Human Flourishing
Hello humans!
This weekend SATRS (St Andrews Trust for the Study of Religion and Society) presents a Fri/Sat seminar. If you get this Friday morning, you’ll have time to attend the Friday night (free) session. Or come on Saturday anyway.
Lunchtime lectures in March and April led up to this weekend. I introduced the topic in March, looking at how the Church concentrates on what prevents us flourishing (usually blaming us!), then in April three generation Y (born between 1981 and 1997) young people spoke about their dreams for humans to flourish – one from Action Stations, one running two social enterprises of her own to help young people flourish and the editor of The Interregnum: Rethinking New Zealand, essays published by Bridget Williams Books. They were stunning.
This weekend there’s a variety of speakers, time to sing, to talk and to think. Friday night: Heidi Thomson, Carwyn Jones and Danielle Shanahan – come 6.30pm for a cuppa, we’re finished by 8.30pm – you can do it! What’s more, Friday night is free, remember!
On Saturday we reconvene 9am. The day is interspersed with stories from Grasshopper on the Road (Jim Cunningham) and includes community singing as well as time to think and talk with others. Speakers include John Pennington on Public Engagements Projects, Max Harris by video on The NZ Project, Susan Jones on Really Flourishing and Paul Bruce on Our Climate Declaration. See all the details on www.satrs.org.nz and http://community.scoop.co.nz/2017/05/human-flourishing-seminar-5-6-may/ [“Saturday: suggested registration fee is $30 waged / $20 unwaged / $10 under 25 or student. (Lunch included). If the suggested fee is too expensive we would rather see you at the seminar than not so please pay what you can.”]
Being human is the most exciting adventure one can be embarked upon. I suggest in my talk that we as church need to emphasise how flourishing can be achieved not focus on how it is avoided or marred by our mis-steps.
We’ve heard some find the new website tricky. It’s different from the old one!
- If you want orders of service and the audio of reflection hit the “latest reflection” button on the front page.
- If you want to know what is on the calendar hit “what’s happening” and it will take you to the calendar with the concerts, lectures and Sunday Gatherings as well as mid-week events.
- If nothing seems to be working try moving your cursor over titles and pictures and clicking – they are ‘hotspots’ which will take you further.
Let us know what you’re finding hard and we’ll try to help. Each Sunday, more is going up and faster. After church at 12 noon we’re aiming you’ll find the order of service and the script of the reflection. Then, a little later in the day, two audio recordings, one of the whole service and one of the reflection only.
See you Sunday, if not at the seminar. Then we’ll welcome newcomers and gather round communion, flourishing together.
St Andrew’s Parish News…
THE SEASON OF EASTER
We’re celebrating being human in a reflection series entitled ‘The Spirituality of Life’: Sunday 14 May ‘Life and Breath (Prayer)’; Sunday 21 May Rev Dr Frank Hanson; Sunday 28 May ‘The Life at the Depths of Me.’ This takes us to Pentecost, June 4.
A HELPING HAND FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Norman Wilkins is donating his handyman skills towards The St Andrew’s organ fund. He suggests if you have any handyman projects you would like him to do for you, he would donate his time (you pay for materials and maybe towards transport) and you then make whatever donation for the organ fund you consider appropriate. To find out more, contact Norman Ph 970 1010 to discuss any jobs you want being suitable.
PINK SHIRT DAY FRIDAY MAY 26
Think PINK!
PINK SHIRT DAY* is Friday 26 May and we are hosting a Tea on the Terrace at St Andrew’s from 2.30-3.30 pm, like the event Susan organised with Jem Traylen to mark Transgender Visibility Day.
You can help in five different ways:
- Make something pink to serve at afternoon tea (pink-iced biscuits, cupcakes, popcorn, candyfloss, salmon pate on crackers, beetroot humus & sour cream etc.) Be creative! And please bring your food along by 2.15 pm on the day.
- Come to St A’s on Friday 26 May at 2 pm to help set up and serve afternoon tea with me.
- Stay a little later to help clean up and do the dishes.
- Tell all your friends, workmates and neighbours about it (in person, by email or Facebook)
- Wear a pink shirt (or tie) for the occasion and enjoy some Tea on the Terrace with us.
If you can help in the Number 1 way, please let me know so we have an idea of catering quantities.
*The message of Pink Shirt Day is: Speak up – Stand together – Stop bullying
Any questions? See Sue McRae or phone: 475 7899 or 0274 490 601 or visit the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/PinkShirtDayAotearoa
You can also support the cause by buying t-shirts from this online shop:
http://www.mrvintage.co.nz/pink-shirt-day
HOLIDAY TIME IN THE OFFICE
After a very busy start to 2017 some of us who work in the office and centre will be taking annual leave in May and June. Karyn will be away from Monday 8 May, returning Monday 22 May. Susan will be taking leave from Tuesday 16 May, returning Tuesday 23 May. And Laetitia will be away from Monday 29 May, returning Wednesday 7 June. Finally, Vivien will also be on leave on Friday 2 June and Sunday 4 June. Rest assured that we will all continue to cover the needs of the Parish and Centre during this time but please take in to account that there may be only one of us are here to help at certain times and your patience will be appreciated if it takes a little longer to get a response from the office. Thank you.
HOLD THE DATE:
Friday 28 July at 6.30 pm – Jane Keller presents “Let Us Entertain You” with Michael Nicholas Williams and Peter Franklin. A show to raise funds for the restoration of the organ. More details to follow shortly.
DESERTER: A NOVEL BASED ON TRUE EVENTS by ANN BARRIE
Description: Why would a dedicated soldier turn his back on his own country and everyone he loves? This World War II novel takes the reader on a compelling journey from North Africa to Nova Scotia, from New York to Scotland, and ultimately to the extreme dangers of the Russian Arctic convoys. Based on a true story given to Ann’s father, Charles M Herbert, this is New Zealand author Ann Barrie’s first novel.Of possible interest to St Andrew’s folk: One motif is religious faith, or lack of it. A chapter is set in a highland kirk, and another in Glasgow Cathedral (Church of Scotland).
Available on Amazon.com as a Kindle at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B071Y3Y7HK and as a paperback: ISBN: 9780473390655. Also on Kobo.com and Smashwords.com
Put in a suggestion to buy at your local library branch, or online: www.wcl.govt.nz/about/services/suggestion.html .
Author bio: Christchurch-born Ann Barrie was educated at Papakura High School, and Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School. She has a BA in French from the University of Auckland, and a LLB from Victoria University of Wellington. Librarian by profession, Ann lives the south coast of Wgton.
Wider Church and Community News…
CHILD POVERTY ACTION GROUP POST BUDGET BREAKFAST
Each year Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) provides child-focused analysis and commentary of the budget. An accessible, affordable avenue for the community to hear together how the budget affects children and young people, especially the most vulnerable in poverty. Venue: The Boat Shed, Taranaki Street Wharf Time: 7:15am- 8:45am *** Breakfast 7.15am, speakers 7.30am ** Tickets: $30 – high income, $20 medium income, $10 low income. Register by 24 May. Visit cpag.org.nz
DCM FUNDRAISER
Buy tickets for the Circa show ‘Olive Copperbottom’ AND at the same time raise money for DCM! The awesome people from the comedy festival musical ‘Olive Copperbottom’ have given us 30 tickets to sell to the preview night for the show (Tues 9th May) with 100% of funds raised going to DCM! To find our more visit http://www.circa.co.nz/package/olive-copperbottom/ www.dcm.org.nz
FREE LUNCHTIME KORERO
The third of three free talks organised by Wellington Treaty Network at the Wellington Central Library on Friday 12 May. 12.30- 1.15pm on the Ground Floor. Guest speakers have included Morrie Love, Carwyn Jones, Tamsin Hanly and Jen Margaret. See poster at the back of the church or wellingtontreatynetwork@gmail.com
INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA, BIPHOBIA & TRANSPHOBIA
What’s happening? IDAHOBiT is a global celebration of sexual diversities, gender diversities and body diversities. In Aotearoa, local organisations, including the Human Rights Commission, Inside Out, ITANZ, Tiwhanawhana, MOSAIC and Rainbow Wellington are working with Parliament’s Rainbow MPs to put on a Political Panel event to discuss your issues. This Political Panel discussion forum is proceeding.
Hear what our Rainbow MPs have to say in response to rainbow issues. Come along on the night and hear how the MPs have responded to your feedback. 6-7:30pm, Theatrette, Parliament 17th May. RSVP by 10th May using this link https://is.gd/idahobitpanel (but seats are limited so RSVP)
WELLINGTON SAFER HOMES EVENT
The Wellington City Council and the Environmental Protection Authority invite you to the inaugural Wellington Safer Homes Event, Michael Fowler Centre 26 & 27 May. Joined with partners NZ Fire Service, NZ Police, ACC, Safe Kids, Plunket, Wellington Free Ambulance, Earthquake Commission, National Poisons Centre and Housing New Zealand to provide information and improve understanding about some of the potential dangers around the home. On Saturday 27 May, the event will be open to the public from 10am – 4pm and will have sessions on various aspects of safety in the home.
Please respond to helen.flannery@epa.govt.nz by Friday 5 May if you are interested in your group attending the designated seniors safety session at the Safer Homes event on Friday 26 May. Please indicate numbers. There are limited places available at this session. We will confirm your booking and provide additional details at this time.
