NOTICES: A very warm welcome to you all this morning. After the service please come through to the Lounge for a cuppa and a time to talk. Many thanks to Rev Lyndsey McKay for leading today’s worship.

Next Sunday: Focus on Waltham Cottage – bring something for the foodbank.

MenzShed at St Martins: meets again TOMORROW at 7.15pm to talk further.

Wednesday Walkers 3^rd July: Meet 9.45am at the corner of Mary and Horner Sts in Papanui for a walk round the area followed by coffee at The Coffee Club at the Papanui end of Northlands Mall.   Alan and Barbara 021 142 766

Crafty Crafters: Meets on Thursdays in the Church lounge 10am-12noon. $3 per session. Contact Lyndsey 388 1264 for more information.

Men’s Group will meet on Thursday 4^th July at 6pm in the Church Lounge for a shared tea. The speakers for the evening are Peter Mechaelis and Ken Bye from Christchurch Community Patrol. All men welcome. For further details contact Tony Blackler – 332 0554.

Anna will not be in the Office this Thursday morning 4^th July.

Parish Breakfast NEXT Sunday 7^th July at 8.45am, hosted by members of Fireside. Gold coin koha appreciated.

Movie Night THIS Saturday July 6^th screening “Green Book” (R18). Set in 1962 this film is inspired by the true story of a tour of deep south USA by African American classical and jazz pianist Don Shirley, and his driver. It is a moving story of the power of friendship. Gather at 5.45pm at church – BYO tea, drinks provided. Movie screens 6.15 – 8.30pm.

Meditation Group…. Meets on Tuesday evenings in the lounge (or church) at 7.00-7.45pm.  We touch base to encourage each other in our meditation practice.  Some are experienced and some are just starting.  We have a short simple teaching time before sitting in silence for 20 mins together in the practice of meditation.  Meditation is a prayer of transformation.  We are not asking God for things, just being still and in the silence God transforms us. Many people who practice meditation report better health and more authentic living.   New meditators are welcome.  Talk to Dugald if you are interested.

Managers’ Report

Finances…We have received our final account from Simon Construction for approx. $40,000 incl GST and can report that we have capital to pay this.  This will leave approx. $50,000 in our bank for ongoing expenses.  We also are expecting a GST refund of $20,000+.We are now in a position to look at our financial operating in a ‘normal’ environment without construction costs.  It seems very clear that we will not be able to sustain full-time ministry going forward, and even our current 2/3rds position may not be sustainable without increases in income.    We will have a fuller report in two months’ time.  

Insurance…. Buildings have been re-valued by a registered valuer.  We have decided toinsure the church, the community room, and offices for Replacement Value: church $2.206mil, community room $350,000, offices $107,000.  We have however not insured these buildings for Natural Disaster ie earthquake and flooding, because our budget is so tight, and excesses for this insurance are high (approx $140,000).    We have insured the contents as follows: church $90,000 offices $12,000, with no cover for natural Disaster.  The manse is insured for replacement value in the event of Material Damage and Natural Disaster  with the following amounts: building $672,000, contents $30,000.

Compliance….  We are required to engage an Independent Qualified Person (IQP) to regularly monitor fire safety and other matters with our church complex.  This will cost us approx. $1000.00 per annum.    

Concreting and Landscaping around church…constructing a path with a fence to the community room is underway.  A deck will be built outside the lounge.

The grassed area behind the church has been levelled.  We will now obtain more soil to fill low areas.

Shelving in foyer store… Cubby hole units (floor to ceiling) approx. 400hx600wx 600d to be installed in the lockable storeroom in the foyer.  These can be used by groups using the facility. 

Community Rooms… The proposal to house a menzshed is still under investigation but with huge interest this space is probably too small.  It may be useful for an electronics workshop. 

Container….  The container has been shifted (free of charge) by Simons. 

Security fencing…. Will be sold on TradeMe

Heater in foyer… a heater has been installed in the foyer.  It is controlled by a one hour time switch labelled ‘heater’ located to the left as you enter from outside.   Please leave switches next to the heater in the ‘on’ position.

Elder Care…Good News – The funding application to Manchester Unity Lodge for approx. $11,000 to run our Elder Care programme has been successful.  This also includes funding to purchase a defibrillator for the church.  We are very grateful to Manchester Unity for their support of this great programme.

Please remember Rev Tom Campbell (former minister at St James’) in your prayers.

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to you all this morning. After the service please come through to the Lounge for a cuppa and a time to talk. Many thanks to Rev Lyndsey McKay for leading today’s worship.

MenzShed at St Martins: meets again on Monday July 1^st at 7.15pm to talk further.

Fireside:  Women are very welcome to join us at any meeting whether they come just occasionally or regularly.   Fireside is “the women’s group” of our church which meets on the last Tuesday evening of each month.   We plan to meet at 7.45pm on Tuesday 25th June in the Church Lounge at 43 St Martins Rd.  Please note this changed time.  Sandra Knight will tell us about her work at Hearing Excellence. Enquiries: ph Margaret 366 8936.

Wednesday Walkers 26^th June: Meet 9.45am at South Library. Coffee at Novel. Sonya.

Crafty Crafters: Meets on Thursdays in the Church lounge 10am-12noon. $3 per session. Contact Lyndsey 388 1264 for more information.

Our next Parish Breakfast is on Sunday 7^th July at 8.45am, hosted by members of Fireside. Gold coin koha appreciated.

South Brighton Voices present “From Bach to Boogie” TODAY 2pm HERE. Tickets $15. Come along and support the first concert in the church!

Movie Night Saturday July 6^th screening “Green Book” (R18). Set in 1962 this film is inspired by the true story of a tour of deep south USA by African American classical and jazz pianist Don Shirley, and his driver. It is a moving story of the power of friendship. Gather at 5.45pm at church – BYO takeaway tea, drinks provided. Movie starts at 6.15pm and finishes at 8.30pm.

Meditation Group…. Meets on Tuesday evenings in the lounge (or church) at 7.00-7.45pm.  We touch base to encourage each other in our meditation practice.  Some are experienced and some are just starting.  We have a short simple teaching time before sitting in silence for 20 mins together in the practice of meditation.  Meditation is a prayer of transformation.  We are not asking God for things, just being still and in the silence God transforms us. Many people who practice meditation report better health and more authentic living.   New meditators are welcome.  Talk to Dugald if you are interested.

Managers’ Report

Finances…We have received our final account from Simon Construction for approx. $40,000 incl GST and can report that we have capital to pay this.  This will leave approx. $50,000 in our bank for ongoing expenses.  We also are expecting a GST refund of $20,000+.

We are now in a position to look at our financial operating in a ‘normal’ environment without construction costs.  It seems very clear that we will not be able to sustain full-time ministry going forward, and even our current 2/3rds position may not be sustainable without increases in income.    We will have a fuller report in two months’ time.  

Insurance…. Buildings have been re-valued by a registered valuer.  We have decided toinsure the church, the community room, and offices for Replacement Value: church $2.206mil, community room $350,000, offices $107,000.  We have however not insured these buildings for Natural Disaster ie earthquake and flooding, because our budget is so tight, and excesses for this insurance are high (approx $140,000).    We have insured the contents as follows: church $90,000 offices $12,000, with no cover for natural Disaster.  The manse is insured for replacement value in the event of Material Damage and Natural Disaster  with the following amounts: building $672,000, contents $30,000.

Compliance….  We are required to engage an Independent Qualified Person (IQP) to regularly monitor fire safety and other matters with our church complex.  This will cost us approx. $1000.00 per annum.    

Concreting and Landscaping around church…constructing a path with a fence to the community room is underway.  A deck will be built outside the lounge.

The grassed area behind the church has been levelled.  We will now obtain more soil to fill low areas.

Shelving in foyer store… Cubby hole units (floor to ceiling) approx. 400hx600wx 600d to be installed in the lockable storeroom in the foyer.  These can be used by groups using the facility. 

Community Rooms… The proposal to house a menzshed is still under investigation but with huge interest this space is probably too small.  It may be useful for an electronics workshop.  

Container….  The container has been shifted (free of charge) by Simons. 

Security fencing…. Will be sold on TradeMe

Heater in foyer… a heater has been installed in the foyer.  It is controlled by a one hour time switch labelled ‘heater’ located to the left as you enter from outside.   Please leave switches next to the heater in the ‘on’ position.

Sunday 16^th June 2019

The Trinity

    Christianity adopted this complicated idea of God to attempt to understand the deep mystery of God in the context of the events and teaching of the Bible.   As the early Christians reflected on their experience of God they found light in the idea of the Trinity expressed as –

God the Father: revealed by the Old Testament to be Creator, Lord, Father and Judge.

God the Son: who had lived on earth amongst human beings revealing God in human life.

God the Holy Spirit: who spoke into their lives and filled them with new life and power. 

    The doctrine of the Trinity is not clearly and overtly expressed in scripture.  Jesus refers to the Father and to the Holy Spirit but Paul does not express a strong central theme of Trinity.  However it became central doctrine of the church.  The greatest row in the church centered on the Trinity.  In 1054 the great schism occurred between what was then the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern orthodox churches over a Latin word filoque which had been inserted by the Catholic Church into the Nicene Creed.  Up until that time the creed stated that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone, and the Roman Catholic Church inserted the word filoque which means and from the Son.  This row has never been resolved!

    In recent times Trinitarian language has been criticized because it is sexist.  Other formulations of the Trinity have been expressed such as God: Creator, Redeemer, and Spirit, or God: Source, Christ, Friend, or God: Womb, Child, Mother.   However none of these metaphors have gained popular usage.  You might like to think of Trinitarian metaphors that explain your experience of God…..

NOTICES:

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

Foot Clinic TOMORROW 1-4pm in the Lounge.

Board of Managers meeting Wednesday 19^th June 7.30pm in the foyer.

Wednesday Walkers 19^th June: Meet Sue at the Bus Exchange at 9.30am (note time) for a town walk. Coffee at The Pantry at Ara. All welcome. Sonya 027 2533397.

Crafty Crafters: Meets on Thursdays in the Church lounge 10am-12noon. New faces are always welcome. $3 per session. Contact Lyndsey 388 1264 for more information.

Latest Preserves for Sale from Sue: Feijoas in rose wine $5; Walnuts $5; Quince Chutney $4; Quince Jelly $4. IOUs welcome!

Next Movie Night is Saturday July 6^th  (when we’ll show the adult movie “Green Book”), & then August 4^th 5.45pm at church – bring your takeaway tea (eg fish and chips) drinks provided. Movie starts at 6.15pm and finishes at 8pm.

Help fill the Pantry at Waltham Cottage: With the colder weather and the need for warm nourishing food, Adrienne suggests the following: Baked beans, breakfast cereal, tinned stews, tinned tuna, soups, jams, biscuits, pasta and noodles along with chickpeas and tinned tomatoes.

Everything you contribute is so gratefully received. Please keep it coming. Many thanks. Irene Gray, Session Clerk.

Court Theatre trip Thursday 19^th September 6.30pm to see “The Pink Hammer”, a Kiwi comedy. Money in a NAMED envelope to Sue Saunders please on or before Sunday 4^th August. Cost will be $49 & $37 for Community Services Card holders (please include a copy of each person’s card in in the envelope with the money). Names onto the clipboard in the foyer please.

MenzShed at St Martins: meets again on Monday July 1^st at 7.15pm to talk further.

South Brighton Voices present “From Bach to Boogie” NEXT Sunday 23 June 2pm HERE. Tickets $15 available from Lyndsey McKay. Come along and support the first concert in the church!

Christian Meditation

      a new group to promote good health and well being has started….

   Jesus often withdrew to places of stillness and solitude to re-orientate his life in God.  Early Christians practiced meditation.  Today this practice has often been ignored, yet passages like  “be still and know that I am God” attract us.  Spiritual teacher of our time Fr Thomas Keating said “silence is God’s language”.  A new group is starting with the aim of learning and practicing the art of Christian Meditation.  

 Christian Meditation is based on: stillness, silence and simplicity. The aim is to move closer to spiritual union with God by sitting quietly. To aid us in being still we are invited to repeat in silence the word “Maranatha” which means “come Lord”.  We come not asking for anything, or seeking to tell God anything, just wanting to be open to God. We are leaving busyness and self-consciousness aside to let God transform us deep to deep. Those who persevere will inevitably see the results in their lives in “the fruits of the spirit” (Galatians 5): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.   Christian meditation will promote good health and well being.

 Meditation does need to be regular, and it does require discipline.

The new group is meeting here at St Martins Presbyterian Church, 43 St Martins Road, on Tuesday evenings at 7pm.  If you are interested come and see.  The group is not for experts, but for people interested in exploring a form of prayer that is much needed in our time.  Our aim is to meet weekly for those who can make it, but to also encourage a daily personal practice of mediation.

   For more information see  www.christianmeditationnz.org.nz &/or www.wccm.org

An Invitation from Cashmere Presbyterian to a Midwinter Feast … a ‘feast’ of music and a scrumptious Christmas dinner on Saturday 22^nd  June. Cost $25 per person.

Kids, friends and families most welcome to our fundraiser!

5.00pm pre-dinner drinks,

5.30pm carols in the church

6.30pm dinner, finishing about 8pm

For tickets please email the church office: cashmere.church@xtra.co.nz or ph 332 7129

“Christmas in New Zealand is such a summery busy thing, crowded with school break-ups and shopping and end-of-year rushing. We want to share with you a quieter, older moment, of carols by candlelight on a chilly night, warm drinks and relaxed fellowship. So many of our carols sing of winter cold, and light in the darkness. Come and experience a taste of tradition, jingle bells in the snow, and an echo of the original silent night.”

NOTICES:

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

Christian Meditation – a new group

 Jesus often withdrew to places of stillness and solitude to re-orientate his life in God.  Early Christians practiced mediation.  Today this practice has often been ignored, yet passages like  “be still and know that I am God” attract us.  Spiritual teacher of our time Fr Thomas Keating said “silence is God’s language”.  A new group is starting with the aim of learning and practicing the art of Christian Meditation.  

   Christian Meditation is based on: stillness, silence and simplicity. The aim is to move closer to union with God by sitting quietly. To aid us in being still we are invited to repeat in silence the word “Maranatha” which means “come Lord”.  We come in simplicity, not asking for anything, or seeking to tell God anything, just wanting to be open to God. We are leaving busyness and self-consciousness aside to let God transform us deep to deep. We’re not thinking about anything, spiritual or otherwise, just seeking to be in the presence of God and to be wholly present to God.  Those who persevere will inevitably see the results in their lives, “the fruits of the spirit” (Galatians 5): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

   Meditation does need to be regular, and it does require discipline.

The new group will meet for the first time at St Martins Presbyterian Church, 43 St Martins Road, THIS Tuesday June 11^th at 7pm.  If you are interested come and see.  The group is not for experts, but for people interested in exploring a form of prayer that is much needed in our time.  Our aim is to meet weekly for those who can make it, but to also encourage a daily personal practice of mediation.

   For more information make contact with Dugald at dugaldwil@gmail.com or go to www.christianmeditationnz.org.nz &/or www.wccm.org

A big thank you to everyone who participated in the Bacon Fundraiser. $598.61 was raised (this includes $56 of donations). Joan Macdonald.

Wednesday Walkers 12^th June: Meet 9.45am at South Library carpark. Coffee at Novel Café. All welcome. Sonya 027 2533397.

Crafty Crafters: Meets on Thursdays in the Church lounge 10am-12noon. New faces are always welcome. $3 per session. Contact Lyndsey 388 1264 for more information.

Latest Preserves for Sale from Sue: Feijoas in rose wine $5; Walnuts $5; Quince Chutney $4; Quince Jelly $4. IOUs welcome!

Next Movie Night is Saturday July 6^th  (when we’ll show the adult movie “Green Book”), & then August 4^th 5.45pm at church – bring your takeaway tea (eg fish and chips) drinks provided. Movie starts at 6.15pm and finishes at 8pm.

Help fill the Pantry at Waltham Cottage: With the colder weather and the need for warm nourishing food, Adrienne suggests the following:

Baked beans, breakfast cereal, tinned stews, tinned tuna, soups, jams, biscuits, pasta and noodles along with chickpeas and tinned tomatoes.

Everything you contribute is so gratefully received. Please keep it coming. Many thanks. Irene Gray, Session Clerk.

Court Theatre trip Thursday 19^th September 6.30pm to see “The Pink Hammer”, a Kiwi comedy. Money in a NAMED envelope to Sue Saunders please on or before Sunday 4^th August. Cost will be $49 & $37 for Community Services Card holders (please include a copy of each person’s card in in the envelope with the money). Names onto the clipboard in the foyer please.

South Brighton Voices present “From Bach to Boogie” Sunday 23 June 2pm HERE. Tickets $15 available from Lyndsey McKay. Come along and support the first concert in the church!

Ordination/Appointment:
We are invited to come along next Tuesday evening at 7pm for a special service of ordination and appointment of Rev Jonathan Barb as Minister at Linwood Avenue Union Church, corner of Linwood Ave & Tilford St.

MenzShed at St Martins is underway.

A small steering team has been formed.  We’ll meet again on Monday July 1^st at 7.15pm to talk further.

Pentecost

For a first-century Jew, Pentecost was the fiftieth day after Passover. It was an agricultural festival. It was the day when farmers brought the first sheaf of wheat from the crop, and offered it to God, partly as a sign of gratitude and partly as a prayer that all the rest of the crop, too, would be safely gathered in. But, for the Jew, neither Passover nor Pentecost were simply agricultural festivals. These festivals awakened echoes of the great story which dominated the long memories of the Jewish people, the story of the Exodus from Egypt, when God fulfilled his promises to Abraham by rescuing his people. Passover was the time when the lambs were sacrificed, and the Israelites were saved from the avenging angel who slew the firstborn of the Egyptians. Off went the Israelites that very night, and passed through the Red Sea into the Sinai desert. Then, 50 days after Passover, they came to Mount Sinai, where Moses received the law. Pentecost, the fiftieth day, isn’t just about the ‘first fruits’, the sheaf which says the harvest has begun. It’s about God giving to his redeemed people the way of life by which they must now carry out his purposes.

Christians understand that at the Pentecost described in Acts 2 God is beginning a new journey as God’s people. Jesus has gone up into heaven in the ascension, and – so Luke wants us to understand – he is now coming down again, not with a written law carved on tablets of stone, but with the dynamic energy of the law, designed to be written on human hearts.

The wind and the fire are wild, untameable forces, and the experience of the wind rushing through the house with a great roar, and the fire coming to rest on each person present, must have been both terrifying and exhilarating. Of course, there are many times later in this book, as there are many times in the life of the church, when the spirit works softly and secretly, quietly transforming people’s lives and situations without any big noise or fuss.

NOTICES:

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

Crafty Crafters: Meets on Thursdays in the Church lounge 10am-12noon. New faces are always welcome. $3 per session. Contact Lyndsey 388 1264 for more information.

Men’s Group will meet on Thursday 6^th June at 6pm in the Church Lounge for a shared tea and chat time.    The speaker for the evening will be David Hodder talking about Predator Control.

All men welcome and we look forward to seeing you there.  Contact Tony 332 0554 if you have any queries.

MenzShed at St Martins is underway…. 35 blokes gathered last Monday and enthusiastically endorsed the setting up of a St Martins MenzShed.  A small steering team has been formed.  We’ll meet again on Monday July 1^st at 7.15pm to talk further.

Help fill the Pantry at Waltham Cottage: With the colder weather and the need for warm nourishing food, Adrienne suggests the following:

Baked beans, breakfast cereal, tinned stews, tinned tuna, soups, jams, biscuits, pasta and noodles along with chickpeas and tinned tomatoes.

Everything you contribute is so gratefully received.

Please keep it coming.  Many thanks. Irene Gray, Session Clerk.

Wednesday Walkers 5^th June: Meet 9.45am at the church.

Court Theatre trip Thursday 19^th September 6.30pm to see “The Pink Hammer”, a Kiwi comedy. Expressions of interest to Sue Saunders 960 7657 please. Cost will be c$49 & discount available for Super Gold Card holders.

Next Movie Nights are SaturdayJuly 6^th  (when we’ll show the adult movie “Green Book”), & then August 4^th 5.45pm at church – bring your takeaway tea (eg fish and chips) drinks provided. Movie starts at 6.15pm and finishes at 8pm.

Irene would like to thank you all for the love, prayers & support she has received following her accident. 

Christian Meditation – a new group

 Jesus often withdrew to places of stillness and solitude to re-orientate his life in God.  Early Christians practiced mediation.  Today this practice has often been ignored, yet passages like  “be still and know that I am God” attract us.  Spiritual teacher of our time Fr Thomas Keating said “silence is God’s language”.  A new group is starting with the aim of learning and practicing the art of Christian Meditation.  

   Christian Meditation is based on: stillness, silence and simplicity. The aim is to move closer to union with God by sitting quietly. To aid us in being still we are invited to repeat in silence the word “Maranatha” which means “come Lord”.  We come in simplicity, not asking for anything, or seeking to tell God anything, just wanting to be open to God. We are leaving busyness and self-consciousness aside to let God transform us deep to deep. We’re not thinking about anything, spiritual or otherwise, just seeking to be in the presence of God and to be wholly present to God.  Those who persevere will inevitably see the results in their lives, “the fruits of the spirit” (Galatians 5): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

   Meditation does need to be regular, and it does require discipline.

The new group will meet for the first time at St Martins Presbyterian Church, 43 St Martins Road, on Tuesday June 11^th at 7pm.  If you are interested come and see.  The group is not for experts, but for people interested in exploring a form of prayer that is much needed in our time.  Our aim is to meet weekly for those who can make it, but to also encourage a daily personal practice of mediation.

   For more information make contact with Dugald at dugaldwil@gmail.com or go to www.christianmeditationnz.org.nz &/or www.wccm.org

Weekly Peace Bell Meditation

Do you want a more loving and peaceful society?

Do you want a safer and more caring community?

Do you want acceptance and celebration of diversity, not hatred and violence?

There are many ways.

Come and pray/send positive intentions every Friday

for a more peaceful, caring and safe Christchurch.

If you are available for this type of group action join us in spirit or in actuality for 10 minutes focussed silence at 7.45am every Friday in Hagley Park at the Peace Bell (Botanic Gardens) in solidarity with our Muslim community.