|
Christian’ often talk about life after death, and this weeks readings remind us how difficult this concept is.
Jesus points out that there has always been life after death, through referring to the story of Moses. When Moses met God, God says that he is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The implication is that God is still the God of the dead; in other words they’re not dead.
The Sadducees though couldn’t believe that this was possible. In their logical minds it simply didn’t make sense. And so they raise another issue, what about marriage? To which Jesus simply says, that life will be different, and marriage wont work the same. Now for those of us who insist on certainty, that is no comfort. But too often in life we try and insist that things are certain when often they are not. We try and make gray areas of life black and white so that we can live more comfortably, know that we are “in”, and someone else is “out.” The problem for in and out thinking, is that is the thinking that Jesus constantly challenged in the Sadducees and Pharisees. When we become too linear in our thinking, when we don’t allow space for grace, when we don’t allow space for mystery, then we almost certainly are not allowing space for God. This week may you create a space for God to break through in your life in a new way.
Journeying with you, Dion.
|
|
Annual General Meeting 23rd November.
The A.G.M for St Mary by the Sea will be on the 23rd November at 11:30am.
|
If you wish to submit a report for your group or mission for inclusion in our A.G.M please submit that to the church office by the 9th November. Reports should be typed and emailed to the office as an editable word document so that formatting can be made consistent throughout the larger report. Due to distribution timelines, it will not be possible to include late reports this year.
|
To speak and vote at an AGM you must be on the Parish roll. Please take this opportunity to update your details. Email the office if you would like to go on the roll.
|
As well as reflecting and celebrating the past year and setting our our budget for the next year the AGM is the opportunity to elect our leadership team, (vestry and Peoples warden for the next year). If you would like to be nominated for vestry or warden please send your nomination to Dion at his email address below. Nominations for vestry and warden positions need to be received by 19th November.
|
|
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the time and energy you dedicate to St Mary by the Sea and to your dedication to this parish this year.
|
|
|
Board Games Night Every Friday
|
Every Friday evening starting at 6pm BYO board games at St Mary by the Sea. Call 021 388848 for queries. Everyone welcome.
|
|
Kate's Ordination
Saturday 29th November, 10am
|
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.
|
|
|
Count down to Christmas
Brought to you by Kereru Publishing, Count down to Christmas is a daily inspirational email through out Advent. This year with the added bonus of access to a new all age story; 'Who Packed the Turkey" a Christmas adventure experiencing God-with-us, through a retelling of the Nativity Story.
|
|
We are able to get a block subscription of this Advent resource. If you would like to receive Count Down to Christmas for FREE under our subscription, please email the church office from the email address you would like to register under. Please put "Count Down to Christmas" as the subject line, registration closes 23rd November. Count Down to Christmas can only be sent to email addresses registered as above.
|
|
Church Office Update
|
Unfortunately I had a small fall in the school holiday and landed poorly. As a result I have 2 minor fractures, I am grateful that neither of these is serious but they do mean that I am going to be incapacitated for a few weeks. I will be working from home, if you need the church office please email. I will return your message as soon as possible. If you need access to the building please contact Dion or the wardens, contact details below. Thank you for your consideration at this time. Debbie
|
|
Re-planting proposal
30th October
|
Vestry have provided Diocesan Council with the requested Business Case, with greater detail. Diocesan Council are scheduled to consider that lease proposal this week. Vestry have yet to hear back about the further 5 funding options for purchase.
|
5th October
|
Vestry have heard that the Bishop's proposal from June can't go any further. Vestry have yet to hear back about the further 5 funding options for purchase, and are working on another proposal for the lease of a building.
|
21st August 2025
|
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.
|
15th August 2025
This week vestry wrote to Diocesan Council and the Bishop, to test 5 more funding options for replanting.
|
|
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.
|
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.
|
|
In the interim, vestry continue to explore alternative options.
|
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.
|
8th June 2025
|
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.
|
|
|
Food bank.
|
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.
|
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.
|
Christmas Planning:- Gifts for Children.
|
We work closely with the Good Works Trust social supermarket all year. At Christmas they provide special Christmas based shops for those experiencing food insecurity and, as part of this, they try and provide a small gift for every child in the family. This year we would like to help them source some of these gifts. Children's gifts should be unwrapped, new items still packaged. If you don't like choosing a child's gift you could donate a Warehouse Gift Voucher which can them be used by GWT to source gifts as they need. Alternatively, email the office and I can provide you with a suggestion list from GWT.
|
|
St Mary by the sea has referred 7 families with children to the Good Works Trust for food support since August this year, it would be good to be able to support them with this venture.
|
|
IMPORTANT:- Unfortunately I am still on sick leave so gifts need to be dropped off at a Sunday Service. Gift Vouchers are the same as cash! Please put these in the donation basket, do not leave them loose in the food / gift donation basket. Last date for donations is the 7th December.
|
|
Thank you all so much for your support of this mission but please consider your own finance needs before donating.
|
|
Community Shop.
|
The community shop are now selling their summer stock. Come along each week and grab that new summer wardrobe item. Start looking for those Christmas craft items and secret Santas.
|
|
If you are interested in going on the Community shop roster please contact Fay on weatherlyfay@gmail.com
|
|
Panui Magazine.
|
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/.
|
|
|
|
Hou Mana Wai Mercy Wellsprings in Epsom.
|
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.
|
|
If you have any questions or would like to register for any events, please email office@mercywellsprings.org.nz
|
|
|
|
Anglican Magazine Now On-line
|
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!
|
|
|
|
Community Garden
|
Word for Today and Our Daily Bread
|
Both of these can be collected from the Community Shop when paper copies are available.
|
|
Celebrations
|
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.
|
|
Wednesday Service.
Midweek service - Ruatara Chapel Vaughan Park
|
Wednesday 10am- Informal Communion
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Meeting ID: 835 3674 1895
|
|
|
|
Online Worship - Sunday 10am
|
|
|
Readings
|
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
|
Collect
|
Almighty God, you have sent the Spirit of your Son into our hearts and set us free from the bondage of sin; give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that we and all your people may be brought to the glorious liberty of the children of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
|
|
Regular Information
Worship
|
Sunday - 8am - worship from NZ Prayer Book
|
|
Sunday - 10am - Intergenerational worship
|
|
Sunday - 10am - Online YouTube worship
|
|
Wednesday - 10am - informal worship from NZ Prayer Book.
|
Praying for Others
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
Feedback
|
Have some feedback? Feel free to email dion@stmary.co.nz
|
Subscribing
St Mary by the Sea is a safe space
|
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.
|
Contacts
Office
Debbie Rhodes, 09 4738180 office@stmary.co.nz
Church office open Tue to Thur 10am-2pm.
|
Vicar
|
Rev’d Dion Blundell, Office:09 4738183 Mb:021 1378624 Hm:09 4732270
|
Curate
Rev'd Kate Shrigley 021 396 888 kate@stmary.nz
|
Priest Assistant
|
Rev’d Jay Smith, 021 1045914 jay@stmary.co.nz
|
Wardens
Connie Strong, 027 350 0548, vicarswarden@stmary.co.nz
Mark Van der ham, 021 2711207 peopleswarden@stmary.co.nz
|
Synod Representatives
|
Mark Van der ham, 021 2711207 peopleswarden@stmary.co.nz
|
|
Connie Strong, connie1057@gmail.com
|
Vestry Secretary
|
Susan Haslam, 09 4150073 vestrysecretary@stmary.co.nz
|
Privacy Officer
Health and Safety Officer
|
Mark Van der ham, v_d_ham@yahoo.co.nz
|
Vestry Members
|
Chris Waddingham, waddinghamchris@gmail.com
|
|
Jenny Cheer, jmcheer@xtra.co.nz
|
|
Kerry Jonas, kerryandrobinj@gmail.com
|
|
Susan Haslam, ejhaslam@xtra.co.nz
|
St Mary by the Sea
PO Box 89-082, Torbay, Auckland, 0742
168 Deep Creek Rd, Torbay, Auckland, 0630
|
|
Thanks for reading. See you soon!
|
|
The St Mary by the Sea Team
|
|
|
|
     
|
|
|
|
|
|
