WHAT CAN I GIVE FOR CHRISTMAS

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1 CONTACTS: Office Phone/Fax: Oxford Street Levin Minister Facebook Levin Uniting Church Website December17/January 18 Parish Clerk Allen Little Like us on Facebook. You will get notifications of special events happening and photos of events already done! WHAT CAN I GIVE FOR CHRISTMAS A child can work it out Santa couldn t possibly bring gifts to every family, even in our own town, and certainly not to every family all over the world. So how can we help children in other parts of the world at Christmastime, children who need gifts more than we do? It is good that members of our church have taken shoe-boxes to fill with gifts, and that these gifts will be given to needy kids locally. Filling up a little box with gifts is an attractive idea and locally there s no freight cost. There is an overseas Shoe Box appeal, but it always seems to me to be uneconomical and that sending money would be more beneficial. I want to commend CWS. CWS is Christian World Service, a New Zealand organisation which partners with aid agencies in the countries being assisted. The local partners are there on the job, knowing where assistance is needed and can be given to the best advantage. The giving is efficient and effective. My understanding is that in giving to CWS you can be sure that very little disappears in administration costs. One year Jeanette and I made all our Christmas presents CWS gifts. You order your gifts on-line or on a form, the gifts go overseas, and your family member gets a Gift Card to say they gave a bee hive to a Sri Lankan family or a goat to a family in Palestine. gives you the full list of possibilities. You can also give through the CWS Christmas Appeal, and at Levin Uniting Church we will be following the CWS appeal throughout our Advent services, using some of their service suggestions, and handing you the CWS Christmas Appeal envelopes, which then can come back through our offering plates. This year Rev Mary Caygill will be writing the CWS suggestions for church services. Mary has been president of the Methodist Church of NZ and also was principal of Trinity Methodist Theological College. Jeanette and I met up with her again at The UCANZ Forum we attended at the end of October. The Methodist and Presbyterian churches both recommend giving through CWS. And so do I. Merry Christmas to all! Rev Ian Boddy Join us for Advent at Levin Uniting Church on Oxford 3rd 10am 10th 10am 17th 10am 24th 10am 25th 9.30am

2 PARISH COUNCIL FUN IN THE SUN 22 NOVEMBER The works committee have been busy in the Our meeting this month covered the routine business around Accounts, Property matters and matters of general concern. As we approach the festive season we are looking forward to seeing some additional illumination of the Church through Advent. Ian has put considerable effort into organising the Advent programme and Services. In the lead up to Christmas Parish Council was pleased to agree to the proposal from Fyfe Williamson that we have a Float in this years Levin Christmas Parade. There are strict rules around safety of floats and we needed to be assured about full compliance. Additionally and separate, Jack shared plans for an event at Waitarere on January 3rd. The Waitarere team will present a detailed proposal including programme and risk management strategy to Parish Council s next meeting for final ratification. We urge the wider Parish to take an interest in and be supportive of these exciting missional initiatives. As in previous years we will again be singing Carols on Oxford Street in the week before Christmas. sun (and I think they had fun!) David has sprayed the tower and front building with Wet & Forget which will remove the mould in time. We note that this will be a temporary fix as the building will need a complete paint in 3-4 years time. While they had the crane, an aerial was attached to the top of the tower for a local Chinese radio station 88fm. And the star for Christmas was also lifted up. (It will be easy to get down with a rope.) By the time these comments are read we will have appeared before the District Council on 28th November hearing on the Draft Local Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy A copy of our submission is available from the Office on request. An issue of general concern was reported where the buildings have been left un-occupied with doors open. A general reminder is made that if you are the last person vacating a building please ensure (a) Lights etc. are off. (b) Windows are closed (c) doors are locked. On the new locks it is necessary to press the lock button then close and try. Building security is every is everyone s responsibility. To Allen Little who received a Civic Honour on Tuesday 28th November. For his outstanding voluntary service & commitment to the people of the Horowhenua community. SERVICES FOR DECEMBER 3rd Hope & Communion 10th Peace 17th Joy 10am Love 24th Christmas Eve 8.30pm supper with 9pm Service Christmas 9.30am 31st Thankyou to David, John B, John H and Paul K Rev. Bob Eyles Allen Little & Ian at Waitarere SERVICES FOR JANUARY 7th Communion 14th 21st 28th Rev. Robert Allen Allen Little Mary MacKay

3 The Christmas angels sing, Glory to God in the highest heaven. You have to go many kilometres out of town on a moonless night to clearly see into the highest heavens. The highest heaven is traditionally where God lives. The idea of God being up there in the highest heaven is a flat earth concept, but the idea hangs around. I ve had people express that (as a minister) I must be in contact with the man up there. I don t think in those terms. Luke s gospel challenges such restrictive ideas. While Luke is happy for angels to sing Glory to God in the highest, later in the gospel Jesus says that the kingdom of God cannot be observed; you can t say here it is or there it is, because the kingdom of God is among you. I think that way. There is however something religious about star gazing. I remember when I once stopped the car at a place called Stormy Point and looked into the night sky and saw the stars clearer and nearer than ever, and heaven and earth felt close by each other. These are Biblical thoughts, as in Psalm 8, When I look at the heavens the stars that you ordained what are humans that you are mindful of them? I know that stars are like the sun but further away. My brother told me that when I was very young. It is a discovery that opens up the universe. Twinkle, Twinkle, little star; How I wonder what you are. Now I know, it s a sun a lot further away. Stars and things far away can be understood through scientific knowledge, but strong cultural and traditional understandings remain in our songs and writings and even our everyday speech the man up there! Science is knowledge but it takes strong new cultural forces to change our mind-sets. So go and see Star Wars! Star Wars holds a significant place in popular culture. Star Wars movies gave depth, light years, life and live action to the universe. Star Wars gave character to outer space, meaning and perspective to things long, long ago and far, far away, and the Star Wars characters understood the universe through religion. May the Force be with you means May God be with you. The Force in Star Wars movies is that which surrounds you and penetrates you and gives meaning to the universe. These movies helped my understanding of God and the universe. I ll be going to the new one, Star Wars: the Last Jedi, on 14 December and then I ll gaze at the stars again. Even if you can t be convinced to see a Star Wars movie, please do look up and see a star and wonder. Ian Boddy INTERVIEW WITH CASSANDRA MOKE Photo & Written By: Jillian McKenzie I met Cassandra at her house on Wednesday 9 November 2017 for morning tea. Cassandra was the youngest of 4 kids to her working parents and she grew up in Johnsonville, Wellington. She had a daughter in 1997, they moved to Tauranga for a short time, but they settled in Levin in about Cassandra has worked in different types of jobs; such as before coming to Levin, Cassandra was a cleaner at Wellington Court House. She has been a fulltime paid carer. She has been an apple picker on ladders, other fruit picking stretching up h igh, strawberry and tomato picking at different times bending down, asparagus packing standing all day long, and kiwifruit pruning all around. When she worked on a Daffodil farm she rode a quad-bike all day. She did another cleaner s job at a Levin CY&FS group home, she said it was a bit of a shocker. She has done various TWOA courses in Ohau and Te Kokiri in McKenzie Street, Levin. About four years ago at the same time as her father s Tangi (funeral), Cassandra had a brain aneurism (brainbleed). She is very grateful to her nephew who got her to hospital in quick time, but sad that she could not attend the Tangi. Cassandra has not been able to work since then. She has renewed her interest in traditional and contemporary Maori raranga (weaving) as a hobby, but this is subject to her ongoing fatigue. Two styles of traditional raranga Cassandra enjoys are miro and muka but there are many more types. For the traditional weaving she uses muka (flax fibre), and for the contemporary mahi (work) she uses 4 ply cotton thread. Cassandra does not use a loom for either her traditional or her contemporary raranga, but prefers to do it on her lap, or on a table, or on her thumb/hand. She does not use a pattern but loves to weave her own pattern into the design. She has made korowai (cloaks), whariki (mats), taniko (earings), among other things. At the moment she is working on another korowai. Cassandra and her daughter come to the LUP Evening Service. Cassandra says she can t remember how she heard about the Service but she has always gone to both the Evening Meal and the Evening Service. Cassandra s statement is My faith has always kept me alive. I like the Evening Service music and the people. It suits me. Cassandra s daughter is in a transitional period of her life, looking at going flatting, trying a few flats out and coming home again, so Cassandra is currently dealing with the impact that this has on her own life. The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel which means, God with us Isaiah 7:14 & Matthew 1: 23 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. Isaiah 9: 6 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3: 16

4 Giving last 6 weeks: Budgeted: $ Adults attended 22 Oct $ Oct $ Nov $1, Nov $ Nov $ Nov $ Total Budgeted: $4, Total Received: $3, Under:$ The budgeted amount was included in this years budget that you approved at the AGM. The automatic payments have its own budgeted amount & is not included in this figure. Only the envelope/open combined Levin/Waitarere given amounts. Please consider changing to an automatic payment this is a constant amount, especially if you are unable to attend church every week. Thank you to those who have done this. Sunday 17th December. This will be a fellowship time and a two course luncheon will be provided. This will not be free though, so a donation would be appreciated on the day. It is expected that folks will come along after the service in the hall and dine together. Names on clip board please so the social committee can cater. RSVP by Wednesday 13th December. Either phone Viv or Ruth for names to go on the clip board. In February a car rally will be held and It is anticipated that we will gather at the church, Go on the rally and end up back at the church for a BBQ. Get your cars together for a day of fun and adventure. Cost per car will be $ Any questions please phone Viv or Ruth It is with the deepest sadness and sorrow that we announce the passing of our Church members in the last month: May Timlin & Cedric Gwynn December & January DOOR DUTY: It has been really hard to find people willing to do this role. This only works if people put their hands up! Cuppa Time after Worship for December: Dec 3 Helen & Paul Kirkby Dec 10 Ruth Seymour & Elizabeth Harris Dec 17 Ruth & Richard Rushton Dec 24 Helen Hutchings +? Dec 31 Jan 7 Lois & Bob Jan 14 Viv Bold/Betty Burborough Jan 21 Rosemary McKay/Ellen Richardson Jan 28 Shirley Welch/Helen Hutchings Feb 4 Mary & Lindsay Mackay WOMEN S FELLOWSHIP NOTICES FOR DECEMBER Combined groups Meet on Thursday 7th at 11.30am for a bring & share lunch in the Gilmour Lounge. February 2018: Usually a picnic to start, information will be available closer to the time. Prayer Chain: If you would like someone to be added to the Prayer chain, please let Elizabeth in the office know. Would you like to be part of the Prayer Chain? Contact the office for more info. Can you spare 1/2 hour on Sunday Evenings? From 5.45pm the community evening meal is served and we need people to help to do this. Talk to Jack or Maurice. Thank you This is EVERY SUNDAY we would love to see you. If you know of someone who is not well, PLEASE let the office know! I will get someone to get in contact Date Time What Where Saturday 2nd 8am-11.30am Monthly Market Hall complex Sunday 3rd 10am Communion Worship Church Thursday 7th 11.30am Combined Women's Fellowship Lunch Gilmour Lounge Wed 13th 7pm Parish Council Gilmour Lounge Sunday 17th Christmas Luncheon RSVP 13 Dec Friday 22nd 2pm Last day for Office 2017 Back 23rd Jan Sunday 24th 8.30pm 9pm Supper Christmas Eve Service Church Monday 25th 9.30am Christmas Day service Church Every Sunday Every Tuesday Levin Uniting Parish What s coming up December am Worship 4.30pm Lifepoint 6pm Community Meal 7pm Service 12pm Prayer with Jack Levin & Waitarere Gilmour Lge Hall Hall Wesley Lounge Sunday 7th 10am Communion Worship Church

5 Sunday 26th November What a great day! A lovely service lead by Rev. Peter Mackenzie with some tales of his time in Scotland. Then into the hall with the traditional Addressing of the Haggis by Ian Spiers being piped in by Murray Easton. We were then entertained by 2 local girls with Highland dancing which was very impressive, and then some fun with Isabella leading the way with some Scottish Country Dancing. Then we tucked in with a bring and share lunch. It was lovely to see a mix of all our congregations there. Oh and I was told it was a lovely tasty haggis. A big thank you to all who help make this day a success, not forgetting the ladies in the kitchen who were awesome! CARING A PERSONAL REFLECTION BY ALLEN LITTLE At Levin Uniting Church we are a Caring community sharing Love, promoting Joy and fostering Peace in Christian fellowship. Jesus of the manger grew and matured to become he who would inspire humanity Jesus gave us an example to follow, washing His disciple's dirty feet. Sadly many Christians bite and devour each other, when we ought to be washing each others feet and caring for one another in the Lord. It's not difficult to determine which type of person you are, you either care or you don't. Caring means sharing... sharing the gospel, sharing our life, sharing our talents and abilities with others in the Lord. The worldly mind-set is money, money, money. The Godly mind-set is sharing and preaching the gospel in all we do for Christ's sake. Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. This year Christmas marketing campaigns began as early as October..and the commercialised pressures grew in momentum. Work places were planning end of year functions and retailers their Boxing day sales Amidst all the hype of Christmas how do we as a Church show we care for people who struggle. The Bible teaches that we ought to care as God cares. Philippians 2:4-5, says Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. This means being considerate of the feelings, schedule, property, and person of others. The Christian way is to always season our words with grace. Colossians 4:6, says Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man. Sadly in these modern socially connected times people struggle to care about the things of Jesus Christ. Jesus in a manger is one thing the adult Jesus in all his engagements is another In Philippians 2:4-5 it says Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, in Christ Jesus. As the curtain raises on 2018 may we move forward with confidence, bringing hope and encouragement to both the anxious and joyful.

6 Christina On your next journey in life heading down to Please keep us up to date with your happenings!