Hi reader,
happy new year.

This week in worship we remember the baptism of Jesus.

Journeying with you, Dion.

Holiday time services

Sunday 11th January 9am

The Baptism of Jesus
Isa 42:1-9
Acts 10:34-43
Matt 3:13-17

Sunday 18th January 9am

Isa 49:1-7
1 Cor 1:1-9
John 1:29-42

Sunday 25th January 9am

Back to school and study Sunday, where teachers and students are commissioned for the new academic year.
Isa 9:1-4
Ps 27:1,4-12
1 Cor 1:10-18
Matt 4:12-23

Sunday 1st February 8am and 10am

The first Sunday we are back to two services

Re-planting proposal

4th December

Vestry have received notification that our business case is on the agenda to be considered by the General Trust Board on Friday 12th December.

14th November

Diocesan Council did not consider our proposal. We do not know when it will be considered, and we have yet to hear back about the further 5 funding options for purchase.

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.

Board Games Night - On hold

Board games night is on hold over the Christmas period. Details of a restart date will follow.

Food bank.

Please can we have donations of bread wraps, coffee, toilet rolls, jam, men's roll-on deodorant .

Our food bank remains open December / January period when many other support services are closed. Our food bank is closed only Christmas and New Year weeks 22nd December to 4th January. If you or someone you know is in need of food support please email the church office on the email below.

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.

Church Office Hours

The office on site will be closed between 21st December and 2 February. The Church office is staffed remotely/ flexible hours during school holidays. Please email or leave a telephone message, messages are accessed remotely. For building access please follow the below :-
For urgent matters, (those needing immediate attention only) call our vicar Dion, the Curate or a warden. All contact details are listed below.
For other matters, email or telephone the church office and leave a message. For spiritual matters please follow the procedure as above.

Community Shop.

Shop hours:- Last day open for 2024 December 24th
re-open Monday 5th January
Please hold onto any donations until the shop re-opens. Donations left on the street are vandalized and cause a public nuisance.
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/.

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

For more information, see the information on the Welcome Desk, or talk to Dianne Denman, or Nanette Randall at the 10am service. There is an expression of interest form here, and a brochure here. and on our website here: www.stmary.co.nz/garden

Word for Today and Our Daily Bread

Both of these can be collected from the Community Shop when paper copies are available.
Word for Today
https://www.rhema.co.nz/the-word-for-today
https://www.lifefm.co.nz/wordforyoutoday
Our Daily Bread
https://odb.org/subscription/nz/#

Celebrations

Happy birthday to Susan Haslam and Carol Henry who celebrated their birthday on the 1st January. And Hamish Smith who celebrates his birthday on the 11th January. Many happy returns to you.

Happy 46th Wedding Anniversary to Jenny & Trevor Cheer for the 10th January.

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- Returning 21st Jan 2026

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
Passcode: 488974

    Online Worship - Sunday 10am

    Online worship goes live on Sunday at 10am with a YouTube Premiere here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrVV6T5Q8KpEhj3IUQIT0gQVV6T5Q8KpEhj3IUQIT0gQ or click the button below

    Readings

    Isa 42:1-9
    Acts 10:34-43
    Matt 3:13-17

    Collect

    Almighty God, give us such a vision of your purpose and such an assurance of your love and power, that we may ever hold fast the hope which is in 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

    Want to subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter? To subscribe go here or email newsletter@stmary.co.nz with. You have an unsubscribe link at the very bottom of this email.

    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
    dion@stmary.co.nz

    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


    Privacy Officer


    Health and Safety Officer

    Mark Van der ham, v_d_ham@yahoo.co.nz

    Vestry Members

    Chris Waddingham, waddinghamchris@gmail.com
    Ryan Waddingham, ryanwaddingham@gmail.com
    Trevor Stafford, tjsinnz@outlook.com
    Monique Jonas, monique.jonasnz@gmail.com

    St Mary by the Sea

    PO Box 89-082, Torbay, Auckland, 0742
    168 Deep Creek Rd, Torbay, Auckland, 0630
    www.stmary.co.nz
    office@stmary.co.nz
    Thanks for reading. See you soon!

    The St Mary by the Sea Team
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