St Marks Messenger - 05 2017

The Messenger The Messenger PARISH OF SAINT MARK REMUERA OF SAINT MARK May PARISH 2017 Parish website: www.stmarks.org.nz Editor: Debra Hall REMUERA From the Vicar This is the last ‘Vicar’s’ page that I will write as Vicar of Saint Mark’s Parish before I become Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral on the 6th July.

It is with a sense of excitement at the opportunity I have been given and a sense of sadness for what might have been that I write. I must admit it has taken me a number of days of pondering and praying before I have been able to pen this piece.

I know that for you as a parish this change brings about a sense of loss and anxiety about ‘what next’ as you and I face change and cross a new threshold.

One of the most helpful things I can offer is the following reflection written by Flora Slosson Wuellner for the March/April 2017 Alive Now Magazine.

She writes, “Jesus knew all about the thresholds between the known and the unknown. All his life he crossed borders between the tried and the untried, the safe and the risky, the old and the new. He walked the frontiers geographically, emotionally, and spiritually.

As he and his friends shared the Passover supper, that night of his approaching arrest and trial, he tried to prepare, comfort, and empower his friends for the great changes that lay ahead, the thresholds they were all about to cross. He spoke words that prepare, comfort, and empower you and me today as we face our own thresholds of change.”

Jesus writes, “Do not let your hearts be troubled…In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” John 14:1-2 I believe these words refer not only to death’s threshold, but to any great change ahead of us. A new beginning or an ending, a gain or a loss. Any place we step into that is new and unexplored, the risen, living Christ

promises to go ahead of us to whatever new “dwelling place” awaits us, to bless and prepare it for us. We must pray and trust this truth.

I believe that over the last two and half years that I have been your Vicar we have achieved much together, including: the new look Website, an expanding and well used library, a new computer and server with secure back up, a new sound system in the church, data projector in the hall, new look Messenger magazine and weekly pew sheet, an updated and more accurate Parish roll, increased hall hire, movie nights for families during the winter months, refurbishing of the plaques in the church and restoring the gravestones, a brighter more accessible memorial chapel space, better use of our green space with the deck chairs and the Carols on the Lawn Markets and Music, a good working relationship with the Newmarket Business Association, who have used our facilities for a number of their events including the Mayoral candidate debate and the Art in a Day Exhibition, and securing a substantial long term income stream for the Parish with the development of Number 1 Saint Mark’s Road.

So many achievements to reflect on as you and your Vestry work together over the coming months to build your Parish Profile as part of the search for your new Vicar. This document must be a truly honest reflection of what the parish actually is now and what you want it to be.

A reflection of today’s reality and tomorrow’s opportunity, so your new Vicar has a realistic view of Saint Mark’s as it is today.

There is much for you to thank God for and celebrate, but also many opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Be kind and compassionate to one another, loving as God loves you. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Celebrate your differences, for they are what make each one of you precious in God’s sight.

I want to thank you for the support you have given to me and my family.

I will be forever grateful for this part of my journey in your midst; a chapter that has been much shorter than I anticipated. I will be holding you in my prayers as you face this new threshold in the life of this parish and encourage you to move forward with hope of the new resurrection life that we celebrate as those who claim to be followers of Jesus The Christ.

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Remember this prayer: Your church O God, is composed of people like me.

I help make it what it is. It will be friendly, if I am.

Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them. It will do great work, if I work.

It will make generous gifts to many causes, if I am a generous giver.

It will bring other people into its worship and fellowship, if I invite and bring them.

It will be a church where people grow in faith and serve you, if I am open to such growth and service.

Therefore, with your help Lord, we shall dedicate ourselves to the task of being all the things you want your church to be. Amen.

May you as a faith community be attentive to where God is calling you and courageous enough to follow.

With every blessing now and always Reverend Anne Mills

In our community As we head into Winter 2017, we will continue in our community ministry supporting WINGS Trust and the Anglican Trust for Women and Children (ATWC).

Both these groups are highly appreciative of the support shown by Saint Mark’s. Our fortnightly food basket – fuelled with your donations of grocery items each week – is put to good use in the WINGS houses. This month ATWC is seeking donations of pyjamas for families in need as the weather gets cooler.

Do drop off your donations to the office – or at the back of the Church when you attend services.

During Lent, we saw a new community outreach initiative, led by Annabelle Couldwell. Her “charitable Tuesdays” provided us with an opportunity to contribute each week, in simple ways that matter – homebaked afternoon teas were delivered to community organisations in our neighbourhood, petfood and blankets for the SPCA. Annie is a true inspiration and we look forward to future community outreach projects that we can all participate in. All ideas welcome.

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Process for New Vicar Appointment Tentative timeline of key dates (to be confirmed) As with all changes, the surprise announcement that our Vicar has been appointed Dean of the Cathedral brought with it some anxiety for our Parish – once again facing the task of finding a new Vicar to lead us.

Archdeacon Carole Hughes will be managing the replacement process. She met with the Vestry on Anzac Day to discuss how to proceed. Your wardens are meeting with Carole again in midMay, specifically looking to confirm the appointment of an interregnum priest – someone who will look after our Parish needs while the search for our new Vicar is progressing.

The process will include:  A Vestry planning day on 14th May to agree on goals and priorities for the coming year.  An update of the Parish Profile – initially by Vestry, to be presented to the parishioners in draft form for comment.  A Special Meeting of Parishioners (tentatively booked for 30 th July).

At that meeting, we will discuss and seek approval of the updated Parish Profile (including future priorities) and elect three parishioners to represent us on the 6-person selection committee to interview candidates for our new Vicar.

Meanwhile, if you have any thoughts, input or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your Wardens.

Christine Koefoed (People’s Warden) Peter Allen (Vicar’s Warden)

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Christine.Koefoed@bdo.co.nz peterjallen@xtra.co.nz

Millar’s May Musical Matters1

Messenger

To the good people of St Mark’s: in case you haven’t noticed yet, you have a very loyal and dedicated choir.

As well as the main Easter services on Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Day, 9 choir members turned up purely voluntarily on Maundy Thursday to sing a brief anthem/hymn during communion. But wait!

There’s more!

Almost a full muster of choir members turned out to sing Evensong at 5 pm on Easter Day. All of which means we sang well over 30 different hymns, anthems, psalms, and other liturgical music at five different services in just eight days. Note bashing started at a workshop in early March; then more learning each week – plus of course the regular Sunday service music to be practised – over the next few weeks leading up to that great event in the church year.

Coming up – something different for May Evensong! At 5 pm on May 21st – the third Sunday in the month, and therefore our regular Evensong service – the service will be sung by a visiting choir all the way from St Andrew’s Epsom; conducted by Neil Shroff, a previous Music Director here at St Mark’s.

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Brian says “couldn’t resist, sorry!”

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The following Sunday (May 28th) at 7 pm the St Mark’s choir will sing Evensong at St Andrew’s. Guest organist at both of these services will be David Finlay, who’s played for us before, and does a great job. You are warmly invited to come to both of these services! And you will be welcome to share a social time with light refreshments after the May 21st service (all contributions of food items towards this occasion very gratefully received; our choir are taking on the role of Provision Division).

May also means it’s an anniversary for me – I played my first service at St Mark’s on the first Sunday in May 2011.

A plea – I could use a couple more sopranos and altos. If you can read music (well, sort of), can hold pitch (i.e. sing in tune!), are teachable, prepared to go over music at home, and can attend practices every Thursday evening, I’d love to hear from you, to arrange a short and (relatively) painless audition. Or you may know someone who’s looking to join a better-than-average church choir; this is ideal training for a secondary or tertiary student who would like to explore this area of choral music. There could even be scholarships offered to the right person (details available from me).

Finally: what’s the difference between an organist and a terrorist?

Brian Millar (Director of Music) 6

You can negotiate with a terrorist……

Rotary Newmarket Art in a Day In mid February, St Mark’s Parish Centre hosted an exhibition of artworks created in the “Art in a Day” competition, which invited artists to chose from one of three locations around Newmarket, Parnell and Grafton, to paint or draw out in the open, all on same day.

Prizes for winning artworks were awarded at a prize giving ceremony in our Hall, with the first prize going to talented Jacqui Wilkinson, for her piece (shown here) entitled “James K Baxter (Before Hemi)” created in the open air at the Domain Gates, Grafton.

Jacqui shared with us her inspiration for this piece: “James K Baxter lived in Grafton in his later years, residing at 7 Boyle Crescent in a home he nicknamed – “the junkie Mother House”.

Hundreds of people, from all walks of life, used to crash at this house in the late 60’s and early 70’s, most looking for help for their addictions and a community of like-minded people they could share their despair – and love – with one another.

Baxter wrote about the heartbreak he felt when the house was torn down in 1972 to make way for the new developments engulfing Grafton at the time.

He died shortly afterwards, aged 46.

His love for Grafton’s community and the Domain are immortalised in his final poems and prose.”

Congratulations to Jacqui and the other winners. Check them out at www.artinaday.org.nz 7

What’s been happening in the Parish?

St Marks is a community of people, people in groups who support each other and enjoy each others’ company.

Renewing the historic links between St Marks’ and Dilworth Boys

Palm Sunday Procession

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New chicks on Easter Sunday

Good Friday

Anzac Day in Newmarket

Fun times at Mainly Music, Communicare and our St Patrick’s Day Market

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From the Parish AGM At the March 2017 Parish AGM, the following document and proposal was approved by the meeting regarding the potential to lease the land that the Parish owns, at 1 Saint Mark’s Road.

The parish currently receives about $24,000 dollars per year on the rental from the house. The new rent amount would be available for general parish use.

Summary of proposed Agreement to Lease A medical Specialist proposes to enter into an agreement to lease of the land (only) at 1 St Mark's Road, Remuera, comprising 703 square metres.

The agreement will be conditional on the Specialist obtaining finance; and a resource consent to construct the proposed clinic building on the land.

If these consents are not both satisfied, then the agreement will not proceed.

Once the agreement is unconditional, the Church it will clear the land of the dwelling and retain the sale of house proceeds. We do not yet have a final sale price for the house (but approximately $15000).

The actual lease will start once the agreement is unconditional and the house has been removed and the site handed over to the Specialist to start construction.

The annual rent will be $115,000 plus GST. This rent will be reviewed every year by the increase in the CPI. The church will have the right to approve the final design of the clinic on a reasonable basis to make sure it is in keeping with the neighbourhood. The church will also have the right to approve external signage on the building.

The full rent under the lease will be payable from handover, during the construction phase to ensure that that the church is receiving the lease income for the maximum period.

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The church is to have the right to use carparks on the property outside of normal clinic hours but otherwise the clinic will have sole rights of use and enjoyment of the land and the building on the land.

The lease will have an initial seven-year term with a right for the Specialist to renew the lease for a further term of seven years.

At the end of the 14 year term (if the renewal is exercised) the church will have the right to acquire the building. There will be a process to resolve any disagreement as to market value.

If the church elects not to purchase the building on the land, then the specialist will have the right to remove the building and leave the land in a tidy state.

At the end of the 14-year term it will be open to both parties to agree an alternative approach, for example the church may not wish to purchase the building, the specialist may have retired and not wished to remove the building and both parties may agree to a new lease arrangement with a new incoming lessee. That would all be subject to agreement at that time.

Following discussion, it was agreed at the AGM that the proposed Agreement to Lease 1 St Mark’s Road, Remuera, as summarized in the report prepared by Alan Patterson, be approved in principle and that the Vestry proceed with negotiations under the guidance of Alan Paterson and Geoff Laurence and report back to the Parish .

The AGM also acknowledged with gratitude the considerable contributions made by Geoff Lawrence and particularly Alan Paterson, who together with the Vicar have spent a great deal of time working on reaching the stage where a formal proposal could be made.

Since the AGM, the Vestry are close to agreeing on the finer details of the lease and signing it off. The specialist wishes to remain anonymous until the agreement is finalised for professional practice sensitivities. It will take until the end of this year for plans and consents etc. to be finalised and a year to build the premises. The building plans will be brought to a Special Parish meeting so that we can see what the proposed building will look like. This meeting will be well advertised in the Parish when the plans are finalised and the Vestry will endeavour to keep you updated on developments.

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From Our Library Remember that we have a well stocked library in the Parish Centre. You’re welcome to borrow books for interest and inspiration – just fill in the card! A special THANK YOU to Jenny Green, who has agreed to be our Librarian.

Pope Francis

“The Name of God is Mercy” (2016)

Reviewed by Annabelle Couldwell This book, new to the St Marks library, is the result of a conversation between Pope Francis and a Vatican reporter, Andrea Tornielli, on the subject of mercy.

It is an inspiring and thought provoking examination of the nature of mercy in relation to the Christian faith and the church. Pope Francis reiterates that the church cannot close the door on anyone who seeks help from God through the church. He outlines the five corporate works of Mercy: feed the hungry; give drink to the thirsty; visit the sick; visit the imprisoned; bury the dead.

He suggested that there are plenty of opportunities to do these works in our society, for the homeless, for the poor man and his family with no food, for the family who have lost jobs and income, for immigrants to our shores. He asks: What would you do if a homeless person was outside your home on the pavement?

I became very aware that the five acts of mercy are things that I do not find the time for. In this manner the book is a wake-up call to Christians who not only wish for God’s mercy themselves but also need to express God’s mercy in their contact with others. As Pope Francis says in the book: we have received freely, we should give freely also.

In the book Pope Francis explains by personal accounts, his reasons for proclaiming a Holy Year of Mercy. He believes the duty of a Christian church is to find its way into the consciousness of people so that they can assume responsibility for, and move away from, the bad things they have done.

For any who have wished to identify more with the merciful side of Christ, this is an insightful book to read.

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If You Want Non-Violence, Don’t Appeal Blandly to Peace An interesting article as we journey through the season of Easter

by Eric Alexander

Reproduced with permission from the author http://jesism.com/if-you-want-non-violence-dont-appeal-blandly-to-peace/

Jesus was non-violent.

So was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And so was Mahatma Gandhi. But some people tend to misrepresent what it means to be “peaceful” when fighting for a cause. And sometimes those who claim to be followers of Jesus are leading that charge. Let me expound.

When unjust oppression exists, there are basically two camps to fight it.

One is physical violence. To grab a gun and impose your ideas on others until there is no one left to argue with. That usually doesn’t end well. As one wise person said, an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

Violence is not the answer because it requires a person to surrender their own dignity and sacredness in the process.

Now, there may be grey areas, but let us not get lost in the corner cases here. In Matthew 5 Jesus said: “You have heard people say, Love your neighbours and hate your enemies. But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you.”

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But keep in mind, that certainly does not mean to be passive and allow the world to oppress and bully the vulnerable while we sit in a corner and pray.

The other side of the coin to physical violence is much more effective for social causes, and that is non-violent resistance. But let’s make something clear here, that does not mean it is clean and comfortable for all involved.

Sometimes during recent protests, like those of Black Lives Matter, folks have appealed to the peaceful portrait of Jesus, or MLK, or Gandhi as a retort to blocking traffic and calling leadership out publicly during events focused on other topics. And here’s where the rub comes in.

If we really don’t want physical violence, we have to allow for other outlets and push to make them efficacious. We can’t simply have a movement that ceases to get noticed, or nothing will change. Yes, Jesus, MLK, and Gandhi were non-violent, but they weren’t “peaceful” in the sense that they were afraid to hurt anyone’s feelings – or turn over some tables. Jesus was repeatedly having public heated arguments with the Pharisees of his day, and he was eventually executed for it. MLK was arrested dozens of times, and eventually assassinated. Gandhi was imprisoned and also assassinated.

These horrible endings didn’t occur because these social leaders were sitting at home behind their keyboards hoping not to offend or inconvenience anyone. These guys were passionate and they were fighting for the lives of the oppressed in their society. It was contentious stuff!

So when we see heated situations occurring during the plea for justice, as followers of the teachings of Jesus let us not attempt to quell the discomfort of the situations by appealing to a bland sense of peace. Jesus and other great non-violent leaders may not have resorted to physical violence, but they were full of zest and in your face enough to get killed for it.

Let us not forget that passion and commitment when standing up for justice. As Maya Angelou once said “Nothing will work unless we do.”

Eric Alexander is an author, speaker, and the founder of ChristianEvolution.com .

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What a difference 10 years makes!

This year, we celebrate 170 years of worship at St Mark’s – an Anglican Parish that has truly survived the good and the bad times of New Zealand’s history.

Still here – but are we still “going strong”. Recent years have seen a decline in Anglican parishes across the country, and we are no exception.

As we head into an important time of choosing a new Vicar for the Parish, it is worth reflecting on how we, the current parishioners, can support future growth in our faith community.

Data sourced from the Parish Annual Return to the Diocese.

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From the Registers February – April 2017

Baptised into Christ’s Church Max Huston

Rosie Hall

Joined together in Marriage Matthew Stretton and Amanda Wakarmi Sione Tapaevalu and Louise Timu Richard Hall and Brittany Matthews Committed to God’s Care Una Tunnicliffe Diana Creagh

Pat Towle Felicia Broadfoot

Vicar:

Parish Contact Details: The Reverend Anne Mills

027 680 5922

Associate Clergy:

The Reverend James Withers

021 239 1800

The Reverend Bob Driver

09 849 3538

The Reverend Canon Howard Leigh

0274 885892

Director of Music: Brian Millar

021 253 1437

Lay Minister:

021 614 227

Trevor Brooker

If you are on Facebook, please join us at the ‘real’ St Marks, which you will find at @StMarksRemuera.

The Anglican Parish of Saint Mark, Remuera.

Telephone: 09 520 2258 Email: office@stmarks.org.nz Website: www.stmarks.org.nz

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