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.

Walking Festival….A walk along the Heathcote Opawaho Oxbow.  Leaves 107 Rutherford Street at 2pm TODAY with interesting speakers along the way. Finishing approx. 4.30pm.

Spring Fair: St Anne’s Anglican Church, 7 Wilsons Rd,  THIS Saturday 19^th October from 8.30am – 12 noon

“Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other”.

Board of Managers meets Wednesday 16^th October 7.30pm in the foyer. A key issue for discussion is our finances.

“Make a habit to tell people ‘thank you’.”

Faith Forum: Tonight at Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church, 5 Downing St, 5.00-7.30pm there will be a forum on exploring what has been happening with new proposed legislation on Euthanasia and Abortion.  Speakers will include Rev Dr John Fox, Anglican priest, and Bruce Logan Public Policy Analyst.  Koha to cover expenses.

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. On Sunday 20^th October we’ll learn an African song “God’s Kingdom It Will Come”.  

“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say ‘thank you’?”

St Andrew’s at Rangi Ruru has decided to close as a separate parish of the PCANZ. Some of the activities will continue under the umbrella of The Village Presbyterian Church and a monthly church service will be held at St Andrew’s at Rangi Ruru.

There will be a closing church service, on Sunday 27th October, at 10am entitled “Endings and Beginnings” to be followed by morning tea in the Te Koraha building. Visitors are welcome. RSVP to the church office 355 6601 please.  

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

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others”. (Cicero)

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

Wednesday Walkers 16^th Oct: Meet 9.30am at 24 Tavender St, Woolston. Dugald will take us along the Heathcote River to Radley Park, the Roimata Food Commons, and the Laura Kent Reserve and hopefully newly opened Connal Reserve. Coffee will be back at Dugald & Janet’s.  All welcome.  Sonya 027 253 3397

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.

Interfaith Prayers for World Peace….  this Sunday 2pm at the Peace Bell in the Botanic Gardens.  16 faith groups will be participating.  This event coincides with the annual international week of Prayer for World Peace.

MenzShed…the new classroom block has been delivered to site, but it has no foundation. This is because the building had to be shifted in the school holidays, but we do not have consents and approvals from council for our foundation design. It will also need considerable work before it can be used, but we are very grateful to Laings who delivered the building free of charge.

Presbytery Council News….

The Presbytery Council meets monthly to handle the business of the Presbytery.  This month they:

• Approved appointment of Nancy Jean Whitehead on half time stated supply to St Albans United.
• Appointed the following to the St Martins Ministry Settlement Board (MSB) – Dave Theyers (con), Alison Bishop, and Rev Darryl Tempero.
• Approved grants from the Alpine Mission Fund to – John Knox Church Rangiora for $750,000 to aid the new build of their church with a strong community facing emphasis, The Village Church for $70,000 for a children and family worker, St Martins for $22,000 for the establishment of the Menzshed.
• Endorsed the closure of the St Andrews at Rangi Ruru congregation.
• Endorsed the induction of Rev Johanna Warren at the new Hakatere Parish (formerly St James and St Paul’s) in Ashburton.
• Noted the retirement of Rev Bob Reid at St Kentigern’s.
• Set up a Code of Ethics Training Workshop for ministers and elders to be held Wed 23^rd Oct.
• Approved terms of call for a new senior minister at Hope Church.

Plantarama & Book Sale at Cashmere Presbyterian Sat 19^th Oct 10am-1pm. Plants and garden knick-knacks; Quality second hand books for all the family; sausage sizzle.

Presbyterian Support Upper South Island – Notice of 110th Annual Meeting Thursday 24 October 2019 at 5pm at Te K?nuka, the Seminar room of our new office, Te Korowai – The Home of PSUSI, 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.

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.

The MenzShed classroom will be delivered overnight on the evening of Wednesday 9th October.  The crane will arrive mid morning on Thursday 10^th to lift it over the office and onto the site.  Please note that this means the carpark and street frontage MUST be left clear. The Parish Office will not be occupied while buildings are floating around over us!

Learning Together Service….. next Sunday with a theme of “Gratefulness”.

TODAY 10am – 3pm at Radley Park, Woolston: Roimata Food Commons & Rekindle are teaming up to provide FREE workshops for anyone that wants to come along to learn Basket Weaving, String Making and Fruit Tree Grafting.

Singing Group…. meets 9.15am sharp on Sunday 20^th October to practice a new song.  (The group meets the first and third Sundays) 

Jam Stall – Check out the jam stall this morning – there might be something new you haven’t tried.

St Andrew’s at Rangi Ruru has decided to close as a separate parish of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.  Some of the activities will continue under the umbrella of The Village Presbyterian Church and a monthly church service will be held at St Andrew’s at Rangi Ruru.

There will be a closing church service, on Sunday 27th October, at 10am entitled “Endings and Beginnings” where both the history of the parish and the beginning of a new life will be acknowledged; this will be followed by morning tea in the Te Koraha building. Visitors are welcome to join us.  Please reply to the church office 355 6601 so we have indications of numbers for service and catering afterwards.    

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.

The Crafty Crafters invite anyone interested to join them on a bus trip to Little River, Leeston & Lincoln on Thursday 31^st October 9.30am-4.30pm. $25 per person – see Lyndsey to sign up.

Wednesday Walkers 9^th Oct: Meet 9.30am in Greers Rd at north east end of Jellie Park. Coffee at the Preservatory, cnr Wentworth St & Waimairi Rd.  All welcome. Janette 021 075 6780

Wonders from the Wardrobe: Wednesday 9^th October 7.00 – 9.30pm at Cashmere Presbyterian. $5 – see noticeboard for details

Spring Fair: St Anne’s Anglican Church, 7 Wilsons Rd,  Saturday 19^th October from 8.30am. Donations of goods to sell very welcome. Contact Anna 332 6192 for drop-off details.

Focus on Finances….

Two weeks ago we included an insert in the notices that gave an outline of our finances going forward.  This showed that if we hope to employ a full time minister we have a shortfall of $58,000 per annum.  If we seek 2/3 time ministry the shortfall will be $33,000 pa. The Session and Board of Managers are looking at ways to address the shortfall.  Options include:

Presbytery Council News….

The Presbytery Council meets monthly to handle the business of the Presbytery.  This month they:

• Approved the appointment of Nancy Jean Whitehead on half time stated supply to St Albans United.
• Appointed the following to the St Martins Ministry Settlement Board (MSB) – Dave Theyers (con), Alison Bishop, and Rev Darryl Tempero.
• Approved grants from the Alpine Mission Fund to – John Knox Church Rangiora for $750,000 to aid the new build of their church with a strong community facing emphasis, The Village Church for $70,000 for a children and family worker, St Martins for $22,000 for the establishment of the Menzshed.
• Endorsed the closure of the St Andrews at Rangi Ruru congregation.
• Endorsed the induction of Rev Johanna Warren at the new Hakatere Parish (formerly St James and St Paul’s) in Ashburton.
• Noted the retirement of Rev Bob Reid at St Kentigern’s.
• Set up a Code of Ethics Training Workshop for ministers and elders to be held Wed 23^rd Oct.
• Approved terms of call for a new senior minister at Hope Church.

Many thanks to Rev Nancy-Jean Whitehead for leading our worship again today.

Learning Together Service….. on Sunday 13^th October with a theme of “Gratefulness”.   

Singing Group…. meets 9.15am sharp next Sunday to practice a new song.  (The group meets the first and third Sundays) The song we’ll learn is written by Marnie Barrell who is a member of the St Anne’s/St Mark’s parish.  Marnie has written a number of songs that have been recognized internationally.  Many have a peace and justice theme.  The song we’ll learn is “We do not hope to ease our minds by simple answers, shifted blame, while Christ is homeless, hungry, poor, and we are rich who bear his name.  As long as justice is a dream and human dignity denied, we stand with Christ; disturb us still till every need is satisfied.”

The Parish Office is closed this Friday 4^th October. Any items for next Sunday’s notices MUST be in by 9am Wednesday. Thank You.

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.

The Crafty Crafters invite anyone interested to join them on a bus trip to Little River, Leeston & Lincoln on Thursday 31^st October 9.30am-4.30pm. $25 per person – see Lyndsey to sign up.

Wednesday Walkers 2^nd Oct: Meet 9.30am at Elmwood Park, Heaton St for a walk around the area – including Millbrook Reserve, coffee will be at McCafe, Merivale McDonalds. All welcome, Benjamin 332 7700.

Reminder: Please put any rubbish with food waste attached and soft plastics in the RED bin. Only clean paper, card, glass, grade 1 & 2 plastic go in the yellow bin. Thank You.

Menzshed…. We have been successful in our application to the Alpine Mission Fund for $22,000 to meet costs of locating a classroom on our church site.  The classroom will probably arrive in mid October, but as yet we do not have consent so temporarily it will not be placed on piles.  When we get consent the piling and other work that will be required by the fire engineer will be completed.  We hope to have the Menzshed operating on a regular basis (probably three days a week) by the end of the year with both an electronics and a woodworking workshop.

Focus on Finances….

Last week we included an insert in the notices that gave an outline of our finances going forward.  This showed that if we hope to employ a full time minister we have a shortfall of $58,000 per annum.  If we seek 2/3 time ministry the shortfall will be $33,000 pa. 

We can and will address the shortfall.  The Session and Board of Managers are looking at possibilities.  Options include:

1. Looking at where we could cut costs
2. Increase income through hiring spaces in our community centre.  We propose setting a target of increasing income through this source of $15,000.
3. Increase offerings.  We currently have approx. 50 giving ‘units’.  A unit may be a couple, a family, or an individual who are part of the giving programme either through direct credit or the envelope system.  If all 50 gave an extra $9.00 per week (2 cups of coffee at a café) we would raise $23,000pa.  If  more people joined the regular giving system, or if everyone donated their tax rebate, we could look at employing a full time minister.
4. Encourage legacies.  Our rebuild would not have occurred without generous legacies.  With more generous legacies we could initiate new mission and ministry.
5. Looking at fresh and innovative ideas to fundraise from the wider community…eg a monthly twilight market on site, a quarterly book sale, a preowned clothing shop. 
6. Start a new innovative ministry that we could seek seed funding for.

Spring Fair: St Anne’s Anglican Church, 7 Wilsons Rd,  Saturday 19^th October from 8.30am. Donations of goods to sell very welcome. Contact Anna in the Office 332 6192 for drop-off details.

Session Report:

Minutes of AGM approved.

Memorandum of understanding with St Martins MenzShed approved. This outlines simply how we will work together.

Accepted offer of Alan McKinnon to loan the organ from St James. This organ has now been installed.

Looking at simplifying our Members’ Roll and disbanding the Associate Members Roll.

Fern Wakefield and Rob Meier voted on to the Ministry Settlement Board (MSB) to join Carol Mechaelis, Gaynor Allen, Charlotte Houston, Ken Austin & Jeannette Beaumont, elected by the congregation.

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 for leading our worship today.

Fireside: For the Fireside meeting on Tuesday 24th September we invite other women to join us at 7.45pm in the church lounge.   Hilary and Carol will tell us some of the highlights of their visits to Europe earlier in the year.  Please remember that the Meditation Group will be in the church until 7.45pm and come in quietly. Enquiries: Margaret 366 8936.

Singing, Singing, Singing….

On the first and third Sundays of the month at 9.15 sharp – 9.45am we will gather around the piano in the church and learn a new song and if time permits sing a known song that we will sing that Sunday. 

Next time we will learn local hymn writer Marnie Barrell’s song “We Do Not Hope to Ease our Minds”.

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

The Crafty Crafters invite anyone interested to join them on a bus trip to Little River, Leeston & Lincoln on Thursday 31^st October 9.30am-4.30pm. $25 per person – see Lyndsey to sign up.

Wednesday Walkers 25^th Sept: Meet at the gates outside Mona Vale, (Girls’ High side) at 9.30am for a walk around Fendalton and Mona Vale.

Coffee will be at Dux Dine in Riccarton Rd – there is parking behind the house.

All welcome.  Judith Mackay Ph: 3321577 or 027 688 1861.

BINS: Please put any rubbish with food waste attached and soft plastics in the RED bin. Only clean paper, card, glass, grade 1 & 2 plastic go in the yellow bin. Thank You.

Dugald is on silent retreat this weekend at the Fourviere Retreat Centre, Leithfield.

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

Presbytery Gathering next Friday/Saturday/Sunday at St Paul’s Trinity Pacific in Fitzgerald Ave. The focus for this Gathering is ‘Caring for Creation’.

Focus on Finances

At our AGM Dugald presented a broad picture financial assessment for a typical year. 

Income: We should receive from the following sources:

Offerings                                          $61,000

Mission Activities including grants   $19,000

Interest                                            $ 2,000

Rent from manse                             $23,000

Rent from Community Centre          $ 5,000

Fundraising                                      $ 5,000

Total Income                           $115,000

Expenditure

• Meetings costs of building ownership, current mission activities, staff, and administration with minister employed 2/3rds time:  $148,000
• Meetings costs of building ownership, current mission activities, staff, and administration with minister employed full time:  $173,000

This leaves a shortfall of $33,000pa if we employ a minister 2/3rds time…..

Or a shortfall of $58,000pa if we employ a minister full time.

The Session and the Board of Managers are looking at ways to address this shortfall.

1. It is difficult to see where expenditure could be further cut.  Operating a building is costly with ongoing compliance costs, insurance, and maintenance. 
2. We will need to increase income from hiring spaces in our Community Centre.  Our initial target could be to raise an extra $15,000 pa.
3. We will need to increase income from offerings and will plan to put details in front of the congregation by the end of October.  The Ministry Settlement Board will need to know the regular input from offerings by the end of the year as they make decisions about what sort of ministry to seek for the future.  (1/2 time, 2/3 time, full time)
4. We acknowledge the huge contribution that legacies have made to the ongoing running of our parish, and encourage the practice of leaving money for ongoing ministry in our parish.
5. We will need fresh and innovative ideas about how we might fundraise from the wider community.  A regular monthly twilight market day on site for example.  We are aware we have limited energy, but we do have an ideal site.
6. We need to be thinking creatively not hunkering down.  Could we start a new ministry that we could apply for funding to provide leadership for.  Eg a new “Messy Church” initiative for families, a new seniors initiative.
7. We do have wonderful assets in our buildings, the manse, and more importantly the gifts God has given each of us.    So keep positive and know that God does have a future for us!

New Organ

Today we are trialling the new organ that has very generously been loaned to us by Alan McKinnon.   It is not easy playing an unfamiliar instrument so please bear with Rob and Bill as they get used to playing it, and give some feedback immediately if volumes are not right.   Thanks to Warren and Alan who have wired up the instrument.   

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to you all this morning.

Many thanks to members of the Walking Group for hosting this morning’s delicious breakfast!

Our AGM follows the service and we will have a cuppa together after the meeting is concluded. As part of the meeting we will seek nominations to the Board of Managers.  Ideally two new Managers are sought.  We are particularly in need of someone with financial experience and planning, and someone with some marketing skills to promote our activities.  

We also will receive nominations for four congregational appointments to Ministry Settlement Board.  People selected for this role will be expected to formulate a clear picture of where we are going, what sort of ministry is needed, and to choose a suitable person to fulfil the role they have discerned.  The Session will also elect two of their members to the MSB. 

What is happening to our old organ? Warren Pettigrew has spent hours working to repair our old valve organ but has had to admit defeat. It is no longer repairable so will be broken down for parts. We have a very generous offer to loan a newer organ (ex St James), and we hope to have this in place at the beginning of October.

Annual Reports are available in the foyer – share one with a friend and save costs.

Community Spring Fun Day TODAY 12 noon – 3pm at Opawa Baptist Church, 285 Wilsons Rd. Cash only (no eftpos). Everyone is welcome.

Singing, Singing, Singing….

For September and October we are trialling a new group at church to sing together and learn four new songs.   On the first and third Sundays of the month at 9.15 sharp – 9.45am we will gather around the piano in the church and learn a new song and if time permits sing a known song that we will sing that Sunday. This Sunday we have learned “In the Darkness of the Still Night”. In two weeks’ time we will learn local hymn writer Marnie Barrell’s song “We Do Not Hope to Ease our Minds”.

Session meets this Wednesday 18^th September in the church foyer at 7.30pm.

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

The Crafty Crafters invite anyone interested to join them on a bus trip to Little River, Leeston & Lincoln on Thursday 31^st October 9.30am-4.30pm. $25 per person – see Lyndsey to sign up.

Wednesday Walkers 18^th Sept: In Search of Blossoms. Meet 9.30am in the Botanic Gardens Car Park off Armagh Street in the first area near the tennis courts. Rob and Barb Meier will host us for Coffee at 5 Kilmore Street.  Sonya 027 253 3397. We had a very interesting walk last week at QEII – and, no, Benjamin, car-pooling doesn’t mean we all went for a swim!

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

This is the classroom we plan to move onto our church site.  We are able to obtain the building and get it delivered for no charge, but in order to get a council consent we have to get reports from a fire engineer, and provide details of the site and the piles it will sit on.  We believe these costs will mount to approx $20,000.  The Menzshed will undertake any work needed on the building to ensure it is weatherproof, and meets the requirements detailed by the fire engineer.It will be sited approx. 3m from the boundary fence so we can get a car and trailer past it.

Alpine Presbytery Gathering: Instead of monthly business meetings the Alpine Presbytery meets twice annually for inspiration and encouragement. These meetings are called ‘Gatherings’. The next Gathering will be at St Paul’s Trinity Pacific new hall, 45 Fitzgerald Ave on Friday afternoon 27^th & Saturday 28^th September. Anyone is welcome to attend. This Gathering has a focus on Caring for God’s Creation, with a number of speakers on the Saturday speaking on this theme. An agenda is available from Dugald.

St Martins MenzShed meets tomorrow night in our lounge for a finger food tea at 5.30pm followed by a short meeting to update members on what is happening.

It is now an Incorporated Society with a membership fee of $40, and t has completed its first community project – repairing and painting two forms for St Martins School. They will have a working bee on site next Saturday. Donations of tools and materials gratefully received.