Weekly Notices - 16th August 2026
As we look this week at how God holds us together as one people with one faith, I would like to share with you where I will be over the next week and a half.
In our part of the world, the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia ensures that the sacraments of the church are celebrated, and all other aspects of mission are promoted by ministers, both lay and ordained. The origins of the church as Te Hahi Mihinare – the missionary work in Maori communities from 1814 – began without a national church structure.
Since 1857 there has been a representative governing body for the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia known as the General Synod. The synod/ hīnota has met regularly ever since and now meets once every two years.
This year, General Synod is being hosted by the Diocese of Polynesia (2 yrs ago, it was hosted by Tikanga Maori in Hastings) in the island kingdom of Tonga with (like always) three major tasks to be attended to:– to receive reports from the many commissions, agencies and organisations of the church's life and witness; to elect persons to the many bodies that carry out specialist and ongoing support work for the life of the church; and to pass laws that will regulate the common life of the church as a whole.
I am privileged to be a part of General Synod and I ask your prayers over us as we gather.
May God always bless St Aug’s – an amazing piece of this Church
Your Friend and Vicar, Kofe.
Vicar Kofe
This Sunday’s Service (16th August)
Theme: Recognising God and the Unity in which He holds us.
Sentence: Thus says the Lord, ‘Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed.’ Isaiah 56:1
Collect:
Come Holy Spirit with new fire;
when our prayers seem to fail,
when we hear no voice nor any answer,
rouse us and light our way.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen
Readings: Romans 11: 1 – 2a, 29 – 32 & Matthew 15: 21 – 28
While the vicar is away, please note the following, regarding Sunday services:
16th Aug – Rev John de Senna will be leading a traditional Eucharist at 9.30am, followed by contemporary worship at 11am led by Russell and the band.
23rd Aug – the Rev Ciru Muriuki will lead a traditional Eucharist with Reserved Sacrament at 9.30am and then will join David Gibbs for our 11am contemporary service. Please note there will not be Communion at this 11am service although it is the 4th Sunday.
30th Aug – Being the 5th Sunday, Kofe will be holding a 10am Combined service in our contemporary style, led by Russell and the Band. This will be a Eucharist service.
For any concerns or cares in the Vicar’s absence, please direct your conversation to your Vicar’s Warden, Mrs. Jo Ashton-Martyn.
AI & Humanity Conference
Cashmere Presbyterian Church — August 2026, 6pm on Fri, 28 Aug to 4pm on Sat, 29 Aug at Cashmere Presbyterian Church, 2 MacMillan Avenue.
The AI & Humanity Conference 2026 is a one-and-a-half-day public gathering designed to inform, equip and inspire a general audience about Artificial Intelligence-its rapid developments, its practical applications, and its deeper implications for our lives, communities and humanity itself. The conference is hosted by Cashmere Presbyterian Church and explicitly welcomes all people, regardless of faith background.
The event aims to:
Demystify AI for everyday people—what it is, how it works, where it is headed
Provide practical tools and skills to engage AI confidently in personal and professional life
Explore the ethical, social, and human dimensions of AI—including perspectives from both faith and non-faith traditions
Create a safe, curious, and collegial space for honest conversation about threats and opportunities
Connect Christchurch/Canterbury people with leading New Zealand voices on AI
Guest speakers are Dr Stephen Garner (Laidlaw College, Auckland), and Dr Matthew Galloway (Victoria University of Wellington—Te Herenga Waka).
Helpful info
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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.
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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.