A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Many thanks to Rev Dugald Wilson for leading our service today. Next Sunday we have a guest speaker, Don Jellyman, from Eco Church network.

We give thanks for the long life of Reverend Martin Cleland who died last Wednesday at the age of very nearly 91. Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. We pray for Gwendoline and the family as they mourn. Martin’s funeral will be here at St Martins on Wednesday 15^th November at 11am.

Wednesday Walkers 15^th November: NO walk this week.

The Parish Office will be closed this Friday 17^th November (Show Day) – please email any notices to Anna by 9am Wednesday. Thank you.

Congratulations to the Reverend Lyndsey McKay who is to be presented with a City Council award for her many years of service to the community on the 7^th December.

GIFTS FOR WALTHAM COTTAGE: We invite you to bring along Christmas gifts for Waltham Cottage to distribute to people in need. Items must be new, and we require gifts suitable for all ages – men, women, teenagers and children. Please do not wrap them. Donations of wrapping paper also appreciated. Bring any contributions along to church from 19^th Nov- 10^th Dec.

You are invited to the St Mark’s Christmas Market Friday 8^th December 5-7pm, 101 Opawa Rd. Everyone welcome.

Volunteers to serve morning tea are required for 3, 24 & 31 December please. Contact Anna if you can help (stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz)

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                              

Monday 5pm                  MenzShed dinner (lounge)

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

Tuesday 3pm                 Private function (lounge)

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

Wednesday 9.30am      NO Walking Group

Wednesday 11am         Funeral of Martin Cleland

Thursday 10am            Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

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

Friday                             NO Sing & Sign (lounge)

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Many thanks to Rev Don Fergus for leading our service today. Rev Dugald Wilson will be with us next Sunday.

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

Wednesday Walkers 8^th November: Meet 9.30am at 194 Riverlaw Tce for a stroll around St Martins/Opawa. Coffee at Anneke’s. All welcome.

MOVIE NIGHT Saturday 25^th November 5.15pm: Half a Sixpence – “If I had the money, I’d buy me a banjo” says struggling salesclerk Arthur Kipps (Tommy Steele). Soon he’ll inherit enough to buy a whole bloomin’ orchestra. But can his newfound wealth buy happiness?

Based on H.G. Wells novel ‘Kipps’ Arthur is introduced to the joys of Edwardian London music halls. With a cast of high-stepping, high-spirited singers and dancers having the time of their lives, Half a Sixpence gets you a million dollars’ worth of fun!

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                              

Monday 1.30pm            Hillsborough-Heathcote WI Leone 332 3314

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

Tuesday 6-7pm             Skating Club (lounge) Kirsty 021 329 765

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

Wednesday 9.30am      Walking Group: St Martins/Opawa Anneke 021 077 4065

Wednesday 10am         Scottish Country Dancers (lounge) Irene 332 7306

Thursday 10am            Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

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

Friday 9.30am               Sing & Sign (lounge) Becky 022 086 2211

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Many thanks to Rev Chris Elliot for leading our service today. Rev Don Fergus will be with us next Sunday.

Wednesday Walkers 1^st November: Meet 9.30am in Ashgrove Tce near Cashmere View for a stroll around Lower Cashmere. Coffee at the Cracroft Café. All welcome. Joan 022 081 4088.

A new Sunday roster is now available – please check in the foyer to see if there is a copy for you to collect. The 2024 door duty & morning tea roster will be available shortly.

Notes from the Parish Council meeting of 18th October 2023:

• Two incident reports were noted – that of a visitor to the office tripping on the uneven ground; as well as a medical emergency. No further action was required.
• Special thanks to Alice Shanks who has added more plants to the garden in front of the office – plants that are indicative of those that grow in a riverbed.
• Thanks, too, to Warren Pettigrew who constructed the rope barrier along the front of the office.
• The Cantabile Choir have booked the complex for their weekly choir practices – each Wednesday commencing in February 2024.
• Consideration was given to the rental of the Manse. The decision was made to hold it at its current rate. We have an excellent tenant and should this change, with any upgrade to the Manse, we would need to think about what rate would be charged at that stage.
• Anyone interested in establishing a community vegetable garden in raised beds at the church should speak to Irene.
• Solar panels – it has been suggested that, with the church becoming an ECO church, members of the congregation may be interested in donating a solar panel for our church building. See Irene.
• Dishwasher – whilst the office will arrange for the servicing of it, there was concern that the washer has not been turned off correctly at the end of its use. Several times it has been left running!
• The next Parish Council meeting will be on Wednesday 6th December 2023.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                              

Monday 1-4pm              Foot Clinic (lounge) Janette 021 075 6780

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

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

Wednesday 9.30am      Walking Group: Lower Cashmere Joan 022 081 4088

Wednesday 9.30am      Port Hills U3A (whole complex) Joy

Thursday 10am            Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

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

Friday 9.30am               Sing & Sign (lounge) Becky 022 086 2211

Blessed are the peacemakers
Today it is 18 days since the Hamas and Israel war began
with a terror attack by Hamas on Israel. I have watched this
unfold in the news with horror and prayed that there would
be a ceasefire, prayed that these appalling crimes against
God and humanity would end. Instead, the suffering and
terrible loss of life continues, with unconscionable civilian
casualties, and humanitarian aid not able to reach those
who need it most. As is so often the case in war, children,
women and the vulnerable pay a terrible price. It is a
humanitarian catastrophe.
I know that some of you have strong views on this war, and
on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Today, both Israelis and
Palestinians are living in fear, are injured, are mourning the
loss of families and friends. I invite you to join me in prayer
for:
·A ceasefire.
·Those killed, injured, and all who care for them.
·The release of hostages taken by Hamas.
·Safe humanitarian access into Gaza so that much needed
aid can be provided.
·Those trapped and those who have had to leave their
homes.
·Those risking their safety to help.
·For peace-keepers and peace-makers.
Christian World Service has launched a Gaza Palestine
Emergency Appeal to assist people who have been affected
by the current conflict, particularly in Gaza. They write that
“thousands of people have been killed, injured and
displaced. Nearly two hundred people are being held as
hostages. Hospitals, schools and homes have been damaged
or destroyed. The need for a ceasefire and humanitarian relief
is overwhelming.”
If you would like to support the CWS appeal see information
here, and there are links to more appeals below.
Right Rev Rose Luxford
Moderator Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
moderator@presbyterian.org.nz
More appeals for those affected by this war:
Unicef
Oxfam
Red Cross

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 this morning. Many thanks to Rev Hugh Perry for leading our service today. Rev Chris Elliot will be with us next Sunday.

Wednesday Walkers 25^th October: Meet 9.30am outside 71a Wychbury St for walk around Spreydon. Coffee at “Morris indoor/outdoor café”. All are welcome. Janette 021 0756780.

MOVIE NIGHT Saturday 28^th October 5.15pm: “My Old Lady”. New Yorker, Mathias, travels to Paris to sell a grand old apartment he has inherited from his estranged father. But he is stunned to find a refined old lady, Mathilde (Maggie Smith) still living in the apartment with her very protective daughter, Chloe. He soon learns that under French law, he will not gain possession of the property until Mathilde dies and must make monthly payments to her until that time. A hard-up writer with no other assets to his name and no money for a return fare to New York, Mathias realises with bitterness that he has, in fact, inherited a debt. Much to the dismay of Chloe, the spirited 92-year-old Mathilde offers Mathias lodgings to the apartment until he works out what to do. BYO takeaways to eat, hot drinks provided.

Tomato seedlings available: Peter has planted too many tomato seeds and the result is a surfeit of seedlings which need a new home. Please see Sue asap.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                              

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

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

Wednesday 9.30am      Walking Group: Spreydon Janette 021 075 6780

Wednesday 10am         Scottish Country Dancers (lounge) Irene 332 7306

Thursday 10am            Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

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

Friday 9.30am               Sing & Sign (lounge) Becky 022 086 2211

Saturday 5.15pm          Movie Night (lounge) Irene 332 7306

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 this morning. Many thanks to Rev Sheena Dickson for leading our service today. Rev Hugh Perry will be with us next Sunday.

Wednesday Walkers 18^th October: Meet 9.30am in the Mona Vale Carpark for a walk around Mona Vale and the area.  Coffee will be at Mona Vale.

All welcome. Judith 332 1577 or 027 688 1861.

MOVIE NIGHT Saturday 28^th October 5.15pm: “My Old Lady”.

New Yorker, Mathias, travels to Paris to sell a grand old apartment he has inherited from his estranged father. But he is stunned to find a refined old lady, Mathilde (Maggie Smith) still living in the apartment with her very protective daughter, Chloe. He soon learns that under French law, he will not gain possession of the property until Mathilde dies and must make monthly payments to her until that time. A hard-up writer with no other assets to his name and no money for a return fare to New York, Mathias realises with bitterness that he has, in fact, inherited a debt. Much to the dismay of Chloe, the spirited 92-year-old Mathilde offers Mathias lodgings to the apartment until he works out what to do.

Presbyterian Support Upper South Island Annual Meeting Thursday 26^th October, 44 Bealey Ave, from 5pm. All are welcome. To RSVP email Pip Riley pipr@psusi.org.nz by 20/10.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                              

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

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

Wednesday 9.30am      Walking Group: Mona Vale Judith 027 688 1861

Wednesday 10am         Scottish Country Dancers (lounge) Irene 332 7306

Wednesday 7.30pm      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               Sing & Sign (lounge) Becky 022 086 2211