Weekly Notices - 22nd June 2025
Matariki…… Te Pouhere – 2 significant celebrations in the life of our nation; 2 significantly different celebrations!!
As we stand in the celebrations of the Maori new year, under the cluster of stars known to Western astronomers as the Pleiades in the constellation Taurus, we continue to marvel at God’s Creation and His Presence.
We live in a nation founded on traditional folklore wrestling with Christian doctrine, but sometimes it pays to embrace the whole of it and just live in the beauty of God’s bringing together people from different cultures.
So while the secular sector mark Matariki – and we can too! – the church this week lays it focus on Te Pouhere: a celebration of the unity between our 3 Tikanga. This is an important part of our liturgical year, reminding us of the labours of our forefathers here in Aotearoa who forged the path ahead from darkness into spiritual light.
“Te Pouhere” can be translated to “Mooring Post,” a beautiful way of seeing how the constitution of our church in these islands was set up in 1922 to acknowledge and embrace the 3 cultural stream of ‘Pakeha,’ Maori and Pacific people. It is a lasting symbol of the church’s oneness and calls for ongoing unity among its members.
So let’s join in the celebrations of both Matariki and Te Pouhere and give thanks for God’s Goodness and Mercy.
May God always bless St Aug’s!
Your Friend and Vicar, Kofe.
Vicar Kofe
This Sunday’s Service (22nd June)
Theme: “Te Pouhere Sunday: - celebrating our life as a Three Tikanga Church ”
Sentence: ‘God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; and he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him’ Acts 10:38
Collect:
Master weaver, you are the creator and we are the flax with which you have plaited Te Pouhere, a whāriki which unites our tikanga in Aotearoa and across Te Moananui a Kiwa.
Your hand has woven us so that each tikanga is revealed in the perfection of its design, its pattern in the texture of our differences, and its strength in the unity of its purpose to shelter and support your promise.
Remind us you have woven us so that no strand by itself reveals your design but together we are the whāriki, Te Pouhere
Amen.
Readings: Galatians 3: 23 – 29 & Luke 8: 26 – 39
Film Screening, THIS THURSDAY (June 19th) - in the Hannan Centre
Kiwi-made film The Doctor's Wife:
https://whitioraproductions.com/the-doctors-wife
This film reflects on the 20-year engagement NZ paediatric cardiac surgeon,
Dr Alan Kerr, and his wife Hazel had with Palestine.
Gather at 6.30pm, the film will start at 7pm
Tea & Coffee will be available after the film
The New Zealand Palestine Solidarity Network https://www.psna.nz/ will also be providing information pamphlets. Plus gathering signatures to petition
Dr Vanessa Weenink to support Chloë Swarbrick's bill to impose stronger sanctions on Israel to bring about an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
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
On Sunday 29th June, the Sumner Silver Brass Band will be joining us again and leading our music (for a ‘Combined 10am Service’).
We have all thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful group of musicians in the past, and I am excited that they are willing to join us again!
The first concert in our current Organ Concert Series featuring Sea-am Thompson was a huge hit with a full house (check out the photos below!).
Get in quick for the next one! (Click here for more details about this series.)
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.)
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
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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.