While our Church Building is Repaired we are meeting each Sunday at The Mineral & Lapidary Club 110 Waltham Rd (next to Waltham School) at 10am.

We would love to have the opportunity to welcome you.

Pentecost 20^th May 2018

Session Report:

Homeshare Plus…because Presbyterian Support is withdrawing from this project we have applied to Manchester Unity for funding. The project will be renamed South Elder Care (SEC).

Website Upgrade…Session thanks Deborah for the work that has gone into this.

Your Sisters Orphanage…Rob & Barb Meier will head away shortly to spend time at this project in Tanzania. The generosity of a member of the congregation means they will be able to fund equipment and materials they will need while there.

Thank You…to the Rev Lyndsey McKay who has led numerous services of worship over the past few years. Lyndsey is taking a break from this ministry.

Use of church building…Session is currently considering a proposal to hire outside help to propose uses for our church complex that fit our mission and would see the buildings fully utilised.

Thank you to the Men’s Group for hosting this morning’s Parish Breakfast.

 Wednesday Walkers: 23^rd May. (rescheduled from last week) Jean Turvey will lead us on walk around Kaiapoi, with coffee at Rivertown Café. We will carpool from the city – please meet/park at the Wesley Church, cnr Peraki & Fuller Streets. All are welcome. Sonya 027 2533397.

Mission Discernment Group meets this Wednesday 23^rd May in the Parish Office at 7.30pm.

Crafty Crafters Thursdays 10am – 12 noon at Beckenham Methodist. $3 per session. Lyndsey 388 1264.

Fireside Women’s Group: Tuesday 29^th May (please note change of date) at 7.30pm. All women are very welcome to join us at Joan Mac’s. Jill Grierson’s daughter Erin has kindly agreed to come and speak about her work in mental health.  Enquiries Margaret 366 8936.

South Brighton Voices invite you to their concert on Sunday 27^th May 2pm at Opawa Community Church. Door sales $15. Lyndsey 388 1264.

 Ramadan 2018: Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is a time for fasting, peace, and reflection on the Divine. Each lunar month is 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the new crescent moon. This year Ramadan began on Thursday 17 May or Friday 18 May if the moon was not sighted. This is a month of compassion and generosity, including towards those needing food, shelter and support, and the Ramadan fast is in solidarity with those who often go without. The end of Ramadan is the culmination of the Muslim calendar – marked by the annual festival of Eid, held over three days. To find out more: http://nawawicenter.org/

 Dementia Canterbury Seminars: Each month Dementia Canterbury runs FREE Community Education Seminars. These seminars are designed for families and wh?nau supporting someone with dementia.  Bookings are essential as places are limited to 30 participants. Contact Dementia Canterbury for more information on these education seminars (03 379 2590, freephone 0800 444 776 or email: admin@dementiacanterbury.org.nz

Thank you to those who pulled nails and put in new screws in the church roof on Saturday. About 1800 new galvanized screws were installed!

 Do you ever wish to catch up with a sermon? Sermons are now available on our website www.stmartins.org.nz They may not be exactly what’s said, but you should get the message! Feel free to respond with your thoughts.

The notices are also posted to the website so you can catch up with them even when you lose your hard copy.

 Invocation to the Spirit by Shirley Murray

From the waiting comes the sign, come, Holy Spirit, come;

from the Presence comes the peace, come, Holy Spirit, come;

from the silence comes the song, come, Holy Spirit, come;

and be to us in truth, the sign, the peace, the song.

In the burning is the fire, come, Holy Spirit, come;

in the spending is the gift, come, Holy Spirit, come;

in the breaking is the life, come, Holy Spirit, come;

and be to us in faith, the fire, the gift, the life.

While our Church Building is Repaired we are meeting each Sunday at The Mineral & Lapidary Club 110 Waltham Rd (next to Waltham School) at 10am.

We would love to have the opportunity to welcome you.

Mother’s Day 13^th May 2018

Parish Breakfast Next Sunday (wear something red for Pentecost!)

Yes, it’s breakfast time again at church.  The Men’s Group will be serving a choice of cereals, porridge and cream, and yummy hotcakes with fruit.   Breakfast is served from 8.45am and a gold coin is appreciated to help cover costs.  It’s a great time to get to know someone new and catch up with those you know well.

 Wednesday Walkers: 16^th May. Jean Turvey will lead us on walk around Kaiapoi, with coffee at Rivertown Café. We will carpool from the city – please meet/park at the Wesley Church, cnr Peraki & Fuller Streets. All are welcome. Sonya 027 2533397.

Session meets this Wednesday 16^th May 7.30pm at Merchiston.

 Help… we are replacing the nails in the church roof that have rusted next Saturday.  This is not a job for the faint hearted as we are working at some height.  Talk to Warren Pettigrew or David Hodder if you might be interested in helping.

‘Messenger’ deadline THIS Friday 18^th May. Please email any articles to anneke.howie@gmail.com

“What on earth is God doing about Unity?”
Stories of Justice, Peace & Hope.  A lively panel discussion to kick-start this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
TONIGHT 7.00-8.30pm, Knox Church, 28 Bealey Ave. Free/koha appreciated.(Supper served afterwards)

 Do you ever wish to catch up with a sermon? Sermons are now available on our website www.stmartins.org.nz They may not be exactly what’s said, but you should get the message! Feel free to respond with your thoughts.

The notices are also posted to the website so you can catch up with them even when you lose your hard copy.

 Thank You for your Support: The recent sale of walnuts raised $461 and thank you also to those who have purchased greeting cards – $535.20 raised to date! Joan Macdonald, Treasurer.

Crafty Crafters Thursdays 10am – 12 noon at Beckenham Methodist. $3 per session. Lyndsey McKay 388 1264.

The Fireside Women’s Group meets this month on Tuesday 29^th May (please note change of date) at 7.30pm. All women are very welcome. More details next week!

Building Update….The first of the steel cross bracing structures was installed in the church last week.  New lightweight bricks will be placed on the outside and timber framing and gib on the inside.

Day of Prayer to end famine…The hungry are of special concern to God for it is on their behalf God will ask us: “Did you feed me when I was hungry?” (Matt 25: 35-40)

The World Council of Churches ask us to participate in a global day of prayer to end famine on 10 June this year.

We are asked to unite as faith communities all over the world as a prayerful and spiritual movement to:

• Encourage prayer, reflection and action with information and suggestions.
• Bring awareness regarding famine’s impact on the most vulnerable children and families and to help address its root causes.
• Connect with church-related and other humanitarian organisations that are currently working to bring immediate relief and positive long-term change so children and families can live out God’s aspiration for a dignified, peaceful and violence-free future.
• Help communities and congregations to uphold each other in prayer and support, by sharing experiences, challenge and solutions.

Here are some alarming facts about hunger and famine in 2016:

1. Approximately 842 million people suffer from hunger worldwide. That’s almost 12 percent of the world’s population of 7.1 billion people. 60% of the worlds hungry are women.
2. Ninety-eight percent of those who suffer from hunger live in developing countries. 553 million live in the Asian and Pacific regions, while 227 million live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Latin America and the Caribbean account for 47 million.
3. Approximately nine million people die of hunger each year according to world hunger statistics; more than the death toll for malaria, AIDs and tuberculosis combined in 2012.
4. Because of the prevalence of hunger in women in developing countries, malnutrition is a leading cause of death for children. Approximately 3.1 million (8500 per day!) children die of hunger each year, and in 2011 poor nutrition accounted for 45 percent of deaths for children under five.

The worst thing about this is that the world produces enough food to feed everyone. Food availability per capita has increased from approximately 2220 kcal per person per day in the 1960s to 2790 kcals per person per day in 2006.

While our Church Building is Repaired we are meeting each Sunday at The Mineral & Lapidary Club 110 Waltham Rd (next to Waltham School) at 10am.

We would love to have the opportunity to welcome you.

Sixth Sunday of Easter 6^th May 2018

 Wednesday Walkers: 9^th May. Meet 9.30am at the Clock tower, by Margaret Mahy Playground, Manchester St for a shuffle in the leaves around the river!
Coffee from one of vendors in the Playground or maybe in New Regent St or Little Pom’s. Rosalie 021 239 5005.

Do you ever wish to catch up with a sermon? Sermons are now available on our website www.stmartins.org.nz They may not be exactly what’s said, but you should get the message! Feel free to respond with your thoughts. The notices are also posted to the website so you can catch up with them even when you lose your hard copy.

Parish Breakfast 20^th May is on Pentecost Sunday (wear something red!) Yes, it’s breakfast time again at church.  The Men’s Group will be serving a choice of cereals, porridge and cream, and yummy hotcakes with fruit.   Breakfast is served from 8.45am and a gold coin is appreciated to help cover costs.  It’s a great time to get to know someone new and catch up with those you know well.

 Articles for the next ‘Messenger’ are now required. Deadline Friday 20^th May. Email: anneke.howie@gmail.com

 Crafty Crafters Thursdays 10am – 12 noon at Beckenham Methodist. $3 per session. Lyndsey McKay 388 1264.

“What on earth is God doing about Unity?”
Stories of Justice, Peace & Hope. A lively panel discussion to kick-start this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
NEXT Sunday 13^th May, 7.00-8.30pm, Knox Church, 28 Bealey Ave. Free/koha appreciated. (Supper served afterwards)

Building Update….Some very large steel columns and beams were lowered through the roof of the church last Monday and attached to the rear wall of the church.  Two brick infill panels are being removed and early next week the cross bracing will be placed in these ‘gaps’.  Other infill panels will then be removed and cross bracing placed.  This needs to be a staged process to ensure there is strength retained in the building should there be another good shake.

Thank you to Keith, Cyril, David, Colin, Barry, Rob & Dugald who helped clean up the church grounds last week!

While our Church Building is Repaired we are meeting each Sunday at The Mineral & Lapidary Club 110 Waltham Rd (next to Waltham School) at 10am.

We would love to have the opportunity to welcome you.

Fifth Sunday of Easter 29^th April 2018

 “What on earth is God doing about Unity?”
Stories of Justice, Peace & Hope. A lively panel discussion to kick-start this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (May 13-20)
Sunday 13^th May, 7.00-8.30pm, Knox Church, 28 Bealey Ave. Free/koha appreciated. (Supper served afterwards)
Speakers: Ngaire Button, Community Leader;

Rev’d Ben Truman, Anglican Minister, St Martins & Opawa;

Father Frank Kelly, Prison Chaplain;

Rev’d Sheena Dickson, Minister of Eastern Churches Together.
Contact Mary 021-387-088 / Brian 021-129-4305

Notices: A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please join us for morning tea after the service.

 Wednesday Walkers: 2^nd May. Meet 9.30am at the corner of Armstrong Ave & Centaurus Rd for a walk around the Hillsborough area, followed by coffee at Fava Café. (Park in Wilsons Rd or Armstrong Ave).  Gaynor 337 0611.

Working Bee THIS Wednesday 2^nd May 1pm to remove ivy and other vegetation from the rear of the church section and do some tidying up.  Handsaws and loppers needed.

Men’s Group commences for the year THIS Thursday 3^rd May 6pm at Merchiston, 75 St Martins Rd, starting with a shared tea. James Wakefield will be speaking about their adventures in South America. All men welcome. Contact Tony Blackler 332 0554 for more details.

Articles for the next ‘Messenger’ are now required. Please send any contributions to anneke.howie@gmail.com before Friday 18^th May. Thank you.

The next Parish Breakfast is on Pentecost Sunday 20^th May, hosted by the Men’s Group. Watch this space for details!

Calling all knitters: Christchurch Women’s Hospital desperately requires knitted woollen hats, singlets, cardigans & bootees, in newborn size. Please drop items off to Maternity on Level 5.

Crafty Crafters Thursdays 10am – 12 noon at Beckenham Methodist. $3 per session. Lyndsey McKay 388 1264.

Professor of New Testament speaking at St Barnabas, Fendalton:
Paul Trebilco, Professor of New Testament at Otago University will be giving a public lecture at 7pm on Saturday 9^th June, at St Barnabas hall (8 Tui St, Fendalton). The title of his lecture will be “Survivor Roman Empire – how early Christians survived and thrived in ancient times and how we can too.”
Paul has published work on the Jewish and Greco-Roman backgrounds to the New Testament, the Acts of the Apostles, the apostle Paul, early Christians in Ephesus, the relationship of Scripture and Church tradition, and the self-designations used by the earliest Christians in the New Testament

While our Church Building is Repaired we are meeting each Sunday at The Mineral & Lapidary Club 110 Waltham Rd (next to Waltham School) at 10am.

We would love to have the opportunity to welcome you.

Fourth Sunday of Easter 22^nd April 2018

Notices: A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea after the service. Many thanks to Lyndsey McKay for leading the service today.

Euthanasia is a contentious issue that is currently in front of our parliament. Next Sunday we’ll look at this issue bearing in mind there is real diversity in our Christian thinking.  There will therefore be an opportunity for discussion and debate.

Foot Clinic TOMORROW 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist. Thank you to all those who assist with this ministry.

Fireside Women’s Group meets this Tuesday 24th April at 7.30pm.  All women are welcome to join us at Janette’s, 62 Frankleigh St.  Hilary and Carol will explain about the Mission Discernment Group which is thinking about ways we can involve the community in activity at St Martins Presbyterian Church.  Enquiries: Margaret 366 8936.

PLEASE NOTE: The Parish Office will be closed this Wednesday (Anzac Day).

Handmade greeting cards for sale. $3 each.  All proceeds to the St Martins Building fund.

Wednesday Walkers: 25^th April. Meet 9.30am in the Gardens carpark off Armagh St for a walk which will include Victoria & Cranmer Squares. Coffee at Ilex (to be confirmed). Judith 332 1577.

Crafty Crafters meets on Thursdays 10am – 12 noon at Beckenham Methodist. Cost:  $3 per session.  Contact Lyndsey McKay 388 1264 for more details.

Can You Help? Recently, Waltham Cottage has given out high numbers of food parcels, so stock is low. When you are buying groceries, please consider adding something extra to contribute to the food bank at Waltham Cottage.

Men’s Group commences for the year on Thursday 3^rd May 6pm at Merchiston, 75 St Martins Rd, starting with a shared tea. James Wakefield will be speaking about their adventures in South America. All men welcome. Contact Tony Blackler 332 0554 for more details.

Working Bee….to remove ivy and other vegetation from the rear of the church section and do some tidying up.  Handsaws and loppers needed.  Wednesday 2^nd May at 1.00pm.

St Ninian’s Centenary (Queen’s Birthday weekend). Seeking all past members or those who have had an association with St Ninian’s. If you are interested in attending all or part of the programme, please contact their Office: 348 6418, email stninians05@gmail.com.

Building Update

Current Work: Concrete has been poured for the large extra foundation at the rear of the church.  Work will now proceed to install the large amount of steel to be placed in the back wall.  This steel will have to be lowered by crane into place through a section of roof which will have to be removed.  Work is also about to begin removing the brick infill panels on the south wall.  So far no major issues have been encountered and it appears the soffit lining which contains asbestos will be able to be left undisturbed.

Looking Forward…

All steel reinforcing should be in place by the end of June.

Interior walls will be relined in early July.

New kitchen joinery in place by end of July.

Project finished by beginning of October.

Current Activity of Building team…

1. Final decisions on sound system and worship lighting
2. Determine electrical fit out
3. Determine colours for painting and carpet

Decisions on choice of seating have yet to be made.