Wednesday 12 November 2025
A fortnight ago, I had the privilege of being able to write to you about the series we’ve been offering this term in Chapel about the parables that Jesus told and that are illustrated in the Chapel windows. As you may be aware, this collection of stories that Jesus told - that feature in the Gospels, were woven together by the Master-storyteller to land important universal truths that tell us about what matters most.
Last week, I spoke about The Parable of the Prodigal Son – and this week Mr Horacek-Glading is speaking about Parable of The Rich Person and Lazarus. In telling this story, he recounted the beautiful and heart-rending story of The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde. A children’s story, it talks about a statue of a lavishly decorated prince that is set upon a tall column to overlook the city in which he used to live when he was a boy, he enlists the help of a swallow that is headed for Egypt to escape the onset of winter. What is so telling, is the way in which the prince – moved by the need he sees going on throughout the town below – gives his own bejewelled decorations to the swallow to distribute amongst the city’s most needy.
This contemporary parable and God’s concern for those in need, is close to the heart of the parable that Jesus tells, because it is close to the heart of what God wants. The Gospels are shot through with this kind of instruction to look after those in need. James the Lord’s brother said in James1:27: “This is true religion – to look after orphans and widows in their distress...”
To this end, we again commend to you this important opportunity to be involved in one of two really important charitable initiatives outlined below:
Monte Cecilia Housing Trust
One of the great needs in transitional housing is to help families in need be able to give their children a gift at Christmas. In partnership with the Monte Cecilia Housing Trust, Te Karaiti Te Pou Herenga Waka Mangere and Dilworth School we are pleased to give families the opportunity to select a gift of approximately $20 to go to a boy or girl this Christmas.
How it works…
By emailing me - Reverend Walters on g.walters@kingscollege.school.nz - you will be given both an age and gender to purchase a Christmas gift for. You will be encouraged to bring it along to either the Year 9 or Year 10 Advent Carol services on Sunday 30 November, where it will be placed underneath our Christmas tree. This opportunity will be circulated in two weeks’ time, which will give you a fortnight before the presents are due at the Chapel.
Anglican Trust for Women and Children
The second charitable initiative supports the work of The Anglican Trust for Women and Children. Here we get the opportunity to make a donation towards a Christmas hamper – of differing values, which will be given to a family in the wider community.
By giving a Christmas Kindness Case Goody Bag, you are giving more than a gift, but also giving aroha, dignity and choice to families. For $30, $60 or $90 you can make a difference to a family's Christmas Day this year. Buy a Kindness Case Goody Bag here.
Carol Services
A reminder that there is an expectation that our Year 9 and 10 students and their families attend our Advent Carol Services, along with senior students who also wish to come along. Please diarise these important services:
Sunday 30 November 5.30pm - Year 9 Advent Carol Service
Sunday 30 November 7.15pm - Year 10 Advent Carol Service
In the meantime, have a blessed season as we run in to the conclusion of the year.
Peace and grace,
Rev Gareth Walters