While our church building is repaired we are meeting each Sunday at the Mineral & Lapidary Club 110 Waltham Rd (next to Waltham School) each Sunday at 10am.

We would love to have the opportunity to welcome you.

Our worship focus: Mental Health Awareness Week

Illness occurs because of many factors in our lives including the genetics we are born with, the relationships we have with those around us, the hurts and wounds we carry, diet, life circumstances, and a host of other factors we are not very aware of.

God does not send illness including mental illness to punish or to teach us a lesson. 

God’s presence in our lives is that of a non-coercive force and power working for health and wholeness. Treatment of mental illness may involve many aspects.  Drugs, diet, alternative medicines and therapies, counselling, love and acceptance, and spiritual practices. 

God can be present in all ‘treatments’ as a non-coercive power and force for wholeness and health.

When it comes to mental illness, religious communities like our congregation can play a powerful role in actively accepting and affirming people who are often shunned by others as being different, odd, and even dangerous.  Hospitality, not exclusion, is at the heart of Christian spirituality.   Hospitality and healing go together.

While God does not send mental illness people may find God within the illness and the illness itself can be, in its own way, a blessing. 

Many people with mental illness bring insight, compassion, and creative wisdom into our lives.  Another way of saying this is that God can and often does draw good from the tragedies and the broken places of our lives. 

 

WHAT’S HAPPENING:

PARISH BREAKFAST Sunday 30^th October 8.30am. All are welcome to Breakfast – Tea , toast and other goodies. Bring your family and friends and come and share breakfast together at St Martin’s.

 

UNCANNY DAY Sunday 30^th October – please bring lots of cans of food to fill the cupboards at Waltham Community Cottage.

 

NEW ROSTER available today – please check to see if there is a copy for you.

2017 FUNDRAISING CALENDARS still available. $20. Please see Charlotte Houston or Judith Mackay.

 

GARAGE SALE on site at 43 St Martins Rd Saturday 10^th December.  More soon!

 

FOOT CLINIC TOMORROW 1-4pm in the Lounge at Beckenham Methodist.

 

BOARD OF MANAGERS meeting Wednesday 19^th October 7.30pm at Merchiston.

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 19^th October: Meet 9.30am in Charleswoth St  by the  Charlesworth Reserve, which comes off Ferry Road, on the left, just after the Tunnel Rd  roundabout. Coffee at the Cafe Del Mar, Ferry Road with parking in the carpark by Speights Ale House, Waterman Dr. Alla re welcome. Anneke 328 7459.

 

CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am – 12 noon at Beckenham Methodist Lounge. $3. Work on your own craft project or learn a new one. This is a very friendly group and new faces are always welcome. See Lyndsey McKay for more information.

 

CHAPEL HELPERS AT BURWOOD HOSPITAL: Can you spare a couple of hours on a Sunday morning two or three times a year? We need four people to assist Cashmere on 20^th November. If you would like to be involved in this important ministry, or for further information, please see Irene Gray.

 

Reverse Greed…Heal the Earth seminar at Knox Centre, 28 Bealey Ave, 5.30 – 7pm Thursday 20^th October: Our Water – Reverse Greed.

 

PARISH OFFICE: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon, Fridays 9-11am

Ph 332 6192. Email: stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website:www.stmartins.org.nz.

Please make sure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday.

INTERIM MINISTER: Rev Dugald Wilson 380 5024; dugaldwil@gmail.com

ST MARTIN’S NOTICES 9^th OCTOBER 2016:

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

 

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD shoeboxes – please return these next Sunday.

 

2017 FUNDRAISING CALENDARS still available. $20. Please see Charlotte Houston or Judith Mackay.

 

GARAGE SALE on site at 43 St Martins Rd Saturday 10^th December.  More soon!

 

PARISH BREAKFAST Sunday 30^th October 8.30am. All are welcome to Breakfast – Tea , toast and other goodies. Bring your family and friends and come and share breakfast together at St Martin’s.

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 12^th October: Meet 9.30am at Bean Scene Café in Lincoln Rd for a walk around South Hagley Park. Coffee at Bean Scene. All are welcome. Marilyn 338 2453.

 

CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am – 12 noon at Beckenham Methodist Lounge. $3. Work on your own craft project or learn a new one. This is a very friendly group and new faces are always welcome. See Lyndsey McKay for more information.

 

ORGAN CONCERT AT ST ANDREW’S AT RANGI RURU TODAY 2.30pm. John Dodgson at the organ, featuring Sibelius’ FINLANDIA. Entry $12.00

 

INDUCTION of Rev Silvia Purdie at Cashmere Presbyterian Church TONIGHT at 7pm. All are welcome to attend.

 

SOUTH BRIGHTON CHORAL SOCIETY with Chillingham Voices (NSW) present “Notes Across the Tasman” Wednesday 12^th October 7.30pm at The Piano: Centre for Music and the Arts, 156 Armagh St. Tickets $15 adults and $5 for children available from Lyndsey McKay.

 

Reverse Greed…Heal the Earth seminar at Knox Centre, 28 Bealey Ave, 5.30 – 7pm Thursday 13^th October: Reverse Greed in Banking & Finance.

 

OPAWA ST MARTINS ANGLICAN PARISH SPRING CARNIVAL Saturday 15^th October 8.30am – 12 noon at St Mark’s 101 Opawa Rd. All are welcome.

 

PARISH OFFICE: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon, Fridays 9-11am

Ph 332 6192. Email: stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website:www.stmartins.org.nz.

Please make sure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday.

INTERIM MINISTER: Rev Dugald Wilson 380 5024; dugaldwil@gmail.com

 

BIRTHDAY  THIS WEEK: Thu 13^th Jenny.

2 October 2016 –  Pentecost 20

 

Coming Together as part of God’s Family

WELCOME:

CALL TO WORSHIP:  Gather us in, the lost and the lonely. The broken and breaking, the tired and the aching, all who long for the knowing they belong, found at your feast.

God of belonging, you call us to your feast.

The aged and the young ones,

The faithful and the doubting, the rich and the poor,

The hurting, the tired, the sad, and the joyful.

God of belonging, you call us to your feast.

 

From fears and obsession, from tears and depression,

From untold excesses, from treasured successes,

God of belonging, you call us to your feast.

 

To meet, to eat, to be called by name again,

To know we belong, and we have a place and part to play.

Here at this feast. God of belonging, gather us in,

 

We gather in the presence of our grace filled God.

 

 

HYMN: Each Breath is Borrowed Air (Tune: Diademata)

Each breath is borrowed air, not ours to keep and own,

And all our breaths as one declare what wisdom long has known:

To live is to receive and answer back with praise

To what our minds cannot conceive: the source of all our days.

 

The sea flows in our veins. The dust of stars is spun

To form the coiled, encoded skeins by which our cells are run:

 

From earth and sea and dust arise yet greater things,

The wonders born of love and trust, a grateful heart that sings:

 

And when our death draws near and tries to dim our song,

Our parting prayers will make it clear to whom we still belong:

(Thomas Troeger)

 

OPENING PRAYER:

HYMN: Loving Spirit (Tune Ellen ©David Dell)

Loving Spirit, loving Spirit, you have chosen me to be –

you have drawn me to your wonder, you have set your sign on me.

 

Like a mother you enfold me, hold my life within your own,

feed me with your very body, form me of your flesh and bone.

 

Like a father you protect me, teach me the discerning eye,

hoist me up upon your shoulder, let me see the world from high.

 

Friend and lover, in your closeness I am known and held and blessed: in your promise is my comfort, in your presence I may rest.

 

Loving Spirit, loving Spirit, you have chosen me to be –

you have drawn me to your wonder, you have set your sign on me.   ©Shirley Murray (CH4 597)

 

Listening to a Word from God

READING:  Luke 14:15-24  Jesus tells a parable about an invitation to sit down together around a table for dinner.  People offer excuses saying they have more important things to do.  The response from the master is to invite others who might be considered less worthy……  Have you ever counted up the number of times Jesus uses a meal together to tell us something about the life he offers to share with us all?                                                          Gilly Penwell

 

ADDRESS:             The Table

 

Responding to God’s Word

A TIME OF QUIET:  In the stillness listen for what God is saying to you

PRAYING:                Our thanks and our concerns

OFFERING:                   

 

Celebrating the Lord’s Supper

HYMN: Welcome, Welcome (Tune: Amazing Grace WOV 56)

Welcome, welcome! The door’s open,

There’s room for all who come,

The table’s laid, the meal prepared

Enough for everyone.

 

Welcome, welcome! This is God’s feast,

A meal like no other;

Where rich and poor, and great and least,

Are sister and brother.

 

Welcome, welcome! Come join the throng,

Enjoy the wine and bread;

We eat and drink as friends of Christ,

Our hearts and souls are fed.

 

This is God’s feast where we are loved,

Your fears, your sins, release;

So come and share with heads held high,

The welcome of God’s peace.

 

THE WELCOME:

This is the Lord’s Supper.  We gather here because God calls to us. As many different people, men, women and children, we come together.

We come because we believe in God’s amazing love.  God knows each of us by name, and God rejoices in each one of us.  God invites us to come ‘just as we are’.

 

GREETING EACH OTHER BY NAME:

 

THE PREPARATION:

The Living God is with us! And with all creation!

Lift up your hearts! We lift them to the Living God.  

Let us give thanks to the Creator of all who loves us with the faithful care of a father and mother.  For this reason we join with all creation to proclaim your glory:

Holy, Holy, Holy One, God of power, God of love.

Earth, sea and sky are full of your glory.

With joy we praise you!  With joy we praise you! Amen!

We praise you holy and gracious Creator, source of life…with one another, and with all your creatures.

But we have so often turned from your love and wisdom.  The song we sing is often out of tune with you, with our neighbours and fellow creatures. Now all around we see the tragic harvest of the selfish seeds we have sown.

Yet through it all, you remain faithful to us…Jesus, our light and our teacher.

Living among us he proclaimed a new Way.  He broke bread with outcasts and those who knew failure.  He taught us to love neighbour, stranger, outsider, and enemy.  He shone the light that leads us from violence to peace, from fear to faith, from rivalry to mutual service, and from worry and greed to generosity and joy. 

On the night before he died…that as disciples of Jesus we may bring this healing and enlightenment into the world.

 

THE SHARING OF THE MEAL:  You are invited to come forward and share this meal by taking bread and dipping it into the wine.

The body of Christ is broken for you…. The blood of Christ is given for you….

 

Going Out to Reshape the World

As we have been fed around God’s table of grace, let us go forth in grace and hospitality to others.

 

THE DEDICATION:  

Christ our life: You are alive in the beauty of the earth, in the wonder of spring’s abundant new life.

 

Christ our life: You are alive in the tenderness of touch, in the heart-beat of intimacy, in the insights of solitude.

 

Christ our life: You are alive in the creative possibility of the dullest conversation, and the most awesome of happenings.

 

Christ our life: You are alive to offer re-creation to every unhealed hurt, every damaged heart, and to every deadened place.

 

The dance of your Spirit soars and surges throughout the whole of creation. So we go from here with renewed courage to be your people, your body, to bring life into our world and community!

 

SAYING TOGETHER:  The Lord’s Prayer

 

HYMN: Christ be Our Light © Bernadette Farrell (CH4 543)

Longing for light, we wait in darkness. Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people, light for the world to see.
Christ, be our light, Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light, shine in your church gathered today.

 

Longing for peace, our world is troubled.                                                Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has pow’r to save us. Make us your living voice…

Longing for shelter, many are homeless.                                                Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others, walls made of living stone…

Many the gifts, many the people, many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another, making your kingdom come…

BENEDICTION:

SINGING: Joy Be In Thy Heart (sung through twice)

Joy be in thy heart, Peace be in thy spirit,

Compassion be thy journey, Love be in thee.

 

Joy be in my heart, Peace be in my spirit,

Compassion be my journey, Love be in me.

 

NEXT SUNDAY 9^th OCTOBER 10am: We will be at Beckenham Methodist. Please bring a plate for morning tea as we say thank you to our brothers and sisters in Christ for their gifts of generosity and hospitality.

NOTICES:

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

 

2017 FUNDRAISING CALENDARS still available. $20. Please see Charlotte Houston or Judith Mackay.

 

PARISH BREAKFAST Sunday 30^th October 8.30am. All are welcome.

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 5^th October: Meet 9.30am at Oderings, near the main entrance, for a walk around Spreydon/Addington.  Coffee at  Oderings.

All welcome.  Sonya 027 253 3397.

 

FOR YOUR DIARIES: Garage Sale on site at 43 St Martins Rd Saturday 10^th December.  Details to follow.

 

NO CRAFTY CRAFTERS this Thursday.

 

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD shoeboxes need to be returned by Sunday 16^th October please.

 

Reverse Greed…Heal the Earth seminar at Knox Centre, 28 Bealey Ave, 5.30 – 7pm Thursday 6^th October: Reverse Greed in Energy & Transport.

 

INDUCTION of Rev Silvia Purdie at Cashmere Presbyterian Church on Sunday 9^th October at 7pm. All are welcome to attend.

 

SOUTH BRIGHTON CHORAL SOCIETY with Chillingham Voices (NSW) present “Notes Across the Tasman” Wednesday 12^th October 7.30pm at The Piano: Centre for Music and the Arts, 156 Armagh St. Tickets $15 adults and $5 for children available from Lyndsey McKay.

 

OPAWA ST MARTINS ANGLICAN PARISH SPRING CARNIVAL Saturday 15^th October 8.30am – 12 noon at St Mark’s 101 Opawa Rd. All are welcome.

 

ORGAN CONCERT AT ST ANDREW’S AT RANGI RURU Sunday 9th October, 2.30pm. John Dodgson at the organ, featuring Sibelius’ FINLANDIA. Entry $12.00

 

PARISH OFFICE: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon, Fridays 9-11am

Ph 332 6192. Email: stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website:www.stmartins.org.nz.

Please make sure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday.

INTERIM MINISTER: Rev Dugald Wilson 380 5024; dugaldwil@gmail.com

 

BIRTHDAYS  THIS WEEK: Sun 2^nd Jeremy; Mon 3^rd Lyn S; Wed 5^th David H, David B

ST MARTIN’S NOTICES 25^th SEPTEMBER 2016:

2017 FUNDRAISING CALENDARS still available. $20. An excellent Christmas gift and perfect for posting overseas. Please see Charlotte Houston or Judith Mackay.

 

NOTES FROM SESSION…

1. We are looking at options for placing an relocatable office on our church site at St Martins Road to provide a living presence with both church administrator and minister working from the site.  Tea/coffee facilities would be available for people to pop in.
2. Church breakfast…. we will have a church breakfast in October.  We believe we need regular activities that will help us connect as a community of God’s people.
3. Church Fair…. we hope to have a fair to clear out goods that are stored at the church site on Saturday 10^th December.
4. Final Service with Beckenham Methodist…our trial period of worship at the Mineral and Lapidary Club has worked well and we have booked the facility every Sunday from October 16^th.  This means our final service with Beckenham Methodist will be on Sunday October 9^th, and a presentation will be made at this service.  We will provide morning tea on that day.  We note the amazing generosity of our brothers and sisters in Christ at the Beckenham Parish.
5. Insurance Assessment…. we have received advice from the Presbytery Earthquake Steering Committee that our insurance assessment to pay for earthquake damage and strengthening has been increased by $150,000.  This money will be available to help meet the cost of strengthening our church building.

 

FIRESIDE meets this Tuesday 27^th September 7.30pm at Judith’s. Sue Saunders will be speaking about her Northern Territory trip. All women are very welcome. Please contact Margaret 366 8936 for more information.

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 28^th September: Meet 9.30am at the Halswell Domain carpark for a walk around Halswell area. Coffee at the Old Vicarage. Hope to see you there – all welcome. Joan 338 8700

 

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am-12noon. $3 per session at Beckenham Methodist. To find out more, speak to Lyndsey 388 1264. New faces always welcome.

 

BUILDING REPORT….The Building team has asked the architect to move ahead to the next stage of developing more detailed working drawings which can be more accurately costed.  This will involve obtaining detailed structural plans, a fire engineers report, and a detailed kitchen plan.  Once these plans are obtained a Quantity Surveyor will make an accurate budget estimate which will need to be approved by the congregation, the Presbytery, and the Church Property Trustees.   If it is agreed to proceed, a contract will then be signed with a construction company, and work will begin, hopefully early in the new year.                                                                PTO>>>

 

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD shoeboxes now available from June Service. Have fun filling a box for a needy child. Must be returned by Sunday 16^th October please.

 

CHURCH FINANCIAL WORKSHOP Monday 3 October, 12noon-3pm, Cashmere Presbyterian Church. This FREE workshop is aimed at updating church administrators, treasurers, and anyone in management of finances and buildings, on issues and possibilities in the new environment we are now in.  Some of the important issues covered are:

An overview of church financial reporting requirements under the new Charities reporting standards, including practical examples of financial and non-financial reports and disclosures.

Practical examples of churches integrating ministry and investment. This will explore churches that have successfully boosted outreach and cash flow by operating day-care centres, affordable housing and/or op shops.

Strategic planning: long term maintenance plans 101. Learn the best way to plan and budget for maintenance.

Christian Savings: options available for churches and Christian ministry for loans and deposits.

A small team from St Martin’s will be attending.  Speak to Joan Macdonald if you would like to join them.

 

WALTHAM COTTAGE: Adrienne Carmichael reports that our regular donations of food are much appreciated.  The cottage continues to do great work assisting people in the local community in many ways.  We note that Lyndsey McKay has been elected as chair of the Trust that is responsible for the oversight of this important mission work.  Note also that on Sunday October 30^th we will celebrate this work with “Uncanny Sunday”.  You are invited to bring lots of cans of food!

 

REVERSE GREED…HEAL THE EARTH

Series of four seminars at Knox Centre, 28 Bealey Ave, 5.30 – 7pm each Thursday in October. Tea and coffee from 5pm. Organised by EcuAction and Inner-City Churches. All welcome.

6 October: Reverse Greed in Energy & Transport – Simon Kingham & Steve Muir

13 October: Reverse Greed in Banking & Finance – Sheena Dickson & Ekant Veer

20 October: Our Water – Reverse Greed – Rhys Taylor & Tim Davie

27 October: Our Food – Reverse Greed – Chris Horne & Chloe Waretini

 

PARISH OFFICE: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon, Fridays 9-11am Ph 332 6192. Email:stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website:www.stmartins.org.nz.

Please make sure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday.

INTERIM MINISTER: Rev Dugald Wilson 380 5024; dugaldwil@gmail.com

 

BIRTHDAYS  THIS WEEK: Wed 28^th Hannah; Sat 1^st Ken.

Coming Together as part of God’s Family

 

WELCOME:

CALL TO WORSHIP:  (from Psalm113)

How great and generous is our God                                      From hour to hour our lives should overflow with praise and gratitude

It is amazing how God permeates every facet of our lives                And works out the divine purpose despite our human faults and failings

God creates beauty out of dust                                                           Out of the ashes of our failure God brings forth meaning and purpose

From our weakness and emptiness                                                   God makes stepping stones to a new future

How great and generous is our God

 

HYMN: Each Breath is Borrowed Air (Tune: Diademata)

Each breath is borrowed air, not ours to keep and own,

And all our breaths as one declare what wisdom long has known:

To live is to receive and answer back with praise

To what our minds cannot conceive: the source of all our days.

 

The sea flows in our veins. The dust of stars is spun

To form the coiled, encoded skeins by which our cells are run:

 

From earth and sea and dust arise yet greater things,

The wonders born of love and trust, a grateful heart that sings:

 

And when our death draws near and tries to dim our song,

Our parting prayers will make it clear to whom we still belong:

(Thomas Troeger)

OPENING PRAYER:

TIME WITH OUR YOUNGER MEMBERS: Wayne Barton

 

HYMN: Spirit of the Living God

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Melt me, mould me, fill me, use me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

 

Spirit of the living God, move among us all;

Make us one in heart and mind, make us one in love:

Humble, caring, selfless, sharing.

Spirit of the living God, fill our lives with love!

©Daniel Iverson & Michael Baughen

 

MISSION MOMENT ~ Lyndsey McKay

 

Listening to a Word from God

READING:  Luke 16:1-9, 14,15 (Jesus tells a rather remarkable story about a dishonest manager to emphasise the values of grace and generosity which are sadly lacking in the Pharisees, the good religious people of the day.)                          Jeannette Beaumont

 

ADDRESS:             Grace and Generosity

 

Responding to God’s Word

A TIME OF QUIET:  In the stillness listen for what God is saying to you

HYMN: Amazing Grace (WOV56)

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now found, was blind, but now I see.

 

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!

 

Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come;

‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

 

The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures;

he will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.        John Newton.

 

PRAYING:                      Our thanks and our concerns

OFFERING:                   

 

Going Out to Reshape the World

 

THE DEDICATION:  

Look at your hands. See the touch and the tenderness,

God’s own for the world.

Look at your feet. See a path and a way towards life

God’s own for the world.

Look at your heart. See the fire and the passion and the love,

God’s own for the world.

Look at Christ our life. See God’s Son and our Saviour,

God’s own for the world.

This is God’s world.

And we will serve God in it.

May God bless you. May God keep you with great care and lead your lives with love.

May God’s grace and generosity shine in our lives and the Spirit’s peace in heart and home prevail through everyday

 

HYMN: Every Day I Will Offer You

Every day I will offer you, loving God my heart and mind

Every way I discover you, in the work your hand has signed;

Help me see I’m your image, and You have dreamed what I might be –

Every day – in your Spirit, I’ll find the love and energy!

 

Every day I will look to Christ and give thanks for wine and bread.

Through the pain and the emptiness where your world cries to be fed;

Help me see I can work for change, and wherever I might be.

Every day in your Spirit, I’ll find the love and energy!

 

Every day I will take your word, answer your compassion’s claim,

Celebrate every sign of hope, every deed done in your name;

Help me see you are always there,

and your light can shine through me,

Every day in your Spirit, I’ll find the love and energy!     ©Shirley Murray (AA)

 

BENEDICTION:

SINGING: Joy Be In Thy Heart (sung through twice)

Joy be in thy heart, Peace be in thy spirit,

Compassion be thy journey, Love be in thee.

 

Joy be in my heart, Peace be in my spirit,

Compassion be my journey, Love be in me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEXT SUNDAY 25^th September we will be at Beckenham Methodist at 10am for a combined service.

PLEASE NOTE: Daylight Saving begins that day

so don’t forget to turn your clocks forward!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea and the AGM following the service.

 

2017 FUNDRAISING CALENDARS now available. $20. An excellent Christmas gift and perfect for posting overseas. Please see Charlotte Houston or Judith Mackay.

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 21^st September: Meet 9.30am in Mona Vale Avenue – outside Mona Vale for a walk around the area and through Mona Vale.  We will have coffee at Dux Dine.  All welcome to join us on the walk or just for coffee. Judith  332 1577.

 

SESSION meets this Wednesday 21^st September 7.30pm at Merchiston, 75 St Martins Rd.

 

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am-12noon. $3 per session at Beckenham Methodist. To find out more, speak to Lyndsey 388 1264. New faces always welcome.

 

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD shoeboxes now available from June Service. Have fun filling a box for a needy child. Must be returned by Sunday 16^th October please.

 

BUILDING REPORT….The Building team has asked the architect to move ahead to the next stage of developing more detailed working drawings which can be more accurately costed.  This will involve obtaining detailed structural plans, a fire engineers report, and a detailed kitchen plan.  Once these plans are obtained a Quantity Surveyor will make an accurate budget estimate which will need to be approved by the congregation, the Presbytery, and the Church Property Trustees.   If it is agreed to proceed, a contract will then be signed with a construction company, and work will begin, hopefully early in the new year.

 

 

Rod Oram spoke last Monday about climate change…..  He believes we are about to witness the 6^th Great Extinction in earth’s history as many species will be unable to adapt quickly enough to the rising temperatures that will affect us all in the next 50 years.  He urged us all to reduce carbon emissions, saying that the only way we can turn things around is through everyone doing something.  Churches including our own have been at the forefront of campaigns to divest investments in oil and coal mining operations.  More needs to be done to challenge the big banks to divest such investments.  Investing with smaller banks (eg SBS, Heartland, TSB) can be something we all can do.   Rod, as an important part of his Christian faith, has committed to living a carbon neutral lifestyle.  As part of a group of Christians in Auckland he has worked to reduce carbon emissions from church complexes.  See www.cherished-earth.org.nz

 

 

Reverse Greed…Heal the Earth

Series of four seminars at Knox Centre, 28 Bealey Ave, 5.30 – 7pm each Thursday in October. Tea and coffee from 5pm. Organised by EcuAction and Inner-City Churches. All welcome.

6 October: Reverse Greed in Energy & Transport –

Prof Simon Kingham & Steve Muir;

13 October: Reverse Greed in Banking & Finance –

Sheena Dickson & Dr Ekant Veer;

20 October: Our Water – Reverse Greed –

Rhys Taylor & Tim Davie;

27 October: Our Food – Reverse Greed –

Dr Chris Horne & Chloe Waretini.

 

SOUTH BRIGHTON CHORAL SOCIETY with Chillingham Voices (NSW) present “Notes Across the Tasman” Wednesday 12^th October 7.30pm at The Piano: Centre for Music and the Arts, 156 Armagh St. Tickets $15 adults and $5 for children available from Lyndsey McKay.

 

PARISH OFFICE: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon, Fridays 9-11am Ph 332 6192. Email:stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website:www.stmartins.org.nz.

Please make sure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday.

INTERIM MINISTER: Rev Dugald Wilson 380 5024; dugaldwil@gmail.com

 

BIRTHDAYS  THIS WEEK: Sun 18^th Gilly, Benjamin; Thu 22^nd Hilary; Fri 23^rd Daniel.