Weekly Notices - 3rd Nov 2024
Last Sunday, The Ven Mark Chamberlain joined our services to talk to us about ‘Prayer.’ It was a wonderful reminder that we should, each of us, be taking our needs and our thanksgiving to our Living God who endlessly provides, and graciously sees, to our needs.
As a parish family, we have arrived at our Annual Day of Giving, when Vestry asks that we deeply consider increasing our financial contributions towards the repair of our building and the maintaining of ministry on the hill. It was so poignant that while Ven Mark addressed the 11am congregation last week, he was rained on with drops of water from our leaking roof!
It is our Christian duty to dig deep and give! While so many of you already contribute to the parish coffers, for which we are deeply grateful, perhaps we could look at just a little bit more please.
God calls us into responsible partnership. We are given great responsibility.
We are to "till the earth." It is a privilege to make important decisions as we work "in the vineyard" and tend to the needs of our buildings.
In the words of Herb Mather (theologian, teacher and stewardship organiser): “Christian giving is a responsive act. It represents gratitude to God. It is a symbol of self-giving. Therefore, giving is not a once-for-all event, but a regular part of life. It is a spiritual discipline that reminds us who we are and whose we are.”
May God always bless St Aug’s ~ Your Friend and Vicar, Kofe
Vicar Kofe
This Sunday’s service (3rd Nov)
Theme: ‘Giving ourselves to God’
Sentence: ‘Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s’ Matthew 22:21
Collect:
Lord Jesus Christ,
you have taught us
that what we do to each other, we do to you;
make us quick to help and slow to hurt,
knowing that in our neighbour it is you
who receives our love or our neglect.
Hear this prayer for your name’s sake.
Amen
Readings: 2 Corinthians 9: 6-15 and Mark 12: 13 – 17, 41 - 43
Parish News
Now that our Centennial Celebrations are behind us, let us now focus on things coming up like our Annual Day of Giving on Sunday 3rd November.
This date has had to be deferred a little because of the Centennial, but please be reminded that the parish needs to be able to survive financially, and with roof repairs looming over us together with other ministry needs, your Vestry would like to ask that you please prayerfully consider a contribution, over and above what you regularly give, on this special day.
Please spend a few moments reading and digesting our Treasurer’s write-up. We desperately need our roof repairs done, and are in dire need of funds to carry this out.
To everyone in the Parish I say thank you for the Centenary Weekend!
What a success! To the artists who designed and painted our new banners, thank you. To the flower ladies, thank you. To the organisers and musicians of the concert on
Saturday, thank you. Thank you for our new pohutukawa and its commemorative plaque, for the delicious centenary cake and the doll in a hundred year old christening dress. Thank you for those who led and those who participated in our memorial service. Thank you for the organisers, the speakers, and those who set up and set down the Old Stone House. Thank you to those who came and cleaned the Hannan Centre and the church in readiness for our special weekend. Thank you all for coming to the concert, the church service and the lunch. And finally, thank you to our vicar, Kofe, who led us in our celebration and who we rely on.
I’m very sorry if I missed anything!
God Bless, Jo Ashton-Martyn, Vicars Warden
—————————————————————————————————————————
The special and beautiful Centennial banners are now hanging in the church.
Ideas were initially discussed by Annie, Fiona & Kristin and the final concept and design was drawn by Fiona Taylor.
A team including Annie Ogilvie, Thelma Kent & Frances Schulz assisted Fiona with the painting.
The banners DELIGHT in God's creation and beauty accompanied by the words of St Augustine."
Since love grows within you, so beauty grows.
For LOVE is the beauty of the SOUL"
They feature the Cross motif we know so well and which was modelled from the small cross above the Church porch entrance, The Kowhai, a signature tree found around the church glows and NZ native birds piwakawaka represent the soul. The kereru sits atop the ti koūka as a signpost pointing the way. Seedpods symbolise growth and regeneration. The filmy ferns creep in as a nod to our early plant life. The healing heart-shaped kawakawa leaves were painted from leaves picked up by Annie at Waitangi treaty grounds and echo the finials on the cross. The woven border surrounding it represents community. The overall flow and movement of life is captured with a suggestion of stained glass the pieces connecting and flowing together as one.
Our People, Our Place
Do keep those wonderful “Our People, Our Place” profiles rolling in!
Loki and Friends Play Verdi
Our organist Loki and friends (on trumpets) play a short snippet of the Grand March from the opera Aida by Verdi on 18 August 2024
Diocesan Prayer Community - Reminder
The Diocesan Prayer Community has been operating since March this year. This Community identifies the issues which challenge our Diocese (and parish!) and join each other in praying for those issues.
Do consider signing up to pray with others from other parishes. You will receive regular updates and forms of encouragement from our Archdeacon of Regeneration & Mission, and it only takes a few minutes of our time each day or week.
Please let the Vicar know if you’re interested.
St Aug’s & Beyond…
Youth Hub Trust ‘INVITATION’
On behalf of the Youth Hub Trust, you are warmly invited to come and see the Youth Hub before it officially opens to the public.
The Hub has everything young people need to improve and maintain their mental health, from supported housing and health and support services to opportunities for recreation and creativity and we can’t wait to share it with you!
You are welcome to drop in between 4-6pm on Tuesday 12 November.
The Hub is located at 109 Salisbury Street in the CBD.
Please note no parking is available on site or on Gracefield Ave.
The nearest paid parking option is the Casino.
Light refreshments will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there!
If you are interested in going, please contact Lerks: lerkshih@gmail.com
If you have any questions, please email fundraising@youthhubchch.org.nz
Helpful info
Giving
Groups
It’s easy to connect and get involved with some great social and faith-focused groups that meet regularly across the parish. You can find out about all our regular groups on our Groups page. If you have any questions, just click the contact button to connect with the group’s organiser.
Need prayer?
We’d love to pray for you. See the ‘Prayer Support’ section on the Help & Support page for more information on how we can help with your prayer needs. There are confidential and anonymous options available.