Hi reader,

this week we hear Paul’s "more excellent way” of staying in relationship with others. Paul teaches us on love. Most good theologians (people to teach about the things of God) will say that God is love, and that the most important thing that Jesus taught and showed us, was that the only answer is love. Paul stands in this tradition and gives us some concrete practices to follow through with.

Journeying with you, Dion

Parish lunch. Sunday 9th February,

We will be holding our usual Parish Lunch at 11:30am on the 9th Feb.
Hang out and catch up with the St Mary family. Food and drink will be provided.
All welcome, come and share your Christmas holiday news.

Star Words

Did you get your star word on Sunday? Star Words are something that has been gaining in popularity, with the idea that we receive a word and use that as something to intentionally reflect on and focus through the year.

God uses many different ways to guide us, and these words can be one of those ways. When we look through the world and our lives through a particular lens, we can discover new things. We can invite God to help us use this word as a lens, as a way of looking at, reflecting and acting in the world.

  • Ideas for what to do:
    Pop the word somewhere visible and each day ask God to help you see this word as you move through your day. At the end of the day, reflect on where you have seen this word.
  • If you live in a household, spend some time at the dinner table talking about your word and where you have seen it today.
  • Pop the word into your journal or notebook and explore it, look up definitions and related words. Where does this word occur in Scripture? Ponder the word and its different meanings and then as you notice the word in your daily life, reflect and journal.
  • Near the end of this year, reflect on this word and what you have learned about it. What impact has it had on your faith and your life? What are you aware of that you have previously not seen? What has God said to you?
There are still some words available, so next time you are in church, find the basket and take a word. Don’t search though either, close your eyes and pick a word and see where it takes you in your faith journey.

Food bank.

St Mary by the Sea food bank remains open for donations and for the provision of food support during this holiday period.
Items that are always in need for donations include :- powered milk small size bags, sun screen, canned ham/ chicken / beef, (not fish), canned potatoes, canned peas, canned mushrooms. Cleaning products are always in high demand and we currently have no or limited stock. Cleaning cloths, kitchen and bathroom cleaners, laundry powder.


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 Mondays and Fridays.

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.

Cleaning & odd jobs wanted

Do you need cleaning done, or odd jobs? Anything considered. Please phone Keren 021 153 0397

Community Shop.

The shop will close Christmas eve afternoon and reopen 3rd January. Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers for all your hard work and dedication.

If you are interested in going on the Community shop roster please contact Fay on weatherlyfay@gmail.com

If you are having a clear out during the holidays please think carefully about whether your item is suitable to donate. Donations should NOT be left out side the shop, please wait until the shop is open for donations again.

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

St Mary by the Sea garden group are holding an open day on the 8th February when they will show their gardens, have composting demonstrations and other interesting talks. All are welcome.

If 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

Garden Community Open Day

The Community Garden invite you to come along to their Open Day on the 8th February. They are having a talk by Pip Beagley from The Compost Collective to on compost making, a demonstration on assembling and installing raised garden beds, a talk on our organic gardening philosophy and products used. We will have plants and produce for sale, food, and drink and entertainments for children.

Come along and enjoy the day.

Celebration

Happy Birthday to Issac Blundell for the 8th February. Many happy returns.

Random Acts of Kindness Day – Monday 17 February
Random Acts of Kindness Day was first created in Denver, Colorado in 1995 but has been in New Zealand since 2004. Random Acts of Kindness can include just about anything, including something as simple as taking a friend out to lunch. The idea behind this day is to make the world a better place by spreading a little light around. Lift someone up with your words, compliment them on their appearance, shout someone a coffee. All these things can help to really turn around someone who’s having a bad day.
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 supply 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 - on break now until Feb

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

Wednesday Zoom Bible Study - on break now until Feb

Wednesday at 11am - there is a Bible Study on Zoom 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

    2nd February

    Jeremiah 1:4-10
    Luke 4:21-30
    1 Corinthians 13:1-13

    Collect

    Everliving God, your Son Jesus Christ was presented as a child in the temple to be the hope of your people; grant us pure hearts and minds
    that we may be transformed into his likeness, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever.
    Amen

    Banking requirements New Zealand.

    New Zealand banks have introduced Confirmation of Payee. 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.

    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

    Curate

    Rev'd Kate Shrigley 021 396 888 kate@stmary.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

    Mark Van der ham, 021 2711207 peopleswarden@stmary.co.nz
    Connie Strong, connie1057@gmail.com

    Vestry Secretary

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

    Privacy Officer


    Health and Safety Officer

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

    Vestry Members

    Chris Waddingham, waddinghamchris@gmail.com
    Jenny Cheer, jmcheer@xtra.co.nz
    Kerry Jonas, kerryandrobinj@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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