On Saturday, Hillcrest Chapel ran an event called ‘Shine’, with nearly 100 people attending, more than half of them coming from community families.
The evening started with kai, and then they shared about how the Matariki (Pleiades) constellation is mentioned in the Bible and talked about how amazing God, the Creator of the stars, is.
Children and Families Pastor Rach Dixon writes,
“Then we got families to group together and chat about the year that has been ('look back') —reflecting on highlights, memories and any loved ones who have passed.“Next was the 'look forward' aspect—everyone was given a star to write a hope, dream or prayer for the future on and invited to come and stick it on our night sky wall. Our church prayer week is coming up soon, so we will be praying for these things as part of praying for our community.
“Finally, 'look around'—all the kids decorated cardboard lanterns and drew or wrote something they are grateful for on them.”
Hillcrest Chapel's prayer is that those families who attended can build on the connections they are making through events like this and other ministries they run.
Rach highlights, “We want church to be a place where they feel invited, welcomed and loved.”
