PLANNING A HEALTHY CHURCH
We are halfway through 2023 already and it has certainly been a busy six months.
Unfortunately, a considerable amount of our administration time has been spent on our finances and has taken me away from the tasks I enjoy doing with worship and pastoral care.
Currently we are reflecting on the “Healthy Church Model,” what we are doing and what we feel we are being called to do in the church and our ministries as the Anglican Church in Pukekohe, and each of us as individuals. The past month has focussed on shaping community. The aspects within this are shaping an authentic, loving community, within the church community and within the wider community. We began on the day of Pentecost Sunday, “the birthday of the church,” when we considered what gifts we have as individuals and as a parish. We also needed to reflect on what this meant in the community.
Fortunately, Richard Anderson has agreed to return to organising a parish breakfast each time we have a 5th Sunday in the month. Thank you, Richard and your family, for this. We really do appreciate it. The next breakfast is at the end of July.
I am very encouraged to see the number of people who go from the 8am service to Robert Harris for morning tea. This is a mixed group, and it is great to see the number of men joining in. This has grown from changing the previous Women’s Fellowship, which was rapidly decreasing in size, so it was decided to become a true fellowship group who enjoy each other’s company. They come for a short Eucharist service at 10am on the third Thursday of the month and then head out to one of the local cafes. If you want recommendations of the best
cafe, just ask. They then meet the next Thursday and clean the church and I am sure this is also followed by visiting a cafe. Many good friendships have developed within this group. Other events include the Selwyn Group on Tuesdays including sharing a hot lunch.
Governance and Stewardship is managed by the Vestry and the Central Vestry Trust Board. The Vestry cares for the day-to-day running of the parish while the Central Vestry Trust Board owns the Pukekohe parish properties, including the retirement village and bequests left to the parish.
The sustainability team remind us of our responsibility to have stewardship for our environment. We are registered as an ecochurch, but do we really understand what that means?
We are wanting to re-establish our ministry team that diminished with Covid.
The residents of the St Andrew’s Court Retirement Village have also formed a very close community, supporting each other with fellowship and in times of need.
Other social outreach includes musical performances, the Op Shop, and social activities and support groups run with Pukekohe Community Action for first-time parents and their babies, and a free play group that preschool children and caregivers attend. We also have Seasons for Growth groups for school-age children through to adults who have experienced significant losses or grief in their life. Through these groups, many volunteers find friendship and a feeling of satisfaction in being able to help others and in doing so enhance their self-esteem.
We also support the community by enabling the use of our premises.
Such users include Alcoholics Anonymous, St John’s committee, the Franklin Positive Ageing Expo committee, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, stamp club, photography club, embroidery group, tramping club, Franklin Community Choir and T’ai Chi. The ministry teams we would like to see developing are worship team, especially for special services, social, pastoral care, including reinstating the prayer chain, communications, and family ministries.
Under the umbrella of Community Networks Franklin, we will be using a room for planning meetings to enhance how we can be a more resilient community in emergency situations in our area.
This month our focus is on “Growing in Christ”.
1. Maturing discipleship
2. Gift-orientated ministry
3. Empowering leadership.
I am planning to have a Special General Meeting on Sunday 9 July at 11am to receive the Central Vestry Trust Board 2022 audited financial report and to discuss the formation of the ministry team. Do try to come along. To assist in growing in Christ we are planning to have a quiet day on 22 July from 9.45am to 2pm with a break for lunch. We also encourage growing in Christ by the Tongan community using our building.
Many Blessings, Jan
PARISH QUIET DAY AT ST ANDREW’S
9.45am to 2pm, 22 July
Being Present: Love and mercy amid anxiety
SUNDAY READINGS FOR JULY 2023
2nd: First reading: Genesis 22: 1-14; Gospel: Matthew 10: 40-42
9th: Genesis 24: 34-38, 42-49, 58-67; Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-30
16th: Genesis 25: 19-34; Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23
23th: Genesis 29: 15-28; Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43
30th: Acts 2: 42-47; Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52
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 4th: 10.30am Palms Rest Home
Wednesday 5th: 10am St Andrew’s
Thursday 6th: 10.30am Franklin Village
Tuesday 11th: 11am Palms Hospital
Thursday 20th: 10am St Andrew’s
Tuesday 25th: 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 THE VESTRY
Memorial Arch
Well, some good news. Coming up four years on, progress is now happening quickly. Liquidstone is on track.
Assembly of moulds etc are on track for July with a planned production start date of mid-August and installation by the end of September.
This really is good news, and we can look forward to celebrating the dedication later in the year. There might be a delay with galvanising the steel which could be an issue with the completion date.
Relationship with Pukekohe Community Action
The parish is very happy to work in collaboration with PCA.
PCA funds the staff and resources for the groups that we support in running. It also pays for the space it uses. I am the director of PCA and, along with several others, Bob is a great supporter in the food bank and the pyjamas. Ann Rollinson and Jackie Barry are also great in this area, along with a group of drivers.
The need for our services is increasing in the current economic environment. Please see the data on the next page. Due to the challenges we have faced over the past couple of months with flooding and the extra resources required to meet the needs of the community, storage has become more of an issue. Pukekohe Central Vestry Trust Board has agreed to PCA putting a shed around the back of the property by the garden for the storage of emergency supplies.
This will be at no cost to the parish as PCA is applying for a grant to cover the cost, however it will help us to tidy the premises and have supplies more organised and available.
We are hoping to have a special general meeting of the parish on Sunday 9 July to receive the Pukekohe Central Vestry Trust Board financial report, and to explain the parish financial structure and projects that need development.
PCA FOOD-PARCEL DISTRIBUTION
Dec 21 — Feb 22: 88 parcels
Mar 22 — May 22: 91
Jun 22 — Aug 22: 89
Dec 22 — Feb 23: 129
Mar 23 — May 23: 134
In June, up to the 16th, 31 parcels have been handed out. At this rate it’s 60 for the month and 180 for the quarter.
In the year to 31 May 2023, 448 food parcels were handed out by PCA to the people of Franklin.
Note: The December quarter included 20 Christmas hampers with Christmas presents for every member of the household.
Since mid-May, pyjamas have been added to food parcels when requested for primary school-aged children.
To date, 330 pairs of pyjamas have been donated to students identified as being at risk of respiratory illness through living in cold, damp, over-crowded houses and hence at a greater risk of being hospitalised. Our aim is to reduce the number of children needing hospitalisation. More than 60 pairs of pyjamas have been given with food parcels and to first-time Space babies and play group children.
We do allow people to choose items from a standard food parcel list. The cost of a standard food parcel is $148.55. If the person bakes it is $168.35, and if they make soup, it is $174.65. If we include baby formula, add $23 and if we add in nappies another $20. That makes the maximum value about $220 and minimum value $150. So, at the minimum value for the year with 442 parcels, the cost would be $63,300.
We really appreciate any donations. To see the gratitude of the recipients is so wonderful. Thank you so much for all you do in the community.
SUSTAINABILITY
BATS
By Keith Gardner
People often report seeing little birds flying around at dusk near bushy areas, especially on farms in Franklin. These are not birds but longtailed bats.
They live in tree trunks, rocky outcrops and in banks in gullies. Being nocturnal, they become active at night looking for food.
There are only two terrestrial (land-only) mammals living in Aotearoa that are native species and both are bats (pekapeka). Both the short-tailed and longtailed are micro bats. They are tiny, have tails, eat insects, have big ears and small eyes, and use echolocation when moving about.
Long-tailed bats are incredibly small — about as big as a grown-up’s thumb. They are amazing flyers. Their long tails connect to their wings and help them fly. They can fly at 60kmh and can roam quite large distances.
They will eat insects in the darkness, catching them as they fly.
They live on the mainland and outer islands of New Zealand and will inhabit barns and sheds with 20-60 in a social group. Habitat loss is making it hard for them to survive.
Short-tailed bats are burrowing creatures. They scurry around on all fours over the forest floor, hunting for insects, fruit, pollen and nectar. This makes them vulnerable to pests. They will climb trees and along branches, and will burrow into leaf litter, rotten logs and trees to make roosts.
The wood rose (dactylantus) is special to the bats. Its Māori name is pua o Te Reinga — the flower of the underworld. This threatened parasitic plant grows on the roots of trees on the forest floor. It puts out a musky sweet smell that attracts the bats. They get pollen on their faces and function as the plant’s only pollinator.
There are three subspecies of short-tailed bats — northern, central and southern. The population is estimated at 30,000-50,000. The northern short-tailed bat is most at risk and lives in only one site in Northland and on Little Barrier Island. It is sad that even though the bat population numbers look impressive, it does not take much for them to be listed as endangered when their habitats are disappearing.
(Thanks to KKC for providing information)
PARISH BREAKFAST
Sunday 30 July, 8.45am
In keeping with last month’s theme of shaping an authentic loving community, Richard Anderson and his team are again co-ordinating this much-enjoyed event. Please join us. Our breakfast provides the opportunity for fellowship for those who worship with us at the 8am and 9.30am services. Please feel free to bring along a friend. Let us know you’re coming — please add your name to the list in the church foyer or call the office on 09 238 7228.
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
Chair: Rev’d Jan Wallace
Vestry secretary: Karen Stevens
Wardens: Pauline Brown 021 182 3703, Richard Anderson 021 0882 3499
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
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Wednesday 5 July, 10am: Parish Communion Service. 10.30am: Mothers’ Union social group gathering.
HANDEL CONSORT AND QUIRE:
Sunday 9 July, 3pm. The choir’s performance of Magnificent Motets and Madrigals at St Andrew’s has been cancelled due to illness. Please contact the Parish Office for any ticket refunds. The choir plans other concerts at St Andrew’s later in the year.
GARAGE SALE: Saturday 15 July, 8am-11am. Set up from Tuesday 11 July to Friday 14 July. 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.
Thursday 20 July, 10am: Parish Communion Service. Followed by Fellowship Group which meets at the church at 10.20am for cafe outings.
PARISH BREAKFAST: Sunday 30 July, 8.45am. An opportunity to enjoy breakfast together and get to know each other a little better. Richard Anderson and his team are again co-ordinating this. Please add your name to the list in the foyer.
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 outreach in our community): 12-3023-0071016-00
• Make sure you put your name in the reference field and email jan.wallace@xtra.co.nz so we can send you a tax receipt. Thank you in advance for your generosity.