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

HOLY WEEK SERVICES

Maundy Thursday 7pm at St Mark’s Opawa

Good Friday 9.30am led by the Worship committee

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today, and many thanks to Rev Hugh Perry for leading our service. Please join us for morning tea and hot cross buns following the service. 

The Parish Office will be closed Friday 25^th April (Anzac Day)

Community Anzac Day service Friday 25^th April 9.30am, Waltham Park – all are welcome.

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 23^rd April: Meet at 9.30am at Richmond Workingmen’s club carpark in London Street for a walk around the new Avon River walking track. All welcome Janette. 021 075 6780. 

Our Elder Care group is looking for people to help with the activities. If you are interested and available on Tuesdays, please talk to Jeannette or Keith.

2025 Presbytery Autumn Gathering 9th – 10th May 2025, John Knox Rangiora, Corner High Street and King Street, Rangiora Costs: Friday to Saturday $80; Friday or Saturday only $50; Saturday Andrew Root Sessions $25 (includes lunch) Joining us will be Dr Andrew Root and his wife, Rev Kara Root from the USA. Andrew is currently the Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary in Minnesota and lectures on the theology of ministry, youth ministry and culture. He is the author of a number of books including When Church Stops Working and The End of Youth Ministry. His wife Kara will be joining him. Kara is a Presbyterian minister with the PCUSA and is a spiritual director and author. Registrations will be open soon, and will be accessible from the Presbytery website.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                    

Monday 10am               NO Tend cuppa & chat (lounge) Emily 022 094 1492

Monday 7.15pm           Meditation Group (lounge) Dugald 021 161 7007

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

Wednesday 9.30am      Walking Group: Avon River Janette 021 075 6780

Thursday 10am             Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

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

A Dementia Workshop for Ministers/Priests/Pastors/ Pastoral Worker/Carer Thursday 8 May 2025, 9.15- 12.00 noon at The Village Presbyterian Church cnr Ilam & Aorangi Rd, Bryndwr

Programme: Dementia and Delirium 101: Dr Susan Gee is the Lead Researcher for Psychiatry of Old Age, Te Whatu Ora, Waitaha/Canterbury. Susan has PhD in Psychology from the University of Otago, and a Masters of Gerontology from Kings College, London. Dementia and Spiritual Care:

Rev Sandra Wright-Taylor is Chaplain to Older Persons Mental Health, Burwood Hospital and Regional Manager, Te Waipounamu, Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa. Sandra’s thesis for her Master of Chaplaincy (Otago) will focus on Spiritual Care and Dementia. Tea and Coffee will be served. RSVP: Sandra.wright-taylor@hospitalchaplaincy.org.nz by 4 May.

Alpine Presbytery newsletter: if you wish to receive this, please email Gail (office@alpinepresbytery.org) to subscribe. We will no longer be forwarding it from the Parish Office. A paper copy is available to read each week in the church foyer.

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

HOLY WEEK & EASTER SERVICES

Maundy Thursday 7pm at St Mark’s Opawa

Good Friday 9.30am led by the Worship committee

Easter Sunday 10am Holy Communion with Rev Hugh Perry followed by Hot Cross Buns for morning tea

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today, and many thanks to Rev Nardia Sandison for leading our service. Please join us for morning tea following the service. 

We give thanks for the long life of Heather Florence Mary Haylock, who died on 6^th April, aged 103. We pray for John and all the family as they mourn. Rest eternal grant unto her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her. Heather’s funeral will be held at Trinity Church, Akaroa (where she worshipped for seven decades) tomorrow 14^th April 11am. A livestream link is available from www.blt.co.nz/obituaries

The Parish Office will be closed 18^th April (Good Friday)

Community Anzac Day service Friday 25^th April 9.30am, Waltham Park – all are welcome.

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 16^th April: Meet at 9.30am on Somerfield Street near Baretta Street, for a walk around Somerfield.  Coffee location to be advised. All welcome Sue & Elizabeth 021 112 5798.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                    

Monday 10am               Tend cuppa & chat (lounge) Emily 022 094 1492

Monday 1.30pm            U3A focus group (lounge) Richard 022 533 5444

Monday 7.15pm           Meditation Group (lounge) Dugald 021 161 7007

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

Wednesday 9.30am      Walking Group: Somerfield Elizabeth 021 112 5798

Wednesday 4pm           Parish Council Meeting (lounge)

Thursday 10am             Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

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

Friday 9.30am               Good Friday service

Friday 12.30pm             Private function (lounge)

Tena koutou katoa

Throughout my ministry I have either participated in, or led, an Easter sunrise service, firstly at Mt Albert in Auckland, and more latterly at the Lookout in Oamaru. It is very uplifting to stand in the quiet darkness and then see the sun come up over the city/town and hear the words proclaimed, ‘Christ is Risen – He is Risen Indeed!’ The other Easter tradition of my ministry is to have the dressing of the cross at the Easter Sunday service. As part of the service everyone comes forward with a flower to place on the cross, which gives a visual sign of the change from death, darkness and despair, to life, light and hope. And the hymn is sung, “Jesus Christ is Risen Today, Alleluia”. Such a joyous day.

With the lockdown that occurred in 2020, Easter Sunday saw me hurrying through the darkened, empty streets of Oamaru to find a vantage point on a hill to see the sunrise over the sea – and there it was, glorious! And members of our parish decorated their letterboxes with flowers to proclaim the Easter message in our town. A different dynamic that year – yet the Risen Christ was honoured and known and celebrated.

Easter is such a significant time in the life of the Church, and in our individual lives. Something to truly celebrate in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. I have always loved John’s account of resurrection morning. “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb”.

It is so familiar and yet every year it brings to us afresh the beginning of a chapter in the Christian faith that continues to shape and inform us, here and now. A little later Mary encounters the Risen Christ in the garden. Galvanizing, truth-telling, revolutionary. After a short conversation Mary goes and tells the disciples “I have seen the Lord”. The first witness to the Risen Christ. That Christ rose from the dead opens up the world for those who follow him. Through his death on the cross, Jesus brings us into deeper relationship with the living God. A relationship that is covenantal in its nature, that has an expansiveness about it that takes us into eternity. The empty cross speaks to us of resurrection life. It talks to us of the outstretched arms of Jesus who gathers us to himself through his sacrificial love. The cross also speaks back to the perceived power and status of the world. The structures and posturing of those who believe they are in control, that they call the shots. Against unimaginable odds, faith wins out. And as followers of Christ, we can live with the posture of hope, love, goodness, for we believe in the power of the Risen Christ, that all things are possible in Christ.

I pray in whatever circumstance you find yourself, that Easter will be a time of renewal and nurture for you, and also a time that re-energises us all in the Church. A time we proclaim with conviction, “Christ is risen – he is risen indeed!”

Rt Rev Rose Luxford, Moderator

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 very warm welcome to all who worship with us today, and many thanks to Rev Dugald Wilson for leading our service. Please join us for morning tea following the service. 

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 9^th April: Meet at 9.30am at Richmond Workingmens club, Evelyn Cousins Avenue for a walk around the new Avon River walking track. All welcome. Janette 021 075 6780. 

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                    

Monday 10am               Tend cuppa & chat (lounge) Emily 022 094 1492

Monday 7.15pm           Meditation Group (lounge) 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: Avon River Janette 021 075 6780

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

EASTER EGGS for Waltham Cottage – donations of Easter treats for the Cottage would be greatly appreciated. They are hosting an Easter Egg hunt on Tuesday 12^th April. Please bring them to Church and pop them in the basket or drop them into the Parish Office before 9^th April.

CONSERVATION – Week 25. Conserve for this week by thinking global and then act local. That is to think about everything that you do and how that will affect the planet now and into the future. How well are we leaving the planet for future generations? Are we abiding by God’s direction to take care of our planet and all that it contains?

HOLY WEEK & EASTER SERVICES

Palm Sunday 13^th April 10am with Rev Nardia Sandison

Maundy Thursday 7pm at St Mark’s Opawa

Good Friday 9.30am led by the Worship committee

Easter Sunday 10am Holy Communion with Rev Hugh Perry

followed by Hot Cross Buns for morning tea

Community Anzac Day service Friday 25^th April 9.30am, Waltham Park – all are welcome.

A Combined Service at Cashmere Presbyterian Church

10am Harvest Festival service at Cashmere Presbyterian Church, McMillan Ave with our neighbours from Cashmere & Hoon Hay parishes. All are welcome – please bring fruit & vegetables from your garden or non perishable grocery items which will be distributed to local community groups (including Waltham Cottage).

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tues 1^st Aileen D; Wed 2^nd Anna W; Fri 4^th Rosalie B

NOTICES:

Door code change: Please note that the code to enter the premises will be changed on Friday 4^th April. To obtain the new code, please call into the Parish Office and sign the confidentiality agreement.

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.

If anyone wants jars of spicy crab apple jelly to go on Hot Cross buns, please let Sue know by 6th April so she can have it at church on Sunday 13th.

Wednesday Walkers 2^nd April: Meet 9.30am on the Merchiston veranda, 75 St Martins Road for a walk around the area.  All welcome Fern 021 227 4758

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                    

Monday 10am               Tend cuppa & chat (lounge) 022 094 1492

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: St Martins Fern 021 227 4758

Wednesday 9.30am      Port Hills U3A (whole complex) Joy 337 2393

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 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 9^th April.

CONSERVATION – Week 24. This week’s message is about efficiency. Efficiency is getting the most out of energy and materials thereby minimizing waste. When driving, keep your speed down. Minimize heat waste with insulation. When cold, add clothes rather than heat. Only buy stuff that you need. Recycle. The planet at birth was allocated a finite amount of non-renewable energy and resources. When used, the cake is eaten.

PLEASE NOTE: If you do not wish to receive the Alpine Presbytery newsletter each week please email me at the Parish Office (stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz) so I can remove your name from the list. DO NOT click “unsubscribe”. Thank you. Anna.

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.

NEXT SUNDAY 30^th MARCH 10am Combined Harvest Festival service at Cashmere Presbyterian Church, McMillan Ave with our neighbours from Cashmere & Hoon Hay parishes. All are welcome – please bring fruit & vegetables from your garden or non perishable grocery items which will be distributed to local community groups (including Waltham Cottage).

Wednesday Walkers 26^th 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 9^th 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 9^th 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
• 5^th Sundays Combined services with Cashmere & Hoon Hay: Cashmere is hosting a Harvest festival on 30^th March, St Martins is the host on 29^th June, and it will be at Hoon Hay on 31^st 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.