Weekly Notices - 18th May 2025
Many of you might remember that over the last few days, I have been at our Diocesan Cergy Conference. This has been a deeply reflective and encouraging time for me, surrounded by other clergy and having the opportunity of participating in many discussions about individual parish life.
The overarching theme of the Conference has been “Re-imagining Our Future,” trying to look into what parishes can do in the months & years coming up, to build our spiritual journeys to a place where the non-churched would be keen to ‘come and see.’
On Thursday, May 29th the Church will commemorate Ascension Day, and following that auspicious day, parishes are encouraged to embrace and join each other in the “Your Kingdom Come” prayer cycle which will take us through to The Day of Pentecost. The Rev’s Christine and John de Senna have already spoken to this heart-warming program, and again, I invite each of us to pray over preparations. As you pray over the 5 people Christine invited you to name in your hearts, I also ask that you make time to come together physically for an hour next week (day & time to be confirmed) to pray together and support each other.
I firmly believe that this initiative of “Thy Kingdom Come” will re-establish a culture for us where we can freely look at the future of our parish and quietly begin to imagine what it could look like, and I thank Christine for leading us through this worldwide prayer fellowship.
May God always bless St Aug’s
Your Friend and Vicar, Kofe.
Vicar Kofe
This Sunday’s Service (18th May)
Theme: “A new creation - Christ lives among us”
Sentence: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. As I have loved you, you also should love one another. John 13:34
Collect:
Make us glad we pray you, gentle God,
to give each other your loving care;
make us happy to receive it.
May there daily grow within us
a generous, trusting spirit.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Readings: Acts 11: 1 – 18 & John 13: 31 – 35
Parish News
‘Thy Kingdom Come 2025’ 29th May - 8th June
Thy Kingdom Come (TKC) is a global ecumenical prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost for more
people to come to know Jesus.
This year, our parish Prayer Leaders are encouraging us all to be a part of this praying community: every person, household and church is invited to pray
during the 11 days in their own way.
Please take part & join in. After each service over the next few weeks, there will be video clips with more information for you to work with.
Let’s all get behind this initiative and come together as God’s people of prayer!
Building Discipleship 'conference' 5th - 6th June (Thursday & Friday)
North City Church premises on Sawyers Arms Rd (Christchurch).
Last year some of us attended this very successful conference so we are again inviting anyone interested to join us at this excellent time of nourishment & rejuvenation!
Going by what it offered last year, it will be a great place of encouragement.
As our own parish continues to look at regeneration and growth, this will be a perfect opportunity to network and gather fresh ideas.
Contact Paula if this is something you would be keen on - we DO need a strong team please!
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 recently.)
Messy Church at St Augs!!
On Saturday 28th June 2025 we are planning a special ‘Messy Church’ activity day for Pre school and Primary aged children in the Hall at St Augustine’s
This will run from 3pm to 5:30pm
We require helpers to plan, set up and manage this important church event.
We need people to help with the encouraging and bringing along young families, advertising, ideas, administration, welcomers, preparation for art activities and music.
We also require helpers to set up trestles and activities, a team of cooks for meal preparation and serving, and for afterwards tidying up at the end of the activities.
If you can help in any way please can you join us THIS Thursday evening (22nd May) at 7pm in the Hannan centre for a planning meeting.
Please come with ideas and ways to support us. RSVP to Rowena Pottinger: 021343884, or rowbillpotty@gmail.com
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
Please remember to use our Diocesan Prayer for Regeneration: As the kotuku gently rests upon the tree, come and rest upon us Holy Spirit as we pray for the regeneration of our Diocese… Ever living God, through your Spirit you constantly renew the whole creation; bring regeneration to your Diocese of Christchurch, grant us courage to grow disciples of Jesus, give us vision to reach young people and their families, and strengthen us to create vibrant communities of faith. All this we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.
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.