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this week we continue with our Good news journey. And our theme is The Good news is: great love for God & neighbour, which is apt as we look to bring Good News to our community as we replant. Vestry have received written confirmation from the General Trust Board that our proposal can go ahead.
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Please join us online or in person as we explore the stories of a dinner hosted for Jesus, and Jesus' reminder that it is our call to feed and clothe people.
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Journeying with you, Dion
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Lent theme
Second Sunday in Lent – Sunday 1st March
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The Good news is: great love for God & neighbour
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This week we read from, Luke 7:36-50 (Woman with the alabaster jar washes Jesus’ feet) and Matthew 25:35-40 (“Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me”).
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Simon and some Pharisees host a dinner for Jesus and an unexpected guest arrives: a woman from the city who kneels at Jesus’ feet and washes him with expensive perfume. Simon scoffs at this party foul, but Jesus reorients his focus, asking him to truly see the woman and recognise that she has shown “great love,” offering the tender hospitality he was not granted when he entered Simon’s home. The woman with the alabaster jar shows a shocking, extravagant love that exemplifies the greatest commandment: to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind and to love your neighbour as yourself. Will the other guests see that loving God goes hand in hand with loving neighbour? We’ve paired this story with Jesus’ words in Matthew 25. When we care for the hungry, the naked, the imprisoned— each of whom are created in the image of God—we are showing love for God, too.
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Re-planting proposal
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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Prayer and Contemplation at Vaughan Park
11am on 2nd Friday of the month. An hour of contemplative prayer with icons the Ruatara Chapel. All welcome, just turn up, no charge.
Dates are: 13th March; 10th April; 8th May; 12th June; 17th July; 14th August; 11th September ; 9th October; 13th November.
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University of Auckland Study
Participants wanted for focus group.
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The University is looking for participants to take part in a focus group to improve our understanding of how patients want tot be informed about the use of AI in their healthcare. See the notice board or above for the poster giving information. Link to further information below
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Board Games Night :- start time now 6:30pm
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Food bank.
We have an urgent need for baby wipes, (used for personal hygiene when your homeless). We have run out of instant Coffee,and are very low on biscuits. If you are able to donate please consider adding these to your weekly shop.
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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.
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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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Sign up NOW for March Mission
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Do you need to new motivation for that New Years resolution?
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This March, we’re walking 7,000 steps a day to stay active and raise funds for people in our community doing it tough.
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Sign up today and get your FREE downloadable activity calendar to help you track your steps and stay motivated all month long!
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Every step you take will help provide access to nourishing kai, safe housing, and healthcare for people who need it most. Together, we can make a real difference.
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PLUS, when you raise $250, you’ll earn your very own March Mission t-shirt as a thank you for your amazing effort! For more details and to register see below.
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Community Shop.
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The Community shop is back in full swing and full of donations, so come in an buy up some 'new cloths' to change up your wardrobe.
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The shop took just under $11,800 in sales in January. an amazing total considering the holiday dates in the month. Well done all.
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If you have items to donate please consider holding onto donations for while. We would be very grateful if you could hold onto winter clothing until the end of March/ early April as we currently have no storage space. It is sad to be recycling perfectly good clothing because we have nowhere to put it. Thank you for all your good wishes and support.
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Dates for your Diary.
Details of events to follow
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6th March- World day of Prayer -from Nigeria held held at Trinity Waiake
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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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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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Celebrations
Happy Wedding Anniversary to Bruce and Jane Rogers for their anniversary on the 1st March. Happy birthday to Robin Clerk for the 3rd March . Many happy returns to you all.
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International Women's Day (8th March) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equality. The IWD have been gathering since 1911 and is global.
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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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Readings
Collect
Come Holy Spirit, to all baptised in your name, that we may turn to good
whatever lies ahead Give us passion, give us fire; make us transform the world from what it is, to what you have created it to be. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Wednesday Service-
Midweek service - Ruatara Chapel Vaughan Park
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Wednesday 10am- Informal Communion
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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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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
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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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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