Newsletter

February 2014

Mairangi & Castor Bays Presbyterian Church

NEWSLETTER

December 2015 January 2016

Minister: Rev Caleb Hardie

2

CHURCH DIRECTORY

Minister: Rev Caleb Hardie Telephone: 476 3031. Mobile: 021 619 416.

E-mail: caleb.hardie@xtra.co.nz Home Address: 11 Maxwelton Drive, Mairangi Bay.

Administrator: Jo Wyman-Macer Office Hours:

Wednesday : via phone and email

Thursday - Friday: 9am - 1pm

Telephone: 478 6180. Email: preschurch.mairangi@xtra.co.nz Street Address: 10 Penzance Rd, Mairangi Bay. Postal Address: PO Box 65299, Mairangi Bay. Website: www.bayspresbyterian.org.nz

Parish Clerk: Stewart Milne Telephone: 478 5786.

Property &Finance: George Wyman Telephone: 478 6411.

Social Worker for the Elderly: Melinda Gama Mobile: 027 308 5015.

SUNDAY SERVICE: 10am Other Christmas service times

Christmas Eve Carols 7pm Christmas Day 9.30 am

3

PARISH ACTIVITIES IN DECEMBER & JANUARY

GARY SYME’S BORN AGAIN BODIES Meets on Wednesdays from 1.00pm to 2.00pm In the hall. Finishes 16 December and restarts 27 January Gary Syme Phone 479 2212 .

LUNCHEON GROUP The final meeting of the Luncheon Group for 2015 will be Thursday December 10 . Entertainment is by Te Atatu Men’s Choir. Restarts on 11 February. Raewyn Henderson 410 4423.

FRIDAY NIGHT DISCUSSION GROUP The Friday Night Discussion Group has an end of year

party on 18 December at 54 Rothesay Bay Road and the first group session for 2016 will be at 6.30pm on 19 February

Jenni & Allan Jones Phone 478 5694.

HOUSE GROUP The House Group meets on Wednesday 7 December at 7.30pm for its

this year and starts again February 3. at the Shadbolts’ home, 22A Hastings Road Dorille Shadbolt Phone 479 3953.

DEE’S SOCIAL GROUP The Dee’s Social group meets for the last meeting this

year on 24 December and starts again on Thursday i7 January at 10.00am.

Stewart Milne Phone 478 5786.

MAINLY MUSIC The final session for this year will be Friday 11 Decem-

ber at 10am and will restart on 12 February at 10am. Pauline Gulliver Phone 478 4051

4

FROM THE MINISTER

Gravel roads, Obelix, and Christmas surprises.

It had been a long drive but we were making good time and were in fine voice when we turned onto the final stretch – a windy gravel road that would take us to our destination. Only problem was the gravel was wet and slippery and the rain was falling fast and with the odd rock strewn across the narrow road it was making for a fairly challenging journey – still nothing my ute couldn’t handle! With about 1km to go we rounded a bend and I pointed out to Tolstoy and Caspian the deer to our left…that was when the sliding started and it ended with us tipped sideways in a nice deep ditch that was full of water. So unsoothing. My new pride and joy pressed hard up against the bank and not going anywhere argghhh! With my tail between my legs the boys and I walked the short distance to the property where our host awaited and there I made my confession.

Nothing like a bit of drama to kick off the weekend and what a fantastic weekend it was with my two boys – we had so much fun and it will be one to remember! It got me thinking about potholes and ditches and Christ-mas stories and the unexpected surprises that often lie just around the corner some welcomed, others most definitely not! There are lots of potholes in the Christmas story aren’t there? Places that would’ve bruised, moments that would’ve stopped Mary and Joseph in their tracks and given them cause to wonder if they would ever make it through. Looking back on the year, I’m sure you have had your share of potholes and times in the ditch too, when you were left catching your breath or unsure of where to from here…it is part of life isn’t it? So who were the Obelix figures for you? I think maybe it was the Innkeeper for Mary and Joseph, the one person who was able to give them some shelter and rest when they needed it most. For me it was big Norm and one other who was there when we needed it most – those kind and thoughtful souls

Our host, Norm looks a lot like Obelix as in ‘Asterix and Obelix’ and is of similar proportions and smiling disposition so as you can imagine we were joyfully towed out in no time and after a nice cuppa were on our way up the hill to the hut.

5

.

who calmly and gently guide us out of the unexpected ditches we find our-selves in from time to time and who lead us out onto more steady and firm ground. These Obelix – Christ-like figures are a blessing and I hope you have experienced a few along the way. Those who remind us of what is at the heart of the Christmas story – God in the flesh, God Incarnate, God –alongside! As you make your way through this busy, stressful, wonderful season may you know something of the smiling Obelix in your midst – the calming pres-ence of a God who walks with us through all the bends and twists of life, in and out of the potholes and the gravel towards firmer ground where once again we are able to discover the joy and wonder of life.

Rev. Caleb Hardie

:

Information regarding Donations and Offerings

We have had a number of people asking “how can we make our weekly or

monthly offerings by automatic payment as we are often away and we still

want to continue to help the church meet their annual Offerings target?”

All you need to do is go to your local bank and ask for an automatic payment

form.

Follow the instructions on the sheet and in the box marked “Payee” record

the following information:

Payee: Presbyterian Church Mairangi & Castor Bays

Bank Account number: 03 0180 0052341 02

Reference details: Your name Offerings or donation

After the end of each financial year 31st March we will provide you with a

Tax deductible receipt that you should send on to the Inland Revenue De-

partment (IRD) and receive a tax rebate.

Currently all donations to a registered charity are entitled to a tax rebate

of 33.3 percent. Yes you receive 1/3 of all your offerings or donations re-

turned to you as a tax rebate. Should you like more

details or assistance please contact the Treasurer.

Thank you

George Wyman

6

UPDATE FROM PARISH COUNCIL

At the November Meeting of Parish Council we :

Spent time on pastoral matters and referred in particular to the gathering of those who are having difficulty in getting to church each week and the successful communion service and lunch that we held on 17 Nov.

Received feedback from FamilyWorks (Presbyterian Support) on their apprecia-tion for the 35 Christmas Boxes of treats for the children of needy families. That was a great effort on our behalf and it’s good to be appreciated and to be confident that these gifts will go to where they will make a difference.

Were advised that $215 was collected through the white ribbon (anti violence against women) appeal and this is being sent to FamilyWorks whose represen-tative (Cherie Wallace) spoke at our service on 22 November

Were advised that Josh Dunne will be our Youth Intern in 2016. Josh will be work-ing for 10-12 hrs per week and will be starting in February.

Discussed the visit of the Moderator Rt Rev Andrew Norton on 1 Nov and the exchange of views over the future of the Presbyterian Church which was held after the service.

Margaret Galt’s paper on “looking forward” was also discussed. It provides a good perspective. Anyone wanting a copy should contact Ian Wat-son or me.

Received the Property and Finance Report and noted the progress being made

with the site development project and the many issues arising and needing to be dealt with

Received Caleb’s report and granted him annual leave from 29 Dec to 19 January.

Karel will be taking the services while Caleb is on leave.

The water holding tank and the new retaining wall being prepared

7

Noted with concern that we are now $5,572 below budget for offerings for the year and with the lower attendance period of January approaching this situation will worsen unless those who can afford to increase their level of giving do so.

Church Giving There are a number of ways people contribute financially to support the

running of the church and our ministries to the wider community, includ-ing cash donations & a regular commitment using the Envelope system which is also placed in the offering each week. We recognise that given the busy lives we lead it is not always practical for people to get to church each week and so another way for you to continue to support the work of your church is through the Automatic Payment system. Intermit-tent or regular donations can be made and receipts are issued annually. The account number of the church is 03 0180 0052341 02 Received a full report from Erica, the convenor of the Church and Community

Committee covering the many community focussed activities that are tak-ing place. Mainly Music has been particularly popular with developing links to the church community.

Were advised by Dorille of the Christmas lunch that will be held in the church

after the service on 6 December. There will be participation by our young people in this service.

Received and discussed a letter from the Auckland Council which seeks the

church to enter into an encumbrance agreement for vehicle access to our property and for us to accept a portion of responsibility to maintain the ac-cess way.

Discussed whether we should continue with our practice of collecting the offer-

ing during the service or change to an arrangement where the offering is donated at entry to the church – in addition to the direct credit/AP system.

Agreed that the Christian World Service (CWS) Christmas Appeal Envelopes

will be circulated with the December newsletter. Agreed to looking at the setting up of a fundraising group early in 2016. Any-

one interested in participating on this group please let me know. Stewart Milne

There is no Parish Council meeting in December and the first one in 2016 will

be on Tuesday 28 January Caleb is away on holiday from 28 December until 19 January 2016 Karel Lorier will be covering for him Phone 021 903 762 Email: karellorier@gmail.com

8

Theological Journeyings with Karel Lorier Religion is the Trouble. Religion is in trouble because religion is seen as the cause of much trouble. The twin towers 9/11 act of terrorism reinforced the disillusionment with religion that already existed because of the long drawn out conflict in Ireland and other conflicts which appeared to be rooted in religion. In the Western world people are voting with their feet and leaving organised religion in droves. However, they are not abandoning faith, rather it is changing. The terrorism in Paris inspired a number of people to comment in the aftermath of the terrorism on the performance by a street musician of the John Lennon song, "Imagine.” Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace...

imagine there's no heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today... This song places the cause of the problems at the door of religion and the divisions created by it. I agree, religion is a problem. As a generalisation, all the major religions have evolved away from their origins to a hierarchical understanding. They have envisaged a three-storey universe with God in heaven above, we on earth in the middle and below the place of death, punishment and hell. The earth where we live is seen only as a temporary transi-tion point, a place of testing for suitability for heaven once we die. The conse-quence of such thinking is destructive. It doesn't matter what happens to the earth - it can be exploited and polluted. People who do not share one's particular under-standing of God are perceived as the enemies of God and therefore can be perse-cuted and destroyed. Destroying such people earns favour with God and access to the heavenly realm after death. Powerful hierarchical organisations set them-selves up as intermediaries between people and God as a gateway to heaven. This leads to exploitation and the misuse of power. The terrorists’ motives are a mixture of many things including economic and political aspirations, but sick relig-ion is the essentially at the heart.

9

We should not blame Islam. Christians and Buddhists and other religions as well persecute and kill those who did not or do not agree with their tenets. No wonder people are leaving organised religion in droves throughout the Western world. This sort of religion no longer makes sense. For the most part people are not abandoning faith. Instead they are bringing God back to earth; back to the origins of their faiths. For Jews and Christians the Hebrew Bible is very much about this life - the here and now, relating to others, the for-eigner, the land, birds and animals. People escaping religion use labels such as I am “not religious but spiritual” to avoid being confused with "religious" people. I have discovered that even people who claim the title "atheist” are people of faith. John Lennon's song prophetically caught the changing mood - it is about “living for today.” What is happening is that people are discovering God in this world in neighbour, nature, the earth and within themselves. There are many groups devoted to caring for others, the environment and discovering purpose and meaning in life -- in other words “religion”. The churches by and large have not caught up with this reformation of faith and are stuck in the hierarchical model with God in heaven above. Faith is about today and this world. God is the one “in whom we live and move and have our being.” God is transcen-dent and immanent. When we forget that we end up with sick religion: relig-ion which people rightfully reject. When we examine the teaching of Jesus, extracted from what people said about him, we discover that what he taught was about this life in an unjust and unfair world. Life is to love God and neighbour – it is about love not ha-tred or revenge exercised on God’s behalf. We discover God in our love for neighbour, when we take care of "the least of his brethren" and find the king-dom of God among us in unexpected places. We find God as we address the injustices and pain around us and in our love for the outcast. The power-ful parable of the Good Samaritan is apt, addressing religious prejudices, hatred and terrorism. Compassion was shown and received between two men whose religious cultures dictated they should hate each other’s guts. Christmas is the time when we celebrate God’s coming to earth. "Immanuel, God is with us." In pain, suffering and death, joy and celebration God is with us. May we experience God’s presence with us in our love and compassion this Christmas and always. True faith is about love.

Karel Lorier

10

10

K@MP NEWS

Some of the 35 parcels which were collected and packed for special Christmas parcels for the Foodbank. The response in just three weeks was a great effort and Pauline wants to thank all those who contributed with contents or packing.

11

A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT At the start of this term we indicated that the 'older' young people (those aged 11 and above) were going to be trying their hand at leading K@MP for this term, and they have achieved this with a great deal of success. They have stepped up with great care and lots of effort and introduced a new vitality into our Sunday morning sessions. Through the process they have also begun to understand the difficulties associated with getting a group of young people or-ganised and focused and (I think) have gained a new level of respect for their supporting adults. There has been an immense amount of fun had along the way, with games and energetic activities organised. From what I understand, they are all keen to keep on with the leadership roles they have now been of-fered, so we will be continuing this was of delivering K@MP for the foreseeable future. It is an exciting time moving forward now that we know we have some more capable hands and minds to rely on.

Pauline Gulliver

Listening intently

Lighting a candle for French terrorist victims

12

Church and Community

November 2015

Friday Night Discussion Group: 15 of us met at Elaine Brown’s Apartment in Selwyn Village. Preceding discussion we had a very varied selection of salads at our pot luck meal (very healthy), followed by some Scottish goodies cooked by Elaine (more decadent). We have now completed discussion meetings until next year, but will have an end of year party at the Jones’ in December.—Erica

Born Again Bodies continues with a steady core of participants on Wednesdays 1-2pm. There were 14 there on 18 November. The final session for this year will be 16 December and Born Again Bodies will start in the New Year on 27 January.- Gary

Girls Brigade continues the focus on global friends in November and in December will be doing Christmas crafts. Their last meeting will be on 11 December and they start again on 9 February.- Kay

School Aiding : The last week for our teachers aides will be 14 December Stewart

Dees Group : Our Christmas lunch (for Members and their Care Givers as well as our volunteers) will be held on Thursday 17 Dec. Dees will meet on 24 Dec how-ever there will be no meeting on 31 Dec. Dees will resume on 7 January. - Stewart

Foodbank : We will continue delivering donations of food to the Presbyterian Sup-port Foodbank until Christmas. Sunday 22 November was the final day for donat-ing treats to go into Christmas boxes for distributing to families in need. The K@MPers packed the boxes which Pauline (hopefully with some assistance) wrapped. The young people did cards to go with the boxes which will be distributed through the North Shore, Waitakere and South Auckland FamilyWorks centres. Our record 2 years ago was 49 Christmas boxes – it will be interesting to see how we went this year - Stewart Luncheon Group On 12

th November, we were entertained by Chicaine the magi-

cian and illusionist. On 10 December the Te Atatu Men’s Choir will give a fitting end to the year’s activities. Next year the first meeting will be on 11 February - Raewyn

Mainly Music will have its final session for the year on 11 December and will start again on 12 February next year Mainly Music has gone well this year. We have a core group of families who attend and some that come less regularly, but still seem to enjoy themselves. One of our key points of success is one of our grandparents now volunteering with the team and also involved with the choir. Olwyn should take the plaudits for this, as she does a lot of work in the front greeting all of our families by name and helping them to feel welcome.

13

I have also been blessed with the wider team: Kay feeding the kids each week and Raewyn, Karen and Norma taking charge of the equipment and PowerPoint. I think Caleb has also enjoyed himself kicking up his heals during the term time also. Behind the scenes, but also a core member of the team is Jo who makes sure we are all set to start in the morning and keeps us honest with the MM guide-lines. This community service wouldn't be possible without any of these wonderful people. - Pauline

Community Conversations: The DVD “Thin Ice” showed the work of scientists in many different fields which indicated not only what climate changes had happened in the past but also what could be predicted. It provoked discussion amongst the 13 present about what positive things were happening and what we could do to make meaningful contributions to the reduction of greenhouse gases. The concern amongst our scientists that NZ’s reduction offer to take to the table in Paris is in-adequate was mentioned. Some of us are planning to go on the Climate Action walk and will join the inter-denominational service at St Patrick’s Cathedral after-wards to show our concern at this critical time for our planet. -Erica

A fun time of music and movement for toddlers and their caregivers

14

Our model Administrator modelling at the fashion parade and the supper was great too. We raised $ 900.00

10 am 6th Christmas play followed by brunch. Please let Dorille or Olwyn know if you will be there for catering. 13th Christmas Communion 10am 20th Choral service 10am The choir will again present a pro-gramme of Carols and Readings telling the Christmas story. Carols are univer-sal in their appeal and we choose songs from a variety of countries and sources. NZ carols feature with words by Shirley Murray, Jocelyn Marshall and Willow Macky. The Northern Hemi-sphere is represented by carols from Britain, Germany and the United States. Do come with relatives and friends to share this service with us. 24th Community Carol Service 7 pm 25th Christmas Day Family Service 9.30am 27th December Sunday Service 10am 3rd January Sunday Service 10 am

DECEMBER DATES

15

Date

Re

adin

gsCo

unt O

fferin

gs

& Ba

nkSo

und

Syste

m

Sund

ay, 4

Oct

ober

201

5Ra

ewyn

Hen

derso

nSy

lvana

Why

born

Raew

yn H

ende

rson

Raew

yn H

ende

rson

Jill W

yman

An

ne P

eppe

rEr

ica B

rash

Sund

ay, 1

1 Oc

tobe

r 201

5St

ewar

t Miln

eSt

ewar

t Miln

e Glen

nis F

renc

h St

ewar

t Miln

eSt

ewar

t Miln

eM

ardi

Don

nell

Stew

art M

ilne

John

Shad

bolt

Sund

ay, 1

8 Oc

tobe

r 201

5Do

rille

Shad

bolt

Valer

ie Gr

osse

Doril

le Sh

adbo

ltSt

ewar

t Miln

eSy

lvana

Why

born

Raew

yn H

ende

rson

John

Shad

bolt

Sund

ay, 2

5 Oc

tobe

r 201

5Er

ica B

rash

Kare

l Lor

ierEr

ica B

rash

Erica

Bra

shBe

tty D

ance

Glen

nis F

renc

hRi

char

d Se

ymou

r - W

right

Sund

ay, 1

Nov

embe

r 201

5Sh

irley

Cos

sey

Mar

di D

onne

llM

ardi

Don

nell

Stew

art M

ilne

Olwy

n Ba

rbou

rJe

an H

ollin

gsEr

ica B

rash

Sund

ay, 8

Nov

embe

r 201

5Ka

y Bar

bour

 Be

tty D

ance

Be

tty D

ance

Kay B

arbo

urRa

e Pas

coe

Ken

Pasc

oeKa

z Han

da

Sund

ay, 1

5 No

vem

ber 2

015

Patsy

Wat

son

Ian W

atso

nPa

tsy W

atso

nIan

Wat

son

Caro

le Di

ckes

onYo

shiko

Treg

erth

anKa

z Han

da

Sund

ay, 2

2 No

vem

ber 2

015

Val C

rawf

ord

Caro

le Di

ckes

onCa

role

Dick

eson

Stew

art M

ilne

Kay B

arbo

urAn

ita Sc

hlos

sPe

ter S

tone

Sund

ay, 2

9 No

vem

ber 2

015

Doril

le Sh

adbo

ltJo

hn Sh

adbo

ltDo

rille

Shad

bolt

John

Shad

bolt

Betty

Dan

ceAn

ne P

eppe

rPe

ter S

tone

Sund

ay, 6

Dec

embe

r 201

5Br

owyn

Ston

eNo

rma B

aker

Sue B

owde

nJo

hn Sh

adbo

lt

Sund

ay, 1

3 De

cem

ber 2

015

Bron

wyn

Ston

eGl

enni

s Fre

nch

Mar

di D

onne

llBr

onwy

n St

one

Mar

di D

onne

llM

arjo

rie W

arwi

ckJo

hn Sh

adbo

lt

Sund

ay, 2

0 De

cem

ber 2

015

Shirl

ey C

osse

ySt

ewar

t Miln

eSh

irley

Cos

sey

Stew

art M

ilne

Raew

yn H

ende

rson

Sylva

na W

hybo

rnRi

char

d Se

ymou

r - W

right

Thur

sday

, 24

Dece

mbe

r 201

5Er

ica B

rash

Kare

l Lor

ierEr

ica B

rash

Erica

Bra

sh

Frid

ay, 2

5 De

cem

ber 2

015

Mar

di D

onne

llNo

rma B

aker

Norm

a Bak

erNo

rma B

aker

Rich

ard

Seym

our -

Wrig

ht

Sund

ay, 2

7 De

cem

ber 2

015

Sue B

owde

nOl

wyn

Babo

urOl

wyn

Babo

urNo

rma B

aker

St

ewar

t Miln

eEr

ica B

rash

Rese

rve

NB: R

eadi

ng d

etail

s will

be av

ailab

le Th

ursd

ay o

r Frid

ay fr

om Jo

Wym

an-M

acer

. If ea

rlier

not

ice is

nee

ded

plea

se co

ntac

t Rev

. Har

die.

If th

e Min

ister

wish

es yo

u to

lead

in p

raye

r he w

ill co

ntac

t you

dur

ing t

he w

eek a

nd as

k if y

ou ar

e willi

ng to

do

this.

Than

k you

all f

or V

olun

teer

ing

A ne

w ro

ster w

ill be

sent

out

for J

an, F

eb, M

arch

at th

e end

of N

ovem

ber

Cont

act f

or an

y que

ries t

o th

e offi

ce ad

min

istra

tor 4

78 6

180

or P

arish

Cler

k 478

578

6

Cont

act R

ev C

aleb

Hard

ie 47

6303

1

Mair

angi

& C

asto

r Bay

s Par

ish R

oste

r

Welc

ome T

eam

Mor

ning

Tea

K@m

p kid

s

16

CALENDAR OF PARISH EVENTS FOR 2015 –2016

EVENT TIME PLACE FREQUENCY CONTACT

Junior. Youth By arrangement Mairangi Bay 1st week Caleb Hardie

Church Hall of the month 476 3031

Family Night 6..00pm Mairangi Bay Last Friday Stewart Milne

Church Hall of the month 4785786

Born Again Bodies 1.00—2.00pm Mairangi Bay Every Wednesday Gary Syme

Church Hall 479-2212

Church Choir 7.15pm Mairangi Bay Thursdays in lead up Patricia Campbell

Church to Palm Sunday &Christmas 476 0377

Dees Social Club 10.00am Mairangi 10.00am-2.00pm Stewart Milne Church lounge Every Thursday 478 5786

Fellowship Group To be advised To be advised To be advised Dorille Shadbolt

479– 3953

Friday Night 6.30pm To be Advised 3rd Friday Jenni & Allan Jones Discussion Group of the month 478-5694

Girls Brigade 6.30pm - Mairangi Bay Every Tuesday Kay Barbour 8.00pm Church Hall in school term 478-7603

House Group 7.30pm 22A Hastings Rd Every Wednesday Dorille Shadbolt

479-3953

Luncheon Group 12.00 noon Mairangi Bay 2nd Thursday Raewyn Henderson Church Hall of the month 410 4423

Mainly Music 10.00am- Mairangi Bay Every Friday Pauline Gulliver Church Hall in School Term 478 4051

Parish Council 7.30pm Mairangi Bay 4th Tuesday Stewart Milne

Church Lounge of the month 478-5786

Transportation Arranged as required and as requested Norma Baker

443 3108