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This week we begin our season of Creation. Please connect in with our social media posts that offer the chance to engage more in the themes of this season.
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This year our themes are Oceans, Flora and Fauna, Storms and the Cosmos. The over-arching theme for season of Creation this year is WISDOM and the readings particularly draw us into the mystery and wisdom of the created world and it’s relationship with us.
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Today we look at the Ocean, which is vital to our existence. It is 70% water and soaks up over 50% of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It is vital to our survival and it suffers. Today we will explore our relationship with the ocean and our role in caring for it.
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Journeying with you, Dion
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Archbishops Statement on the Holy Land
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Please find below a link to a statement on the Holy Land from the Archbishops of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia.
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Download the statement here.
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Board Games Night Starting 5th September
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Every Friday evening starting at 6pm BYO board games at St Mary by the Sea. Call 021 388848 for queries. Everyone welcome.
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EFTPOS giving in Church
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Someone made an EFTPOS donation in church on the 10th August and there was a fault on the receipt printer. Therefore they did not have a receipt to leave their giving number. If this was you please contact the office and give me your details and I can add your donation to your giving number should you wish.
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Parenting SPACE returns
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We will be running our next Parenting SPACE program in term 4. More details to follow. Thank you to the Community shop for their generous support of this mission making this venture possible this term.
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Re-planting proposal
15th August 2025
This week vestry wrote to Diocesan Council and the Bishop, to test 5 more funding options for replanting.
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Vestry also received notification that we will be able to have a meeting to pursue the Bishop's option in September. We are hopeful that we will know by the end of September, or early October whether this option is a possible way forward for our re-planting.
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5 August 2025
Vestry have heard from Bishop Ross, about his initial investigation. Vestry are unable to share at this stage what this is. There is no current time-frame for when this investigation can be made known.
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In the interim, vestry continue to explore alternative options.
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29th June 2025
On Thursday 26th of June, Bishop Ross and Sonia Maugham (the Diocesan manager) and Paul Woodfield from Diocesan Council, met with Dion, Mark and Trevor to give feedback on our proposal. Because we can't do this project with the resources available to St Mary by the Sea, Bishop Ross is investigating whether there are other resources that may be available to us. This will take sometime, and we wait to hear back what possibilities may be available to us.
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8th June 2025
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The Bishop has sent a letter expressing the support of the Diocesan Council for the vision of the Parish. However, they have indicated that the site at 65 Clyde Road is unfortunately not financially viable for either purchase or lease. The Diocesan Council would like to see the business case continue to develop and are interested in fostering collaborations that could provide the resources necessary to secure a future for the project. Our next step at St Mary by the Sea, is to wait and see where things go with Diocesan Council as they meet with vestry. Vestry will then bring to the parish for consideration the Diocesan Council plans.
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Synod 2025
The Anglican Diocese of Auckland governs itself through a yearly meeting called "Synod". This is the equivalent of our AGM, where "Diocesan Council" is elected to govern us, and reports are received. This year the business of synod is:
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- 1 bill - to change the representation of the board of Auckland City Mission
- 7 procedural motions [motions 1-6, 8] - to make small tweaks to our rules, and to allow speaking
- A motion [7] to give thanks for Bishop John and Barbara Wesseldine who established Local Shared Ministry 30 years ago
- A motion [9] to encourage the creation of Resources for the last stage of life.
- A motion [10] asking the government to increase the cash asset threshold for super-annuitants to reduce poverty.
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Bishop's Charge to the First Ordinary Session of the 58th Synod
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The Bishops Charge can be read at the link below.
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Food bank.
We continue to receive can collections by our local schools. We are blessed to have great neighbours.
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Thank you for helping move the Long bay primary collection to our food bank last week. This week we the GWT were able to come in their van and fill up with resources collected that are extra to our immediate needs. These resources will go out to families and individuals who contact he GWT for food support from all over the North Shore. Whilst it it a source of some comfort to see our food bank well stocked, we know that these precious resources only do the good they were intended for when they reach the larders and stomachs of those in our community experiencing food insecurity. With this in mind we pass on resources that are beyond our medium term needs to organizations also support those experiencing food insecurity and are themselves experiencing a shortage of food supplies.
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If you, or someone you know is in need of a little extra support at this time via a food parcel please let Dion or the church office know. We can, by arrangement deliver the box if needed. All referrals are confidential. Referrals for food support can be made to the church office via email or telephone message at any time.
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If you know someone who is struggling to provide themself or their family with food at this time of year please reach out to them to discuss a referral to our food bank. The simple question of 'Can I help?' to start the conversation is often all that is needed.
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As winter settles in, many families face impossible choices – keeping warm or putting food on the table, providing basic necessities or simply making it through another day. No one should have to choose between comfort and survival.
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That’s why the Whakamahana to Kāinga – Winter Appeal is more than just a collection drive – it’s about love, dignity, and reminding every whānau that they are not alone. You can make a donation on the link below.
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Community Shop.
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Our Community Shop took $10,800 in August. Expenses have to be taken form this.
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If you are interested in going on the Community shop roster please contact Fay on weatherlyfay@gmail.com
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Panui Magazine.
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The Diocesan office sends out a biweekly newsletter with news and events from around the Diocese and beyond. We encourage all vestry members to subscribe, however anyone is welcome to sign up. Subscribe to PĀNUI for all the latest news and share this link to all your members https://aucklandanglican.org.nz/news/.
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Anglican Magazine Now On-line
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As part of the continued commitment to improve sustainability across the diocese the Anglican Magazine has moved to on-line only. You can access and read this magazine by the link below. Enjoy!
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Community Garden
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Celebrations
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If you have a celebration that you would like to share with the congregation via the newsletter please email the church office on the email below. Please let the office know before 9am on the Tuesday before.
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Our Daily Bread
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Available in our shop and on the credenza as supply allows
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Word for Today and Our Daily Bread
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Both of these can be collected from the Community Shop when paper copies are available.
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Wednesday Service
Midweek service - Ruatara Chapel Vaughan Park
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Wednesday 10am- Informal Communion
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Wednesday 11am Zoom Bible Study
Every Wednesday at 11am during school terms there is an online Bible Study. We use a process called "Dwelling in the word", and we look at the Gospel reading from the previous week. At the end, we pray for each other. Would you like more information? Please talk to Dion. Would you like to join? Please click the link below to take you to the zoom room at 10:55 for a 11:00am start on Wednesday.
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Meeting ID: 835 3674 1895
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Online Worship - Sunday 10am
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Readings
Collect
Servant God,
grant us opportunity,
give us willingness
to serve you day by day;
that what we do
and how we bear each other’s burdens,
may be our sacrifice to you.
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake.
Amen.
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Regular Information
Worship
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Sunday - 8am - worship from NZ Prayer Book
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Sunday - 10am - Intergenerational worship
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Sunday - 10am - Online YouTube worship
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Wednesday - 10am - informal worship from NZ Prayer Book.
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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:
PARISH OF ST MARY BY THE SEA TORBAY
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
St Mary by the Sea is a safe space
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Abuse and Harassment are NEVER okay. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. If you experience or witness bullying, harassment, discrimination, abuse or any inappropriate behavior, the RIPPLES PROJECT can help you. 0800 627 021. The Ripples service is available 9am-5pm and is free and confidential.
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Contacts
Office
Debbie Rhodes, 09 4738180 office@stmary.co.nz
Church office open Tue to Thur 10am-2pm.
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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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Curate
Rev'd Kate Shrigley 021 396 888 kate@stmary.nz
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Priest Assistant
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Rev’d Jay Smith, 021 1045914 jay@stmary.co.nz
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Wardens
Connie Strong, 027 350 0548, vicarswarden@stmary.co.nz
Mark Van der ham, 021 2711207 peopleswarden@stmary.co.nz
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Synod Representatives
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Mark Van der ham, 021 2711207 peopleswarden@stmary.co.nz
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Connie Strong, connie1057@gmail.com
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Vestry Secretary
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Susan Haslam, 09 4150073 vestrysecretary@stmary.co.nz
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Privacy Officer
Health and Safety Officer
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Mark Van der ham, v_d_ham@yahoo.co.nz
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Vestry Members
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Chris Waddingham, waddinghamchris@gmail.com
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Jenny Cheer, jmcheer@xtra.co.nz
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Kerry Jonas, kerryandrobinj@gmail.com
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Susan Haslam, ejhaslam@xtra.co.nz
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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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