SERVICES FOR AUGUST 10AM IN THE HALL

AUGUST 2015

Like us on Facebook. You will get notifications of

special events happening and photos of events

already done! We are up to 63 likes—come join us

CONTACTS: Office Phone/Fax: 368 9392

87 Oxford Street

Levin 5510

Email: levinuniting@xtra.co.nz

Parish Clerk Allen Little

06 367 5900 Email: vision@inspire.net.nz

Facebook Levin Uniting Church

Website www.levinuniting.church

This was a letter

to the editor for

the St Andrew’s

Bulletin in

November 1961

Come along and support these people leading services this month:

2nd August —Communion Rev. Bob Elyes

9th August Rev. Tukua Tuwairua (TMG)

16th August Peggy Jourdain

23rd August Jan Richmond (Hospital Chaplain)

30th August COME to CHURCH SUNDAY

BUS TRIP TO TE PAPA IN SEPTEMBER?

I am exploring the idea of a trip by bus to

Te Papa to see the First World War exhibition.

n early September if there is enough interest.

The bus would leave from the church at 9.30 am,

arrive at Te Papa about 11am.

time for a stroll through the exhibition ,walkers or

wheel chair no problem.

Lunch at the cafe if you choose, then leaving

Te Papa about 2pm, a drive past the new war

memorial and back to Levin by 4pm.

The cost would be $25 per person, no charge for admission to Te Papa.

I need 29 people to make the bus viable, but could take up to 41.

I have 10 people interested at present.

This is not limited to our congregation ,bring a friend or neighbour!

Ruth Rushton

Let Ruth know if you/and a friend would like to go! Phone 368 3816

Bob Eyles is offering home communion to

people who cannot attend the regular monthly

service either because it is too early in the

morning or is too long. He is happy to bring

communion to such people in their homes.

If there is enough interest we could hold short

mid-week services in the Gilmour Lounge.

If you would like home communion or know

anyone who would, please ring the church

office or Bob on 368 8813.

This year there are

2 vacancies on

Parish Council.

Calling on members of this church to put

your names forward to contribute to the

governance team. You must be a

current member & be on the roll.

Sunday 27th September following the 10am service in the hall.

All reports are due into the office by Monday 31st August—email if

you are able.

CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTHDAY (In a different way)

SUPPORT CHURCH MISSIONS

It's so easy to give a little

You may enroll with Gwyneth Harris by giving her

the month of your birthday and she will ensure

that you receive the special envelope for your donation.

or

You may pick up an envelope as you enter Church.

Both ways you may put your birthday donation in the collection

plate.

In the past Used Stamps were a large source of income for

Church Missions. Now that stamps are used less and less the is a

need for a new initiative to raise funds. Wouldn't it be great if

every Church Member, Man Women and Child belonged to our

Birthday Missions Group!

New Church Office Hours Are now 9am—2pm Monday to Friday

All more time to get your Communique

contributions in!

MONTHLY SOUP & BREAD LUNCH GREAT NEWS.

The Women's Fellowship Group is start-

ing SOUP and BREAD LUNCH following

Communion each month beginning on

Sunday August 2nd.

This will be a great time for fellowship

and getting to know one another better

A gold coin donation would be appre-

ciated

We look forward to seeing YOU.

HOME COMMUNION

Toy Libraries offer a range of quality toys, puzzles,

games and learning activities for members to hire for

a set period of time. In NZ our toy libraries mainly

cater for children 0-8 years. Many libraries also stock

games, puzzles, sport, musical and other play items

suitable for the entire family. Toy Libraries are run by

a group of volunteers for the benefit of children in

your community. Fees vary from library to library.

5 Good reasons to join a Toy Library:

*Access to quality toys for a minimal annual fee or

weekly hire charge

*Age appropriate toys always available

*An opportunity to meet other families in the com-

munity and network

*Volunteers on hand to help you and your children

*Hiring is a good environmental option, reducing

landfill waste from unwanted toys

There are three levels of membership to suit every-

one, even a casual category for grandparents want-

ing to amuse young visitors.

SUPPORT OUR HALL USERS

A drunk man who smelled like beer sat

down on a subway seat next to a priest. The

man's tie was stained, his face was

plastered with red lipstick, and a half empty

bottle of gin was sticking out of his torn coat

pocket. He opened his newspaper and began

reading.

After a few minutes the man turned to

the priest and asked, "Say, Father, what

causes arthritis?"

"My Son, it's caused by loose living,

being with cheap, wicked women, too much

alcohol, and a contempt for your fellow

man."

Well, I'll be darned," the drunk

muttered, returning to his paper.

The priest, thinking about what he had

said, nudged the man and apologized. "I'm

very sorry. I didn't mean to come on so

strong. How long have you had arthritis?"

"I don't have it, Father. I was just

reading here that the Pope does."

Going over our church finances I found a receipt from a local paint store

signed by someone named Christian. I wasn't aware of anyone buying

paint, so I called the store to point out its mistake.

"I'm sorry," I told the manager, "but there are no Christians here at

First Baptist Church."

Q: What kind of car did the Apostles drive?

A: A Honda, because in the book of Acts it says, “the Apostles were all in

one Accord.”

An atheist scientist came to God and said, "We've figured out how to make

a man without you."

God said, "OK, let me see you do it."

So the atheist bent down to the ground and scooped up a handful. But God

stopped him and said, "Oh, no you don't. Get your own dirt!"

Date Time What Where

Saturday 1st 8am-

11.30am

Monthly Market

Hall complex

Thursday 6th 9.45am Women's Fellowship Gilmour Lounge

Sunday 9th 1.30pm Hosanna Service Salvation Army

Tuesday 11th 1.30pm Women’s Fellowship Wesley Lounge

Tuesday 18th By 2pm Newsletter Material Due Office

Wednesday 19th 7pm Parish Council Gilmour Lounge

Thursday 20th 11.30am Loaves & Fishes Gilmour Lounge

Tuesday 25th 7.30pm Women’s Fellowship Gilmour Lounge

Friday 28th 9am Newsletter Team Gilmour Lounge

AUGUST DOOR DUTY: Janet Brown

Sadie Elphick

Please help make this work! Thank you

Cuppa Time after Worship for August: August 2nd Mary & Lindsay Mackay.

August 9th Ruth Seymour & Betty Burbourgh

August 16th Helen Hutchings & Murray Easton

August 23rd Bet Mills & Heather Haines

Sept 6th Rosemary McKay & Elizabeth Harris

Rummikub reminder. This month on

1st, 15th & 29th August at 1.30pm in the

Gilmour Lounge.

Levin Uniting Parish What’s coming up

LEVIN UNITING PARISH COMMUNIQUE’

August 2015

If you know of someone who is not

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

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP NOTICES FOR AUGUST

It is with the deepest sadness and sorrow that we

announce the passing of our Church member in the

last month: Ted Ayson

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.

Good News stories, celebrations, What’s happen-

ing 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)

Giving last 5 weeks: Budgeted: $980.77 Adults attending

28 June $626.30 56 5 July $761.40 71 12 July $466.20 56

19 July $615.00 63 26 July $475.00 60

Total Budgeted: $4,903.85 Total Received: $2,943.90 under $1,959.95 The budgeted amount was included in this years

budget that you approved at the AGM. The automat-

ic payments & Waitarere Giving 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 6th at 9.45am in

the Gilmour Lounge. Speaker: David Green " A life

Changing Event. Men are always welcome to hear

our speakers.

Afternoon Group: Meets Tuesday 11th at 1.30pm

in the Wesley Lounge

Evening Group: Meet Tuesday 25th at 7.30pm in

the Gilmour Lounge.

Loaves & Fishes Lunch

for August Thursday 20th August at

11.30 for a 12pm start.

Only $8 p/p for a hearty soup

with roll, followed by a pudding. Tea, Coffee and

friendship. Put your name on the clipboard or ring

the office to book. 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 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

Sunday 30th August 2015

Mark in your diary, talk to a friend or a neighbour.

Go to our website and click on “Come” and view a 3 minute video (www.levinuniting.church)

No need to ‘dress up’ we welcome everyone as they

are.

Join us on Face Book: www.facebook.com/ProjectSmileNZ for our daily happiness hab-

its – share with your friends!

Check out our website www.projectsmilenz.com

PROJECT SMILE NZ

Parish Council met with another full Agenda on 15th July under the Chairmanship of Marshal Scott.

Ian Harris (Methodist Synod) and Rev Peter MacKenzie (UCANZ) were in attendance.

Ian outlined his thoughts about Future Ministry of Levin Uniting Church and Peter who has background

of 20 years or so, in Parish Ministry shared around outcomes arising from the Waitarere Commission.

We had also expected Rev Silvia Purdie (Presbytery Moderator) but she was un avoidably detained.

Parish Council considered its usual business including the full years financial report which shows a

$59,995 operational deficit for the preceding twelve month’s. The Churches Annual Accounts and

Reports will be available for the AGM which is to be held after Church on 27 September 2015.

Based on best (Feb 2015) estimates the likely cost of remedial work on St Andrews Church will be in

the vicinity of $110,734 +GST.

It was noted that we have two Parish Councillors Peter Cameron and Manuila Tausi ending their term

but available for re-nomination.

A formal motion was adopted by Council following the Works Committee’s completion of a ‘Land Title

Story’ for the St Johns site in anticipation of due process for its disposal, when agreed by the

Methodist Churches Administration.

Now that we are officially in Vacancy, its considered Elizabeth’s Office hours will increase for the

duration to five a day.

It was pleasing to share the Pulpit schedule which is occupied through till December 13th. when our

Choir will share ‘Lessons in Carols’. Parish Council is thankful to all those who have stepped up to

Minister.

Following Communion with Rev Bob Eyles on 2nd August, we look forward to a visit on 9th from

Turakina Maori Girls who will be hosted to lunch by our Women’s Fellowship. On 16th Peggy Jordain

will minister followed on 23rd by Jan Richmond our Hospital Chaplain. To finish the month of August we

will have an opportunity to invite friends and neighbours to ‘Come-2-Church’ on Sunday 30th .

It was pleasing to learn about Ruth Rushton’s interest in our older folk and the planned trip when its

hoped we will offer an enjoyable leisure Bus excursion to Te Papa, Wellington.

There is an imminent Youth initiative in collaboration with Murray Brown (Youth Enabler) Presbytery

Central. More will be reported as things progress.

Allen Little Parish Clerk

PARISH COUNCIL 15 JULY 2015

Reconciliation ~ A personal reflection Throughout life there are many situations when things need to be put right. A Wellington

businessman used the bi line in his TV advertisements that ”It’s the putting right that counts”…Every day we face trials, tribulations and challenges which require a response.

Ephesians 4:32 (GNT) Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ. A component of the recent Waitarere Commission was that we engage in some meaningful reconciliation…To reconcile is to make right or to harmonize. It involves different parties coming to the same position through change.

As I prepared this reflection a close friend reminded me of Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. (Let us reason together)

Christian reconciliation is the idea of being made right with God. To be right with God we must be right with each other. For us at Levin Uniting we have a challenge and that is how to put things right at Waitarere. Varied backgrounds, natural antagonisms, old grudges, none of it matters to those who have been born again. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" Galatians 3:28. Ephesians 2:14-16 emphasizes the reconciliation that God has established between Jews and Gentiles: "For he himself is our peace... that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."

Jesus said "Blessed are the peacemakers," Matthew 5:9 He made a way to exchange our sinful, broken lives for forgiven, connected lives, replacing enmity with intimacy. God has pur-sued us and sought reconciliation. "He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love" Song of Solomon 2:4.

So how do we take the concept of being reconciled one with another to the next level. I don’t believe its about relitigation of the rights and wrongs of our Waitarere decision making processes. It seems to me we must faithfully engage in communication where we genuinely hear and understand each other. Dialogue needs to happen free from Angst, Hostility or Coercion. We need to strive for a fresh sense of restoration where goodwill once enjoyed, is no longer strained to breaking point. As Parish Clerk I am committed to helping our Parish through this, and I know Presbytery Central with Methodist Synod & UCANZ are there to support us on the pilgrimage. I will keep the church informed as we unravel the reconciliation process and share the journey. As reconciliation involves ‘listening and considering’, the Parish Council Team want to hear your views or insights. As we strive to find a positive way into the future it’s important for us to work together in unity, pursuing the common good as Servants of Christ in this place.

Its not healthy for us to cease speaking with or listening to each other; with communication deemed too awkward. It seems we have become estranged from each other and friendship or harmony needs to be restored. We must strive for Unity and peace in our fellowship because Mark 3:25 says “If a family divides itself into groups which fight each other, that family will fall apart”.

Allen Little Parish Clerk