Weekly Notices - 10thNov 2024
It is always good, in the busyness of our lives, to find time to pause, sit back and reflect on the many, many blessings that God continues to shower upon us and our families. It is especially important, a week after our Annual Day of Giving to remember that whatever our gifts have been to our parish family on these hills, God will double, triple, shake down and press the measure of our goodness!
So as we reflect on these things, it is important that we also remember the thousands of young men who fought for our freedom and suffered death in the battlefields of the 1st World War. It is hard to imagine the depth of horror and loss suffered by these men and their families as we so freely go about our lives today. But we stand together with the children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces who continue to grieve and we hope that with God’s guidance, we as fellow humans can continue the legacy of freedom which we received from these brave young men.
“What passing bells for those who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
No mockeries for them from prayers or bells,
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs, -
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells." Anthem for Doomed Youth
May God continue to bless St Aug’s ~ Your Friend and Vicar, Kofe
Vicar Kofe
This Sunday’s service (10thNov)
Theme: ‘God our Protector and Peace-maker‘’
Sentence: ‘I will remember my covenant which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh’ Matthew 22:21
Collect:
Almighty Father,
whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of all:
govern the hearts and minds of those in authority, and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to His just and gentle rule;
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen
Readings: Romans 8: 31 – 39 and John 15: 9 – 17
Parish News
With just a few weeks to go before we hit our Advent & Christmas preparatory season in December, please be aware that there will be a few changes to our Sunday Service times throughout December. These changes are to allow for our Children's Service and our 9 Lessons & Carols Service, and will be advertised nearer to the end of November.
Annual Day of Giving, your Vestry would like to ask that you please prayerfully consider a contribution, over and above what you regularly give.
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.