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 with us this morning. Many thanks to Rev Hugh Perry for leading our service today. Rev Sheena Dickson will be with us next Sunday.

COVID: With the continual numbers of COVID emerging in all areas of the world in which we live, it is absolutely vital that if you show any symptoms –PLEASE STAY HOME! Irene Gray, Parish Clerk

The 2024 morning tea & door duty roster is now available. Please collect your copy from the foyer today.

Deadline for articles for the next ‘Messenger’ is Wednesday 29^th November – please email any contributions to Sally (hooty@xtra.co.nz) asap.

We give thanks for the long life of Bessie May Stewart who died on 16^th November aged 93, and pray for her family as they mourn.

Wednesday Walkers 29^th November: Meet 9.30am in Annex Rd near Lincoln Rd. Coffee at The Waiting Room. All welcome. Sonya 339 7038.

A huge thank you from Ruby Walker for the congregation’s congratulatory card on her recent 100th birthday. Apart from her eyesight failing a little, Ruby is hale and hearty – still doing her daily exercises (30 times up and down a long hallway each day), still has much to say and chatter about, and, as best as possible, still living life to the full.

GIFTS FOR WALTHAM COTTAGE: We invite you to bring along Christmas gifts for Waltham Cottage to distribute to people in need. Items must be new, and we require gifts suitable for all ages – men, women, teenagers and children. Please do not wrap them. Donations of wrapping paper also appreciated. Bring any contributions along to church each Sunday until 10^th December.

We are very fortunate to have wonderful musicians. At the end of a service they will usually play a piece of music that gives us all time to reflect on the message given that day, as well as a moment when, in our own way, we can thank God for the privilege of being in church and able to share with those around us. Whilst you may be eager to chat and/or go through to morning tea, please would you consider those around you who are enjoying the music and those who are still in contemplative mood regarding the morning’s service. Thank you.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                              

Tuesday 10am              South Elder Care (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869

Tuesday 7.15pm           Meditation Group (lounge) Dugald 021 161 7007

Wednesday 9.30am      Walking Group: Hillmorton Sonya 339 7038

Wednesday 10am         Scottish Country Dancers (lounge) Irene 332 7306

Thursday 10am            Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

Thursday 1.30pm          Sit & Be Fit(church) Anneke 021 077 4065

Friday 9.30am               Sing & Sign (lounge) Becky 022 086 2211

Saturday 11am              Pathways lunch (lounge) Peggy 337 5128

CHRISTMAS & JANUARY SERVICES

Sunday 24^th December 10am Carol Service

Sunday 24^th December Christmas Midnight Service @ St Mark’s Opawa  11pm (with Carol Singing from 10.45pm)

Monday 25^th December Christmas Day Communion @ St Mark’s Opawa 9am

Sunday 31^st December 10am HERE with Beckenham Methodist folk joining us

Sundays 7^th & 14^th January 10am @ Beckenham Methodist

Sunday 21^st January @ Opawa Methodist

O God, Creator of All Things (Tune FOREST GREEN ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’)

O God, Creator of all things, the earth belongs to you!
In love, you place it in our hands and give us work to do.
“Take care of what is mine!” you say. “Build up and don’t destroy.”
When we find courage to obey, your earth is filled with joy.

You move, O Lord, in mighty wind; your rivers ever run.
The earth contains great heat within; there’s power in the sun.
Creation holds great energy that’s plentiful and clean.
May we find in your gifts the key to keep creation green.

We thank you, Lord, for neighbours’ lands that grow organic food,
For co-op stores and produce stands that seek the common good,
For biking trails that clear the air, and trees that clean it, too,
For gardens plots that neighbours share, for all who work for you.

You give us minds to use for you and hands to lift in prayer;
You make us strong, creative, too, for your creation’s care.
As we recycle and conserve and advocate and pray,
May all we do show thanks and love for what you give this day.

Christmas Markets for you to enjoy: Friday 1^st December 6-9pm, Cashmere Presbyterian, 2 Macmillan Ave and Friday 8^th December 5-7pm, St Mark’s Anglican, 101 Opawa Rd Everyone welcome.

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

A Note – We are very fortunate to have wonderful musicians. At the end of a service they will usually play a piece of music that gives us all time to reflect on the message given that day, as well as a moment when, in our own way, we can thank God for the privilege of being in church and able to share with those around us, as well as enjoy a lovely piece of music. Despite sometimes the eagerness for folk wanting to chat and/or go through to morning tea, please would you consider those around you who are enjoying the music and those who are still in contemplative mood regarding the morning’s service. Thank you.

COVID: With the continual numbers of COVID emerging in all areas of the world in which we live, it is absolutely vital that if you show any symptoms –PLEASE STAY HOME! Some of you will be aware of several of our members having health issues and it is really important that we do not in any way jeopardise their continuing treatment and/or good health. Thank you if you have stayed away from church when you were unwell – your care and thoughtfulness protects everyone. Irene Gray, Parish Clerk.

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning, especially our guest speaker Don. Many thanks to Warren Pettigrew for collating our service today. Rev Hugh Perry will be with us next Sunday.

Wednesday Walkers 22^nd November: Meet 9.30am cnr Malcolm & Birdwood Ave for a stroll around Beckenham. Coffee at The Birdwood Café. Sonya 339 7308.

MOVIE NIGHT Saturday 25^th November 5.15pm: Half a Sixpence – “If I had the money, I’d buy me a banjo” says struggling salesclerk Arthur Kipps (Tommy Steele). Soon he’ll inherit enough to buy a whole bloomin’ orchestra. But can his newfound wealth buy happiness?Based on H.G. Wells novel ‘Kipps’ Arthur is introduced to the joys of Edwardian London music halls. With a cast of high-stepping, high-spirited singers and dancers having the time of their lives, Half a Sixpence gets you a million dollars’ worth of fun!

Congratulations to the Reverend Lyndsey McKay who is to be presented with a City Council award for her many years of service to the community on the 7^th December.

GIFTS FOR WALTHAM COTTAGE: We invite you to bring along Christmas gifts for Waltham Cottage to distribute to people in need. Items must be new, and we require gifts suitable for all ages – men, women, teenagers and children. Please do not wrap them. Donations of wrapping paper also appreciated. Bring any contributions along to church each Sunday from today until 10^th December.

St Michael’s Market Day Saturday 25^th November 10am-3pm cnr Durham St/Oxford Tce opposite Riverside. Gifts galore, clothing & accessories, plants & produce, books, ceramics, crafts and more. Contact belfry1861@gmail.com for more information.

You are invited to the St Mark’s Christmas Market Friday 8^th December 5-7pm, 101 Opawa Rd. Everyone welcome.

Volunteers to serve morning tea are required for 3, 24 & 31 December please. Contact Anna if you can help (stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz)

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                              

Tuesday 10am              South Elder Care (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869

Tuesday 7.15pm           Meditation Group (lounge) Dugald 021 161 7007

Wednesday 9.30am      Walking Group: Beckenham Gerard

Wednesday 10am         Scottish Country Dancers (lounge) Irene 332 7306

Thursday 10am            Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

Thursday 1.30pm          Sit & Be Fit(church) Anneke 021 077 4065

Friday 9.30am               Sing & Sign (lounge) Becky 022 086 2211

Saturday 5.15pm           Movie Night (lounge) Irene 332 7306

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Many thanks to Rev Dugald Wilson for leading our service today. Next Sunday we have a guest speaker, Don Jellyman, from Eco Church network.

We give thanks for the long life of Reverend Martin Cleland who died last Wednesday at the age of very nearly 91. Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. We pray for Gwendoline and the family as they mourn. Martin’s funeral will be here at St Martins on Wednesday 15^th November at 11am.

Wednesday Walkers 15^th November: NO walk this week.

The Parish Office will be closed this Friday 17^th November (Show Day) – please email any notices to Anna by 9am Wednesday. Thank you.

Congratulations to the Reverend Lyndsey McKay who is to be presented with a City Council award for her many years of service to the community on the 7^th December.

GIFTS FOR WALTHAM COTTAGE: We invite you to bring along Christmas gifts for Waltham Cottage to distribute to people in need. Items must be new, and we require gifts suitable for all ages – men, women, teenagers and children. Please do not wrap them. Donations of wrapping paper also appreciated. Bring any contributions along to church from 19^th Nov- 10^th Dec.

You are invited to the St Mark’s Christmas Market Friday 8^th December 5-7pm, 101 Opawa Rd. Everyone welcome.

Volunteers to serve morning tea are required for 3, 24 & 31 December please. Contact Anna if you can help (stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz)

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                              

Monday 5pm                  MenzShed dinner (lounge)

Tuesday 10am              South Elder Care (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869

Tuesday 3pm                 Private function (lounge)

Tuesday 7.15pm           Meditation Group (lounge) Dugald 021 161 7007

Wednesday 9.30am      NO Walking Group

Wednesday 11am         Funeral of Martin Cleland

Thursday 10am            Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

Thursday 1.30pm          Sit & Be Fit(church) Anneke 021 077 4065

Friday                             NO Sing & Sign (lounge)

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Many thanks to Rev Don Fergus for leading our service today. Rev Dugald Wilson will be with us next Sunday.

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

Wednesday Walkers 8^th November: Meet 9.30am at 194 Riverlaw Tce for a stroll around St Martins/Opawa. Coffee at Anneke’s. All welcome.

MOVIE NIGHT Saturday 25^th November 5.15pm: Half a Sixpence – “If I had the money, I’d buy me a banjo” says struggling salesclerk Arthur Kipps (Tommy Steele). Soon he’ll inherit enough to buy a whole bloomin’ orchestra. But can his newfound wealth buy happiness?

Based on H.G. Wells novel ‘Kipps’ Arthur is introduced to the joys of Edwardian London music halls. With a cast of high-stepping, high-spirited singers and dancers having the time of their lives, Half a Sixpence gets you a million dollars’ worth of fun!

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                              

Monday 1.30pm            Hillsborough-Heathcote WI Leone 332 3314

Tuesday 10am              South Elder Care (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869

Tuesday 6-7pm             Skating Club (lounge) Kirsty 021 329 765

Tuesday 7.15pm           Meditation Group (lounge) Dugald 021 161 7007

Wednesday 9.30am      Walking Group: St Martins/Opawa Anneke 021 077 4065

Wednesday 10am         Scottish Country Dancers (lounge) Irene 332 7306

Thursday 10am            Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

Thursday 1.30pm          Sit & Be Fit(church) Anneke 021 077 4065

Friday 9.30am               Sing & Sign (lounge) Becky 022 086 2211

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Many thanks to Rev Chris Elliot for leading our service today. Rev Don Fergus will be with us next Sunday.

Wednesday Walkers 1^st November: Meet 9.30am in Ashgrove Tce near Cashmere View for a stroll around Lower Cashmere. Coffee at the Cracroft Café. All welcome. Joan 022 081 4088.

A new Sunday roster is now available – please check in the foyer to see if there is a copy for you to collect. The 2024 door duty & morning tea roster will be available shortly.

Notes from the Parish Council meeting of 18th October 2023:

• Two incident reports were noted – that of a visitor to the office tripping on the uneven ground; as well as a medical emergency. No further action was required.
• Special thanks to Alice Shanks who has added more plants to the garden in front of the office – plants that are indicative of those that grow in a riverbed.
• Thanks, too, to Warren Pettigrew who constructed the rope barrier along the front of the office.
• The Cantabile Choir have booked the complex for their weekly choir practices – each Wednesday commencing in February 2024.
• Consideration was given to the rental of the Manse. The decision was made to hold it at its current rate. We have an excellent tenant and should this change, with any upgrade to the Manse, we would need to think about what rate would be charged at that stage.
• Anyone interested in establishing a community vegetable garden in raised beds at the church should speak to Irene.
• Solar panels – it has been suggested that, with the church becoming an ECO church, members of the congregation may be interested in donating a solar panel for our church building. See Irene.
• Dishwasher – whilst the office will arrange for the servicing of it, there was concern that the washer has not been turned off correctly at the end of its use. Several times it has been left running!
• The next Parish Council meeting will be on Wednesday 6th December 2023.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                              

Monday 1-4pm              Foot Clinic (lounge) Janette 021 075 6780

Tuesday 10am              South Elder Care (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869

Tuesday 7.15pm           Meditation Group (lounge) Dugald 021 161 7007

Wednesday 9.30am      Walking Group: Lower Cashmere Joan 022 081 4088

Wednesday 9.30am      Port Hills U3A (whole complex) Joy

Thursday 10am            Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

Thursday 1.30pm          Sit & Be Fit(church) Anneke 021 077 4065

Friday 9.30am               Sing & Sign (lounge) Becky 022 086 2211

Blessed are the peacemakers
Today it is 18 days since the Hamas and Israel war began
with a terror attack by Hamas on Israel. I have watched this
unfold in the news with horror and prayed that there would
be a ceasefire, prayed that these appalling crimes against
God and humanity would end. Instead, the suffering and
terrible loss of life continues, with unconscionable civilian
casualties, and humanitarian aid not able to reach those
who need it most. As is so often the case in war, children,
women and the vulnerable pay a terrible price. It is a
humanitarian catastrophe.
I know that some of you have strong views on this war, and
on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Today, both Israelis and
Palestinians are living in fear, are injured, are mourning the
loss of families and friends. I invite you to join me in prayer
for:
·A ceasefire.
·Those killed, injured, and all who care for them.
·The release of hostages taken by Hamas.
·Safe humanitarian access into Gaza so that much needed
aid can be provided.
·Those trapped and those who have had to leave their
homes.
·Those risking their safety to help.
·For peace-keepers and peace-makers.
Christian World Service has launched a Gaza Palestine
Emergency Appeal to assist people who have been affected
by the current conflict, particularly in Gaza. They write that
“thousands of people have been killed, injured and
displaced. Nearly two hundred people are being held as
hostages. Hospitals, schools and homes have been damaged
or destroyed. The need for a ceasefire and humanitarian relief
is overwhelming.”
If you would like to support the CWS appeal see information
here, and there are links to more appeals below.
Right Rev Rose Luxford
Moderator Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
moderator@presbyterian.org.nz
More appeals for those affected by this war:
Unicef
Oxfam
Red Cross