Weekly Notices - 21st September 2025
Faith communities from Taihape to Dargaville, Motueka to Russell are engaging in courageous and gracious conversations to prepare for Māori ward referendums.
While we aren’t in a Māori ward, and therefore not directly affected, the following statements make for insightful reading (Kofe).
These Christian leaders remind us that:
· Māori wards are Te Tiriti justice in action. They give life to the covenant signed in 1840, ensuring Māori voices are empowered in local decision-making.
· This is about reconciliation, not division. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians, we are called into the ministry of reconciliation. Māori representation helps move us closer to God’s vision of equity, mutual respect and shared leadership.
· Māori are the gateway to belonging in Aotearoa. True partnership means Māori voices cannot be swallowed by majority rule. Protecting Māori wards ensures the wisdom, worldview and connection of tangata whenua remain central to shaping our common life.
· This is a gospel issue. Revelation reminds us that every tribe and language will be at God’s table. Māori wards embody this unity-in-diversity in the here and now.
· The Church has a moral responsibility. Since churches translated and promoted Te Tiriti at its beginning, we are now called to uphold its promises with courage, prayer and action.
Vicar Kofe
This Sunday’s Service (21st September)
Theme: God's Mission in our Hearts.
Sentence: ‘You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich’.
2 Corinthians 8:9
Collect:
Almighty God,
fount of all wisdom, crown of all knowledge;
give us eyes to see and minds to understand your marvellous works,
that we may know you through your handiwork
and use your creations to your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Readings: Ephesians 4: 1 – 14 & Matthew 9: 9 – 13
This week we continue our St Aug's Mission Month, and we have invited different speakers to address our Combined 10am Services.
The speakers will take the place of our sermons each Sunday, so come and be with us as we support the personal and corporate stories of individuals serving our Lord.
Date Speaker
September 21st CMS & Maori Mission, Bruce White (see Bruce’s ‘intro’ below)
September 28th Geoff King
October 5th Alistair Philips
Bruce White partners with his wife Carolyn to look after our Mission Partners. Together they support, equip and encourage our people serving overseas. Bruce pastored at a Baptist church for ten years before he and his wife served with the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society in south Asia for seven years. They then returned to New Zealand to pastor again for another seven years before God opened the door for Bruce to join our team.
Bruce is also part of the Te Pihopatanga o Te Waipounamu.
Our Diocesan 5 Marks of Mission, adopted to guide us as a church walking into the future:
· To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
· To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
· To respond to human need by loving service
· To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation
· To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth
These priorities need not just be corporate or international ideologies; they can be worked into our individual lives as we strive to grow God’s Kingdom here on earth.
Advance Notice: Our next 24-Hour Prayer Weekend is set for: Friday 7 November 5pm - Saturday 8 November 5pm.
Watch this space from the first Sunday in October for details!
We are down to our last Organ Recital with Jeremy Woodside.
The first two concerts (Sea-am Thompson & Martin Setchell) were very popular, get in quick for the last one!
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.
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
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.