Making the most of what we have and sharing the love of God with others
Christmas 2021 was certainly different from many previous years and in many ways it was very special. Of course, as a church, our primary concern was to keep people safe, which meant we needed to adhere to Government and Diocesan regulations regarding Covid.
I did hear comments about our being open and the requirement for vaccination passes. One comment was posted on Facebook. Church services are considered gatherings as they involve people being in one space for a significant period of time. We must adhere to the governing requirements. This is difficult for us all as none of us wants to
exclude people from worship and fellowship. We are sorry for any hurt this has caused people and I can assure you it hurts us too. We hope and pray that this issue will soon be resolved.
Restrictions required us to think of different ways to do things. One we may continue is holding our 5pm Family Christmas Service – telling of the story of Jesus’ birth – outside under the gazebo. We are very blessed to have a beautiful vicarage garden that enables us to hold such functions.
The Space mums and babies group and the playgroup also enjoy this area, and last Sunday our congregation enjoyed lunch together on the lawn. It was so good to take time to catch up with each other after so long in lockdown.
Of course, we must be careful not to become complacent about the restrictions. Covid-19 is still active in the community so we do ask that you scan in and please wear a mask just as you would do when in any public areas. With social distancing, masks and vaccine passes, we managed to hold our Nine Lessons and Carols service which was a significant gathering for the attendees.
Last year we seemed to be busy planning events only to be cancelling them – sometimes even before they were advertised.
We are continuing planning for 2022 as we live in hope that this year will be less restrictive than 2020 and 2021. There are projects that we look forward to completing.
The first of these is the replacement of the arch. We have had our challenges with the insurance company. At the end of last year we agreed to accept a cash settlement, with the diocese offering to cover any excess payment required up to a limited value. We are again looking to hold the dedication of the arch in November this year, on
the weekend following Armistice Day.
We are looking forward to a presentation by the architects and engineers at our parish AGM on 23 March.
Our confirmation service planned for November last year is now scheduled for 1 May. If you are interested, please let me know as soon as possible. This is an opportunity for you to affirm your faith.
As we commit ourselves to sharing God’s love with others, may we hold each other in prayer.
Blessings to you all. Jan
COMING EVENTS
Pancake Party
Sunday 27th February – we have our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Party after the 9.30am service.
This means we can celebrate the event but still be ready for school or work the next day. Please bring a savoury or sweet topping to share.
If you have a palm cross at home you might like to bring this along to
burn to provide ashes for the Ash Wednesday services.
Ash Wednesday – 2nd March – Services 10am and 7pm.
Sunday 13th March – Trip to Miranda to watch the migration of birds. See our Sustainability pages for details.
Sunday 20th March – Parish AGM with presentation on the restoration of St Andrew’s Church. At this year’s AGM we will be electing two Lay Synod representatives. For the past three years we have only had one representative. I am hoping this year we will be able to elect two. It is a great opportunity to learn more about the church and how it works in decision-making. We will also appoint our People’s Warden and members of our Vestry. Please consider carefully whether this is something that you could do to contribute to the life and work of the parish. Leaders of groups please get your reports to the parish office by 6th March so we can have these printed for distribution by 13th March.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORSHIP
Sunday Worship Times
St Andrew’s
Each Sunday 8am & 9.30am Holy Communion
1st Sunday 11.15am Holy Communion (Nora Brown Hall)
St Paul’s Buckland
2nd & 4th Sundays this month 11.15am Holy Communion
Sunday Readings for February 2022
First reading Gospel
6th Feb: Isaiah 6: 1–8, (9–13) Luke 5: 1–11
13th Feb: Jeremiah 17: 5–10 Luke 6: 17–26
20th Feb: Genesis 45: 3–11, 15 Luke 6: 27–38
27th Feb: Exodus 34: 29–35 Luke 9: 28–36, (37–43a)
REST HOMES AND HOSPITAL SERVICES
This is still a challenge for us with the Covid situation. Rest homes are treating things differently. Some have returned to having services and others are not yet ready. We have resumed taking services at Possum Bourne on the 4th and 5th Tuesdays but I am waiting to hear from our other rest homes at this stage. Remember things can change very quickly. The proposed schedule is below.
I would really appreciate having some people to come along and help us at these services – especially with the singing.
Tuesday 1st Feb: 10.30am Palms rest home
*Wednesday 2nd Feb: 10.30am No Mothers Union Cancelled
Thursday 3rd Feb: 10.30am Franklin Village
Sunday 6th Feb: 11.15am Nora Brown Confirmed
Tuesday 8th Feb: 11am Palms Hospital
Wednesday 9th Feb: 10.30am Lakeside
Thursday 17th Feb: 10.30am Fellowship Confirmed
Tuesday 22nd Feb: 11am Possum Bourne Village Confirmed
Thursday 24th Feb: 10am Church cleaning Confirmed
SUSTAINABILITY
Miranda Ramsar Site
The Ramsar definition of wetlands includes:
• swamps and marshes
• lakes and rivers
• wet grasslands
• peat bogs
• oases
• estuaries, deltas and tidal flats
• coral reefs
• human-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs, and salt pans
Thousands of shorebirds can be seen on the shellbanks and tidal flats at Pūkorokoro (Miranda). Some species, such as the godwit, migrate annually between New Zealand and the Arctic. Other birds, like the wrybill and South Island pied oystercatcher, migrate within New Zealand.
Still others, including pied stilts, New Zealand dotterel and variable oystercatchers, are resident in the area and breed here.
Each autumn birds fly from New Zealand across the world to the tundra of Eastern Siberia and Alaska. There they breed, raise their chicks, and then return to our shores. These birds are known as Arctic migrants.
Pūkorokoro plays an important role in bird migration systems within New Zealand. Birds that breed in the South Island head north early in the new year to feed here.
The best time to view the birds is within two hours either side of the high tide. Once the tide drops, the birds will go far out on the mudflats to feed.
A VISIT TO MIRANDA
Sunday 13th March
Meet at Robert Finlay Reserve Carpark at 1.30pm. A short walk to the first viewing area. Bring binoculars for best viewing .
Covid requirements: Scan in at carpark. At the hides: Vaccine pass required. Wear face covering. There is a limited number in the hide. Please add your name to the list in the church foyer so we can share transport.
The 3 Rs have become the 7 Rs
RETHINK: Can I make it into something else?
REFUSE: Do I really need this? Bring own shopping bags.
REPAIR: Try to fix it before throwing it away.
REDUCE: Try to cut down waste going into landfills. For example: Use rechargeable batteries.
REGIFT: Pass it on to someone else. Eg: Garage sales, Op shops.
RECOVER: Shred and chip prunings. Compost lawn clippings.
RECYCLE: Put items in recycle bins. Recycle food scraps in worm farm
DID YOU KNOW?!
A lion’s roar can be heard more than 15 km away.
More than 500,000 ants live in a colony.
Owls are the only bird that can see the colour blue.
A species of Australian earthworm grows up to 3 metres in length.
PROPERTY REPORT
We welcome Mrs Dorothy Gibbons and Mrs Susan Hoben to our St Andrew’s Retirement village and look forward to their continued involvement in the parish life.
Unit 6, accessible through the gate next to unit 1 and from West St, is now vacant and we invite any expressions of
interest.
We are sorry to see Mrs Nola Wylie move from the village, but she will receive better support in the Palms Village. She is settling in well and we wish her all the best.
BUILDING MATTERS
Arch restoration:
This is currently waiting for consent to be granted so work can be started.
Progress on the reconstruction will be slow because the contractor, who is highly skilled in historic building restoration, has a trip planned to the UK and will be away for a couple of months, Covid-willing.
We are still awaiting the installation of the new letterboxes for the retirement village, but this again has been a long time in coming.
St Andrew’s Restoration Fundraising Dinner at the Pukekohe Town Hall now scheduled for November 2022
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 behind the hall unless the location of 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 situation.
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.
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 Jan Wallace
Treasurer and acting Vestry secretary Karen Stevens
Wardens Pauline Brown 021-1823703 Glenis Kerr 238-5136
Synod Reps Vicky Mee
Vestry members Jocelyn Brodie, 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 (this is currently being reviewed)
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 heldat 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
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Children’s groups: Sunday School, Oasis playgroups and other children’s groups will begin again from 13th February
Mothers’ Union: Meetings will resume in March.
COMING UP
Sunday 27th February: Our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Party will follow the 9.30am service.
Wednesday 2nd March: Ash Wednesday services at 10am and 7pm.
Sunday 13th March: Trip to Miranda to watch the migration of the birds.
Sunday 20th March: Parish AGM, including the election of our Lay Synod representatives, our People’s Warden and members of the Vestry.
Sunday 1st May: Confirmation Service. Please let Jan know if you are considering confirmation.
St Andrew’s Restoration Fundraising Dinner at Pukekohe Town Hall will now be held in November