A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service.

Winter Combined services at 10.00am continue until 16th August.

Singing Group today at 3pm (note time) in the Church. Bill 338 1651.

FOOT CLINIC: TOMORROW 1-4pm in the Lounge. More helpers are always welcome. Lyndsey 388 1264.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 17th June: Meet 9.30am by Hawford Rd entrance to Opawa Mall carpark. Coffee at Opawa Bakery & Café. All are welcome.

BOARD OF MANAGERS’ meeting Wednesday 17th June at 7.30pm.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge. $3 a session. New faces are always welcome ?. Beverley 332 7786.

Chris is holding a Garage Sale on Saturday 20th June 8am – 12 noon. She is looking for helpers both on the day and the evening before to move heavy stuff. If you make an offer for anything on the Friday, half of the proceeds will be donated to St Martin’s. Let her know if you can help.

Sunday 28th June will be Chris’ final Sunday before her retirement.
She will be leading worship that Sunday and we will take the opportunity to thank her for her years given to St Martin’s at the end of the Service. You are all invited to join for morning tea in the Lounge following the service.
For those who have put their names on the list for the Lunch at the Cashmere Club (the list is now full), please make your way over by 12.20 – lunch will be served at 12.30. Please pay on your arrival and your name will be crossed off the list. Meal price $30.50. Queries? Contact Allison 332 0554.

A very special Caring and Sharing afternoon will be held on THURSDAY 25th June 2015 at 2pm.Bring your memories of Caring and Sharing in days gone by. Afternoon tea will be provided. Please let anyone know who has been associated with Caring and Sharing over the years. For more information, check with Irene 332 7306.

PTO…
Now that you have all enjoyed the fun and frolics of Scottish Country
Dancing (simple form) – or Ceilidh Dancing, do keep it going. At the New Brighton Union Church 10am to 11am every Wednesday ($3.00 with morning tea included) join the enthusiastic group of dancers for some gentle dancing to great music. Everyone is welcome. For more information, check with Irene or give her a phone call – 332 7306

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon and Fri 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Please ensure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday each week.
Keep an eye on the website: www.stmartins.org.nz

NEWS FROM MARILYN & DAVID TAIT:
Two days in Israel, berthed at Haifa, and bussed to Jerusalem and Bethlehem the first day. Garden of Gethsemane a highlight. Jerusalem was so busy and full of tourists and we were walked too quickly through the old quarter but did get to the wailing wall (heads covered, no photos), as well as the Church where the tomb of Jesus is supposed to be. There were hundreds waiting in line so we did not get time to wait. We had lunch at a Kibbutz before driving to Bethlehem (in Palestine) past security to view where Jesus was born, now a Church, again very touristy and not the atmosphere we expected. It was interesting that we had a Jewish and a Palestinian guide for both sites, giving us their version of the Bible stories. Yesterday was a much better day when we went to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee (actually a lake) not so many tourists, and actually stood on the mountain where Jesus preached his sermon on the mount. We went to the River Jordan where he was baptised and also to Caperneum the Town of Fishermen where he lived and worked. These places seemed to bring the Bible stories to life, there was such a lot to take in.
This morning we berthed at Cyprus, took a tour to Nicosia (only divided city in Europe), saw the border to the Turkish side of the island, got a few more details on their politics etc, and visited a wee village up in the hills where they make lovely lace – the ladies sit outside their shops stitching it.
Tomorrow we will be at a Turkish port, these last two days replacing our planned visit to Egypt which was cancelled because of unrest. Next is Crete, Malta, Sicily, and Sardinia, all very different and interesting places to visit.
We are both fine, enjoying every busy minute, lots of exercise on the cobbled streets and uneven steps, having such a wonderful trip.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 14th John; Mon 15th Julian; Fri 19th June, James, Ethan.