Hi ,
this week we in our mission statement series we look at Transform - To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation

Journeying with you, Dion

Special General Meeting. Keep the date.

We will be holding an SGM on 10th November at 11:30am, (after the 10am service), to look at our Parish direction. Further information to come next week.

Annual General Meeting

We will be holding our Annual General Meeting on the 24th November at 11:30am.
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.

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.

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.

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.
PARISH OF ST MARY BY THE SEA TORBAY
BNZ Browns Bay 02-0120-0047903-003

This change does not effect existing arranged AP's unless you amend them in some way.

Marks of Mission Series

The Marks of Mission were developed by the World Council of Christian Church and then adopted by the Anglican Communion. They are our commitment to an understanding of God’s holistic and integral mission.

They are:
  • Treasure - To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth
  • Tell - To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
  • Teach - To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
  • Tend - To respond to human need by loving service
  • Transform - To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation
The Marks of Mission call us into the outworking of the transformation of our worship into mission outside the walls of our buildings.

Over the next 5 weeks we will be exploring these marks of mission and what they mean for us, and we will start with Treasure, safeguarding creation, and spend a final week reflecting on our Season of Creation and what God has been telling us during this time.

Food bank Update

This week we have been able to support another family referred to us via a local school to use the Good works trust shop.

Thank you to everyone who has brought donations into our food bank over the last couple of weeks. As I am off on sick leave these donations might still be in our collection basket but that does not mean that they are not appreciated, only that I have not been able to get into church to store them.

We continue to be able to provide emergency food support via food boxes and thanks to generous donations we continue to be able to direct families to the Good Work Trust Community Supermarket.

Whilst the food bank has been particularly blessed with donations recently there are items that we struggled to get adequate supplies of.
We would still like donations of the following:- Please can we start collecting those long life Christmas treats to put in our food boxes.

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.
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.

Church Working Bee 30th November. Morning

We will be holding our annual pre Christmas working bee on the 30th November. 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

Church Office hours October.

The school holidays start 30th September and as usual I will be working restricted hours and remotely for most of this. However, I will be taking some additional time off as sick leave. I will not be available between the 9th and the 14th October and will not be able to return to the office full time until at least the 28th October. I appreciate everyone's patience and support during this period.

If you need the church office 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.
Please speak to Connie if you are able to help with covering church cleaning during this time.

ATWC :- Share the Aroha Christmas Appeal

As we near the holiday season, the ATWC 2024 Christmas Appeal – Share the Aroha has launched.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Volunteer Chaplaincy Assistant.

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.

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

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

Pink Ribbon Month:- October is the Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon fund raiser. Regular breast screening is proven to significantly improve outcomes for breast cancer and is free for those over 45year olds. If you are over due for your check up please consider making time to invest in yourself this month.

Labour Day:- Monday the 28thOctober is Labour day and the church office will be closed.

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.

Our Daily Bread

Available in our shop and on the credenza as suply allows

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 and Bible Study Groups.

Midweek service

Wednesday 10am- Informal Communion at St Mary by the Sea.

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

Scripture

27th October

Micah 6:6-8
Esther 4:12-17
Luke 14:15-24


Collect

We praise you, God, that the light of Christ shines in our darkness and is never overcome; show us the way we must go to eternal day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    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

    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

    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

    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
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