Our Newsletter 

Devon St. Gore
standrews.church.net.nz

The View From Here

Holy Days: We are almost done with this year’s Easter period, a time of central importance in the church’s life but of less and less significance to many people in our community. If we need confirmation of that, the cry again this year for garden shops to be allowed to open on Good Friday and Easter Day is an important symbol of it. It would seem to me likely that Good Friday and Easter Day will probably go the same way as Sunday before long. Should Christians continue fighting?

There is a sense in which the cry of the garden shops and their supporters is a demonstration that we might not have far to go. What it says is that people have an absolute right to shop! Not a right to free speech. Not a right to adequate housing. Not a right to a fair trial by a jury of one’s peers. What we are fighting for is our right to shop! We want to garden and we apparently do not have the brains to organize ourselves to buy a pottle of plants the day before and so we must have the right to shop on Good Friday. As a Christian I am not so much offended by this as saddened.

What Christians must represent, and represent attractively, is that there is more to life than shopping. There is more to life than the accumulation of goods. There is more to life than being entertained. To fight, by way of asking for strict laws, on the question of whether garden shops may open seems to me to give the question more dignity than it deserves. Abundant life, as Jesus promised, surely translates into something more than the absolute right to trundle a shopping cart every day of the year.

Holy Matrimony: We have a similar storm in the pipeline over the two civil union bills which to my mind would have the effect of reducing marriage to no better than any other relationship. Some among our lawmakers want to legislate all relationships including marriage under a new name, ‘Civil Union’, thereby suggesting the terms marriage, husband and wife be written out of more than 100 pieces of legislation, so all relationships are given the same rights and benefits as marriage.

I think marriage is important but I don’t think it is important on the grounds that it has a better deal on rights and privileges. Marriage is important because it is a holy matrimony blessed by God. “What God has joined, let no one separate.” Again, what Christians must represent, and represent attractively, is that there is more to marriage than sharing a bed, a house, a car and whatever. I don’t want to force people to get married, or to stay married, by the imposition of strict laws. By the same token I detest change that appear to compromise the value of a sacred covenant established between a husband and wife in marriage.

I want people to see, by the evidence of good marriages, that marriage is one possible style of the abundant life that is God’s will for us all. A rich and fulfilling life is not something law can enforce us to have. A rich life is the free response to the generous goodness of God. Life in the Spirit is life in all its fullness.

Holy Flame: This is why the next season on the Christian Calendar is so important. When tongues of fire descended upon the disciples on Pentecost, -no it was not arson of the type- it reminded them (and us) that the work of God is not yet done. We have the Holy Spirit as our Life-Saver.

The Church becomes a place where Christians come to be equipped and empowered for service in the world. Here at St Andrews - we understand our worship as a time to praise and thank God -- but we also understand that this is a staging area for disciples to gather and be empowered by the Spirit to be about God's work (Acts).

Over the next three months, do come along and enjoy being part of life at St Andrews. The Spirit gives each of us gifts; the Spirit is the presence of God dwelling within us; the Spirit is Jesus continuing to do and teach -- to love and to heal -- through us. Can you imagine a life more rich and fulfilling? I only wish our lawmakers could!                                                                           

Grace and peace,

Karima Fai'ai

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“The Sacrifice – Let us remember” ANZAC Day 2004

Contributed by John Falconer – Session Clerk

John 15:13 reads ‘The greatest love a person can have for his friends, is to give up his life for them”. So many memories this morning are for those who made the supreme sacrifice during world conflicts. Likewise we remember our Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross this third Sunday of Easter. We can well reflect on the sacrifice of our Lord so that we, the ordinary people involved in ordinary lives – can be free – our sins forgiven. How important then is the still of the morning at the Cenotaph, to join those who served at a time of their youth with courage, sacrifice and comradeship, to especially remember those who lost their lives, so that we the ordinary people living ordinary lives can be free.

Can we possibly imagine the feelings of those who served our country at a time of peril and war – or how Jesus’ followers felt as they sought to make reason of the Crucifixion and how they failed to recognise the risen Lord. Why was it that the disciples did not recognise Jesus? Why was it they failed to believe other people when they claimed to have met the risen Christ? I believe that the reason is because we expect to see him only in certain places – not in others. Like this morning ANZAC Day is the touchstone to an identity for a nation and its people – a sense of purpose – a sense of values. A special morning of shared experiences remembered through the sacrifice of many.

How much does the Cross on Calvary Hill reflect our way of life – our church? Anzac Day and the Cenotaphs remind us of the sacrifice for freedom and our way of life. The similarities are amazingly strong between our Christian beliefs and the many memorials erected to remember those who served in the years of conflict.  Like the memorial at Cave, South Canterbury that reads ‘So long as this rock endures and grass grows and water runs, so long will this stone bear witness – that through this low pass they rode and walked on their way to the Great European War and World War 2 – that our British way of living may continue’. Enduring and endearing words that speak of loyalty, commitment and personal freedom. Like the risen Christ, the Cross symbolises our personal freedom for the generations to come.

How much then should our church reflect the life of the Disciples and Christians who have given their lives in the service of Christ?

Psalm 124 reads:

V1.          What if the Lord had not been on our side

V6           Let us thank the Lord who has not let our enemies destroy us

V8           Our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

These are Christian beliefs that have carried generations through turbulent times. Our presence at this mornings Dawn and Church services gives support and remembrance of one of Kipling’s writings –

“All that they gave – they gave in sure and simple faith

from little towns in a far land we came

by little towns in a far land we sleep

and trust those things we won – to you – to keep”

Kipling’s words bring to each one of us a personal meaning – a remembrance – a vision for a world of peace.

For what is freedom if we do not have the principles of free speech, religion and the ability to travel. We would indeed be failing the meaning of Easter, the Crucifixion and the risen Lord Jesus Christ and the memories of what ANZAC Day stands for if we fail to remember the sacrifices made. Yes Jesus Christ is here today – his sacrifice on the Cross ensured that.

We will be forever grateful for the sacrifices of the past. We are all benefactors of the sorrow and pride of this special day. Let us remember them and the one who gave his life on a cross to give us the grace of forgiveness and eternal life.  AMEN. 

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News Bytes

Session Notes - John Falconer

Sale of the East Gore Manse is to proceed – Deacons’ Court is facilitating this issue.

Presbytery Report – a minute of appreciation to the work of Rev. K Fai’ai as Interim Moderator of the Knapdale – Waikaka parish was recorded. The Rev. Allan Kerr has accepted the Call to that parish.

The future of our parish was discussed and a small sub-committee shall report to the June Session on possible ways we can grow our congregation and influence our presence in the community. Question? Please give your thoughts to your Session member.

Mission Outreach – a team of Rev. Fai’ai, Bill Christie, Margaret Muir & Margaret Martyn are to consider this. This involves Mission to those around us as well as further afield.

A combined Ecumenical service with St. Andrews & Holy Trinity and the Blessed Sacrament Churches has been set down for the 30th May.

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Message from Deacons Court

The Deacons’ Court expresses its thanks to all the folk who responded to the financial appeal sent out with the last newsletter. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

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View from the Back Pew

Once again a great rally round on the day of the sale from Alex and Murray, the “sausage kings” right through to the Girl’s Brigade people and all those in between. Everything works thanks to all the dedicated helpers. A few more customers would have made the results even better than it was.

We don’t really appreciate the readers who give us our Bible scripture lessons each Sunday and those who lead us in prayer – it is not as easy as it looks, to stand up in front of a large congregation and be calm while reading passages that can include some very difficult names and places. If you haven’t been asked yet and would like to be a part of this important contribution to the weekly services, it only takes a wink and a nod to Karima.

Sunday by Sunday we are greeted with beautiful floral displays that greatly enrich the atmosphere. To the ladies who have the artistic talents goes our appreciation for their efforts, week by week. Betty Taylor is always on the lookout for people with a talent for floral display.

Have you noticed the neat gardens around the buildings when you come to Church or pass by on your daily exercise. At present we have new plantings of pansies that will make a great showing when in full flower. A lot of credit for this goes to Wattie and his secret mixtures and Betty and the team who do the planting. Keeping the lawns cut is a task that receives little thanks but imagine how the property would look if it wasn’t done. To the mower men & women thank you, and enjoy your winter rest as summer is coming again,

How welcoming it is to be greeted with a warm handshake Sunday by Sunday. A cheery word means a lot to us all and we are grateful to our “Door Duties” team for this. Each Sunday we have 4 people sharing the greeting, receiving our offerings and doing the things that make us comfortable. We are always looking for people to do this duty, volunteers only need to talk to any Elder to be included.

We have a very sophisticated sound system that is capable of delivering good sound throughout the church. Wide band speakers deliver speech very clearly and the different voices are adjusted from the control desk to ensure constant volume and pitch. The control panel is a complex piece of electronic equipment and requires the attention of a trained operator to give of its best. Christie Booth has devoted many long hours over a period of months to install the equipment and tune it into our acoustic climate and he & his dedicated team are achieving good results. We can now play C.D. and tape recordings as well as relay music from live groups. Sunday services are recorded on tape and supplied to people who are unable to attend services. Two things are necessary to make this new equipment a 100% success, – people to operate the sound desk (and instruction will be given to beginners). If you can manage a computer, working the sound desk is a breeze. Secondly, please have a word with the operator if you don’t hear clearly, but please, don’t condemn the system. Hearing aids are available.

Friday night 500 Card evenings are now well established with 25 or more attending regularly. This is a social activity and does not aim to find the champion players. So why not come and join in with this happy group. Be seated by 7-30pm and supper is served around 9-45pm.

Must mention the Band who lead Sunday by Sunday. To Marlene, Murray, Jenny, Joan, Karima and Satiu we say thank you and your contributions are gratefully acknowledged.

Let us not forget Marion & Tom who produce morning tea week by week. We all enjoy this time of fellowship.

Until next time………..

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Annual Church Fair

Joy McVicar

Fair to say that this year we did not have the crowd numbers of other years, but still had a good sale with a good result. The stalls were all well stocked with lots of goodies as well as knitting & sewing.

The white elephant stall was well stocked and as usual there were plenty of bargains there. We do appreciate the work done by the lunch staff and barbeque cooks for keeping everyone fed with good warm food. Special thanks to the Deacons’ Court for their help on Friday afternoon setting up and also for their help on Saturday around the sale and cleaning up after. For the first time we had some baking left but were able to sell that after church on Sunday; as well as a few vegetables.

It was good to have our new Girl’s Brigade group with a stall selling sweets and they were able to get some funds as well as make themselves known to the St. Andrew’s people. There were lots of goods over from the white elephant stall so some of the workers will hold a garage Stall in the near future at the East Gore Manse. Look out for notices. To date we have banked $4432.10 – well done to everyone who helped in any way. As usual very special thanks to convener Evelyn Wilson who encourages us with her enthusiasm.

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APW - A new way of working – Bush Telegraph May 04

At the beginning of May the Association of Presbyterian Women held an Extraordinary National Business Meeting to consider recommendations of their Consultative Group on the future structure for women’s work and witness in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. The Core Group, convened by Nan Burgess, had, for a year, been consulting with Presbyterials and women’s groups, a process of listening and learning.

The meeting was attended by representatives of nearly every region in the country. In an atmosphere of openness the 100 or so members who were present agreed by consensus to a series of changes that will begin a time of “growing into change”. The emphasis is on the creation of an effective network of women and women’s groups in the Church.

In brief, parishes will be asked to identify Parish Liaison People; regions or Presbyterials to identify two regional coordinators in each; and, at a national level, the APW National Executive is now replaced by a team of national conveners living in different parts of NZ, and a policy and administration group. Each of the conveners will work with a small team.

This is an exciting development. A new way of working will develop. Parish, regional and national people will be engaged in a constant two-way communication network, to facilitate the mission of women in the Church.

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News of the Church Family
                              
Illness

Our love and prayers are sent to Jim Wayte, Leslie Mowat, Elizabeth Elder, Jim White, Ian Kinley, Margaret Logan, Ruth Weir who were recently hospitalised.

Deaths

Our prayers and sympathy are sent to the families of  Mrs McFadzien, and Doug Elliot who died recently.

Baptism

Brooke Armour Muir – daughter of Paul Muir & Cathy Borthwick.

New to Our Parish

-we offer you the right hand of friendship.

Special Birthdays

The following have recently reached special milestones

Mary Smith, Russell Thwaites and Marilla Park.

Prayer Chain

Did you know that St. Andrew’s has a Prayer Chain?

Please let our Minister or Hazel Johnston

(Ph 208-6705) know if you have prayer needs

Living Together in Christ

During June and July we will be running a series of studies for anyone interested headed

 Living Together in Christ, prepared by the Doctrine Committee for PCANZ.

The studies will be held in the church hall on Sunday afternoons beginning at 2:30 for approx. 1 hour.

13th June  The Dynamic of the Christian Life.

 20th June  Unity in Diversity in Scripture

 27th June  The Centrality of Christ

 4th July     Living Together -- the Church.

These studies focus on widening understanding on unity in diversity, focussing on the Bible, beliefs, religious changes and different life experiences and needs. They will be led by Karima and members of the Education team.

We would recommend these studies to you all.

Marylyn Copland Education Team

Thank you to Samoa –Who not only gave us our Minister & family

but also produced our All Black Captain !!.

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Messages of Missions

Mongolian Connection

From Mongolia Margaret Currie writes of her return in April to a Mongolian Spring. Her fellow team members had worked hard in her absence and she asks for our prayers that they will persevere and not be lured away by higher wages. Margaret has answered a call from the Police Academy for English teachers, and teaches from 2-4pm every Thursday, a class of language teachers.

Margaret also writes about the Pig Farm, the Ministry for Prisoner’s families and the Anti-Tuberculosis campaign. A full copy of her newsletter is available on the Notice Board.

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Symons Scene

Bruce & Carol Symons write thanking St. Andrews for the gift sent in April. “We always appreciate the evidence of your partnership with us. Bruce would appreciate your prayers for his continuing back pain. Nothing seems to be changing, and he is getting quite frustrated with the whole situation. He is able to keep up with his teaching responsibilities, but comes home to rest after a few hours”.

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Offering for Missions

You are invited to support the missionary work of Margaret Currie with the Mongolian Prison Mission and Bruce and Carol Symons who are involved with Wycliffe Bible Translation College in Australia.

If you would like to support either or both these projects, please place your donation in the container at the church door on Communion Sunday or  alternatively, in a marked envelope in the offering bag at any service.

All donations will be divided equally between the two missions unless you direct otherwise. 

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A Call for Help in the Sudan

CWS has launched an appeal to help provide emergency relief to millions of people displaced by ongoing conflict in South & West Sudan. Marauding , government-backed militia groups have killed thousands of people and forced more than a million to flee their homes amidst wide spread human rights violations. In the south 1.5 million need food relief, disease is rife, health & education services minimal, there is limited access to safe water and no communication infrastructure.

Donations may be mailed to Christian World Service, PO Box 22652, Christchurch

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