Mt Herbert Parish Magazine December 2015 - January 2016

DIAMOND HARBOUR GEBBIES VALLEY GOVERNORS BAY KAITUNA LITTLE RIVER PORT LEVY TEDDINGTON

St Andrews Church of the Epiphany St Cuthberts St Kentigerns St Andrews St Pauls St Peters

Mt Herbert Parish

Striving to be a united, Christ-centered, community – serving Parish

MINISTER/PASTOR Rev. Russell Pickersgill-Brown email: mt.herbertvicar@xtra.co.nz

PARISH OFFICE 85 Marine Drive, Diamond Harbour RD 1, Lyttelton 8971 Telephone: 03 329 4790 email: mt.herbertparish@xtra.co.nz

WEBSITE mountherbertparish.wordpress.com

Revival Clothing at Little River

Revival is really humming at St Andrews Little River. Clothes are pouring into the clothing bin at the garage, ladies from the community as well as church members have sorted hordes of clothes, any rejects that are cotton are being recycled by donating to the three local garages in Little River. With proceeds generated from plant sales at Orton Bradley we purchased 5 sturdy commercial stands (and donated one) plus 3 mannequins from people wanted to support a good cause. We had so many clothes the flim-sy mobile stands were collasping. Num-bers at Revival are getting bigger and the buzz in the hall from chatting over a cup-pa and home baking by the volunteers is bringing people up just for that. We will stay open during the Christmas break and do visit if you are driving past we are open Tuesdays 10.30am until 1pm. Please if wish to donate clothes I must reiterate please good quality, clean & washed items. This saves the volunteers time sort-ing. Clothes can be left at DH church, the bin or contact Fiona.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas from The Revival Clothing team.

Revival Clothing is now open to the public every

Tuesday at 10:30am. We are taking clothing due to size/space lim-

itations.

Further information please ring Fiona 329 0171

TWAS THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS ...

And all through the land

The people were gathering, all part of God’s plan

A census had called them together, that’s true

But God had a purpose. “Creation Rescue.”

For 2000 years we had drifted away

And God’s heart was breaking , but this was the day

The Angels all cried out “What can be done?”

God said with a smile “I’ll send them my son.”

“I love them so much.” Jesus said “Yes, I’ll go

And bring them back to you and help them to know

The love of the Father and all of his Grace

He wants to pour out on the whole human race

And help them to see that the Kingdom’s at hand

And show them the way and explain the great plan.”

We celebrate Christmas at this time each year

But I wonder if really we see it that clear

It’s not about babies, or presents, or trees

It’s about our salvation. It’s about you and me

It’s not about babies, the inn or the lambs

It’s God’s rescue mission - The Kingdom at hand

It’s not about babies, tho’ God became one

It’s the gift that God gave us. It’s Jesus, God’s son

By Russell Pickersgill-Brown

COMMUNITY CAROLS DIAMOND HARBOUR COMMUNITY CHURCH

85 MARINE DRIVE

13TH DECEMBER 2015 @ 5PM COMMUNITY SINGING,

DIAMOND HARBOUR SCHOOL CHOIR, DRAMATIC CHRISTMAS STORY

ALL WELCOME

A great rib recipe for you to try…

The star anise gives the ribs a wonderful flavor and they are not too spicy….. ensuring the whole family will love them.

Spicy, Beer Pork ribs ¼ C each…soy sauce, maple syrup, sweet

chilli sauce, tomato sauce

1 tsp crushed garlic

1 tsp ground star anise

330 ml bottle of beer

About 1.5kg pork ribs

Heat oven to 170deg fanbake.

Combine first 6 ingredients and mix well..divide mixture in half and mix one half

with the beer and ribs tossing to coat. Tip into lge roasting dish & cover with foil.

Bake 40-50 minutes

Discard liquid..add remaining syrup and increase heat to 185 deg fanbake..

Cook 15-20 mins turning once until glazed and golden brown.

Serves 6

The Angel Gabriel telling Mary that she will have

a baby and it will be Jesus the Son of God

You may want to colour this is.

What do you put at the very top of your Christmas tree? Some people put a star at the top of their tree. That's a good choice. After all, a special star played a very im-portant part in the story of Christmas. Some people like to put an angel at the top of their tree. That's a good choice too, because an-gels also played a very important role in the Christmas story. The angel appeared to Mary and said, "Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you." Mary was frightened and confused by the angel's greeting. "Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her. "You have found favour with God. You will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus." Dear Father, we thank you for this story about how you sent the angel Gabriel to take your message to Mary. We also thank you that you have given us the task of taking the message of Jesus and his love to all the world. Amen.

For the second year running there will be a Nativity service at the Living Springs Farm Park, run by the Come & See congregation of the Mount Herbert Parish.

Walking around the Farm Park, children from the congregation will participate in telling the Christmas Story assisted by sheep, horses, donkeys, and other animals.

You are invited to come along on Sunday 20th December for a 4pm start, and to bring along a picnic tea for afterwards. Entry by donation.

Location: Living Springs Farm Park, Governors Bay-Teddington

Road, Allandale Contact: Vanessa or Gail at

comeandseegovbay@gmail.com

Helen Wells writes: How many DISASTERS have happened around the world this year?

Do you remember Cyclone PAM which devastated parts of Vanuatu on 14th March? It certainly grabbed my attention because I had been a volunteer teacher over there in my gap year between school and uni. I immediately wanted to do something to help as a thanksgiving for that life-directing experience 50 years ago. I applied to one organization but was told “not yet”.

Then came the earthquake and landslides in Nepal, etc….. and Vanuatu faded from World News. I had been able to ascertain that the area I had known was not greatly affected so that was of some comfort.

Then, about 2 months ago my neighbours had a trip to Vila (the capital) and came back with news of how desperately help was still needed – even unskilled hands in building teams. Just after that I was handed the Presbyterian magazine “SPANZ” with a front page photo of a palm tree being blown by the gale and the heading “Supporting Cyclone Devastated Vanuatu”. I was alerted!

There was an email address inviting work parties and health professional to offer their assistance. I wrote, telling something of my background…then I looked at the website. They also wanted someone to teach English at the Bible School for a year. I waited without comment and yes,…

“Maybe you would fit better in that role. Could you consider going for a year?” I was asked.

It was not quite such an easy fit as I pictured at the start but it was enough to draw me in! So, on 27th January I am expecting to be on a plane to Espirito Santo (the main northern island of Vanuatu) and on to the TALUA MINISTRY TRAINING CENTRE. It is the combined Bible School and Theological train-ing centre of the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu where there are Ni-Vanuatu and Australian colleagues and about 60 students. I was familiar with both the fore-runners of this institution and it is such a sur-prise gift for me to be able to return there.

They really wanted a trained teacher so it is as a gap-filler that I am going. In fact it was not expected that anyone would be available at this short notice so it was not well advertised – just “put in the Lord’s hands”!

It will be a challenge for me but I go with the confidence that He seems to have arranged everything ahead of me and made short work of the “cons” side of my list. Thank you, too, to all those who have en-couraged me and will pray for me. Incidentally, The Head of the Disaster Relief was drawn from an ex-pected destination of “teaching English in a Bible School.”

Parish Finances.

It is wonderful that I do not need to put any red into this report! After income being severely below budget in August and moderately below budget in September, we had a most extraor-dinary October- from total income $7029 in August to $29311 in October. God's surprising grace sure makes a nonsense of a treasurer's concerns!!

Why was October income so high? We had a payout from insurance for the costs of container storage of St Cuthbert's contents at Governor's Bay; we had a retrospective payout for overpaid rates at Governor's Bay; we had a large payment for Diamond Harbour hall use; it included the income from the Orton Bradley fair; but mostly it was because of 3 large donations from parishioners.

How has this affected our financial position? Because of that income, we are now totally caught up on our financial liabilities- for the first time in at least 2 years we have no overdue bills; and at 25th November, credit in our bank account is more than $1200 ahead of bills on hand!

How do we maintain healthy finances in the parish? We are deeply grateful to all who contribute to the parish financially, especially to those who have given large occasional gifts and to all who have reviewed their commitment, some of whom responding by increasing their regular giving. To maintain not just finances, but the even more important work of building the Kingdom of God in this parish, we need also to be continually praying and reviewing our commitment and involvement in compassionate care and gossiping the gospel to a new gener-ation of neighbours and younger people.

Please feel free to ask any questions from Margaret Somerville (Ph. 3294713)

or myself (Ph 3294066) Russell Lienert- Co-treasurer

LITTLE RIVER YOUTH GROUP

Meets in the St Andrews Little River Church Lounge on Wed evenings during term time. Contact Josh Bashford ph: 325 1072

MAINLY MUSIC is held Thursday weekly during term time at Little River Rugby Clubrooms. Come along at 10.30am for cuppa and then join in with the music at 11.00am. Contact Robyn MacFarlane 325 1119

CARE, SHARE AND PRAYER GROUP Meets every Tuesday at 10am. Locations vary, for details please call Ann Watson 741 2210

LITTLE RIVER HOME GROUP

Meets every Wed evening. Please call Mark & Rose Fitzgerald for details Ph: 325 1176

St Andrew’s, Little River @ 5pm All are invited to come and join us

1st and 3rd Sundays each month for worship and fellowship.

December 6th Community Carols 18th

January 1st & 15th

What’s On in Little River

St. Andrews, Little River 7 pm, 18th December - Community Carol Service NB Wairewa Marae—Main Road past Little

River

Christmas Day Family Celebration -10am

St. Kentigerns,

Kaituna Valley Road,

Kaituna

No Service for 2015

Church of the Epiphany; Gebbies Pass Rd, Gebbies Valley 7pm Thursday 24th December

Carol Service, Christmas cel-ebration

St. Andrews, Marine Drive, Diamond Harbour 11:30 pm, 24th December - Midnight Carol Service NB: 9am Christmas Day Family Celebration

St Peters, Teddington Rd, Teddington 9am, 25th December Christmas Day Family Ser-vice

St Pauls, Purau - Port Levy Rd, Port Levy 7pm, 24th December Carol Service, Christmas Celebration

What’s On in Diamond Harbour?

BABY & TODDLERS GROUP December 15th - End of year picnic 10am @ Kirk Park - Waipapa Ave

(Near the Tennis Courts)

January 2016 - 26th Fortnightly on a Tuesday, a coffee and support group for parents and caregivers of babies and infants 0-36 months is held at the Diamond Harbour Church Hall. For more details, call Wendy 329 4483 /0211541434

December 2nd, 16th, and 30th January 2016 - 13th, and 27th

The van does pick-ups from Diamond Harbour fortnightly on Wednesdays around 9:00am and drops people back home about 1:30pm. Bookings are essential as the van seats 8 people. A $10 donation towards fuel per trip is invited. To book a seat, please call Nicky ph:329 4341 or Wendy ph: 329 4483.

MONDAY NIGHT STUDY GROUP AT CHARTERIS BAY

Meets Monday fortnightly in a warm and friendly home. Please call Bruce Beckett for details on ph:329 4422.

S e r v i c e R e a d i n g s f o r D e c e m b e r - J a n u a r y December 6th December 13th December 20th December 24th December 25th

December 27th January 3rd January 10th January 17th January 24th

We want to know what’s going on—

CUT OFF FOR THE DECEMBER/JANUARY NEWSLETTER is Wednesday NOVEMBER 18TH

PRAYER CHAIN The Prayer Chain is available to pray for you personally or for any other prayer needs you may have.

The Prayer Chain is totally confidential

Phone Anne Fountain ph: 329 4202

PRAYER FOR THE PARISH Weekdays at 8:15am in the Library at St Andrew’s, Diamond Harbour. This is to specifically pray for God’s presence in all our lives and His spirit to move in our Parish. All are welcome. If you are unable to join us, please pray wherever you are.

based on reading Word for Today is held in the Church Library every 2nd Wednesday at 3.30. Please contact Merylin Haxell Ph: 3293036

Jer 31:7-14 Ps 147 Eph 1:3-14 John 1:1-18

Is 43:1-7 Ps:29 Acts 8:14-17 Lk 3:15-17,21-22

RAINBOW MUSIC Dec 8th—Then in recess until

February 2nd 2016

This fun time is held Tuesday fortnightly during term time alternating with the

Baby & Toddlers Group, at St. Andrews Community Church Hall. Come along at

10am to join in with the music and fun and then for cuppa at 10:45am. All are welcome Contact Merylin or Russell for details. Ph.3294790 or mt.herbertparish@xtra.co.nz All preschoolers welcome (Bring a parent tho’)

Malachi 3:1-4 Phil 1: 3-11 Luke 3:1-6

Zeph 3:14-20 Phil 4:4-7

Micha 5:2-5a Heb 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45

2 Sam 7:1-5,8-11,16 Ps 89:2, 19-27 Acts 13:16-26 Luke 1:67-79

Isa: 9:2-7 Ps 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-20

1 Sam 2:18-20,26 Ps 148 Col 3:12-17 Luke 2:41-52

Is 62:1-5 Ps 36:5-10 1 Cor 12:1-11 John 2:1-11

Neh 8:1-3,5-6,8-10 Ps 19 1 Cor 12:12-31a Luke 4:14-21

STANDARD SERVICE TIMES

DIAMOND HARBOUR St. Andrews, 85 Marine Drive, Diamond Harbour Sunday weekly at 10:30am Wednesday Quiet/Reflective Communion Service weekly at 9.00 a.m. Final Wednesday @9 is on Dec 16th. Then in recess until Wednesday 3rd Feb 9am

GEBBIES VALLEY Church of the Epiphany, Gebbies Pass Rd, Gebbies Valley 1st Sunday of the month at 9am

GOVERNORS BAY St. Cuthbert's was badly damaged in the Sept 2010 earthquake. The 9am congregation now gather weekly at St. Peters, Teddington.

"Come & See" Informal All-Age Worship Governors Bay School Library, Jetty Road, Governors Bay 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at 10.30am.

KAITUNA VALLEY St. Kentigerns, Kaituna Valley Rd, Kaituna Please contact the office for information. Baptisms, weddings & funerals by arrangement.

LITTLE RIVER St. Andrews, Church Road, Little River We gather as a community of churches 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at 5pm.

PORT LEVY St. Pauls, Port Levy Road, Port Levy Easter & Christmas, and for baptisms, weddings & funerals by arrangement.

TEDDINGTON St. Peters, Gebbie Pass Road, Teddington Sunday weekly at 9am. The first Sunday of the month is in the form of either Methodist or Presbyterian to fulfill the 1996 Covenant

We look forward to seeing you and celebrating together.

MOUNT HERBERT PARISH CONTACTS

PARISH OFFICE: ph: 329 4790 email: mt.herbertparish@xtra.co.nz. (Messages are cleared daily.) For any urgent matters, contact the Vicar directly. VICAR: Rev. Russell Pickersgill-Brown ph:329 4876 email: mt.herbertvicar@xtra.co.nz WARDEN: Vivienne Jackson ph: 329 9930 PASTORAL CARE: Rev. Russell Pickersgill-Brown ph: 329 4876 Gebbies Valley: Karen Reid ph: 329 7923 Governors Bay Karen Stenhouse ph: 329 9055 Little River: Fiona Waghorn ph: 329 0171 CHURCH CONTACTS: Diamond Harbour: Merylin Haxell Gebbies Valley: Karen Reid Governors Bay: Gail Weaver, Vivienne Jackson. Little River: Fiona Waghorn, Teddington: David Dean, Kelvin Duncan. PARISH TREASURERS: Margaret Somerville, Russell Lienert