NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to you all this morning. Please come through to the Lounge after the service for a cuppa and a time to talk.

Risingholme celebrates their 75^th anniversary today. Pop along to 22 Cholmondeley Ave between 11am-2pm.

Singing Group…. meets 9.15am sharp on the first and third Sundays.

Meditation Group meets elsewhere this Tuesday.

FIRESIDE Women’s Group meets this Tuesday 26^th November in the lounge at 7.45pm. This will be an informal gathering, sharing stories about Christmas past and present. Please bring a small plate to share for supper. All women are very welcome. Margaret 366 8936.

Wednesday Walkers 27^th Nov: Meet 9.30am in Hackthorne Rd near the Sign of the Takahe for a walk around the area. Coffee at Sign of the Takahe. Please arrange car pooling if you are not happy driving on the hill. All welcome Gerard 339 6242

Working Bee THIS Saturday 30^th November 9-11am – come along and help with gardening, shifting earth, window cleaning.

New Sunday Roster available today – please check to see if there is one for you to collect. Anna.

Carboot Sale: Saturday 14^th December 9am at St Mark’s Church, Opawa Rd. Limited spaces available. $10 for the space. See Anna in the Office if you’re interested.

Crafty Crafters every Thursday 10am-12noon in the lounge. $3 per session. Bring along an unfinished item, or try a new one. All are welcome. Lyndsey 388 1264.

Christmas Gifts for Waltham Community Cottage: Sundays 1, 8 & 15 December. Please bring the kind of gifts you would like to receive or you would give to your loved ones. Gifts are required for  men, women, teenagers, boys and girls. The staff choose the gift for the client from what is given by our congregation. Wrapping paper and cards also appreciated. Edible items are very welcome (please bring these on the 15^th  only).

South Brighton Voices invite you to their concert “A Christmas Cracker” on Sunday 8^th December 2pm at St John’s Anglican Church, Ferry Rd, Woolston. Tickets $20, available from Lyndsey McKay.

MenzShed…a fire report has been received which indicates that the west wall will need extra gib placed internally to give a higher fire rating. We will also need to install a ramp for disabled access. The structural engineer is requiring a plywood ‘skirt’ around the building. A consent application will be put in this week, and work to place the building on piles may begin in mid-December.

SPANZ – the latest edition is available in the foyer today….inside are reflections on the Mosque attacks here in Christchurch, caring for creation, Kiwi Church, a visit to Palestine, global mission, and other items.  Pick up your copy today and learn of some of the exciting things happening in our church.

Session Report November:

Dugald asked the question why do we keep our faith so private and so rarely speak with others about our experience of God, Jesus, or the Spirit in our lives.  Don’t be surprised if Session members ask as we chat together after worship, “did you hear a whisper of God in worship today?”, or “what do you take away from our gathering today?”.  Maybe there was something that Dugald said, or some other part of worship that made sense to you, or touched a deep place.  Maybe there was something you disagreed with.  Let’s see if we can bring God into our everyday conversations.

We are planning combined services with Beckenham Methodist post Christmas.

We are grateful to Bill for the formation of the singing group which learns new music.

Two new pulpit falls have been donated by Barbara McKinnon.

A new chairman for the Board of Managers has been elected – Peter Mechaelis.

The Giving Review Team reported on their plans to lift our finances to enable full-time ministry.  A letter from this team will be circulated on Sunday 1^st and a report given to the congregation on Sunday 8^th December.

A Vision Team was established to act as an executive and to articulate the vision of the parish.  The membership of this is still being established, but this team will act as the core leadership team in the absence of a minister.

An Early Christmas with Schola Cantorum choir, Tuesday 3^rd December 5.30-6.10pm at The Piano, 156 Armagh St. Door sales $10 – cash only.

Handel’s “Messiah” with the City Choir & CSO in the Town Hall Auditorium, Saturday 7^th December 7.30pm. Book at Ticketek.

Christian Savings

Is an interdenominational non bank deposit taker licensed by the Reserve Bank.  They accept deposits and then lend churches and Christian charities as a way of growing God’s Kingdom in New Zealand.  Presbyterian Savings and Development Society (PSDS) became part of Christian Savings a few years ago. 

The good thing about Christian Savings is you know your investment will be utilised for good things and not to support the alcohol industry or the arms industry as will usually happen with the big banks.  It also means your money will be put to work in New Zealand for things like building churches, providing housing, and supporting other Christian projects.

You can open a call account or a term deposit.  Another possibility is to invest money as a charitable deposit.  Your capital will be returned after your chosen term, but the interest it earns could be donated to your church or another charity nominated by you. 

More details are available in the Christian Savings newsletter, “The Good Investor”, or pick up an information pamphlet in the foyer.  (More information online: www.christiansavings.co.nz)

Currently there is a special rate for new term deposit investments of one year – 3%.

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to you all this morning. Please come through to the Lounge after the service for a cuppa and a time to talk. Many thanks to Rev Nancy-Jean Whitehead again for leading this morning’s worship.

Session meeting this Wednesday 20^th November 7.30pm in the foyer.

Singing Group…. meets 9.15am sharp on the first and third Sundays.

Meditation Group: Tuesdays 7.00-7.45pm in the lounge. You’re welcome to ‘come and try’.

Wednesday Walkers 20^th Nov: Meet 9.30am in Scott St, near Brougham St for a walk around Sydenham. Coffee at the Nazareth House Retirement Village Café. All welcome.  Gaynor 021 039 9957

Working Bee Saturday 30^th November 9-11am – come along and help with gardening, shifting earth, window cleaning

Carboot Sale: Saturday 14^th December 9am at St Mark’s Church, Opawa Rd. Limited spaces available. $10 for the space. See Anna in the Office if you’re interested.

Crafty Crafters every Thursday 10am-12noon in the lounge. $3 per session. Bring along an unfinished item, or try a new one. All are welcome. Lyndsey 388 1264.

Christmas Gifts for Waltham Community Cottage: Sundays 1, 8 & 15 December. Please bring the kind of gifts you would like to receive or you would give to your loved ones. Gifts are required for men, women, teenagers, boys and girls. The staff choose the gift for the client from what is given by our congregation. Wrapping paper and cards also appreciated. Edible items are very welcome (please bring these on the December 15^th  only).

Garden City Orchestra celebrates 20 years of music on Saturday 23^rd November 7pm at Salvation Army Citadel, 853 Colombo St. $10 entry and gold coin supper.

South Brighton Voices invite you to their concert “A Christmas Cracker” on Sunday 8^th December 2pm at St John’s Anglican Church, Ferry Rd, Woolston. Tickets $20, available from Lyndsey McKay.

MenzShed…a fire report has been received which indicates that the west wall will need extra gib placed internally to give a higher fire rating. We will also need to install a ramp for disabled access. A consent application will be put in this week, and work to place the building on piles may begin in mid-December.

Special One Year Term Deposit Rate with Christian Savings

We currently have many churches and charities looking to borrow in 2020 and we would love your help to support these projects. To help us grow our lending capacity we are offering a special rate for our one-year term deposit for a limited time. 1 year   3.00% pa. We also have rates available from 30 Days – 5 Years. Call us on 0508 728 464 or visit www.christiansavings.co.nz 

Information about some of the groups that use our facilities:

Mondays 6pm Tai Chi class – to find out more, contact Jimmy 022 0470123

Wednesdays – Port Hills U3A meets here on the 1^st Wednesday each month in the morning. New members are very welcome. Ph Vivienne 943 6299

Also on Wednesdays, each week during school terms, the Familial Trust meets from 5pm. This a locally-based service that mentors children and young people affected by addictions of family members. To learn more about their work, visit www.familialtrust.org

Thursdays 1.30pm Sit and Keep Fit – a gentle exercise class for people of all ages, but especially helpful for seniors. Have a chat to Anneke 328 7459 – you might like to come along and have a go!

A very warm welcome to you all this morning. Please come through to the Lounge after the service for a cuppa and a time to talk. Many thanks to Rev Nancy-Jean Whitehead for leading this morning’s worship.

Articles & photos are desperately required for the next ‘Messenger’ by THIS THURSDAY. Please email any contributions to anneke.howie@gmail.com

Assisted Dying….local churches are offering an opportunity to learn more about this important legislation at 7pm TONIGHT at Opawa Baptist Church. 

Singing Group…. meets 9.15am sharp on the first and third Sundays.

The Parish Office will be closed on Friday 15^th November (Show Day).

Meditation Group: Tuesdays 7.00-7.45pm in the lounge. You’re welcome to ‘come and try’.

Wednesday Walkers 13^th Nov: Meet 9.30am in Brookford Pl, off Cashmere Rd, Westmorland. Gerard & Thea will lead us on our walk around the area. Coffee at Alice in Wonderland Café, at Oderings Cashmere.All welcome.  Sonya 027 253 3397

MenzShed is still waiting for a fire report before we can proceed to applying for a consent and placing the classroom on piles.

Crafty Crafters every Thursday 10am-12noon in the lounge. $3 per session. Bring along an unfinished item, or try a new one. All are welcome. Lyndsey 388 1264.

Christmas Gifts for Waltham Community Cottage: Sundays 1, 8 & 15 December. Please bring the kind of gifts you would like to receive or you would give to your loved ones. Gifts are required for  men, women, teenagers, boys and girls. The staff choose the gift for the client from what is given by our congregation.Wrapping paper and cards also appreciated. Edible items are very welcome (please bring these on the December 15^th  only).

Garden City Orchestra celebrates 20 years of music on Saturday 23^rd November 7pm at Salvation Army Citadel, 853 Colombo St. $10 entry and gold coin supper.

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to you all this morning. Please come through to the Lounge after the service for a cuppa and a time to talk.

All the congregation are welcome: Learn to make flax flowers  – which will give a New Zealand touch to our Christmas services –  at the Fireside meeting this Tuesday 29th October in the church lounge.  The meeting will be at 7.45pm, allowing the meditation group who meet earlier some peace and quiet before we arrive. 

Allison has arranged for Peg Riley to teach us and she will explain custom as well as flax purpose.  She said  “We will need a flax leaf – long if possible, cut just the day before, the fresher the better!!, at least one per person, but we can have two or more if you like! Sharp scissors are helpful, (but you only need one good pair as we can share,) for cutting to length as we start.” Please come and join us.

Parish Breakfast NEXT Sunday 8.45am, hosted by the Worship Committee. Gold coin koha appreciated.

Prepare for next Sunday: read Luke 19:1-10, the story of Zacchaeus.

Assisted Dying….local churches are offering an opportunity to learn more about this important legislation at 7.00pm on Sunday 10^th November at Opawa Baptist Church.  More details coming.

Singing Group…. meets 9.15am sharp on the first and third Sundays. Next week’s song is a surprise!

Articles are now required for the next ‘Messenger’.

Please email any contributions to anneke.howie@gmail.com Deadline: Friday 14^th November.

Meditation Group: Tuesdays 7.00-7.45pm in the church this week. You’re welcome to ‘come and try’.

Anna will not be in the Office this Thursday 31^st October.

Wednesday Walkers 30^th Oct: Azaleas & Riverside Market  Meet 9.30am in the Botanic Gardens Car Park off Armagh Street in the first area near the tennis courts. We will walk through the Gardens to view the Azaleas on our way to the Market.  Coffee probably at Ilex.  Sonya 027 253 3397

Crafty Crafters Bus Trip Thursday 31^st October: Please be at the church no later than 9.15am – we depart 9.30am sharp.

Dis-Ability – an evening with Roland Walter. Tuesday 12 November 7pm at Cashmere Presbyterian Church. Koha entry. Supper provided. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to meet Roland and hear his story. Roland Walter is spastically paralyzed. He doesn’t allow this to impede him in any way. By expressing his thoughts through art, dance and assisted speech he shares his message with the world: Nothing is impossible. No matter who you are, life is a gift which should be embraced.   

Next Sunday will be the final service at St Anne’s. The congregation will now meet at St Mark’s School while the church in Opawa Rd is repaired.

Community Market Day TOMORROW 10am-2pm All Saints Church 305 New Brighton Rd.

Board of Managers Report:

Landscaping… A fence with gates will shortly be installed between the church and the Menzshed community room.  The new grass is growing well…. Thanks to Cyril.

Shelving … a plan for more storage shelving in the upstairs store and shed one is being worked on.

Table storage in lounge and foyer… Simple racks have been installed and seem to be working well.

Menzshed… The classroom block has been transported on site to be used as a woodworking workshop.  Currently we are gathering the data to make a consent application.  This involves structural design of pile foundations, and a fire engineers report.  We hope to have a consent application into the council by the end of the month, which if successful would allow work to begin in December to place the building on piles and do the needed fire improvements.  This work will be funded by a grant from the Alpine Mission fund for $22,000.

Working Bee…..next working bee on Saturday 30^th November, 9.00am.  There will be clearing work around the section, window washing, and other matters to be attended to.

Corrugated roof over the kitchen and toilets…. Will be replaced over the Christmas period.

Grass Bins….the old 44gal drums will be removed and grass clippings will now be put in the council green bin.

Accounts for payment…. Our expenses over the last 2 months included paying insurance of $7,800, electricity $1300, and amounted to $26,000.  Our income for the period was $29,300, but this included our grant from Manchester Unity Trust of $11,000 to support the work of our Elder Care Programme. 

Financial Situation…. A small task group has been set up to look at how we might lift our giving and general income to allow us to seek a full time ministry position.  If we restricted ongoing maintenance to absolute essentials we believe we would need to find another $40,000 per annum.  If the congregation were to accept this challenge it would mean increased giving, an emphasis on inviting others to join us, and some creative fundraising in the wider community. 

A very warm welcome to you all this morning. Please come through to the Lounge after the service for a cuppa and a time to talk.

Foot Clinic TOMORROW 1-4pm in the lounge.

All the congregation are welcome: Learn to make flax flowers  – which will give a New Zealand touch to our Christmas services –  at the Fireside meeting on Tuesday 29th October in the church lounge.  The meeting will be at 7.45pm, allowing the meditation group who meet earlier some peace and quiet before we arrive. 

Allison has arranged for Peg Riley to teach us and she will explain custom as well as flax purpose.  She said  “We will need a flax leaf – long if possible, cut just the day before, the fresher the better!!, at least one per person, but we can have two or more if you like! Sharp scissors are helpful, (but you only need one good pair as we can share,) for cutting to length as we start.”

Please come and join us.

Assisted Dying….local churches are offering an opportunity to learn more about this important legislation at 7.00pm on Sunday 10^th November at Opawa Baptist Church.  More details coming.

Singing Group…. meets 9.15am sharp on the first and third Sundays. Today’s song is “God’s Kingdom It Will Come”.  

Articles are now required for the next ‘Messenger’.

Please email any contributions to anneke.howie@gmail.com Deadline: Friday 14^th November.

Wednesday Walkers 23^rd Oct: Meet 9.30am Meet in Brookford Pl, off Cashmere Rd, Westmorland. Gerard and Thea will lead us on our walk around the area. Coffee at  Alice in Wonderland Café, Oderings Cashmere Rd.  All welcome.  Sonya 027 253 3397.

Dis-Ability – an evening with Roland Walter. Tuesday 12 November 7pm at Cashmere Presbyterian Church. Koha entry. Supper provided. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to meet Roland and hear his story.

Roland Walter is spastically paralyzed. He doesn’t allow this to impede him in any way. By expressing his thoughts through art, dance and assisted speech he shares his message with the world:

Nothing is impossible.

No matter who you are, life is a gift which should be embraced   

Meditation Group: Tuesdays 7.00-7.45pm in the church. You’re welcome to ‘come and try’.

Crafty Crafters: Meets on Thursdays in the Church lounge 10am-12noon. $3 per session.

For Your Diaries: Next Parish Breakfast is on Sunday 3^rd November 8.45am, hosted by the Worship Committee.

On Sunday 27^th October you are invited to bike to church as part of Biketober. No longer able to bike safely?   Walk or ride share.

Presbyterian Support Upper South Island – Notice of 110th Annual Meeting Thursday 24 October 2019 at 5pm, 44 Bealey Ave. Drinks and canapés between 5pm and 6pm, during which time staff will be available to take guests on a short tour of our new home, Te Korowai. The Annual Meeting will commence at 6pm.

Board of Managers Report:

Landscaping… A fence with gates will shortly be installed between the church and the Menzshed community room.  The new grass is growing well…. Thanks to Cyril.

Shelving … a plan for more storage shelving in the upstairs store and shed one is being worked on.

Table storage in lounge and foyer… Simple racks have been installed and seem to be working well.

Menzshed… The classroom block has been transported on site to be used as a woodworking workshop.  Currently we are gathering the data to make a consent application.  This involves structural design of pile foundations, and a fire engineers report.  We hope to have a consent application into the council by the end of the month, which if successful would allow work to begin in December to place the building on piles and do the needed fire improvements.  This work will be funded by a grant from the Alpine Mission fund for $22,000.

Working Bee…..next working bee on Saturday 30^th November, 9.00am.  There will be clearing work around the section, window washing, and other matters to be attended to.

Corrugated roof over the kitchen and toilets…. Will be replaced over the Christmas period.

Grass Bins….the old 44gal drums will be removed and grass clippings will now be put in the council green bin.

Accounts for payment…. Our expenses over the last 2 months included paying insurance of $7,800, electricity $1300, and amounted to $26,000.  Our income for the period was $29,300, but this included our grant from Manchester Unity Trust of $11,000 to support the work of our Elder Care Programme. 

Financial Situation…. A small task group has been set up to look at how we might lift our giving and general income to allow us to seek a full time ministry position.  If we restricted ongoing maintenance to absolute essentials we believe we would need to find another $40,000 per annum.  If the congregation were to accept this challenge it would mean increased giving, an emphasis on inviting others to join us, and some creative fundraising in the wider community. 

Prayer is a vital part of our lives as Christians.  In our own time it has become a neglected spiritual practice.  Often it has been reduced to a ‘what can God do for me” practice.  We often fail to take spiritual formation seriously in our lives.

Prayer is “keeping company with God”.   In our time what is needed is recognising that prayer is about transformation – transformation of our very beings.  Instead of sending words off out there somewhere to get God to do things, we need to recapture prayer as a time God connects with us deep to deep and changes us.  This is why Jesus so often stressed the need to find a quiet place to pray.  He talked of going into the inner room which I see as the deeper place of my being.  Practices like mediation can help us do this.

Prayer, like all spiritual practices, is about becoming more centred in God. Centring in God changes us.  It produces what Paul called the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit.  These fruits are many but the most important are compassion, authenticity, courage, and gratitude. 

We all know the institutional church is dying.  People say we need to do more in our community, or we need to change the way we do things to be more relevant as a church.  If there one thing we need it is a more persistent and active practice of prayer.