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Our Gospel reading today is rather dramatic, John records this:
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"because of what Jesus said, many of his disciples turned their backs on him and stopped following him. Jesus then asked his twelve disciples if they were going to leave him."
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We've all experienced moments in life where we have wanted to give it all up, pack the towel away and stop whatever we are doing. Whether it is a hard week at home with the children, or a tough day at the office with a co-worker or boss, or caring for a sick wife, husband or parent at home. Sometimes life is tough. And in these moments the easiest thing to do is to just say: “Forget it” and walk away. You tend to then live with a life of regrets after this, but it is in the short term the easiest thing to do. I wonder what regrets the disciples who walked away from Jesus at that moment would have gone through later in life?
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Is there something that is hard for you at the moment that you want to take to Jesus in prayer? Remember he has experienced similar himself.
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Journeying with you, Dion
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Food bank Update
The food bank has been given the most amazing offer of help from Rangitoto College. Rangitoto College held a food drive for our benefit this week and we give thanks for these blessings and the resources we have donated. We will be collecting these donations from Rangitoto College on Monday.
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Would you like to offer help to carry heavy boxes from the truck into the hall. If so, please speak to Dion 021 137 8624
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Cancer Society Daffodil day update
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I are very excited to be able to tell you that St Mary by the Sea has already reached it's initial donation target of $200 for the Cancer Society. It is no secret that this is a charity dear to my heart and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has open the link and viewed our donation page and to those that have been able to make a donation. If you would like to donate to the Cancer Society you can still do so on the link below. If you add in your email address they send you a tax receipt straight back. Every dollar makes a difference.
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August is Cancer Society Daffodil Month
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St Mary by the Sea is proud to support the Cancer Society annual daffodil appeal.
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We have sent a fund raising target of $200. And we reached it!!! So lets see what else we can do.
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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.
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If you wish to donate in person via a bank
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Make a bank transfer or visit an ANZ Branch
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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
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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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We have had good steady trading in our Community Shop for the first few Monday's that we have opened. In July the Community shop took just over $10,700 for the month. Expenses need to be taken from this.
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We thank everyone for their continues support of this mission.
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ATWC Winter Readiness Campaign
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As winter approaches, the AWTC starts another Hōtoke Whakaritea - Winter Readiness Campaign and they need your support.
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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!
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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.
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Support our mission of keeping children warm this winter by donating now on our website.
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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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Food Bank
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Thank you for the amazing support to 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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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 Garden
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Scripture Union Youth Summer Camps
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The registration for these has just opened. There will be 16 camps available around the country Make sure you have a look and register early to secure your place
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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.
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August is the Cancer Society Daffodil Month.
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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
25th August
1 Kgs 8:22-30,41-43
Eph 6:10-20
John 6:56-69
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Collect
God of Israel old and new, write in our hearts the lessons of your law;
prepare our minds to receive the gospel made visible in your Son Jesus Christ. 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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