EASTER GREETINGS TO ALL. ALLELUIA!
What a great opportunity we have had to take time out for personal reflection and to come together in worship and share some fellowship time.
Firstly, the Easter display in the vicarage garden: thanks to our team who faithfully put the props in place so we can appreciate the events leading up to Easter Day. This is embellished by the faithful support of the local garden club who meet in the Reid Anderson Hall on the first Monday of each month.
Then there is the beautiful Easter display in Matthew. This again is much appreciated by the people who want to have the opportunity to take time out and reflect on the last week of Jesus’ physical life on Earth. This is talented people offering their gifts and their time to enhance the worshipping experiences of others.
Pauline Brown and Richard Anderson prepared a beautiful roast lamb dinner for Maundy Thursday when a group of parishioners came together to remember the last meal Jesus shared with his disciples. After the meal, we moved across to the church where the service began with the washing of hands or feet as we remembered the way in which Jesus served others and in turn has called us to do. We remembered Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane and joined in the celebration of the Eucharist. We journeyed home with many of us returning for our Good Friday service. It is a meaningful experience recalling the last days of Jesus’ life on Earth.
A highlight of the week was the Easter Day service. Having cancelled the 8am service, we all came together at 9.30am with members of the Franklin Community Choir for a service that was a real celebration.
The service ended with the choir members singing the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. We then adjourned to the Nora Brown Hall for morning tea and time to share with one another. It was so encouraging to share these events with a much greater number of people than those who regularly attend these services. Thanks to all who participated and contributed in such a wide variety of ways.
The readings over the next couple of weeks focus on the risen Christ’s interaction before our celebration of Ascension Day and the Day of Pentecost, another of my favourite Sundays in the church calendar.
There continues to be a wide range of activities available within the parish. It is good for us to welcome new people and our regular worshippers. Anyone is welcome to join those who go from the 8am service to Robert Harris for breakfast or coffee. Likewise, it is good for people to join in morning tea after the 9.30am service. It is hard to just turn up to these activities so I would encourage you to invite others to join you. We would like people to join us on Sunday 30th April when we have the opportunity to share breakfast together. This will be between the 8am and 9.30am services, beginning at 8.45am. This enables us to get to know each other a little better. Richard Anderson will again be co-ordinating this. Thank you, Richard.
Since Covid and the restrictions we faced, numbers at our services are lower than previously so I do ask that you encourage others to join us for our worship or social events.
Blessings to you all
Jan
PENTECOST FAMILY SERVICE
Sunday 28th May, 9.30am
Come and join the celebration, as we remember the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
All Welcome
SUNDAY READINGS FOR MAY 2023
7th: First reading: Acts 7: 55-60; Gospel: John 14: 1-14
14th: Acts 17: 22-31; John 14: 15-21
21st: Acts 1: 6-14; John 17: 1-11
28th: Acts 2: 1-21; John 7: 37-39
REST HOMES AND HOSPITAL SERVICES
Jan would really appreciate some offers of help with our rest home services. It is a commitment of just one hour a month. Please speak to Jan if you are willing to help in this area of ministry.
Tuesday 2nd, 10.30am: Palms Rest Home
Wednesday 3rd, 12 noon and 7pm: St Andrew’s
Thursday 4th, 10.30am: Franklin Village
Tuesday 9th, 11am: Palms Hospital
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 10am at St Andrew’s
1st Wednesday of the month and 3rd Thursday of the month
FROM THE VESTRY
At our last vestry meeting we expressed concern about the large oak trees on the Queen St side of the vicarage lawn and the acorns on the footpath. We approached the council about the pruning of these trees. Some of our trees are protected but exactly which is not clear, and regulations around these do change. Currently a very large branch has broken off one of the very tall trees and is wedged in other branches. We are lucky the wind direction resulted in it falling parallel to Queen St, rather than across the road which could have had serious consequences. We are fortunate to have Matt Paul, a consultant arborist, working on our consent application to considerably prune the tree with the intention of eventually removing it once some smaller trees become
well established.
Thank you to all those who helped with our recent garage sale. These events are much needed to assist our current financial situation. We are trying to cut spending where we are able but, as we all know, costs continue to rise. If you have any suggestions for ways to increase our income, we would welcome them.
As a result of the recent weather events, we have encountered an issue with storage. Our very generous community have again shown their care for those less fortunate than themselves and provided bedding,
clothing, food, and other essential items. We are finding we are going from one event to another, which results in our need for additional storage space. We know that as winter approaches we will be asked for the blankets and duvets we are storing. We are also about to begin our drive for pyjamas for children in lower-decile schools, identified by the senior staff in their school as being at high risk of winter illnesses, often due to overcrowding or cold or damp homes. Pukekohe Community Action is investigating adding a storage shed to help solve this problem.
SUSTAINABILITY
OLD BLUE
By Keith Gardner
One of the most enjoyable stories I have read to children was entitled Old Blue. It was the story of a robin that saved a species from extinction.
Forty years ago, Old Blue, a female Chatham Island black robin, helped bring her species back from the brink of extinction.
A scientist helped the robin survive and recover by moving birds between islands and using a foster species to incubate Old Blue’s eggs.
The Chatham Islands consist of about 10 islands within a 60km radius. The largest are Chatham Island and Pitt Island. Black robins currently live in forests on two small islands. The southeast island, Rangatira, has about 270 robins but is fast reaching its maximum carrying capacity. The other is Mangere Island (Maung’Re) which has about 20-plus individuals but shows a male-biased sex ratio. Now DOC is translocating some female robins from Rangatira Island to Mangere Island in the hopes of boosting the population.
By 1980, there were just five birds left and only one breeding pair: Old Blue and Old Yellow.
The black robin is a slow breeder so scientists decided to try cross-fostering using Chatham Island warblers and tomtits as foster parents. This allowed the robins to produce more than one clutch per season. By the end of the 1984/85 breeding season the number of robins had increased to 38.
Old Blue produced the entire first generation of robins born on Mangere Island. She was mother to six chicks and
grandmother to 11.
The black robin was at the centre of one of the most remarkable conservation efforts in the world. The knowledge
gained has been of immense value in the recovery of endangered bird species. The future for the black robin
looks bright as ongoing work centres on increasing its numbers.
A plaque dedicated to Old Blue is situated at the Chatham Islands airport. She is also the only bird to have its death announced in Parliament.
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.
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 021-1823703 Richard Anderson
Synod Reps Vicky Mee
Vestry members Renton Brown, Richard Gibbons, Helen Halliwell, Julie Perelini, Glenis Kerr
Buckland Reps Jim Moore, Vicky Mee
Parish Ministry Team
Parish Wardens Pauline Brown and Richard Anderson
Family Gael Crimmins Communications Cecily Daroux
Community Vicky Mee Sustainability Pauline Brown & Glenis Kerr
Pastoral Care Rev Jan Wallace, Rev Merlene Walker
Administration
Treasurer VACANT
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
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Thursday 20th April, 10am: Parish Communion Service. Fellowship Group meets at the church at 10.30am for
cafe outings.
Anzac Day Service at Buckland Hall: Tuesday 25th April, 9.45am, involving Rev’d Jan Wallace. This is the first time the hall has been used in three years. Morning tea will be served after the service. All welcome.
Parish Breakfast, Sunday 30th April, 8.45am: An opportunity to get to know each other. Richard Anderson and his team will again be co-ordinating this. Please add your name to the list in the church foyer.
Pentecost Family Service, Sunday 28th May, 9.30am: Come and join the celebration, as we remember the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. All welcome.
