SAINT ANDREW S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. August 2017 to September 2017

Transcription

1 SAINT ANDREW S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH August 2017 to September 2017 Kia Orana, As I write this, it is one week before my induction as the Minister of St Andrew s and I am filled with enthusiasm as we prepare to journey together. I have been reflecting on the importance of welcome and how much it matters. I certainly have felt incredibly welcome by all of you who I have encountered as I prepare to become your minister. I was delighted too, to hear from visiting friends from the south, Margaret and Dennis Larsen, who worshipped at St Andrew s last Sunday, just how welcome they felt. The song All Are Welcome by Marty Haugen, is the song that Christine Spall and Ngaire Anderson suggested for my induction service. It is a wonderful song that will now be the key theme of the induction service. Actually it is a song that gives pretty good instruction on how to be the church. Here are some of the verses: Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live, a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive. Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace; here the love of Christ shall end divisions. All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place. Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true, where all God s children dare to seek to dream God s reign anew. Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God s grace; here as one we claim the faith of Jesus. All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place. Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone to heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Word they ve known. Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God s face; let us bring an end to fear and danger. All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place. They are words that fit very well with the vision statement of St Andrew s aren t they? Welcome matters. Welcome matters a lot. We know how it feels when we are made welcome, when someone goes out of their way to take an interest in us and to make us feel at home. It is a life-giving experience. Conversely it is likely that we have also had experiences in our life when we haven t felt welcome, where it feels like barriers have been put up in front of us. This experience is a life sapping one. It is interesting to ponder the words being made welcome. To welcome someone requires action, it requires us to cross any barriers between us and the other person to put the other person at ease. Clearly it is something that the people of St Andrew s are already very skilled at but I think it is good to pause and reflect on the simple things that we do to make another welcome and the huge impact that this can have. An essential part of Jesus ministry was seeking out the people who weren t welcome in society, and bringing them back into community. As followers of Jesus we are called to make others welcome. This of course is a whole lot wider and deeper than simply welcoming those who turn up at church on a Sunday morning (although that of course matters too). It is about maintaining a stance of welcome to everyone we encounter and especially to those who for whatever reason are on the margins of society. It is easy to welcome people who look and sound the same as us, but as Marty Haugen s lyrics say the love of Christ shall end divisions or in Cook Island Maori Kia vai mai rai te aroa ua o Iesu Christ, mate au kia kore e ngaangaa e tae ki te openga Let us go and do likewise. Jill

2 Photo by Catherine Park INTRODUCING: MARY IOANE My name is Mary Ioane and I am 72 years old. I was born on the beautiful Island of Aitutaki in the Cook Islands. There are 7 in my family. I have 4 brothers and 2 sisters and I am the eldest. I attended Araura Primary School in Aitutaki and Tereora College in Rarotonga. I don t have any tertiary qualifications. I arrived in New Zealand on the American Liner the Mariposa on a freezing Queen s Birthday in I loved the cooler weather and I still do, as you can put on extra warm clothes, not like the hot climate. I worshipped at St Andrew s in the big old wooden double storey church. It was quite an experience listening to Mr Izatt playing the large organ with long pipes that nearly reached to the ceiling. My first job was washing dishes at Hastings Memorial Hospital for 2 years and then another 2 years at the Albert Hotel as a housemaid. I also worked as a machine operator at Birds Eye Factory for 2 years. I left Hastings in 1966 when I moved to Dunedin where I worked for 2 years at Roslyn Woollen Mill. When I moved to Tokoroa, I worked in the local drycleaners. I was married to my husband Tekii until he passed away on the 15th of July We have 3 girls and 2 boys, plus 16 Grandchildren and 14 Great-Grandchildren and another boy due in October. My husband and I moved back to Hastings in 1974 and I went back to the Birds Eye Factory a couple of days after we moved into our brand new home. I worked at Birds Eye for 7 years. My last job was picking and thinning apples at Garlands Orchard for about 4 years. I am an Elder in St Andrew s and I was in charge of getting the music ready for the service and I also operated the overhead. Mama Peke Takie, Frances Gifford and I would lead our hymns, but now I have to do it all with help from the other Mamas. The hardest hymns to sing are the traditional Cook Island ones as you have to start it without music. It s alright if you start low, because you lift the note up when you repeat the first verse. Most of the time I get it right. I am also the treasurer for the Vaine Tini Club and I have been a member of the Youth Culture Group for 42 years. For relaxation I love reading. I will even read magazines over 10 years old. It is a bad habit because I can t stop reading. Since I picked up my first grown up book at the age of 12 (King Solomon s Mine) while I was working in the school library, I was hooked. My dream was to have my very own library but my daughter said I have to get rid of some of my books. Now I just have a 5 shelf bookcase with my Gospel books, reference and my Barbara Cartland novels. I love singing hymns, both Cook Island and English, Country and Western and music from the 50 s, 60 s, and 70 s. My hobbies are reading and gardening (I have my own mini orchard on my front yard and also at the backyard). I love preserving and cooking. I teach my grandchildren to do both. I also did sewing but not much now and I collect Barbara Cartland novels (228 copies now) and still collecting. I also used to have 32 novels of FJ Thwaites but I had to give that up. If it doesn t fit on my book shelf I can t keep it. The person I most admire most is grandfather ( Kavana). He was a very gentle man and very religious. You couldn t even play on a Sunday or pick a fruit from the trees. Sunday was a day for going to church and when we get home, we had lunch the practice singing hymns from the Sankey Hymn Book. He had a beautiful tenor voice. As we only had one Bible in our home we had to pass it around to everyone to read when we had evening prayers. The greatest influence in my life was my grandfather and my mother. Their gentle nature and love for everyone including other peoples children and their different gifts, which all our families inherited. From a young age our grandfather never raised his voice when he told you off, and didn t like violence. I always felt sad when I upset my grandfather because you could see the pain in his eyes. He taught us to always put God and the Church first and everything else second. My love of gardening I inherited from him. He always took me and my cousins with him when he went to tend our vegetable patch. My grandparents and mother taught me not to waste and to make do with what you have got. I teach my own family that advice, that they gave me. My faith in God has grown stronger each day as I grow older and I pray that my family will follow in our footsteps and come back to worship in the church. They have so much to offer with their different gifts that God gave them.

3 FINANCIAL REPORT COVERING July 2016 to July / /2017 Budget % 2015/2016 INCOME: Budget Actual Difference 12 months 12 months 12 months Actual Offering Plates % 7393 Offering Envelopes % Other Income % Golden Offering 6830 Total Income % EXPENSES: TOTAL EXPENSES: % Income Shortfall $48,148 $36, (incl $1488 insurance) HALL FUNDRAISING: June 2017 $21.00 TOTAL FUNDRAISING: $54,094 St Andrew s Church Pastoral Care Task Group Report The Pastoral Care Task Group was tasked to develop a system that would meet the following goals which were identified from a survey of the congregation: Ensure that visits happen Look after senior citizens better. Revere them Pray for others, for people in need No one should feel alone in times of trouble Use texting as one means of pastoral care Produce a welcome booklet/package Use the website somehow Caring for one another is the key thing Ensure that no one on the church roll lives a lonely, neglected life Ken Hutchison, a task group member, remembered a discussion some years ago with Gerda and Gerard Pronk, where they had described a pastoral care system that they had used in Holland and which worked well. The system the Task Group has come up with is modelled on this system, with adjustments because of local conditions. Our system will involve contact people making contact with no more than ten households by telephone once a month. To make the task easier we will let contact people identify church friends they would like in their group, though it may not always be possible to include them, and this should preclude the need to ring these people as the contact person would see them regularly. The purpose of the monthly contacts would be to identify needs and newsworthy items within the Church. Where needs were found, either practical or spiritual, the contact person, with the permission of the church member involved, would convey this need to the appropriate person/group who was best able to meet the need. The Pastoral Care Task Group s role, aside from developing and setting up the pastoral care system, will be to monitor it, maintain it and improve it it will always be a work in progress. CHURCH INFORMATION Minister Jill McDonald PO Box 494, Hastings 4156 Phone Session Clerk Jim Spall RD1, Hastings Phone Cook Islands Taraani Ioane 11 Margate Ave, Flaxmere Phone Secretary Treasurer Len Hodgson PO Box 494, Hastings 4156 Phone Church Office & Lisa Pallesen PO Box 494, Hastings 4156 Phone Board of Managers Secretary info@standrewshastings.org.nz Website: The Church Office is open Monday to Friday mornings 10.00am 12noon

4 ST ANDREWS Tuesday 1st 7.00pm Parish Council in the Blue Room Thursday 3rd 10.00am Study Group in the Lounge Sunday 6th 10.00am Sunday Worship Holy Communion led by Rev Jill McDonald 12noon Oroa Kuki Airani Thursday 10th 10.00am Study Group in the Lounge Sunday 13th 10.00am Sunday Worship led by Rev Jill McDonald 12noon Pure Kuki Airani Tuesday 15th 4.00pm Board of Managers in the Blue Room Saturday 19th 8.00am Men s Breakfast at Summerset in the Orchard 7.00pm Hastings & Districts Scots Soc Ingleside in Hall Sunday 20th 10.00am Sunday Worship led by Rev Jill McDonald 12noon Pure Kuki Airani Thursday 24th 10.00am Study Group in the Lounge Sunday 27th 10.00am Sunday Worship led by Rev Jill McDonald 12noon Pure Kuki Airaini Thursday 31st 10.00am Study Group in the Lounge ST ANDREWS Sunday 3rd 10.00am Sunday Worship led by Rev Jill McDonald 12noon Orua Kuki Airani Tuesday 5th 7.00pm Parish Council in the Blue Room Thursday 7th 10.00am Study Group in the Lounge Sunday 10th 10.00am Sunday Worship led by Rev Jill McDonald 12noon Pure Kuki Airani Thursday 14th 10.00am Study Group in the Lounge Saturday 16th 8.00am Men s Breakfast at Summerset in the Orchard 7.00pm Hastings & Districts Scots Soc Ingleside in Hall Sunday 17th 10.00am Sunday Worship led by Rev Jill McDonald 12noon Pure Kuki Airani Thursday 21st 10.00am Study Group in the Lounge 4.00pm Board of Managers in the Blue Room Sunday 24th 10.00am Sunday Worship led by Rev Jill McDonald 11.00am Followed by Annual General Meeting 12noon Pure Kuki Airaini Thursday 28th 10.00am Study Group in the Lounge Sender: PO Box 494 Hastings 4156

5 Notes from the Parish Council Clerk Isn t it nice to be past the shortest day and to experience a few more minutes of daylight as each day passes? Our camellias are starting to flower and the daffodils will follow about the same time as our first lambs appear. All signs of new life and I think that might be a good analogy of St Andrew s at this time. Through June and July we have enjoyed services from both Elders and visiting ministers as well as the team from Presbyterian Support East Coast. We have been well served over this interim period from both outside but also within St Andrew s. It reminds us that we are never alone and that there are many dedicated people doing their bit for the Kingdom. It has been great to see the activities that take place at St Andrew s on a weekly basis as well as the special occasions. Every Thursday our weekly study hosted by Ken Hutchison takes place at 10am while in the evening we have meditation. On Saturday 22 nd July the Cook Island Ekalesia put on a wonderful lunch with proceeds going to our hall fund. Our Interim Moderator Rev Paul Loveday and his wife Michelle attended and so we were able to say an appropriate thank-you to Paul for all the excellent work he has done with us. It has been particularly exciting to see the task groups get underway with much enthusiasm and many developments in the pipeline. At our last Parish Council meeting we took reports from four of the groups. Look forward to new developments in the way we communicate within and outside the church, to new studies, to the way in which we do pastoral care, and new fundraising and social activities. You might like to note that the Christmas Market will be held this year on Thursday evening of the 16 th of November. By the time you receive this, Jill McDonald s induction will have taken place. It has been very exciting to have Jill finally up in Hawke s Bay with Chris. With help from Taraani and Mary, Jill has readied the church office and has attended to many other details. We are especially indebted to Lisa who has been working very hard to ensure everything transitions smoothly as Jill takes up her ministry with us. Today we were very fortunate to have the Rev Warren Fortune take our service. The New Testament reading was from Mark 6:7-13; the sending out of the 12 apostles. Warren bought to our attention the fact that they were sent out in pairs to support each other, that they traveled light dependent on the hospitality of others, and that they accomplished great things. Here on the eve of Jill s ministry he reminded us that at St Andrew s we are a team, that everyone counts, and that it will be a combined effort with Jill as together we seek to learn more of Christ and what it means to follow him. Arohanui, Jim Spall St Andrew s Church Vacancies Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. - Philippians 2:4 We need Contact People at least 20. Are you good on the phone? This job entails either ringing or making contact with a group of 8-10 church members each month. Are you a caring person? This job entails identifying needs - both practical and spiritual, and with the church member s permission, passing this information on to someone in the Church who may be able to assist. If you feel you are able to do the above role, then our Church needs you to be a Contact Person. Training for this task will be provided. This job may not be as onerous as it might look as some of the people in your contact group could be your friends, who you have contact with on a regular basis, anyway. Remuneration knowing you are helping the body of the Church. If you feel you could fulfil this role, please contact: Di Romans on , or Ken Hutchison on , or Judith Yule on , or Jean Cains on (In all cases you are able to leave a message.), or leave your name and number on the appropriate clipboard in the Church foyer. ST ANDREW S CHURCH FUNDRAISER Spud in a Bucket Competition (A great idea to get children into producing food) $10.00 will buy you a bucket and a potato You supply the potting mix, manure and time On Saturday 3rd February 2018, at 10.00am bring your bucket and a tarpaulin/plastic sheet along to St Andrew s Hall car park to reveal your crop. You Get to Keep your Potatoes and Bucket! LOTS OF PRIZES: for the largest, smallest, biggest crop, funniest looking potato etc. SAUSAGE SIZZLE: available on the day Please put your name down on the list in the foyer to purchase your bucket and spud, or phone the Church Office Available at the end of September

6 WORDSEARCH PUZZLE The Lord s Prayer FATHER HALLOWED KINGDOM WILL DAILY BREAD FORGIVE PASTORAL CARE GROUP If Parish Members have any pastoral concerns, please contact... Convenor: Di Romans Nancy Bixley Barbara Stokes Roro Takie PARISH REGISTER Deaths: SINS TEMPTATION EVIL GLORY POWER Died: Thelma DASENT 25 May 2017 John McKINNON 1 June 2017 Reni MATA 6 July 2017 Derrick WEDD 29 July 2017 D uring my many years of working with groups of Christians I have often asked what is your favourite Bible verse? and some will inevitably quote a verse from Psalms. Psalms cover the whole range of human emotions sorrow, grief, joy, despair, elation, doubt, hope. They express in very moving words the efforts of the human soul to commune with God. Also the reveal simply yet profoundly the greatest desires of the troubled human soul. The Psalms were written over a very long period, possibly ranging from before the time of David to the years after the exile. But human nature has not changed over the centuries so they are as relevant today as when they were written. These Biblical treasures, from the Old Testament speak to us as we seek to hear the voice of God to give us courage and certainty when sung in worship add strength to Gods word when set to music. Some years ago a young theological student went to preach at a small remote church in Jamaica. After the service he faced a long journey home by foot. After a while he realised that he was lost and attempted to retrace his footsteps and by following certain signposts until he recognised familiar objects he was able to find his way back to the right road. After hearing that story it was many years later that it came to mind when after a days climbing in the Scottish Highlands it got dark prematurely and with 3 friends we were lost and fearful of having to spend a long cold night out of doors as one of our friends had injured an ankle to add to our concerns. Remembering the story of the young theological student and the reference to Psalm 119 verses afterwards, I was able to remember your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path which was the beginning of a reading from Psalms - we quietly prayed and eventually had the courage to continue until we reached firm ground and a safe journey back to our accommodation. Throughout the ages millions of people in situations of confusion, doubt and despair have found guidance as they have read God s work, the Bible. I have sung many times Lord thy word abideth, and our footsteps guideth, who its truth believeth, light and joy receiveth (the words of Henry W. Baker) and I have given thanks to God that he continues to be my daily guide. Brenda Waring ST ANDREW S TEXTING CARE CIRCLE If there is someone with a need, contact the Pastoral Care Group, the Minister, a member of the Parish Council, or self refer by phoning or texting Ken Hutchison on Ken will text members of the Texting Care Circle to keep the person or need in their thoughts and prayers.

7 Soup & Soul St Andrew s Saturday 26 August from 4-7pm in the Campbell Room (Hall) We will: Have a potluck meal, and enjoy the time together Bring a potluck (maybe soup or something else) Phone the Church office to register your interest (leave a message if outside office hours) The Future?! PASTOR: "The Lord be with you!" CONGREGATION: "And with your spirit" PASTOR: "Will everyone please turn on their tablet, PC, ipad, smartphone, and Kindle Bibles to 1Corinthians,13:13. And please switch on your Bluetooth to download the sermon."...p-a-u-s-e... "Now, let us pray committing this week into God's hands. Open your Apps, Twitter and Facebook, and chat with God"...S-I-L-E-N-C-E... "As we take our Sunday tithes and offerings, please have your credit and debit cards ready." "You can log on to the church Wi-Fi using the password 'Lord The ushers will circulate mobile EFTPOS machines among the worshippers: = Those who prefer to make internet fund transfers are directed to computers and laptops at the rear of the church. = Those who prefer to use ipads can open them. = Those who prefer telephone banking, take out your cell phones to transfer your contributions to the church account. The holy atmosphere of St Barnaby s becomes truly electrified as ALL the smartphones, ipads, PCs and laptops beep and flicker! Final Blessing and Closing Announcements: = This week's ministry cell meetings will be held on the various Facebook group pages where the usual group chatting takes place. Please log in and don't miss out. = Thursday's Catechism Study will be held live on Skype at 1900hrs GMT. Please don't miss out. = You can follow your Pastor on Twitter this weekend for counselling and prayers. God Bless and have a nice day. And Jesus wept CHRISTMAS MARKET MEETING Ideas Workshop On: Saturday, 26 August, 1-4pm In: The Church Lounge SEE YOU THERE! Sharing craft ideas for special gifts at the Christmas Market EVERYONE WELCOME! A date has been set for our Christmas Market: Thursday 16 November 2017 It s only 3 months away, you can start to: Make jams and relish with seasonal fruits and veges we have plenty of jars available Sewing machines can get busy making Christmas-themed gifts such as aprons, tablecloths, potholders, etc Knitting needles can click making Christmas stockings, booties and children s cardys Come to our Ideas Workshop! Further details available from Nancy Bixley ( ) or Barbara Stokes ( )

8 OUR NEW MINISTER Jill and her husband Chris Jill s first St Andrew s Combined Service, was held on Sunday, 30 July 2017, and was followed by a shared lunch in the Hall. LEFT: Chris and Jill being welcomed the Cook Island way with a tu ora. A NOTE FROM JILL: Just before this goes to print I have been forwarded detail about an upcoming seminar in Wellington 'A Day With Sara Miles'. I can't recommend this enough, her book 'Take This Bread' is one of the most significant books I have read. Sara was a left-wing, atheist, lesbian journalist who found herself drawn into a church service in San Francisco, where upon receiving communion had a profound experience of Christ, that moved her to the depths of her soul. She didn't understand it but knew that she had to keep returning to the table that fed her. Eventually, she established a food pantry served from the very same table to the cities poor and struggling that has grown to serve around 800 people a day. Sara is also an Episcopalian Priest. Sara Miles is the author of: Take This Bread: A Radical Conversion Jesus Freak: Feeding, Healing, Raising the Dead City of God: Faith in the Streets She is the founder and director of The Food Pantry and served as Director of Ministry at St Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco for ten years