, a memorable evening, Covenant Day!! 16 November: Thirtyfour underway members of the Auckland Branch made a commitment to become FullCovenant Members of the Lamb of God Community.

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Helping them progress towards this milestone were preparatory talks spanning a periodof 8 months which were given once a month by a dedicated team. The two hoursessions, giving them a deep insight into the ethos of Community life, were followed bygroup discussions and a sharing among all members. A big thank you to this team whowere instrumental in getting thirty four Underway Members promising the Lord to “giveback to You all that You have given us.” Also a huge thank you to all the cell groupmembers as well as all the elders, women’s leadership team and the pastoral leaders.By their example of living out lives based on Community teachings of stewardship,service and evangelising the Good News, they have drawn these members into theirfold. And aptly, the commitment made, reflected this, with the closing words of: “Lord,we desire to be your servants”.

In a moving gesture, to symbolise the heed to the call of discipleship, Full CovenantMembers washed the feet of the thirty four brothers and sisters, an act that echoed thewords of Pope Francis: “Being a disciple means being constantly ready to bring the loveof Jesus to others, and this can happen in any place” (The Joy of the Gospel).

Congratulations and welcome to all thirty four of you as we walk the journey together!

Earlier in the month, the ladies of the Auckland Branch were privileged to have MaeLegaspi spend time with them. Mae has lived as single for the Lord in the Sword ofSpirit Community in Manila for many years and shared her testimony with the ladies.

Rosana Kuresa, who was one of those who attended, says this of her humblingexperience: It was a joy to have Mae Legaspi with us. Despite the weather, it was niceto see sisters who were enthusiastic to come together for fellowship, to share their lives

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and listen to Mae’s talks. Mae spoke about being in ‘Christ Alone’. It was a greatreminder for us that there is no other but God alone, who despite the upheavals in ourlives, He will constantly STAND by us and for us. Mae also shared her life testimonywhich was encouraging and uplifting for sisters who walk with the Lord.

It is always a joy to have any international speaker amongst our midst and we areblessed more for it with Mae’s wisdom and experience! We had a range of sisters onthe day from University Community Outreach to the well matured and we came awaywith something positive to remember, pray for and implement!

CHRIS & ANITA FREDERICKS CELEBRATES THEIR GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY

Fifty years of love and faith were celebrated recently by Blenheim Lamb of God coupleChris and Anita Fredericks. Chris and Anita, who are among the founding members ofthe Blenheim branch of the Lamb of God, were joined by extended family and friends onNovember 15 for a celebratory dinner to honour their 50 years of marriage.

“I was quaking in my boots,” recalls Chris with asmile, “when I approached Mrs Thomas (Anita’smother) to ask if I could marry Anita.” He didn’t getan answer straight away, but the couple eventuallybecame engaged and on November 14, 1964, weremarried in St Mary’s Catholic Church, Blenheim.Although Chris had been raised as an Anglican, hewas not a church-goer when he met Anita. But sheand her family obviously had a good influence on the young man.

“Sometimes I used to stay over with Anita’s family when we were going out together to afunction,” recalls Chris, who lived in Picton at the time. “On a Sunday morning therewould be a knock at the bedroom door. I would get breakfast in bed while Anita and herfamily went off to Mass.” This awakened in Chris a desire to explore faith, so withouttelling his fiancée, he contacted the Catholic Inquiry Centre and began a journey theeventually saw him received into the Catholic Church before the couple were married.They set up house and started a family, which eventually grew to six children. Now theyhave 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Their faith journey was marked by several significant events. The first was the CatholicFamily Movement in the late 1960s. Then Chris and Anita did a Marriage Encounterweekend which also deepened their faith and their relationship. An invitation to join aLife in the Spirit seminar being run by the St Mary’s Prayer Group was another faithmilestone, and when a number of Prayer Group participants felt called to explorecovenant Community, Chris and Anita were there too.

Ever ready to serve, the couple stepped forward when a Nelson Prayer Group soughtvolunteers to help run a weekend seminar at Teapot Valley, a Christian camp on theoutskirts of Nelson. There, with Roger and Veronica Foley, they witnessed people’s livesbeing touched and changed by a powerful move of the Holy Spirit, a truly faith buildingexperience.

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Many members of the Lamb of God and the Sword of the Spirit have experienced thegenerosity of Chris and Anita, who have opened their home to many visitors over theyears. Health problems have beset Chris in more recent times, but he and Anita havefaced each challenge with faith and courage. Chris comes from a family with a history ofheart disease, and in 1985, at the age of 45, he suffered his first heart attack. This wasfollowed in 1989 by a quadruple heart bypass operation. Chris has since had four moreheart attacks and had seven stents inserted in his arteries.

In 2004 he was told by his doctor that he wouldeither have to give up work, or die on the job, so hewent from being a skilled engineer on a good salaryto being a sickness beneficiary, another challengethe couple faced with courage. The coronary arterydisease that plagues Chris led to another majoroperation in August which resulted in a legamputation. Yet throughout all of these trials Chrishas maintained a resolute faith, with his loving andprayerful wife at his side.

Their life together is an ongoing witness to thepower of a Christian marriage and the love of God in

their lives. Their brothers and sisters in the Lamb of God feel privileged to be able toshare their lives with such an inspirational couple.

Bill McElhinney

SOUTH ISLAND BRANCH CELEBRATION CAMP AT HANMER SPRINGS

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CHALLENGES IN LIVING TOGETHER AS COMMUNITYResource for House Group Discussion by Tom Caballes

Carpe Diem: Seizing the Moments in Your Life - December 2014

Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, andthe unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and

to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. [Isaiah 55:6-7]

A few months ago I had a car accident. I thanked God that in spite of the accident, I was safe. But itshook me for a while, knowing one moment everything was fine and then suddenly finding this carspeeding in front of me without a time to stop. What if I was hit by the other car, knowing that the othercar is heavier and bigger than mine? What if it was my time to go? I also looked back in my life when Iwas in grave danger – being hit by a taxi when I was twelve, nearly being hit by a motorboat whileswimming when I was in my twenties, and when my appendix burst more than ten years ago and Iunderwent emergency surgery. Most of the times I take life for granted, until these events come. Nowmore than ever, I thank God for this precious one life that He has given me. How about you – in spite ofall the challenges you face now, do you thank God daily for your life? Do you seize your day for God?

So How Do I Seize the Moments in My Life?1. We all live on borrowed time. We can only be rich or happy up to a point in this life, and then one daywe have to leave them behind. The way to make the most out of this life is to insure you will haveeverlasting life with God. How? By following Jesus with all of your life, for the rest of your life.2. No matter how young or old you are, you need to be ready to be ready ‘to go’ anytime, anywhere. Weare citizens of heaven, [Philippians 3:20] and that is our real permanent home. We need not to beattached to anything in this life – money, possessions, honours, and even includes good relationships.3. Count each day as if it might be your last. Do not leave any important things – activities, decisions,relationships, etc. for granted, as if you have all your future is ahead of you.4. Make sure everything in your life is in place before the inevitable. Life insurance, wills, etc. should beready and updated all the time so that those who you will leave behind will know what do when you aregone. It is wise and loving to make sure that your loved ones are taken care of when you are gone.5. If you have anger within, deal with it NOW: learn to forgive and let go while there is time. You need toCHOOSE to forgive those who offended you. Jesus was very clear – you ask forgiveness as you forgivethose who sin against you. You are in clear danger of not being forgiven if you choose not to forgive.6. Lastly, develop an attitude of gratitude for each and every day of your life. Life is a GIFT. God haschosen each and every one of us to live one life. Thank God for that one life. You will never have another– other than the one that comes eternal. It will either be a glorious eternity or a horrible one – either willbe beyond compare. After all, eternity is just a breath, a heartbeat, or an accident away from reality.

OTHER SCRIPTURE PASSAGES:1. You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a littlewhile and then vanishes. [James 4:14]2. Besides this you know the time that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation isnearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us castoff the works of darkness and put on the armour of light. [Romans 13:11-12]3. Other references: Matthew 18:21-35; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Philippians 1:21-23.

FOR REFLECTION OR SHARING:1. Have I considered how temporary this life is? What am I attached with in this life?2. Am I prepared to ‘go’ anytime? How will those I leave behind cope when I go?

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KAIROS NEW ZEALAND YOUTH NEWS

Kairos New Zealand Schedule of Events for 2015

January 6 to 11, 2015 Summer Oasis in ChristchurchApril 10 to 12, 2015 BLAST Weekend in Wellington

SUM M RT

Summer Oasis 2015

Summer Oasis 2015 will be here soon! Come and be part of it! Dates are from 6 to 11January. Please look at the following links:

http://www.kairossp.com/so2015ejstream.htmhttp://www.kairossp.com/so2015edgestream.htmhttp://www.kairossp.com/soonlineregistration.htm

WEBSITES WORTH NOTING

KAIROS South Pacific Web Site HAS BEEN UPDATED with 2014 photos – go take alook …

Check it out at: www.kairossp.comYou can network and chat with other young people by going to this website:

http://www.kairossp.com/kairosspnzchatroom.htmWe designated every Friday night at 10pm as a time to meet other young people.

Go and visit the International Kairos Media website: http://www.kairos-media.org/

Our Lamb of God website has been updated – please visit

www.lambofgodcommunity.net.

Sign up [free] for Youth Culture NewsletterThe most recent edition of the Youth Culture Newsletter is now available online. It will nolonger be sent to you via the Lamb of God e-mail list but you can get it at this link:

http://www.kairos-na.org/youthculturenewsletter.htmThis is a recommended Sword of the Spirit publication for youth and parents.

Living Bulwark Sword of the Spirit – Highly Recommended!

This Sword of the Spirit on-line publication has received more than 43,000 visits (anaverage of 135 visits each day) in its first year. All back issues for the past 12 monthscan be found at: http://www.swordofthespirit.net/bulwark/archives.htm. The current issueof the online magazine can be seen at: www.swordofthespirit.net/bulwark/index.html.

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SENDING NEWS FOR CHRONICLE PUBLICATION

Branches are encouraged to email news, photos, happenings and snippets to TomCaballes at josethomascaballes@gmail.com. Each issue is closed around the 20th of theprevious month.

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT OUR RECORDSMembership Records and Data: Branch leaders are responsible to keep updated records andthen email all new attendee additions, deletions, address and phone changes, births, deaths,transfers, etc. to -

Tom Caballes josethomascaballes@gmail.comand copy to Lamb_of_God@clear.net.nz

BIRTHDAY INFORMATION[Day and month, but year is optional.] Branch leaders are asked to keep updated records andemail all new attendee additions to –

Tom Caballes josethomascaballes@gmail.com

GETTING CHRONICLE & OTHER NEWS BY EMAIL[1] If you are receiving The Chronicle as an electronic edition, we just need hear if and when youchange your email address. Notify Lamb_of_God@clear.net.nz.[2] If you are receiving this by hard copy but you have an email address, please send your emailaddress to Lamb_of_God@clear.net.nz.[3] The Chronicle has a national and international mailing schedule. If you know of otherswishing to be added, notify Lamb_of_God@clear.net.nz.

Wedding Anniversaries - Happy Anniversary!

NAMES DATE BRANCHWendell & Glynis Fernandes 01/12 Auckland

Tony & Juanita Ashfield 03/12 Auckland

Darren & Julie Humphries 04/12 Christchurch

Neville & Karyn Coutinho 06/12 Auckland

Mike & Carol Cullimore 10/12 Blenheim

Ron & Jacqui Blackwell 11/12 Central

Allan & Pam D'Souza 14/12 Auckland

Bill & Jenny McElhinney 19/12 Blenheim

Jun & Angie Briguera 20/12 Central

Bruce & Cherylyn Donald 22/12 Auckland

Paul & Shauna James 23/12 Central

Peter & Jacinta Dalgado 26/12 Auckland

Chris & Shalini Saldanha 27/12 Auckland

Cosmos & Marisa Misquita 28/12 Auckland

Kevin & Mary McCormick 29/12 Auckland

Alfred & Iris Saldanha 30/12 Auckland

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Birthdays for This Month - Happy Birthday!

NAMES BIRTHDAY BRANCH

Samantha Amaral 01/12 Auckland

Russell Mendonca 02/12 Auckland

Joel De Zoysa 02/12 Auckland

Chris Fredericks 03/12 Blenheim

Althea Misquita 04/12 Auckland

John Tham 04/12 Auckland

Alfred Saldanha 04/12 Auckland

Ron Blackwell 05/12 Central

Desmond Vessaokar 07/12 Auckland

Jonathan McKenzie 07/12 Christchurch

Jemima Rebello 07/12 Auckland

Danielle Lim-Kwan 09/12 Auckland

Kirsty-Lee Garrett 09/12 Blenheim

Rachael Martis 09/12 Auckland

Luke Goodseeker 09/12 Christchurch

Chrisanne Antao 10/12 Auckland

Andrew Black 10/12 Christchurch

Father John Rea 10/12 Christchurch

Nicola O'Malley 11/12 Central

Anusha Jayamaha 12/12 Auckland

Juanita Ashfield 12/12 Auckland

Aly Fernandes 12/12 Central

Sharon Powick 13/12 Nelson

Daniel Vessaokar 14/12 Auckland

Alwin D'Souza 15/12 Auckland

Karen Geelen 15/12 Central

Niul Kay 15/12 Christchurch

Jaime Sequeira 16/12 Christchurch

Pogia Afamasaga 19/12 Central

Jeremiah Afamasaga 19/12 Central

Amanda Saldanha 20/12 Auckland

Carol Fernandez 20/12 Auckland

Tom Caballes 21/12 Central

David Aberhart 22/12 Blenheim

Cheryll Lobo 23/12 Auckland

Melissa D'Souza 24/12 Auckland

Peter Stoddard 26/12 Auckland

Anitelea Afamasaga 26/12 Central

Dennis Hollingsworth 28/12 Auckland

Veronica Foley 29/12 Christchurch

Nathan Murray 29/12 Christchurch

Chriselle Fernandez 30/12 Auckland

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PRAYERWATCH - SOLDIERS OF CHRIST, ARISE

Reinforce the guard, station the watchmen, prepare an ambush! The Lord will carry out hispurpose… Jeremiah 51: 12

I received the following Scripture, Ezekiel 9: 3-6 especially verse 4, from a member of theNational Council of Coordinators with the question, does it have meaning for us today? So hereare some thoughts.

Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, andmoved to the threshold of the temple. Then the Lord called to the man clothed in linen who hadthe writing kit at his side and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put amark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things thatare done in it.” As I listened, he said to the others, “Follow him through the city and kill, withoutshowing pity or compassion. Slaughter the old men, the young men and women, the mothersand children, but do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” So they beganwith the old men who were in front of the temple. Ezekiel 9: 3-6 NIV

Do we grieve and lament over Jerusalem? For us today it could be the Church, New Zealand orour family members. New Zealand once described as God’s own but today the land maybe butthe ways of the people are more in the kingdom of darkness. Even the Church in New Zealandgives us cause to grieve and lament as many baptized members fail to see the importance ofbeing involved and living a life of holiness. Ezekiel sees a man go through the city putting a markon the forehead of those who grieve and lament but for us today the mark is one of holiness.The mark of Jesus is holiness so our call to follow Jesus is a call to have a mark of holiness, aholiness that shines in the darkness. We are not only called to grieve and lament the evil aroundus but also to shine as lights in the darkness, to be a bulwark or refuge in this evil world. Jesusnot only calls us to be lights in the darkness but equips us with the Holy Spirit to force back thedarkness and to increase those who belong to the kingdom of light. The Lamb of Godcommunity helps to train us in the power of the Holy Spirit and to live as disciples in the kingdomof light and then to call others to join us as members who have the mark of holiness in thekingdom of the light. The Prayerwatch recognizes we are in a spiritual battle between thekingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness and gives us a place where we can stand in thegap and halt the advance of evil. Let us grieve and lament what is happening in our families, ourChurch, our country but also take our place as a community of disciples on mission.

If you have any comments or questions concerning the Prayerwatch then please send them tome or give them to one of your branch leaders to send to me. God bless and watch over you all.

Alan McKenzie - National Coordinator Prayerwatch

LAMB OF GOD PRAYERWATCH - PRAYER INTENTIONS

SPIRITUAL WARFAREAgainst strongholds of Apathy, Witchcraft, Confusion and other named spirits.

INTERCESSORY PRAYERCOMMUNITIES Protect and bless the life and mission of SWORD OF THE SPIRIT,Patmos & Cornerstone Lamb of God [Fiji], Families for Christ [Melbourne], VanuatuGroup, Light of Christ [Nelson], The Covenanted Community For Christ, [Penang &Taiping], protect and bless their life and mission.

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FAMILY Auckland: Yvonne D'Souza, Peter & Margaret Stoddard, Desmond &Charmaine Vessaokar, Tili Leatitagaloa, Blanche Fernandes, Sequeria’s & Saldanha’sFamilies, Neville & Karyn Coutinho, Ivan & Hilary Carvalho, Valerie Menezes, Russell &Gidget Mendonca, Wendell & Glynis Fernandes, Central: Jun & Angie Briguera, Henri &Cutie Zalamea, Rose Buladaco, Joel & Tiza Sison, Robert & Ethel Caballes, Tom &Mhel Caballes, Blenheim: Mark & Mary Jackson, Mike & Cheryl Garrett, Christchurch:Roger & Veronica Foley, Robert & Karin Van Doorn, Darren & Julie Humphries, Tai &De Stirling, Bruce & Bronwyn Harborne, Niul & Coila Kay, Lyn Keane, Pauline Marsden,John & Monica Haughey, Annette Sargisson, Toni May, Chris & Maureen Lyons, JoanCorbett, Southern: John & Janet MacManus, Mike & Judy Prendeville,

HEALING CANCER Auckland: Blenheim: Carol Cullimore, DavidAberhart, Christchurch: Mary Anngow, Robin Corbett, Kerry Fordham, Southern:Christine May

HEALING HEART Auckland: Isabel Morais, Central: Paul Oliver, Blenheim: ChrisFredericks, Christchurch: Dorelle Ham, Undine Cavanagh, Philip Middlemiss, Niul Kay,Andre’a Forster,

HEALING Auckland: Annette Carvalho, Winona D'Costa, Olivia Fernandes, LucyMisquita, Blanche & Denis Hollingsworth, Cheryl Donald, Mira D'Souza, JemimaRebello, Peter D'Souza, Delia D'Mello, Fr John Rea, Elizabeth Locke, Maria dos AnjosD'Souza, Bruce Donald, Rosana Kuresa, Thomas Hong, Vimath Sequeira, KarynCoutinho, Manuel Lobo family, Michelle Amaral, Margaret Stoddard, Alwin D’Souza,Eddie, Cynthia, Clyde D'Souza, Joan Lobo, Christopher Dalgado, Pam D’Souza,Christie D’Costa, Grace Collins, Tili Leatitagaloa, Alfred Saldanha, Central: StephanieO’Connell, Sharon Powick, Michael Powick, Jacob Muollo, Henri Zalamea, AlyFernandes, Rae Taylor, Blenheim: Peter Greig, Josiah Grieg, Grace Weston, MikeGarrett, Anita Fredericks, Judith Rodgers, Barbara Ryan, Christchurch: Lisa Borkus,Karin Van Doorn, Chris Aston Grieve, Veronica Foley, Siobhan Forster, Andrew Black,Bernie Black, John Murray, Chris Lyons, Monica Haughey, Joan Corbett, MikylaChallies, Bruce & Bronwyn Harborne, Pauline Marsden, Ian Hamilton, David Black,David Marsden, Southern: Fr Merv McGettigan, Daniel MacManus, Steven & JudyHomes & Family, Pat Forster, Rhoda Woodfield, Alan McKenzie, Steven Homes,

BEREAVEMENT Auckland: Marinelle & Bob Misst, Central: Karen & Andre Geelen,Diane & Michael Staite, Ron & Jacqui Blackwell, Southern: Florence Quigley & Family,

OTHER NEEDS Auckland: Mark & Elizabeth Stolten, Bob Misst, Allen & Judy Carneiro,Gillian Puch, Joseph Gomes, Allan Carvalho, Blanche Fernandes, Peter Dalgado,

COVERING PRAYER National Council, Kairos Ministries, Branch Life, Lamb of GodCentre, Branch Visits, Clustering in Auckland, Ministry of Fr John Rea, Employment ofMembers, Light of Christ Special Ministry, Wellington branch [sickness among extendedfamily], and Ashburton Group in Christchurch.

“I have made you a Watchman” Ezekiel 33: 7