Parish Newsletter August-September 2023

Prayerful decisions to be made

Nga mihi o te tau hou kia koutou. Happy New Year, everybody. Matariki has passed, the days are getting longer, and there is winter prunus bloomingthe very first signs of spring. We continue to pray for revival and are pleased to welcome some new faces into our community.

Messy Church is up and running and has already been a lot of fun. We trust that somewhere between the balloons, the cutting out and the glue sticks, children are being introduced to the God that loves them and Jesus whom he sent. The biggest delight of Messy Church has been to see our old hands sitting down and spending time with our new children. Important conversations happen at the craft tables and later around the meal table.

I was pleased to share some stories of our doings at the recent clergy conference and am delighted to report on the support and encouragement offered by the rest of the diocese. The conference included a day retreat given by the bishop - a necessary time of refreshment for my own spirit. The second day was devoted to presentations to help us improve

our ministry in this time of change and challenge.

You will be aware that moves are afoot to sell the St Mary’s Sunday School Hall to a suitable trust so that the community work carried out there can proceed with confidence and so that we can realise capital needed for other capital expenses. It is important to emphasise that this is not a done deal. Careful conversations are taking place about this proposal. Please pray that we may use the assets bequeathed to us wisely. Pray also about decisions that have to be made regarding earthquake strengthening at St Thomas’ and St Mary’s. But most of all, let us pray for the strengthening of the living stones of the church.

By the time this is published, the day of giving will be upon us if not already gone. What you give is between you, God and the treasurer, unlike a church I attended in the village of Scharrachbergheim in Alsace, where the giving was read out from the pulpit. While it did create competition in the congregation, I don’t think it appropriate to our cultural context.

Rev Hugh McCafferty PRIEST-IN-CHARGE

Anglican Parish GERALDINE

At our first Messy Church session in May we explored Pentecost. Here we are in our Holy Spirit hats.

Anglican Parish

community

what’s new, what’s happening, what’s up where you are

Nancye Jack: equestrian extraordinaire

What amazing stories our parishioners have to share. Nancye Jack, equestrian, judge and coach, has recently been awarded the New Zealand Pony Club Association Long Service Award. She said it was quite a thrill and totally unexpected.

Nancye learnt to ride a pony to get to school from her parents’ farm in the Tutaki Valley near Murchison, and it seems she has never looked back. Her uncle made her a sheepskin saddle with no stirrups, and “Boy, was it warm!”

Nancye’s faith was handed down from her mother, who would ride to church in a horse and gig through the river bed. The vicar rode out from Murchison on his bicycle, about nine miles. Nancye, too, has enjoyed harness riding, training and

breeding horses, as well as riding, and she has won many awards. These days she has just two horses at home, a young mare to train and another in foal. “I hope it’s a girl.”

Nancye has been involved with pony club since 1965. She loves teaching and helping young people to care for and train their horses. She was awarded the title of coach in 1998 after demonstrating her dressage and equestrian skills. “Forty-two competed; only four of us passed.”

She has a rich and full life, “busy, busy all the time”. Now “goes to people’s places” to teach. Padré, her Jack Russell, is her faithful companion and has become “part of the furniture. I swear he knows whatever I say,” says Nancye.

JAN HILL

Nancye Jack with Geraldine Pony Club committee members (from left) Kate Haugh (vice president), Rebecca Hartnett (president), and Ellie Brookbank (treasurer) at the award presentation.

Messy Church hits the right spot

St Mary’s has now had two sessions of Messy Church, with a third about to happen as you receive this newsletter. A team of volunteers has stepped up to lead the sessions.

Since the first session in May was on Pentecost Sunday, we decided the first theme would be the Holy Spirit. Around 20 kids and their parents attended and were pretty soon engrossed in the activities, including racing balloons and making colourful, Holy Spirit flame headbands.

The Holy Spirit is like the air in a balloon. Hugh demonstrated with a balloon which, when let loose, collided with Fi’s head, to everyone’s delight. The session concluded with a sit-down meal for the children, thanks to Barbara Cassidy and her team. Everybody was keen for the next session.

Trinity follows Pentecost, so we decided to take on the big question: Who is God? On the last Sunday of June, we attempted some answers. Making solar system mobiles gave us

raised the question of God as Trinity. Claire Millichamp, Siobhan Moulton and Ellie Deans led the way in demonstrating some creative statues when the music stopped.

A sizeable contingent from the morning services provided plenty of people for children and their parents to interact with over crafts and later around the meal table. The joy and enthusiasm are infectious. Some of the children posed theological questions that had us scratching our heads and thinking deeply as we explored them together.

It may not be church as we remember it, but then again, each successive age of the church has not been as we remember it. God’s Spirit is alive and well and is moving among us. Alleluia.

REV HUGH

Thanks from Esther

I wanted to say thank you for organising a very successful Messy Church yesterday [25 June]. While central to our belief, I thought, Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit would be a complex theme to convey to small children. Well done, Hugh. I am sure those children and their parents will be happy to come back I have never tried using AI before, but on opening my laptop this morning there was AL telling me to try his services. ... Today we live in a world that is constantly changing. It is hard for us oldies to keep up with the flow. AI could be scary, b ut it could also be helpful. I’m not a poet, so I smiled at the almost instant response to my question. Help me write a poem about rst Messy Church service we held at our church today.

Sure, I can help you write a poem ... Messy Church is a church for everyone who may not feel comfortable attending a normal church service ... It is Christcentred, for all ages, based on creativity, hospitality and celebration. It typically includes a meal, hands-on activities ... and a celebration.

Here is a poem you can use or modify: We came to Messy Church today

To learn and laugh and play

We made some crafts with glue and paint And heard some stories of God's grace

We shared a meal with friends old and new And thanked the Lord for all he do

We sang some songs with joy and praise And felt his love in many ways

We left Messy Church with smiles on our face And hope in our hearts for another day

We are part of God's family, no matter what And Messy Church is our special spot

ESTHER PADDON

Anglican Parish GERALDINE

community

what’s new, what’s happening, what’s up where you are

Matariki Magic brightens mid-winter

As an imported Pom, I think we should rotate our liturgical calendar by six months. We celebrate Easter and talk of new growth at a time when nature is preparing to shut down. We have a harvest festival in Lent and the Lenten fast at a time of plenty, and so it goes on. Matariki gives us a festival where the season and the sentiment go together.

Just as pre-Christian places and celebrations were baptised in the Northern Hemisphere, I think we can thoughtfully and respectfully

celebrate Matariki as Christians.

A few people availed themselves of the opportunity to visit the church during the holiday, and what a joyful celebration our concert was. Thank you to all who shared their time and talent and to the audience who turned up to enjoy them. Susanne West gathered a team to offer refreshments at the interval and provide supper for the performers afterwards. A very enjoyable evening which should be repeated.

HUGH MCCAFFERTY

Artist’s impression of Matariki over St Mary’s Church.

Local band Tasuil perfoms at the Matariki Magic variety show; the Dambusters from Kakahu presented a James K Baxter poem; Jasmine Aitken delighted the audience with her jazzylicious sounds; the Geraldine Community Choir performs

“This Little Light of Mine”.

It’s the shoes that are the give away

Those of us who attended the vibrant Matariki Concert in church on Friday 14 July were no doubt delighted to see a popular and experienced compère and performer dressed in black with a white dog collar, and, yes, bright shiny red and silver sequinned shoes; the Rev Hugh. Opening with the cheerful welcome song “Haere Mai”, Hugh and Fi closed a great evening with a moving musical version of “Te Karakia o te Atua“ (the Lord’s Prayer) in ori followed by an Irish blessing. So good to have c Christian content in our church setting. The concert was great fun and a worthy showcase of Geraldine’s talent. Of particular note was the high school group the Dambusters with their stunning musical rendition of a James K Baxter poem. Very well done the narrator and his musician friends.

I am so proud of our leadership team who went the extra mile to get the church looking amazing with lights and candles, (and capably managed a disruptive incident), for Susanne, Barbara and Joy who served refreshments in the interval, and those who gave the performers a welcome supper afterwards.

Almost $500 was raised for children’s ministry which is increasingly important in these days of disillusionment and despair amongst some of our young ones.

JAN HILL

Anglican Parish

the big list of who does what, where and when

EVERY SUNDAY

St Mary’s Church, Geraldine | 10.30AM

@saltmines.co.nz

Calling all piano players

You will notice above that the St Mary’s musicians roster is all up in the air. Recently, the responsibility of music has fallen to Paul Johnson and Fi McCafferty.

As a busy vet and parent, Paul‘s time in much in demand, meaning he is not available to play as much as he would like. And while Fi is always happy to fill in, we really do appreciate the diversity of our Sunday worship at St Mary’s. Local musician Craig Workman has been taking some Sundays, but as a paid musician, we are limited in how often we can ask him to play.

So, if you can play the piano confidently - that’s confidently, not perfectly - we need you! Fi will provide scores in plenty of time for practice, and can also listen to a run through if your confidence needs boosting.

Please think and pray about it, then get in touch with Fi on 027 899 0703 or email fi@saltmines.co.nz

notice of Special General Meeting

A Special General Meeting of parishioners of the Geraldine Anglican Parish will be held at 11.45am on Sunday 30 July at St. Mary's Church, Geraldine. Only adult parishioners on the Parish Roll at 11 July, 2023, will be entitled to attend and vote.

The business of the meeting is:

1. To consider approval of a proposal to sell the St. Mary’s Sunday School Hal to the Timaru District Council for community use.

2. To consider and decide whether or not to have strengthening work carried out on St. Mary’s Church to bring it up to at least 33 per cent of the required earthquake strength

3. To consider and decide whether or not to have strengthening work carried out on St. Thomas’s Church to bring it up to at least 33 per cent of the required earthquake strength.

St Mary’s Sunday School Hall

Last year the vestry recognised that St Mary’s Sunday School was not required for parish purposes, and decided in principle that it could be sold to a local community organisation if

The Geraldine Academy for Performance and Arts (the Academy) informed the Vestry that it wished to continue to use the building but does not wish to own it. No other local organisation appeared prepared to attempt to acquire the building. The Academy has discussed its interest with the Geraldine Community Board and sought its assistance. The Community Board has decided to recommend to its parent, the Timaru District Council (TDC), that it should purchase the building and associated land for

The Community Board cannot submit a recommendation to the TDC without the approval of the Parish and the Diocesan Property Trustees (CPT). The Diocesan Synod Standing Committee and the CPT have each given approval for the proposed sale subject to the agreement of the Parish and to negotiation of a satisfactory market related price.

The 515 square metres of land associated with the building would need to be subdivided off the title to the St. Mary’s Church land and a water supply easement created over it to provide for the supply to the church building. The estimated total cost of this plus legal costs, TDC subdivisional consent fees, and fees payable by the Parish to the CPT for its services are estimated to amount to at least $30,000. The meeting will be asked to vote on the following motion:

The Geraldine Anglican Parish agrees to the subdivision and sale of the St Mary’s Sunday School Hall and 515 square metres of associated land to the Timaru District Council for community use at a price to be agreed between the Council and the Parish Vestry and the Church Property Trustees.

St Mary’s and St Thomas’s Churches earthquake strengthening

The Parish was notified in 2019 by the Timaru District Council that St Mary’s Church and St Thomas’s Church were below the required earthquake standard and that each had to be strengthened to a minimum standard within 25 years.

The Vestry, with the assistance of the CPT, had both buildings inspected by a firm of professional structural engineering engineers which prepared a report and designed the necessary strengthening work required for each building together with detailed plans and instructions. The estimated cost of the work specified has not yet been assessed.

11 July 2023

PAUL SAGAR SUSANNE WEST BISHOP’S WARDEN PEOPLE’S WARDEN

mission matters

Bricks for Fiji

Firstly, thank you so very much for your generosity in donating $866.20 to the Bricks for Fiji Appeal. The Anglican Mission Board will use these and other donations from around New Zealand for this important project whereby the people of Fiji can build themselves more secure homes that will withstand future cyclones.

Cyclone Gabrielle

Secondly, thank you to all who made an individual donation to help those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. The Mission Group approached a personal contact but didn’t get a response. We hope to promote a further Mission Appeal for the North Island later in the year as needs will be ongoing.

Pakistan flood relief

Thirdly, we relate a lovely story from Pakistan (abridged) called “The Gift of Eggs and Other Flood Stories” from the 14 June Anglican e-Life Newsletter:

Mithu phoned to check whether I was going to be home, he had something for me. When he came to my door he unwrapped six eggs. These were the most precious eggs I have ever received, let me tell you their story.

During the extreme Pakistan floods of last year, Mithu’s village and whole area near the mighty Indus River were badly affected. Deep water through their mud-hut village destroyed houses, collapsing walls, destroying and washing away their simple possessions- taking months to dry out.

During this time Mithu and his community were recipients of relief in different ways, including food parcels given through the Diocese. In the rehabilitation phase his widowed mother had been given two chickens, as a source of food and possible income.

These chickens started laying eggs, and it was six of these precious eggs that Mithu, an ex-hostel student, brought and shared with me. The generosity with which these were given was so humbling.” (The blessing was passed on from one to another.) ...

Some 7.9 million people were displaced during the floods. Through the generosity of many New Zealanders, over 250 families in this diocese were given support, including food, bedding, mosquito nets and tarpaulins, and medical camps were set up. Rehabilitation remains to this day. The local padre says that he is challenged by Jesus’ words, “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes, and you clothed me.” (Matthew 25:35-36).

Mission lunches

We are rethinking our Mission Lunches so more people can join us, and thus our next event will be at St Mary’s, a simple lunch of soup and rolls provided by the Committee immediately after morning tea. We are hoping Bob Smedley will come and talk to us again about the progress and needs of the Mphatikizo orphanage in Malawi.

Your feedback sought

Please complete the questionnaire on the back cover of this newsletter and let us know what you think. Hand it into Hugh, put it in the collection bag or talk to a committee member. Thank you.

ANN ARMSTRONG

JAN HILL

HUGH

SYLVIA STRANG-PARSLOE JUDITH BRUCE REV

Newly rebuilt house in rural Sindh, Pakistan; distribution of building materials. PHOTO: NZCMS

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services, events, reports, updates, bible studies, notices et cetera Anglican

Parish

Christmas Choir

Thinking ahead. It won’t be long before the shops display tinsel and fake snow. We need to get ready too. Fi and I would like to get together a group of singers to form a Christmas choir to sing carols in the street, in the rest homes and in church.

The repertoire will be mostly in unison with a couple of party pieces. Look out for further information or let myself or Fi know of your interest.

REV HUGH

Notes from Vestry: June, July 2023

SUNDAY 30 JULY

SUNDAY 27 AUGUST

SUNDAY 24 SEPTEMBER

Families exploring faith through science craft, play, music, food.

Everyone is welcome to come along and join in the fun!

PARISH CHURCHES FEATURE IN VIDEOS

Mark Walton followed up his visit with the Café Latté Orchestra by returning to New Zealand on 24 June to record a presentation in each of our four churches, Peel Forest Community Church and the Woodbury Memorial Library. Each presentation included a piece on clarinet. There are links to the finished product on our Facebook page, and Fi will post links on our website in due course. You can’t buy publicity like this.

CLERGY CONFERENCE 26-28 JUNE After gathering and informal networking on Monday evening, Tuesday was a day retreat given by the bishop. I appreciated the time of spiritual refreshment. Day two was focused on skills to do with regeneration. I quote the bishop’s report in e-Life: … the final day of our annual Clergy Conference at College House focused on

developing our skills and competencies as ministers with particular reference to the Regeneration of the Diocese. The Reverend Carolyn Robertson (Vicar of Shirley) spoke about reaching the generation known as Millennials. Emma Tovey, Diocesan Children’s Ministry Developer, followed up that session by working with the conference on developing great children’s ministry. In the afternoon, John Eatwell, University of Canterbury /Strategic People Group, worked with us on leading change in our ministry [units]. Ethan Wilson-Bruce and Archdeacon Nick Mountfort (Parish of Upper Riccarton-Yaldhurst) led a session on digital ministry - an essential development in the 21st century, and the day was capped off with Archdeacon Mark Chamberlain reporting to us on his very recent engagement with growing churches in the UK.

DISABILITY ACCESS In July, Susanne, Cecil and Paul took delivery of the portable ramp from Temuka. Apart from the very odd occasion it may be more of a problem than the one we are trying to solve. There has been considerable pushback from parishioners against the idea of spending money on a permanent ramp. Vestry is now considering providing parking spaces for the disabled by the existing ramp. REV

HUGH

Leading your church into growth

CONFERENCE 12-14 OCTOBER

Do you want to learn about proven approaches to ministry to grow your parish? Do you want to empower your key lay leaders and strengthen your team? Do you want to grow in your own leadership skills and find real encouragement in ministry?

Each parish is invited to send up to six people to this year’s conference at St Christopher’s, Avonhead. This conference aims to help you lead your church so that people have a genuine encounter with God in worship, newcomers are welcomed warmly, parishioners grow in discipleship and we provide contexts where people can engage with the message and love of Jesus.

The conference begins at 6pm on Thursday 12 October, and runs all day Friday 13 and Saturday 14. It is fully catered, inspiring and heaps of fun!

Our speakers are Rev Harry Steel and Ven Rhiannon King, both from the Church of England. Harry is from the Anglo-Catholic tradition and Rhiannon is from the charismatic-

Evangelical tradition. They're both down-to-earth, very entertaining, and experienced church planters and leaders.

WHEN? From 6pm on Thursday 12 October and then all day Friday and Saturday. A detailed programme will be available soon.

WHERE? St Christopher’s Church, 244 Avonhead Rd, Christchurch. The conference will be non-residential.

TOPICS? Topics covered will include creating a prayerful culture of growth, fruitful evangelism, engaging worship, becoming an inviting and welcoming church, and making a pathway for seekers to become disciples.

COST? The course is $130 per person - we hope parishes will pay this on behalf of their respective teams. Funding is available from the Lay Training Fund or the Clergy Development Fund. Lunches and refreshments will be supplied as part of the cost.

If you are interested in attending the conference, talk to Rev Hugh.

Newcomers ‘22 meets on second Mondays

On the second Monday of each month, an informal newcomers group meets at Mundell’s Cafe, Waihi Terrace. We meet for a coffee around 10am, plus we sometimes have an evening get-together. If parishioners would like to join us and share your local knowledge with the newbies, you are most welcome. Or if you have new neighbours or know people who

have just moved to Geraldine, invite them along as it is nice for new people to meet locals with similar interests. Last month we celebrated our first birthday. On our Facebook page, NZ Geraldine Newcomers ’22, we share upcoming events we think will be of interest.

SUSANNE WEST

CONTACTS

PRIEST-IN-CHARGE

Rev Hugh McCafferty | 027 920 8751 hugh@anglicansingeraldine.co.nz

CLERGY

Rev Bob Moore | 022 533 1969 reachfar@xtra.co.nz

BISHOP’S WARDEN

Paul Sagar | 03 693 8176 paul@anglicansingeraldine.co.nz

PEOPLE’S WARDEN

Susanne West | 027 272 4007 susanne@anglicansingeraldine.co.nz

HEALTH & SAFETY

Barbara Cassidy | 027 262 4233 cassidyob@xtra.co.nz

OFFICE HOURS

TUESDAY-FRIDAY

Rev Hugh | by appointment

MONDAY

9am-12pm | Susanne West

FRIDAY

9am-12pm | Audrey Butts

OFFICE PHONE 03 693 8380

OFFICE EMAIL admin@anglicansingeraldine.co.nz

SERVICES & OTHER INFORMATION

WEBSITE geraldineanglicans.com

FACEBOOK

Anglican Parish of Geraldine

DONATIONS

Westpac account: Geraldine Parish 03-0839-0011581-000

DEADLINES

NEWSLETTER - 15 AUGUST BY 5PM fi@saltmines.co.nz

MUSTARD SEED - THURSDAY BY 12NOON audreybutts@xtra.co.nz

mission questionnaire

Thank you for taking the time and interest in the following. Your responses are very much appreciated. Please TICK your answer.

1. Do you have specific areas in the World and/or within New Zealand that you would like to be included in the Mission appeals?

n Yes n No

If yes, please write your suggestions here:

2. Do you have any ideas about different activities that the Mission Committee could undertake?

n Yes n No

If yes, please write your suggestions here:

3. Do you think that Mission Lunches should continue?

n Yes n No

If no, are you able to please say why not?

4. If Mission Lunches do continue, is there a better format you think we might use?

n Yes n No

5. If Mission Lunches continue, where would you prefer Mission Lunches to be held?

6. How else do you think we might we promote mission in our parish?

Thank you for your comments and suggestions which are important for the future of Mission in our parish. If you would like to be contacted about your suggestions, please add your name and contact details:

NAME:

TELEPHONE:

EMAIL: