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.”

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 11th March 2018 10am

 We are a community, a source of love,

Laughter and sharer of tears.

We are a people prepared to take risks,

Working together, that one day this world will be a place,

where people can live in peace, justice and freedom.

This is our hope, this is our faith,

that we dare to believe, always and in spite of everything,

in God’s power to transform.                                    Anon; ©Iona Community

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

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

Foot Clinic TOMORROW 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist. Please speak to Lyndsey McKay if you would like to join the team of volunteers.

 Wednesday Walkers: 14^th March. Meet 9.30am corner of Brittan Tce & Simeon Quay, Lyttelton, for a walk to Corsair Bay (NB: weather dependent). Coffee at 5 Simeon Quay – bring your coins as this is a fundraiser for the building fund. Anneke 328 7459

Parish Breakfast NEXT Sunday 18^th March 8.45am, brought to you by members of Session.  Croissants, hot cross buns and muffins are on the menu! Gold coin donation please. Reminder: The City2Surf fun run is on next Sunday – plan your trip carefully!

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

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

Lenten Conversations…During Lent there is an opportunity to gather with others to grow in our connection with God and one another. One meeting this week on Monday 12^th March 7.30pm at Peggy’s. The Wednesday afternoon group next meets on 21^st March at Sonya’s.

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.

Repair Café: THIS Saturday 17^th March 1-3pm at St Anne’s Church, 7 Wilsons Rd South. Help our environment by learning ways to recycle, reuse and repair. All are welcome.

Building Update: The contract has been signed by the contractor but there have been delays in getting it to Wellington for signing by the Church Property Trustees. We are applying for funding from the Alpine Mission Fund specifically for funds to install a good sound system and data projectors, and for landscaping.

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 4^th March 2018 10am

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

 Session meets: There is a special meeting of Session in the back room immediately after worship today to confirm matters relating to the rebuild.

 Thank You to everyone who supported the CWS Cyclone Gita Tonga Appeal. $595 was donated which is fantastic. Well done!

 Wednesday Walkers: 7^th March. Third time lucky!! Meet 9.30am in Bunyan St, west side of Waltham Park off Waltham Rd, for a walk around the area. Coffee will be at the XCHC Café, 376 Wilsons Rd. All Welcome. Judith Mackay 332 1577.

Parish Breakfast Sunday 18^th March 8.45am, brought to you by members of Session.  Croissants are on the menu! Gold coin donation please.

Lenten Conversations…During Lent there is an opportunity to gather with others to grow in our connection with God and one another.  No study groups this coming week. Next one: Monday 12^th March 7.30pm at Peggy’s. The Wednesday afternoon group next meets on 21^st March at Sonya’s.

Court Theatre Group Booking: Thursday 5^th April 6.30pm “Easy Money” by Roger Hall. Numbers attending and money in NAMED envelope to Sue Saunders today!

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

 Crafty Crafters Craft Crawl to Hanmer Springs Thursday 29^th March leaving at 9.30am from Beckenham Methodist. Cost for the bus is $25 pp. Contact Lyndsey McKay 388 1264 to book.

Repair Café: Saturday 17^th March 1-3pm at St Anne’s Church, 7 Wilsons Rd South. Help our environment by learning ways to recycle, reuse and repair. All are welcome. Brought to you by Anglican Care Community Development.

Building Update: We are in the process of signing a contract and anticipate it will be signed by midweek. Building work will recommence very shortly after and we hope completion will be in September 2018.

Please Note: Anna will not be in the Office this Friday 9^th March.

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 February 2018 10am

 How do you read the Bible…For many people the Bible is just too hard. We don’t feel we have enough background to understand it. The strange thing is that books like Paul’s letters were written to uneducated folk and Paul expected they would make sense of the letter. The gospels were not written for academics.

One way of reading the Bible is to read a section and notice what phrase or words seem to stand out (touch your heart). There may be a phrase that simply invokes curiosity, or it may raise a question. You may empathise with a character. Take time to ponder what stands out and ask why it does. What is happening in your life that it may be speaking into. You may find it helpful to write this down. Maybe God is whispering to you in these ponderings, so be still and listen.

Another exercise you may find helpful is to read a Psalm and then use that a base to put it into your own words. Start with a Psalm you know well like Psalm 23 or Psalm 121. As you read the original and put it into your own words don’t be afraid to expand the Psalm with some comments about your own life. The Psalm can then become your prayer, and a vehicle through which God can whisper to you.

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

 Retiring Offering TODAY for CWS Cyclone Gita Appeal: Support Tongans to repair and replace water and food supplies lost in Cyclone Gita. Please fill in a form if you require a receipt for tax purposes.

Fireside Women’s Group meets this Tuesday 27^th February 7.30pm. Jill has invited us to her home and we welcome other women of the congregation to join us.  Enquiries: please phone Margaret 366 8936.

 Wednesday Walkers: 28^th February. Meet 9.30am in Bunyan St, west side of Waltham Park off Waltham Rd, (there is angle parking there) for a walk around the area. Coffee will be at the XCHC Café, 376 Wilsons Rd. All Welcome. Judith Mackay 332 1577.

World Day of Prayer Ecumenical Service this Friday 2^nd March 7.30pm at Beckenham Methodist Church. This year’s theme is “All God’s creation is very good!” The service has been prepared by the WDP committee, Suriname. All are welcome.

COMING UP: Parish Breakfast Sunday 18^th March 8.45am, brought to you by members of Session. Watch this space for more details.

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

 Crafty Crafters Craft Crawl to Hanmer Springs Thursday 29^th March leaving at 9.30am from Beckenham Methodist. Cost for the bus is $25 pp. We will visit craft shops in Culverden & Hanmer. Bring your togs if you want a swim! Please let Lyndsey McKay 388 1264 know if you would like to come along. Also being planned is joining a cruise to a Pacific island in winter – see Lyndsey if you are interested.

Lenten Conversations…During Lent there is an opportunity to gather with others to grow in our connection with God and one another.  We have two groups meeting: Monday night (7.30pm at Carol’s home) and Wednesday afternoon  (1.30pm at Allison’s home).   There are still a couple of spaces available.

Court Theatre Group Booking: Thursday 5^th April 6.30pm “Easy Money” by Roger Hall. Cost $49 per person or $40 with a Community Services Card (photocopy of card details required). Numbers attending and money in NAMED envelope to Sue Saunders, or dropped in to the Parish Office, by next Sunday 4^th March please.

Managers’ Report: 

Finances…we continue to “hold our own” financially, and are tracking well with our budget.

Manse…smoke alarms have been replaced.

Office…a first coat of paint has been applied, and cameras installed for security.

Health & Safety…if you notice any safety issues, please notify an office bearer.

Building Report: We have received consent from the Christchurch City Council to proceed with the church repairs. The consent process highlighted issues with the fire rating of the south wall, drainage, and an up to date Geotech report. With all fees paid the consent process has added another $40 000 to our rebuild cost which we had not budgeted for. (Advice we received was that we would not need a consent). We are exploring other avenues for raising capital. We are currently negotiating a contract with Simon Construction to undertake the repairs. Because this contract will be for over $500 000 it will need to be signed by the legal owners of the church building – the Presbyterian Church Property Trustees. We hope we can achieve this in the coming week. Simon can start again on site as soon as the contract is signed.

 The Easter Story: Fact or Fable? Study Course at Iona House, Aranui Thursday afternoons for six weeks, 2pm – 4pm, commencing 8^th March 2018. Facilitated by Charles Manning, Rodney Routledge & Sheena Dickson. It will be interactive. Email office.stgeorgesiona@gmail.comor ph 355 6601(leave a message) by 2^nd March to enrol.

Life Giving Habits in Lent: During Lent we will be highlighting life giving habits or disciplines that you may wish to experiment with.  These disciplines help us become more grounded and aware of God in our daily lives. 

Helen Keller became blind and deaf when only two years old.  She was blessed to have a teacher who realised that touch was the only way that she could connect and teach Helen.   Patiently day after day the teacher would spell the names of things they were experiencing on Helen’s hand.  For example, when she washed her hands in water the teacher would spell ‘water’ on Helen’s hand.  Helen’s world was very limited without sight and sound, and at first this strange ‘touching’ from another was meaningless.  But Helen slowly learned to recognise that the movements of touch on her hand were saying something.   They were ‘signs’ that helped explain what she was experiencing.  Finally she ‘got it’ – someone was communicating with her and teaching her, and from that day forward she never ceased to educate herself and expand her horizon.

Very few people are born with Helen’s handicap but do we really see and hear.  God may be whispering all around us and we don’t notice or make no sense of it.  We each are unique individuals who have different ways of ‘noticing’ God, so during Lent 2018 we will highlight different spiritual disciplines that might help us, like Helen, learn to hear and see the whispering of God in our lives.

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 18^th February 2018 10am First Sunday in Lent

 Lenten Conversations…During Lent there is an opportunity to gather with others to grow in our connection with God and one another.  We have two groups meeting beginning this week on Monday night (7.30pm at Janet and Dugald’s home), and Wednesday afternoon  (1.30pm at Jeannette and David’s home).   There are still a couple of spaces available.

 Life Giving Habits in Lent: During Lent we will be highlighting life giving habits or disciplines that you may wish to experiment with.  These disciplines help us become more grounded and aware of God in our daily lives. 

Helen Keller became blind and deaf when only two years old.  She was blessed to have a teacher who realised that touch was the only way that she could connect and teach Helen.   Patiently day after day the teacher would spell the names of things they were experiencing on Helen’s hand.  For example, when she washed her hands in water the teacher would spell ‘water’ on Helen’s hand.  Helen’s world was very limited without sight and sound, and at first this strange ‘touching’ from another was meaningless.  But Helen slowly learned to recognise that the movements of touch on her hand were saying something.   They were ‘signs’ that helped explain what she was experiencing.  Finally she ‘got it’ – someone was communicating with her and teaching her, and from that day forward she never ceased to educate herself and expand her horizon.

Very few people are born with Helen’s handicap but do we really see and hear.  God may be whispering all around us and we don’t notice or make no sense of it.  We each are unique individuals who have different ways of ‘noticing’ God, so during Lent 2018 we will highlight different spiritual disciplines that might help us, like Helen, learn to hear and see the whispering of God in our lives.

Keeping a Journal… A journal can be kept in an exercise book, on your computer, or a specially purposed diary.  The main thing is that it is kept private and it is not for anyone else’s eyes, other than yourself and God.  It is somewhere where you can express yourself with uncensored honesty, and reflectively process some of what is happening in your life.

How often you write (or draw) is up to you but setting a regular committed pattern is important.  You might start weekly or if there is time more frequently.  It is helpful to find a quiet uninterrupted spot to use your journal for at least 15 minutes at a time.

What distinguishes a journal from a diary of events is that the emphasis is on exploring your own inner world.  Note the things that have somehow been significant for you.  When have you been most at peace and why do you think this so?  When have you been least at peace and why might this be?  When did you feel most alive and when did you feel least alive?  Why was this?  What delighted you and what upset you?  Start with what happened in the significant ‘event’ and what you felt or thought.  What might God be whispering to you through these happenings?  You can write about dreams, worries, failures, confusions, doubts, sadnesses and joys … anything that you think is significant in your life.

From time to time (maybe every three months, but at least yearly) read back over your journal and look for themes that come up regularly and persistently.  What is God saying to you in these things?

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

The Easter Story: Fact or Fable? Study Course at Iona House, Aranui

Why was the long-promised Messiah Jesus brutally executed on a crude Roman Cross? What was the early apostles’ experience of Jesus post the Crucifixion? Was Jesus physically raised from the dead? These two seminal events of the Christian tradition will be examined in the light of the latest research and biblical scholarship, especially the Jesus Seminar. The Easter events, their place in history and their relevance for today will also be noted.

Thursday afternoons for six weeks, 2pm – 4pm, commencing 8^th March 2018. Facilitated by Charles Manning, Rodney Routledge & Sheena Dickson. It will be interactive.

To enrol, email office.stgeorgesiona@gmail.com or ph 355 6601 to leave a message by 2^nd March.

Deadline for the next ‘Messenger’ is THIS Friday 23^rd February. Email contributions to anneke.howie@gmail.com please.

 Wednesday Walkers: 21^st February. Meet 9.30am in Bunyan St, west side of Waltham Park off Waltham Rd, (there is angle parking there) for a walk around the area. Coffee will be at the XCHC Café, 376 Wilsons Rd. All Welcome. Judith Mackay 332 1577.

Board of Managers’ meeting this Wednesday 21^st February 7.30pm at Merchiston.

 World Day of Prayer Ecumenical Service Friday 2^nd March 7.30pm at Beckenham Methodist Church. This year’s theme is “All God’s creation is very good!” The service has been prepared by the WDP committee, Suriname. All are welcome.

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

 Crafty Crafters Craft Crawl to Hanmer Springs Thursday 29^th March leaving at 9.30am from Beckenham Methodist. Cost for the bus is $25 pp. We will visit craft shops in Culverden & Hanmer. Bring your togs if you want a swim! Please let Lyndsey McKay 388 1264 know if you would like to come along.

Also being planned is joining a cruise to a Pacific island in winter – see Lyndsey if you are interested.

WANTED: Photographs of Parish events – please email photos to the Office so we can keep a record of what’s happening around the parish.

 Court Theatre Group Booking: Thursday 5^th April 6.30pm “Easy Money” by Roger Hall. Cost $49 per person or $40 with a Community Services Card (photocopy of card details required). The seats selected are easily accessible for those with mobility issues. Numbers attending and money in NAMED envelope to Sue Saunders, or dropped in to the Parish Office, by Sunday 4^th March at the latest please. Sign up today!

CWS Cyclone Gita Appeal: Support Tongans to repair and replace water and food supplies lost in Cyclone Gita. Here’s how you can donate:

• Go to cws.org.nz/donate
• Direct Deposit – Christian World Service Account: 06 0817 0318646 00, ref: Tonga
• Phone 0800 74 73 72 with your credit card