E NEWS 15TH MARCH 2024
I begin today’s E News with the sad news of the passing of Susan Cook. Frank and Susan Cook have been members of St. Andrew’s on the Terrace since the 1980’s. I was privileged to be with Frank and the family as we gave thanks and said our goodbyes to Susan at Wellington hospital on Tuesday evening. Susan’s funeral will be held on Tuesday 19th March at 10am at SAOTT. This will be followed by a wake in the hall, and she will be buried at Makara Natural Burial Cemetary at 2.30pm. If you would like to attend the burial it is good to wear gumboots and dress for a windy day. Please hold Frank and his family in your prayers.
On Saturday last week I attended Central Presbytery along with David Douglas and Ross Scott it was called “The Gathering”. Rev Dr Geoff New principal of KCML was keynote speaker. It was a good opportunity to meet up with colleagues from all over the central region.
On Sunday the Y-group led by Gavin and Jenny Watson along with Catriona Cairns and myself 6 other young adults a baby and Snoopy went on a picnic at Wilton’s bush. It was a beautiful sunny day. Laura and Melissa bought baby Louis along he is such a bonny little boy. As Gavin and Jenny are going overseas in April, I have offered to lead the next Y group and will be standing in for them over the next 3 months until they return. Unfortunately, this means that I will not be present at Congregational Conversations, however I will be in the same building so I will still be able to be consulted even if from a distance. I’m sure you will all manage without me for 3 months. Y-group is an extremely important group of our church, and it is good for me to spend some time with them.
I have enjoyed my introduction to green prescription liquid fitness pool exercise class and also the gym. I feel good that this has started, slow steps, small beginnings.
This Sunday Lent 5, I will be sharing the service with Rev David Brown from the Presbyterian Church of USA. David will be doing the reflection before he and his wife Linda return home to the USA. His theme is “Sin and Suffering: Enough Already”. I’m looking forward to this.
Next Sunday is Palm/Passion Sunday however, it is also 40 Years since SAOTT has been a Nuclear Weapons free church so this will be our theme next Sunday. For the service we will include something in the worship about the anti-nuclear story of St Andrews and invite people to reflect on actions they can take to support continuing the commitment. After coffee at the Social Justice education group Paul Barber has invited Edwina Hughes to speak about the anti-nuclear work and what is happening now that St Andrews people can contribute to. She is not able to attend in person (health reasons) but we can organise a Zoom call, she will speak for 20-25 minutes followed by discussion.
Please note the following date in your diaries. Molly Seah would like to invite the church to a Wake during our Congregation Lunch next April. Here is her invitation:
Kia ora koutou e te whanau, this is a warm invite to a wake for Lloyd Jobson at the congregational lunch following church gathering on Sunday 14th April.
It will be an informal, table fellowship way of remembering Lloyd.
There will be a stall display at the back of the hall of a sample of books from Lloyd’s large collection of them. They reflect his longstanding love of learning and vision of education for self and societal empowerment, especially in the cause of social justice and change for betterment in society and the world.
His love of the arts is also reflected by his book collection. Further, his small collection of vinyl records and CDs tells a story of how music had always been his companion Muse.
In the spirit of table fellowship, please feel free to share a few words of how you remember Lloyd at his wake.
Nga mihi nui, Molly Seah
Please take some time to talk with a neighbour this week and share something of the Easter spirit with them by sharing food or just having a chat and checking in on their welfare. Faafetai ma ia manuia, Fei.
You can read the full E-News here: https://mailchi.mp/56326050453b/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-9442148
