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we continue to pause our in-person worship until case numbers start to decline. More details below.
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We are excited to share the beginning of Lent with you. As we journey, the theme we are pulling out of the readings is Full to the Brim. We discover God's continuing faithfulness to us, and how because of God's provision and love, we are full to the brim.
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Journeying with you, Dion
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Sunday 7th March
In person worship paused
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Now that the severity and significance of this out break is understood Vestry met on Wednesday 3 March, and have decided to continue to pause in person worship until case numbers start to decline. This means only online worship will be offered for Sunday 6th & 13th March. Vestry will review this, on Wednesday 16th March.
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Emergency Medicine and Community Care numbers across the Auckland region continue to experience a surge in Covid cases. There is a serious shortage of staff due to the outbreak. The number of Covid patients continues to increase in Hospital and HDU/ICU.
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Given that any risk of spreading Covid at worship can only be mitigated by not having worship on Sunday this week in person, we believe that the safer option is to opt for an online service.
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Online Worship - Sunday 10am
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Ukranian Emergency Appeal - Tearfund
My name is Andrew Robinson and I have the privilege of leading Tearfund's disaster and conflict activities. I absolutely believe the Church has a vital role to play in times of crisis and that we are called to be generous in our prayers and our giving.
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By now you’ve likely seen the gut-wrenching images of the war between Ukraine and Russia. As a father, watching on in horror as the situation continues to escalate by the hour, my thoughts and prayers are with every child and family facing imminent danger — cold, shocked and terrified. Your church can send help.
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Did you know that more than 70% of Ukrainians identify as Christians? We know that hundreds of thousands of families have already fled in search of safety. We also know that Ukraine is experiencing a harsh winter, exacerbating the struggle for families without access to power, food and water because of damage to key infrastructure.
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Our European partners are mobilising as we speak—preparing to help refugees as they arrive in neighbouring countries. Meanwhile, inside Ukraine, work is underway to supply vitally needed medicines to struggling health providers. Now is the time to act. Your church’s donation today will help us deliver urgent medical supplies and support vulnerable Ukrainian children and families. I have made a quick video to sum up the situation.
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Please pray with me for the people of Ukraine, asking for peace and an end to this brutal war. The Bible says, “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9. We cling to that verse today.
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In response to this crisis, we invite you to join us for a one-hour Zoom call as we share the latest information from our partners and lift this situation and the people of Ukraine to God in prayer. Click here to secure your spot here on Monday, March 7 at 7.30 pm.
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Thank you for trusting us with your donation.
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Andrew Robinson
Disasters and Conflict Lead at Tearfund New Zealand
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Lent Resources
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We have a range of resources below, these can be emailed to you, dropped off or posted. Be in touch if you would like some of them. - Dion
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Devotional Books
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suitable for teens and adults.
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Devotional Cards
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suitable for all ages as a conversational prompt or personal reflection.
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Wellness Wheel
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This is a spiritual practice to help us head through Lent with intent.
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Gratitude Vessel
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We a practicing Gratitude over Lent, through daily filling in a Gratitude Vessel, download it here.
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Lent-in-a-bag
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A resource for household bubbles - it contains a weekly reflective activity based around the Sunday scripture and is suitable for all ages. You'll get all the special objects you will need plus all of the above.
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Social Media
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Watch our social media accounts for a daily prompt for reflection and prayer.
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World Day of Prayer
The world day of prayer is this Friday 4th March. This year is online at 10am and 7pm, click the links below.
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10am Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 898 9290 7935
Passcode: 878470
7pm Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 880 6605 4423
Passcode: 415038
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Wednesday 9th March
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10am Communion @ St Mary by the Sea is paused.
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Buddy Families
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Can we at St Mary by the Sea be a buddy family to you?
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- Call and check on you
- Pick up your prescription
- Pick up your click & collect grocery shopping from Countdown Browns Bay
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Please be in contact with Debbie at the office, office@stmary.co.nz or 09-473-8180 so we can arrange support for you
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Stay in the loop
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Scripture
6th March 2022
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Deut 26:1-11 - Rom 10:8b-13 - Luke 4:1-13
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Collect
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Holy God, tested by the evil one, your Son did not yield, defend us from the deceits of wealth and power, shield us from despair, and hold us fast to you, our rock and our truth. 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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Community Shop
Now open Tuesday - Saturday inclusive 10am to 4pm.
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Thank you to everyone who shops at the Community store, without you all this hard work would be to no avail. Your purchases not only help support St Marys Church but also go to providing financial support via food vouchers to local schools and to those in need in the local community. In January we took just over $6,700. Expenses have to be taken from this.
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Community Garden
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Get One Give One Campaign Update.
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Our Get one. Give one. Campaign has been a great success. Thanks to the amazing support we received, both through the Givealittle page and direct to Anglican Missions, over 29,000 people in vulnerable parts of the world were able to receive vaccinations against Covid-19. The total raised was around $180,000.00!
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On 15 January the underwater Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano erupted leading to significant ash falls across Tonga and triggering tsunami waves. While electricity and mobile phone networks have been re-established on the main island of Tongatapu, communications with the outer islands are intermittent. The Tongan Navy has reported major damage in the Ha’apai Islands. Waves were estimated to be 5-10 metres in height and reaching 500 metres inland. The needs on the ground will be significant, especially in the northern more isolated islands. Pending assessments, the damage could include contaminated water and food supplies as a result of ashfall and damage due to inundation.
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Anglican Missions is working with The Anglican Diocese of Polynesia to replenish prepositioned relief supplies located at four Anglican churches in Nuku’alofa, along with assisting in a response and recovery project based on needs assessments from our communities in Tonga. They will provide regular updates on their website as well as on Facebook and Instagram.
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Thank you for your donations to the Anglican Mission Tonga Response, we raised $425.00 for this during our recent collection.
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Celebrations
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Happy birthday to Keith Hay who celebrates his birthday on the 6th March.
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Happy Wedding Anniversary to Bruce and Jane Rogers for the 1st March. Many happy returns and best wishes to you all for your special day.
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New Zealand Children's Day Is celebrated this Sunday 6th March.
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International Women's Day Tuesday 8th March.
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Job Opportunity
Anglican Diocese of Auckland created a Ministry Formation Team which started work on the 1st Feb. Led by the Diocesan Ministry Educator Rev’d Sarah Moss,the team has three main areas of focus
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- Provide for greater cohesion across all areas of training and education with the Diocesan Ministry Educator having oversight of all aspects of training and education.
- Continue the high-quality training opportunities already provided.
- Establish a new role focussed on the development and delivery of enhanced lay training.
The team is to includes roles specialising in ministry formation in the areas of Children and Families, Intergenerational Ministry, Youth, Young Adults, and Lay Training as well as the support of a full-time administrator. The Diocese are still recruiting for
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Children and Families Ministry Facilitator – 20 hours – the focus of this role is to support and resource the diocesan children and family ministry by equipping and encouraging leaders, both lay and ordained, to grow in their formation and leadership in the Anglican tradition. https://www.seek.co.nz/job/55712817
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Ministry Formation Team Administrator – full time – will provide professional and efficient administrative support to the Ministry Educator and the team and be a link to the Administration Services team. https://www.seek.co.nz/job/55712767
The full job advertisements are on Seek and we ask that applicants apply directly using the Seek links.
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KingsWay School - KingsWay School is an interdenominational Christian School located in Red Beach and we currently have a vacancy for a Director of IT (non-teaching role). Do you seeks a permanent, full time position and who could possibly interested in this role and working in a Christian environment. See https://kingswayschool.hrpartner.io/jobs for more details
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Regular Information
Worship for March 2022
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Sunday - 8am - worship from NZ Prayer Book (paused)
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Sunday - 10am - Intergenerational worship (paused)
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Sunday - 10am - Online YouTube worship
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Wednesday - 10am - Communion @ St Mary by the Sea (paused)
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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
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. If you do not require your donation added to your tax receipt please write "NO TAX" on the 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
Debbie Rhodes, 09 4738180 office@stmary.co.nz
Office hours, Mon to Thr 10am-2pm. Working from home whilst at Level Red.
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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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