Welcome to Spring (and Covid-19 level 2.5)
September is our month when we focus on Creation and we remember and give thanks for the beauty that surrounds us in nature and our families, friends and community.
Well we are almost three-quarters of the way through our year. So far this year we have faced many challenges on personal levels and as a church, community and country. We have seen many hurting individuals as a result of isolation, ill health and changes in our economy on either a personal level or as a community while we continue to battle the Covid-19 virus along with the rest of the world.
The past few weeks have brought the added frustration for some, as people have sought to come into Pukekohe for their supplies and for me to get food out to families many of whom have young babies or young families. The restricting of travel has helped to keep the virus contained to the Auckland area. I am very grateful to Victim Support
who have assisted us with this by delivering the goods across the southern border. It is times like this when I am really appreciative of the love and support shared amongst parishioners and the community and the way in which our networking has been strengthened. This may be through prayer which is always supportive and encouraging or
through practical means.
Our food bank has been very busy over the past few weeks. I am very grateful for the support we have received that has enabled us to reach out to those in need. In particular I would like to thank Graham Russell for his personal generosity and encouraging huge support from the Pukekohe Rotary club including organising a fundraising cycle race. It is encouraging to see the way in which Bombay/ Pokeno and the Tuakau and districts parishes have supported this project. New World has donated food each Wednesday which Paul Brown and Graham Russell have collected for us, Bromley Park Hatcheries and Ian McDougall for organising eggs fortnightly for us and A.S. Wilcox and Sons for providing potatoes, carrots and onions. It is saddening to hear the stories of the pain people are suffering but it is rewarding to be able to help even just a little. Yes the food is so important to support the family but of equal importance is the opportunity to listen to people’s stories and allow them to talk about their situations. This gives the person a voice in a place where they are accepted, valued and supported.
With nature bursting forth with the new life that comes with spring I hope many of you have had some time to
appreciate the beauty and wonder of creation with some time to stop and reflect.
The picture on the front of this month’s Messenger reminds me of our need to do this with even the lamb appearing to pause to admire, smell or simply connect with other aspects and the beauty of nature.
I hope you have all managed to keep well during the lockdown and to take good care of yourselves. I know many of you will have found this time of lockdown even harder than the first round and that the isolation will have been very hard. My prayers were with you throughout this challenging time. We had planned to have opportunities for social
events in the parish as we have not shared many of our regular events such as soup lunches and parish breakfasts. We were fortunate to squeeze in Noeline’s farewell lunch before this round of lockdown.
We hope we will soon be able to resume such events again. In the meantime it is our social responsibility to help others to keep safe which comes from our respecting the rules and looking after ourselves.
We will return to services when we are allowed but please remember we will need to maintain social distancing and contact. Additional hand-sanitising dispensers are being installed: One as you come in the church door, one behind the counter in the Op Shop in Nora Brown, one as you enter Reid Anderson Hall through the front door and one as you go through to the lounge from the Reid Anderson hall – but remember washing of hands regularly is more effective. All hard surfaces are being cleaned regularly with Zoono which is a hard-surface barrier to the virus. The chairs and carpets in Reid Anderson Hall are to be cleaned commercially as are the carpets and squabs on the pews in the church. You will find QR codes at multiple entrances to the buildings.
If you don’t have a device to use these please remember to sign in.
Please remember if you are unwell to stay at home and if you need any help please don’t hesitate to phone. Currently the parish phone diverts to my phone.
Keep safe and I hope we will be able to join together again soon.
Blessings to you all
Jan
FOR YOUR DIARY
Parish Update Meeting
Sunday September 27, or if we are unable to meet on that date the first Sunday after that when we can gather as a group of 50 or more.
11am Nora Brown Hall followed by a soup lunch if we are able.
Agenda: Update on the restoration of St Andrew’s Church. Proposal to move St Paul’s Church. This is an important meeting for the parish.
St Andrews Church Restoration Documents
We hope documentation on the work required for the restoration with estimates of price will be available next week. If you would like a copy of either the full document or a summary document contact the Parish Office on pukekoheanglicanchurch@xtra.co.nz or Jan on jan.wallace@xtra.co.nz. Copies of the summary document will be available for collection in the desk by the office door.
A TIME FOR REFLECTION
Creator of all, we confess that there are times when we do not recognise the power and privilege you have given us.
Loving Parent, there have been times when people have been ruthless and oppressive in their treatment of other
peoples, based on race, culture, class, sexual orientation, age or background.
We confess that we have not always been creative in seeing a way out of what seems like “no way.”
We confess that we have not always been willing to risk going against the powers of our world to enable life to
thrive.
We confess that there have been times when we have imagined ourselves to be small and powerless.
And we confess that we have allowed the sins of others to define the world in which we live.
Forgive us and remind us of the ways of those who respond with hope, and creativity, rather than despair and
listlessness in the face of injustice.
Show us the hidden blessing, empower us to resist the oppression that may be commanded or expected.
Forgive us we pray. Amen.
May we always remember:
God’s love for us and God’s presence in our lives.
God does not abandon us, even when we abandon each other.
God is our constant companion.
God is with us, forgiving, embracing, loving, renewing.
Of this be assured. Amen.
Read Matthew 16:13–20
• Peter’s Declaration about Jesus
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’
Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Reflect
• How do you see God’s presence in our world today?
• How do people in the community get to see and experience God in the world today?
• How do people in the community see God through you and your place of worship at the time of the pandemic?
The Bridge — by Joy Cowley, Aotearoa Psalms
There are times in life
when we are called to be bridges,
not a great monument spanning a distance
and carrying great loads of heavy traffic,
but a simple bridge to help one person from here to there
over some difficulty
such as pain, fear, grief, loneliness,
a bridge which opens the way
for on-going journey.
When I become a bridge for another,
I bring upon myself a blessing
for I escape from the small prison of self
and exist for a wider world,
breaking out to be a larger being
who can enter another’s pain
and rejoice in another’s triumph.
I know of only one greater blessing
in this life, and that is,
to allow someone else
to be a bridge for me.
How or when has God been a bridge for you?
How or when have you been or could you be a bridge for others?
Time of Prayer
Please add any people throughout this prayer
O God, there are ways in which people are feeling pressed down and hopeless, threatened by the realities of our times.
Those living in fear of the Covid-19 virus,
Those afraid to leave their homes,
Those …………………….
Pause
Protecting God, be with them and us as we drift amidst the waters of sickness, injustice, struggle, and pain.
Abiding Presence, there are times when people’s futures seem dim, and the possibilities feel limited.
Those who have lost their jobs, who have had hours of employment cut or salaries reduced.
Those who are struggling to provide for their loved ones essential needs of a warm dry house, food, clothing for themselves or those they love and care for.
Those …………………….
Pause
Protecting God, deliver us to a new shore where love is shared and all know they are loved and accepted.
Sustaining Life, there are places in our world in need of your transforming grace.
Countries where there is war, natural disasters, fires, flooding, effects of climate change.
Countries where the pandemic continues to spread out of control.
………………………
Pause
Protecting God, give us the compassion and courage to share our blessings with others.
Providing Parent, people are suffering and striving for new life.
Pause
Protecting God, help us to reach out with love and compassion as the agents of healing as you have created us
to be. Bring us to new life; bring us to healing shores; bring us to courage and compassion, we pray in the name of Jesus the Christ, the one whose power was embodied in love.
Amen.
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
A SONG WRITTEN FOR COVID TIMES
(songwriter unknown, tune – What a Friend We Have in Jesus)
God, when illness comes to threaten, and when so much here goes wrong,
may we know this thing for certain — that your love is sure and strong.
You’re beside us in our suffering — and when times are surely tough,
we may face an unknown future, but it’s filled, Lord, with your love.
When we face an unknown future that we can’t imagine yet,
when the closeness we have treasured turns from blessing into threat
— As we miss our friends and loved ones, as we crave community,
may we look, God, in this season, for a whole new way to be.
Jesus faced the lonely desert as a time to look within.
There he met such trial and conflict; there he knew you were with him.
In this time of separation when we miss the life we’ve known,
may we hear your voice proclaiming: “I am here! You’re not alone.”
May we cherish those around us as we never have before.
May we think much less of profit; may we learn what matters more.
May we hear our neighbours’ suffering; may we see our neighbours’ pain.
May we learn new ways of offering life and health and hope again.
From the Vestry
Synod
This year synod is unable to gather as a community due to having more than 300 Synod representatives and the restriction on the number of people who can gather together being limited to 10 at this stage of the Covid lockdown. Instead Vicky Mee and I will spend all day Saturday on a zoom (computer) meeting to hear about the business and reports to the diocese. It is hoped that we will gather physically later in the year to address the motions that have been brought before the synod members. We will miss the informal conversation with our friends from across our diocese.
Cleaning All rooms are being cleaned ready for our return.
Automatic Payments
There are automatic payment forms ready for completion on the table at the back of church if people would like to
contribute to the life and work of the Parish by Automatic Payments or deposit into ANZ Bank Account No. 06 0405 0012157 00
For Envelope Giving ~ you can join the envelope system, contact our Parish recorder Keith Gardner – Ph. 238-9928 Many thanks, Vestry
Regular Sunday Worship Times
St Andrew’s, Pukekohe
Each Sunday 8am & 9.30am Holy Communion
1st Sunday 11.15am Holy Communion (Nora Brown Hall)
St Paul’s Buckland
2nd & 4th Sundays 11.15am Holy Communion
WORSHIP — September Readings
Sunday September 6
First: Acts 17:22 — 28
Gospel: John 3:1 — 16
Sunday September 13
First: Psalm 139:7 — 12
Matthew 12:38 — 40
Sunday September 20
Romans 8:18 — 27
Matthew 3:13 — 4:
Sunday September 27
Revelation 22:1 — 5
Matthew 28:1 — 10
Senior Services
Please be aware that we have a short Eucharist service on the first Sunday of each month at 11.15 am for those who are unable to join our 8am and 9.30am services. It may be that you or someone that you know may find that the church is too cold or that the hour long services are too long or the time too early. You are welcome to join this service in the Nora Brown Chapel at 11.15 am. Anyone is welcome.
Mid week, rest home and hospital services when we are able to return
1st Tuesday 10.30 am Palms Rest Home
1st Wednesday 10am Mothers’ Union
1st Thursday 10.30am Franklin Village
2nd Tuesday 11am Palms Hospital
2nd Wednesday 10.30am Lakeside
3rd Thursday 10.30am Women’s Fellowship
4th Tuesday 11am Possum Bourne Village
5th Tuesday 11am Possum Bourne Village
Please let Jan know if you are able to join her and assist at any of these rest home or hospital services on a regular basis.
Health and Safety Policy
THERE IS A DEFIBRILLATOR INSTALLED BY THE OFFICE DOOR
A copy of the Parish Health and Safety Policy along with the processes required for the implementation of the policy is available on the shelf at the back of the church, published on our website or available from the parish office.
An evacuation plan is in each area for the church and complex.
Reid Anderson Hall: Assembly area is the car park adjoining the hall unless the location of the emergency situation is on the south wall preventing evacuation on that side of the building. In this case the assembly area is on the road frontage in front of the church.
Nora Brown Hall: Assembly area is on the road frontage in front of the church or on the vicarage lawn depending on the location of the emergency situation.
Other rooms in the complex: Assembly area move to the vicarage lawn.
St Andrew’s Church: Assembly area is on the road frontage at the front of the church.
St Paul’s Church: Assembly area is on the road frontage at the front of the church.
First aid kits and accident reporting sheets are located:
1. Reid Anderson – In the cupboard over the small hand basin, by the back door in the kitchen.
2. Nora Brown – on the shelf above the microwave. Record sheets are next to the microwave.
3. Parish office – 2nd to top shelf on left side in the back room. The office is locked when unattended.
Forms are to be completed as soon as the accident has been dealt with.
Treatment including resources that are used are to be recorded on the sheet.
PARISH DIRECTORY
Vicar: The Rev’d Jan Wallace 238-7723 Home
238-7228 Office 0274-521-366 Mob
Email. jan.wallace@xtra.co.nz
Vestry
Chair person Jan Wallace
Treasurer and acting vestry secretary Karen Stevens
Wardens Pauline Brown 021-1823703 Glenis Kerr 238-5136
Synod Rep Vicky Mee
Vestry members Jocelyn Brodie, Renton Brown, Richard Gibbons, Helen Halliwell,
Julie Perelini, Philip Watson
Buckland Reps Jim Moore, Vicky Mee
Parish Ministry Team
Vestry Wardens Pauline Brown and Glenis Kerr
Family Gael Crimmins Communications Cecily Daroux
Community Vicky Mee Sustainability Pauline Brown
Worship Jan Wallace, Glenis Kerr, David Walker, Judith Parke, Irene Brodie
Pastoral Care Jan Wallace, Merlene Walker
Administration
Treasurer Karen Stevens
Central Vestry Trust Board Treasurer Ros Phillips
Parish Recorder Keith Gardner (Parish Envelope Scheme)
Parish Administrator Louise Le Fleming
Office Hours Monday to Friday | 9.30am ~ 12.30pm
Address 31 – 37 Queen St, PO Box 338, Pukekohe
Phone 09-238-7228
Email address pukekoheanglicanchurch@xtra.co.nz
Op Shop 9am ~ 12 noon on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
PASTORAL CARE
Community Programmes at Pukekohe Anglican Church
Space
For you and baby For the first year of baby’s life. A number of groups are run each week to keep the age range of the babies within about 3 months.
Oasis
Music & Coffee group. A natural progression from Space for preschool children. Mon & Fri 9.15am
The Selwyn Foundation
For the older members of the community. A hot lunch is available for a small charge.
Transport can also be arranged. Tuesday 9.30am
St Andrew’s Seniors fellowship group
For older members of the community – exercise, morning tea and cards. 9.15 am Thursdays.
Seasons
An after-school group held at 4pm on Thursdays for children who have experienced a significant loss or grief in their lives. An adult programme runs at various times. Phone 0274521366 for information
PARISH FAIR
8am Saturday October 10
We are in desperate need of saleable items of all sorts for the Parish Fair. This is a great opportunity to declutter, especially those items you sorted out during lockdown!
Cakes, Jams and Preserves, Books, Plants, Toys, Used Clothing, Knick-Knacks, White Elephant, Raffles & Tombola, BBQ and Much More.