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this Sunday we have our Quiet Christmas service for those that find the Christmas season difficult for whatever reason, 7pm in the Creative Space under the hall.
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And this coming week, from the 16th to the 21st December, the worship space is open for quiet reflection.
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You'll also see all our Christmas services below.
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Journeying with you, Dion
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The Third Sunday of Advent
Words for the beginning
Do the good that is yours to do
Isaiah 58:9b-12 | Luke 3:7-16
As John the Baptist is teaching about bearing good fruit, the crowds, tax collectors, and soldiers ask him, “What, then, should we do?” His answer to each group is slightly different, but ultimately the same: “Do the good that is yours to do.” We can each bear good fruit through acts of justice and righteousness. We can all be what Isaiah calls “repairers of the breach” by satisfying the needs of the afflicted.
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Advent & Christmas
15th December - 7pm Quiet Words
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If you have had a difficult year, are weary from loss and grief or want a break from a commercial Christmas, join us for a quiet, contemplative service
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16th-21st December - Reflective Words
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Take a moment out of the busy season for some reflection. A self-guided series of worship stations inspired by our theme “Words for the Beginning - Open from 10am - 7pm daily.
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24th December - 5pm Christingle Service
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Join us for pizza and a short service where we will read the Christmas story and make a Christingle. Suitable for all ages. RSVP to dion@stmary.co.nz for catering.
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24th December - 9pm Candlelight Service
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Carols by Candlelight and Communion. Carols from 9pm with the service beginning at 9:30pm.
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25th December - 9am Intergenerational Communion
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A service for all ages that includes communion.
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Food bank Update
Our food bank remains busy. It is rewarding to see that families that we have introduced to the Good Works Trust Supermarket are returning to this service and are provide food for their families. This service empowers families to provide for themself by providing reasonably priced food and choice and enhances their mana by giving them an alternative to food bank hand outs.
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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. We are also in immediate need of Canned creamed rice, long life milk, jelly blocks.
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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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Sharing the Blessing:- Christmas Can Appeal
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Since 2020, Holy Trinity Cathedral has helped to collect thousands of food items to donate to Auckland City Mission through the Cathedral Christmas Can Tree Appeal. This year they are doing the same . The Can Tree raises awareness of the needs in our community this Christmas as the cost of living continues to rise and government funding cuts have severely impacted the Mission's ability to do good. The Christmas Can Tree Appeal, in support of the Auckland City Mission, stands with the thousands of Aucklanders in desperate need this Christmas time. The tree is built and ready to receive donations of non-perishable food items from 1 December, right through Advent and Christmas.
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You can visit The Christmas Can Tree at Holy Trinity Cathedral any time during Advent and Christmas. Bring your friends and family! You can help grow the Cathedral Christmas Tree by donating food cans: Either a gift of one food can or make a donation to the Givealittle page (link below)
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In previous years we have had a separate collection for the City Mission during Advent but this year we are in a position to be able to pass on excess stock from our own food bank for the benefit of others. As a church, St Mary by the Sea was especially blessed this year by a generous donation of long life food from the Rangitoto College. This donation has enabled us to restock our food bank plus pass on extra to the Good Works Trust who support North Shore families. We are now able to make a donation from our Food Bank to the Cathedral Can Tree Appeal, passing on extra supplies where we have an abundance of some items.
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Church Working Bee:- 7th December
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Thank you everyone for their hard work last weekend for our working bee.
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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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Theology Courses
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Interested in studying Theology? The Theology Programme at the University of Otago offers a wide range of courses and qualifications, all available via distance learning. We offer courses in Biblical Languages, Biblical Studies, Chaplaincy, Christian Thought and History, and Pastoral Studies/Ministry. For further information go to www.otago.ac.nz/theology
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or ph 0800 80 80 98 or 03 479 8639.
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Community Shop.
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Come along and hunt out those unique and budget friendly Santa Gifts. The Community shop is open Monday - Saturday 10 to 3:45pm.
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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.
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If you are interested in going on the Community shop roster please contact Fay on weatherlyfay@gmail.com
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The shop took $12,200 in sales in November. Well done everyone. Thank you to everyone for supporting 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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Happy Birthday to Adele Ripi for the 11th December. Many happy returns to you.
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Happy School Holidays. A lot of you will have children or grandchildren already on holiday, a few last schools finish this week. Wishing you all a safe and fun Christmas break.
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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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Church Office hours .
The school holidays are now here and as usual I will be working restricted hours and remotely for most of this time, returning to on site office hours 29th January.
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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.
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Please speak to Connie if you are able to help with covering church cleaning during this time.
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Please note that no emails will be responded to between 23rdDecember and 3rd January.
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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
15th December Advent 3
Collect
God our strength and our hope,
grant us the courage of John the Baptist,
constantly to speak the truth,
boldly to rebuke vice
and patiently to suffer for the truth’s sake;
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
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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