Weekly Notices - 23rd August 2026
This week Kofe is away representing us at General Synod in Tonga, so she has asked me to introduce this week’s newsletter. I’m excited to tell you that we are gathering momentum in establishing a Pastoral Care Team at St Augustine’s. Around 11 people have been involved in training with the Reverend Alexa Evenden. The team has been established to support Kofe in her pastoral care work and will soon be available for our parishioners to call on. Life can be full of challenges and unexpected ups and downs, and we hope to be able to offer to visit or just be available to listen. This may be needed in times of bereavement, illness, a spiritual need or just simply to connect with someone on a deeper level. This is an important vision and mission in our church of loving and serving each other.
Maybe you can still support this ministry? Is baking or making a meal or soup in your wheelhouse? We will soon establish a sign-up list for offerings for those at a time of need. The team hope to coordinate efforts, so we work together.
Very soon, Kofe will introduce our new Pastoral team to you, and commission us for this role. We will be identified on our church name badges and identified on the notice board. We will soon let you know how to be in contact with us and just like the prayer team, this will be confidential. We ask that you keep praying for the team as we look to Jesus in following his example and his simple instruction, “tend my sheep”
Lord, may you keep us and bless this ministry in your name
With blessings -Annie
your Peoples Warden
Vicar Kofe
This Sunday’s Service (23rd August)
Theme: Recognising God
Sentence: Martha said, Yes Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.’ John 11:27
Collect:
Almighty and everlasting God,
by your Spirit the whole body of the Church
is governed and sanctified;
hear the prayer we offer
for all your faithful people,
that in the ministry to which you have called us
we may serve you in holiness and truth;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
Amen
Readings: Romans 12: 1 - 8 & Matthew 16: 13 - 20
While the vicar is away, please note the following, regarding Sunday services:
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.
From the Prayer Working Group
Re. the 24-Hour Prayer Event on 2-3 October.
This year we will again have two streams running:
The 24-Hour At-Home Prayer Roster along with several Prayer Stations in the church and Hannon Centre on the Saturday.
Watch this space for more details!
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
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.