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each Gospel starts uniquely. In Matthew, we start with teachings, where Jesus sets out what the Good News is, and what a life pleasing to God looks like. It is both simple and incredibly challenging. The ways that Jesus teaches are not ways that come naturally and easily; we need to work at them. So right at the beginning, we have Jesus teaching; this is the way. Over the next three weeks we look at this, before Lent begins.
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Journeying with you, Dion.
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Spiritual Direction
This year Dion is offering spiritual direction. Would you like to receive Spiritual Direction? More can be found below.
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As part of Dion's ongoing development, Dion is formally training as a Spiritual Director over the next two years through Spiritual Growth Ministries.
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So what is Spiritual Direction?
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Mechtild of Magdeburg once said, "The day of my spiritual awakening was the day I saw-and knew, I saw-all things in God, and God in all things". Spiritual direction provides a sacred moment where one person accompanies another through the meandering path of their own life, so that they can see clearly what God is doing in their life. As Jesus taught, "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light" (Matt 6:22, NRSV).
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If you would like to explore this further, please talk to Dion
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021 137 8624 or dion@stmary.co.nz or after service.
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February services
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Two services resume this coming Sunday, 1st February at 8am and 10am
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Lent
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, the 18th February.
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Shrove Tuesday, 5:30pm Pancakes and Ashes
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Ash Wednesday, 10am service at Vaughan Park
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Ash Wedbesday, 7:00pm Intergenerational Service
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Re-planting proposal
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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Board Games Night - On hold
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Board games night is on hold over the Christmas period. Details of a restart date will follow.
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Food bank.
Please can we have donations of bread wraps, coffee, toilet rolls, jam, men's roll-on deodorant .
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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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Community Shop.
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Happy New Year to all our volunteers, supporters and customers.
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After a short break, we re-opened the shop for 2026 on January 5th. We are being flooded with donations, the shop is full of customers and business is 'booming'. If possible, hold off bringing donations at the moment, especially bulky winter items, as we have no space to store them. After Easter would be a good time. 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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17th February- Shrove Tuesday
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18th February-Ash Wednesday
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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 birthday to Isaac Blundell who celebrates his birthday on the 8th February. Many happy returns to you.
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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 Service- Returning 21st Jan 2026
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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Readings
Collect
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Teach us, Jesus, how to live and worship without being worldly or greedy. Drive from our lives what spoils them and make us temples of the Spirit; for the glory of your holy name. Amen.
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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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