E NEWS 29 DECEMBER 2023
I hope you have all spent quality time with family and friends over the Christmas weekend. We had three services one on Sunday morning, then the Christmas evening service which was a full house. Many of those from outside SAOTT found it a very moving and emotional service and they loved the inclusive liturgy and communion. Over the 3 services there were visitors from Dubai, Sweden, Switzerland, USA, Australia and the Netherlands, Paul Franken’s brother and sister were visiting NZ for the first time. The beautiful voices of Pepe Becker, Kate Lineham (sopranos), Dan Poynton (pianist) and their harmonic descants made the Christmas carols absolutely dynamic. They brought the carols to life and were truly my highlight. Our Monday morning Christmas Day service was small but intimate and it was lovely to see families come together for their annual family Christmas get-together.
We welcome Julien Wahlen, Anna Papst and 4 year old Iacob Papst to our church. They are from Switzerland and have been joining us for worship on Sundays. They are here in Aotearoa New Zealand for six months. Please introduce yourself to them when you have an opportunity.
On Christmas day early evening I visited Susan Cook at Wellington Hospital. Susan was admitted in November with an aneurism and had an operation, they found another aneurism during the operation and both were removed. She has had a few other complications since that time but is now on the slow mend. Please continue to keep Frank, Susan and their family in your thoughts and prayers.
If you missed our Christmas services I will be uploading the three reflections to our website by the end of next week.
This Sunday is the fifth Sunday of the month which is Lay Preachers Sunday and we have invited Ian Harris from Ephesus a former Director of Communication and journalist for the PCANZ to lead our service and do the reflection. Hope you are able to support him with your attendance this Sunday.
You won’t believe this but I’ve only had my campervan since February and I’ve decided to sell it if I can. I have been using it to go to the beaches with Snoopy and Peanut but it is not getting very much use and I have already had to replace the battery from lack of usage. I have upgraded it with Bluetooth and Reversing camera and Android and Apple carplay. think it should go to a good home where people will get much more regular use out of it. Besides that the front has only 2 seats and the passenger seat is not big enough for even 2 small dogs. They do fit but Peanut does get squashed by Snoopy and it has not been ideal. When I have put them at the back on the double bed, they get up to mischief. So if you know of anyone wanting to buy a campervan please let me know and I can send you more information and pictures etc. It is on Trademe under 2006 Nissan Elgrand the auction will close on the 3rd of January 2024.
Well, there will be two more days on Saturday and Sunday to say goodbye to 2023 and welcome in 2024. I’m sure we all have new hope for 2024 and perhaps want to put 2023 into the past and move forward. I know for many of you 2023 has been a year to try and forget and a time where you have lost loved ones and friends. How are you going to make sure that 2024 will be a time where you put yourself first maybe for the first time?
Next Sunday 7th January our first service for 2024 will not be a communion service since we had one on Christmas Eve.
News just in today from Heather Macfarlane. Bill Edginton was an Elder Emeritus of St Andrew’s. He died on Christmas day. Beloved partner of Gary Morris. Memorial service to be held in Carterton on 17 January 2024.
I look forward to visiting many of you either for coffee in my office or happy to visit you in your homes in the New Year. Please let me know when you would like me to visit and I will put it in my diary. I do enjoy sharing a meal with you and getting to know you better and I look forward to keeping that trend going into 2024. I wish you all every blessing for 2024. Happy New year. Ia manuia le Tausaga Fou. Fei
You can read the full E-news here: https://mailchi.mp/a9ad4dd5f11b/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-9418156
