WHILE OUR CHURCH BUILDING IS REPAIRED WE ARE MEETING EACH SUNDAY AT THE MINERAL & LAPIDARY CLUB 11O WALTHAM RD (NEXT TO WALTHAM SCHOOL) AT 10AM.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME YOU.

Second Sunday of Easter 8^th April 2018

 Notices: A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea. Many thanks to Rev. Alan Webster for leading today’s service.

Euthanasia is a contentious issue that is currently in front of our parliament.  On Sunday 29^th April 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.

Wednesday Walkers: 11^th April. Meet 9.30am in Hawford Rd by Opawa Mall carpark. Coffee at Opawa Bakery & Café. Joan Mac 022 081 4088.

Can You Help? Recently, Waltham Cottage given out high numbers of food parcels, so stock is low. When you are shopping this week and in the weeks ahead, perhaps add an extra one or two items to contribute to the food bank at Waltham Cottage.  Have you considered becoming a Supporter of Waltham Cottage? Check out their updated website: www.walthamcottage.com

Volunteers Required! Foot Pampering need more volunteers to assist with foot soaking. Training on the job provided. The next Foot Clinic is on Monday 23^rd April 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist. Come along and have a look!

Homeshare Plus needs some more help on the 2^nd, 4^th & 5^th Tuesday of each month. Venue: Sydenham Community Centre every Tuesday 10am – 2.30pm, or just help in the morning. Please come and see what we do and be part of a service combatting loneliness in our community. See the latest “Messenger” for more details, or talk to Lyndsey McKay 388 1268.

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

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

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.

Songs of Rejoicing – a musical celebration of Easter with Schola Cantorum TONIGHT 7pm at St Barnabas’ Church, Fendalton. $15 waged/$10 unwaged. Children free.

Garage Sale at St Anne’s 7 Wilsons Rd Sth THIS Saturday 14^th April 8.30am-12 noon.

Building report…At the back corner of the church a brick infill panel has been removed and some foundation cut away to allow a larger concrete pad to be poured.  Steel reinforcing cages will be placed for the new foundation are ready to be inserted and the concrete will be poured next week.  Part of the roof will then be removed to allow the installation of a steel frame which will sit in the back wall.  Once this work is complete other work will ramp up.

Session Report

Homeshare Plus: We have been successful in applying for funding of $2,000 from the St David’s Trust to help meet costs of this programme.  We have however received notification from Presbyterian Support that they are withdrawing support. Session is keen to continue the programme and is exploring ways to enable this.

Your Sisters Orphanage: Session is aware the Barb and Rob Meier are going to Tanzania in June to offer support at the orphanage.  We have received generous donations for tools and equipment.  Thank You.

Sound Team: We are establishing a small team to take responsibility for setting up microphones, testing they are working, and putting them away at the end of worship.   This is not an arduous task, but basic electronic knowledge would be helpful.   Training will be offered.  Speak to Warren Pettigrew if you are interested in helping.

Building: We are applying to release money that was allocated to St Martins in the St David’s Trust following the closure of St James.  This money would be used to help with strengthening and alteration at the church.  This amounts to approx. $38,000.   We have been informed that our application to the Alpine Mission Fund for funding the church building work has not been successful.

CWS Cyclone Gita Appeal
Thank you to the many generous donors who are assisting some of the 78,000 people affected by February’s tropical cyclone. Our partner, the Tonga Community Development Trust, has sent us a proposal to restore gardens, repair rainwater harvesting systems and supply chickens or ducks to 140 households on Tongatapu and ‘Eua. CWS was delighted to learn that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will help fund this programme.

From the Assembly Executive Secretary… Staff news.. As advised last month, we have appointed Sandra Kennerley as our new Finance Manager. We’ll welcome Sandra to the team and introduce her more fully when she starts on 4 April.

Assembly 2018….The 2018 General Assembly will be held from 3-7 October at St Andrew’s College in Christchurch. Assembly is a time for us to learn, grow and celebrate our Church’s life and mission.

From the Archives team in Dunedin… Although we hold many thousands of photos, it has become apparent that we don’t have a visual record of every church, past or present. We are therefore planning to create a database of church photographs to ensure that our visual record is complete.

As a first step we are asking people and parishes from throughout New Zealand to send both historical and/or current photos of their churches (and manses and church halls).

From our Global Mission Office – Rev Phil King

Myanmar News…. I recently returned from a visit to Myanmar. As well as attending the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar (PCM) General Assembly, we reviewed and updated all aspects of our Ricebowl Mission partnership with the PCM. New projects were approved and funds for these will be sent now.

Vanuatu News…  Momentum is picking up in Vanuatu with all the members of our Global Mission team back and well under way in their respective areas of service. Numerous congregational teams and youth and school groups have projects planned with the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu this year, including the hosting of a team from Malekula Island in Dunedin in August.

WHILE OUR CHURCH BUILDING IS REPAIRED WE ARE MEETING EACH SUNDAY AT THE MINERAL & LAPIDARY CLUB 11O WALTHAM RD (NEXT TO WALTHAM SCHOOL) AT 10AM.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME YOU.

 Easter Day 1 April 2018

This is the day

When God rolls away the stone of death, and enters the tombs of despair

This is the day,

When darkness is defeated and shattered hearts are filled with hope

This is the day,

When we celebrate the victory of love, and the eternal life of Christ.

This is the day – Easter Day,

Christ is risen,   Hallelujah!

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

Court Theatre trip THIS Thursday 5^th April, 6.30pm start. Sue will distribute the tickets this morning.

Wednesday Walkers: 4^th April. Meet 9.30am at Ferrymead Golf carpark to walk alongside the river to the motorway and back. Coffee TBC. Rob 384 4320.

From Waltham Cottage… A huge thank you for the fabulous array of Easter goodies. The fact that all our folk will be able to go home with an Easter egg and share in one of the traditions of Easter, is just great. Thank you to everyone who contributed.

From Irene: But of concern is the fact that over the past several weeks Waltham Cottage has more than doubled having to give out food parcels. Adrienne mentioned that while, usually, requests for food parcels are fairly stable, there has been a real upsurge for the need of help in this area. So please – when you are shopping this week and in the weeks ahead, perhaps an added one or two items to contribute to the food bank at Waltham Cottage would be appreciated. Have you considered becoming a Supporter of Waltham Cottage? Supporting local children. Check out their updated website. Well worth a look. www.walthamcottage.com

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

EASTER CANTATA by Murray Lennox and other Easter music, will be presented by the All Souls Anglican church choir (a new parish combining St Mary’s Merivale and St Matthew’s Cranford Street) at the new Oxford Terrace Baptist Church 2pm TODAY, accompanied by grand piano and the newly restored organ.  A feast of sound!                Admission $10.

Your Sisters Honey: Make a donation for a 450g jar of wonderful Woolston honey.

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

Songs of Rejoicing – a musical celebration of Easter with Schola Cantorum. Sunday 8^th April 7pm at St Barnabas’ Church, Fendalton. $15 waged/$10 unwaged. Children free.

Garage Sale at St Anne’s Anglican Church Hall, 7 Wilsons Rd on Saturday 14^th April 8.30am – 12noon.  Donations of goods to sell appreciated also.

Today is a solemn day.

Today is a day we remember the powers of darkness

are strong and real.

Today we recall that the presence of God, seen in Jesus,

was consigned to the cross to be silenced and extinguished.

We gather in the shadow of the cross.

Good Friday Prayer

In silence the cross speaks

In silence God waits

For us to come to our senses

In silence on this day we remember

Your body broken by the choices of humans.

Afraid, stupid, weak.

Your truth ignored

By the choice of humans

whose blindness turned religion

Into a club

Your life was crucified.

In silence the cross speaks

In silence God waits.

For us to come to us senses.

In word and in silence open our eyes to the evil

Present in our hearts our lives, our world.

Call us again into a holy union with you our God

That together we can shape a new earth.

Wrap your unending love around us that we might stand tall

For the way of compassion

The way of Jesus.

O saviour of the world

Through our lives and by our prayers

May the reign of God come on earth.

Join us for Easter Sunday Communion 10am

REMINDER: Daylight Saving finishes on Sunday – don’t forget to turn your clocks back!!

WHILE OUR CHURCH BUILDING IS REPAIRED WE ARE MEETING EACH SUNDAY AT THE MINERAL & LAPIDARY CLUB 11O WALTHAM RD (NEXT TO WALTHAM SCHOOL) AT 10AM.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME YOU.

 Sunday 25^th March 2018 10am

 One Minute Meditation: One of the best ways to reduce anxiety and help with insomnia is to meditate.  It pumps oxygen into your brain and helps re-orientate yourself.  We often worry needlessly or let our emotions get out of control.  One Minute Meditation re-orientates ourselves in stillness where God lives.  Remember the quote of Teresa of Avila who said, “God is the friend of silence”. 

To meditate, sit comfortably.  Legs uncrossed, hands resting in balanced way.  Say to yourself “Be still and Know I am God”.  Relax yourself and notice your breathing.  “In and out”.  If you find your mid wandering simply come back to your breathing.  Be still for just a minute and notice that you now feel calmer, and more peaceful.  You can download an app or visit  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6eFFCi12v8

 Session Report

Homeshare Plus: We have been successful in applying for funding of $2,000 from the St David’s Trust to help meet costs of this program.  We have however received notification from Presbyterian Support that they are withdrawing support.   The Session is keen to continue the program and is exploring ways to enable this.

Your Sisters Orphanage: Session is aware the Barb and Rob Meier are going to Tanzania in June to offer support at the orphanage.  We know there will be a need for tools and equipment once they are there.  Session believes there is strong support for this project and would like to establish a fund of up to $500.00 to be used for the purchase of equipment.  If you would like to make a special donation to this fund, please communicate with Joan Macdonald.

Sound Team: We are establishing a small team to take responsibility for setting up microphones, testing they are working, and putting them away at the end of worship.   This is not an arduous task, but basic electronic knowledge would be helpful.   Training will be offered.  Speak to Warren Pettigrew if you are interested in helping.

Building: We are applying to release money that was allocated to St Martins in the St David’s Trust following the closure of St James.  This money would be used to help with strengthening and alteration at the church.  This amounts to approx. $38,000.   We have been informed that our application to the Alpine Mission Fund for funding the church building work has not been successful.

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

REMINDER: Daylight Saving finishes next Sunday – don’t forget to turn your clocks back!!

 EASTER SERVICES: Good Friday 30^th March at 9.30am & Easter Sunday 1 April Communion 10am

 Fireside Women’s Group meets this Tuesday 27^th March 7.30pm at Anneke’s, 5 Simeon Quay in Lyttelton. All women of the congregation are welcome. Anneke has arranged a visit from the instructor of the “Sit & Be Fit” class that several church people attend.  We will be able to try some examples of what they do. Take this chance to ask for information about your own fitness queries! Enquiries: Margaret 366 8936.

Wednesday Walkers: 28^th March. Contact Sonya 339 7038 for this week’s destination.

Final Lenten Conversation: Our Wednesday group will meet at 1.30pm on  28^th March at Allison’s.

Crafty Crafters Craft Crawl to Hanmer Springs THIS Thursday 29^th March leaving at 9.00am from Beckenham Methodist. Please be there by 8.45am. Cost is now $37 as fewer people are able to go so we have booked a smaller bus. Contact Lyndsey McKay 388 1264 today if you would like to join us.

Readers: If you would like to be added to the readers’ roster, please contact the Parish Office 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz

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

New Sunday Roster available today – please check to see if there is a copy for you. Anna.

A Spacious Way –  a reflective space for Holy Week at The Village Church – Papanui, cnr Papanui Rd & Frank St.
Featuring images and poems by Andrew Norton
Monday 26^th  March – Sunday 1^st April open 9am – 5pm

Honey for Your Sisters… 540g of some wonderful Woolston Honey for a donation to Your Sisters Orphanage.  This is delectable honey with no sugar added!  The dark runny honey has a real treacle edge.  Minimum donation $10.00.

Garage Sale at St Anne’s Anglican Church Hall, 7 Wilsons Rd on Saturday 14^th April 8.30am. Donations of goods to sell appreciated also.

WHILE OUR CHURCH BUILDING IS REPAIRED WE ARE MEETING EACH SUNDAY AT THE MINERAL & LAPIDARY CLUB 11O WALTHAM RD (NEXT TO WALTHAM SCHOOL) AT 10AM.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME YOU.

 Sunday 18th March 2018 10am

 The Welcoming Prayer is a method of actively letting go of thoughts and feelings that support the false-self system.  It is based on the well known verse from Psalm 46: Be still and know that I am God. Developed by Mary Mrozowski, one of the founders of Contemplative Outreach, the Welcoming Prayer invites God to dismantle the emotional programmes of the false-self system and to heal the emotional wounds we’ve stored in the body. The method of the Welcoming Prayer includes noticing the feelings, emotions, thoughts and sensations in your body, welcoming them, and then letting them go. Practicing the Welcoming Prayer offers one the opportunity to make choices free of the false-self system — responding instead of reacting to the present moment. The purpose of the Welcoming Prayer is to deepen one’s relationship with God by consenting to God’s healing presence and action in the ordinary activities of daily life.

Instructions: When you have an overly emotional experience in daily life, take a moment to be still and silent and follow these steps.

Focus, feel and sink into the feelings, emotions, thoughts, sensations and commentaries in your body.

Welcome God in the feelings, emotions, thoughts, commentaries or sensations in your body by saying, “Welcome.”

Let go by repeating the following sentences:

“I let go of the desire for security, affection, control.”

“I let go of the desire to change this feeling/sensation.”

(Fr Thomas Keating has a longer version of the prayer which you can find on the internet…)

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

 Thank you to members of Session for providing this morning’s delicious breakfast.

There will be a Good Friday service on Friday 30^th March at 9.30am at CMLC.

 Homeshare Plus Day-Care Programme: Volunteers from St Martins work with Presbyterian Support to provide a support network for older people, who may be in frail health, lonely, or having difficulties with early dementia. At Homeshare Plus they enjoy companionship, stimulating activities, walks and a hot meal in the middle of the day.

We meet every Tuesday in the Sydenham Community Centre for morning tea, lunch and activities.  If you would like to know more, please speak to Lyndsey McKay.

Wednesday Walkers: 21^st March. Meet 9.30am in Victoria Park carpark for a walk up Harry Ell track for coffee at the Sign of the Kiwi. Sonya 0272533397.

Session meets this Wednesday 21^st March 7.30pm at Merchiston.

Lenten Conversations this week: Monday 19^th March 7.30pm at Dugald & Janet’s; and Wednesday 21^st March 1.30pm at Sonya & David’s

Easter Eggs for Waltham Cottage: Please pop an extra egg or two in with your groceries this week, and bring them along to church next Sunday.

Crafty Crafters Craft Crawl to Hanmer Springs Thursday 29^th March leaving at 9.00am from Beckenham Methodist. Please be there by 8.45am. Cost for the bus is $25 pp. Contact Lyndsey McKay 388 1264 to book.

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

Building Report: As we go to print (Friday) we are still waiting for the Church Property Trustees to sign the contract with Simon Construction.   However we expect this will be completed today.  Simon plan to work first on the rear of the building and have dug out the increased foundation and have steel reinforcing made up to complete this part of the work.  A large amount of steel will be inserted in the west wall and a small section of roof will need to be removed to undertake this.  We expect workmen on site on Monday.

Readers: If you would like to be added to the readers’ roster, please contact the Parish Office 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz

A Spacious Way – A reflective space for Holy Week at The Village Church – Papanui, cnr Papanui Rd & Frank St.
Featuring images and poems by Andrew Norton
Monday 26^th  March – Sunday 1^st April open 9am – 5pm
Andrew says: “This is a deeply personal and sacred place for me as I have journeyed with change, transition, surgery for pancreatic cancer and subsequent chemotherapy. While I would rather not be in this place I am full of gratitude for the opportunities gifted to me as I have explored my creativity and an invitation to a spacious way.  The poetry and landscapes of this exhibition have been a vital part of my healing and recovery.”