You are invited to Sunday worship with the St Martins Presbyterian congregation via Zoom. To join us, just click on the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81508696154?pwd=cnErZFM5VG5OQVhsZkxYc0dxOHdvUT09

Meeting ID: 815 0869 6154
Passcode: 712158

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship online with us today.

Stay home, stay safe.

Wear a mask if you have to leave your home and keep a 2 metre distance from others.

If you are sick, call Healthline 0800 358 5453 or your GP and arrange to get tested.

For up-to-date advice, go to www.covid19.govt.nz

Please note: Under Alert Levels 3 & 4 the church complex is not available for public use.

A new Sunday Roster is being prepared – thank you to those people who have ‘volunteered’ to read or lead the prayers of the people whilst worship is on Zoom. Anna.

The Annual General Meeting will be on Sunday 19^th September 2021 (dependent on Alert levels). The Annual Reports will be emailed out next week, and hard copies will be available when it is possible to print them.

Parish Council – we have a vacancy with the retirement of Ken Austin. Please contact Irene if you are interested.

Brief notes from the Parish Council: The Parish Council met via Zoom on Thursday 26 August.

• There will be a Christmas Eve service at St Martins on Friday 24 December and a Christmas Day service on Christmas Day Saturday 25 December, but no service on Sunday 26 December.
• The services on Sundays 02 and 09 January 2022 will be combined services at the Beckenham Methodist Church and services at St Martins will resume on Sunday 16 January 2022 when members of the Beckenham Methodist Church will join us.
• On Sunday 30 January 2022 we are planning to gather the Cashmere and Hoon Hay Presbyterian and Halswell Uniting congregations for a combined service at St Martins. Hamish Galloway who will, by that time, be the Assembly Moderator will preach.
• Parish Council agreed to move some funds currently held in our commercial bank account, into accounts with Christian Savings Ltd and the Presbyterian Investment Fund.

FOR OUR NEXT MOVIE NIGHT: What We Did on our Holiday – Is a hilarious journey through an unforgettable family holiday as a couple attempts to keep their impending divorce secret from their extended family. Doug and Abi and their three kids travel to the Scottish Highlands for Doug’s father Gordie’s birthday party where its soon clear that when it comes to keeping their divorce under wraps their children are their biggest liability. From nine year old Lottie’s notebook to keep track of the lies so she remembers which one to tell, to four year old Jess’s perverse attachment to a brick named Norman, for their parents a week has never seemed such a long time. But it’s middle child Mickey and his Granddad’s shared passion for Vikings which gives rise to the most far reaching and unexpected consequences. When a day at the beach turns to tragedy, the children take matters into their own hands. ‘You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll probably want to book a holiday to the Highlands one day soon’. The date for this will be confirmed – depends on Alert levels.

A date for your diary: Parish Garden Party Saturday 16^th October at Merchiston.

The Hope Seminar Sunday 19^th September 5.00-8.30pm, Transitional Cathedral. Theme “Shalom – Wellbeing & Climate Change” Register at www.arocha.org.nz

Here’s our Zoom link –

Topic: St Martin’s Sunday Worship

To Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81508696154?pwd=cnErZFM5VG5OQVhsZkxYc0dxOHdvUT09

Meeting ID: 815 0869 6154
Passcode: 712158

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship online with us today.

Stay home, stay safe.

Wear a mask if you have to leave your home and keep a 2 metre distance from others.

If you are sick, call Healthline 0800 358 5453 or your GP and arrange to get tested.

For up-to -date advice, go to www.covid19.govt.nz

Please note: Under Alert Levels 3 & 4 the church complex is not available for public use.

Parish Council – we have a vacancy with the retirement of Ken Austin.

Please contact Irene if you are interested.

The FIRESIDE meeting scheduled for this Wednesday 25^th August has been postponed.

FOR OUR NEXT MOVIE NIGHT: What We Did on our Holiday –

Is a hilarious journey through an unforgettable family holiday as a couple attempts to keep their impending divorce secret from their extended family. Doug and Abi and their three kids travel to the Scottish Highlands for Doug’s father Gordie’s birthday party where its soon clear that when it comes to keeping their divorce under wraps their children are their biggest liability. From nine year old Lottie’s notebook to keep track of the lies so she remembers which one to tell, to four year old Jess’s perverse attachment to a brick named Norman, for their parents a week has never seemed such a long time. But it’s middle child Mickey and his Granddad’s shared passion for Vikings which gives rise to the most far reaching and unexpected consequences. When a day at the beach turns to tragedy, the children take matters into their own hands.

‘You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll probably want to book a holiday to the Highlands one day soon’.

The date for this will be confirmed – depends on Alert levels.

A date for your diary: Parish Garden Party Saturday 16^th October at Merchiston.

The Hope Seminar Sunday 19^th September 5.00-8.30pm, Transitional Cathedral. Theme “Shalom – Wellbeing & Climate Change” Register at www.arocha.org.nz

We have a NEW Zoom link – please use this one and delete any other ones you may have:

You are invited to Sunday worship with the St Martins Presbyterian congregation via Zoom. To join us, just click on the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81508696154?pwd=cnErZFM5VG5OQVhsZkxYc0dxOHdvUT09

Meeting ID: 815 0869 6154
Passcode: 712158

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship here today. Please stay for a light lunch and conversation after the service.

Parish Council – we have a vacancy with the retirement of Ken Austin. Please see Irene if you are interested.

Wednesday Walkers 18^th August:  Meet 9.30amat the Beach Café car park on the corner of Beach Rd and Broadpark Rd, North New Brighton for a walk round the Waimairi Beach area before having coffee at the Beach Café. Barbara & Alan 021 142 7668.

Sue has enough jars  – please do not leave any more. Thank you.

Cleaning Roster: Volunteers are URGENTLY required through to the end of October. See the orange notice on the board in the foyer to sign up today!

A date for your diary: Parish Garden Party Saturday 16^th October at Merchiston.

What’s on This Week:

Monday 9.30am-12noon St Mark’s Elder Care. Therese 337 1225.

Monday 1-4pm Foot Clinic. Judith 332 1577.

Tuesday 10am – 2pm South Elder Care. Jeannette 332 9869.

Tuesday 7.15pm Christian Meditation Group. Contact Dugald 380 5024.

Wednesday 9.30am Walking Group: Waimairi Beach. Barbara & Alan.

Wednesday 7pm Global Voices choir. Nick 027 2255142.

Thursday 10am – 12 noon Crafty Crafters. Bring along your own craft items or learn a new skill. $3 per session. Jeannette 332 9869.

Thursday 1.30pm Sit & Be Fit. Anneke 328 7459.

Thursday 5-7pm Familial Trust mentor group. Nadine 981 1093.

Thursday 7.30pm Parish Council meeting.

Men’s Group: We do not have an official men’s group meeting this month but all men are invited to attend the Fireside Group meeting on Wednesday 25th August 1.30pm in the church (see details below). Any queries, please contact Rob Connell 384 4320.

FIRESIDE Wednesday 25^th August, at 1.30 pm in the Church Lounge. The speaker is Glen Buckner, National Operations Manager, for the Salvation Army Reintegration Service, which assist with helping those on release from prison, with housing, safe and supported transition back into the community. The support focuses on employment, accommodation, education and training, health and wellbeing, skills for life, family and community support. An invitation is extended to the St Martins Men’s Group, the congregation and anyone interested to hear more about this group’s aims and service. A request for toiletries for both men and women, eg. toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo and conditioner, shavers, etc to go towards the “Welcome Pack” each person receives. Monetary donations also welcome. Fireside Ladies, could you please bring a small plate for afternoon tea.

The Hope Seminar Sunday 19^th September 5.00-8.30pm, Transitional Cathedral. Theme “Shalom – Wellbeing & Climate Change” Register at www.arocha.org.nz

The Cathedral is hosting a community fundraiser on Saturday 28^th August 9am-3pm. $20 to have a stall. Enquiries to muircarole@gmail.com

From our friends at Waltham Cottage: Thank you so much for inviting Laura & I to talk at your Sunday morning service on 18^th July. It was wonderful to share about the activities at the Cottage especially as the St Martins Presbyterian congregation do so much for the Cottage community…your continued support is greatly appreciated. Cheryl Batwell & Laura Gardener.

Charter for Compassion

The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.

It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.

We therefore call upon all men and women to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies.

We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world. Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensable to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community.

The Charter for Compassion (2009) is a document that transcends religious, ideological, and national differences. Supported by leading thinkers from many traditions, The Charter calls on us to activate the Golden Rule around the world.

We have a NEW Zoom link – please use this one and delete any other ones you may have:

You are invited to Sunday worship with the St Martins Presbyterian congregation via Zoom. To join us, just click on the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81508696154?pwd=cnErZFM5VG5OQVhsZkxYc0dxOHdvUT09

Meeting ID: 815 0869 6154
Passcode: 712158

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship here today. Please stay for a cuppa and conversation after the service.

ANNUAL REPORTS are now due. Please email them to Anna by THIS Wednesday 11^th August. Thank you to those who have already submitted a report.

Parish Council – we have a vacancy with the retirement of Ken Austin. Please see Irene if you are interested.

Wednesday Walkers 11^th August:  Meet 9.30amat the back of Portstone Nursery in Smith St for a walk around the area to include the Thistledown Reserve that Tanya Jenkins spoke about when she gave her talk to the Fireside Ladies. Coffee will be at Portstone Café. All welcome – Judith Mackay 332 1577 or 027 688 1861.

NEXT Sunday 15^th August we will share in soup & rolls with a Tanzanian twist, following the service, which will focus on Your Sisters Orphanage (donations can be made at the service to support the Orphanage). All are welcome.

Sue has enough jars  – please do not leave any more. Thank you.

Cleaning Roster: Volunteers are URGENTLY required through to the end of October. See the orange notice on the board in the foyer to sign up today!

A date for your diary: Parish Garden Party Saturday 16^th October at Merchiston.

St Luke’s Union Church Halswell is celebrating their 60^th birthday on Sunday 29^th August at 10am – all past members and friends are very welcome to join them.

What’s on This Week:

Monday 9.30am-12noon St Mark’s Elder Care. Therese 337 1225.

Tuesday 10am – 2pm South Elder Care. Jeannette 332 9869.

Tuesday 7.15pm Christian Meditation Group. Contact Dugald 380 5024.

Wednesday 9.30am Walking Group: Thistledown Reserve. Judith 332 1577.

Wednesday 7pm Global Voices choir. Nick 027 2255142.

Thursday 10am – 12 noon Crafty Crafters. Bring along your own craft items or learn a new skill. $3 per session. Jeannette 332 9869.

Thursday 1.30pm Sit & Be Fit. Anneke 328 7459.

Thursday 5-7pm Familial Trust mentor group. Nadine 981 1093.

Friday 6pm Joint Men’s Group/MenzShed evening. Rob 384 4320.

Saturday 2pm SI Ice Skating meeting.

Men’s Group: We do not have an official men’s group meeting this month but there are two combined meetings all men are invited to attend:

1. Join the MenzShed members THIS Friday 13th August beginning with a pot luck tea as we normally do at 6pm. Dr Mike Osselton will speak on men’s health.
2. Fireside Group Wednesday 25th August 1.30pm in the church invites you to hear Glen Buckner (see details below)

Any queries, please contact Rob Connell 384 4320.

FIRESIDE Wednesday 25^th August, at 1.30 pm in the Church Lounge.

The speaker is Glen Buckner, National Operations Manager, for the Salvation Army Reintegration Service, which assist with helping those on release from prison, with housing, safe and supported transition back into the community. The support focuses on employment, accommodation, education and training, health and wellbeing, skills for life, family and community support.

An invitation is extended to the St Martins Men’s Group, the congregation and anyone interested to hear more about this group’s aims and service. A request for toiletries for both men and women, eg. toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo and conditioner, shavers, etc to go towards the “Welcome Pack” each person receives. Monetary donations also welcome. Fireside Ladies, could you please bring a small plate for afternoon tea.

The Hope Seminar Sunday 19^th September 5.00-8.30pm, Transitional Cathedral. Theme “Shalom – Wellbeing & Climate Change” Register at www.arocha.org.nz

The Cathedral is hosting a community fundraiser on Saturday 28^th August 9am-3pm. $20 to have a stall. Enquiries to muircarole@gmail.com