E NEWS FRIDAY 31ST JANUARY 2025
Talofa lava and Happy New Year friends of St Andrew’s on the Terrace. Well tomorrow is the 1st of February another new month for 2025. I hope that the Christmas and New Year break for everyone has been a relaxing time, family oriented and restful. I had a wonderful working break with my family over Christmas and New Year and got my fix of 11 great nieces and nephews. We had some happy times but also some very scary times with illness and stints at Starship hospital for two of the children. But all is ok.
Last Sunday I had a bit of a scare myself. I was having lunch with some friends from Newton Pacific Islanders church at an eatery in Miramar. About 10 minutes after arriving I felt the left side of my face around the mouth area go numb and my lip started swelling up. I thought it was Bels Palsy or the beginnings of a stroke. Without wanting to interrupt the lunch I sat there quietly until everyone had finished eating then I asked my friend Vinise if she would drive me to A & E at Wellington hospital. Long story short, after having a CT scan and ECG for an erratic heart beat I got the all clear on both counts. The doctor concluded that it must have been an allergic reaction to something. I had peanut butter on toast for breakfast and coffee at church even though I now drink decaffeinated coffee. So it could be one of those two things. The jury is still out. I’m very thankful that I now know my brain and my heart are ok after those tests. Meant to be.
On Friday last week the Queen Margaret School Board of Governor’s put on a barbecue for the staff and families of QMC, it was a wonderful occasion. This was quickly followed by a trip up to Karori for the Robbie Burns night commemoration at the British High Commission. We had the piping of the Haggis and everyone was getting tiddly on the wee dram of whiskey which was bottomless. It looked tempting to me but alcohol and I do not get on. I get drunk on the smell of any alcohol. I can manage a shandy but I will sit on it all night. I’m told I’m a cheap date lol.
I was honoured on Tuesday morning to attend Ata Burr’s (some of you may know her as Donna) Mihi Whakatau as the new Director for Justice and Peace for Caritas. (Ata sits at the right hand side in the back row. Please offer her your congratulations over lunch on Sunday. I along with her uncle we were given the privilege to speak at the Powhiri on behalf of Ata’s church and family.
This Sunday is Communion Sunday and we will be celebrating our first communion for the year followed by a shared community lunch afterwards. Please come along and bring something to share if you are able. The Rainbow Room recommences for the year and Caroline is ready to share her creativity with you all. The older children are welcome to attend also.
The reading from the Hebrew Bible is from Jeremiah 1:4-10 The call of Jeremiah. My theme is “I do not know how to speak; I am too young”. The reflection is melding together in my thought and I look forward to sharing those thoughts with you on Sunday.
Cuppa and Chat recommences this coming Wednesday the 5th February at 10.30am. If you have never been, maybe 2025 is a time for you come along and join us. You are most welcome to come and check it out.
Enjoy your weekend. Tofa soifua, Fei
You can read the full E-news here: https://mailchi.mp/c37cff76e259/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-10132913
