INTRODUCTING REV STUART GRANT

Transcription

1 CONTACTS: Office Phone/Fax: Oxford Street Levin Parish Clerk Allen Little Facebook Levin Uniting Church Website April 2016 Like us on Facebook. You will get notifications of special events happening and photos of events already done! We are up to 69 likes come join us INTRODUCTING REV STUART GRANT Greetings, people of Levin Uniting Parish! In December I was asked by Ian Harris, Co-Superintendent of the Lower North Island Methodist Synod, if I would consider taking on the role of your Parish Superintendent while you are without an appointed minister. This would normally involve attending some Parish Council meetings and being generally available for consultation. I agreed. Ian also commented that he also needed to find someone who might provide part time ministry for the Parish. He didn t ask me if I would be interested, - after all I had been retired from full time ministry for five years. But I thought about the situation for a couple of days and very soon began to think, I could do that! The idea grew, so I phoned Ian and asked if a half-time ministry would be acceptable. Without going into more detail, this is how it comes to pass that I will be commencing as your half-time supply minister from 1 April. (And no, I don t think that makes me an April fool!) I haven t really been retired for the last five years. Cornelia, my wife, is minister of the Kapiti Uniting Parish, and I have been taking services and doing various other things on the local parish scene ever since official retirement. Apart from my church involvement I have wide interests: I am a singer and a pianist, I enjoy tramping, biking, gardening, reading. I am a member of the Kapiti Chamber Choir, and I help clear pest traps on the Waikanae estuary. Obviously, now that I m taking up regular ministry again, some of these interests will have to go on the back burner somewhat. I bring 38 years of experience of parish ministry, for 18 of which I was also a Synod Superintendent for the Methodist Church. So I also bring experience and knowledge of the wider church. I look forward to ministering among you, working with you and encouraging you as you continue your journey of faith as a community of God s people in Levin. Stuart Grant

2 SERVICES FOR MARCH Come along and support these people leading services this month: IN THE HALL UNLESS STATED 3rd Communion 10th 17th Harvest 24th May 1st Communion Rev. Stuart Grant (IN THE CHURCH) Rev. Stuart Grant s Induction Service (in the Church) Wednesday House Group Steve Fowler (see note below) Rev. Stuart Grant (In the church) WHO IS STEVE FOWLER YOU ASK? SO I ASKED HIM Steve Fowler normally worships at St Mary s Anglican Church where he is now Vicar s Warden. Until his move to Levin from the UK a year and a half ago, following retirement from his post as college Principal, Steve and his wife, Sue, had worshiped at a Baptist Church for over 25 years. There, Steve was a House Group Leader and led a theology course. Induction Service Sunday 10th April at 10am in the Church Please join us for the Induction Service Rev. Stuart Grant who will be with us until the end of January 2017 The service will conclude with a special morning tea in the hall. He (Jesus) was despised and rejected a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief He was despised and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried. He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the punishment all of us deserved. Isaiah 53:3-6 He died for all, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but only for him who died and was raised to life for their sake. 2 Corinthians 5: 15 PARISH COUNCIL 16TH MARCH Rev Stuart Grant from the Kapiti Coast will commence for a short term appointment on 1st April, conducting Communion on 3rd and being inducted at the 10 AM Service on Sunday 10th followed by Morning Tea. We expect extra visitors for Stuarts induction and so will gather in the Church for this special occasion. Elizabeth and I will be attending the Inter-church Health & Safety Workshop in Palmerston North on 20th April. Various property matters were discussed including the Earthquake compliance programme. Parish Council appreciated the extra works which John B and his team Plus Ruth and Elizabeth have undertaken on our behalf over recent weeks, Application has been made to the owners Presbyterian Property Trustees seeking approval of our works programme so we can access the Methodist capital funds. Because of these complex formalities none of us can be sure when the work will take place.. Mrs Flo Metcalfe who has been worshipping with us for some time has asked to become a Church Member and this was warmly agreed to by Parish Council. We were pleased to receive a report from Doug Bolitho on the 12th March Synod which he attended. An encouraging report on the Evening Meal Ministry was given by Jack. At the beginning of their second decade they are still connecting with vulnerable people from the fringes of Levin who need comfort, reassurance and a hearty meal. Jack and his team continue to see new people turning up week by week. If you would like to help in some way with donations of time, food or funds please see Jack. Parish Clerk

3 EXPLANATION OF GOD This ONE IS FABULOUS!!! It was written by 8 year old Danny Dutton of Chula Vista, CA, for his third grade homework assignment. The assignment was to explain God. I just wonder if any of us could do as well??? EXPLANATION OF GOD "One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way He doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk He can just leave that to mothers and fathers." God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because He hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless He has thought of a way to turn it off. "God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting His time by going over your Mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have." "Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in town. At least there aren't any who come to our church." "Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of Him preaching to them and they crucified Him. But he was good and kind, like His Father, and He told His Father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K." "His dad God appreciated everything that He had done and all His hard work on earth so He told him He didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So He did. And now He helps His Dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones He can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important." "You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time." "You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God. Don't skip church or do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong and besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway." "If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids" "But you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases. And that's why I believe in God" Do you have ? Do you receive Parish s re what s happening here and funeral details? If not and would like to, please let me know in the office and I will add you to the list. levinunting@xtra.co.nz and let me know FORTHCOMING CELEBRATION SUNDAY MAY 15th A Service led by the Women in our church to celebrate Florence Nightingale International Nurses Day. We want to involve all past and present Nurses in our own Parish and those in other Churches and the wider Community. If you know of someone in this category please give their name to Beth Berry or Eileen Bolitho. We look forward to a meaningful celebration.

4 SPUD N BUCKET WEIGH IN 2016 On Saturday 12th, potato bucket growers arrived with their produce. While we were waiting, we had an evaluated view of the Adventure Park and the Variety Cars that we heading off on their week long adventure we even got a few waves and toots. Thanks to Lois & Bob who got us organised for this event this year after Janet & Harvey moved away last year. Eileen for her weighing skills and John for the trailer. Bob, who had never been to a weigh in before seemed to enjoy getting his hands dirty and digging into the dirt looking for spuds (with help from most of course, spotting the few that liked to hide). Out of 28 bucket/seed potato sold last year, we had 17 to unearth. We hope the other spuds have been enjoyed. I have been told they were tasty (one bucket had to be eaten as the calves reached through the fence and ate the tops and pulled up the potatoes) Now for the stats: Total potato weight 7.24 kg Heaviest crop.890 kg Jessie Brown Largest Potato.215 kg Jessie Brown Most potatoes in crop 22 spuds Jessie Brown Most unusual The Twins Shirley Welch Apart from those who wanted to eat their work the remainder was given the to Sunday Evening Meal, who combined them with carrots, beans & cabbage. We finished with a light morning tea fresh scones, pikelets and biscuits to nibble on. To finish off with an Easter egg. Bob digging in with everyone looking on to check all was found. Eileen close by to add them up. Shirley was quite chuffed that her crop had the most unusual two potatoes exactly the same. John waiting for prize #3 for his granddaughter Jessie. Who apparently enjoyed them :)

5 HAPPINESS A PERSONAL STUDY BY ALLEN LITTLE Most of us probably don't believe we need a formal definition of happiness; we know it when we feel it, and we often use the term to describe a range of positive emotions, including joy, pride, contentment, and gratitude. There is a children s chorus with the line If you are happy and you know it clap your hands which seems to be more about the experiential. To the best of our knowledge, Jesus never asked the disciples: Are we having fun? But He did teach them that faithful servants would enter into the joy of their master. Happiness is the fruit of aligning our lives with God s purposes for us. If you keep my commandments, Jesus promised, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full (John 15:10 11). The pursuit of such single-minded faithfulness, not simple-minded fun, is the true road to human happiness. As the modern Church have we lost sight of many important and simple truths. Galatians 6:9 says So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest. In the busyness of the Church are we distracted, fatigued and weary? Are we tempted to be serious and focused in our endeavour for the kingdom and have a loss of happiness. What is happiness is a question which has been debated since the beginning of time and its clearly not just: - Feeling Good All The Time Being Rich or Affording Everything You Want A Final Destination or achievement Depending on the translation, the Bible uses the words happy and happiness about 30 times, while joy and rejoice appear over 300 times. If we look at some verses it will help us understand why joy is different from happiness. The book of Philippians is a great study in the difference between joy and happiness. Written by the Apostle Paul while imprisoned in Rome, this book uses the words joy, rejoice, and joyful 16 times and teaches us how to have true contentment in Jesus Christ, despite our circumstances. In chains and aware that his life was coming to an end, Paul talks about his faith and trust in Christ and how it had changed his whole perspective on suffering. In Philippians 1:12-24, Paul says that because of his two-year imprisonment (Acts 28:30), the Roman guard heard the gospel from him, and it had spread throughout Rome. Happiness often depends on things outside of ourselves, but true joy is eternal because it is based on our relationship with Jesus Christ, an everlasting source of joy. Donations to the Church: For those who are giving to the church for other things apart from general church life, please take your donation to the office during open hours or, Put in a separate envelope with your name & address inside with your donation & where you want it put/tagged. (& you can get a receipt) Thank you for making life easier Prayer Chain: If you would like to be part of the Prayer chain, please let Elizabeth in the office know. The more people helping, the more they can help! Would like to help with the Sunday Community meal? Did you know you can make a taxable donation to the office? Or visit: communitymeallevin To make a credit card or internet banking donation. Or if you have a smartphone, you can scan this QR Code A priest and a nun are on their way back home from a trip when their car breaks down. They are unable to get it fixed, so they decide to spend the night in a hotel. The only hotel in the town has only one room available. Priest: Sister, I don't think the Lord would have a problem, under the circumstances, if we spent the night together in this one room. I'll sleep on the lounge and you have the bed. Nun: I think that would be okay. They prepare for bed and each one takes their agreed place in the room. Ten minutes later... Nun: Father, I'm terribly cold. Priest: Okay, I'll get you a blanket. (He does) Ten minutes later... Nun: Father, I'm still terribly cold. Priest: Okay Sister, I'll get you another blanket. (He does) Ten minutes later... Nun: Father, I'm still terribly cold. I don't think the Lord would mind if we acted as man and wife just for this one night. Priest: You're probably right... get up and get your own blanket.

6 LEVIN UNITING PARISH COMMUNIQUE Giving last 5 weeks: Budgeted: $ Adults attended 21st Feb th Feb th Mar th Mar th Mar Total Budgeted: $ Total Received: $ over $ 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. 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 Peter or Jack. Thank you This is EVERY SUNDAY we would love to see you. FROM WORKS RE THE CHURCH ROOF Due to circumstances beyond our control, the roof replacement has been delayed for a short period. We hope we will have an answer soon. Loaves & Fishes Lunch Last one? Up to you... Thursday 21st from 11.30am, lunch at 12pm sharp! A hearty soup, roll and dessert only $8p/p APRIL DOOR DUTY: 3rd Marshall Scott/Sadie Elphick 10 &17th Margaret Burnell/ 24th Margaret Burnell/ 1st May Margaret Burnell/ Please consider helping! Cuppa Time after Worship for April: April 3 Murray Easton/Heather Haines April 10 Helen & Paul Kirkby April 17 Gwyneth Harris/Betty Burborough April 24 Ruth & Richard Rushton May 1 Eileen & Doug Bolitho/Viv Hayes WOMEN S FELLOWSHIP NOTICES FOR APRIL Morning Group: Meets Thursday 7th at 9.45am in the Gilmour Lounge. Afternoon Group: Meets Tuesday 12th at 1.30pm in the Wesley Lounge Evening Group: Meet Tuesday 26th at 7.30pm in the Gilmour Lounge. Good News stories, celebrations, What s happening in the Parish to include in The communiqué. This is your newsletter about your parish, if you have news, please let the office know (phone or ) If you know of someone who is not well, PLEASE let the office know! I will get someone to get in contact Helpers are needed to help set up (Friday AM) and take down church each Sunday morning. Please consider this important part of making church run smoothly. There is no one to help? Date Time What Where Saturday 2nd 8am am Monthly Market Hall complex Sunday 3rd 10am Communion Worship Church Thursday 7th 9.45am Women's Fellowship Gilmour Lounge Sunday 10th 10am 1.30pm Induction Service Hosanna Service Church Salvation Army Tuesday 12th 1.30pm Women s Fellowship Wesley Lounge Tuesday 19th By 2pm Newsletter Material Due Office Wednesday 20th 7pm Parish Council Gilmour Lounge Thursday 21st 11.30am Loaves & Fishes Lunch Gilmour Lounge Monday 25th All day ANZAC Day Office Closed Tuesday 26th All Day 7.30pm Office Closed Women s Fellowship Gilmour Lounge Friday 29th 9am Newsletter Team Gilmour Lounge Every Sunday Every Tuesday Every Thursday Levin Uniting Parish What s coming up April am Worship 6pm Community Meal 7pm Service 12pm Prayer with Jack 7.30pm Choir Practice Hall & Waitarere Hall Hall Wesley Lounge Gilmour Lounge