While our Church Building is Repaired we are meeting each Sunday at The Mineral & Lapidary Club 110 Waltham Rd (next to Waltham School) at 10am.

We would love to have the opportunity to welcome you.

Sunday 25^th November 2018

Session Report: Session recorded the passing of Daphne Cynthia Lloyd. Daphne and Bill had been married for 66 years and up until they both moved in to Brookhaven, had been regular members at St Martins. Latterly Daphne had resided at Ngaio Marsh. Both had a long association with Boys’ Brigade. At Daphne’s request a short and simple service was held at the Linwood Crematorium and was conducted by Daphne’s nephew.

Should members of the congregation be aware of any deaths of church members and/or extended family, please would they let the Session Clerk know asap.

With fewer folk having access to newspapers these days, and whilst it is possible to access information via the internet, sometimes this is a slower route than a phone call to Irene Gray 332 7306 or email – irenegray@xtra.co.nz

Relationship with Risingholme….we will sign a simple Memorandum of Understanding to work together to utilize the church facilities.  We plan to take small steps to begin with.

Menzshed at St Martins… after some encouraging conversations with representatives from Menzshed NZ and the City Council we are slowly proceeding with this project.  We plan to call a public meeting in early February.

Elder Care and Foot Clinic are operating very well.  The Foot Clinic and Crafty Crafters will shift back to 43 St Martins Road in the New Year.

Mission Plan…. From the work of the Mission Discernment group and work by Peter Burley we have adopted a Mission Plan which sets out 8 focus areas that we will work on:

Build relationships and enhance life in the South Christchurch Community through activating the church complex as a Community Centre.

Initiate a regular worship and hospitality event for seniors (80+) to connect with God and build bonds of community with each other.

In all our activities we will increase our awareness of a God dimension.

Initiate a regular “Time to be Still” that focuses on spiritual practices of quietness and listening to the inner voice of God.

Initiate a “Caring for Creation” action group to study, discern, and promote sustainable living practices.

Enhance the ability of members to talk openly and honestly about faith and being a disciple of Jesus.

Initiate community singing activities with a spiritual edge.

Employ a leader to initiate a new church seedling that focuses on young families.

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

Wednesday Walkers 28^th November Meet 9.30am for a cruise and walk in Lyttelton.  Take the No 28 bus from Garlands Road at 9.20am, to catch the 9.50 Ferry to Diamond Harbour for a return trip, followed by coffee at Anneke’s home. People who prefer to drive should be at the ferry at 9.50.  Don’t forget your gold-card or Metro card for the bus and/or ferry. All welcome.  Anneke 021 077 4065.

South Elder Care Vacancy – we are looking for a couple of men to work with our increasing number of male clients, alongside David Hodder on the 2^nd & 4^th Tuesdays. We would like someone who enjoys the company of men, prepared to take part in active games – table tennis, darts, quoits, walking etc… We resume on 15^th January 2019. Please talk to Lyndsey McKay 388 1264 for more details.

Ethical Christmas Market Saturday 1^st December 4-8pm at South West Baptist Church, 244 Lyttelton St, Spreydon.

St Albans Community Choir concert “Carol our Christmas – Unusual carols from many lands”. TODAY 5pm at St Paul’s Parish Church, 1 Harewood Road. Admission by donation to a local charity.

Christmas Gifts for Waltham Cottage.    These gifts for men, women, teenagers and children can be brought to Church on 2^nd and 9^th December.    Toiletries, clothing, toys, books, biscuits, sweets etc.  All the things you would like to receive.

“Deck the Halls – a celebration of the festive season” with violinist Fiona Pears, and the Cathedral Choristers.  Saturday 15^th December, 7pm. Transitional Cathedral. Tickets available from Eventfinda.

 50s Up Brass 25^th Anniversary Christmas Concert Wednesday 28^th November, 11am-12noon at the Woolston Club, Hargood Street. Entrance $5 or gold coin. Contact Bob 385 1926 for more details..

South Brighton Voices Concert  ‘Gifts of Song’ will be held on Sunday 9^th December, 3pm at the Linwood Ave Baptist Church, cnr Linwood Ave/Worcester St. Refreshments will be served. Tickets $15 adults $2 children available  from Lyndsey.

While our Church Building is Repaired we are meeting each Sunday at The Mineral & Lapidary Club 110 Waltham Rd (next to Waltham School) at 10am.

We would love to have the opportunity to welcome you.

Sunday 18^th November 2018

NOTICES:  A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please join us for morning tea after the service. Many thanks to Rev Alan Webster for leading our worship this morning.

 Thank you to the Worship committee for this morning’s delicious breakfast.

 Latest Building News…The extra steel reinforcing has been installed in the west wall. Helifix ties will be installed this week. The new drains and sewer have been installed. Work will now proceed to complete laying a sealed parking area outside the Office.

Have you seen the new red doors on the church. These add a real splash of colour. Good choice!

The suspended ceiling in the church is nearly installed. We can now proceed to install electrical equipment (lighting, heating, sound system). Warren Pettigrew has been installing small diode lights in the street facing small windows that form a cross.

Kitchen joinery will be installed at the end of the month along with floor coverings.

We are planning to hold our Christmas Services in the church, but the official opening will be on Sunday 27^th January 2019.

New Sunday readers’ roster available today – please check to see if there is one for you.

 Wednesday Walkers 21^st November Meet 9.30am near 20a Victors Road for a walk around Hoon Hay led by Judy Livingstone, who will host us for morning tea.

Session meets this Wednesday 21^st November 7.30pm at Merchiston.

 Christmas Gifts for Waltham Cottage.    These gifts for men, women, teenagers and children can be brought to Church from next Sunday 25^th November, and on 2^nd and 9^th December.    Toiletries, clothing, toys, books, biscuits, sweets etc.  All the things you would like to receive.

Opawa-St Martins Anglican Parish Spring Fair Saturday 24^th November 8.30am at St Anne’s Church, 7 Wilsons Rd.

Risingholme Singers Christmas Concert Saturday 24^th November in the Heaton Intermediate School Performing Arts Centre at 8pm.  A varied programme of Christian and light music will be presented with a very special bracket of lute music. Tickets $15 at the door or from John Shanks.

The St Albans Community Choir together with the New Brighton Silver Band invite you to “Carol our Christmas – Unusual carols from many lands”. Sunday 25^th November 5pm at St Paul’s Parish Church, 1 Harewood Road. Admission by donation to a local charity.

50s Up Brass 25^th Anniversary Christmas Concert Wednesday 28^th November, 11am-12noon at the Woolston Club, Hargood Street. Entrance $5 or gold coin. See Bob Kayes for more details.

Ethical Christmas Market Saturday 1^st December 4-8pm at South West Baptist Church, 244 Lyttelton St, Spreydon.

New Strategic Mission Plan being prepared…The Session has been discussing a new Strategic Mission Plan for  our parish. This plan draws on the work of the Mission Discernment Group, and the report of Peter Burley. We are looking to approve eight goals for the next two years. These are:

Build relationships and enhance life in the South Christchurch Community through activating the church complex as a Community Centre.

Initiate a regular worship and hospitality event for seniors (80+) to connect with God and build bonds of community with each other.

In all our activities we will increase our awareness of a God dimension.

Initiate a regular “Time to be Still” that focuses on spiritual practices of quietness and listening to the inner voice of God.

Initiate a “Caring for Creation” action group to study, discern, and promote sustainable living practices

Enhance the ability of members to talk openly and honestly about faith and being a disciple of Jesus.

Initiate community singing activities with a spiritual

Employ a leader to initiate a new church seedling that focuses on young families.

Please talk with Session members about these proposed goals. We will initially look at how we might implement the first three goals.

While our Church Building is Repaired we are meeting each Sunday at The Mineral & Lapidary Club 110 Waltham Rd (next to Waltham School) at 10am.

We would love to have the opportunity to welcome you.

Sunday 11^th November 2018

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

Armistice Day Service 2pm TODAY at St Anne’s Anglican Church, 7 Wilsons Rd.

Wednesday Walkers 14^th November Meet 9.30am in Plunket St for a walk around Spreydon. Morning tea at Marilyn & Keith’s. All welcome.

Parish Breakfast NEXT Sunday 18^th November at 8.45am, hosted by the Worship committee. Come along and enjoy delicious muffins, cereal & fruit. All are welcome. Gold coin donation appreciated.

Deadline for the next ‘Messenger’ is THIS Thursday. Please email any contributions to: anneke.howie@gmail.com

The Parish Office will be closed this Friday 16^th November (Show Day).

Christmas Gifts for Waltham Cottage.    These gifts for men, women, teenagers and children can be brought to Church from Sunday 25^th November, and on 2^nd and 9^th December.    Toiletries, clothing, toys, books, biscuits, sweets etc.  All the things you would like to receive.

Risingholme Singers Christmas Concert Saturday 24^th November in the Heaton Intermediate School Performing Arts Centre at 8pm.  A varied programme of Christian and light music will be presented with a very special bracket of lute music. Tickets $15 at the door or from John Shanks.

Building Report: It’s been all action outside this week as the last of the bricklaying has been completed, and new drains and sewer laid.  The suspended ceiling in the church is being installed and finally the last of the steel is being put in place on the west wall and helifix ties placed.  The painters are busy inside.  Unfortunately the kitchen benchtops won’t be ready till the end of the month and then floor coverings have to be installed.

Opawa-St Martins Anglican Parish Fair Saturday 24^th November 8.30am at St Anne’s Church, 7 Wilsons Rd. Donations of books, good quality summer clothing & white elephant treasures gratefully received. Items can be collected. Contact Anna at the Office 332 6192 for details.

While our Church Building is Repaired we are meeting each Sunday at The Mineral & Lapidary Club 110 Waltham Rd (next to Waltham School) at 10am.

We would love to have the opportunity to welcome you.

 Sunday 4^th November 2018

NOTICES: A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please join us for morning tea after the service. Many thanks to Rev. David Coster for leading this morning’s worship.

Building News….There is still unplanned strengthening work to be completed on the west wall (furthest wall from the street) demanded by the engineer which means gib lining in the new bathroom cannot be completed.   More steel beams will be put in place and approx. 200 helifix ties through the bricks will be installed.

Work has begun on sealing the area in front of the church office.

Inside the gib stopping is almost complete.  Work to install the hanging ceiling in the church will commence this week and interior painting will get underway.  Kitchen joinery has been delayed by up to 4 weeks because plans had to be re-drawn.

This means we will delay any official opening until Sunday 27^th January at our morning service and also a special afternoon tea for our neighbours.

All Saints Memorial Service: Once a year on a Sunday close to All Saints Day we remember in particular people close to us who have died in the past year.  We do this by remembering their names and placing a lit candle on the communion table.  There is also an opportunity for people to remember all those who are gathered in God’s eternal embrace by lighting your own candle of remembrance.

This year we will celebrate  memorial Sunday on November 11^th and you are invited to forward any names of those close who have died in the past year to Anna in the office that you would appreciate being named in the service.

 Foot Clinic TOMORROW 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist.

 Wednesday Walkers 7^th November Meet 9.30am at Waltham Cottage, 201 Hastings Street East, and we will return there for coffee. The cottage is having market stalls that morning and also a sausage sizzle for lunch.  Please bring either a packet of biscuits or something for their pantry. Judith  332 1577, or 027 688 1861.  All welcome.

Our next Parish Breakfast is on Sunday 18^th November (note date) at 8.45am, hosted by the Worship committee. Come along and enjoy delicious muffins, cereal & fruit. All are welcome. Gold coin donation appreciated.

Articles are now required for the next ‘Messenger’. Please email any contributions to: anneke.howie@gmail.com before Thursday 15^th November.

Crafty Crafters bus trip to Ashburton this Thursday 8^th November. Please be at Beckenham Methodist by 9.15am at the latest.

Christmas Gifts for Waltham Cottage.    These gifts for men, women, teenagers and children can be brought to Church from Sunday 25^th November, and on 2^nd and 9^th December.    Toiletries, clothing, toys, books, biscuits, sweets etc.  All the things you would like to receive.

Anna will not be in the Office this Thursday. Please send in any notices by 11am Wednesday. Thanks!

Opawa-St Martins Anglican Parish Fair Saturday 24^th November 8.30am at St Anne’s Church, 7 Wilsons Rd. Donations of books, good quality summer clothing & white elephant treasures gratefully received. Items can be collected. Contact Anna at the Office 332 6192 for details.

Armistice Day – A special service of hymns, readings and prayers to commemorate 100 years since the end of World War One. NEXT Sunday 11^th November 2pm at St Anne’s Anglican Church, 7 Wilsons Rd. All are welcome. The service will be followed by afternoon tea.

While our Church Building is Repaired we are meeting each Sunday at The Mineral & Lapidary Club 110 Waltham Rd (next to Waltham School) at 10am.

We would love to have the opportunity to welcome you.

Sunday 28^th October 2018

 NOTICES: A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please join us for morning tea after the service. Many thanks to Rev. Alan Webster for leading this morning’s worship.

Building News….Scaffolding around the front of the building has been removed.  The new sliding door in the west wall has been installed and all broken windows have been replaced.  There is still unplanned strengthening work to be completed on the west wall (furthest wall from the street) demanded by the engineer which means gib lining in the new bathroom cannot be completed.   More steel beams will be put in place and helifix ties through the bricks will be installed. This hold up will mean planned opening on the 25^th Nov will need to be delayed until December 16^th, or even the New Year for any official opening. Work has begun on sealing the area in front of the church office.

Inside the work of installing plaster moulds around each of the small windows is now complete and gib stopping almost complete.  Work to install the hanging ceiling in the church will commence this week and interior painting will get underway.  Kitchen joinery has been delayed because the plans as drawn were inaccurate and need to be altered but the architect has been away.

We now have a clearer picture of the cost of the over 30 variations demanded by the engineer.  We estimate costs have increased by over $100,000 due to this extra work.  We have of course expressed our displeasure at this situation, and negotiated that all the engineer’s work from October will be at no cost to the parish.

Dugald has produced an estimated budget going forward which indicates that we still face costs of $413,000 (GST incl) and currently we have approx. $420,000 in available funds.  We will receive a large GST return (hopefully about $70,000) in January 2019.

Managers’ Report: Our thanks to Cyril Morris and David Hodder for completing work to transform a garage into two sheds on our property for storage purposes.

Our insurance bill for $10,000 has been paid.

Approval given to explore using the old Bible Class rooms at the rear of the property as a MenzShed.

Judith Mackay was thanked for her service to the Board of Managers and as the secretary.

We are keeping our eyes and ears open for a possible person to undertake cleaning duties in the refurbished church.  We will need to appoint someone early in the new year.

Fireside Women’s Group meets this Tuesday 30^th October 7.30pm. We are fortunate that Gaynor has arranged for us to meet at her home to hear about the work that Christine Lloyd does when she volunteers on a Mercy ship, travelling to countries where poverty and hardship is a way of life.  Her Christian faith and dental assistant training help her assist others in dire need of medical assistance.  She is one of the many Christian volunteers who give their time, energy and skills to bring hope.   Enquiries: Margaret 366 8936.

All Saints Memorial Service: Once a year on a Sunday close to All Saints Day we remember in particular people close to us who have died in the past year.  We do this by remembering their names and placing a lit candle on the communion table.  There is also an opportunity for people to remember all those who are gathered in God’s eternal embrace by lighting your own candle of remembrance.

This year we will celebrate memorial Sunday on November 11^th and you are invited to forward any names of those close who have died in the past year to Anna in the office that you would appreciate being named in the service.

Dugald away… Dugald will be away this week for a family gathering near Masterton.

 Wednesday Walkers 31^st October Meet 9.30am at the Bus Exchange corner of Lichfield & Colombo Streets for a stroll around the Central City and visit to the new Library.  All are welcome. Coffee venue TBC. Sonya 027 253 3397.

Our next Parish Breakfast is on Sunday 11^th November at 8.45am, hosted by the Worship committee. All are welcome. Gold coin donation appreciated.

Articles are now required for the next ‘Messenger’. Please email any contributions to: anneke.howie@gmail.com before Thursday 15^th November.

 Armistice Day A special service of hymns, readings and prayers to commemorate 100 years since the end of World War One. Sunday 11^th November 2pm at St Anne’s Anglican Church, 7 Wilsons Rd. All are welcome.

Crafty Crafters meets every Thursday 10am – 12 noon at Beckenham Methodist Church. New faces always welcome.

Global Voices invite you to their concert on Saturday 3^rd November 7.30pm at Elmwood Auditorium. Tickets $25 or $12 for children – available from Anna in the Office.

St Mark’s Avonhead Twilight Fair, 150 Withells Rd on Friday 2 November 5 – 7pm. Bargains galore, children’s activities, plenty of food for tea. Plant stall opens at 11am. 10% of net proceeds to be donated to St Luke’s Centre.

Singalong Messiah with the Jubilate Singers. Sunday 18^th November 2pm in the Transitional Cathedral. Door sales cash only.

Opawa-St Martins Anglican Parish Fair Saturday 24^th November 8.30am at St Anne’s Church, 7 Wilsons Rd. Donations of books, good quality summer clothing & white elephant treasures gratefully received. Items can be collected. Contact Anna at the Office for details.