In this issue St Ronan`s Pastoral Care

April 2016
3 April
10 April
17 April
24 April
Worship with Rev Roger Wiig ...................................... 9.30am
Holy Communion with Rev Reg Weeks; Harvest Festival . 9.30am
Worship with John Harris ............................................ 9.30am
Worship with Rev John Howell ..................................... 9.30am
In this issue
The Story isn’t over ...................................................................................................... 2
Clerk’s Corner .............................................................................................................. 3
The Pringle report ......................................................................................................... 5
Ariel’s Christian Message ............................................................................................... 6
Phil’s Photo .................................................................................................................. 7
Launch of Living Wage; Refugee news ............................................................................ 9
Children’s Power Hour; Messy Church ........................................................................... 10
CWS News
... .................................................................................................. 11
Power Hour – Sundays 9.30am
Bible Study – Sundays 11.15am
Meditation – Mondays 5.30pm
Breakfast Prayer - Tuesdays 7.30am
Mainly Music – Thursdays 9.30am
St Ronan’s Pastoral Care
For pastoral care needs, please contact our Pastoral Care Co-ordinators,
Colin Dalziel 562 7238 or Mary Williams 568 3216
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The story isn’t over
By popular request I am sharing with you part of my
wife Diane’s Easter Day sermon on the resurrection:
Something happened that first Easter which
transformed a terrified defeated and depressed band
of mourners into courageous campaigners for Jesus
and his good news of God’s love.
According to Bishop Tom Wright, noted biblical
scholar, something happened which causes the first
Christians to completely reform the Jewish understanding of
resurrection, and reform it in seven new ways.
The first thing that is different about the early Christian understanding of
resurrection is that when they proclaim Jesus has risen from the dead,
they mean something happened to Jesus that had never happened to
anyone else; something no one ever expected to happen.
Second, for the first Christians, resurrection moves from a debatable
religious idea at the periphery of Judaism to the very centre of the
Christian faith. For the first Christians, belief in Jesus’ bodily resurrection
is held so strongly it leads many to their death in the martyr’s arena.
Third, the first Christians are clear that while Jesus’ resurrected body is
somehow new, transformed, and incorruptible, it is nevertheless a real
body which eats and drinks and breaks bread, and not some
disembodied soul, a spirit or a vision. The first Christians claim Jesus’
resurrected body occupies three dimensional space and leaves behind
empty tombs.
And fourth, before Easter no first century Jew ever expected the
resurrection to be anything other than a sudden large-scale event that
happened to all God’s people at the end of time. But after Easter the
early Christians believe the resurrection has happened to one person in
the middle of history in advance of, and guaranteeing, the great final
resurrection.
For the first Christians the fifth redefinition of resurrection proceeds
logically from that: because if resurrection begins with Jesus then his
followers are called to continue his work in their personal and political
lives, in anticipation of the final resurrection. Christians believe they are
charged with the task of transforming every present moment right here
on earth in light of that future hope.
Sixth, in Judaism before Jesus time, resurrection is used metaphorically
to stand for the national, ethnic, and geographical restoration of the
nation of Israel, but from the earliest days in Christianity that meaning
disappears. By the time Paul’s letters are written, the word ‘resurrection’
is being used as a new metaphor in the sacrament of baptism, as a dying
and rising with Christ - a symbol of the baptised one’s new life of
obedience as they work to bring about the Kingdom of God.
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And for the first time in religious history, the seventh and final reforming
of resurrection by the Christians links it with the Messiah. In all previous
Jewish writings, no one ever debated whether or not the Messiah would
rise from the dead, because nobody expected the Messiah to die!
Jewish texts promised a Messiah who would fight God’s victorious battle
against the wicked pagans, who would rebuild and cleanse the temple,
and bring God’s justice to the world.
But Jesus did none of these things. Instead he dies at the hands of
pagans, he suffers injustice, and he not only annoys the temple
authorities but he predicts its destruction.
Yet from very early on, Christians announce for all to hear that Jesus is
indeed the Messiah, precisely because of his resurrection.
Diane & Reg Weeks
Clerk’s corner
Church flowers: ROSTER – We
now have a 12-month flower
roster. The roster names will
appear quarterly in Lois’ general
roster. We have recently lost some
‘flower people’ but also gained
some. Nevertheless, we have fewer
now than before, so there are some
gaps in the roster. If you are tempted to volunteer, just let me know!
SWAPPING – If, towards the end of a quarterly cycle, you need to do a
swap but you don’t know who’s coming up over the next few weeks with
whom you might arrange this swap, just give Lois or Sue a call and they
can tell you.
ARTIFICIAL – Shirley Burdan has recently donated two
wonderful new artificial flower arrangements to St Ronan’s
– thanks so much Shirley! These are hidden away in a safe
place, out of the public eye. They are available at very
short notice if you suddenly find yourself overwhelmed, ill,
away etc.
SPARES – There’s also a vase of spare artificial flowers in the crèche
room (off the foyer). If you want to use some of these to augment a
fresh arrangement – that’s what they’re there for. A few colourful
artificial flowers look great in a vase of real foliage – a trick I learned
many (many) years ago from my mum!
Mainly Music: This trundles along very well in the capable
hands of Cath, supported by Reg and a small army of
volunteers.
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Easter: We had a very good number from St Alban’s and San Antonio’s
churches at Eastbourne’s combined Good Friday service. This year it was
hosted by St Ronan’s, the service was led by Rev Reg Weeks (St
Ronan’s) and assisted by Rev Ellie Sanderson (St Alban’s).
Two days later (on the third day, counting the Hebrew way) a very good
number (22 + photographer) came to Eastbourne’s combined dawn
service on Easter Sunday at 7am, on the beach by the RSA.
Harvest festival, on Sunday 10th April, will also be Holy Communion.
Let’s have piles of dark grapes at one end of the communion table and
loaves of home-baked bread at the other, with the communion elements
between.
In front of the table we can arrange fresh produce you have grown, and
also packeted grocery items you have bought (suitable for the Food
Bank). You can place these in the arrangement as you arrive before the
service.
Any freshly baked cakes in the display could add to our morning tea/
coffee to celebrate in our harvest thanksgiving.
Community garden: Talking of harvests, a reminder that
the Eastbourne Community Garden group meets on the first
Saturday each month from 11am-noon. The ECG gardens are
behind St Alban’s church. Come for a chat, a coffee and a scone.
Also, reminding you there’s free tree-chip mulch to be had by the RSA,
Tuatoru Street (thanks to San Antonio School, local arborists and Hutt
City Council). Conserve water, control weeds and improve your soil.
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Also, an honesty sales system for bags of compost ($5.10) or potting
mix ($6.99). Save a trip to Mitre Mega for the same products, same
prices. You’re nuts to drive all the way to Petone for it!
Cyclone Winston: At a recent special collection during the morning
service, St Ronan’s congregation contributed $892.10 for the Christian
World Service Fiji Appeal.
Presbytery stuff: We now have a ministry settlement board
(MSB). Our MSB is charged with determining what will be the
future ministry arrangement at St Ronan’s.
We’ve heard now from Presbytery Central that our MSB is
convened by Rev Robert Robati Mani (Cook Islands Presbyterian Church,
Newlands).
Robert is joined by Rev Chris Rosanowski and Margaret Donaldson (both
of St Margaret's, Silverstream).
Robert plans to appoint St Ronan’s Parish Clerk (me) to the MSB.
On 20th March we had a church meeting and elected the prescribed four
congregation representatives to the MSB. These are: Mary Williams,
Elspeth Costilinis, Anne Manchester and Malcolm Burdan.
On 22nd March we had a Parish Council meeting and appointed the
prescribed two Parish Council representatives to the MSB. These are:
Simon Shaw (property) and John Harris (treasurer). As you know, Simon
and John co-convene our Property and Finance Committee.
I am delighted and impressed by the quality of the people on the MSB.
We look forward to our first MSB meeting. I will keep you informed of
progress.
e: slang@xtra.co.nz
t:562 8752
m:021 222 0383
Sandy Lang
The Pringle report
Phil and Heather went to the
Coromandel in March and,
while there, called in to see
the Pringles.
You’ll be glad to hear that
Kevin and Carol are settling
into their new home and
community very well. As you
can see, they’re greatly
enjoying their new lives.
Phil and Heather
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Ariel’s Christian message
Playing Ariel in Shakespeare’s The Tempest recently (the Butterfly Creek
Theatre Troupe’s outdoor summer production) was a most fulfilling
experience – it’s the best part I have had since roles in school
productions. That’s quite some time
ago.
Ariel is a sprite, non-human, and
Prospero the magician’s servant. The
part is usually played by either a
young man or young woman, so
casting someone of my vintage was
quite a brave undertaking.
Ariel also appears in Jewish and
Christian writings as an archangel. In
The Tempest, I was mostly an obliging
spirit, even an avenging one in the
scene when I rail against Prospero’s
enemies. That required quite a lot of
shouting and trying to look as fierce as
possible.
However, in the play’s last act, it is
Ariel who helps Prospero turn away
from the path of vengeance to one of
forgiveness. “If you could see how
remorseful and sorry your enemies are feeling now, your affections
would become tender”, Ariel tells Prospero.
“Do you think so, spirit?” says Prospero. “Though with their high wrongs
I am struck to the quick, Yet with my nobler reason against my fury do I
take part: the rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance.”
And so the course of the play changes. As in so many wonderful and
deeply moving endings to Shakespeare’s romances and lighter plays,
human beings at odds with each other are reconciled and harmony is
restored. Ariel plays a pivotal part in making that happen, and so wins
his or her own freedom.
A pretty good Christian message, don’t you think?
By Anne Manchester
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Phil’s photo – Seagulls, Colville and Kites
Robinson Bay is a fabulous place for a walk. The keen wind clears the
head as one enjoys the seaside sights. Famous English philosopher
S Milligan wrote:
I must go down to the sea again
to the lonely sea and the sky
I left my shoes and socks there
I wonder if they're dry?
I love to watch the gulls.
These beautiful birds
can be seen at all stages
of their life’s journey.
Fat chicks screaming for
food. Soaring adults –
you wonder what they’re
doing up there – not
feeding – not going
anywhere in particular –
maybe just enjoying
themselves?
All through history we’ve dreamt of flying. Oh that I had wings like a
dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest. Psalm 55:6.
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Since boyhood I’ve known that the Maori make kites. My book
knowledge changed on a recent trip to the Coromandel. Colville is
uniquely New Zealand. A world famous general store. Next door north, a
café – closed. Next door south, a post office – sometimes open. Across
the road, a tennis court and a shop selling Nepalese artefacts. I buy
something there every time I go to Colville. Another 50m up the road
another café – open – Hereford 'n' a Pickle – that’s its name – you don’t
believe me? Google it - great food for the happy traveller – but there’s
more – above the counter a traditional Maori kite.
If made big enough it would support me,
either as a kite or a hang glider but,
alas, the kite was too small and I too
big. So, I must continue my dreams of
flight by watching the seagulls or by
flying Air New Zealand.
Have a fabulous autumn.
Phil Benge
Knitting for Randwick School slippers
If you can spare time please consider making size 2
slippers for Randwick School students to use during colder
term 2. We have some set aside but your help to provide
more would be much appreciated.
A simple pattern and wool is available at the church. I am
happy to help too if you need to get started.
Mary phone 5683216
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Launch of Hutt Valley Living Wage
Launching Hutt Valley Living Wage (see more on
www.livingwage.org.nz) was a lively fun-filled affair,
with exuberant dancing by young women from the
South Sudan, then the Cook Islands, and noisy playing
children and chattering adults, plus yummy food from
all the contributions.
But it was also a heart-breaking affair, on that wet Wednesday, 16th
March, at Pomare School hall, when more than two hundred people
heard about the constant struggle to make ends meet, the long hours
that people work for low pay then miss out on their family life. There
were faith-based groups, community organisations and unions
represented at the launch.
Archie Kerr made the strong case for a higher minimum wage as it
enables earlier medical advice to be obtained before the problem
becomes a hospital case, when it precipitates a greater expense to all
involved.
Living Wage aims to encourage employers voluntarily to commit to pay
the Living Wage and to make the wider Hutt Valley community a Living
Wage community. In Days Bay already, the cleaning company The Fresh
Desk is employing its workers at the Living Wage. To contact them use
their phone number 021 363848.
Jan Heine & Allison Molloy
Refugee News
Jenny Mason and I are no longer providing stationery, lunch boxes and
drink bottles for the refugee children. Since the Red Cross have taken
over we have found it increasingly difficult to work with them, and I am
sure this interim period was hard for them too.
We have pondered what to do with the items and money we had left.
Red Cross would take the money but wanted to put it in a general pool,
and we did not want this because local people fundraised for our local
Hutt area.
The large number of lunch boxes etc (we always bought these in
advance) and remaining $290.00, we have taken to Catholic Services in
Wellington, and they have earmarked them for Hutt Refugees.
The money was to be put in a voucher, which we did, as a Warehouse
gift voucher, and it has been put aside with the other things.
Catholic Services along with some Anglican churches are taking care of
the Lower Hutt refugees now. They are excellent to work with should you
wish to be involved with them.
Thank you to everyone who supported our fundraisers.
Prue and Jenny
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CHILDREN’S POWER HOUR
Maybe Power Hour families have started a new tradition
(for a second time) of attending the Easter Sunday
Sunrise gathering on the beach. We came in the darkness
with our torches to the beach by the Eastbourne sports
club rooms. There we sang and acted out the discovery that Jesus had gone
from his tomb by Mary and some of the disciples. Such shock, surprise and
excitement for them to actually see him again – the last thing ever to be
imagined! It was a wonderful way to start our Easter Sunday morning. When
the light came with some lingering cloud we were to go out to others and share
our experiences of Jesus’ coming again to us and to others.
Afterwards, our Children’s Ministry/Christian Education representative on
Parish Council, Colin Dalziel, and his wife, Janet, were very kind to bring their
camper bus to the beach and serve to us all hot drinks and hot cross buns.
Peace and joy was around us.
As part of God’s Big Rescue Plan, Jesus came and taught those around him
that, “God’s spirit fills us with power, love and self-control” (2 Tim 1:7). Here
is what some children think about God’s power:
“Well…when I think of God’s power, I think of a song that goes like this: ’My
God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing that he cannot do’.”
“I don’t think anybody could be better or more powerful than God, but I’m not
just saying that because he’s God already.”
“Death is powerful, but God is more powerful.”
“I didn’t think orange went with purple, until I saw the sunset God made last
Tuesday evening. That was cool!”
Also, a while back our former minister, Rev Michelle Shin, gave us a special
picture of how God’s spirit could look like when it is inside us. First, she gave
out three balloons and asked that they be blown up. Then there was an
amazing transformation of the balloon, just like a butterfly chrysalis into a
magnificent butterfly or a baby being born! A light glowed from inside the
balloon!! Indeed God’s spirit inside us acts in the same way, it glows from
inside us out to others and changes us and others in a good way.
Our Term 1 of Power Hour will finish early on 3rd April.
Term 2 Power Hour will start on 8th May.
Susan Connell 568 5747
Messy Church
Met on 20th March, Palm Sunday, at St Ronan’s, when we
learned how to make flax crosses and shared a pot luck meal.
No April MC (it’s school holidays). Next MC will be at San
Antonio’s (MC rotates around Eastbourne’s three churches) on
Sunday 15th May (3rd Sunday, term times), 4.30pm to 6pm. The theme will
be Pentecost, and we will share a pot-luck meal.
Sandy Lang
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CWS helped rebuild after Cyclone Winston
Christian World Service is the international aid and development agency
of the Protestant Churches of New Zealand. Established in 1945 to help
in war-torn Europe, CWS has been doing a world of good ever since. It is
a registered charitable entity.
CWS has 70 years experience of helping communities survive disaster
and overcome poverty.
Recently, St Ronan’s has assisted CWS with two major donations of cash
for critical disaster relief in Vanuatu and in Fiji.
You are reminded that major areas where CWS is operating (mostly with
local partners on the ground) include the following: Climate Change;
Conflict and Peace; Food for Life; HIV and AIDS; Trade; Water and
Sanitation; Refugees.
Douglas Day, CWS Representative at St Ronan’s
Simon’s Story
Read what St Ronan’s people do for religious experiences as well as go to church, by
going to our website www.stronans.org.nz for Simon Shaw’s account of his cycle trip
up the Rimutaka Incline, down to Ocean Beach and south coast back to Eastbourne in
“The Big Coast Revisited”. Maybe he will follow it up with an account of his latest trip
along The Timber Trail?
Ocean Beach: view from Simon’s bike
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St Ronan’s Presbyterian Church,
234 Muritai Road, Eastbourne 5013
Interim Moderator Rev. Reg Weeks
Church (Tues & Thurs):
Home:
Email:
Parish Clerk
Sandy Lang
Hall Bookings Sandy Lang
Home:
Email:
Church office
562 7583
027 491 5947
reg@thirdage.co.nz
(Mon & Fri mornings)
Email:
Website
562 8753
slang@xtra.co.nz
562 7583
office@stronans.org.nz
www.stronans.org.nz
Contributions for the ‘Record’ are most welcome.
Please place them in the Church letterbox or email to
Helen.Withy@xtra.co.nz or janheine@xtra.co.nz
The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the
authors. They do not necessarily represent those of St Ronan’s Church.
Your delivery person …………………………………………………………
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The closing date for the May 2016 Record is
Sunday 24th April 2016
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