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we have a SGM coming up, to present our annual accounts, and to give an update on the re-planting in Browns Bay. Details below.
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I have had a great week contemplating last weeks parable of the fig tree. As I shared last week, it's a parable where the scholars struggle to come to any consensus over what it means. On Monday I found out that fig trees essentially need stress to bear fruit, that their roots are often bound so they produce. I also discovered that to dig around a fig tree would be the wrong thing to do, as you disturb all the soil microbes, what's more, putting manure on it would really be the wrong thing to do as there is too much nitrogen. So if this is also true in the Ancient Near East, where Jesus was, then the garden was offering the wrong thing! And that got me exploring. Just what was "fig growing like in biblical times." And while I found articles, none answered my questions about fertilising them. Should you or should you not fertilise? I couldn't find any reference to fertilising fig trees. Maybe, it might be that you absolutely shouldn't fertilise? It's certainly starting to appear more like that to me. So therefore when Jesus told people this parable, maybe they laughed? Why would a gardener do something they shouldn't, something that wouldn't produce the desired outcome of fruit? Maybe this was yet another way of Jesus disarming people, so that serious conversations could happen? I would love the opportunity to sit down with Jesus and say: "So what were you hoping people would hear through this parable?" Some parts of the Gospel are easy to apply. Some are more nuanced than we might imagine.
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Journeying with you, Dion
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Everything in between
A lenten series in Luke's Gospel
“Lost & Found” – THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
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Luke 15:1-7 (Parable of the Lost Sheep) Herding sheep is a never-ending task. As soon as one is found, another may go missing. Our lives have a similar ebb and flow—in one moment we might feel like we have it all together, and in the next, we’re struggling to survive. The promise of this parable is that no matter how “lost” we feel, the Good shepherd is by our side.
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St Mary by the Sea SGM
6th April after 10am Service.
Vestry would like to invite parishioner to an SGM to:
1) approve the Annual accounts
and
2) Approve the presentation of the business case for the re-planting of St Mary by the Sea from 168 Deep Creek Road to 65 Clyde Road to Diocesan Council for their approval
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Combined Good Friday Service
Northcross Community Church
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A combined Christian service will be offered at Northcross Community Church, on Good Friday 18th April at 10am.
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City Mission BIG mission Home
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How is your New Year resolution going? Did you make one? What was yours? Are you finding it hard to keep the motivation? If your resolution was to get fit, exercise more, give more to Charity why not consider doing the City Mission BIG MISSION HOME. A great walk in aid of the City Mission which can be completed as part of a large event on the 22nd March or as an individual/ small group any date in March. See the link below for more details
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Donation Receipts.
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Please make sure that you contact the church office if you are not sure if we have your correct contact details. In preparation for the Donation Tax receipts, if any of your information has changed in the last 18 months or if you have experienced difficulties in receiving your Tax receipt in previous years please email the church office to confirm your Name, Address, and the Email address you want your receipt to go to. If you are in doubt whether this applies to you please email the church office with this information anyway. Tax receipts will be emailed out where possible to save resources and for speed, the postal system is slow. Please ensure we have an email address that you re happy to receive this information at.
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Please email any changes to office@stmary.co.nz with TAX in the subject line.
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Food bank. Up-date
Many thanks to everyone for your continued support of this mission. The level of need in the East Coast bays remains high as the cost of living continues to effect households. This week we have provided 2 emergency food supports and referred a family to Good Work Trust for a supermarket shop. With the colder, wetter weather getting closer those families that are struggling to get by on their budget will need to choose between food and heat.
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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 Mondays and Fridays.
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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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Please be mindful of your own budgeting needs but if you are able to support this mission please look a the list and see what is in need this week.
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We are in need of Weetbix, other breakfast cereals, pasta sauces and pasta.
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Please help if your budget allows.
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Thank you for your continued support of this mission.
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Community Shop.
The year has started well at the shop. The shop has trialed fill a bag sales and these have gone well.
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For February the Community Shop took just over $10,400 in sales. Expenses need to be deducted from this.
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We also have bumper amount of donations coming in. Our volunteers are struggling to cope with this because we do not have space to put it all either in the shop or in our storage area.
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If you have items to contribute or you know someone who does, please consider keeping them at home for the moment.
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We can cope with Ladies' Summer Tops but most other items, please put on hold.
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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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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
Happy Wedding Anniversary to Trevor and Audrey Stafford for the 26th March. Happy Birthday to Peter Hoffmann for the 29th, Catherine Smith for the 1st April and to Avril Nettleton for the 4th April. Congratulations and many happy returns to you all.
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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 - Now at Ruatara Chapel Vaughan Park
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Wednesday 10am- Informal Communion
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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
30th March
Joshua 5:9-12
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
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Collect
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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.
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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.
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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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Curate
Rev'd Kate Shrigley 021 396 888 kate@stmary.nz
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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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Mark Van der ham, 021 2711207 peopleswarden@stmary.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
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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Jenny Cheer, jmcheer@xtra.co.nz
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Kerry Jonas, kerryandrobinj@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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