Category Archives: News

Sunday 8th March 2026

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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 Walk 11th March: meet 9.30am at the Bus Exchange for a town walk. Coffee downstairs at Ballantynes. All welcome. Sue 960 7657.

TODAY is your last chance to submit any articles, photos etc for the ‘Messenger’ to Sally (hooty@xtra.co.nz).

Easter Treats for Waltham Cottage – if you can donate eggs, chocolate bars or biscuits or other treats for the hampers the Cottage will be distributing that would be greatly appreciated. Bring contributions along to church by Sunday 29th March. Thank you.

Donations: if you are able to support the ministry at St Martins our bank account is: 03-1598-0011867-00. Please include your name as a reference.

Garage Sale Saturday 14th March Doors open at 9am and close around noon. Contributions may be delivered to the church on Friday after 12 noon and those volunteers working on stalls or helping may assist on Friday afternoon or from 8am on Saturday. We are looking for cakes and sweets, excess fruit and vegetables, books, and other good quality, no longer required items that are taking up space in your homes. Please no clothes, shoes, magazines. Any questions ask Warren or Sue.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                    

Monday 10am               Tend cuppa & chat (lounge) Emily 022 094 1492

Monday 4.15pm           Meditation Group (lounge) Dugald 021 161 7007

Tuesday 1pm                 U3A small group (lounge) Richard 022 533 5444

Tuesday 7-9pm             Mums n Tums (lounge) Livvy 027 327 6369

Wednesday 9.30am      Walk: Town Sue 960 7657

Wednesday 7-9pm       Cantabile choir (lounge) Rose 027 254 0586

Thursday 10am             Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

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

Friday 10am-12 noon   Mums n Tums (lounge) Livvy 027 327 6369

Friday from 12 noon     Garage Sale preparation

Saturday 9am                GARAGE SALE (whole complex)

Hot Cross Buns: $5.20 for a pack of six delicious buns, available in traditional, chocolate, and cranberry. If you would like to place an order, please let Anna know before 13 March. Delivery date is 29 March. This is a fundraiser for St Mark’s Anglican Church, Opawa.

   
 
 
 
 
 
 

Calling for Peace Cranes – A Chapel Initiative
The Burwood Hospital Chaplains are inviting anyone who can help by making peace cranes for use in our Chapel.
Considering the heart-breaking events unfolding around the world, we are creating a gentle, reflective space where people can simply sit, be still, or offer prayers for peace.
Every day, we meet with staff worried for wh?nau and friends living in areas of conflict, and others whose loved ones are stranded due to flight cancellations. Like many of you, we are deeply distressed by what is happening.
Our Chapel is open to people of all faiths and to those of no faith.

It is a place where everyone is welcome.
If you are able to help by making and donating peace cranes, we would be truly grateful.
Thank you for supporting our community.
Sandra.Wright-Taylor@hospitalchaplaincy.org.nz

Climate Change Forum: What can faith communities do? Thursday 19th March 6pm Knox Centre, 28 Bealey Ave. Organised by EcuAction – see noticeboard for details.

Sunday 1 March 2026

Posted on by

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 very warm welcome to all who worship with us today, and many thanks to Rev Hugh Perry for leading our service. Please join us for morning tea afterwards.

There is a new Sunday roster available today – please check in the foyer to see of there is a copy for you. Thank you. Anna.

Wednesday Walk 4th March: meet 9.30am outside the Birdwood Café, Malcolm Ave, for a walk around the Beckenham Loop. Coffee at the Café. All welcome. Sonya 027 253 3397.

World Day of Prayer service Friday 6th March 10am at St Teresa’s Catholic Church, Pururi Street, Riccarton. All are welcome.

Contributions to the next ‘Messenger’ are now being sought. Please email any articles, photos etc to Sally (hooty@xtra.co.nz) by 8th March. Thank you.

Donations: if you are able to support the ministry at St Martins our bank account is: 03-1598-0011867-00. Please include your name as a reference.

Garage Sale, Saturday 14th March. 

Doors open at 9am and close around noon.

Contributions may be delivered to the church on Friday after 12 noon and those volunteers working on stalls or helping may assist on Friday afternoon or from 8am on Saturday.

We are looking for cakes and sweets, excess fruit and vegetables, books, and other good quality, no longer required items that are taking up space in your homes.

Please no clothes or shoes. These should be taken to “Op Shops” or clothing bins. Please no magazines. These should go into your yellow recycling bin.

Any questions ask Warren or Sue.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                    

Monday 10am               Tend cuppa & chat (lounge) Emily 022 094 1492

Monday 4.15pm           Meditation Group (lounge) Dugald 021 161 7007

Tuesday 7-9pm             Mums n Tums (lounge) Livvy 027 327 6369

Wednesday 9.30am      Walk:  Beckenham Loop Sonya 027 253 3397

Wednesday 2pm           Parish Council @ Allison’s

Wednesday 7-9pm       Cantabile choir (lounge) Rose 027 254 0586

Thursday 10am             Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

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

Friday 10am-12 noon   Mums n Tums (lounge) Livvy 027 327 6369

Hot Cross Buns: $5.20 for a pack of six delicious buns, available in traditional, chocolate, and cranberry. If you would like to place an order, please let Anna know before 13 March. Delivery date is 29 March. This is a fundraiser for St Mark’s Anglican Church, Opawa.

Bibles Wanted: Kevin Hapi, from our mission and ministry, P? Whakaoranga, Aranui, Christchurch, is looking for spare Bibles that people may have. They have a demand from people wanting Bibles who can’t necessarily afford to purchase a brand-new one. Can you help? Please contact Kevin – kevin@alpinepresbytery.org or 021 254 5717.

Sunday 22nd February 2026

Posted on by

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 very warm welcome to all who worship with us today, and many thanks to Rev Alan Webster for leading our service. Please join us for morning tea afterwards.

Wednesday Walk 25th February: meet 9.30am in Papanui on the corner of Langdons Road and Sisson Drive for a walk through Bridgestone Reserve and coffee at Braintree Wellness Centre. All welcome Sonya 027 253 3397.

Contributions to the next ‘Messenger’ are now being sought. Please email any articles, photos etc to Sally (hooty@xtra.co.nz) by 8th March. Thank you.

Donations: if you are able to support the ministry at St Martins our bank account is: 03-1598-0011867-00. Please include your name as a reference.

Garage Sale, Saturday 14th March.  Doors open at 9am and close around noon. Contributions may be delivered to the church on Friday after 12 noon and those volunteers working on stalls or helping may assist on Friday afternoon or from 8am on Saturday. We are looking for cakes and sweets, excess fruit and vegetables, books, and other good quality, no longer required items that are taking up space in your homes. Please no clothes or shoes. These should be taken to “Op Shops” or clothing bins. Please no magazines. These should go into your yellow recycling bin. Any questions ask Warren or Sue.

Thank you to everyone who filled in the ‘ballot’ paper on what you would like to hear Nardia preach!

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                    

Monday 10am               Tend cuppa & chat (lounge) Emily 022 094 1492

Monday 4.15pm           Meditation Group (lounge) Dugald 021 161 7007

Tuesday 7-9pm             Mums n Tums (lounge) Livvy 027 327 6369

Wednesday 9.30am      Walk: Papanui Sonya 027 253 3397

Wednesday 7-9pm       Cantabile choir (lounge) Rose 027 254 0586

Thursday 10am             Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

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

Friday 10am-12 noon   Mums n Tums (lounge) Livvy 027 327 6369

Saturday 10am              Pathways study group (lounge) Sue 960 7657

Bibles Wanted: Kevin Hapi, from our mission and ministry, P? Whakaoranga, Aranui, Christchurch, is looking for spare Bibles that people may have. They have a demand from people wanting Bibles who can’t necessarily afford to purchase a brand-new one. Can you help? Please contact Kevin – kevin@alpinepresbytery.org or 021 254 5717.

From February’s Parish Council meeting:

  • Noted that the cash offertory has increased since the plate has been passed around again.
  • The Parish Council will meet on 4 March to discern which suggestions from the What Now? discussion will be possible.
  • Sue is to arrange a roster for providing MenzShed morning tea – thank you to those people who have volunteered to bake.
  • If you able to help with the Garage Sale on 14 March please let Sue know.

A Prayer for Lent

E te Atua,
In this season of Lent, open our ears and our eyes.
Help us slow down enough to notice and hear

your Spirit alive and moving –
in birdsong, in wind through the trees,
in the rhythms of the land and the ocean.

Guide us, so that what we hear and see of your Spirit in creation
will shape how we live, how we care, and how we act.

May this season deepen our gratitude
and attune our hearts and minds to your living presence,
woven through all things.

?mene.

Hot Cross Buns: $5.20 for a pack of six delicious buns, available in traditional, chocolate, and cranberry. If you would like to place an order, please let Anna know before 13 March. Delivery date is 29 March. This is a fundraiser for St Mark’s Anglican Church, Opawa.

Sunday 15th February 2026

Posted on by

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 very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please join us for morning tea after the service.

Fireside meeting from 2pm on Monday16th February. Fireside is a chance for women of the congregation and their friends to meet socially, sometimes informally, sometimes with a speaker, on the 3rd Monday afternoons of each month.   We welcome others to join us whether occasionally or more regularly.  The plan for this meeting is to share with each other some of what people have been doing since our last meeting in November.  Contact: Margaret ph 366 8936.

Wednesday Walk 18th February: meet 9.30am at the corner of Corsair Drive and The Runway in Wigram for a walk around the area. We will have coffee at nearby Cocoa Black. Alan & Barbara 021 142 7668 or 021 126 3801.

Ash Wednesday 18th February – you are warmly invited to join us at St Mark’s Anglican Church, 101 Opawa Rd, at either 10am or 7pm for Holy Communion & the Imposition of Ashes. All are welcome. Rev Simon Green, Interim Priest-in-Charge. There is also a service at Beckenham Methodist at 7.30pm

Contributions to the next ‘Messenger’ are now being sought. Please email any articles, photos etc to Sally (hooty@xtra.co.nz) by 8th March. Thank you.

Donations: if you are able to support the ministry at St Martins our bank account is: 03-1598-0011867-00. Please include your name as a reference.

Garage Sale, Saturday 14th  March.  Doors open at 9am and close around noon. Contributions may be delivered to the church on Friday after 12 noon and those volunteers working on stalls or helping may assist on Friday afternoon or from 8am on Saturday. We are looking for cakes and sweets, excess fruit and vegetables, books, and other good quality, no longer required items that are taking up space in your homes. Please no clothes or shoes. These should be taken to “Op Shops” or clothing bins. Please no magazines. These should go into your yellow recycling bin. Any questions ask Warren or Sue.

What would you like to hear Nardia preach? Some options/suggestions could be:

  • Bible verses/passages/particular book of the Bible e.g. a gospel or a letter perhaps James
  • People of the Bible – e.g. King David, Barnabas, Hagar etc
  • Prayer – e.g. how, why, when etc
                  Explore meaning of the Lord’s Prayer
  • Bible reading – e.g. how, why, when, etc
  • Core Christian truths/beliefs
  • Fruit of the Spirit
  • Who is Jesus?
  • The ‘I AM’ statements of Jesus
  • Other…..
  • You are encouraged to think about it for a week, then fill in and return the enclosed ‘ballot’ paper.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                    

Monday 10am               Tend cuppa & chat (lounge) Emily 022 094 1492

Monday 2pm                  Fireside (lounge) Margaret 366 8936

Monday 4.15pm           Meditation Group (lounge) Dugald 021 161 7007

Tuesday 7-9pm             Mums n Tums (lounge) Livvy 027 327 6369

Wednesday 9.30am      Walk:  Wigram Alan & Barbara 021 142 7668

Wednesday 7-9pm       Cantabile choir (lounge) Rose 027 254 0586

Thursday 10am             Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

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

Friday 10am-12 noon   Mums n Tums (lounge) Livvy 027 327 6369

Saturday 9am-4pm       Meditation Group Day (whole complex)

Sunday 8th February 2026

Posted on by

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 very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please join us for morning tea after the service.

Wednesday Walk 11th February: meet 9.30am on the corner of Centaurus Rd and Albert Tce for a walk around St Martins.  Coffee at Cocoa Black.  All welcome. Sue 960 7657.

Please note that this year Communion will be on the following Sundays:

                                                            26 July

22 March                                            23 August

05 April (Easter)                                27 September

24 May (Pentecost)                          25 October

28 June                                              29 November (Advent)

26 July                                                27 December

From Waltham Cottage: “On behalf of the entire Cottage community, we want to extend our deepest gratitude for your weekly food donations. Your generosity quite literally transforms our emergency food cupboard. Families and individuals often find the cost of living difficult to manage and when circumstances are beyond their control, they come to us for help. For many of our neighbours, your donation is the difference between a stressful week and a full table. Thank you for your continued partnership and for being such a vital support system for those in need”. Cheryl & Laura

Ash Wednesday 18th February – you are warmly invited to join us at St Mark’s Anglican Church, 101 Opawa Rd, at either 10am or 7pm for Holy Communion & the Imposition of Ashes. All are welcome. Rev Simon Green, Interim Priest-in-Charge.

There is also a service at Beckenham Methodist at 7.30pm

Donations: if you are able to support the ministry at St Martins our bank account is: 03-1598-0011867-00. Please include your name as a reference.

Garage Sale Saturday 14th March 2026 – please no clothes, shoes or magazines.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                    

Monday 10am               Tend cuppa & chat (lounge) Emily 022 094 1492

Monday 4.15pm           Meditation Group (lounge) Dugald 021 161 7007

Tuesday 7-9pm             Mums n Tums (lounge) Livvy 027 327 6369

Wednesday 9.30am      Walk: St Martins Sue 960 7657

Wednesday 2pm           Parish Council meeting (lounge)    

Wednesday 7-9pm       Cantabile choir (lounge) Rose 027 254 0586

Thursday 10am             Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

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

Friday 10am-12 noon   Mums n Tums (lounge) Livvy 027 327 6369

The Beatitudes


We bless you, who have spelt your blessings out,

And set this lovely lantern on a hill

Lightening darkness and dispelling doubt

By lifting for a little while the veil.

For longing is the veil of satisfaction

And grief the veil of future happiness

We glimpse beneath the veil of persecution

The coming kingdom’s overflowing bliss

Oh make us pure of heart and help us see

Amongst the shadows and amidst the mourning

The promised Comforter, alive and free,

The kingdom coming and the Son returning,

That even in this pre-dawn dark we might

At once reveal and revel in your light.

Malcolm Guite