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This week in Season of Creation we look at the cosmos.
We worship the God who made not just the sparrows, but the Tūī, Kereru, Kiwi, Albatross, Kākāpō, Kea, Morepork, Pūkeko, Takehe, Korimako, Whio, Fantail, Kārearea, Saddleback, Silvereye, Weka and so many more birds that I can’t list them all... God created a huge diversity. We know bio-diversity is required for life; as bio-diversity declines, the health of the eco-system declines. Diversity is required for life.
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We used to think that the earth was the centre of the universe, and that the sun rotated around us. And if you read some biblical stories with this in mind, you see that understanding. However, we now know that this is not how our solar system works. And we know know that our solar system is part of a universe; and that is part of millions of universes called the cosmos.
And so we wonder, what part does Earth form in the greater cosmos? What diversity does it offer into the cosmos. Are we a critical part of the health of the cosmos?
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We lay on on back at night and look into the night sky and see the twinkling stars. Almost every star being an entire solar system. We see the vastness of the cosmos. And we realise the vastness of God. We stare in awe at what our Creator could achieve. And the beauty causes us to praise God, and to say thank you. Thank you for creating us. Thank you for setting us here, in just the right place of the solar system so that we can live. God has made things “just so,” and we praise the diversity of God’s works.
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Journeying with you, Dion
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Summer time begins.
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Don't forget to move your clock forward an hour before you go to bed on Saturday otherwise you'll miss the start of church.
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Board Games Night Every Friday
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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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Kate's Ordination
Saturday 29th November, 10am
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Revd Kate Shrigley is being ordained a priest on Saturday 29th November, 10am at Holy Trinity Cathedral. Please save the date, and come and celebrate with Kate her ordination.
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Re-planting proposal
21st August 2025
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We have heard, that the 5 further funding options have not been considered by Diocesan Council yet. We are hopeful that they may consider them at their September meeting.
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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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Office hours
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It is school holiday time again, the church office will be open flexi hours until the 6th October. Please email the office with any matters or telephone AND leave a message. These messages are cleared everyday Monday to Thursday. If you need a food parcel please leave contact details or speak to Dion or a Warden. Contact details below
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Food bank.
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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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Join the Seedling Growing Team!
Grow food for the Mission.
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This Christmas, the City Mission are adding something extra to their hampers - vegetable seedlings so families can grow nutritious kai well beyond the holiday season.
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If you've got green fingers, we'd love your help to make it happen. Join our Christmas seedling growing team - register by 1 October.
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Community Shop.
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Summer is on the way!!! It must be true because the community shop are now selling their summer stock. Come along each week and grab that new summer wardrobe item.
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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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Hou Mana Wai Mercy Wellsprings in Epsom.
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Auckland is blessed with a beautiful retreat centre which is owned and operated by the Sisters of Mercy, previously known as Te Ngākau Waiora Mercy Spirituality Centre. On our notice board please find their newsletter with details of their study groups and retreat opportunities in the lead up to Advent.
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If you have any questions or would like to register for any events, please email office@mercywellsprings.org.nz
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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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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 On hold for school holidays
Wednesday Service and Bible study return on the 8th Oct. Midweek service - Ruatara Chapel Vaughan Park
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Wednesday 10am- Informal Communion
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Wednesday 11am Zoom Bible Study-
On hold for the school holiday. see above
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
Proverbs 8.22-31
Colossians 1.15-20
John 6.41-51
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Collect
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God, our Creator, as we reflect on the mysteries of the cosmos, we celebrate the wondrous design of the universe and the Wisdom that guides its course. Help us to discern how we are connected with living members of the cosmic community. Teach us to sense the presence of the cosmic Christ, whose presence fills and reconciles all forces in creation. 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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