WHILE OUR CHURCH BUILDING IS REPAIRED WE ARE MEETING EACH SUNDAY AT THE MINERAL & LAPIDARY CLUB 11O WALTHAM RD (NEXT TO WALTHAM SCHOOL) AT 10AM.
WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME YOU.
Sunday 18th February 2018 10am First Sunday in Lent
Lenten Conversations…During Lent there is an opportunity to gather with others to grow in our connection with God and one another. We have two groups meeting beginning this week on Monday night (7.30pm at Janet and Dugald’s home), and Wednesday afternoon (1.30pm at Jeannette and David’s home). There are still a couple of spaces available.
Life Giving Habits in Lent: During Lent we will be highlighting life giving habits or disciplines that you may wish to experiment with. These disciplines help us become more grounded and aware of God in our daily lives.
Helen Keller became blind and deaf when only two years old. She was blessed to have a teacher who realised that touch was the only way that she could connect and teach Helen. Patiently day after day the teacher would spell the names of things they were experiencing on Helen’s hand. For example, when she washed her hands in water the teacher would spell ‘water’ on Helen’s hand. Helen’s world was very limited without sight and sound, and at first this strange ‘touching’ from another was meaningless. But Helen slowly learned to recognise that the movements of touch on her hand were saying something. They were ‘signs’ that helped explain what she was experiencing. Finally she ‘got it’ – someone was communicating with her and teaching her, and from that day forward she never ceased to educate herself and expand her horizon.
Very few people are born with Helen’s handicap but do we really see and hear. God may be whispering all around us and we don’t notice or make no sense of it. We each are unique individuals who have different ways of ‘noticing’ God, so during Lent 2018 we will highlight different spiritual disciplines that might help us, like Helen, learn to hear and see the whispering of God in our lives.
Keeping a Journal… A journal can be kept in an exercise book, on your computer, or a specially purposed diary. The main thing is that it is kept private and it is not for anyone else’s eyes, other than yourself and God. It is somewhere where you can express yourself with uncensored honesty, and reflectively process some of what is happening in your life.
How often you write (or draw) is up to you but setting a regular committed pattern is important. You might start weekly or if there is time more frequently. It is helpful to find a quiet uninterrupted spot to use your journal for at least 15 minutes at a time.
What distinguishes a journal from a diary of events is that the emphasis is on exploring your own inner world. Note the things that have somehow been significant for you. When have you been most at peace and why do you think this so? When have you been least at peace and why might this be? When did you feel most alive and when did you feel least alive? Why was this? What delighted you and what upset you? Start with what happened in the significant ‘event’ and what you felt or thought. What might God be whispering to you through these happenings? You can write about dreams, worries, failures, confusions, doubts, sadnesses and joys … anything that you think is significant in your life.
From time to time (maybe every three months, but at least yearly) read back over your journal and look for themes that come up regularly and persistently. What is God saying to you in these things?
Notices: A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea after the service.
The Easter Story: Fact or Fable? Study Course at Iona House, Aranui
Why was the long-promised Messiah Jesus brutally executed on a crude Roman Cross? What was the early apostles’ experience of Jesus post the Crucifixion? Was Jesus physically raised from the dead? These two seminal events of the Christian tradition will be examined in the light of the latest research and biblical scholarship, especially the Jesus Seminar. The Easter events, their place in history and their relevance for today will also be noted.
Thursday afternoons for six weeks, 2pm – 4pm, commencing 8th March 2018. Facilitated by Charles Manning, Rodney Routledge & Sheena Dickson. It will be interactive.
To enrol, email office.stgeorgesiona@gmail.com or ph 355 6601 to leave a message by 2nd March.
Deadline for the next ‘Messenger’ is THIS Friday 23rd February. Email contributions to anneke.howie@gmail.com please.
Wednesday Walkers: 21st February. Meet 9.30am in Bunyan St, west side of Waltham Park off Waltham Rd, (there is angle parking there) for a walk around the area. Coffee will be at the XCHC Café, 376 Wilsons Rd. All Welcome. Judith Mackay 332 1577.
Board of Managers’ meeting this Wednesday 21st February 7.30pm at Merchiston.
World Day of Prayer Ecumenical Service Friday 2nd March 7.30pm at Beckenham Methodist Church. This year’s theme is “All God’s creation is very good!” The service has been prepared by the WDP committee, Suriname. All are welcome.
Fundraiser for St Martins: Handmade greeting cards for sale. $3 each. All proceeds to St Martins Building fund.
Crafty Crafters Craft Crawl to Hanmer Springs Thursday 29th March leaving at 9.30am from Beckenham Methodist. Cost for the bus is $25 pp. We will visit craft shops in Culverden & Hanmer. Bring your togs if you want a swim! Please let Lyndsey McKay 388 1264 know if you would like to come along.
Also being planned is joining a cruise to a Pacific island in winter – see Lyndsey if you are interested.
WANTED: Photographs of Parish events – please email photos to the Office so we can keep a record of what’s happening around the parish.
Court Theatre Group Booking: Thursday 5th April 6.30pm “Easy Money” by Roger Hall. Cost $49 per person or $40 with a Community Services Card (photocopy of card details required). The seats selected are easily accessible for those with mobility issues. Numbers attending and money in NAMED envelope to Sue Saunders, or dropped in to the Parish Office, by Sunday 4th March at the latest please. Sign up today!
CWS Cyclone Gita Appeal: Support Tongans to repair and replace water and food supplies lost in Cyclone Gita. Here’s how you can donate:
- Go to cws.org.nz/donate
- Direct Deposit – Christian World Service Account: 06 0817 0318646 00, ref: Tonga
- Phone 0800 74 73 72 with your credit card