TIMES OF CHANGE
We are now into the winter months and I hope you are managing to keep warm and stay out of the sudden downpours that we are encountering from time to time. Life as always is busy around the church and complex. It is timely that at the moment people are coming together to discuss ways we can strengthen our community by getting to know and support each other while caring for ourselves.
A huge thank you to all who contributed to the garage sale by donating goods, helping to set up or working on the day.
It is unfortunate that we had to postpone the Quiet Day but at the beginning of the week we only had one person registered. The material is all prepared and Rev’d Irene Brodie is ready to facilitate the day. On such days, I do like to get outdoors and to appreciate our wonderful grounds. Again, thank you to our team who look after them. It does us good to take the time to slow down and be aware of God’s presence with us, especially when there is so much uncertainty around.
Our First Testament readings continue through the book of Genesis and, having just celebrated Matariki and the Maori New Year, it is good to appreciate the beauty of creation in the stars. Matariki’s key elements are remembrance, celebrating and planning. These elements are important for all of us.
As we linger in the book of Genesis we recall the stories of some ancestors of faith — Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebekah; Jacob, Leah, and Rachel; Joseph and his brothers, Moses, and finally, several courageous women.
The people who populate these stories are flawed. They fight amongst themselves, plot their way to advantage, do silly things, and make false assumptions; they are vain and fragile; they love, laugh, mourn; they succeed and fail. They are like us!
All the while, God is with them. God is beside them despite every illthought-through decision or selfish thing they do and in every noble and dignified thing they do. Growth, struggle, vulnerability and God’s lifegiving ways through such situations shape and strengthen community.
We need to look at ways that we can strengthen our community as our world continues to change and we face new challenges.
We need each other and we need to remember and give thanks to our ancestors and the rich heritage they have given to us. We also share readings from the community of Matthew’s Gospel and are challenged by the stories of Jesus to grow as a community of grace, extravagant compassion, and radical liberation with the courage to disrupt where we see injustice.
So in this time with so much need in our community, a message I believe is so important is:
“With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive.”
Blessings to you all. Jan
SUNDAY READINGS FOR AUGUST 2023
6th — First reading: Genesis 32: 22-31; Gospel: Matthew 14: 13-21
13th — Genesis 37: 1-4, 12-28; Matthew 14: 22-33
20th — Genesis 45: 1-15; Matthew 15: (10-20) 21-28
27th — Exodus 1: 8-2:10 Matthew 16: 13-20
REST HOMES AND HOSPITAL SERVICES
I am very grateful to have two helpers now at both Palms Hospital and Possum Bourne Hospital. It would be great to have a helper at Franklin Village if anyone is free on the first Thursday of the month.
Singers welcome to join us.
Tuesday 1st 10.30am Palms Rest Home
Wednesday 2nd 10am St Andrew’s
Thursday 3rd 10.30am Franklin Village
Tuesday 8th 11am Palms Hospital
Thursday 17th 10am St Andrew’s
Tuesday 22nd 11am Possum Bourne Village
Tuesday 29th 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
FROM VESTRY
ARCH REPLACEMENT PROGRESS
Progress continues on the creation of the various items for the restoration of the arch.
Structural steel drawings have all been signed off by both engineers.
Materials are in hand and fabrication is well underway with an expected delivery date the week of 7th August. The date is subject to confirmation. The Liquid Stone advice regarding the silicone for moulds etc is: “We’ve spent quite a bit of time creating the ‘negatives’ of the crest and shield moulds which are now complete.” The carpentry moulds are expected mid to late August.
PCA AND STORAGE SHED
The storage shed for Pukekohe Community Action is nearing completion and a grant application is being prepared. With the current economic situation and the unpredictable weather the number of food parcels and warm clothing being requested is rapidly increasing.
However, it is heartwarming to see the generosity of our community continuing. Hayley and her baby daughter attended one of our Space groups four years ago. This week Hayley sent me this message:
My 4-year-old daughter Harper has recently held a stall at Waiau Pa Market as she was looking to earn some pocket money but she also would like to make a donation to your food bank.
It will only be $20 (half her profit) but wondered if it is okay for her to drop it off in person at some point so she understands how it may help others.
Harper helped to pack a parcel going out to a family for whom Plunket had asked for a parcel. She put two packets of sweets in the parcel as this family has two children plus a baby.
TREE TRIMMED
You may have noticed that during Cyclone Gabrielle a main branch of the oak tree in the vicarage grounds fell and was suspended in other branches. We are very pleased that the tree has now been pruned significantly and no longer protrudes over Queen St. This is a huge relief with the winds we have been having and the potential risk to the public. It is a protected tree and we are very grateful for the support of Matthew Paul in getting consent from the council to address this.
DISASTER RESILIENCE PLAN
Community Networks Franklin, of which Jan is the chair, is working with the Franklin Local Board to help our local communities to plan for emergencies, including getting better prepared and supporting ourselves in an emergency.
If a disaster strikes, would you know where to go for help? Community members are often the first to respond and offer assistance. Practical help for people in need comes from neighbours, whanau and friends or existing local community groups and volunteer organisations.
If communities have a plan and act for themselves, the agencies that respond to an emergency — Fire and Emergency NZ, Police, ambulance etc — are better able to prioritise their response.
We all have a part to play in getting prepared for disaster and we need to work together for the safety of all.
On Tuesday 18 July we hosted an inaugural meeting for people and organisations in the Pukekohe area keen to have input into developing their local emergency plan.
Fifty-five people representing a range of groups and individuals turned out for the meeting. It was an opportunity for them to learn about Auckland Emergency Management and the resources available to help communities understand local hazard risks, get prepared and cope in an emergency.
It was also a chance for them to hear from each other about what is important in our community.
However, the real work of planning will begin at the next meeting on Tuesday 15 August, 5.30pm in Nora Brown Hall.
If you have experience or have been thinking about how you could help in an emergency, and you would like to contribute at this meeting, please let Jan know or email Community Networks Franklin at cnfsecretary1@gmail.com
Judith Tucker
SUSTAINABILITY
SHARK TALES
By Keith Gardner
Poor old sharks have a bad reputation but they are so misunderstood. They have survived for 450 million years so there is good reason why they are the ocean’s top predator. They keep the oceans clean and stop diseases from spreading. If the oceans are healthy then the shark population is healthy.
Tagging sharks helps us to track them and provides information on their lives. Mako and Great White Sharks move between New Zealand and the Pacific islands. A Mako called Carol travelled 13,000km within a year from Northland to Fiji, then back to Wellington and on to Tonga. Because they have no skeleton of bones but just cartilage, they can swim fast.
Great Whites are an endangered species and are protected in New Zealand under the Fisheries Act of 1996. They grow up to six metres long. They eat fish, birds, dolphins and seals. Their teeth are big, sharp and jagged. A Great White’s tooth only lasts about 10 days before it is replaced by a tooth behind it. They can lose about 3600 teeth a year. Great Whites are slow breeders. When a baby is born, it is already 1.5 metres long.
Mako sharks grow to about 3.2 metres. The Mako is coloured brilliant metallic blue on the back with a white belly. They are found at depths of 150m, usually far from shore, but they will venture closer when looking for food. They eat mainly squid, bony fish such as mackerel, tuna and bonito. The Mako is the fastest of all sharks. It is classed as vulnerable as it is often caught for game fishing. Mako are sometimes caught in nets off the Bay of Islands but are usually released. Other sharks found in New Zealand waters include the Hammerhead. The shape of its head has evolved to enhance the shark’s vision, giving it a full 360 degrees of vision. It is endangered and lives mainly around Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands but it is also seen around northern New Zealand in summer. It eats fish, rays and squid. Its eyes and nose are on the end of the hammers.
Elephant and Thrasher sharks are deep water sharks, but the Spiny Dogfish is often caught close to shore. This shark is often used for fish and chips.
Every year people kill millions of sharks for their fins. These are used for shark fin soup in certain countries. Shark finning is cruel and wasteful. Once the fin is cut off, the shark loses its balance and is left to die. Shark finning is banned in many countries including New Zealand.
It is good that New Zealand has laws to protect seven shark species. Except for those species, sharks are fished commercially in New Zealand. They still need to be managed sustainably and humanely. We do this through the National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks 2013. This sets guides to how we manage sharks.
Notes from KCC and Wikipedia
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 our website or from the parish office. Evacuation plans are in each area of the church and complex.
Assembly areas are the car park beside the Reid Anderson Hall, by the road in front of the church or on the vicarage lawn depending on the location of the emergency.
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 and the form put through the slot by the office door and the vicar or wardens are to be notified. Treatment including resources that are used are to be recorded on the accident 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
Chairperson Rev’d Jan Wallace
Vestry secretary Karen Stevens
Wardens Pauline Brown 021 182 3703
Richard Anderson 021 088 23499
Synod Reps Vicky Mee Helen Halliwell
Vestry members Renton Brown, Richard Gibbons, Helen Halliwell, Julie Perelini, Glenis Kerr, Vicky Mee
Buckland Rep Jim Moore
Parish Ministry Team
Vestry Wardens Pauline Brown and Richard Anderson
Family Gael Crimmins
Communications Cecily Daroux & Judith Tucker
Community needs response Jan Wallace & Vicky Mee
Sustainability Pauline Brown, Vicky Mee, Keith Gardner
Pastoral Care Rev Jan Wallace, Rev Merlene Walker
Administration
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
COMING UP
Sunday 30 July:
Parish Breakfast 8.45am. The 9.30am service will begin 15 minutes later at 9.45am.
Wednesday 2 August, 10am: Parish Communion Service. 10.30am: Mothers’ Union social group gathering.
Thursday 17 August, 10am: Parish Communion Service. Fellowship Group meets at the church at 10.20am for cafe outings.
Quiet Day — postponed until later in the year. If you are interested in attending, please email the office and let Judith know the Saturdays between mid October and the end of November that don’t work for you and we will try to arrange the day to suit the most people.
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 community out-reach 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.