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We continue with our Advent series "Close to Home" where this week we explore "Seeking sanctuary" through the story of Mary as she visits Elizabeth. We hear of the Holy Spirit at work in Mary and she sings. We don’t know how often John and Jesus visited each other as cousins, but I like to think that this was the beginning of an extended family story, to bring God’s ways more fully to humanity and Creation.
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Journeying with you, Dion
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Christmas Services
We are grateful that we can hold in person Services this Christmas
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RED Traffic Light for means some necessary changes to ensure that we keep people safe and comply with the guidance from the Government and Diocese. Red limits our capacity to 70 allocated seats, and you will need to book/RSVP by TXTing or phoning Dion on 0211378624. Our capacity is 70 people. You will get ticked off of a RSVP list at the door. You will need to show your "My Vaccine Pass" and scan in with the "NZ Covid Tracer APP" or fill in a contact tracing card.
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If you miss out on a seat, or do not have a "My Vaccine Pass" there are online services listed below. Please RSVP/Book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Once we are full no more places can be allocated. Likewise if your plans change and you can not attend please let us know so we can utilise your seat(s). Please do not attend if you or anyone in your bubble is unwell or awaiting a Covid test result.
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When attending you will need to move to your seats as soon as you have scanned yourself in and had your Covid Vaccine Pass scanned. Please do not congregate in the entrance or outside. We are required to maintain 1 meter social distancing.
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Thanks for your understanding, Dion
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Christmas Eve
Vaccination Certificate Required Services
CHRISTMAS EVE – 5:30pm Pizza and Christingle family service (RSVP required)
CHRISTMAS EVE – 9:00pm Candle lit carols and Communion (RSVP required)
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RSVP/Book a seat by TXTing 0211378624 or via phone 0211378624
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Christmas Day
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Vaccination Certificate Required Service
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CHRISTMAS DAY - 9am - Intergenerational Communion (RSVP required)
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Online
Online Family Christmas – with Lego Nativity goes live 4pm Friday 24th Dec.
Online Traditional Christmas – goes live 7pm Friday 24th Dec.
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While the services go live at 4pm and 7pm, you can view them anytime after that.
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Online Worship
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Life at Red level @ St Mary by the Sea
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here is our Welcome Back video, explaining what life looks like at Red level.
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We will be at Red Level for Christmas and as such our Service structure will reflect that. There will be in-person Christmas Services as detailed below but these will work within the Government and Dioceses guidance.
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CBA
Help share the joy this Christmas
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Help broadcast the Christmas story on mainstream radio. CBA needs our church's help so that 250,000 ordinary Kiwis, who will not be at church this Christmas, will have the opportunity to hear the Good News on Newstalk ZB. Would you like to find out more? Click the video above. Would you like to support? Click the link below.
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City Mission Collection. BIG THANKS
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On Monday I borrowed my teenager to help with the lifting and drove to the City Mission with all the St Mary by the Sea Auckland Angels collection. It was great to see my car boot full to the brim and extras on the back seats. A Big Thank You to everyone who contributed to this via their reverse Advent Calendar, or a donation to the collection box at the Community Shop.
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NATIVITY PROJECT 2021/re-GENERATION
Monday 29 November to Saturday 25 December
Friends of Holy Trinity Cathedral and ADJust have joined forces to bring this year's Nativity Project to life. When you visit the nativity scene outside Holy Trinity Cathedral, you will have the opportunity to ‘plant’ a native tree and gift it for Christmas through a small donation to Trees that Count. The nativity installation will depict the holy family as natural elements within the entire scene, literally ‘growing’ on the Cathedral forecourt throughout Advent, to be in full bloom at the arrival of Jesus.
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You can visit the instillation on the Holy Trinity Cathedral forecourt from 29 November in a safe and socially distanced manner.
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By 'planting' a tree at the nativity scene outside Holy Trinity Cathedral, you will help create a more sustainable future for Aotearoa New Zealand. For a $10 donation you can gift a native tree now on the registry at Trees that Count. Find out more on our website or here.
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Stay in the loop
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Wednesday Online Zoom Study Groups
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Sunday 19th December
Theme: Seeking sanctuary : Love
Scriptures:
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Luke 1:39-56, Micah 5:2-5a, Heb 10:5-10
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Collect:
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God, your purpose exceeds our understanding grant us the grace you gave to Mary. Help us recognise your presence, and, at our end, know the joy of your embrace. Through Jesus Christ our Liberator, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
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Word for Today and Our Daily Bread
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As the paper versions of Word for Today and Our Daily Bread run out. You can access them online here:
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and the youth version here:
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Community Shop is open.
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We are please to announce that the Community shop has re-opened. The shop is currently open Tuesday- Saturday 10am- 4pm. (Note:- NO Monday Opening at this time). Thank you to everyone for your support in this venture. I am thrilled to announce that the Community shop took just over $7,600 in trading in November, a great total for a return to opening. Thank you to all for your continued support.
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The Community Shop will close 24th December and re-open 7th January 2022.
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Cyber safety.
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There are scams targeting churches where people are emailed, apparently by the clergy, and asked for money to support a person in need. If you receive any email asking you for money, gift-cards or anything similar, please ignore it and delete it. It is recommended you report it to the Police and/or Netsafe. You will never be asked for money or gift cards via email. Please only give money to St Mary by the Sea, via online banking (details below) or EFTPOS at St Mary by the Sea.
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Celebrations
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Happy Birthday to Caitlin Blundell for the 24th December. Wishing you both many happy returns of the day.
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Community Garden
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Regular Information
Worship
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Wednesday - 10am - informal memorial meal
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Sunday - 8am - worship from NZ Prayer Book
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Sunday - 10am - intergenerational worship
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Praying for Others
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Please send names for the Sunday Prayer-List by Sunday evening to Tony Nettleton, 027 278 1450 or prayer@stmary.co.nz Names can be sent at other times as required.
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Donations
Online
Vestry would like to encourage you to give to support our ministry. Giving and donations can be made to:
St Mary by the Sea
BNZ Browns Bay 02-0120-0047903-003
Please reference your donation with your surname or giving number.
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EFTPOS
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The EFTPOS machine prints 2 receipts, the first is your copy, the second is printed by selecting MERCHANTS COPY on the screen. This second copy should always be left on the appropriate clip on the notice board. With out the second receipt it is not possible to know what the money was intended for. For Church Giving, you can either keep the first receipt or place it in the DONATION BASKET to go up to the altar for the blessing. Please write your giving number or full name on the second receipt if you want the donation added to your tax receipt.
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Feedback
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Have some feedback? Feel free to email dion@stmary.co.nz
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Subscribing
Contacts
Office
Vicar
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Rev’d Dion Blundell, Office:09 4738183 Mb:021 1378624 Hm:09 4732270
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Priest Assistant
Wardens
Synod Representatives
Vestry Secretary
Vestry Members
St Mary by the Sea
PO Box 89-082, Torbay, Auckland, 0742
168 Deep Creek Rd, Torbay, Auckland, 0630
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Thanks for reading. See you soon!
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The St Mary by the Sea Team
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