Sunday 23rd March 2025

Here’s our Zoom link –

Topic: St Martin’s Sunday Worship. To Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81508696154?pwd=cnErZFM5VG5OQVhsZkxYc0dxOHdvUT09

Meeting ID: 815 0869 6154
Passcode: 712158

A plea from Waltham Cottage: they are desperately short of non-perishable food to help out people in need in our local community. If you are able to bring along an extra couple of items on Sunday that would be much appreciated.

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please join us for morning tea following the service as we farewell and thank Dan for his time with us as Interim Minister.

Donations: if you would like to support the ministry at St Martins our bank account is: 03-1598-0011867-00. Please include your name as a reference.

Wednesday Walkers 26th March: Meet 9.30am in The Colombo carpark for a walk around Sydenham.  Coffee at the new Mrs Smith’s Cafe at the entrance off The Colombo carpark. All welcome. Sonya 027 253 3397.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                    

Monday 10am               Tend cuppa & chat (lounge) emily.ingram@tend.nz

Monday 7.15pm           Meditation Group Dugald 021 161 7007

Tuesday 10am              South Elder Care (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869

Tuesday 7-9pm             Mums n Tums (lounge) Olivia 027 327 6369

Wednesday 9.30am      Walking Group: Sydenham Sonya 027 253 3397

Wednesday 7-9pm       Cantabile Choir (lounge) Rose 027 254 0586

Thursday 10am             Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

Thursday 1.30pm          Sit & Be Fit (church) Anneke 021 077 4065

HOT CROSS BUNS Fundraiser for St Mark’s Opawa. $5 for a packet of six delicious Couplands buns – available in traditional, chocolate or cranberry. Contact Anna in the Office before 3 April to place an order. Buns will be delivered on 13 April.

EASTER EGGS for Waltham Cottage – donations of Easter treats for the Cottage would be greatly appreciated. Please bring them to Church and pop them in the basket or drop them into the Parish Office  before 9th April.

CONSERVATION – Week 23. For a change, this week’s message is not draconian or a kill-joy. It is to keep getting educated. Read history (or we will be deemed to relive it). There is just so much to learn from civilisations and people’s past mistakes – and breakthroughs. Nearly all civilisations in the past have succeeded and failed for not many common reasons. Unfortunately, our present civilisation tick most of the bad boxes. My little weekly sessions are my attempt at educating you all. What better place than in church as the Bible lays out formulae for very sustainable living.

Highlights from the March Parish Council meeting:

  • Anna is to work some extra hours whilst we don’t have an Interim Minister
  • A very efficient fire drill was held on 9th March with an excellent evacuation time of 90 seconds
  • An Interim Moderator is yet to be appointed
  • The hedge at the rear of the property is to be trimmed, and the flax bushes on the footpath to be cut back
  • The Pastoral Care team has met and the parish roll has been updated
  • 5th Sundays Combined services with Cashmere & Hoon Hay: Cashmere is hosting a Harvest festival on 30th March, St Martins is the host on 29th June, and it will be at Hoon Hay on 31st August
  • The access code for the kitchen door will be changed at the beginning of April. Anna will action this and advise all relevant groups
  • After Easter the Elder Care meeting time will change to 1-4pm
  • Dan was thanked for his leadership and care of the congregation during his time here at St Martins

A new Sunday roster is available today – please check to see if there is a copy for you in the foyer. Anna.