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MARCH 2015

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CONTACTS: Office Phone/Fax: 368 9392

87 Oxford Street

Levin 5510

Email: levinuniting@xtra.co.nz

Ministers Rev Phil & Shona Bettany

Phone: 367 2067 Email: revsbettany@xtra.co.nz

Facebook Levin Uniting Church

Website Www.levinuniting.church

This reflection was stimulated by a lady’s comment at a recent meeting concerning clothing….. Many

people don’t feel comfortable at Church and the longer they remain disengaged the more difficult it is to

feel a welcome. At Levin Uniting Church ‘how are we a ‘Welcoming Church’? If we do welcome people who

dare to come along, what next? Simple gestures of introduction, invitation, and inclusion need to be cor-

ner stones of our meeting and greeting ministry. The old saying that "first impressions count" is more

than a mere expression - it is a reality particularly at Church.

Smaller churches such as ours have an advantage over larger churches when welcoming first-time at-

tendees. New people are easily recognizable because the rest of us know the regulars, or do we? We may

know those with whom we sit or share some interest but how well do we actually know each other. In fa-

tigue from our busyness many of us lack the energy or imagination we think is necessary to genuinely wel-

come strangers.

During His public ministry, Jesus and His disciples depended entirely on the hospitality of others as they

ministered from town to town (Matthew 10:9-10). Likewise, the early Christians also depended on and re-

ceived hospitality from others (Acts 2:44-45; 28:7). In fact, travellers in ancient times depended heavily

on the hospitality of strangers as traveling could be dangerous and there were very few inns, and poor

Christians could not afford to stay at them, anyway. This generous provision to strangers also included

opening one’s home for church services. Hospitality was indeed a highly regarded virtue in ancient times,

especially for Christian leaders (Titus 1:8; 1 Timothy 3:2).

As Gods people in this place there is more we can learn about being welcoming and hospitable as a

Church. The wider ‘non churched public’ don’t so much disbelieve in God but do reject the trappings of reli-

gious life such as we portray them. They no longer have ‘Sunday Best’ clothes and so feel inadequate or

unacceptable at Church.

Christians are “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). As follow-

ers of Christ, we emulate His love and compassion when we show hospitality, not only to fellow Christians,

but even more so to strangers and the less fortunate.

These days we often don’t think much about entertaining strangers, but hospitality is still an important

part of Christian ministry (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9). By serving others we serve Christ (Matthew 25:40)

and we promote the spread of God’s truth (3 John 5-8).

At Levin Uniting we believe we are all in need of God’s love and grace and He through Jesus Christ, intends

the church to be a community that incarnates love, grace and justice for all people. Holding true to this

we welcome and encourage all persons, in every aspect of our Christian life together.

Allen Little

IS CLOTHING AN ISSUE ?

But God understands. And although people look at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart.

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HARVEST & TALE ON 22ND MARCH

We had a great Harvest and Talent Sunday in 2014, so we are

doing it again—this time we are asking just a little more….

Along with the Harvest (please bring from your gardens, fruit

and vegetables you have grown (which may be donated to the

Community Evening Meal if you wish).

Also—your talent may not be having a green finger, but a different type of finger— what talent do you have

that we can celebrate?

Please put a note with your talent (either food or craft etc— could be typing!!) with your name and a brief

history of you accomplishing your talent.

If you would be willing to talk about your talent, there will be an opportunity to do this and of course people

will be so impressed with your work, there may be questions.

So…. To make all this wonderful Harvest & Talent Service to go smoothly, please contact Nancy on email:

positif2gt@xtra.co.nz or phone 367 3422 (especially if you would like to talk about your talent)

There are so many of you that have talents, you may think they are just ordinary everyday things, but to

someone else, it is a wonderful gift. Please talk to others to encourage.

Good News stories, celebrations, What’s happening in the Parish to include in The

communiqué . This is your newsletter about

your parish, if you have news, please let the

office know (phone or email)

Women’s Fellowship Morning Group started the year

with a picnic in the park. Unfortunately no photos

were taken and I couldn’t get a comment when

asked. Please remember we are the history takers

right now….

Something new to try! Due to a lack of people wanting to help for a

month at a time. Lets try something different—

how about 2 weeks? For those who travel a bit

and can’t commit to a month, but who would be

able to help for a couple of weeks.

You don’t need to stand the whole time—an

advantage of being in the hall—there are pews to

sit on in the foyer.

There will be a clip board at rear of church every

week with the coming months—please put your

name down to help, otherwise there will be no

one to greet you as you arrive to church!

This month I had

knock on the office

door, there were 3

people visiting NZ

from Denmark and

wanted to have a

look in the church.

They wanted to show

their friends how dif-

ferent the churches in NZ are. Their church was

made of stone and had a round shaped roof.

And Talents

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Morning Tea Roster —would you like to help—be

part of your church community—contact Helen

Hutchings 368 8169

MARCH DOOR DUTY:

1—8: No one to greet you these weeks

15-22: R Seymour/H Haines

Please help make this work!

FEBRUARY 2010 LAST SERVICE AT ST JOHNS, BRINGING OVER

TREASURERS

LEVIN UNITING PARISH COMMUNIQUE’

If you know of someone who is not

well, PLEASE let the office know! I will get someone to get in contact

From October this year, Levin Uniting Church

will not have a minister. YOU need to start think-

ing about this and the role you will play. Start getting

into the swing of things now and offer your services.

What will happen if no one does?

World Day of Prayer. Friday 6th March at 10.30am at St

Mary’s.

This year St Mary’s Women's Fellow-

ship are hosting this service for

Levin.

All parishioners, including men are

very welcome

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP NOTICES FOR MARCH

Helpers are needed to help set up (Friday AM)

and take down church each Sunday morning.

Please consider this important part of making

church run smoothly.

Giving last 4 weeks: Budgeted: $980.77 Adults attending

1 February $639.20 59 8 February $487.20 62 15 February $951.70 76

22 February $564.20 62

Total Budgeted: $3,923.08 Total Received: $2,642.30 under $1,280.78 The budgeted amount was included in this years

budget that you approved at the AGM. The automat-

ic payments have their own budgeted amount & are

not included in this figure. Only the envelope/open

given amounts. Please consider changing to an

automatic payment—this is a constant amount,

especially if you are unable to attend church

every week. Thank you to those who have done

this.

Morning Group: Meets Thursday 5th at 9.45am in

the Gilmour Lounge. Programme:- 2015 Special Pro-

ject, through CWS,”The Right to Life & Livelihood in

Tamil Nadu, South East India. New Zealand Project:

‘Diabetes Youth NZ’ next month. All Welcome

Afternoon Group: Meets Tuesday 10th at 1.30pm

in the Wesley Lounge

Evening Group: Meet Tuesday 24th at 7.30pm in

the Gilmour Lounge.

Loaves & Fishes Lunch for March

Thursday 19th March at 11.30 for a 12pm

start. Only $10 p/p for a 3 course meal and

friendship. Put your name on the clipboard

or ring the office to book.

RED CROSS ANNUAL STREET APPEAL

Volunteer collectors are required for this years Red

Cross Street Appeal which is being held in Levin on

Friday 13th & Saturday 14th March. If you can help

for a couple of hours on either day please phone Allen

Little 367-5900 or email vision@inspire.net.nz

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Date Time What Where

Sunday 1st 10am Communion Hall & Waitarere

Thursday 5th 9.45am Women's Fellowship Gilmour Lounge

Friday 6th 10am

10.30am

Market Set up

World Day of Prayer

Hall complex

St Mary’s Anglican

Saturday 7th 8am-

11.30am

10am-3pm

Monthly Market

Waitarere Commission

Hall complex

Levin Baptist church

Tuesday 10th 1.30pm Women’s Fellowship Wesley Lounge

Tuesday 17th By 1pm Newsletter Material due Office

Wednesday 18th 7pm Parish Council Gilmour Lounge

Thursday 19th 11.30am Loaves & Fishes Gilmour Lounge

Sunday 22nd 10am Harvest & Talents

Thanksgiving service

Hall

Tuesday 24th 7.30pm Women’s Fellowship Gilmour Lounge

Friday 27th 9am Newsletter Team Gilmour Lounge

Levin Uniting Parish What’s coming up

March 2015

Parish Council met on 18th February facing a full agenda. Ruth presented her Financial Report which looks

at the three component’s of Income, Expenditure and Budget for the period. With the ongoing building com-

pliance and restorative issues in front of us we should anticipate various financial challenges. We need to

obtain Property valuations and this task has been placed with Registered Valuers.

We were pleased to decide the next retiring Offering would go toward the Horowhenua Health Shuttle which

operates Monday to Friday (except on Public Holidays) from the Horowhenua Health Centre, to Palmerston

North Hospital, and other medical provider in Palmerston North.

There was some discussion around the disposal of surplus pews presently in Storage and our works team

will manage this.

Due to some technical obsolescence the Office Scanner Photocopier needs to be replaced. Our regular sup-

plier has generously made a replacement available basically donating the equipment for a small charge.

We were pleased to report a Grant from the Trustees of the James Gibb Fund toward the evening meal

expenses.

The Works Committee has been gathering various quotations and professional opinion concerning Earth-

quake compliance at our properties. This complex portfolio requires consultation with Church Property

Trustees in Wellington and others. Sadly its not possible at this time to indicate when or if the Church at 87

Oxford St can be reoccupied.

Parish Council appreciates the effort people put into caring for our properties such as the Stirling effort of

Harvey Brown who has done the lawn mowing.

The Worship Committee reported its consideration of this years Easter Services and its thinking through of

Church Relevance to (a) the Community and (b) Young people. It was thought we should have a budget for

advertising and promoting Services of common interest. This year the World Day Of Prayer is being hosted

at St Mary’s Anglican on Friday 6th March. We will again hold a Harvest & Talents Thanksgiving Service

which was considered to have been a success last time and this is set for Sunday 22nd March.

The big issue is that we have finally heard from Presbytery Central regarding the formal Commission pro-

cess related to Waitarere. This is to take place on Saturday 7th March. We ask for your thoughts and

prayers for everyone as participate in this process.

Allen Little. Parish Clerk

PARISH COUNCIL 18 FEBRUARY 2015

Check us out!

www.levinuniting.church

Have a look around, send us feedback

Can you spare 1/2 hour on Sunday

Evenings?

From 5.45pm the community evening meal

is served and we need people to help to do

this.

Talk to Shona, Phil, Peter or Jack. Thank

you

This is EVERY SUNDAY we would love to see you.

Every

Sunday

10am Worship

6pm Community

Meal

7pm Service

Hall

Waitarere

Hall

Hall

Every

Tuesday

12pm Prayer with

Jack

Wesley

Lounge

Every

Thursday

7.30pm Choir

Practice

Gilmour

Lounge