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Our focus this week is the Upside Down Kingdom of God. In our Gospel (Matthew 19:13-14) we hear:
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Some people brought their children to Jesus, so that he could place his hands on them and pray for them. His disciples told the people to stop bothering him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and don’t try to stop them! People who are like these children belong to God’s kingdom.”
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Jesus valued the 'least' of those, the people who others in his time didn’t value, like women, children, the poor and the sick. He warned against stopping children from being able to meet him. Taking the time to connect with one another is vital for us to grow as a community and it provides us with a safe place to be supported and nourished no matter what our age and stage.
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Journeying with you, Dion
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Introducing Kate Shrigley.
Kate Shrigley will be coming to us in December to start her first ministry placement with us in 2025. Details for Kate’s arrival are being finalised and we’ll provide more details as they become available.
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"I'm originally from the UK, and have been in NZ and part of Anglican Church here for 25 years. I'm currently finishing my study at St John’s college and will be ordained on Saturday 30th November at 11am, please join me for my ordination. I'm looking forward to moving to Torbay with my two grown up sons and serving God at St Mary by the Sea. And I'm excited to be part of what God is doing in Torbay and serving alongside the congregation."
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Kate's Stipend and housing are generously provided for by the Diocese from a fund called: "The First Ministry Placement Fund" that all parishes contribute into.
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Special General Meeting 10th November
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We will be holding an SGM on 10th November at 11:30am, (after the 10am service), to look at our Parish direction. You will have received a separate email on this with the details. To vote and speak at this you must be on the parish roll. Please take this opportunity to update your details. A copy is on the Welcome Desk.
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Annual General Meeting 24th November
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We will be holding our Annual General Meeting on the 24th November at 11:30am.
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Anyone wishing to submit a report for inclusion in AGM please email your report to the church office before 5pm on Wednesday 6th November. It takes some considerable time to collate all the reports into one document and distribute the AGM report so your assistance is appreciated with this. To vote and speak at this you must be on the parish roll. Please take this opportunity to update your details. A copy is on the Welcome Desk.
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Food bank Update
Thank you to everyone who has brought donations into our food bank over the last couple of weeks.
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If your personal budget allows please could you consider purchasing a long life Christmas treat item that we could put in our food boxes closer to the time.
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This week we have been working closely with the local Community police constable and supporting families access the Good works trust Supermarket.
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Whilst the food bank has been particularly blessed with donations recently there are items that we struggled to get adequate supplies of.
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We would like donations of the following:- Please can we start collecting those long life Christmas treats to put in our food boxes.
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Our food boxes have always had the focus sharing and showing God's love. We aim to put together a generous box that not only relieves food insecurity but shows love. 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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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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Diocesan Ordination Service - 30th November
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There will be a Diocesan Ordination Service at 10am on the 30th November at Holy Trinity Cathedral during which Kate Shrigley and others will be Ordained. Over the coming weeks please up-hold Kate and the other ordinands in your prayers as they prepare for this event and the start of this new part of their journey in Service and Ministry.
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Church Working Bee:- Change of date.
Due to a clash with the Ordination Service for Kate Shrigley the working bee will now be in the morning of the 7th December.
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We will be holding our annual pre Christmas working bee on the 7th December Please hold the date and keep the morning free to come along and help. We will provide the usual yummy morning tea. There will be loads of different jobs, indoors and outside, so no need to worry about your personal ability levels, you'll be able to find a job to suit. Remember, many hands make light work. For more information please speak to Connie
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Church Office hours.
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Thank you to everyone for your support and patience whilst I have been on sick leave. I am now back in the office as much as is possible but still needing to take some time out for appointments and physio. If you are traveling any distance to get into the church please telephone the office first to confirm that I will there and able to let you in. If I am not available please email or phone and leave a message and these will be pick up and responded to as soon as possible. If you need urgent access to the church please contact the wardens on the contacts below.
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I appreciate everyone's patience and support during this period.
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ATWC :- Share the Aroha Christmas Appeal
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As we near the holiday season, the ATWC 2024 Christmas Appeal – Share the Aroha has launched.
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Many families in our community face challenges that make the holiday season difficult. With your help, we can make a real difference by providing gifts for the entire whānau, creating joyful memories and offering some relief from the financial burdens they face.
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This year, we are reaching out to our incredible supporters to help us Share the Aroha. Every contribution, big or small, will help brighten a family’s Christmas and let them know they’re not alone during the holiday season.
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By giving, you’re doing more than providing a present—you’re spreading aroha, offering encouragement, and showing our whānau that their community is there for them. Together, we can make this Christmas a time of joy and hope for those who need it most.
Support our mission to bring joy to whānau this Christmas by donating on our website today.
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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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Community Shop.
Spring fashion is in stock and now is the time to pick up that new item to freshen up your wardrobe. School holidays are a great time to do a family OP-shop, pick up those craft materials, some new clothing or a book to read. Start the hunt for those budget and environmentally friendly secret Santa gifts.
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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 September 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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Volunteer Chaplaincy Assistant.
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If you have ever felt the calling to this mission, North Shore and Waitakere hospitals are looking to train some one for these positions. Training starts in March. Contact pauline.soo@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz for more information.
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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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Available in our shop and on the credenza as supply allows
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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
10th November
Collect
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God of all delight, grant us that joy which none can take from us, of having a work to do, a life to live; that joy in believing which will carry us through temptation, anxiety and grief. Praise to you our God; you answer prayer. Amen
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Change in Banking requirements New Zealand.
New Zealand banks are starting to introduce stricter bank pay payment requirements with the introduction of Confirmation of Payee, an industry-wide service that allows customers to check that account owner names and account numbers match before making a payment within New Zealand. The timing of this implementation will depend on your bank. This service aims to provide New Zealanders with greater confidence when making payments.
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This means that when you are using banking apps or internet banking for one-off payments, amending an existing payment or AP or setting up a new payment you will be asked to confirm the account holders name and account number if they differ from those held by the bank.
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For us at St Marys by the Sea this means that new payments will need to be made to our full Charity Register name as below and not the abbreviated St Mary by the Sea commonly used before.
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PARISH OF ST MARY BY THE SEA TORBAY
BNZ Browns Bay 02-0120-0047903-003
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This change does not effect existing arranged AP's unless you amend them in some way.
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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:
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.
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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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