Weekly Notices - 17th August 2025
Our walk with Jesus this week takes us to that place where he encourages us live in relationship with Him and with each other. What a wonderful command!
As I prepare to fly out of Christchurch on Annual Leave next Monday, I reflect on the last few days, and find myself absolutely wrapped up in God’s merciful embrace and the beauty of serving in such a wonderful community.
As updates which I am sure you are looking forward to, Chris and Maxine Kissling are doing superbly and are adamant that they will be at church on Sunday, walking frame and all!
I also called in on dear Elizabeth Hitch who had a fall on Sunday. She was in really good spirits, resting at home in the care of her daughters Jo and Paula, and is certain that she too, will be returning to church very soon
As I pen this, I am looking forward to seeing our dear Shirley King who has now been transferred to Burwood Hospital. I look forward to spending some time with Shirley and I am thankful for God’s Presence and Mystery at this time.
This morning, I took Communion to the Radfords’. As I entered their beautiful home, imagine my surprise to see Grant up and about in their living room! He invited me to sit with him and began recalling messages of love and encouragement he and Yvonne had received over the last few weeks. I was absolutely gob-smacked! He even showed me photos of himself, sitting out on their patio yesterday afternoon, giving himself a ‘beard clean-up!’
I know the team will be looking after others around us, like Elizabeth Heard, Joy Newlands, Heather Strong and others who might be struggling with their health. Please keep your prayers going!
May God always bless St Aug’s with warm fellowship and holy relationships.
~ Your Friend and Vicar, Kofe.
Vicar Kofe
This Sunday’s Service (17th August)
Theme: The Christian life is not easy - solidarity, strength for the journey.
Sentence: ‘Is not my word like fire,’ says the Lord, ‘and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?’ Jeremiah 23:29
Collect:
Come Holy Spirit,
to all baptised in your name,
that we may turn to good whatever lies ahead.
Give us passion, give us fire;
make us transform the world from what it is,
to what you have created it to be.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Readings: Hebrews 11: 29 – 12:2 & Luke 12: 49 – 56
Our next Organ Recital (Martin Setchell below) is just around the corner. It will be a packed event!
Mayoral Candidate Debate
Thursday 28 August, 7pm, here in the Church (5 Cracroft Tce, Cashmere, ChCh 8022)
Not sure who to vote for in the coming Local Body Elections?
Come and listen to Mayoral Candidates Phil Mauger and Sara Templeton
In the month of September and the 1st Sunday of October, we will be hearing from different people about their respective journeys in recent times, and how they have carried out Mission locally and/or internationally.
This will be in the place of sermons by the Vicar, and to accommodate outside Speakers, we will be having 10am Combined services throughout September and on the 1st Sunday of October.
Please also note that the 31st of August is a “Fifth Sunday” so it too, will be a Combined 10am service led by Russell Stedman & the 11am Band
and the Revs John and Christine de Senna
Vestry has agreed to the recommendations from our Mission Motivators (Lerks & Joan) to support NZCMS Māori evangelists with our missions giving. Joan & Lerks have heard Keri-Anne preach and she had shown Lerks around South Auckland, describing her work there.
We think that Māori evangelists will not only bring the gospel to Māori, but could also re-awaken Christian spirituality with everyone that they encounter. We see this in our younger generation who want to partner with Māori in their future together.
Please click here for more information about Māori Evangelists.
Tiny Town at St Augs!
On Thursday 17th July we hosted the first session of ‘Tiny Town’ in the Lower Hall.
What is Tiny Town?
Tiny Town is a mobile role-play town, crafted for ages 0-6 to dive into play that’s easy and enriching with a curated setup of wooden toys for beautifully designed areas such as a supermarket, post office, vet clinic and garage. See below for some photos of this very cool/cute concept in action in the Lower Hall at St Augs!
The Tiny Town crew hope to hold another session at St Aug’s later this year. ‘Watch this space!’ To find out more about Tiny Town, visit their website: https://www.tinytown.nz/
Messy Church at St Augs!
On Saturday 28th June, we held a very successful ‘Messy Church’ activity day for Pre-School & Primary aged children in the Hall.
Many grateful thanks from Rowena, Thelma and the team to all those that contributed to the success of this day. We hope to hold another session before the end of the year!
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 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.