Christmas Notices 2025
Lighting the Christ Candle
What we go out to see in the muddle of our world is not necessarily the Christ child or the light that glows within. No, I think what we watch over is the world that he came to save: the masses of humanity who think they can find salvation in the stuff of this life, like we know we do sometimes. When we forget.
A world that has room for a Saviour, even when we’ve forgotten it. And part of what we’re keeping watch for is to see whether we can make room - room for grace, room for joy, room for peace, even at our worst. At our most needy. And most helpful, and grace-filled.
Keep watch.
Let us light these candles and complete this circle as we rejoice in the light that shines in the darkness and declare with joy and with hope –
Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Hallelujah. Amen.
Have a most blessed Christmas, from the team at St Augustine’s.
Vicar Kofe
Christmas Services
Christmas Eve: Wed 24th Dec, 11.30pm
‘Midnight Eucharist’
- with the beauty of candles & carols
Christmas Day: Thu 25th Dec, 10am
Combined Family Service
- an All Age Family service with Communion & carols
From now and through to the end of January 2026, on Sundays we will be holding Combined 10am Services.
Our mid-week (Wednesday 10am Service) will continue until December 24 and then re-start in February 2026
Outside of the ‘Christmas/January’ period our Regular Services @ St Augustine’s are:
9.30am Traditional service with Holy Communion accompanied by organ music
11am: Contemporary worship
Midweek Eucharist: Wednesdays 10am @ St Aug’s for those who feel the need for Communion & Company during the week. All Welcome!.
Here are some snapshots of last week’s wonderful Christmas mainly music/Christingle Service. Thanks to Rowena and her mainly music for organising & running this service!
Statement from our Bishop, the Rt Rev Dr. Peter Carrell on the Bondi Beach tragedy.
The act of terrorism in Bondi Beach on Sunday evening, intentionally shooting to kill Jews and not Gentiles, has shocked Australians, Kiwis and the rest of the world. We should reflect on how we might support efforts to find a just peace in the Middle East without rhetoric which fuels anti-semitism.
It is anti-semitism when we blame Jews living locally for Israel's actions far away. We should ask why Russia's aggression against Ukraine does not engender anti-Russian killings away from Ukrainian battlefields, but Israel's aggression in Gaza and the West Bank engenders murderous hatred of Jews outside of Palestinian-Israeli battlefields.
It has been astutely observed that anti-semitism was significant in Western culture until the Second World War, then more or less absent as news of the Holocaust sunk into our consciences.
But now anti-semitism is back with a vengeance, supported by an ironic mix of left and right wing politicians, influencers and podcasters.
Messy Church
We are aiming to run one sometime in Term 1 next year.
See the photos below to see what our previous ‘Messy Church’ session looked like!
What is ‘Messy Church’? Messy Church is a church for everyone who may not feel comfortable attending a ‘normal’ church service and who don’t yet belong to a church. It typically includes a meal, hands-on activities such as arts, crafts, meeting God in the outdoors, science activities and more, which are suitable for all ages.
Check out the NZ ‘Messy Church’ website! www.messychurch.nz
The church is currently being opened to the public each Thursday afternoon between 1 - 3pm.
This is a great opportunity for you or others you may know to walk through our beautiful doors and sit in the quiet holiness of our space.
Everyone is welcome, and we thank Kristine & Mick McKey for this ministry.
Please be warned that with the commencement of our roof repairs we have LOTS of scaffolding around the place to be aware of. In particular this affects parking near the Hannan Centre ramp.
Be careful out there!
(And here are a couple of shots of the team in the skyline)
Helpful info
Giving
Groups
It’s easy to connect and get involved with some great social and faith-focused groups that meet regularly across the parish. You can find out about all our regular groups on our Groups page. If you have any questions, just click the contact button to connect with the group’s organiser.
Need prayer?
We’d love to pray for you. See the ‘Prayer Support’ section on the Help & Support page for more information on how we can help with your prayer needs. There are confidential and anonymous options available.