Welcome Home to 43 St Martins Rd at 10am for our first service back in the church. Please be patient as we may have some teething issues!

Coping in the aftermath of the shooting

 We live in world where we assume safety and order.  We expect people to be mostly kind and to treat one another with basic respect.  We work with assumption that people are inherently good and God has things in hand.  These assumptions have been severely challenged by the actions of the shooter in our midst and to varying amounts we may feel like we are now standing on shaky ground.   It is natural to feel the world has suddenly become unsafe and an insecure place, and we may sleep poorly and feel anxiety.  We may feel other emotions.  Some feel guilt thinking there was something we could have done or that we have let down another group in our midst.  Many cards left with flowers at the scene say ‘sorry’.  Some may feel anger or helplessness.  Tears and sadness are very common.  Some may just feel chaos or intense weariness and have difficulty focusing. 

Trauma ‘experts’ tell us to acknowledge what we feel.  Connect with your body and feelings and know that God is in them.  They are coming from deep places within.  I notice when invited to share what is happening within, many people talk about others.  It is important we acknowledge and talk about ourselves.

It’s also OK to focus on you in other ways.  It is perfectly normal to feel we want to do something to help, but connecting with self and immediate friends and colleagues is  helping.  Read a Psalm like Psalm 121 and anchor your life in God’s presence.   Pray as you are able and know you are valued by God.  Pray and share your deep desires for healing of our community with God.  Be careful how much sensational news you feed yourself.  Remind yourself that one lone gunman hasn’t changed the relationships that surround you each day.  Do not let him take away your trust in others and the power of good alive in our world. 

Know that issues behind this attack are not going to be solved overnight, but that the light always overcomes the darkness.  One of the key messages of the resurrection is that evil will not win.  Notice that many of the Muslim victims have a deep trust in God that things will work out.  In the days ahead there will be plenty of time to address other issues like building better relationships with others in our community, addressing racism in our hearts and midst, and limiting the freedom of social media to disseminate propaganda of hate.  Individually we can not stop all the bad things in the world, but we can live with integrity and hold fast to our values and beliefs about living a good and meaningful life with Jesus as our guide. 

Dugald

Session Report:

• Our immediate financial crisis has been resolved with the assistance of the Presbytery, with grants from the capital of the St David’s Trust and the Dick Estate. Presbytery has also forwarded money that was allocated for the ongoing pastoral care of people from St James.
• The church piano has been repaired and tuned and the electric piano connected into the new sound system. Warren is attempting to repair the organ (this may not be possible).
• We are looking for ideas of social events that will help build up our community. Ideas/offers to run an event are most welcome. Dugald is planning some movie evenings with tea in the winter months.

Thank you to those who helped at the working bee yesterday. In the coming weeks we have a priority to lay concrete paths outside. There is also shelving required in internal store-rooms.

NOTICES:

After the service please come through to the Lounge for a cuppa and a time to talk. Please take time to ask one another ‘how you are’, and listen to what is going on for each other in the aftermath of our shootings.

Official Opening next Sunday: The official opening of the strengthened church will be on Sunday 31^st March at 2.30pm. We plan a short simple time to reflect on the journey, celebrate the new look building, and offer a prayer of blessing. Afternoon tea will follow, and we trust there will be a good representation from the wider community.

Inviting friends and neighbours to our opening next Sunday… please do so! You can also assist by delivering invitation fliers either in the immediate neighbourhood of the church (check on map to see which streets need doing, or simply deliver some in your street /neighbourhood.

Parking on St Martins Rd – the Council have advised that you can park on the street outside the church. The bus stops are no longer operational.

Foot Clinic TOMORROW at the church 1-4pm.

Fireside meets this Tuesday 26^th March 7.30pm at the church for supper and a catch-up. All women welcome. Allison 332 0554.

Wednesday Walkers: 27^th March  

Meet 9.30am in Botanic Gardens by Armagh Street bridge. Coffee at Ilex. All welcome. Sonya 0272533397.

Crafty Crafters: Thursdays 10am-12 noon at 43 St Martins Rd. New faces are always welcome. Bring along an unfinished craft item, or learn a new skill. Cost $3 per session. Contact Lyndsey McKay 388 1264 for more information.

Piano to give away…we have a second piano in the church which needs a new home. It needs tuning and some attention. Please contact

the Office if you know of someone who would like it.

Garage Sale at St Anne’s Anglican Church, NEXT Saturday   30^th March 8.30am – 12.30pm.

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please stay for a cuppa.

Next Sunday 24^th March we meet at 43 St Martins Rd at 10am for our first service back in the church. Please be patient as we may have some teething issues!

Working Bee next Saturday 23^rd March 8.30 – 11.00am to prepare front garden beds at 43 St Martins Rd. Bring gardening tools.

Official Opening: The official opening of the strengthened church will be on Sunday 31^st March at 2.30pm. We plan a short simple time to reflect on the journey, celebrate the new look building, and offer a prayer of blessing. Afternoon tea will follow, and we trust there will be a good representation from the wider community. Invite a friend.

Session meets this Wednesday 20^th March 7.30pm at the church.

Wednesday Walkers: 20^th March  

Meet 9.30am at our church 43   St Martins Rd and wander around, led by Fern, finishing possibly for coffee at the church but we have a plan B! Ring 332 4725 for additional information. All welcome.

Anna will not be in the Office this Thursday 21^st March.

Building Access: Anyone needing

access to the church will need to obtain the keypad number from the

office, and sign the confidentiality statement.  This enables us to keep an accurate list of those who know the number. Please return all old keys to the Office.

Bus Trip this Thursday 21st: please be at the church by 9.15am at the latest. Our estimated arrival in Geraldine is 11.15am. We will stop at Lushington’s on the way back for afternoon tea.

Crafty Crafters: Thursdays 10am-12 noon at 43 St Martins Rd. New faces are always welcome. Bring along an unfinished craft item, or learn a new skill. Cost $3 per session. Contact Lyndsey McKay 388 1264 for more information.

Garage Sale at St Anne’s Anglican Church, Saturday   30^th March 8.30am – 12.30pm.

News from the Presbytery…

Esther Sabey is being ordained and inducted as Assistant Minister at Hope Church this morning. This afternoon Charissa Nicol is being ordained and inducted as part time minister at St Luke’s Redwood at 4.30pm to serve in the Prestons New Mission Project.

Piano to give away…we have a second piano in the church which needs a new home. It needs tuning and some attention. Please contact

the Office if you know of someone who would like it.

Te Raranga invites Greater Christchurch churches to join together in prayer and celebration in the newly opened Town Hall on Saturday 11^th May 2019 at 7pm.

Celebration ’19 is a Church Wide Event – a rare opportunity to come together to:

Reaffirm our unity as followers of Jesus

Celebrate our diverse expressions of faith

Acknowledge the journey of regeneration in Christchurch

Highlight various contributions to the city

Take up an offering to go towards a pioneering project in the city

Join together to pray for our city

Enjoy corporate worship

Encourage and inspire one another

Contributions from a wide range of groups promises to make this night a celebration of colour and flavour; a chance to give glory to God for the different ways He is working among and through us. We are really hoping you and your church members will join us for an evening of worship, prayer, celebration and challenge.

Tickets are now on sale through Ticketek at $19 per person (plus booking fee). Note: it is cheaper to book multiple tickets. We are encouraging churches to buy a block of tickets and sell on directly to their congregations.

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please stay for a cuppa. Many thanks to Rev Hugh Perry for leading today’s service.

Sue has jams, chutneys & relishes for sale today (most $4).

Foot Clinic TOMORROW 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist Lounge. Lyndsey McKay 388 1264.

Wednesday Walkers: 13^th March  – will car pool at 9.30am to drive to West Belt, near Community Centre, Lincoln to complete the historic walk we weren’t able to do in December and go back to the Flaming Rabbitfor $8 Coffee and muffin deal or early lunch if you wish.  Sonya 027 253 3397.

Building Access: Anyone needing access to the church will need to obtain the keypad number from the office, and sign the confidentiality statement.  This enables us to keep an accurate list of those who know the number. Please return all old keys to the Office.

The Urgent Pharmacy in Bealey Ave has now closed. For a pharmacy that’s open weekends and public holidays, go to Unichem or Life in the malls.

Crafty Crafters’ Bus Trip to Geraldine 21^st  March: There are 4 more seats available. Please pay $30to Lyndsey before Thursday 14^th at the latest. We will leave from the church at 9am. Lyndsey McKay 388 1264.

Crafty Crafters: Thursdays 10am-12 noon at 43 St Martins Rd. New faces are always welcome. Bring along an unfinished craft item, or learn a new skill. Cost $3 per session. Contact Lyndsey McKay 388 1264 for more information.

Garage Sale at St Anne’s Anglican Church, Saturday   30^th March 8.30am – 12.30pm.

East Side Multicultural Games Avebury House Sat 23 March 1-3pm

Crossway Community Church, North Avon Baptist and Delta Community Support trust are working together to present this community event.

The games range from relaxing yet stimulating board games such as Mahjong where you can sit, chat and learn to the more physically challenging Kana Mutti. Not only are there fun games for families but there are also games suitable for a wider range of ages. There will be all of this and more with a taste of ethnic food.

With a vibrant multicultural community we want to connect different ethnicities together to bring fun games for the whole community. Nationalities involved in running the East Side Multicultural Games are Sri Lankan, Filipino, Korean, Dutch, Tongan, the Shetlands, and Taiwan with more ethnicities to come.

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please stay for a cuppa. Many thanks to Rev Nancy-Jean Whitehead for leading today’s service.

Sue has jams, chutneys & relishes for sale today and next Sunday (most $4).

From Rev Canon Ben Truman: You are warmly invited to join us as we observe Ash Wednesday 6^th March, 10am at St Mark’s Lounge, 101 Opawa Rd or 7.30pm at St Anne’s Anglican Church, 7 Wilsons Rd. All are welcome.

Dugald is on leave until 12^th March. If you have need of a minister, please contact Lyndsey McKay 388 1264. Next Sunday’s worship will be led by Rev Hugh Perry.

Wednesday Walkers: 6^th March Meet 9.30am on cnr Ferniehurst St & Ashgrove Tce. Coffee at Gerard’s 339 6242. All welcome. Sonya 0272533397.

PARISH BREAKFAST Sunday 17^th March 8.45am, brought to you by Session. Wear green for St Patrick’s Day! Koha appreciated.

Building Access: Anyone needing access to the church will need to obtain the keypad number from the office, and sign the confidentiality statement.  This enables us to keep an accurate list of those who know the number. Please return all old keys to the Office.

The Urgent Pharmacy in Bealey Ave has now closed. For a pharmacy that’s open weekends and public holidays, go to Unichem or Life in the malls.

Crafty Crafters’ Bus Trip to Geraldine 21^st  March: There are 5 more seats available. Please pay $30to Lyndsey as soon as possible. We will leave from the church at 9am. Lyndsey McKay 388 1264.

From recent Board of Managers’ meeting:

*Members felt that the church foyer was a good size for the meeting and after opening the windows, cool air circulated.

*A contractual cleaner is required and, in the meantime, Sue will clean once a week to assess time needed and the job description.

*Fireside will set up the kitchen at this month’s meeting.

*New seats have arrived but without arms to save costs. Cyril is sanding and cleaning some of the older chairs.

*Bike stands are being built.

*The old concrete paths need to be broken up and it was agreedthatthe concrete work would be undertaken by church members.

*All rental properties must meet new insulation standards by 1 July 2019 so we must obtain quotes for the manse to bring it up to standard.

*New advertising signage was agreed for the front of the church using the current triangular framework.

*Health and Safety and usage signs are to be erected to ensure users are safe and leave the premises tidy.

East Side Multicultural Games Avebury House Lawn March 23^rd 1-3pm:

Crossway Community Church, North Avon Baptist and Delta Community Support trust are working together to present this community event.

The games range from relaxing yet stimulating board games such as Mahjong where you can sit, chat and learn to the more physically challenging Kana Mutti. Not only are there fun games for families but there are also games suitable for a wider range of ages. There will be all of this and more with a taste of ethnic food.

With a vibrant multicultural community we want to connect different ethnicities together to bring fun games for the whole community. Nationalities involved in running the East Side Multicultural Games are Sri Lankan, Filipino, Korean, Dutch, Tongan, the Shetlands, and Taiwan with more ethnicities to come.

“For God so loved the world” 

Creation in Worship: Forum, worship and dinner; Sharing worship resources, music and song, prayer and poetry. 

Monday 4^th  March, 6.30pm, at The Village Church in Bryndwr, 365A Ilam Road, Christchurch
 A forum on enriching our worship with our concern for our world—a practical and inspiring time sharing in prayer, music, poetry that you can take to your own churches to help people engage creatively with the environment & faith. Heaps of free resources! “Leading God’s people to God’s heart for the whole world”

An event of A Rocha Christchurch. All welcome

Please bring a couple of songs or prayers or poems to share. Bring food to share for pot-luck meal and a koha ($5-ish).

No need to register. For more info contact: Silvia Purdie: 027 242 1113, or email: christchurch@arocha.org

Building Update: We are very nearly there. As of Friday, the tiler was finishing work in the kitchen. Thanks to the Fireside ladies for sorting the kitchen – and checking the oven works! The piano tuner is coming on Thursday. There are still some outside jobs to be done.

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please stay for a cuppa. Many thanks to Rev Hugh Perry for leading today’s service.

Fireside will meet in the Church, 43 St Martins Rd on Tuesday 26^th February at 7.30pm. We plan to move all the equipment back into the new kitchen and put it into cupboards and drawers, so please bring a couple of tea towels and wear oldish clothes. We will also be bringing the new chairs out of the garage and removing the plastic wrapping off them, so a duster might come in handy as well! It could be a slightly dirty evening but will be good to catch up at the beginning of the year. Allison.

Minister’s holidays…. Dugald is on leave until 12^th March. If you have need of a minister, please contact Lyndsey McKay 388 1264.

Next Sunday’s worship will be led by Rev Nancy Jean Whitehead.

Wednesday Walkers: 27^th February. Meet 9.30am outside Under The Red Verandah Café, 502 Worcester St, (cnr Tancred St) for a walk around Avonside. Coffee will be at the Café.  All welcome. Judith 332 1577, or 027 688 1861.

Cleaner: Shortly we will need to appoint a cleaner for the church. If you know of someone please talk with one of the Managers.

Preparing for Entry: We now have keypad entry points to the church. Old keys will not work, and anyone needing access to the church will need to get the keypad number from the office.  Because this number needs to be kept confidential you are asked to sign a confidentiality statement.  This means we can keep an accurate list of those who know the number.

Please return all old keys to the Office.

Crafty Crafters: Thursdays 10am-12 noon at 43 St Martins Rd. New faces are always welcome. Bring along an unfinished craft item, or learn a new skill. Cost $3 per session. Contact Lyndsey McKay 388 1264 for more information.

Crafty Crafters Bus Trip to Geraldine Thursday 21^st March 9am. Please pay $30 to Lyndsey McKay by 3^rd March. Thank You.

From Board of Managers’ meeting held last Wednesday:

*Members felt that the church foyer was a good size for the meeting and after opening the windows, cool air circulated.

*A contractual cleaner is required and, in the meantime, Sue will clean once a week to assess time needed and the job description.

*Fireside will set up the kitchen at this month’s meeting.

*New seats have arrived but without arms to save costs. Cyril is sanding and cleaning some of the older chairs.

*Bike stands are being built.

*The old concrete paths need to be broken up and it was agreedthatthe concrete work would be undertaken by church members.

*All rental properties must meet new insulation standards by 1 July 2019 so we must obtain quotes for the manse to bring it up to standard.

*New advertising signage was agreed for the front of the church using the current triangular framework.

*Health and Safety and usage signs are to be erected to ensure users are safe and leave the premises tidy.

World Day of Prayer Friday 1^st March 7.30pm

at Salvation Army, Southampton Street. Everyone iswelcome to attend this ecumenical service.

Jams, Chutneys & Relishes for Sale (most $4):

Tomato sauce, tomato relish, redcurrant & onion relish, plum & apple chutney; peach jelly, redcurrant jelly; Jams: hawea plum, greengage, raspberry, apricot, rhubarb & pineapple; Marmalades: lemon, orange & whisky, grapefruit, lemon & orange; $5: grapefruit, grapefruit & ginger.

If you have a favourite, place an order with Sue Saunders next Sunday 24^th Feb – available to purchase 3^rd & 10^th March.  Cash sales only!

‘It’s Hot! Welcome to the Anthropocene’. Friday March 8th, 7.00-9.30pm, St Ninian’s, 5 Puriri St, Riccarton.

The Rev Dr Clive Pearson will present two lectures exploring the age of humans, i.e. the Anthropocene—an age which signifies the extent to which the human species has affected the planetary Earth systems. First session 7-8pm then half hour break for questions and break. Second session, ‘Believing the Anthropocene’ 8.30-9.20pm.