NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to you all this morning. Please come through to the Lounge after the service for a cuppa and a time to talk. Many thanks to Rev Hugh Perry for leading today’s worship.

It was a lovely gathering last Sunday after Church. Thank you to everyone who contributed. Irene.

No Singing Group this morning.

Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership (KCML) has announced that Rev Dr Mark Johnston, an exceptional and gifted leader,is leaving his role at KCML to take up a teaching role overseas. Mark has provided 12 years of dedicated, pioneering and innovative service as a KCML Fieldwork Co-ordinator and ministry formator. As the inaugural Auckland Co-ordinator, he played a significant role in establishing KCML nationally. 

Water restrictions are now applied to Christchurch City at level 1. This means no outdoor water use is permitted between 3pm and 9pm, and hoses, sprinklers and garden irrigation systems can be used only on alternate days: odd number addresses on odd number dates, and even numbered addresses on even number dates. The measures are needed so that flow and pressure can be maintained at sufficient levels, and to make sure reserves for firefighting are available.

Power of Attorney:

If you lose the capacity to handle your own affairs, you’ll need someone to do it on your behalf. But you need to arrange this ahead of time. Jane Yee, Solicitor,  will be speaking at Whareora House of Life, 8 Athelstan St, Spreydon on Wednesday 11^th March at 11am to explain what a power of attorney is, how to set it up, what to look  out for, and what your obligations are  if you become an attorney for someone else.

Wednesday Walkers 4^th March: Meet 9.30am in Gamblins Road for a walk around St Martins. All welcome. Coffee at Rosalie Bacon’s 021 239 5005.

National Remembrance Service Sunday 15^th March in North Hagley Park 3pm.

Crafty Crafters Thursdays 10am – 12 noon. $3 per session. New faces very welcome. Lyndsey 388 1264.

Mark your calendars now for a ceilidh on Saturday 25^th April. More details soon.

Check out the Jam Stall – there might be something new you haven’t tried. Sue.

World Day of Prayer Friday 6^th March 7pm at Beckenham Methodist Church, 83 Malcolm Ave. A service prepared by Zimbabwe with the theme “Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk”.  All are welcome.

Court Theatre Group Booking:

“Lysander’s Aunty” Friday 17^th April 7.30pm Tickets $54 or $42 Add your names to the clipboard please, and money to Sue Saunders TODAY.

Craft Crawl Thursday 12^th March Kaiapoi-Rangiora area. Leaving from the church at 8.30am for optional 10am sailing on the “River Queen” (cost for this is $20 payable on the day) or explore Kaiapoi. On to Rangiora 11.30am for lunch and shopping, back home by 3pm. Bus cost approx. $25. Please let Lyndsey McKay know TODAY if you would like to come.

A dollar a day…and you can have Sunday off!

Meditation Group: meets in the lounge every Tuesday from 7.00-7.45pm. We are learners who are following an ancient Christian practice of being still with God. 

   Jesus often withdrew to places of stillness and solitude to re-orientate his life in God.  Early Christians practiced mediation.  Today this practice has often been ignored, yet passages like  “be still and know that I am God” attract us.  Spiritual teacher of our time Fr Thomas Keating said “silence is God’s language”.  A new group is starting with the aim of learning and practicing the art of Christian Meditation.  

   Christian Meditation is based on: stillness, silence and simplicity. The aim is to move closer to union with God by sitting quietly. To aid us in being still we are invited to repeat in silence the word “Maranatha” which means “come Lord”.  We come in simplicity, not asking for anything, or seeking to tell God anything, just wanting to be open to God. We are leaving busyness and self-consciousness aside to let God transform us deep to deep. We’re not thinking about anything, spiritual or otherwise, just seeking to be in the presence of God and to be wholly present to God.  Those who persevere will inevitably see the results in their lives, “the fruits of the spirit” (Galatians 5): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

   Meditation does need to be regular, and it does require discipline.

The new group will meet for the first time at St Martins Presbyterian Church, 43 St Martins Road, on Tuesday June 11^th at 7pm.  If you are interested come and see.  The group is not for experts, but for people interested in exploring a form of prayer that is much needed in our time.  Our aim is to meet weekly for those who can make it, but to also encourage a daily personal practice of mediation.

   For more information make contact with Dugald at dugaldwil@gmail.com or go to www.christianmeditationnz.org.nz &/or www.wccm.org