Take time to pray. Take time to listen to God. Take time to worship. While sitting in a Church in O Cebriero, I read the following:

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1 The Herald August 2017 Take time to pray. Take time to listen to God. Take time to worship. Peter Grieg wrote: The key to Jesus ministry was surely the many hours He spent in prayer, because as He Himself said, The Son can do nothing by Himself; He can only do what He sees His Father doing (John 5:19). It was undoubtedly because Jesus took time away from the crowds to refocus on the Father s presence and priorities that He found fresh faith, insight and power. On one occasion, He returned from His prayer time walking on water. After another time with God, He appointed His disciples. In Gethsemane,.He found the greatest faith of all. While sitting in a Church in O Cebriero, I read the following: Most High and glorious God Enlighten the darkness of my heart And give me, Lord, A correct faith, A certain hope, A perfect charity, Sense and knowledge, So that I can carry out Your holy and true command. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage each of us, including me, to spend more time in prayer, to be more honest before God, and to seek to serve and honour Him on His terms. Pam. 1

2 Environment by Russell Lyon Back to the future Recently I watched a TV programme about what a panel of futurists thought the world would look like in 35 years. It was interesting, as I agreed with some of their thoughts and rejected others. But one suggestion they made had me thinking. They put up a proposal that they considered a good idea for the future. Back in the past, when I was growing up on a farm in Southland, sharing resources amongst neighbours was the norm. If Joan was having a dinner party and needed extra pots or dinnerware, a phone call to a neighbour would soon solve the problem. Dad owned a concrete mixer that spent more time being used around the district than in our shed. Even neighbours mucked in together at busy times. Over the next 50 years people became more insular and with the advent of cheap products being available at the Warehouse, when something was needed it was purchased even if they only used it once or twice and then shoved in a cupboard or flogged it on Trade Me. The futurist stated that as more pressure comes on natural resources, people will have to share more. For example I have a chainsaw that I probably use 6 to 10 days a year, a car trailer that spends a lot of time parked on the side of the drive. These could be lent to other members of a sharing club. We all have stuff we use sparingly that could be put to better use. Sharing more would go some way towards the Diocesan goal of making New Zealand carbon neutral. As the little red engine said when he was puffing hard to get his train to the top of the hill, I think I can I think I can. but what did he say when he got to the top? We can all share resources! 2

3 Summary of Vestry Meeting 19th July 2017 The following is a brief summary of the topics that were discussed at the last Vestry Meeting:- The Church blinds are finished and have been installed costs recovered to help pay for these to date is $560. It has been agreed to replace the light bulbs in the church with LED bulbs, when the existing ones need to be replaced. Food bank appeal a notice has been placed in the Village Voice asking for donations. Sunday School Pohangina Methodist Church & St Bartholomew s Church are looking at starting a Sunday school in the Pohangina Valley. A flyer has gone out asking for interest to be registered. We will be having a church fair this year a meeting has been set for Tuesday 8th August at 7.30pm in the front hall to discuss ideas. It is hoped there will be a good turn out from Parish members. Finances for June: Offerings banked $4,322 Expenses paid: $5,189 Deficit of -$867 *** Church Fair Meeting *** There will be a meeting to discuss this years Church Fair on Tuesday 8th August. 7.30pm Front hall at St Mary Magdalene s We would like to see as many people as possible attending this to discuss ideas for the fair. 3

4 Just a reminder, there will be NO community Hangi this year. We usually ask the community for donations of non-perishable items for the Ashhurst Foodbank at this time, but will not be able to do that this year. Therefore, if you feel you are able to donate to the Foodbank, items can be dropped off at the Church on Sunday during normal service time, or to the Church Office on Tuesdays and Fridays between 9am and 1pm. Community Church Service The combined Churches of Ashhurst are holding a Community Church Service on Sunday 27 th August at 10.00am in the Village Valley Centre, with St Mary Magdalene leading the service. There will be NO service at St Mary Magdalene s on this date. If able please bring a donation for the Ashhurst Foodbank. 4

5 Services for August th 13th 20th 27th 10.00am Ashhurst (no 8.00am this month) am Ashhurst, am Komako am Ashhurst Community Church Service, 10.00am Village Valley Centre, St Mary Magdalene leading Prayer Breakfasts am start June, July, August: No Prayer Breakfasts September 30th: Alva November 4th: Noeline December 2nd: Barbara & Michael February 3rd 2018: Penny & Ric Ezeemeals Please remember this service is available to all. If you know someone who may benefit from the Ezeemeal service please see Helen in the office for a meal list/pricing sheet. Current prices: Main Meal $9.00, Light Meal $6.00 Ezeemeal Deliverers: Mike Russell Neroli Sharp Alva Moar Gill Hoskin Helen will contact you if any deliveries are to be made on a Friday Ezeemeal orders Tuesday 12-1 pm Telephone The meals can also be purchased straight from the office, or via website Home Deliveries on Fridays pm 5

6 Dates for your Diary 30 July, Sunday Café Church, 10am Ashhurst 6 August, Sunday NO 8am Service at Ashhurst 16 August, Wednesday Vestry Meeting 27 August, Sunday Community Church Service,10am Village Valley Centre, with St Mary Magdalene leading the service House Groups Monday evenings 7.45pm pm At either Ric and Penny Foxley's 100 Worcester Street, Or Mike and Barbara Russell's 144 Winchester Street Prayer Chain for August: Denise ph Tithes and Offerings; Malachi 3:10, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 We give because; It is an act of honour and obedience when we give God the first and best of everything we own. (Proverbs 3:9-10) (Luke 12:34) throughout the earth. (Philippians 2:13) - Offertory recording allows parishioners to claim a rebate from IRD after 31 March each year. In April receipts are issued with total giving for each person/ family for the previous year. If you would like to be part of this system using envelopes or automatic payments please talk to Helen or Lyn. 6

7 Every Tuesday during school term 9.30am Little Kiwis Playgroup at St Mary s Hall Every Wednesday 10am Women s study group at St Mary s Hall Contact Alva Moar on am Men s group at St Mary s Hall (back hall) Contact Eddie Chapman on Every Thursday 9am-10am Holy Communion in the foyer of St Mary Magdalene s. Every Tuesday and Thursday Prayer for the parish and the community from am in the foyer of St Mary Magdalene Church. For more info talk to Pam. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Parish Office Hours The parish office will be open on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9am 1pm. During these times the church will also be open. About us Bishop s Warden in Charge Lyn O Fee Officiating Priests: Rev Michael Russell, Rev Janice Lyon, Rev Pam Barnett People s Warden Penny Foxley Office Administrator Helen Morgan The Herald is the newsletter for the Parish of Pohangina which is the two Anglican churches of St Mary Magdalene s in Ashhurst and St Bartholomew's in Komako. If you have something to write about just let the Office Administrator know herald@parishofpohangina.net or Parish of Pohangina, PO Box 38, Ashhurst, 67 Cambridge Avenue, Ashhurst phone (06) , mobile ; info@parishofpohangina.net 7