FAITH
By now I am sure you are convinced that winter is well and truly here and that climate change is very real.
Time to reflect on our part in caring for creation. On that note, I am very grateful to Keith Gardner for his contribution each month to the Messenger. I admit I always learn something from his contribution. Many areas, both within NZ and internationally, are experiencing some devastating effects from this, the high winds and the torrential rain here, contrasting with the blazing hot temperatures and the raging fires in other parts of the world.
Thank you too to Vicky Mee for representing us at the sustainability champions workshop run by the diocese, where the focus was on community gardens, which we certainly know the benefit of. Thank you, Pauline and Renton Brown, for sustaining this. I am also very grateful to those who donate surplus items from their home gardens for us to share with those who turn to us for food parcels.
On a different tack, our readings from the lectionary this month focus on faith and our Bible is full of stories of many very faithful people in both the First and New Testaments, and this continues through to our lives today. We certainly have many good examples of people of faith as models to encourage us on our journey and to look to as faithful witnesses and for the assurance we need to keep hoping and believing in justice and mercy. We glimpse the dynamic nature of faith and consider our call to reflect on and grow from the past for the sake of the future.
• Faith is knowing that what God has promised will come true.
• Faith is what tells us that the things we cannot see can still be real.
• By faith, we know that God took nothing and made everything.
• By faith, Abraham and Sarah went to a new land when God called them, even without having any idea where they were going.
• By faith, Abraham and Sarah lived in the land God had promised. On days it was too hot and dry and exhausting, they remembered God’s promise to provide for them.
• By faith, Sarah had a child, even though she was old and had never had children.
• By faith, Abraham and Sarah had many children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren… as many as the stars in the sky and grains of sand on the ground. None of these people – our faith ancestors – received everything God had promised but they saw glimpses of God’s promises, and they knew there was more to come.
• By faith, we continue to do as they did; to go about our living, trusting God to care for us, and make us feel at home wherever we are; and to know that God will never leave us.
• Faith is believing that what God has promised will come true.
• Faith is what tells us that the things we cannot see can still be real.
Exploring our faith and persevering in our faith
There are both joys and trials when we take up the role of disciples. So what keeps us going when the going gets tough in the life of faith?
This month let us try to spend some time reflecting on the readings exploring sources of strength, example and encouragement, that remind us that God restores and guides.
God breaks into our world and shakes things up. Jeremiah’s world is shaken when he is affirmed and appointed a prophet to the nations and called to build and to plant. Jesus reaches out to the woman burdened and living in the shadows and proclaims she is “set free,” and we rejoice in our liberation as well. God, our rock and refuge, affirms, calls and sets us free to participate fully in God’s healing, reconciling reign.
Radical Hospitality Christ, our loving host, open our hearts to accept your invitation to true community in God’s reign. Assure us of our place at God’s open table and help us make sure that no one is excluded from dining there. Amen. How do we live out the hospitality that God models? With no expectation of payback, God welcomes and feeds all who humbly come to the banquet table seeking to satisfy their hungry hearts.
“The most beautiful people I’ve known are those who have known trials, have known struggles, have known loss and have found their way out of the depths.” ~ Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
“And sometimes, against all odds, against all logic, we still hope.” ~ Author unknown.
Excerpts from Seasons of the Spirit
Many thanks and blessings to you all.
Jan
FROM THE REGISTERS
Marriage: Krystal Young and Paul Jones 16 July 2022
SUNDAY READINGS FOR AUGUST
7th: First reading: Isaiah 1:1, 10–20; Gospel: Luke 12: 32–40
14th: Isaiah 5: 1–7; Luke 12: 49–56
21st: 21st Jeremiah 1: 4–10; Luke 13: 10–17
28th: 28th Jeremiah 2: 4–13; Luke 14: 1, 7–14
REST HOMES AND HOSPITAL SERVICES
Singers welcome to help (rest home and hospital restrictions permitting)
Tuesday 2nd 10.30am Palms Rest Home
Thursday 4th 10.30am Franklin Village
Tuesday 9th 11am Palms Hospital
Wednesday 10th 10.30am Lakeside
Tuesday 23rd 11am Possum Bourne Village
Tuesday 30th 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
1st Wednesday of the month 10am
3rd Thursday of the month 10am
FROM THE PARISH VESTRY
Property report 19 July 2022
Arch Replacement:
Following the agreement to change the reconstruction method, which will enable the arch to be completed with the artwork, there has been a delay to the start date of the site work. The contractors will now be using precast fibre-reinforced concrete. They have collected pieces of the old arch and taken moulds. The concept drawings are now with the structural engineers who have designed a steel core to support precast concrete panels. These are being finalised by resolving the fixing details for the panels to the core. Once the drawings are complete, the engineers will prepare the required certification document ready to go to Auckland Council which is happy with the revised approach. Once the council approvals are received, work can begin on site.
Church Seismic Strengthening update:
1) We have now received the updated cost estimate for the structural steelwork from the quantity surveyors. It is some 35% higher than the original estimate developed on the concept drawings two years ago. The increase reflects material and labour cost rises (20+%) and the changes/additional work involved in minimising the visual impact of the strengthening works.
When we produced our fundraising target, we allowed a sum of $1 million for the core structural work but the revised QS estimate is $932,000. As there are still several unknowns and exclusions, the $1 million figure should be retained in our present estimates.
2) The faculty has been applied for. Jan and I attended the faculty committee meeting which approved the work to date.
G. Richard Gibbons
Church Garage Sale
A huge thank you to all who contributed to the garage sale on 23 July. Our next one will be the “White Elephant Stall” at the Parish Fair on Saturday 15 October.
The garage sale this term raised $1700 which added to our previous two sales, which had totalled $6981. This was much needed because, with the reduced numbers currently attending services and inflation, there is already a deficit of $30,000 for the year. This has been covered at this stage by disbursements from the Central Vestry Trust Board.
At Vestry last week we just received the parish financial reports from the organisation that manages the finances of all the parishes for March, April, May and June, one-third of the financial year. They attribute this delay to staff leaving and staff sickness, but it makes the management of finances very difficult.
So, yes, we do have a problem. Please keep the parish concerns in your prayers.
Income and Expenditure
With fewer people currently attending worship, offerings are down at present. To help us continue to maintain our services and buildings, we are appealing to you on behalf of the Vestry to consider switching to automatic payments. With more donors on automatic payments, we are better able to manage the parish budget. We do appreciate that inflation is having an impact both in our homes and at the church.
Please help us to update our records
We would like you to email pukekoheanglicanchurch.co.nz or text 027 452 1366, or phone 09 238 7723 to give us your up-to-date email addresses and phone numbers. If you have cancelled your landline, please make sure we have your mobile number. Often people forget to do this. We can then contact you soon.
Community Support
We are still busy providing food parcels, emergency clothing, pyjamas and household items for anyone in need. The requests have increased again over the past couple of weeks. We are thankful for the volunteers who work tirelessly to continue these services. Please note that parish offerings are not spent on these projects. These are covered by Pukekohe Community Action (PCA).
RESTORATION FUNDRAISING DINNER AND DANCE
& Blessing of Restored Arch (hopefully)
Pukekohe War Memorial Town Hall, Saturday 12th November
At this stage we are trying to collect the names, email or physical addresses or phone numbers of people who may like to attend this event. Please email these details to Jan at jan.wallace@xtra.co.nz or the parish office at pukekoheanglicanchurch@xtra.co.nz so we can build up our contact list.
SPECIAL FUNDRAISER
To renovate and preserve our beautiful church
Operatunity presents “Music for Inspiration”
Let the NZ Three Tenors soothe mind and soul with melodies like My Way, Amazing Grace, White Cliffs of Dover, Nessun Dorma, Danny Boy, The Pearl Fishers and many more.
Performed in the church! Followed by High Tea ~ Donations Welcome.
Sunday 25 September 2pm. Tickets $60. 021-874-924
SUSTAINABILITY
BIODEGRADABLE IN THE ENVIRONMENT
By Keith Gardner
In nature, different materials biodegrade at different rates. If you throw your pear core into the bush with a steel toy, the core will have disappeared in a few months. The steel toy will be rusty but recognisable and may take years before disappearing eventually.
To be able to work effectively, most of the micro-organisms that assist biodegradation need light, water and oxygen. Temperature is also an important factor. Micro-organisms tend to reproduce faster in warmer conditions.
Tree trimmings, food waste and paper will not biodegrade when placed in landfills because they lack the light, water and bacterial activity required for the decaying process to begin.
In a United States study, an old landfill was unearthed after 25 years and in it were found hot dogs, corn cobs, grapes and newspapers that were still recognisable. The newspapers could still be read.
Our own compost heaps at home will turn material to compost faster if they are turned over regularly so air and light can help the bacterial activity.
Some things take years to break down in the environment:
Vegetables 5 days-1 month; paper 2-5 months; cotton t-shirt 6 months; orange peel 6 months; tree leaves 1 year; wool socks 1-5 years; milk cartons 5 years; leather shoes 25-40 years; nylon fabric 30-40 years; tin cans 50-100 years; aluminum cans 80-100 years; styrofoam cups 500 years to forever; plastic bags 500 years to forever; glass bottles 1 million years.
(Science Learning Hub-Waikato University)
Plastic has been around for only 50-60 years so we cannot say how long it will take to degrade. We do know plastic cracks into small pieces, producing microscopic granules. No one knows how long these will survive in the environment.
DIOCESAN SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPIONS WORKSHOP DAY
A comment from Vicky Mee who attended on our behalf:
It was a great day with a big focus on community gardens and heaps of knowledge and wisdom came from Richard Main of Gardens4Health. There was a large group there in the morning although fewer attended after lunch (when the picture was taken).
Please talk to Vicky, Pauline or Jan if you would like to know about our sustainability activities.
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 Jocelyn Brodie, Renton Brown, Richard Gibbons, Richard Anderson, 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
Fundraising Concert: Sunday 25 September, 2pm in the church: Operatunity presents Music for Inspiration, with the Three Tenors singing a range of popular songs. This is a special fundraising performance for the St Andrew’s Restoration Project. Tickets are $60, available from Graham Russell on 021 874 924 or the office. The concert will be followed by High Tea in the Nora Brown Hall – entry donation welcome.
Handel Quire Concerts: Back for the first time in 2022! The Handel Consort and Quire will be performing Handel’s Belshazzar on Sunday 9 October and staging a Christmas concert on Sunday 4 December. Watch this space for ticket details.
Restoration Appeal: Our fundraising efforts will continue throughout the year. 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. St Andrew’s Restoration Fundraising Dinner at Pukekohe Town
Hall will now be held on Saturday 12th November