Hi ,
this week we are with Jesus on the lake side, as 5000 people are fed. Please join us as we remember this miracle.

Journeying with you, Dion

Royal Commission on Abuse in Care

Archbishops Statement

The Archbishops and Primates of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia
24 July 2024

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care has released its report, which highlights abuse that occurred in Anglican communities in Aotearoa New Zealand between 1950-1999.

Please hold the survivors of abuse in your hearts and prayers – some of whom participated in the Inquiry, courageously sharing traumatic experiences for justice and change.

Our Archbishops Don Tamihere, Justin Duckworth and Sione Ulu’ilakepa have asked that we share this statement from them within each of our churches across Aotearoa New Zealand.

We acknowledge and take full responsibility for our failures to provide the safe, caring and nurturing environment those who have been in our care had a right to expect and to receive.

Our apology at the Royal Commission to survivors of abuse was heartfelt and genuine and we can only stand in awe of their courage and endurance. We owe it to survivors to ensure that this Report is a catalyst for great change.

It is crucial that the whole Church takes direction and advice on this. We know that we still have a long way to go.

We call on all who identify as Anglican; whether churches, schools or agencies to study this Report’s recommendations and to commit themselves to the principles and practices that ensure the highest standards of care.

Anyone who is a survivor of historic abuse in the Anglican Church who wish to engage with the Church about that abuse are encouraged to email: contact@anglicanredress.nz

Anyone wishing to make a current complaint can contact the Ministry Standards Commission registrar by email on: registrar@ministrystandards.org

A prayer

Merciful God, we come to you in sorrow.
We would not hear, we did not believe,
Our silence condemned the innocent and the powerless.
Lord, strengthen and empower the survivors now,
and align our hearts with your justice.
God, hear our prayer.
Amen

Israel must protect Gaza hospital

The Archbishops of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia have spoken out against the Israel Defence Forces' closure of the Anglican Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza.

Anglican Archbishops’ statement on the forced closure of the Anglican Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza
9 July 2024
Kua whakaaturia e ia ki a koe, e te tangata, te mea pai; a he aha ta Ihowa e rapu nei ki a koe, heoi ano ko te whakawa tika, ko te pai ki te tohu tangata, ko te whakaiti me te haere tahi i tou Atua.

He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8

We, the Anglican Archbishops of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia protest in the strongest possible terms the Israel Defence Forces’ closure of the Anglican Al Ahli hospital in Gaza. This action has disabled vital medical services and driven out vulnerable patients, medical staff and refugee families into the active war zone beyond the hospital gates.

We stand in solidarity with our brother Anglican Archbishop Hosam Naoum, Primate of the Episcopal Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, who has shared with us that the Al Ahli hospital was forcibly closed by Israeli military personnel after intense fire from drones and one of its ambulances has suffered a direct attack while transporting patients.

These actions represent a serious failure to protect civilians and medical personnel at a critical time when few medical facilities in Gaza can serve people with serious illnesses.

We stand united to advocate for peace and justice in the Holy Land and to echo the three calls made by Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem Hosam Naoum:
  1. We call on the Israel Defence Forces to immediately reinstate access to the Al Ahli Arab hospital, which serves as an essential lifeline to innocent people caught in the conflict.
  2. We call for an end to targeting of civilians and of facilities pursuing peaceful civilian service.
  3. We call on the Governments of Aotearoa New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa to use their diplomatic powers to amplify demands for all parties in the Holy Land crisis to agree to an immediate ceasefire.
In addition, we call on our people across the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia to pray for peace and justice in the Holy Land, and to be generous in their support of any who suffer harm as a result of this conflict.

Signed:
Archbishop Don Tamihere Archbishop Sione Ulu’ilakepa
(Bishop of Aotearoa) (Bishop of Polynesia)

Archbishop Justin Duckworth
(Senior Bishop of the New Zealand Dioceses)

Notes
For thirty years, Anglican Missions has led churches, schools and families in Aotearoa New Zealand and across our Pacific nations to regularly raise funds for Al Ahli Arab Hospital’s life saving medical treatments in Gaza, particularly its maternity and child health services.
Since October 11, 2023 churches, schools and youth groups across Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia have undertaken additional emergency fundraising for Al Ahli Hospital to procure medical supplies, food and medical equipment and keep up essential healthcare for people with serious illnesses living in the Northern Gaza war zone.

Community Shop.

Now is a great time to go and update your winter wardrobe. How about some school holiday Op shopping with the children or grand children?
As part of the Community Shops commitment to supporting the local community each year they provide funds for the purchase of supermarket vouchers which are donated to Longbay, Browns Bay, Torbay, Glamorgan and Sherwood Primary Schools, Northcross Intermediate School, Long Bay and Rangitoto College. These vouchers enable the school to support students within their communities.
We thank everyone for their continues support of this mission.

ATWC Winter Readiness Campaign

As winter approaches, the AWTC starts another Hōtoke Whakaritea - Winter Readiness Campaign and they need your support.
This season, the reality is stark: 1 in 8 children will face the biting cold without the warmth they desperately need. We see the impacts of this extending beyond physical discomfort; it deeply affects their education and overall well-being. This is why initiatives like our Winter Readiness Campaign are necessary to make a real difference!
The aim is to raise funds to create winter packs tailored to families' needs – this could mean contributions towards kai, clothing, and support for necessities.
Support our mission of keeping children warm this winter by donating now on our website.

Space :- Parenting Space group

Starting Feb 12th at St Mary by the Sea. This group is for parents / carers of babies born September 2023 - Feb 2024. To register and for more details see the link below.

Free Money Workshops

North Harbour Budgeting Services are running free workshops on budgeting. Please phone or email them for details.
If you would like some free advice on your budget, income or would like some advise on a finance matter please pop along for a chat. These meeting non- judgemental and aimed at giving everyone a safe place to learn about their money.
Spaces are limited so please RSVP to
info@nhbudgeting.org.nz or telephone 0800 159 158

Grapevine Magazine

Issue 2 of the grapevine magazine is available in church and at the Community Shop. This is a family based magazine and well worth a look.

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!

Food Bank

Thank you for the amazing support to this mission.
I am aware that the current economic climate makes finances more challenging for many. Please be mindful of your own budgeting needs, but if you are able to make a donation to this mission please consider doing so.

We have had some fantastic donations over the last few weeks and we are privileged to be able to maintain our food bank.
This week we are looking for donations of chocolate biscuits or a small size cooking oil and general purpose surface cleaner

Some Great news:-

We applied for and received a grant from the Food Insecurity Network Funding from Woolworths NZ for the food-bank. These funds will enable us to take part in a short term trial of the Good Works Trust Community Supermarket. This funding is only for a few weeks but it is a great opportunity. Thank you to everyone involved in this application and running this trial.

Update:-

We were able to provide 6 families with Good work trust supermarket shops over the last 2 weeks. Thank you to Food Insecurity Network for the funding.

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. These messages are checked regularly and a reply can be expected within 48 hours. 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.

Community Garden

Are you interested in being part of the St Mary by the Sea 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

Celebration

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.

Plastic free July. This is a global movement which is aimed at helping everyone feel that they can be part of a global solution to our environmental issues. Why not look at the link below and take the Plastic free July challenge.

Cancer Society Daffodil Month

St Mary by the Sea is proud to support the Cancer Society annual daffodil appeal.
We have sent a fund raising target of $200. We have a donation page set up which is linked below. Donations made via this page will go directly to the Auckland Cancer Society and if you put your email address in they will send you your tax receipt back by return email.
If you wish to donate in person via a bank
Make a bank transfer or visit an ANZ Branch
Here are the account details for your local Cancer Society:
Name: Cancer Society Auckland Northland
Account number: 06-0193-0148529-00
Code: DDCom
Reference: St Mary by the Sea

Our Daily Bread

June-Aug now available in church and at our shop.

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/#

Wednesday Service

Wednesday Service is canceled due to external commitments. Bible study online will still go ahead.

Wednesday Service and Bible Study Groups.

Midweek service

Wednesday 10am- Informal Communion at St Mary by the Sea. Restarts 7 Feb 2024.

Wednesday Zoom Bible Study

Wednesday at 11am - there is a Bible Study on Zoom restarts 7 Feb 2024 here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83536741895?pwd=NC9rRnZNd1ZPVzZNSmJEL3NhR2ROdz09

Meeting ID: 835 3674 1895
Passcode: 488974

To phone in, call 09 884 6780 and when prompted, enter the Meeting ID: 835 3674 1895. You will then be asked for the passcode which is: 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

    Scripture

    28th July

    2 Sam 11:1-15
    Eph 3:14-21
    John 6:1-21

    Collect

    All-seeing God, teach us to be open with you about our needs, to seek your support in our trials, to admit before you our sins, and to thank you for all your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. 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:
    St Mary by the Sea
    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

    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

    Auriel Andrews auriel@kinect.co.nz
    Connie Strong, connie1057@gmail.com

    Vestry Secretary

    Susan Haslam, 09 4150073 vestrysecretary@stmary.co.nz

    Privacy Officer

    Auriel Andrews, auriel@kinect.co.nz

    Health and Safety Officer

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

    Vestry Members

    Bruce Rogers, bj_rogers@xtra.co.nz
    Chris Waddingham, waddinghamchris@gmail.com
    Emmanuel Mosiane, trupzala@gmail.com
    Jenny Cheer, jmcheer@xtra.co.nz
    Kerry Jonas, kerryandrobinj@gmail.com
    Steve Dale, drumstick3000@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
    www.stmary.co.nz
    office@stmary.co.nz
    Thanks for reading. See you soon!

    The St Mary by the Sea Team
    facebook youtube website email twitter instagram 
    Email Marketing Powered by MailPoet