MAHU MONTHLY DECEMBER 2021 <CHRISTMAS EDITION>
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NEWS ABOUT MAHU CHURCH AND MAHU VISION TRUST
WHAT'S NEW Walk to Bethlehem Our New Visual Media Team!
HIGHLIGHTS Key updates Areas of need
OUR PEOPLE Faces of Mahu Church Notices David Jones with his grandchild
The reason for the season!
Great painting job in the new media room!
Walk to Bethlehem
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DECEMBER 2021 <CHRISTMAS EDITION>
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"WALK TO BETHLEHEM” BY ALISHA MCLENNAN
IMAGE: Youth Group
Walk to Bethlehem is an initiative to walk 145 kilometres during Advent (or the month leading up to Christmas, 24th November until the 24th of December). This represents the length that Mary and Joseph would have walked from Nazareth to Bethlehem before Mary gave birth to Jesus. Mahurangi Presbyterian Church has decided to join the walk this year, and is encouraging others to do the same, says the Pastor of the church Nick McLennan. “Churches through the North Island have contacted us after our video’s release to say they are joining us in the activity,” says Nick McLennan. “It’s not just limited to churches, everyone is welcome to participate if they’re up for the challenge.” These kilometres can be gained through walking, running, cycling, swimming, paddle-boarding, or through indoor exercise equipment like treadmills or Exercycles. You can complete the challenge in portions over the 30 days.
There is a Youtube Video and a Facebook page for anyone looking for more information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qciN-zgvRbI - Youtube Ad https://www.facebook.com/groups/848789865738496 - Facebook page - “Mahu Walk to Bethlehem”
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DECEMBER 2021 <CHRISTMAS EDITION>
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“ OUR NEW VISUAL MEDIA TEAM!" Associate Pastor David McLeod has already had a turn in the studio, he says delivering a service from behind a desk as opposed to from the pulpit will take some getting used to. “I think it is great the way our church has been able to adapt to these strange times and how God has been able to use them to develop new skills and ministry opportunities in the church,” he says.
IMAGE (from Left): Aiden Harbour, Rebekah Shepperd, Melissa North, Alisha McLennan
The helm of this team is Aidan Burridge. She usually works as a freelance camera department assistant in the film industry, but at the moment she is crazy busy setting up the church’s new and improved online content. All the professionalism you will be able to admire in the coming weeks is due to her covering up the rest of our many, many mistakes.
After the surprisingly (to all involved) coherent result of the Walk To Bethlehem youtube promo, Mahurangi Presbyterian has initiated a ‘Media Team’. Their track record so far includes a lot of chaos and paint stains, but coming this Sunday is the first episode of Mahu Kids Online, a weekly ten minute show for children and youth. The show will be hosted by interns Moe Taboru and Rebekah Shepard. “This is my first time doing something like this, but it’s been really fun so far!” Rebekah says. A studio has been painted in what some may describe as a questionable array of colours, but it looks good on camera, we promise. Blue for the adults, orange and yellow for the kids. “Mahurangi Presbyterian has given me the opportunity to continue to be creative with photo and video in terms of creating online content for the church over this time, I’m excited for you all to see what we’ve been working on over this past month.” Aidan says.
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DECEMBER 2021 <CHRISTMAS EDITION>
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“FOOD PARCEL FOR YOUTH” BY SARAH (EDITED BY ALISHA)
The young people are struggling with being isolated and not having their peers around them. Online learning is extremely challenging for some. Some do like it, but the majority don’t. And we’ve started seeing kids become quite despondent. We wanted to do something for them that was uplifting and encouraging. Well, we created care packages. Angela Perrin donated beautiful handmade soaps and shower bombs. We ordered flannels from the Warehouse. We had drinks, lollies, sweets, hot chocolate, bubbles, activities, just some things to give them joy. Lara Armstrong and I packed all the bags, it took us two days. Rebekah Shepard, Melissa North and I drove 174km in seven hours delivering each package to each house. The kids were really excited and happy. Part of our visiting included asking each kid for a piece of life advice that went onto our Instagram stories (which you can check out on the @youthmahu instagram, lockdown bags highlight reel). Some highlights from this advice were: “If it’s hard during lockdown, and you feel really alone, still don’t be afraid to reach out because we are all in this together!” “Don’t eat yellow snow,” “Try to start your day early, but not too early. Just don’t stay in bed till 1pm like my brother!” “Set a goal that anybody would laugh at, and then do it. Because that’d be cool.” “Just take it easy, lockdown sucks anyways so don’t worry about it I guess.” “Don’t kill your sisters and brothers.” “Sleep.”
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DECEMBER 2021 <CHRISTMAS EDITION>
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FACES OF MAHU CHURCH
“SUE MCLEOD” BY ALISHA MCLENNAN “I’ve always loved living by the water,” says Sue McLeod as she serves me tea and scones in her Algies Bay home. To my left is a gorgeous view of the beach, today the ocean is vibrantly blue.
The experience really personalised her relationship with God, and she refers to it as her Garden of Eden experience. She learned that God really knew her name.
In front of us on the table is a book full of photos and stories the family of three kids and nine grandchildren put together for her husband Trevor’s recent birthday. It is clear that this family is full of love and of storytellers, which isn’t surprising as Sue demonstrates her skills in the craft.
Fast forward again, and Trevor is telling Sue that they are going to move out of Auckland City.
When Sue was 6 years old, her mother became a Christian. The Minister had just finished praying with her mother, when he turned to Sue and said “You can become a Christian tonight too. You just need to open up your heart to Jesus.”
“I freaked out big time,” she says. Their children and grandchildren were in Auckland, and she would miss being so close to them.
Sue went home that night, knelt by her bed, put her hand on her chest, and gestured the opening of her heart to Jesus. Through a strict up-bringing in the Church of Christ, Sue describes developing a strong “bottom-line, non-negotiable, didn’t want a man who didn’t love God” attitude. She was a receptionist at the same company as Trevor McLeod, and when he asked her out she turned him down. She did invite him to church though, and after attending a few times Trevor was about to put everything into the “too-hard basket.” The very evening he was thinking this was during a church service, the Minister had just finished speaking he turned to leave the pulpit. But the Minister came back to lean over the pulpit again with one final thought - “pride keeps more people out of the kingdom than anything else.” Sue says “those words were like an arrow to his heart, and his hand shot up. It was his time to be born again.” Fast-forward and the pair were married with three children. Sue was diagnosed with aggressive stage 3 breast cancer, and she was told she had a 15% chance of survival. Thankfully she is still with us, but her recollection of the event surprised me. “I had a glorious walk through that time,” she says, “Day one I started a gratitude journal. I rested in the Lord, I had no fear. That was the miracle.”
Not being the number one fan of major change, Sue was unexcited about the prospect.
But eventually she agreed, and their home was sold. Not immediately having a new place to move into, Sue googled the phrase “motel that takes dogs” to look for temporary accommodation in the Mahurangi area. The result was Barakah. “We had no idea that it was a christian organisation,” says Sue. It was a welcome surprise to the couple. House-hunting for their new permanent residence proved to be a challenge though. They visited several places and none were gelling. Finally, they arrived at the property on Athol Place, the place they live today. “I’ll show you why I liked this one,” Sue says. She gets up from the table and leads me into their living room. I think I understand when I feel the warmth of the spectacular sun this room gets, and see a somehow even more amazing view of the sea. But Sue turns from the view and points out the window on the opposite side of the room. This window shows a green hill with houses dotted around it. The top has a building, and behind that building you can see the top of a blue roof. “That’s the roof of Amberlea rest home,” she explains, as she points it out. Years before, she had spent a lot of time there with her Mum. That small detail on the hillside brings her the comforting memories of that close relationship. And with that, Sue and Trevor had found their new home.
After one of her chemotherapy sessions, she decided to take their dog Mac for a wander through Cornwall Park. “My mind was at peace lost in a prayer of gratitude, when I felt someone had come along beside me, I quickly turned my head to my left... it was as if God himself had appeared by my side, it was that real! I suppose you could call it a vision, definitely a spiritual experience. I heard Him say my name, I wasn’t afraid. I recognised who this was. I heard him say that this was the way I could live my life whenever I chose to; I could walk and talk with him...whenever, wherever.”
TBC next page...
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DECEMBER 2021 <CHRISTMAS EDITION>
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A bit of church-hopping occurred before they found Mahurangi Presbyterian, but when they did everything clicked. The work and care that the church put into the community sold the pair on the decision to stay. Trevor joined the Trust Board at Springboard, and Sue did it ALL. She started with helping at Griefshare, and then moved to helping with Hospice by writing people’s life stories. She has also contributed to Cancer Support after her own experiences. She also joined the team at Healing Rooms, which she says has been an oasis and a joy in every way. Currently she is running a writers group with six other women, and is serving on the Alpha team. Sue says of Alpha, “I’ve been loving it, there is no guilt, no shame, and no wrong questions.” Through everything, Sue says she has always believed Jesus has been in her heart since that day when she was six years old. “My core belief is that God is good. He uses uncomfortable, painful times for us to grow in, but love wins. Love is strong.”
OUR SENIOR ELDER - KAREN JONES FACES OF MAHU CHURCH
“Over my life I’ve learned these things about myself; I like organisation. I’m a catalyst. I can bring about radical change.” Our senior elder Karen Jones is the oldest of five children. When she was fifteen, she and her sister attended a youth group pot-luck for something to do on a Sunday night. That night, she became a Christian and was given the verse of Joshua 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. (NIV) “That verse followed me through my life,” Karen says. “That church was also where I met David.” About five years later, Karen and David started going out, and later they were married. Around this time Karen finished Training College and started teaching.
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DECEMBER 2021 <CHRISTMAS EDITION>
They had two children, Bronwyn and Phillip, and moved to Welsford farm. Karen says that both of their kids became Christians in their youth. “I think we just lived Jesus at home.”
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At the next meeting, Nick went around the whole room asking each elder if they could be the new session clerk, and everyone had an excuse not to be one. “He accepted all their reasons, but not mine!”
With their kids attending Mahurangi Presbyterian’s youth After several moments of hesitation, Karen agreed to group, Karen and David decided to switch from the become the Session Clerk. The change in the room was Welsford church they had been attending. instantaneous. They talked to Pastor Mark Farmer to ask permission to “It was like a mexican wave of release went around the join his congregation, to which he responded: “I’ve never room. Nick prayed, and you could feel the tangible had anybody ask! They just come.” presence of God. I felt the Holy Spirit remind me of all my experiences up to this point, and say ‘See, I told you. You After attending for several years, Karen was leading a can do this job,’. I remember thinking that Nick’s okay homegroup. “I’m a firm believer in homegroups. I’ve been about this, he believes in me, and God believes in me. It part of a lot of homegroups in my time.” was such a reassurance.” She was leading a homegroup with the Session Clerk at Karen was pleased to find that the role of Session Clerk fit that time, Tony Georgetti. It was then that he invited her her like a glove. She started attending both first and into eldership. second services regularly, ready to build relationships with everyone in the congregation. “I actually said no the first time,” she says. Within a few months, the Jones’ had seen both their children married She has even updated the system of eldership in order to and moved out, and the deaths of both of their fathers. make it more accessible for the members. This includes allowing elders to take a six month sabbatical every five Everything was changing for Karen, and she found herself years, forming the Exec team, and encouraging each feeling lost. elder to prayerfully choose a ministry to invest time in. “At that time I wasn’t teaching, I didn’t really have a place in the church. In our house all the living rooms face the water, and I had no view of the street. I felt really isolated.”
Meanwhile, her family was growing exponentially. She says, “I love my grandkids. I always say Mum had 5 kids and got 2 grandchildren, I had 2 kids and got 10 grandchildren!”
She started to see a Christian counsellor on a weekly basis, and took a break from leading in the church. She describes experiencing a lot of healing during this time. One day she recalls asking God the question “Who am I?”. He responded:
I asked Karen what advice she would give to someone wanting to get involved in ministry. She says, “Get involved in a ministry that interests you, be a part of the team, and accept opportunities God sends your way.”
I know who you are. I’ll show you.
“God loves changing lives for the better.”
After her break, she became an elder. This was around the same time that Nick and Marie McLennan started looking at the associate pastor job at Mahurangi Presbyterian. Then came the point where Tony Georgetti stepped down from his role of Session Clerk. Karen recalls Nick saying “You are to go away and pray, but at our next meeting we will have a Session Clerk.” She thought it would never be her, there had never been a woman in that role, and she thought she wasn’t up to the task.
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DECEMBER 2021 <CHRISTMAS EDITION>
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FACES OF MAHU CHURCH
NEW CHAPTER FOR JO AND BERT ROLSTON Having a father that worked for an airline, Bert grew up learning not to get too attached to his surroundings. He was born in the US, lived in South America, Asia, Australia and in New Zealand. Even here, he lived in 4 different towns between the ages of 12 and 21. Jo was born and bred in Hawke's Bay and Napier. After she completed school, she moved to Whanganui. It wasn't until his and Jo's paths crossed for a third time that Jo became the person that Bert would be attached to. Jo and Bert's first encounter was at Polytech. Jo had picked up some colouring books from the kindergarten across the road, and had situated herself under a desk to colour them in. Bert noticed her. Their second encounter happened when Jo came in to interview for Bert's lab technician job. He left the role to attend Lifeway College in 2000. The third time they met was when he returned to Whanganui after completing that course at Lifeway. He bumped into Jo at yet another job interview. "Third time lucky," they couple say, as this was when they seriously started paying attention to each other. Despite the 'rough start' as they remember their early disagreements, the rest is history. History that God took care of. This serendipitous encounter is recounted in Jo's novel, "The Kingdom's Here Be Dragons, Here Be Dreams" .
They were also drawn by the spirit that was community facing which was not just within the church but also outside, and they felt that they can serve God better. Whilst they have enjoyed 17 years in the Mahurangi area, recent lockdowns made it increasingly difficult to operate their business "Your IT Services". An incident where Jo couldn't cross the border to get to a client was a trigger to rethink their future plans once again. Although not with a keen heart, after consulting with God, He revealed His answer by vacating their rental in Whanganui. They couldn't find new tenants as it proved too difficult to adhere to the new Healthy Home Standards. With divine help, they managed to shift back down to Whanganui in a very short time frame. Whilst Jo in particular misses the corporate worship, walks on the beaches and her friends and family, they are both filled with joy and hope in their new place. Their pace of life has become a little quieter and slower. Bert is reminded that God is giving them rest as they were becoming a bit weary. Bert feels the clearing of the brain fog of "busy-ness", and Jo's cancer has been in remission and her treatment will finish in January. She has been encouraged by Helen and Beverly. They still have friends they have kept in touch with, and expanding their social circle under the new circumstances meeting new people in the community. As they continue to seek divine guidance through prayers, they hold faith that direction will eventually become apparent as it always has.
Only six months into their marriage, they were called by God to move up north to upskill in their field of business. They were called to Lifeway college in Snells Beach. They came upon this verse when they were discussing their future plans: "Then the Lord said to me, “You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north. " Deuteronomy 2:2-3 As a result, Mahurangi Presbyterian Church was blessed to have this couple. Although they had originally attended the bigger Life church, they felt warmly welcomed by the people in our congregation.
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DECEMBER 2021 <CHRISTMAS EDITION>
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BUILDING UPDATE The walls are up, and the floor is in...!!!!!
DONATION If you would like to make a financial contribution, you can donate to:
MAHU PRES CAPITAL FUNDRAISING ACCOUNT 12-3105-0003156-02
In the reference, please include your name for a tax deductible receipt.
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DECEMBER 2021 <CHRISTMAS EDITION>
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COMING UP! Sun, 19 Dec
Sun 12 & Sun 19 Dec
Fri, 24 Dec
Sat, 25 Dec
Thu, 23 Dec- Mon, 10 Jan
<Church on Zoom with Everyone @ 10:30am> All members of the church will be invited to join a Zoom Church service <Christmas Carols in Warkworth - Mahurangi Business Association> Members from our congregation will be singing Christmas carols in town to celebrate the true reason for the season. ALL are welcome to join or sing along to spread the joy. If you are interested in joining in to sing, please contact Janine (0274483986)! 9am - Argyll angle (by the fountain near the Christian Bookshop) 10am - Warkworth Hotel 11am - Harts Pharmacy 1pm onwards - there will be a 'Busk Off" at the Warkworth Hotel <Christmas Eve Service Online> On YouTube - MahuChurch <Christmas Service Online> On YouTube - MahuChurch <Church Office Closed> Please ring office (425 8861) and leave a message for pastoral care needs or food parcel requests during this time as messages will be checked regularly.
CELEBRATING LIFE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 7 Nov 8 Nov 9 Nov 9 Nov 11 Nov 17 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 25 Nov 25 Nov 25 Nov 28 Nov 29
MaArleigha Armstrong Sandra Olliff Jeremiah Saleupolu Marty Johnston Heather Provan Matthew Robertson Joyce Turner Keira Burridge Aspen Burridge Bill Boyce Seila Feleti Jacques Robinson Helen Alexander Margaret Stoddard Joseph Saleupolu Merieti Corin-Nawaia Abiatara Biremon
Dec 5 Dec 5 Dec 6 Dec 10 Dec 10 Dec 12 Dec 12 Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 24 Dec 25 Dec 25 Dec 31
Jean Deans Joseph Martin Noreen Moore Graeme Smith Linita Rataro Robyn Fisher Des Sharp Rosalie Tomlinson Jill McClean Cameron Boyce Dianne Thompson Jesus Christ Steve Hall
If we missed your birthday, or want to announce happy news, make some prayer requests or simply want to give us some feedback on the newsletter, please email Hana (hana@mahu.org.nz).
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NOTICES Online Prayer Room Online Prayer Room is for anyone who would like someone to pray with personally and confidentially with them about any matter at all. Contact prayer@mahu.org.nz or ring Barbara at 021 255 0274.
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