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Have you ever made an upside down cake before? There are all kinds of these cakes. Whether it is your classic chocolate self-saucing pudding, or a cake with glacé cherries and pineapple on top. The essence is that you put all the good stuff on the bottom, you cook it, then just before serving, you tip it up the right way and everything is in place and looking good.
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The Kingdom of God is similar. We look around us and see things as they are, and think that that is how life is meant to be; but it’s not. When Jesus looked around he saw a similar structure to today, where some are on top and others are oppressed. But that is not as God intended. God constantly called the people to care for all like we would our very own family. And to make sure that we care for those who have need. We were told to leave food for those who have none. And God gave specific, easy to follow laws or ideas about how to do this; but they were ignored. Today in Luke 6:17-26, Jesus says along the lines of: “don’t worry, God will correct the way things are, so that you are all cared for.” And this happens through things being re-orientated. Biblical experts call this the “upside down nature of the Kingdom of God.” Jesus shows what it will look like, by the poor having what they need, and the rich struggling, because they will have less to live on (not nothing, just less).
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As you look around you, what do you think needs to be righted? If there was something that needed to be turned upside down, so that the poor would be better cared for, what would you change?
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Journeying with you, Dion
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Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on the 5th March.
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We begin with Shrove Tuesday on the 4th March at 5pm for pancakes and ashes, then Ash Wednesday and on the 5th March at 10am for a traditional imposition of ashes and at 7pm we begin our lent theme of Everything [in] between, a Lenten Series in Luke's Gospel.
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Keep the dates and come along for these.
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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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AAW Event :- Open to all
The AAW will be meeting at Vaughan Park on Friday, 21 February, at 10.00 a.m. Harpist, Robyn, will be playing for us in the Ruatoria Chapel. (Bring a partner/husband/friend). Meet new Auckland AAW President Julie Walker, St Stephen's, HBC.) You may like to picnic afterwards in the Long Bay Park.
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RSVP for morning tea (catering Vaughan Park @ $12 per person).
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Food bank.
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St Mary by the Sea food bank remains open for donations and for the provision of food support during this holiday period.
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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 and personal hygiene products are always in high demand and we currently have no or limited stock. We now have a good stock of toilet rolls and toothpaste but would really appreciate disinfectant wipes and female deodorant. (no spray type please)
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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 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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Cleaning & odd jobs wanted
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Do you need cleaning done, or odd jobs? Anything considered. Please phone Keren 021 153 0397
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Community Shop.
The year has started well at the shop. Sales are carrying on at strength, sometimes with queues of customers at the till. The shop took just over $12,800 in January in sales. Expenses need to be deducted from this.
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We also have bumper 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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Interment
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The Interment service for our late parishioner, Keith Hay will take place at our Memorial gardens on the 23rd February at 1.30pm. Please up hold Keith's family in prayer at this time.
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Celebration
Happy Birthday to Ray Ferguson who will be 92 on the 18th, Annalia Blundell for the 19th, Naomi Stafford and Ted Ranyard for the 20th and to Paige Waddingham for the 22nd. Many happy returns. A busy week for birthday cakes!!
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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.
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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 back on.
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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
16th February
Collect
God of the hungry, make us hunger and thirst for the right, till our thirst for justice has been satisfied and hunger has gone from the earth.
This we ask 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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