03 Hamilton
St Matthew Lutheran Church Hamilton
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and who have been called according to his purpose” Romans 8: 28
This promise that God works for our good “in all things” is reassuring. It means that no matter the circumstances, there are only two qualifiers of God to be working all things together for our good.
First, He works for “the good of those who love Him”. Our small congregation of St Mathew have continued to be blessed with the support of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Second, He works for “those who are called according to His purpose” Following God entails submitting to His purpose for us. We have been called by Him for a purpose that He holds for us. Being called according to God’s purpose also reminds us what “our good” actually is. It’s not our comfort or success but is for the furthering of His purpose through us.
Achievements – How God has blessed our congregation over this time.
Our congregation has certainly been blessed as we have been uplifted by the visits of Pr Richard Vonesh from Fort Wayne, Indiana who served us for a wonderful six weeks, leading worship and visiting and instructing another lay reader which has helped in this time without a local bishop/pastor.
We also were blessed with leadership by Rene and Ruth Van den Tol from Sydney. Their enthusiastic leadership extended well beyond their four weeks with us. Rene started (and has since completed) an online confirmation class and a study group which began in person and continued online of the epistle to the Romans.
In the last two years we have:
- Welcomed a family of four from the Philippines and an young man from India
- Conducted four baptisms
- Had two deaths, conducting one and attending another.
- Started (and now completed) one confirmation
- Had an average worship attendance of 17 but this is always higher when we have interim pastors
- Lost one family due to the result of the vote the Women’s ordination
- Donated to the Red Cross following Cyclone Gabrielle
- Home hosted Pancake desert evenings on Shrove Tuesday
We have participated in:
- Making sure all our leadership team have met the required Professional Standards and Police Vetting requirements
- Bible studies both in person and online
- Communing those who are in hospital, in care or shut in.
- Shared lunches for special occasions such as baptisms, welcomes and farewells.
- Completion of the Charities commission requirements
- Shared the ‘Way Forward’ information by way of discussion in special meetings. We would like to thank the College of Bishops, Streams in the Dessert and the General Church board for their support and dissemination of vital materials.
We also:
- Have been blessed by the support of Bishop Robert and Bishop Richard both in encouraging us to welcome variety in worship and continue a reflective and missional approach
- Continued to keep in touch with those in diaspora through phone calls, text messages, newsletters and visits
- Have mourned the loss of Clive Kingsley Smith who had lay led worship, been a LLL board member, a Church Council member and an amazing support to our Pastors over the years. We also rejoice that he has claimed his place in heaven.
- We also attended the funeral of John Houstein who, with the encouragement of Bishop Mark had rejoiced to have his wife and grandson baptized. John welcomed the opportunity to commune regularly while in care and at his home in Matamata
2023/24 has continued to see our church blessed with visitors who are here for a short time either studying or on working holidays. We give thanks that our online presence has brought these folk to our doors. We rejoice that even our small number continues to be blessed and be able to work for the good of our wonderful God.
Hamilton
May 2025
