THE SEASON OF LENT — PREPARING FOR EASTER
I really appreciate the way in which the Anglican Church follows a liturgical calendar with its rotation of the special events in the life of Christ and other significant church events. Lent is of particular significance as it is a time when we are encouraged to pause and reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice for the people who were oppressed and rejected by society at the time of his life on Earth. In our time, we are encouraged to show that same love and compassion for others who are suffering or experiencing injustice in our world today. Currently, many people in our land and throughout the world are suffering and continue to need to experience this love and compassion in their lives. We particularly need to show these qualities to people in our land, especially in Hawke’s Bay, the East Cape and Northland. At the same time, we need to remember the people of Turkey and Syria and those in Ukraine. We constantly see images of suffering on our screens. How will the people rebuild their lives and communities?
So Lent is a time which holds a significant number of events in the church. In some ways, Covid has enabled us to slip out of our regular routines rightly and comfortably. This may now be a time to reflect on the amount of time we spend in worship and acknowledging God’s presence in our daily lives. How important is it to us to join in worshipping together and in fellowship with others? Maybe these are questions for us to reflect on over Lent.
We began our Lenten worship together on Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Jesus’ time in the wilderness. The wilderness can be scary and intimidating. It can seem empty and lifeless, but as it was for the people of Israel, it can be a place where we are forever changed. In the wilderness, our resilience can be strengthened and we come to know God more closely in such seasons of our lives, although they can feel empty, barren, and even frightening.
I always appreciate celebrating with the Catholic Community on Ash Wednesday evening, singing and praying together as we join in worship. As always, we begin Lent by listening to the voices calling to us from the wildest places within us, between us and surrounding us in the communities in which we live.
The past month has been very challenging for many in our community and I am so grateful for the way in which the parishioners and the community have stepped up to help their neighbours. I must admit that I, probably like many others, was unaware of the extent of the damage in our community until I was contacted by MP Andrew Bayly
for assistance. It was then that I visited the streets where the floods had had the most impact and listened to the devastation families were facing.
It is great to be in a position where we are able to reach out and help such people. This can only happen through the wonderful generosity of the people in our community.
So this Lent we reflect on Jesus’ time in the wilderness recalling the state of devastation and feelings of wilderness
that many people in our world are experiencing.
Thank you all and many blessings – Jan
SUNDAY READINGS FOR MARCH 2023
5th: First: Genesis 12: 1-4a; Gospel: John 3: 1-17
12th: Exodus 17: 1-7; John 4: 5-42
19th: 1 Samuel 16: 1-13; John 9: 1-41
26th: Ezekiel 37: 1-14; John 11: 1–45
MIDWEEK SERVICES, INCLUDING REST HOMES AND HOSPITAL
Help with singing would be really appreciated.
Wednesday 1st: 10am St Andrew’s
Thursday 2nd: 10.30am Franklin Village
Tuesday 7th: 10.30am Palms Rest Home
Wednesday 8th: 10.30am Lakeside
Tuesday 14th: 11am Palms Hospital
Thursday 16th: 10am St Andrew’s
Tuesday 28th: 11am Possum Bourne Village
REGULAR SERVICES
Every Sunday
8am and 9.30am at St Andrew’s Pukekohe
2nd and 4th Sunday of the month
11.15am St Paul’s Buckland
1st Sunday of the month
11.15am Nora Brown Hall behind St Andrew’s Church.
Weekdays 10am at St Andrew’s
1st Wednesday of the month – 3rd Thursday of the month
LENT AND EASTER PROGRAMME
For your diary
Lenten Study group
Tuesdays 1 – 2 pm Parish lounge beginning 28th February
Friday 3rd March: World Day of Prayer, 10am at St Patrick’s Catholic Church
Sunday 19th March:
– Harvest Festival / Mothering Sunday / Refreshment Sunday
– Parish AGM
– Setting up the stations in the Easter Garden
26th March: Passion Sunday
28th March: Senior parishioners’ Easter Luncheon
2nd April: Palm Sunday
Thursday 6th April: Maundy Thursday, 6pm – Passover meal and foot washing
Friday 7th April:
Good Friday, 11am – Reflective Service
3pm Join with St Patrick’s congregation in carrying of the cross to the top of Pukekohe Hill
Saturday 8th April: Holy Saturday – Service of Light at St Patrick’s Catholic Church Pukekohe
Sunday 9th April: Easter Day Pukekohe – 8am and 9.30am and Buckland 11.30am
VISIT OUR EASTER DISPLAYS
27th March – 16th April
IMPORTANT PARISH AGM – SAVE THE DATE!!!
Sunday 19TH March 11am, Nora Brown Hall
This an important meeting for us as a parish. We need to appoint our Vestry and wardens, as well as needing a second Synod representative. We need to take a serious look at our parish finances. With increasing costs as is the case everywhere we are unable to meet our expenses. This needs serious consideration. We also need to look at a way forward to fund the restoration of the church.
FROM YOUR VESTRY
A number of documents for the AGM are in electronic format. If you would like to receive them in electronic form, please let Judith know by email. These will be sent out hopefully by 12th March. Paper copies will be available in church on 12th March or can be collected from inside the desk outside the parish office during the week leading up to 19th March.
We are still seeking a second Synod representative for the parish. This is a great way to increase your understanding of the way the Anglican Church functions and at the same time to have the opportunity to feed into decisions that influence the life of the Church.
It is always great to have new people join our very dedicated team.
Arch Update
There have been ongoing delays with the replacement of the arch. This is due to the lack of qualified tradespeople with the required decorative concrete skills. We have now paid one-third of the cost of the arch and have a date of November for its completion. Let’s hope they actually make this deadline. It is expected there may be a shortfall in the settlement figure agreed to with the insurance company.
COMBINED CHURCHES WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
Friday 3rd March, 10am St Patrick’s Catholic Church
SUSTAINABILITY — SEA SHELLS
By Keith Gardner
Sea Week is 4th-12th March so now is a good time to look at seashells and how they have adapted to their environment. Seashells belong to animals called molluscs. Gastropods are a single shell, such as cats’ eyes.
A pipi has two shells joined by a hinge and these are called bivalves. Bivalves are all filter-feeders. Cockles, mussels, oysters, tuatua and scallops are all bivalves. These animals feed on plankton. Every tide brings in fresh plankton for them to eat They suck in seawater, strain out the plankton to eat and spit out the seawater.
Limpets live on rocks and often are seen around our seashore at low tide. A limpet moves very slowly, eating tiny seaweeds on the rock with its tongue. They are very hard to remove from a rock. A limpet’s home is a scar on the rock where its shell fits snugly. At night it moves around the rock then moves back to its own scar.
Chitons are molluscs that graze rocks like limpets. These are made up of ribs that help the shell to bend to the shape of the rock.
Perhaps the brainiest shell I’ve come across lives in water off our coasts. Named xenophora, it is sought after by shell collectors. It’s a shell that has learnt to camouflage itself from fish hunting for a meal. Right from when it is pea-sized, xenophora begins to stick on to its shell bits of stone or broken shell. The shell makes its own concrete cement to attach the shell bits. But what makes it a class above others is this: as it grows it sticks on half shells such as cockles but upside down so that to a fish it looks like a pile of eaten and discarded shells.
Who said shells do not have brains?
There are many interesting shells in our oceans, and some are washed up on our beaches. They all have an important place in our environment and in the food chain.
THE LITTLE GREEN EXPO
Saturday 18th March (rain date 25th March), 10am – 3pm
Pukekohe Anglican Church complex, corner Queen St and Wesley St.
Community Networks Franklin and other community organisations work together to enable a socially just and prosperous community. We’re also trying to do that sustainably!
In early 2022 we joined forces with Waiuku Zero Waste and held our first ever sustainability expo. And we’re doing it again in 2023.
The Little Green Expo is a way to find out what sustainability initiatives are already under way in our community.
It will be a chance to
- showcase steps to a sustainable future
- allow groups to connect
- provide practical steps to help tackle environmental problems
- encourage personal responsibility
- investigate new options
We aim to show what can be achieved in the home, garden and workplace with waste, food, clothes, electricity and more.
The expo will feature practical workshops, activities for children, creative object and poster competitions, displays, stalls and presentations.
CNF and our partners Waiuku Zero Wast invite Franklin organisations, schools and businesses to join us to showcase their initiatives and help us build a better tomorrow for our community.
Want to take part in the expo? Email: cnfsecretary1@gmail.com or phone Jan 027 452 1366
CHURCH GARAGE SALE
Saturday 15th April
Set up Tuesday 11th April– Friday 14th April. Please help with moving sale items from the garage to the Reid Anderson Hall if you are able.
Help is also needed on the day, 7.30am-11am, and then with cleaning up.
CONTRIBUTIONS
For those wishing to make contributions to the parish, the account numbers are:
• Parish general expenses including automatic payments: 06-0405-0012157-00
• Restoration of the church: 06-0405-0078359-01
• Pukekohe Community Action (for outreach in our community): 12-3023-0071016-00
• Make sure you put your name in the reference field and email Jan at jan.wallace@xtra.co.nz so we can send you a tax receipt. Many thanks in advance for your generosity.
HANDEL CONSORT & QUIRE CONCERTS AT ST ANDREW’S
Mark your diary now to ensure you don’t miss out. Tentative dates for the 2023 Sunday concerts:
16th April, 2nd July, 24th September, 10th December.
Health and Safety Policy
A DEFIBRILLATOR HAS BEEN INSTALLED BY THE OFFICE DOOR
A copy of the Parish Health and Safety Policy and the processes required for its implementation is 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 behind the hall unless the emergency is on the south wall preventing evacuation on that side of the building. In this case the assembly area is by the road in front of the church.
Nora Brown Hall: Assembly area is by the road in front of the church or on the vicarage lawn depending on the location of the emergency.
Other rooms in the complex: Assembly area moved to the vicarage lawn.
St Andrew’s Church: Assembly area is by the road (Wesley St) at the front of the church.
St Paul’s Church: Assembly area is by the road 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 used, to be recorded on the sheet.
DK CONCRETE – Floors, Driveways, Footpaths, Patios etc. Daniel Kircher, Ph 021 066 8356, kirchaz@hotmail.com
HALLIWELL’S of Pukekohe – Stockists of Fine Quality Leather Shoes, 81 King St Pukekohe, Ph 2387686
PUKEKOHE TRAVEL – Locally owned and operated since 1978. Contact Eve Murphy, 89 King St Pukekohe, Ph 09-237 0013, info@pukekohe-travel.co.nz
WE COVER BUILDINGS WITH THE BEST COLORSTEEL – IN CORRUGATED OR STYLINE PROFILES – “STEEL YOURSELF FOR THE 21ST CENTURY” – Franklin Long Roofing Ltd, Franklin Rd Pukekohe, Ph 2389249 or After Hours 2380027
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
Chairperson Jan Wallace
Treasurer and acting Vestry secretary Karen Stevens
Wardens Pauline Brown Glenis Kerr
Synod Reps Vicky Mee
Vestry members Richard Anderson, Renton Brown, Richard Gibbons, Maggie Gibson, 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 Rev Jan Wallace, Ann Rollinson, Glenis Kerr. Pastoral Care Rev Jan Wallace, Rev Merlene Walker
Administration
Treasurer Karen Stevens
Central Vestry Trust Board Treasurer Ros Phillips
Parish Recorder Keith Gardner (Parish Envelope Scheme)
Parish Administrator Judith Tucker
Office Hours Monday to Thursday, 9am ~ 2pm
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. Term time only.
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
Oasis Music & Coffee group
A natural progression from Space for preschool children. Mon & Fri 9.15am ~11am. Term time only
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 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
COMING UP
World Day of Prayer: Friday 3rd March, service 10am at St Patrick’s Catholic Church. This year’s service is “I Have Heard About Your Faith”, prepared by the women of Taiwan
IMPORTANT: PARISH AGM: Sunday 19th March, 11am, Nora Brown Hall. We have important matters to discuss as a parish. Your attendance and support at this meeting would be much appreciated.
Little Green Expo: Saturday 18th March 10am-3pm, St Andrew’s Church complex. Hosted by Community Networks Franklin and Waiuku Zero Waste, the annual sustainability expo is a chance to find out what initiatives are already underway in our community. Free admission.
Restoration Appeal: If you would like to donate towards the church restoration, please make your deposit to ANZ Bank account: either 06-0405-00078359-001 or 06-0405-0078359-01, depending on which bank your account is with. Make sure you put your name in the reference field and email Jan at pukekoheanglicanchurch@xtra.co.nz so we can send you a tax receipt. Many thanks in advance for your generosity.