Focus News

Sunday 5 December 2021

Advent—Peace

FOCUS NEWS St Martin’s & St James Anglican Church

stmartinsstjames.church

Together cultivating a culture of discipleship, mission & regeneration Nau mai, haere mai, welcome to St Martin's St James.

WELCOME TO THE SEASONS OF ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS Called to deeply love one another and our world, we recognise the health emergency present in the COVID-19 pandemic and our vocation of care for the vulnerable among us. As we transition to the traffic light system we are doing all we can to minimise the risk of anyone becoming infected with Covid-19 at a worship service. From 3 December we are now required to produce a vaccine pass for entry to Worship Services.

Please take a moment to review the diocesan update and conditions for attending our public worship: 1—Vaccine Pass Vaccine Pass required for entry to worship Service. (Ask how we can help with this) 2—Scan Please Scan or Sign in 3 – Mask Please wear your mask at all times 4—Grace These are difficult times for all of us. Thank's for your grace & understanding. Lets pray that we can all be together again soon without restriction.

5—Options Live streaming all Sunday Services on Zoom. All welcome (see website) 6—Care - Please remember those who cannot be here and give them a call.

Welcome if you are a regular, new or just checking in on our mailchimp email.

We’re glad you are here If you would like to know more about following Jesus, being baptised or would like a visit from one of our clergy/pastoral care team, please email us emails on back page..

Noteworthy to note: Parish Breakfast: This Sunday 9.30am-10.30am. This will be our final breakfast for the year. And YES this complies as a Vaccine pass event.

Advent Choral Evensong Thursday’s at 7pm: This is a new Contemplative Service following the Advent Journey over 4 Thursday nights from 2 December 7pm-7.45pm. Choral Reflection and song.

Our Purpose . . . To make Christ known St Martin’s & St James — Together 1 cultivating a culture of discipleship, mission & regeneration

Blue Christmas Sunday at 7pm: The holiday season can be hard for those of us whose hearts are hurting. You are not alone. Blue Christmas is a gentle, contemplative remembrance service for those who are carrying pain or loss during this season of celebration while also seeking hope and peace. Sunday 5 December, 7pm at "The Sacred Space" St MJ's Advent Study is out now: If you are wanting to study by yourself or join an existing group or start a new group please click on the link below or pick up a study guide at church.

Tom Johnston news flash!: As you may have been aware our Youth Pastor Tom has been exploring and discerning ordination with Bishop Peter over this last year. We also have been part of this process and contributing to Tom’s formation. Tom already holds a bachelor degree in theology and is currently studying his masters along with being one of the Senior Youth Pastors in the diocese. As part of this journey there is ultimately a sending out. To that end (or beginning) Tom has, in consultation with St MJ’s and Bishop given his resignation as Youth Minister at St. Martin’s St. James Anglican Church. His last day of employment will be Friday, 30th January 2022. Though we are sad to see Tom go we believe Tom is finishing well and leaving the ministry in a healthy space. We can certainly celebrate the work and contribution to the Parish Tom has made over his time with us. Tom has discipled and raised up a wonderful group of leaders who we are thankful for, and we are working with him around a succession plan. There is also a possibility of a transitional few part time hours while our wardens, clergy and vestry discuss ministry to young people moving forward.

We are hugely thankful for Tom’s ministry among us and will have a joyful and celebratory send off for him in the new year.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work in this position for the past 4 years. I have thoroughly enjoyed working here and appreciate all the opportunities you have given me. However, I have decided it is time for me to move on to my next challenge in my discernment process.” Tom Johnston Sentence: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God (Isaiah 40:3) Collect Prayer: Praise and honour to you living God for John the Baptist, and for all those voices crying in the wilderness who prepare your way. May we listen when a prophet speaks your word, and obey with the strength of Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. morning

BIBLE READINGS Luke 1:68-79 Philippians 1:3-11

Malachi 3:1-4 Luke 3:1-6 2

COMMUNION and PRAYER All are welcome around the table to receive Communion. If you would like prayer or ministry, people will be available at the front of the Church (after Covid restrictions are lifted) during and after Communion to pray with you.

COMING UP • •

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Prayer Rhythms: Please continue to pray. Prayers can be found on https:// pray-as-you-go.org/ or the NZ Prayer book is a good resource.

Sunday Services • 8.30am Traditional Anglican Communion—with covid restrictions • 10.30am Family Service—with covid restrictions • 10.30am Kid’s Church Monday Prayers: 4-5pm. Neave Room Wednesday Communion Service: 11am in the Thompson Lounge, last service for year, 8 December.

Sunday 5 December—Parish Christmas Breakfast: Today from 9.30am10.30am Sunday 5 December: 7pm, Blue Christmas—A Service of Comfort and Hope Thursday’s at 7pm: Advent Choral Evensong This is a new Choral Reflection and Song Service following the Advent Journey over 4 Thursday nights.

Friday 24 December: 5.30pm, Christmas Pageant & Messy Church Friday 24 December: 11pm, Candlelight Carol Service Saturday 25 December: 9am, Family Service Saturday—High Tea Fundraiser: TBC: 2-4 pm, Thompson Lounge, please contact Catharine for tickets and ways to help.

GIVE THANKS FOR •

For all the wonderful folks and in particular Bev who organise, prepare and serves the Parish Breakfasts throughout the year. Thank you

PRAY FOR •

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Parishioners with special concerns: Avril & Alan Harper, Gwen Ragg, Lorraine Bennett and Matthew, Mary Rowe, Ron Chapman, Terry James, Victoria Sullivan, Victoria and Anne Askin.

School of Good Soil: Discipleship Training Groups—Tuesday & Thursday.

Our Mission Partners and Projects: Kailakuri Health Centre (Bangladesh) Prison Team members Bill Thorne and others as they prepare for ministry in the Men’s Prison next Sunday, if covid restrictions allow.

NOTICES Amenities cleaner needed: to help another person every 4-5 weeks, please see or contact Bev (338 4985 or 027 8285312) if you can help. Prayer Ministry 3

& Prayer Requests: Prayer requests can be left in the prayer box in the church or sent or text to the confidential prayer chain on 029 776 1782 or stjimschurch@gmail.com. E-life: see the Anglican e-life at: http:// anglicanlife.org.nz/publications/e-life/.

Please contact group leaders if Covid 19 level restrictions apply: Groups & Regular activities: Monday: Strength and Stretch Classes: Exercise classes resume this Monday 1 November 6.30-7.15. Just come along with drink bottle and try it. Masks don’t need to be worn when exercising. You will need to scan/ sign in. Or phone/ txt Susan. First class free, $5.00 per class. St Martins Church hall. Contact: TuneUp Physio, Village Health 338 8595 or visit www.tuneupphysio.nz Tuesday’s: Craft Group: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month. 1.30-3pm, Neave Room. Contact Helen Williams 3389336. Wednesdays: Breadline: Foodbank is open from 9.30 to 11am. Items in need: sugar (500g), tea bags (30’s or similar), cereals, soup, tinned tomatoes, pasta sauce. A full list is in the Crosstrax magazine. St Martin’s Church Office. Fridays during term time— Church of St Martin’s Playgroup: 9.30-12pm. Enquires to Cindy or via the facebook page.

CHURCH CONTACTS Ministers Rev Sampson Knight: Tel: 021 335 168 | E: revsampsonnz@gmail.com Rev Victoria Askin: Mob: 022 126 7885 | E: vicaskin@hotmail.com Youth Minister Tom Johnston Tel: 027 862 9232 | E: tom.johnston11@hotmail.com Church office: Tel: 338 4062 Hours: Contact staff directly or email: office@stmartinsstjames.church 50 Lincoln Road, Spreydon, Christchurch 8024 Website: stmartinsstjames.church, facebook.com/stmartinsstjames , twitter.com/stmartinstjames Bible resources: rightnowmedia.org

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday service times 8.30am Traditional Anglican Communion 10.30am Family Service • 10.30am Kid’s Church YOUNG ADULTS: contact Victoria for more details.

HARVEST RANGATAHI (YOUTH): https://stmartinsstjames.church/youth • Harvest Stags (Basketball) – Gym: Seniors - Wednesday 3:30pm-6pm, Juniors Thursday 4-5:30pm, Harvest Thursdays – 7-9pm: Thursday: The Loft BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS: Account Name: Riccarton Spreydon Anglican Parish. Account Number: 02-0820-0264343-000 Reference: Name and envelope or AP number CYPSO (Children and Young Persons Safety Officer): Please advise Patrick Baker (021 0263 6939) Police Vetting: Chris Thorne (021 239 4091). Health and Safety: Nigel Pugh (022 311 2431) 4 • •