COMPASS Newsletter of the Anglican Parish of Ellesmere

May 2016

May Services The Vicar Writes

Last week, at the Parish AGM, we looked back over the

previous year and noted that there was much for which to

give thanks to God. In 2015, the number attending

services in our Parish rose considerably. In August we

celebrated the 150th jubilee of the Parish of Ellesmere

and in October we hosted an ecumenical service as part

of the 150th jubilee of Southbridge. On both occasions St

James was packed. Major work was completed on St

Mary’s and on the vicarage. We enjoyed lovely social

occasions, great Lenten discussions, and our Cursillo and

Women’s Groups are flourishing. Over 20 children

attended church. We renewed our commitment to

Mission with a visit from Rev Mike Hawke. Thank you for

all you do to serve Christ in the church and in the world.

Now as we look to the future, let’s keep before us the

importance of being inviting and of being engaged with

our community. Let’s practise asking people along to

events and to services. We have the most wonderful

parish. Let’s not keep it a secret. And let’s take seriously

the need to engage with our communities and think

about how we can use what we have to do this more

effectively. What we can do now won’t be the same as

what we did twenty years ago and that’s OK.

Whatever we decide to do from here starts from

discerning where God is leading us and what God is

calling us to do. I’d love to see a group set up to pray for

the Parish: for our numbers to grow and for our

engagement with the wider community. If you would like

to be part of that or if you have an idea you would like to

share please talk to me or to one of the Wardens.

May God bless you all. Lynne Horwood

Sunday 8 May Ascension Sunday 8:00 am Eucharist at St Mary’s, Irwell 9:30 am Eucharist & Sunday School at St John’s, Leeston

Sunday 15 May Pentecost Sunday 9:30 am Eucharist at St John’s, Leeston 11:15 am Eucharist at Trinity Church, Dunsandel 5:00 pm Worship at St James, Southbridge. Shared meal to follow

Sunday 22 May Trinity Sunday 9:30 am Eucharist at St John’s, Leeston 11:15 am Morning Worship at St Mary’s, Irwell,

Sunday 29 May Parish Service 9:30 am Harvest Festival at St Mark’s, Sedgemere. Morning tea to follow

An opportunity for the whole parish to enjoy being together

Sunday 5 June 8:00 am Eucharist at St James, Southbridge 9:30 am Family Eucharist at St John’s, Leeston 7:00 pm Eucharist at St Luke’s, Brookside

Every Wednesday 10:00 am. Holy Communion & Prayer for Healing

at St John’s, Leeston. Morning tea

All very welcome. Come and worship in a place and at a time

that suits you.

St James [1864-65] St John’s [1872] St Mark’s [1882] St Luke’s [1881] St Mary’s [1895]

Harvest festivals at Brookside, Southbridge and Irwell

T U I T I O N English - Spelling - Maths

for 7 - 14 year-olds

Kip McGrath - Leeston Free assessment

Phone Sheelagh Wood on 324-4038

PUBLISHING DETAILS Next Compass deadline -

27 April Copy for Compass/Pew sheet

to ellesmere.anglican@xtra.co.nz

Retirement Units

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Dementia Care

Hospital Level Care

Wonderful gardens | Enjoyable Company | Caring Staff

Contact us now for more information about Bishopspark - 03 977 2320 or Fitzgerald—03 982 2165

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Parish AGM Snippets Buildings and Property: St Mary’s, Irwell, turned 120 last

year. Thanks to the generosity of Irwell parishioners this

lovely church has been restored and is looking absolutely

beautiful. St James, Southbridge, has been further

enhanced by the installation of a memorial stained glass

window depicting Jesus meeting his mother Mary on the

way to his crucifixion, the generous gift of Mrs Hilda

Lowery, in memory of her parents, Mr Thomas and Mrs

Rita Carter. The Sunday School room at Brookside has

been painted, thanks to the St Luke’s Grounds Committee.

Guttering was also replaced on St John’s Church, snow

straps added and a new sign erected. This work was

financed from the Millie Hay Bequest.

A considerable amount of work was done on the vicarage

in 2015. The garage roof was replaced using material

which had been purchased some time ago. Guttering

along the Selwyn St side was replaced, along with some

rotten barge boards and fascia. The garage lean-to

extension was demolished, a French door put in to

provide access from the kitchen to a deck and the kitchen

renovated. The result has opened up the house, making

the kitchen end lighter and warmer and much more

attractive. Thank you Ian Ford and the Committee.

St Mary’s has been allocated approximately $6,000 and St

Mark’s approximately $3,000 from the Diocesan

earthquake insurance payout.

Finance: Last year we were saddened by the untimely

death of Lois McKay, our Parish Treasurer. Lois was a very

knowledgeable and efficient treasurer who had served

this Parish magnificently for many years. We are very

grateful indeed to Alastair Wood who has taken up the

role of Treasurer under difficult circumstances, and to

Murray Stephens for his wise guidance and oversight as

Chair of the Finance Committee. There have been some

changes over the year including the bringing of local

accounts under the umbrella of the Parish, the

introduction of a new accounting system, Xero, and

internet banking.

CPT have presented a final account for Insurance

assessments done after the earthquakes of approximately

$5,900. An account for $1,100 for the excess on the post -

earthquake repair of the vicarage has also been received.

Our finances continue to be of concern as our giving is

nowhere near adequate to meet our expenditure.

Fundraising continues to be very important, not only for

the financial return, but also for the opportunity to

connect with our local communities and to have fun.

Other Reports:

The meeting heard

reports from the

following parish

fellowship and

outreach groups:

Mission Report,

AAW Daytime, AAW Intermediate, Dunsandel Women’s

Fellowship, Young Women’s Group, Cursillo, Christian

Education in Schools, Beat n Bounce, Sunday School and

Prison outreach.

Brookside Report: Donald Lill asked to retire as church

chairperson after many years of service. His resignation

was reluctantly accepted by the Brookside meeting and

Donald was thanked for his significant and valued

contribution over the years. Anna Heslop has been chosen

to replace him.

Dunsandel Report: Trinity continues to maintain regular

numbers of around 15 to 20 for all services. Café church

has continued to be well received and is held on the 4th

Sunday of the month. Subjects are varied as are the

leaders. Participants come from all over the Ellesmere

district and from different denominations. Trinity

fellowship and church members entertained and catered

for a group of vision impaired from Christchurch in May.

Irwell Report: During the year the restoration and

painting of St Mary’s was completed and is now admired

by all that use it. Our thanks must go out to all those who

generously donated to the cost of this work, therefore

costing the parish nothing. The Mid Winter dinner and

Christmas function are well supported by the wider Irwell

community. Services throughout the year have been well

attended.

Leeston Report: The worship in our church is upbeat and

never dull. The Sunday School has been run with fun and

play and learning by Rachael, Sheelagh. and Jackie. Music

has been uplifting with a mixture of old and new songs in

our worship. The choir at Christmas and Easter has been a

joy.

The social and fundraiser events like the Court Theatre

Visit, Quiz Night and Church Fair this past year have been

successful and appreciated. Changes to the church

grounds and maintenance continue to be a focus. Lead

light windows have been fixed new signage installed, the

front fence removed, and the gates and surrounds

painted. The next project for St John’s is replacement of

rotten barge boards followed by possible repairs and re-

painting of the roof.

Raspberries, Strawberries (fresh - frozen)

Cut flowers and Various Vegetables

JOHN and LORRAINE SUMMERS

Phone 324-2746

Central Canterbury Appliance Services Ltd

Selwyn Lake Road - RD3 - Leeston

Chris and Kate Bonifacio Phone 329-5278

WARREN AND TONI GREENWOOD

High Street, Leeston

Phone/Fax 03 324 3500

Email: toniandwarren@xtra.co.nz

Gifts · Books · Stationary

New Zealand Post

St James’ Autumn fair

Congratulations to the organisers and all involved for an absolutely fabulous autumn fair at St James. There was a

great atmosphere and people lingered to relax in the sun and chat. Thanks to

all who supported the Fair, which raised around $3700.

Sedgemere Report: There was wonderful attendance and

participation in the four; Harvest Thanksgiving, Welcome to Spring,

Stir-up and Christmas Eve services. The Christmas Fair and

midwinter Pot luck dinner were well attended and very enjoyable.

Southbridge Report: Southbridge had a very busy year in 2015

hosting the 150th Jubilee of the Parish in August and an ecumenical

service to celebrate the 150th Jubilee of Southbridge in October.

Bishop Victoria presided over the Parish jubilee celebrations in a

packed church. After months of planning and preparations, we had a

wonderful weekend of celebration, worship, fellowship, wondrous

music and much too much food, all in glorious sunshine with the

primroses planted by the founding pioneers sparkling in the grass.

Our Bishop in her address acknowledged the precious and special

contribution of the little country churches of Canterbury At the

Labour weekend ecumenical service the offertory was given to the

local school for pastoral work.

The congregation appreciated the decision of Vicar and Vestry in

restoring a monthly service of Holy Communion, and on special

festivals an additional Eucharist. The existing service of the word has

become a monthly 5pm event followed by a tea together. This has

gone from strength to strength with all enjoying fellowship and

food During recent years, post earthquake, the Roman Catholic

Parish have enjoyed making St James their home; for special services

and they have been warmly welcomed.

The grounds at St James are enjoyed by all. This year a park bench is

to be added with a commemorative plaque marking the

establishment of the parish. Earlier in 2015 the removal of the box

hedge created more open views. Thank you to all who work so hard

to keep St James and its grounds looking spic and span.

Friday 24th June

Court Theatre

Visit to

“Educating Rita”

A hilarious and often moving story of a woman determined to

better herself. Ambitious street-smart Rita sets

out to find herself through higher education. Book-smart Frank, a failed poet, agrees to tutor Rita

to pay for his drinking habit . The unlikely pair form a life-changing

bond in this heart-warming comic masterpiece.

Seats $57 Bus available

Contact: Peter 3243735 Lorraine 3243732

2016 Vestry Vicar Rev’d Lynne Horwood Treasurer Alastair Wood Vicar’s Warden Mike Morely-Bunker People’s Warden Shirley Everest Synod People Kathryn Millar, Mike Morely-Bunker Secretary Jade Arnold

Church representatives Brookside Anna Heslop Dunsandel Priscilla Blanchett Irwell Murray Stephens Sedgemere Margaret Howson Leeston Marian Dixon, Lynda Webb Southbridge Kathryn Millar, Shirley Everest

Parish Diary – May

Tuesday 12th 7.30 pm St John’s Committee

Thursday 12th 7.30pm A.A.W. Evening Group 7.30pm Young Women’s group

Tuesday 19th 7.30 pm Finance committee

Monday 23rd to Thursday 26th The Vicar will be attending Clergy Conference at Pudding Hill

Wednesday 25th 6.45 pm Cursillo Evening Group

Thursday 26th 10:00 am Daytime A.A.W.

Friday 27th 7:00 pm Parish Quiz Night

Tuesday 31st May 7.30 pm Vestry meeting

June

Thursday 2nd 8:00 am Cursillo Breakfast Group

Monday 6th Queen’s Birthday Holiday

Tuesday 7th 7:30 pm Worship Committee

Daytime A.A.W.

Thursday 26 May

10 am at Southbridge Cafe

All welcome Enquiries to

Rosaline Brown

Young Anglican

Women Thursday 12 May

7:30 pm

@ the Wood’s home

Contact Sheelagh

324-4433

Parish Directory

Vicar Rev’d Lynne Horwood 324-3801 Vicar’s Warden Mike Morely Bunker 324-3466 People's Warden Shirley Everest 324-2841

Treasurer Alastair Wood 324 4433 Pastoral Secretary Judith McDrury 324-2774 Sunday School Coordinator Rachael Carruthers 324-8324

Parish email address: ellesmere.anglican@xtra.co.nz Parish mailing address: PO Box 44, Parish phone 324 3801

Ellesmere Anglican Parish Website: https://ellesmerenzanglicanparish.wordpress.com/

INTERMEDIATE A.A.W. Thursday 12th May

7.30pm @ St John’s Hall John Horwood

Please bring a small plate for supper

Phone Shirley 324-2841 for further information

NEW MEMBERS WELCOME

Our Parish Halls are available for hire. Hire: $15 per hour.

Contact Sue 3243 067 Leeston Kathryn 3242 511 Southbridge

Offertory giving by internet banking Following on from the message in the March Compass from the treasurer...

Please set up your offertory by Direct Credit or Automatic Payment through the bank (Internet Banking) as follows...

Church account: 02-0860-0048506-00

Please include your surname/family name

Please consider this method of giving, For further information or help please contact the

treasurer – Alastair Wood – on ph 324 4433

Pastoral Care Need help or support? Know someone

who might appreciate a visit?

Whatever the need—cup of tea, a listening ear and

friendly face, prayer in a time of need, transport to

Church or Communion at home, - help is available.

We have an active team of pastoral visitors who are

willing and able to be of assistance.

The Vicar too is always pleased to visit.

Please contact the Vicar, (324 3801) or Pastoral Care /

Prayer Chain Coordinators Donald and Elizabeth Lill.