The St Martins facilities remain closed under Level 3 Covid-19 restrictions. Information about Level 2 available next week.
Sunday Service: on our website (www.stmartins.org.nz). Many thanks to Rev Anne Stewart and the team from Village Presbyterian Church for making this available to the people of St Martins.
Moderator’s live
streaming of devotions every Sunday at 9am. https://www.facebook.com/modpcanz/
Watch Sunday’s service from Beckenham Methodist: the video link/s are available after 11am from their webpage: www.bmc.nz Services/Reflections
In Memoriam: Tony Blackler 27 November 1949 – 4 May 2020
It is with much sadness that we record the death of Tony Blackler. Tony gave strong support and guidance to St Martins Presbyterian Church. He was an accomplished leader and this was evident in his work with Rotary – especially with young people, and also with the Men’s Group at St Martins, and as an Elder (since 19th September 1982).
Tony retired from his work at the Hospital early last year, and whilst his health has had its ups and downs over the past months, his death comes suddenly.
Later in the year a memorial service for Tony will be planned.
Our thoughts and prayers go to Allison and Gill at a very difficult time.
Jesus our Saviour, comfort us with the great power of your love as we mourn the sudden death of Tony. Give us a patient faith in this time of darkness and help us to understand and know your ways. Strengthen us in our faith that he is with you for ever. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(from A New Zealand Prayer Book p857)
Sonya spoke with Allison on
Wednesday. As one should expect with Allison and Gillian, they seem to be
completely in control and highly organised and assured us they are doing OK.
They are feeling very loved and surrounded by flowers and cards.
St Barnabas’ Anglican Church are hosting a Zoom seminar with theological and author Dr Nicola Hoggard Creegan on Thursday 14 May at 7.30pm, addressing the question ‘Where is God in a Pandemic?’ It will be a very stimulating seminar with lots of time for Q and A.
Nicola is a theologian based in Auckland. She specialises in the interface
between evolutionary theory and systematic theology and has broad interests
also in all issues of public and contextual theology and ecology. Her
recent book, Animal Suffering and the Problem of Evil
(OUP, 2013), examined theodicy
given the reality of long aeons of animal suffering before humans arrived. She
is currently completing a book on Free Will. Nicola has taught theology (and
previously mathematics) in the US and NZ. She is
co-Director of New Zealand Christians in Science, and is an adjunct supervisor at Flinders
University, South Australia. She worships at All Saints in Ponsonby.
The link to join the seminar is https://anglicanchurch-nz.zoom.us/j/95427063994
Pray As One NZ
These ZOOM-based nation-wide prayer gatherings, which began last month and which many hundreds of people participated in, are now to be held weekly, on Monday nights from 8pm to 9pm.
Join the Prayer meeting here: https://prayasone.nz/resources/#zoomprotocol
The Garage Series
In uncertain times like this, it is important to ask questions with each other, so to help we have a new Youtube series called “The Garage Series. This is where we go out and about and find out what questions people are asking.
Watch the series introduction here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2XeRLo1grM&t=3s
Episode 1, all the way from
Bryndwr Christchurch (Martin and Anne) is here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMY-VHBMdOI&t=39s
Episode 2, from Twizel (Grant) here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3pPhfWSV2o
Maybe you have the same questions? Maybe you can talk about
them in your congregation leadership meetings? Please share with the Presbytery what solutions and
ideas, and maybe further questions you come up with.
From the Council: Unite Against Covid-19
Under Alert Level 3 you still need to Stay Home, Save Lives. If you’re going out for fresh air, stay local. Take care of yourselves and stay connected with family and friends over the phone.
The Council is making plans to re-open public facilities when we move to Level 2.
If you need welfare assistance, call the CCC helpline 0800 24 24 11
When walking the dog, keep them on the lead.
Only put plastics with code 1,2 & 5 in your yellow bin.
For health advice, contact Healthline 0800 358 5453. If you are feeling unwell, call your GP before you visit.
Call the free Government Helpline 0800 779 997 (8am-1am) 7 days a week if you need advice.
Keep an eye on the official website – Covid19.govt.nz – for updates.
The next ‘Messenger’ is due out soon. Please email any contributions to anneke.howie@gmail.com by Friday 22nd May. Photos, recipes, reflections on your lockdown experience all welcome.
A Very Happy 80th Birthday to Jill TODAY!!