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This week in Season of Creation our focus is the land. Land is given a hard time by us at times. And we have always known that for flourishing life, the land needs to be healthy. We are starting to discover this at a deeper level as scientists help us understand how trees talk to each other through underground networks of fungi and chemical signals. They share resources, warn each other of dangers, and even recognise their relatives, demonstrating a complex form of social interaction. This week we remind ourselves to care for the land.
Journeying with you, Dion
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Season of Creation Altar Frontal
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Season of Creation is a 3 year cycle of twelve themes. In 2023 Season of Creation we co-created art work on the front of the altar. Nanette Randall painted the background and we added different elements to it during our 10am worship. Every week we were invited reflect on our actions towards the created world, our impact on it and the potential we have for change - and we added something to the painting. Leaf prints for Forest Sunday, finger prints for Land Sunday, sand for Wilderness Sunday, and paint in the river, for River Sunday. Now we find ourselves in the cycle again and we have this piece of collaborative art that shows our faith journey as we care for creation, we hope you enjoy it.
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Re-planting proposal - most current update
27-29th August 2026
BOWLING CLUB VISIT
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Connie, Dion and Trevor visited The Bowling Club in Dunedin. They have the model of social enterprise cafe that the business case for the replanting is modelled on. Below you'll find a video of their visit, and a link to the documentary on the Bowling Club.
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Diocesan Consolidated Financial Report 2025
The consolidated general purpose financial report for the Diocese of Auckland Group for the year ending 31 December 2025 has been audited and filed with Charities Services on behalf of the Diocese of Auckland Group.
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You can review it on the Charities Services website or the diocesan website here.
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St Mary by the Sea is not required to adopt these financial statements formally, they are for our information only. Vestry will receive these at their next meeting. This report is not distributed in printed form.
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A Q&A paper has been included here to help us understand the consolidated general purpose financial report. The filed document includes the Annual Report for 2025 which summarises activities and services throughout the diocese.
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The 2025 Annual Report contains feature articles on:
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- Sustainability
- Selwyn Centres and the Selwyn Development Programme
- Cemeteries
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It also includes the Consolidated General Purpose Financial Report.
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Food bank.
We are blessed with the neighbours we have and the support we receive from the local schools.
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Thank you to Christine for her help in unloading and storing the Rangitoto Collection (see above).
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Last week we managed 4 food bank inquiries providing Emergency support parcels from our own food bank and referrals to the GWT for ongoing support plus we supply regular 'walk in' food support to those in need. As we come to the end of the winter weather the requests for support have continued to increase.
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If you or someone you know could use some food support at this time 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. 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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Older Persons Poverty Monitor 2026 Report
A few weeks ago New Zealand Launched its first monitor of Poverty in Older Persons, this is a major step as what we can measure we can change. The report covered 10 measures of hardship including income, housing, health, social isolation and discrimination. They found nearly 1 in 5 in the older population experience some form of hardship. "Alongside financial pressures, many older people are experiencing loneliness, social isolation and age-based discrimination. When asking older people to define poverty themselves, social isolation and isolation from whānau comprised a third of all responses – demonstrating that wellbeing in later life depends not only on material offerings, but also in meaningful social connection".(Selwyn Foundation). You can read the Selwyn introduction and access the full report in the link below. "Data from the Ministry of Social Development shows that over 55s are the largest demographic on the social housing waitlist, and the number of over 65s on the waitlist has climbed 34 percent in four years." ( RNZ)
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This is an election year; poverty and housing are not single party issues, they are issues that effect all of New Zealand. Before you cast your vote this year, ask your party how they are committed to being part of the solution.
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Board Games Night
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Panui Magazine.
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The Diocesan office sends out a biweekly newsletter with news and events from around the Diocese and beyond. We encourage all vestry members to subscribe, however anyone is welcome to sign up. Subscribe to PĀNUI for all the latest news and share this link to all your members https://aucklandanglican.org.nz/news/
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Community Shop.
The Community shop not only makes a significant contribution to supporting the day to day costs of running the Church, it also donates directly to community causes selected by themself. This year the Community shop made a very generous donation to the Good Works Trust School lunch pack program as well as donations to all 8 schools in our parish. Every year since 2020, the Community shop has funded supermarket vouchers which they donate to our local schools. The schools can then use these vouchers to support families and children in need from with-in their community. A new poster for the shop has been produced to represent this work and a copy of that is on our notice board.
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The Shop Needs Volunteers. We are a busy and welcoming shop and we need more volunteers to share the joy and satisfaction of our contribution to the community! We have 2 shifts a day - 10am to 1pm and 1pm to 4pm. [Monday to Saturday]The work is not "heavy" and we schedule 3 volunteers per shift.There are two "tow away" car parks just outside the door for volunteers.Full training is provided as you work.We provide morning and afternoon tea.Please contact Fay Weatherly [weatherlyfay@gmail.com] if you would like to become part of our Merry Band.
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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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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-
Midweek service - Ruatara Chapel Vaughan Park
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Wednesday 10am- Informal Communion
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Celebrations
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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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Wednesday 11am Zoom Bible Study-
Every Wednesday at 11am during school terms there is an online Bible Study. We use a process called "Dwelling in the word", and we look at the Gospel reading from the previous week. At the end, we pray for each other. Would you like more information? Please talk to Dion. Would you like to join? Please click the link below to take you to the zoom room at 10:55 for a 11:00am start on Wednesday.
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Meeting ID: 835 3674 1895
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Online Worship - Sunday 10am
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Readings
Collect
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God, our Creator, we celebrate your vibrant presence among us and our kin in creation, especially in the soil, the fields and the land. Help us to empathise with your creatures who are suffering. Lift our spirits to rejoice with the land, the flowers of the field and all the creatures of the countryside. In the name of Christ, who reconciles and renews all things in creation. Amen.
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Replanting FAQ
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As the wider community become more aware of our re-planting, vestry have this FAQ for you. It may help if people ask you questions:
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A New Chapter for St Mary by the Sea
Bringing Faith, Food, and Fellowship to the Heart of Our Community
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We are excited to share a bold new vision for St Mary by the Sea. We are proposing a "re-planting" of our ministry, moving our base to the vibrant business and social centre of our parish—right where our community shop already thrives in Browns Bay.
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Our goal is simple: To go where the people are. By centering our mission in the heart of the neighbourhood, we can turn our call to hospitality into a daily reality.
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Our Vision: Mission with Purpose
This move isn't just about a new building; it’s about fulfilling the Gospel imperative to serve. Our proposed new home will feature purpose-built spaces designed for modern community needs:
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A Social Enterprise Cafe: A welcoming space to feed the soul and the body, operating as a hub for connection.
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Mission Beyond Ourselves: Using commercial success to fund our worship and outreach programs.
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A Multi-Use Hub: A single site where our entire team can work efficiently to serve you better.
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Why Now?
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Jesus taught us that hospitality is at the heart of faith. While our current location has served us well, this move puts hospitality front and centre. We are creating a space that works for 2026 and beyond—a place where everyone is welcome, fed, and clothed.
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"Feeding people is a Gospel imperative. We are recentring our church to ensure our mission remains vibrant for generations to come."
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Social Enterprise Café:
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Good Food. Good Coffee. Doing Good Together.
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We are creating something new for Browns Bay: a welcoming space that serves great coffee by day and affordable, nourishing meals by night. This is a social enterprise designed to respond to the real pressures local households face. By combining a high-quality commercial café with a community-focused heart, we “pay the rent” and “feed the people” at the same time. Every coffee you buy during the day helps make it possible for someone else to enjoy a warm, nutritious evening meal.
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Opening Hours
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Daytime Café: Weekdays & Saturdays
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Evening Meals: 5 Nights a Week
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Weekends: Community gatherings and shared meals
(Exact hours to be announced soon!)
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What Makes Us Different?
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Two Cafés, One Purpose: A professional daytime café and a nighttime social enterprise—both designed to be financially sustainable.
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Affordable Evening Meals: Nutritious dinners available five nights a week. If you can’t afford to pay, you don't have to. No questions asked.
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Pay-It-Forward Generosity: You can choose to donate a meal for someone else, making quiet kindness a part of everyday life.
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Dignified Employment: We don't rely on volunteers. All our staff are professionals paid at or above the Living Wage.
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A Space for Everyone: From families feeling the cost-of-living squeeze to those just looking for a world-class flat white.
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More than a café: On weekends, the space also becomes a place for gathering, worship, and shared meals across generations.
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Your Questions Answered
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Everyone! Whether you're grabbing a morning brew, looking for a warm place to belong, or need a budget-friendly family dinner, you are welcome here.
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How does "Pay It Forward" work?
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Customers can prepay for a meal. These are then offered quietly to those in need, ensuring everyone can eat with dignity and choice.
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Is this a charity or a business?
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It’s a hybrid, a social enterprise. Each side of the operation is designed to be viable, allowing the café to remain resilient during changing economic times without relying solely on donations.
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Is this connected to a church?
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Yes, it is part of the mission of St Mary by the Sea. While the space hosts intergenerational worship and gatherings on weekends, the café is open to everyone, regardless of belief or background.
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How You Can Help
You don’t have to do anything extraordinary to support us—you just have to show up.
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Visit Us: Choose us for your morning coffee or Saturday lunch.
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Join Us: Bring the family for an affordable, nutritious evening meal.
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Pay a meal forward for someone else
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Spread the Word: Tell your friends, schools, and local networks about us.
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Re-planting proposal - older updates
13th August 2026
MARKETING UPDATE
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This week the Colliers International marketing signs went up. The offers deadline is the 8th September.
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6th August 2026
MARKETING UPDATE
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We are pleased to announce that Colliers International will now be marketing 168 Deep Creek Road. They bring a wealth of experience selling commercial property locally, nationally and internationally. We thank Trust Management for launching us onto the market.
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22nd April 2026
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There has been quite a bit of comment lately online about our replanting. Vestry have published an open letter to go to people who have contacted us, for the community shop and for those of us interested. The PDF is here: open letter.
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5th April 2026
Browns Bay Presbyterian (BBP) have offered us hospitality, if we are between buildings/worship spaces. This would potentially involve us running a 8am communion service, and our 10am congregation joining with the BBP 10am service, and experiencing their style and hospitality. This will be a good opportunity to restore our broken ecumenical relationship, and work closer together.
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27th February 2026
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Vestry received notification of the sales process, and the terms and conditions that the General Trust Board have signed on our behalf for the sale of St Mary by the Sea. The process starts on Wednesday 4th March and offers conclude on 8th April.
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24th February 2026
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Vestry this week received written confirmation, further to the verbal confirmation that the GTB have given approval for our re-planting proposal to go ahead.
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12th December 2025
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Vestry received written confirmation from Diocesan Council, of the approval of our business case. Vestry received verbal notification from Bishop Ross, that our business case and the sale of St Mary by the Sea, was then approved by the General Trust Board as owners. We now await written confirmation.
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4th December
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Vestry have received notification that our business case is on the agenda to be considered by the General Trust Board on Friday 12th December.
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14th November
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Diocesan Council did not consider our proposal. We do not know when it will be considered, and we have yet to hear back about the further 5 funding options for purchase.
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30th October
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Vestry have provided Diocesan Council with the requested Business Case, with greater detail. Diocesan Council are scheduled to consider that lease proposal this week. Vestry have yet to hear back about the further 5 funding options for purchase.
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5th October
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Vestry have heard that the Bishop's proposal from June can't go any further. Vestry have yet to hear back about the further 5 funding options for purchase, and are working on another proposal for the lease of a building.
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21st August 2025
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We have heard, that the 5 further funding options have not been considered by Diocesan Council yet. We are hopeful that they may consider them at their September meeting.
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15th August 2025
This week vestry wrote to Diocesan Council and the Bishop, to test 5 more funding options for replanting.
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Vestry also received notification that we will be able to have a meeting to pursue the Bishop's option in September. We are hopeful that we will know by the end of September, or early October whether this option is a possible way forward for our re-planting.
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5 August 2025
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Vestry have heard from Bishop Ross, about his initial investigation. Vestry are unable to share at this stage what this is. There is no current time-frame for when this investigation can be made known. In the interim, vestry continue to explore alternative options.
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29th June 2025
On Thursday 26th of June, Bishop Ross and Sonia Maugham (the Diocesan manager) and Paul Woodfield from Diocesan Council, met with Dion, Mark and Trevor to give feedback on our proposal. Because we can't do this project with the resources available to St Mary by the Sea, Bishop Ross is investigating whether there are other resources that may be available to us. This will take sometime, and we wait to hear back what possibilities may be available to us.
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8th June 2025
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The Bishop has sent a letter expressing the support of the Diocesan Council for the vision of the Parish. However, they have indicated that the site at 65 Clyde Road is unfortunately not financially viable for either purchase or lease. The Diocesan Council would like to see the business case continue to develop and are interested in fostering collaborations that could provide the resources necessary to secure a future for the project. Our next step at St Mary by the Sea, is to wait and see where things go with Diocesan Council as they meet with vestry. Vestry will then bring to the parish for consideration the Diocesan Council plans.
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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, vicar@stmary.co.nz
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Curate
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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, vicarswarden@stmary.co.nz
Mark Van der ham, peopleswarden@stmary.co.nz
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Synod Representatives
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Mark Van der ham, peopleswarden@stmary.co.nz
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Connie Strong, vicarswarden@stmary.co.nz
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Vestry Secretary
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Monique Jonas, vestrysecretary@stmary.co.nz
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Privacy Officer
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Monique Jonas, vestrysecretary@stmary.co.nz
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Health and Safety Officer
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Mark Van der ham peopleswarden@stmary.co.nz
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Vestry Members
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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