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The Jewish people had two very different Creation accounts, especially when it comes to the role of humanity. In the first account, humanity are created in the image of God to subdue creation. In the second account, humanity are personally crafted by God, and breathed into by God, to care for the garden. Are we to subdue or care for creation, or is it a bit of both? And that was the Jewish struggle, how should creation be cared for? And even more importantly, what does it say about how we interact with each other and the shape of our relationships?
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Both perspectives can claim to have the word of God on their side. So how do we decide? As Christian's we have the Gospel of Jesus to view the old testament through. Today to read these two Genesis readings with Gospel eyes, we are reading though Jesus' words in Mark 10:43-45.
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If you want to be great, you must be the servant of all the others. And if you want to be first, you must be everyone's slave. The Son of Man did not come to be a slave master, but a slave who will give his life to rescue many people.
Our primary calling by God, as shown to us by Jesus is to serve. May the Gospel of Christ help you to learn to serve each other and to look after Creation..
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Journeying with you, Dion
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Season of Creation.
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We are entering into Season of Creation where we explore our relationship with the created world and God.
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During this season we are doing a daily social media post to invite you to engage deeper in the season. This week there is a colouring activity so if you would like to download this one from Illustrated Ministry, you are welcome.
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Food bank Update
The food bank has been given the most amazing donation from Rangitoto College. Rangitoto College held a food drive for our benefit and we give thanks for these blessings and the resources they donated.
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Whilst the Rangitoto food drive restocked a lot of our stores there are still some items that we struggled to adequate supplies of. We would still like donations of the following:- Spreads for on toast in sandwiches, regular tampons, 1 kg bags of rice, canned meat (not fish please).
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If you are able to add an extra to your weekly shop for donation this would be greatly received. Thank you for your continued support of this mission.
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We have recently been blessed with a grant that allows us to support families by helping them purchase their first shop from the Community Supermarket run by the Good Works Trust. We still have a small amount of this funding left.
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This week we supplied food support for 2 families.
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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. 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.
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Community Shop.
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Now is a great time to go and update your winter wardrobe.
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Our Community shop is now open on Mondays, if you are able to help volunteer in the shop please contact Fay on weatherlyfay@gmail.com
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With our Monday trading still going well now is the time to grab those end of season bargains or start with your new spring wardrobe.
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In July the Community shop took just over $10,700, expenses need to be taken from this. We thank everyone for their continues support of this mission.
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Grapevine Magazine
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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.
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Space :- Parenting Space group
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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.
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In June we gratefully received another grant from the General Trust to help support this mission.
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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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Celebration
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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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June-Aug now available in church and at our shop.
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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 and Bible Study Groups.
Midweek service
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Wednesday 10am- Informal Communion at St Mary by the Sea.
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Wednesday Zoom Bible Study
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Meeting ID: 835 3674 1895
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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
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Online Worship - Sunday 10am
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Scripture
8th September
Collect
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God, our Creator, as we reflect on the ways that humans have sought to dominate creation help us to hear the cries of creatures such as the whale. Fill us with your risen power. Help us to serve and preserve our planet home and to celebrate life with people from all lands and nations. In the name of Christ, the Risen Servant, who is the true image of God among us. 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:
St Mary by the Sea
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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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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Auriel Andrews auriel@kinect.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
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Auriel Andrews, auriel@kinect.co.nz
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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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Emmanuel Mosiane, trupzala@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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Steve Dale, drumstick3000@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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