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    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 26 November 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday we conclude our four-week exploration of the faith practice ‘Welcome Others’. Our Bible reading is Luke 7:36–50. In this encounter, Jesus challenges the ‘othering’ of his day, and this invites us to challenge the ‘othering’ we might do. Peer groups for our young people will start part-way through our worship service. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT… SPECIAL SERVICES FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON You are very welcome to join in these worship services at St John’s Scots Christmas Service, Sunday 26th Nov 4:00pm The story ‘Kiwi Christmas’ by Joy Cowley invites us to recognise the truth of Christmas experienced in our own celebrations, as well as identify further expressions of the themes in the narrative of ‘God with us’. We are pleased to welcome the Scots College community to join us in worship at this special time of year. Please come early to enjoy the pipe band! Fellowship Group Advent Service, Tuesday 28th Nov 11:00am A special new hymn helps us ponder the meaning of how God is ‘constricted into maleness, and of a woman born’. And to honour the role of God’s willing servant Mary: ‘The milk of life is flowing as Mary guides and feeds her wordless Word, embodied in infant joys and needs’. All are welcome to join in this intimate time of worship at the start of Advent. Combined Churches Advent Service, Sunday 3rd Dec 7:00pm Our local tradition is to celebrate our unity at the start of Advent by joining together for combined worship. And this year we are starting a new tradition… Sharing our experiences of each other’s specific denominational practices, and how these shape our spiritual journey. St John’s in the City Presbyterian Church is hosting our annual Combined Advent Service Sunday 3rd December at 7:00pm. What were those stroppy Protestant Reformers so worked up about? Come and join the other congregations and choirs as we anticipate the coming Prince of Peace. CHRISTMAS IN THE COURTYARD We are having Christmas in the Courtyard again this year on Friday 8 December, 5:00-8:00pm. There will be choirs, brass bands, crafts, food and lots of fun. This is an opportunity to share the joy of Christmas with our city neighbourhood! There are many ways you can play a part – please contact Rob Anderson. You can help publicise Christmas in the Courtyard by pinning the Facebook Event by pinning to the top of the posts on your Facebook page: Login to Facebook and go to your Facebook Page. Find the Christmas in the Courtyard event on the St John’s in the City page, indicate you are interested then going ( if you haven’t already). Click on the blue arrow ( share arrow) and select ‘Share to feed’ and click on Share at the bottom after you’ve added a message if you want to (e.g. “Looking forward to this event! Come and help support DCM as well as enjoy some Christmas fare.”) Go back to your home page, click on your name so you are on your own page, and go to the Christmas in the Courtyard post on your page. Click on the “more” icon (the three dots) in the upper-right of the post. Select “Pin to Top of Page.” The event post will move to the top of your Page and stay there ahead of other posts. CHRISTMAS STAR BOXES Yes, it’s that time again. We have four boxes to fill with gifts, unwrapped, for children in the Wellington area. Wellington City Mission will be distributing them again and we are invited to give new gifts that will delight children who perhaps will not be receiving very much. We have THREE Sundays in which to fill these boxes so don’t delay. Fill ‘em up! Thank you in advance. Any inquiries, contact Lesley Shaw. LAST WEEK’S FOODBANK APPEAL Thank you for all who helped with the DCM Foodbank Appeal last Saturday. It was another big success, with 69 boxes of stock taken and approx $1500 in donations. DCM does things differently with the Foodbank – they have genuine conversations with everyone asking for assistance so they can discover the underlying reasons that have brought them to the Foodbank. And hopefully, with support, these recipients won’t have to keep returning to the Foodbank, but can go on to be housed, connected, valued and thriving in their own communities. Those who use DCM services are under more pressure than ever amidst the cost of living crisis – especially as the busy summer period approaches. Thank you for supporting them at the Foodbank Appeal, and giving regularly to our foodbank basket as part of our Offering every Sunday. OUTCOMES OF AGM LAST MONTH We appreciate one another as we contribute our time, expertise, and energy to achieve our Church mission. • We are challenged to build up our Church and reach out to our neighbours and community to share God’s love to others. • We have budgeted for an overall increase in congregational giving of 10% for the coming year, and asked to discern God’s guidance for our personal/household giving. • The cost of insurance has become unaffordable and unsustainable. More information is being sought from experts, including the Property Trustees of the National Church, and we will need to consider options including self-insurance. May the Love of Christ expand our hearts to welcome others. Allister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 19 November 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday we continue our four-week exploration of the faith practice ‘Welcome Others’. Our Bible reading is Luke 10:38–42. How do we see Jesus recognise what is ‘good’ and what is ‘great’? There are peer groups for our young people that will start part-way through our worship service. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT… CHURCH LIFE SURVEY Dr Margaret Galt will be facilitating a Congregational Forum on the findings from the Church Life Survey – examining and discussing the results for St John’s and for the wider Christian Church in Aotearoa New Zealand. In the St John’s Centre after the service this Sunday (19th November). OUTCOMES OF AGM LAST MONTH • We appreciate one another as we contribute our time, expertise, and energy to achieve our Church mission. • We are challenged to build up our Church and reach out to our neighbours and community to share God’s love to others. • We have budgeted for an overall increase in congregational giving of 10% for the coming year, and asked to discern God’s guidance for our personal/household giving. • The cost of insurance has become unaffordable and unsustainable. More information is being sought from experts, including the Property Trustees of the National Church, and we will need to consider options including self-insurance. CHRISTMAS IN THE COURTYARD We are having Christmas in the Courtyard again this year on Friday 8 December, 5:00-8:00pm. There will be choirs, brass bands, crafts, food and lots of fun. This is an opportunity to share the joy of Christmas with our city neighbourhood! If you can contribute in any way, please contact Rob Anderson. SPECIAL SERVICES FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON You are very welcome to join in these worship services at St John’s… Scots Christmas Service, Sunday 26th Nov 4:00pm Fellowship Group Advent Service, Tuesday 28th Nov 11:00am Combined Churches Advent Service, Sunday 3rd Dec 7:00pm CAROLS IN PARLIAMENT This is a wonderful celebration of ‘the reason for the season’, with a range of people from various Christian churches & cultures participating. Dignitaries from foreign embassies, government MPs, city councillors, along with leaders and people from city-wide Churches, schools and community groups, come together on Sunday 10 December at 7pm to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Please note that RSVP is essential for security reasons, by 1 December email: carolsparliament@gmail.com May the Love of Christ expand our hearts to welcome others. Allister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 12 November 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday we continue our four-week exploration of the faith practice ‘Welcome Others’. We will celebrate the holy meal of Communion this Sunday. Peer groups for our young people and their leaders will start in the Centre at 10:00am, and they will then join in for Communion in the second part of the service. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT… LAST WHĀNAU NIGHT FOR 2023 Come and join us for board games and a BBQ! Our last Whānau Night for the year is this Sunday. We're excited to share a relaxed and fun evening. Sunday 12th November, 5:00 - 6:30pm in the St John's Centre. What board game will you be bringing? HELP THE DCM FOODBANK Volunteers are required for the DCM Foodbank Appeal at Chaffers St New World on Saturday 18th of November from 9:30am until 1:30pm, two people per hour are required. Can you help serve the most needful in our city? Please see Carolyn Goudswaard CHURCH LIFE SURVEY Dr Margaret Galt will be facilitating a Congregational Forum on the findings from the Church Life Survey – examining and discussing the results for St John’s and for the wider Christian Church in Aotearoa New Zealand. In the St John’s Centre after the service on Sunday 19th November. (NB: this forum has been delayed one week from previous notices) OUTCOMES OF AGM LAST MONTH • We appreciate one another as we contribute our time, expertise, and energy to achieve our Church mission. • We are challenged to build up our Church and reach out to our neighbours and community to share God’s love to others. • We have budgeted for an overall increase in congregational giving of 10% for the coming year, and asked to discern God’s guidance for our personal/household giving. • The cost of insurance has become unaffordable and unsustainable. More information is being sought from experts, including the Property Trustees of the National Church, and we will need to consider options including self- insurance. EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY EFM is a four year study programme, in which participants only sign up for a year at a time. Each year level focusses on a different topic: Year 1 The Hebrew Bible, Year 2 The New Testament, Year 3 Christian History Year 4 Theology, Ethics and Inter-Faith Encounter. In addition, each year there is a theme and these cycle throughout any four year period, exploring living faithfully as Christians. CHRISTMAS IN THE COURTYARD We are having Christmas in the Courtyard again this year on Friday 8 December, 5:00-8:00pm. This is an opportunity to share the joy of Christmas with our city neighbourhood. If you can contribute in any way, please contact Rob Anderson. May the Love of Christ expand our hearts to welcome others. Allister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 5 November 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday we remain together for a service that is fully intergenerational (All Age), as we start our four-week exploration of the faith practice ‘Welcome Others’. We will meet in the Church as usual, and for this special service we will all be given a designated group to sit with. Do you know a word/phrase of welcome in another language? Near the start of the service anyone is invited to share a welcome in another language. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT… MARGARET HUNT On Monday this week Margaret Hunt passed away at Village at the Park. We remember the many years of Margaret’s rich life, her love for others, her choral voice, and her committed service to church and community. And we pray that God will comfort Dayle and Rob, and the whole family. Margaret’s funeral is at St John’s in the City on Friday 3rd November at 11am. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe. (Psalm 4:8) QUIZ NIGHT Keen to be part of a fun, all age night out at St John's? Come and join the youth group intergenerational quiz night on Friday 3 November, 6:30-8:30pm. CHURCH LIFE SURVEY Dr Margaret Galt will be facilitating a Congregational Forum on the findings from the Church Life Survey – examining and discussing the results for St John’s and for the wider Christian Church in Aotearoa New Zealand. In the St John’s Centre after the service on Sunday 12th November. LAST WHĀNAU NIGHT FOR 2023 Come and join us for board games and a BBQ! Our last Whānau Night for the year is coming up fast. We're excited to share a relaxed and fun evening. Sunday 12th November, 5:00 - 6:30pm in the St John's Centre. What board game will you be bringing? HELP THE DCM FOODBANK Volunteers are required for the DCM Foodbank Appeal at Chaffers New World on Saturday 18th of November from 9:30am until 1:30pm, two people per hour are required. Can you help? See Carolyn Goudswaard CHRISTMAS IN THE COURTYARD We are having Christmas in the Courtyard again this year on Friday 8 December. If you can contribute in any way, please contact Rob Anderson. DUTY ROSTER HELP! None of our regular duty convenors are available for duty on December 24 and 25. If anyone can help with this duty please contact Linda Van Milligan. May the Love of Christ expand our hearts to welcome others. Allister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 29 October 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday is the Rugby World Cup Final, which leads many to prayer for God’s provision! The outcome of the game may lead you to prayers of thanksgiving …or lament – either way we will gather for worship at 10am as usual. After a month away on holiday, I look forward to being back with you as we gather for worship together on Sunday. The service will be shortened to accommodate our Annual General Meeting straight after the Benediction. We value your participation in this important time of collective reflecting, discerning, planning and decision-making. There will be peer groups as usual, with our young people going next door part-way through the service. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT… HERITAGE WEEK During Wellington’s Heritage week, the church will be open 11am to 5pm. October 23 (Labour Day), Friday October 27 and Saturday October 28. An exhibition of quilts from the Wellington Quilters’ Guild will be on display in the Church. https://wellingtonheritagefestival.co.nz/event/st-johns-in-the-city-open-day-and-quilting-display/ ST JOHN’S ANNUAL REPORT & AGM The Annual Report of St John’s in the City for the year ended June 2023 is available on the St John’s website, this also includes the Annual Financial Reports: https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/publications-and-archive A limited number of printed copies of the Annual Report are now available. The Annual General Meeting is after the Sunday morning service on the 29th October 2023 in the church. RUGBY FINAL BEACH CLEAN UP After the St John’s AGM we are heading to Lyall bay to do a beach clean up. Finishing with a Barbeque at Hannah’s. Meeting at the playground at the end of Onepu Road on the beach. Sunday 29th October, 1pm-ish. QUIZ NIGHT Keen to be part of a fun, all age night out at St John's? Come and join the youth group intergenerational quiz night on Friday 3 November, 6:30-8:30pm. CONCERT Voices in the Wind present their Sounds of Africa concerts: 7.30pm Wednesday 25 October at St Barnabas Church, Mana 7.30pm Friday 27 October at St Ninian’s, Karori 3pm Sunday 29 October at Khandallah Town Hall. Tickets are $20/$15 available at the door or trybooking.co.nz CHRISTMAS IN THE COURTYARD We are having Christmas in the Courtyard again this year on Friday 8 December. If you can contribute in any way, please contact Rob Anderson. DUTY ROSTER HELP! None of our regular duty convenors are available for duty on December 24 and 25. If anyone can help with this duty please contact Linda Van Milligan. May the Love of Christ change our hearts each day. Allister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 22 October 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This weekend we meet together as usual on Sunday to worship at 10am. If you want to read the Bible readings before Sunday, they are: Exodus 33:12-23 Matthew 22:15-22 Our young people have their peer group time during the second part of the service, going out after the Sung Blessing. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT… WELLINGTON HERITAGE WEEK During Wellington’s Heritage week, the church will be open 11am to 5pm. October 23 (Labour Day) October 27 October 28 An exhibition of quilts from the Wellington Quilters’ Guild will be on display in the Church. https://wellingtonheritagefestival.co.nz/event/st-johns-in-the-city-open-day-and-quilting-display/ FELLOWSHIP GROUP Our next meeting comes right after Labour Weekend on Tuesday 24th October 2023 at 11am in the Hall. Our speaker is Eldred Gilbert, an Elder in our Church. Her theme? Caring for yourself and others in the disastrous world – the Hummingly way. Intrigued? Be there! ST JOHN’S ANNUAL REPORT & AGM The Annual Report of St John’s in the City for the year ended June 2023 is available on the St John’s website, this also includes the Annual Financial Reports: https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/publications-and-archive A limited number of printed copies of the Annual Report are now available. The Annual General Meeting is after the Sunday morning service on the 29th October 2023 in the church. CONCERT Voices in the Wind present their Sounds of Africa concerts 7.30 pm Wednesday 25 October at St Barnabas Church, Mana, 7.30 pm Friday 27 October at St Ninian’s, Karori and 3 pm Sunday 29 October at Khandallah Town Hall. Tickets are $20/$15 available at the door or trybooking.co.nz BEACH CLEAN UP YOUTH DISCUSSION QUIZ NIGHT Keen to be part of a fun, all age night out at St John's? Come and join the youth group intergenerational quiz night on Friday 3 November, 6:30-8:30pm. See you there. CHRISTMAS IN THE COURTYARD We are having Christmas in the Courtyard again this year on Friday 8 December. If you can contribute in any way, please contact Rob Anderson. YOUNG ADULTS GROUP A weekly group for university students and young professionals to meet and study the Bible together, with occasional social events. When: 6:00 – 7:15 pm on Thursdays Where: St John’s Office Contact Hannah North: h.north@stjohnsinthecity.org.nz The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 15 October 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday is CLUBS DAY at St John’s in the City! This is a fun opportunity allowing us all to find out about activities across St John’s, and get more involved! If you want to read the Bible readings before Sunday, they are: Exodus 32:1-14 Matthew 22:1-14 Our young people have their peer group time during the second part of the service, going out after the Sung Blessing. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT… ST JOHN’S ANNUAL REPORT & AGM The Annual Report of St John’s in the City for the year ended June 2023 is available on the St John’s website: https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/publications-and-archive A limited number of printed copies of the Annual Report will be available closer to the time of the Annual General Meeting, which is after the Sunday morning service on the 29th October 2023 in the church. YOUNG ADULTS GROUP A weekly group for university students and young professionals to meet and study the Bible together, with occasional social events. When: 6:00 – 7:15 pm on Thursdays Where: St John’s Office Contact Hannah North: h.north@stjohnsinthecity.org.nz DUTY ROSTERS It’s time to complete the rosters for Nov-Feb. Please let Linda know your availability for this session. New people, especially bell ringers are most welcome. WELLINGTON HERITAGE WEEK During Wellington’s Heritage week, the church will be open 11am to 5pm. October 23 (Labour Day) October 27 October 28 An exhibition of quilts from the Wellington Quilters’ Guild will be on display in the Church. Volunteers are required to welcome and show visitors around. If you are able to assist, please contact Rob Anderson. https://wellingtonheritagefestival.co.nz/event/st-johns-in-the-city-open-day-and-quilting-display/ CHRISTMAS IN THE COURTYARD We are having Christmas in the Courtyard again this year on Friday 8 December. If you can contribute in any way, please contact Rob Anderson. The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 8 October 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday we celebrate Communion. If you want to read the Bible readings before Sunday, they are: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 Matthew 21:33-46 For our young people there will be a combined holiday programme, starting part-way through the service. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT… CLUBS DAY Clubs Day is next Sunday – 15th October. This is a fun opportunity allowing us all to find out about activities across St John’s, and get more involved! ST JOHN’S ANNUAL REPORT & AGM The Annual Report of St John’s in the City for the year ended June 2023 is available on the St John’s website: https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/publications-and-archive A limited number of printed copies of the Annual Report will be available closer to the time of the Annual General Meeting, which is after the Sunday morning service on the 29th October 2023 in the church. YOUNG ADULTS GROUP A weekly group for university students and young professionals to meet and study the Bible together, with occasional social events. When: 6:00 – 7:15 pm on Thursdays Where: St John’s Office Contact Hannah North: h.north@stjohnsinthecity.org.nz DUTY ROSTERS It’s time to start the rosters for Nov-Feb. Please let Linda know your availability for this session. New people, especially bell ringers are most welcome. WELLINGTON HERITAGE WEEK During Wellington’s Heritage week, the church will be open 11am to 5pm. October 23 (Labour Day) October 27 October 28 An exhibition of quilts from the Wellington Quilters’ Guild will be on display in the Church. Volunteers are required to welcome and show visitors around. If you are able to assist, please contact Rob Anderson. https://wellingtonheritagefestival.co.nz/event/st-johns-in-the-city-open-day-and-quilting-display/ CHRISTMAS IN THE COURTYARD We are having Christmas in the Courtyard again this year on Friday 8 December. If you can contribute in any way, please contact Rob Anderson. The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 1 October 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This weekend we meet together as usual on Sunday, to worship at 10am. If you want to read the Bible readings before Sunday, they are: Exodus 17:1-17 Matthew 21:23-32 For our young people there will be a combined holiday programme, starting part-way through the service. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... APPLICATIONS CLOSING SOON Can you pass on the opportunity for an organisation to apply for funds from our St John’s Edward Carter memorial special assistance fund? The purpose of this fund is to assist people who need a second chance or a new start. Projects may be for local community or communities in the greater Wellington area or national in scope. We welcome grant applications for up to $5,000 to fund projects which align with the grant’s remit. Applications are needed before the 30th September. To apply or find more details, please see the ‘Grants’ page on the St John’s website. https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/grants PUBLIC THEOLOGY The Interchurch Bioethics Council is holding a public lecture with Jonathan Boston on Friday Oct 6th, on 'Keeping Hope Alive in Challenging Times - Confronting the Climate Crisis' CLUBS DAY Mark your calendar for the new date for Clubs Day – 15th October. ST JOHN’S ANNUAL REPORT & AGM The Annual Report of St John’s in the City for the year ended June 2023 is available on the St John’s website: https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/publications-and-archive A limited number of printed copies of the Annual Report will be available closer to the time of the Annual General Meeting, which is after the Sunday morning service on the 29th October 2023 in the church. YOUNG ADULTS GROUP A weekly group for university students and young professionals to meet and study the Bible together, with occasional social events. When: 6:00 – 7:15 pm on Thursdays Where: St John’s Office Contact Hannah North: h.north@stjohnsinthecity.org.nz DUTY ROSTERS It’s time to start the rosters for Nov-Feb. Please let Linda know your availability for this session. New people, especially bell ringers are most welcome. WELLINGTON HERITAGE WEEK During Wellington’s Heritage week, the church will be open 11am to 5pm. October 23 (Labour Day) October 27 October 28 An exhibition of quilts from the Wellington Quilters’ Guild will be on display in the Church. Volunteers are required to welcome and show visitors around. If you are able to assist, please contact Rob Anderson. https://wellingtonheritagefestival.co.nz/event/st-johns-in-the-city-open-day-and-quilting-display/ CHRISTMAS IN THE COURTYARD We are having Christmas in the Courtyard again this year on Friday 8 December. If you can contribute in any way, please contact Rob Anderson. PUBLIC HEALTH With some positive cases of Covid in the community, you are encouraged to follow the usual health precautions: stay home if you are sick, wear a mask, wash hands. The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 24 September 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday is the start of Daylight Saving. Don't forget to put your clocks forward one hour. If you want to read the Bible readings before Sunday, they are: Exodus 16:2-15 Matthew 20:1-16 Our young people have their peer group time during the second part of the service, going out after the Sung Blessing. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... FELLOWSHIP GROUP Artificial Intelligence (AI) – what is it? What does it do? What are the ethical and moral questions arising from it? Our very own Neil Dodgson will share with us his reflections at the next Fellowship Group meeting on Tuesday 26th September 2023, 11am in the St John’s Centre. APPLICATIONS OPEN Can you pass on the opportunity for an organisation to apply for funds from our St John’s Edward Carter memorial special assistance fund? The purpose of this fund is to assist people who need a second chance or a new start. Projects may be for local community or communities in the greater Wellington area or national in scope. We welcome grant applications for up to $5,000 to fund projects which align with the grant’s remit. Applications are needed before the 30th September. To apply or find more details, please see the ‘Grants’ page on the St John’s website. https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/grants PUBLIC THEOLOGY The Interchurch Bioethics Council is holding a public lecture with Jonathan Boston on Friday Oct 6th, on 'Keeping Hope Alive in Challenging Times - Confronting the Climate Crisis' GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2023 The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, is in Auckland from 27th September to 1st October. This is a gathering of commissioners from across our national Church that is held every two years. More information is available, along with updates, here: https://ga2023.nz/assembly-updates/ ST JOHN’S ANNUAL REPORT & AGM The Annual Report of St John’s in the City for the year ended June 2023 is available on the St John’s website: https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/publications-and-archive A limited number of printed copies of the Annual Report will be available closer to the time of the Annual General Meeting, which is after the Sunday morning service on the 29th October 2023 in the church. CLUBS DAY Mark your calendar for the new date for Clubs Day – 15th October. DUTY ROSTERS It’s time to start the rosters for Nov-Feb. Please let Linda know your availability for this session. New people, especially bell ringers are most welcome. PUBLIC HEALTH With some positive cases of Covid in the community, you are encouraged to follow the usual health precautions: stay home if you are sick, wear a mask, wash hands. The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 17 September 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday is CLUBS DAY at St John’s in the City! We are dedicating this Sunday to profile the various groups and committees that get stuff done for the mission of St John’s – this will be a celebration of our life as a church as part of our morning service – with time in the Church building and time in the Centre. This is a fun opportunity allowing us all to find out about activities across St John’s, and get more involved! There are displays, food, spot prizes, activities and a burning bush! There are no peer groups this Sunday, as we will all do this special Sunday together. We also celebrate with Lucas and Maya the Confirmation of their Baptisms. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... RACHEL TURNER DOWN UNDER The New Zealand Children’s Ministry Network is delighted to host parenting author and speaker, Rachel Turner who has a heart for family discipleship and supporting parents. Book your tickets for this unique opportunity to hear from Rachel on her first visit to NZ. 17 September - ‘Parenting for Faith’, St John’s Johnsonville, Wellington. 7-9pm, $15. Register at https://bit.ly/rtparentingforfaith FELLOWSHIP GROUP Artificial Intelligence (AI) – what is it? What does it do? What are the ethical and moral questions arising from it? Our very own Neil Dodgson will share with us his reflections at the next Fellowship Group meeting on Tuesday 26th September 2023, 11am in the St John’s Centre. APPLICATIONS OPEN Can you pass on the opportunity for an organisation to apply for funds from our St John’s Edward Carter memorial special assistance fund? The purpose of this fund is to assist people who need a second chance or a new start. Projects may be for local community or communities in the greater Wellington area or national in scope. We welcome grant applications for up to $5,000 to fund projects which align with the grant’s remit. Applications are needed before the 30th September. To apply or find more details, please see the ‘Grants’ page on the St John’s website. https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/grants LIVING ETHICALLY- GENERAL ELECTION PUBLIC THEOLOGY The Interchurch Bioethics Council is holding a public lecture with Jonathan Boston on Friday Oct 6th, on 'Keeping Hope Alive in Challenging Times - Confronting the Climate Crisis' GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2023 The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, is in Auckland from 27th September to 1st October. This is a gathering of commissioners from across our national Church that is held every two years. More information is available, along with updates, here: https://ga2023.nz/assembly-updates/ ST JOHN’S AGM The Annual General Meeting for St John’s in the City will be after the Sunday service on 29th October 2023. The Annual Report, Financial Statements and meeting papers will be available in the weeks prior. PUBLIC HEALTH With some positive cases of Covid in the community, you are encouraged to follow the usual health precautions: stay home if you are sick, wear a mask, wash hands. May the Light of the World shine brilliantly in your lives. Allister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 10 September 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday we celebrate Communion, and we will ask: Are the bread and cup of Communion symbols, or something more? Peer groups will be happening on Sunday, starting in the Centre at 10:00am, and young people and leaders will then join in for Communion in the second part of the service. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... WHANAU NIGHT The next Whānau Night will be on Sunday 10th September in the St John's Centre. For this we'll be focusing on compassion. Hope to see you there! CLUBS DAY We are dedicating a day to profile the various groups and committees that get stuff done for the mission of St John’s – this will be a celebration of our life as a church as part of our morning service on Sunday 17th September. This is a fun opportunity allowing us all to find out about activities across St John’s, and get more involved! If you haven’t already been approached to promote your group, please contact Benji Galt or the St John’s Office. THEOLOGY AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT The Theology Programme at University of Otago are offering a short course Theology And The Built Environment: Exploring the Connections Between Christian Faith and Architecture Presented by theologian and former architect, Professor Murray Rae. Friday, September 8th (7.00pm-9.00pm) and Saturday, September 9th (9.30am-12.30pm) at Wellington Central Baptist Church Course Cost: $20.00 (including GST) Register here: https://corpapp.otago.ac.nz/training/ce/course/26914/course/0/ APPLICATIONS OPEN Can you pass on the opportunity for an organisation to apply for funds from our St John’s Edward Carter memorial special assistance fund? The purpose of this fund is to assist people who need a second chance or a new start. Projects may be for local community or communities in the greater Wellington area or national in scope. We welcome grant applications for up to $5,000 to fund projects which align with the grant’s remit. Applications are needed before the 30th September. To apply or find more details, please see the ‘Grants’ page on the St John’s website. https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/grants RACHEL TURNER DOWN UNDER The New Zealand Children’s Ministry Network is delighted to host parenting author and speaker, Rachel Turner who has a heart for family discipleship and supporting parents. Book your tickets for this unique opportunity to hear from Rachel on her first visit to NZ. 17 September - ‘Parenting for Faith’, St John’s Johnsonville, Wellington. 7-9pm, $15. Register at https://bit.ly/rtparentingforfaith GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2023 The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, is in Auckland from 27th September to 1st October. This is a gathering of commissioners from across our national Church that is held every two years. The General Assembly website ga2023.nz has information on the venue, registration costs, accommodation, FAQs, and much more. It’s being updated regularly with further information about the programme, and events during Assembly. Not attending assembly? Get the daily email update, with a summary of key decisions, plus links to video of the business sessions for full context, plus other video and events including the installation of the new Moderator. Sign up to receive this on the PCANZ website. May the Light of the World shine brilliantly in your lives. Allister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 3 September 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, The Gospel message bumps uncomfortably up against aspects of our culture, and our focus on the scripture this Sunday is a challenge for whether we will do something other than just ‘go with the flow’. If you’re interested in pre-reading, the scripture passage is Matthew 16:21-28. After our usual Morning Tea on Sunday, Benjamin Carter will play a short informal piano concert in the church. All are welcome to come and listen to some of the repertoire he will be playing when he goes to China later this week, for the Zhuhai International Mozart Competition. Stay for one piece, or more, as you like. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... CHURCH LIFE SURVEY This is like the Census for all churches, every five years offering a snap-shot of the spiritual life of our church, and was conducted last Sunday 27th August. If you did not complete the survey, there will be one more opportunity to do so this Sunday after the service. The surveys will be analysed by the Christian Research Association and findings shared with us all so that together we can plan our way forward as a church. WHANAU NIGHT The next Whānau Night will be on Sunday 10th September in the St John's Centre. For this we'll be focusing on compassion. Hope to see you there! CLUBS DAY We are dedicating a day to profile the various groups and committees that get stuff done for the mission of St John’s – this will be a celebration of our life as a church as part of our morning service on Sunday 17th September. This is a fun opportunity allowing us all to find out about activities across St John’s, and get more involved! If you haven’t already been approached to promote your group, please contact Benji Galt or the St John’s Office. THEOLOGY AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT The Theology Programme at University of Otago are offering a short course Theology And The Built Environment: Exploring the Connections Between Christian Faith and Architecture Presented by theologian and former architect, Professor Murray Rae. Friday, September 8th (7.00pm-9.00pm) and Saturday, September 9th (9.30am-12.30pm) at Wellington Central Baptist Church Course Cost: $20.00 (including GST) Register here: https://corpapp.otago.ac.nz/training/ce/course/26914/course/0/ APPLICATIONS OPEN Can you pass on the opportunity for an organisation to apply for funds from our St John’s Edward Carter memorial special assistance fund? The purpose of this fund is to assist people who need a second chance or a new start. Projects may be for local community or communities in the greater Wellington area or national in scope. We welcome grant applications for up to $5,000 to fund projects which align with the grant’s remit. Applications are needed before the 30th September. To apply or find more details, please see the ‘Grants’ page on the St John’s website. https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/grants FOR FAMILIES LIVING IN THE CITY WITH PRESCHOOLERS 'Kids Connect' is an initiative of The Salvation Army, Cuba Street, in Wellington city, facilitating children enjoying a managed play time, in a beautiful play-space, while the grown-ups enjoy some time-out (or 'me' time). And attendance is free! Thursday each week, from 9.30am to 11.30am at 202 Cuba Street, in Wellington city. For more information email kidsconnect@salvationarmy.org.nz or see the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/1521686638659622 GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2023 The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, is in Auckland from 27th September to 1st October. This is a gathering of commissioners from across our national Church that is held every two years. The General Assembly website ga2023.nz has information on the venue, registration costs, accommodation, FAQs, and much more. It’s being updated regularly with further information about the programme, and events during Assembly. Not attending assembly? Get the daily email update, with a summary of key decisions, plus links to video of the business sessions for full context, plus other video and events including the installation of the new Moderator. Sign up to receive this on the PCANZ website. Teach us by Thy Cross that however ill the world may be, the Father so loved us that He spared not Thee. – Charles Kingsley (1819-1875) Allister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 27 August 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday the preacher’s message is on Hell! If you’re interested in pre-reading, the Bible passage is Matthew 16: 13-20 “…on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.” Our worship service will be tailored to incorporate the Church Life Survey. This is like the Census for all churches, administered by the Christian Research Association of New Zealand every five years offering a snap-shot of the spiritual life of our church. The survey will be conducted during the morning service in peer group time. It will take between 10 and 15 minutes to complete. You are invited to please bring either: Your smart phone – to complete the survey via a QR code, or A pen to fill in the paper forms that will be available If you are not at Church on Sunday and wish to complete the survey let the church office know and they can provide you with a link to the on-line survey, or a copy of the survey which you will need to return to the church office. The surveys will be analysed by the Christian Research Association and findings shared with the congregation so that together we can plan our way forward as a church. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... A big moment for our Church family is the recent death of John Hunt. We thank God for his example of servant-leadership, and pray for God’s comfort for John’s wife Margaret and all of his dear family. John’s funeral is at St John’s in the City Friday 25th August at 2pm. SOUPER SUNDAY You are warmly invited to share in a bowl of hot soup after church THIS SUNDAY. This is our final Souper Sunday for the winter. Just bring a small plate of something sweet to share with your tea or coffee. Come and share in the warm fellowship, we’d love to see you. Ice cream and the large yoghurt containers are useful for leftovers. If you can donate some, please leave these in the Centre kitchen pantry. FLOURISHING FUTURES: THEOLOGICAL CONVERSATIONS This series of public discussions with a panel of experts offering their insights on these issues is organised by the University of Otago. Venue: Wellington Cathedral of Saint Paul, 2 Hill Street. “It’s the End of the World as we Know it”: Climate Crisis and Civilisation Collapse? or A Post-Carbon Sustainable Future? Tuesday August 29th 5.30pm–6.30pm “We don’t need no education?” Education, Citizenship, and the Common Good Tuesday Sept 12th 5.30pm–6.30pm THEOLOGY AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT Last year we hosted the first Faith Thinking event in Wellington – a short course over Friday night and Saturday morning titled Living Faithfully in the Anthropocene: Theological Imagination and Ecological Practices for the Church Next month there is another of these short courses offered by the Theology Programme, University of Otago Theology And The Built Environment: Exploring the Connections Between Christian Faith and Architecture From church architecture to the design of cities, Christian faith and theology has had a profound impact on architecture throughout the world. This short course will explore the nature of that impact and take a visual tour of buildings from Florence to Wellington and beyond. Presented by theologian and former architect, Professor Murray Rae Friday, September 8th (7.00pm-9.00pm) and Saturday, September 9th (9.30am-12.30pm) at Wellington Central Baptist Church Course Cost: $20.00 (including GST) Register here: https://corpapp.otago.ac.nz/training/ce/course/26914/course/0/ WHANAU NIGHT The next Whānau Night will be on Sunday 10th September in the St John's Centre. For this we'll be focusing on compassion. Hope to see you there! APPLICATIONS OPEN Can you pass on the opportunity for an organisation to apply for funds from our St John’s Edward Carter memorial special assistance fund? The purpose of this fund is to assist people who need a second chance or a new start. Projects may be for local community or communities in the greater Wellington area or national in scope. We welcome grant applications for up to $5,000 to fund projects which align with the grant’s remit. Applications are needed before the 30th September. To apply or find more details, please see the ‘Grants’ page on the St John’s website. https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/grants GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2023 Only five weeks now until the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, in Auckland from 27th September to 1st October. This is a gathering of commissioners from across our national Church that is held every two years. The General Assembly website ga2023.nz has information on the venue, registration costs, accommodation, FAQs, and much more. It’s being updated regularly with further information about the programme, and events during Assembly. Not attending assembly? Get the daily email update! We invite you to sign up to receive a daily email with a summary of key decisions, plus links to video of the business sessions for full context, plus other video and events including the installation of the new Moderator. Sign up to receive this on the PCANZ website. The way of Christ is perfect; we can always trust that following our Saviour is good for us. Allister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 20 August 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday we conclude our four-week exploration of the faith practice ‘Following Jesus’. Together as Church whanau we are exploring the ways Jesus calls us to follow him, and discover how this leads us to make disciples… Come And See! Go And Tell! Thank you to all those who brought extra food gifts last week for the DCM Foodbank. We are all encouraged to give food items regularly, along with our financial giving, as part of our discipleship following Jesus. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... FOLLOW ME Over four Sundays, we have been focusing on the faith practice Following Jesus. Each Sunday and other gathering times, we have looked at biblical stories illustrating this practice and how the Christian community has understood this through more than two thousand years. Using this resource together over the same four weeks, has given us opportunities to talk about this and do it together. A final reminder about the resource for Practising the Practice at home, which we strongly encourage you to use with others in your household or networks. Practising the Practice CHURCH LIFE SURVEY On Sunday 27th August in church we will be completing a survey, administered by the Christian Research Association of New Zealand. It is called the Church Life Survey. It is held every five years to all congregations of every denomination with the goal of ‘offering a snap-shot of the spiritual life of your church.’ The survey will be conducted during the morning service in peer group time. It will take between 10 and 15 minutes to complete, and the service will be tailored to enable this. You can complete the survey via a QR code on your smart phone or paper copies and pens will be made available. If you are not at Church on 27th August and wish to complete the survey let the church office know and they can provide you with a link to the on-line survey, or a copy of the survey which you will need to return to the church office. The surveys will be analysed by the Christian Research Association and findings shared with the congregation so that together we can plan our way forward as a church. FLOURISHING FUTURES: THEOLOGICAL CONVERSATIONS This series of public discussions with a panel of experts offering their insights on these issues is organised by the University of Otago. Venue: Wellington Cathedral of Saint Paul, 2 Hill Street. “The Truth will Set us Free?”: Disinformation, Misinformation, Surveillance and Sociality Tuesday August 22nd 5.30pm–6.30pm “It’s the End of the World as we Know it”: Climate Crisis and Civilisation Collapse? or A Post-Carbon Sustainable Future? Tuesday August 29th 5.30pm–6.30pm “We don’t need no education?” Education, Citizenship, and the Common Good Tuesday Sept 12th 5.30pm–6.30pm COMING UP The following events are on the St John’s website (along with lots of other stuff!), and you might want to add them to your own diary… 20th August, 4pm The Scots College Founders Service 27th August Church Life Survey and Souper Sunday 17th September Clubs Day THEOLOGY AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT Last year we hosted the first Faith Thinking event in Wellington – a short course over Friday night and Saturday morning titled Living Faithfully in the Anthropocene: Theological Imagination and Ecological Practices for the Church Next month there is another of these short courses offered by the Theology Programme, University of Otago Theology And The Built Environment: Exploring the Connections Between Christian Faith and Architecture From church architecture to the design of cities, Christian faith and theology has had a profound impact on architecture throughout the world. This short course will explore the nature of that impact and take a visual tour of buildings from Florence to Wellington and beyond. Presented by theologian and former architect, Professor Murray Rae Friday, September 8th (7.00pm-9.00pm) and Saturday, September 9th (9.30am-12.30pm) at Wellington Central Baptist Church Course Cost: $20.00 (including GST) Register here: https://corpapp.otago.ac.nz/training/ce/course/26914/course/0/ WHANAU NIGHT The next Whānau Night will be on Sunday 10th September in the St John's Centre. For this we'll be focusing on compassion. Hope to see you there! APPLICATIONS OPEN Can you pass on the opportunity for an organisation to apply for funds from our St John’s Edward Carter memorial special assistance fund? The purpose of this fund is to assist people who need a second chance or a new start. Projects may be for local community or communities in the greater Wellington area or national in scope. We welcome grant applications for up to $5,000 to fund projects which align with the grant’s remit. Applications are needed before the 30th September. To apply or find more details, please see the ‘Grants’ page on the St John’s website. https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/grants ORGAN CONCERT Dianne Halliday, who occasionally plays at St John’s when Eleanor Carter is away, is giving a concert of organ music from the Jewish liturgical tradition on Monday 21st August, 7:30 PM at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul. The event is co-sponsored by the Wellington Abrahamic Council and the Wellington Organists' Association, and is open to the public for cash donation (no eftpos). GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2023 Only six weeks now until the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, in Auckland from 27th September to 1st October. This is a gathering of commissioners from across our national Church that is held every two years. The General Assembly website ga2023.nz has information on the venue, registration costs, accommodation, FAQs, and much more. It’s being updated regularly with further information about the programme, and events during Assembly. Not attending assembly? Get the daily email update! We invite you to sign up to receive a daily email with a summary of key decisions, plus links to video of the business sessions for full context, plus other video and events including the installation of the new Moderator. Sign up to receive this on the PCANZ website. NEW WINE Each year families from St John’s have gone to the New Wine Festival in January. It is a very uplifting time and a great way to start a new year. Here is a video showing some of the festival highlights: New Wine The way of Christ is perfect; we can always trust that following our Saviour is good for us. Allister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church -13 August 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday we continue our four-week exploration of the faith practice ‘Following Jesus’. We have a special intergenerational service gathering around tables, so please note the worship venue: The St John’s Centre. Go through the courtyard and in through the main doors. Together as Church whanau of all ages we will explore the ways Jesus calls us to follow him, and discover how this leads us to love God and each other more fully. Please bring some extra gifts of food for the DCM Foodbank (see details below). If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... FOLLOW ME Over four Sundays, starting 30th July, we are focusing on the faith practice Following Jesus. We are using a new resource called Follow Me, from the Presbyterian Church in USA. Rather than starting with a Bible story, this resource starts with a faith practice, and explores that biblically, theologically and socially. This allows us to follow the practice for four weeks and reflect more deeply together using resources designed for different ages groups. This means we will all suspend our usual approaches (e.g. following the Lectionary Bible readings) and resources in favour of all exploring this faith practice for four consecutive weeks. We will still have peer group time, as the resource is designed for exploring the same faith practice with the various age groups. We will look at biblical stories illustrating this practice and how the Christian community has understood this through more than two thousand years. We will use this resource each week with our Sunday services, St J’s Kids and Youth Group peer groups, and an intergenerational event. We will be encouraging one another to activate this practice – both individually and in community. By using this resource to all explore a faith practice together over the same four weeks, we will look forward to opportunities to talk about this and do it together. We also have a resource for Practising the Practice at home, and we strongly encourage you to use this with others in your household or networks. Practising the Practice FOOD DRIVE FOR DCM FOODBANK As part of discovering how we can practice Following Jesus we are taking action to love our neighbour. And we treasure those partnerships we have to serve those with the most needs around us in our city. We're encouraging everyone to bring some extra non-perishable food for DCM this Sunday – which will be taken straight to DCM at the end of the service by a representative group. MUSOS LUNCH This Sunday all musicians are asked to attend a lunch about our St John’s music ministry. Rev David Dell will be facilitating a discussion about the contributions the team makes, as we foster our shared aims and expectations. Please meet in the McKenzie Room after Morning Tea. The lunch is provided. FLOURISHING FUTURES: THEOLOGICAL CONVERSATIONS Many of the established realities our society has been built upon are being destabilised. We live in a moment in which the prevailing way of life faces significant challenges: the growing reality of climate change and ecological degradation; the emergence of new digital technologies and their potential positive and negative effects; increasing living-costs and housing shortages; threats to the quality of education. What is the nature of these challenges we face – their origins? their potential impact on society? How might the richness of faith, cultural, and philosophical traditions deepen our depth of analysis and understanding of these challenges and potentially guide how we respond? “The Truth will Set us Free?”: Disinformation, Misinformation, Surveillance and Sociality Tuesday August 22nd 5.30pm–6.30pm “It’s the End of the World as we Know it”: Climate Crisis and Civilisation Collapse? or A Post-Carbon Sustainable Future? Tuesday August 29th 5.30pm–6.30pm “We don’t need no education?” Education, Citizenship, and the Common Good Tuesday Sept 12th 5.30pm–6.30pm This series of public discussions with a panel of experts offering their insights on these issues is organised by the University of Otago. Venue: Wellington Cathedral of Saint Paul, 2 Hill Street. COMING UP The following events are on the St John’s website (along with lots of other stuff!), and you might want to add them to your own diary… 20th August, 4pm The Scots College Founders Service. 27th August, 10am Church Life Survey 27th August, 11:30am Souper Sunday 17th September, 10am Clubs Day WHANAU NIGHT The next Whānau Night will be on Sunday 10th September in the St John's Centre. For this we'll be focusing on compassion. Hope to see you there! APPLICATIONS OPEN Can you pass on the opportunity for an organisation to apply for funds from our St John’s Edward Carter memorial special assistance fund? The purpose of this fund is to assist people who need a second chance or a new start. Projects may be for local community or communities in the greater Wellington area or national in scope. We welcome grant applications for up to $5,000 to fund projects which align with the grant’s remit. Applications are needed before the 30th September. To apply or find more details, please see the ‘Grants’ page on the St John’s website. https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/grants NEW WINE Each year families from St John’s have gone to the New Wine Festival in January. It is a very uplifting time and a great way to start a new year. Here is a video showing some of the festival highlights: New Wine The way of Christ is perfect; we can always trust that walking with our Saviour is good for us. Allister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church -6 August 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday we continue our four-week exploration of the faith practice ‘Following Jesus’. What does it mean to live this biblical faith practice every day? We will be using special resources to consider this together, sharing the insights from all ages and stages of our St John’s whanau. Much of our regular rhythms will continue, with the usual peer group times for our young people, starting part-way through the service. We can all talk together at Morning Tea about what following Jesus means! If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... FOLLOW ME Over four Sundays, starting 30th July, we are focusing on the faith practice Following Jesus. We are using a new resource called Follow Me, from the Presbyterian Church in USA. Rather than starting with a Bible story, this resource starts with a faith practice, and explores that biblically, theologically and socially. This allows us to follow the practice for four weeks and reflect more deeply together using resources designed for different ages groups. This means we will all suspend our usual approaches (e.g. following the Lectionary Bible readings) and resources in favour of all exploring this faith practice for four consecutive weeks. We will still have peer group time, as the resource is designed for exploring the same faith practice with the various age groups. We will look at biblical stories illustrating this practice and how the Christian community has understood this through more than two thousand years. We will use this resource each week with our Sunday services, St J’s Kids and Youth Group peer groups, and an intergenerational event. We will be encouraging one another to activate this practice – both individually and in community. By using this resource to all explore a faith practice together over the same four weeks, we will look forward to opportunities to talk about this and do it together. We also have a resource for Practising the Practice at home, and we strongly encourage you to use this with others in your household or networks. Practising the Practice SERMON ABOUT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) We recently sought to bring some clarity to what AI is (and isn’t), and consider what it might mean for our future. To help us, I interviewed a Professor of Computer Graphics, Neil Dodgson, as we assessed together this latest technology with the resources of faith that guide us in what it is to be human. You can read the notes of this Sermon here: Sermon Transcript You can watch the video of the Sermon here: Sermon Video Food Drive for DCM Foodbank For our service on August the 13th we will be doing a food drive for the DCM Foodbank. As part of our new 4 week focus on Follow Jesus we will be looking at loving our neighbour and this will be a practical outworking of how we can love our neighbours in need around us. We're encouraging everyone to bring in non-perishable food for DCM. FLOURISHING FUTURES: THEOLOGICAL CONVERSATIONS Many of the established realities our society has been built upon are being destabilised. We live in a moment in which the prevailing way of life faces significant challenges: the growing reality of climate change and ecological degradation; the emergence of new digital technologies and their potential positive and negative effects; increasing living-costs and housing shortages; threats to the quality of education. What is the nature of these challenges we face – their origins? their potential impact on society? How might the richness of faith, cultural, and philosophical traditions deepen our depth of analysis and understanding of these challenges and potentially guide how we respond? “The Truth will Set us Free?”: Disinformation, Misinformation, Surveillance and Sociality Tuesday August 22nd 5.30pm–6.30pm “It’s the End of the World as we Know it”: Climate Crisis and Civilisation Collapse? or A Post-Carbon Sustainable Future? Tuesday August 29th 5.30pm–6.30pm “We don’t need no education?” Education, Citizenship, and the Common Good Tuesday Sept 12th 5.30pm–6.30pm This series of public discussions with a panel of experts offering their insights on these issues is organised by the University of Otago. Venue: Wellington Cathedral of Saint Paul, 2 Hill Street. APPLICATIONS OPEN Can you pass on the opportunity for an organisation to apply for funds from our St John’s Edward Carter memorial special assistance fund? The purpose of this fund is to assist people who need a second chance or a new start. Projects may be for local community or communities in the greater Wellington area or national in scope. We welcome grant applications for up to $5,000 to fund projects which align with the grant’s remit. Applications are needed before the 30th September. To apply or find more details, please see the ‘Grants’ page on the St John’s website. https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/grants NEW WINE Each year families from St John’s have gone to the New Wine Festival in January. It is a very uplifting time and a great way to start a new year. Here is a video showing some of the festival highlights: New Wine The way of Christ is perfect; we can always trust that walking with our Saviour is good for us. Allister

    • St Johns messenger - July 2023
      • As part of our life as a Church whanau, we have mid-week home groups that meet to study the Bible and pray together – sharing life experiences and encouraging one another in the journey of faith. Many find these groups to be vital in sustaining an active faith, and as you read the updates from these groups, I’d encourage you to consider getting involved in one of them – or even starting up a new group! We have lots of terrific resources to encourage study and discussion. We also celebrate some highlights from this first part of the year; occasions that express the Vision God is leading us in. We explore and share the gospel with our dynamic neighbourhood. We create safe spaces to be, to belong, and to navigate the tough stuff. Getting to know God is a team sport – that’s why we do this together, not alone. There is a lot for us to give thanks for, and I pray that we will be inspired to continue to intentionally seek to deepen our faith and courageously live it out. God has given us one another to do this together! Allister Lane How are our Home Groups going? Monday Night House Group The Monday night house group meets weekly at the Galt home in Karori. Some members have been part of this group for nearly forty years, but new people are always welcome. We start at 7.30 with prayer and Bible study and finish with supper at 9 pm. We have from 6 to 10 people in person and regularly 3 or 4 members by Zoom (in the past, we have had Oliver zooming from Taiwan). Members take it in turn to lead the study. We use a variety of study books. We began the year finishing our study on Ezra and Nehemiah and have also been looking at prayers in the New Testament and New Testament characters. We start the year in February with a barbecue and finish the year with a Christmas dinner in early December. We have also had special evenings with A and J when they have been in the country. Pastoral care is an important aspect of our group, as we share joys and struggles. We always finish with a time of prayer concerns. This has been a strength of the group throughout the years. Anyone interested in joining us can speak to Linda or David and Margaret Galt. The Thursday Night House Group Every other Thursday a group of ten or so people gather at someone’s house in suburban Wellington. The next couple of hours follows a pattern, essentially not too dissimilar to the one practiced by the early church of, ‘teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer.’ Following a quick catch up and welcome we invariably begin with an opening prayer, followed by a study, then a time of prayer and supper. Supper is an important component of our House Group and testament to the fact that the baking of biscuits and cakes is not a lost art. Supper also affords the opportunity for everyone, to further engage in conversation. The studies vary. Each member of the House Group takes a turn. Sometimes it’s a study on a book of the Bible, or a Biblical theme. At other times we follow a video series accompanied by discussion. A outstanding video series led by Biblical Scholar and Anglican Archbishop Tom Wright springs to mind. Or sometimes it’s a one-off study, on a topic of interest for the person leading it. Our house Group year is ‘bookended’ by celebratory meals. The year concludes in late November with a meal at a restaurant. There, we share all our festive and holiday plans. We gather again in late January for a barbeque. This time, we reminisce about how those plans eventuated. We then speculate on the year ahead. Our group is a ‘fluid’ one. With work, family and other responsibilities not everyone can make it every time. That’s to be expected. We don’t keep a roll! One last thing. New members are warmly welcomed. On behalf of the Thursday House Group. Rob Anderson The Young Adult’s Bible Study The Young Adult’s Bible Study on Thursday night at 6pm in the office has been going along swimmingly. I am really enjoying the different conversations that come up and the way people are questioning different and new things to gain a deeper understanding. This year we have looked at the Beatitudes using a John Stott book to delve into Matthew 5:1-12 in a deeper way than we may have done previously. We then moved onto The Insect and the Buffalo; this book is an overview of the whole bible and had us challenging the way we view the world and how we might read the bible with a new lens. Each member of the group lead us in a chapter each week and helped us explore the different areas in the bible. I appreciated learning from multiple people. As we have just finished this study I am excited to see what we look at next and how the conversations and friends that have been made grow and develop. Hannah North Betty’s 100th Betty Robertson is a very special person for us at St John’s, and we were thrilled to join with her in celebrating her 100th Birthday earlier this year. At this significant milestone, we recognise as her Church family there is a great deal to celebrate about Betty – who she is and all she lives for. Betty started coming to St John’s in the 1950s. And she has been a loyal and active member of the congregation ever since. Betty’s fortes are numerous but they have one common denominator: people. Betty epitomises so much of what we value at St John’s: intergenerational friendships, welcoming, compassion, care, faithfulness, service. And, to be honest, it’s entirely possible that we value these features of Church because Betty has modelled them for us! Fun day – Cog park On a day when it is freezing cold with a howling Southerly and pouring with rain it seems a long time since the Evans Bay fun day was held. Sunday 19th March 2023 was the second attempt at the Cog Park fun day – the original date being deferred because of weather. A fine day emerged and so did every Wellingtonian – the Childrens’ triathlon, a marvellous event and the largest traffic snarl up in the Eastern suburbs! However, everyone made the Cog Park destination eventually. Key moments !!! The most enthusiastic fisherwoman was Elaine Pearse The most successful Fisherman was James Lane with a haul of 8 fish (genre unknown but thought to be spotties !!!) The person with the drippiest chocolate sauce on their ice-cream was Neil Dodgson – and the most popular ice- cream flavour was cookies and cream (all this info tucked away for another time !!) There were no tears shed at the lolly scramble – everyone got a good stash – and there was a good lot of sharing and caring at the time – a hallmark of the people at St John’s People walked and talked and coffee’d nearby. Some braved the chilly sea and had a swim (not for me brrrrrrrrrr) Hopefully the fellowship of families, the warmth of the suns rays, a picnic lunch which always tastes better than at the table at home -set people up for a good week ahead. My thanks to Paul Ramsay (who helped lead the day) and the Lane family who were a great support in getting the fun day to a fun reality. Eldred Gilbert Youth Dinner 9th June We have been doing lots to pursue the Vision God has given to us. As part of the Building Community Vision Group, Margaret Gilkison organised a team of super-stars to host a dinner for the youth and Session elders in the St John’s Centre on a Friday night. The purpose of the evening was to “acknowledge our youth and their leaders and to encourage inclusiveness and belonging in our church family”. By inviting Session, it enabled people of different ages to get to know one another, which builds community and encourages belonging. We are grateful to Marg and all the super-stars who made this Vision idea come to fruition. Scots services At St John’s in the City we have hosted visits from the Houses of Glasgow, Aitkin, Uttley and Fergusson, as well as the whole Junior School (who don’t have Houses). This change to include the majority of the Houses in the morning services has been a great success. We have experienced the fruitful connections, collaboration, friendship, and impressive student participation. There is currently a very high level of goodwill with the Chaplains, the Deans, the Headmaster and Principals, staff and students. Their contributions in the services have been recognised and appreciated. From the Scots side, they tell me they have appreciated the warm welcome, inclusion and hospitality. They especially appreciated the St John’s youth also remaining in for the whole service.

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church -30 July 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday we start our four-week exploration of the faith practice ‘Following Jesus’. What does it mean to live this faith practice every day? We will be using special resources to consider this together, sharing the insights from all ages and stages of our St John’s whanau. Much of our regular rhythms will continue, with the usual peer group times for our young people, starting part-way through the service. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... FOLLOW ME Over four Sundays, starting 30th July, we will be focusing on the faith practice Following Jesus at St John’s in the City. We are using a new resource called Follow Me, from the Presbyterian Church in USA. Rather than starting with a Bible story, this resource starts with a faith practice, and explores that biblically, theologically and socially. This allows us to follow the practice for four weeks and reflect more deeply together using resources designed for different age groups. This means we will all suspend our usual approaches (e.g. following the Lectionary Bible readings) and resources in favour of all exploring this faith practice for four consecutive weeks: 30th July, 6th, 13th, 20th August. We will still have peer group time, as the resource is designed for exploring the same faith practice with the various age groups. We will look at biblical stories illustrating this practice and how the Christian community has understood this through more than two thousand years. We will use this resource each week with our Sunday services, St J’s Kids and Youth Group peer groups, and an intergenerational event. We will be encouraging one another to activate this practice – both individually and in community. By using this resource to all explore a faith practice together over the same four weeks, we will look forward to opportunities to talk about this and do it together. We also have a resource for Practicing the Practice at home, and we strongly encourage you to use this with others in your household or networks. Practicing the Practice SOUPER SUNDAYS You are warmly invited to share in a bowl of hot soup after church this Sunday 30th July 30 (the next and final Souper Sunday is Sunday 27th August) Just bring a small plate of something sweet to share with your tea or coffee. Come and share in the warm fellowship, we’d love to see you. Ice cream and the large yoghurt containers are useful for leftovers. If you can donate some, please leave these in the Centre kitchen pantry. TAONGA WORD CLOUD As part of our service at Matariki we gave thanks for the taonga (treasure) of St John’s in the City. All the personal notes stuck up on the cross have been collated into a combined word cloud – with the taonga identified multiple times in larger letters. We have much to be thankful to God for! SERMON ABOUT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) Last Sunday we sought to bring some clarity to what AI is (and isn’t), and consider what it might mean for our future. To help us, I interviewed a Professor of Computer Graphics, Neil Dodgson, as we assessed together this latest technology with the resources of faith that guide us in what it is to be human. You can read the notes of this Sermon here: Sermon Transcript You can watch the video of the Sermon here: Sermon Video MENS BREAKFAST This is an informal time for men exploring faith over a hearty breakfast. We meet in the St John’s Centre and finish promptly to get on with the day! 7:30-8:30 am on Thursdays, fortnightly. The next breakfast is Thursday 10th August. See the St John’s website for more details and who to contact to let them know you are coming. FLOURISHING FUTURES: THEOLOGICAL CONVERSATIONS Many of the established realities our society has been built upon are being destabilised. We live in a moment in which the prevailing way of life faces significant challenges: the growing reality of climate change and ecological degradation; the emergence of new digital technologies and their potential positive and negative effects; increasing living-costs and housing shortages; threats to the quality of education. What is the nature of these challenges we face – their origins? their potential impact on society? How might the richness of faith, cultural, and philosophical traditions deepen our depth of analysis and understanding of these challenges and potentially guide how we respond? “The Truth will Set us Free?”: Disinformation, Misinformation, Surveillance and Sociality Tuesday August 22nd 5.30pm–6.30pm “It’s the End of the World as we Know it”: Climate Crisis and Civilisation Collapse? or A Post-Carbon Sustainable Future? Tuesday August 29th 5.30pm–6.30pm “We don’t need no education?” Education, Citizenship, and the Common Good Tuesday Sept 12th 5.30pm–6.30pm This series of public discussions with a panel of experts offering their insights on these issues is organised by the University of Otago. Venue: Wellington Cathedral of Saint Paul, 2 Hill Street. NEW WINE Each year families from St John’s have gone to the New Wine Festival in January. It is a very uplifting time and a great way to start a new year. Here is a video showing some of the festival highlights: New Wine The way of Christ is perfect; we can always trust that walking with our Saviour is good for us. Allister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church -23 July 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, We’ve all heard lots of talk about AI. This Sunday we will bring some clarity to what AI is (and isn’t), and consider what it might mean for our future. To help us, I will be interviewing a Professor of Computer Graphics, Neil Dodgson, as we bring together this latest technology with the resources of faith that guide us in what it is to be human. For our young people there are peer groups, starting part-way through the service. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... FOLLOW ME Over four Sundays, starting 30th July, we will be focusing on the faith practice Following Jesus at St John’s in the City. We are using a new resource called Follow Me, from the Presbyterian Church in USA. Rather than starting with a Bible story, this resource starts with a faith practice, and explores that biblically, theologically and socially. This allows us to follow the practice for four weeks and reflect more deeply together using resources designed for different ages groups. This means we will all suspend our usual approaches (e.g. following the Lectionary Bible readings) and resources in favour of all exploring this faith practice for four consecutive weeks: 30th July, 6th, 13th, 20th August. We will still have peer group time, as the resource is designed for exploring the same faith practice with the various age groups. We will look at biblical stories illustrating this practice and how the Christian community has understood this through more than two thousand years. We will use this resource each week with our Sunday services, St J’s Kids and Youth Group peer groups, and an intergenerational event. We will be encouraging one another to activate this practice – both individually and in community. By using this resource to all explore a faith practice together over the same four weeks, we will look forward to opportunities to talk about this and do it together. BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION DISCUSSIONS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE This Sunday we will conclude the series of Baptism and Confirmation Conversations for young people. This will be after the service with lunch provided. (If you are older and interested in Baptism, or taking a step forward in faith, please contact Rev Allister) WHANAU NIGHT The next St John’s Whanau Night is happening across the city. Sunday 23 July, 5-7pm You are invited to a home near you. The evening will centre around a meal and connection. By meeting like this we hope to grow in relationship with people in our St John's whānau in our neighbourhoods. FELLOWSHIP GROUP Matariki is here and the Fellowship Group AGM is near. Please mark your calendar for attendance on Tuesday 25th July 2023 at 11am in the St John’s Centre. Will you be inspired with any special mid-winter ideas for the shared lunch? MENS BREAKFAST This is an informal time for men exploring faith over a hearty breakfast. We meet in the St John’s Centre and finish promptly to get on with the day! 7:30-8:30 am on Thursdays, fortnightly. The next breakfast is Thursday 27th July. See the St John’s website for more details and who to contact to let them know you are coming. CONCERT IN PAEKAKARIKI 23RD JULY PHOTOS FROM OUR MATARIKI FUN DAY As part of the Fun Day last Sunday we had kite-flying in the St John’s courtyard. NEW WINE Each year families from St John’s have gone to the New Wine Festival in January. It is a very uplifting time and a great way to start a new year. Here is a video showing some of the festival highlights: New Wine The way of Christ is perfect; we can always trust that walking with our Saviour is good for us. Allister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church -16 July 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, It is currently school holidays, and maybe some of us might be able to relate to the story of two stroppy young people in the Bible: Esau and Jacob. This Sunday we will hear about the challenging behaviour of these brothers, and seek wisdom from God (and perhaps patience!) For our young people there will be a combined holiday programme, starting part-way through the service. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... MATARIKI FUN DAY Invite your friends to come along to a family-friendly afternoon of different activities exploring Matariki. Hosted in the St John's Centre on the corner of Dixon and Willis Street. There will be crafts to make, stories to tell, games to play and food to eat. We will end the fun day by going to fly kites. This is a special event for people of all ages, so see you there on the 16th of July at 2pm with your family and friends. WHANAU NIGHT The next St John’s Whanau Night is happening across the city. Sunday 23 July, 5-7pm You are invited to a home near you. The evening will centre around a meal and connection. By meeting like this we hope to grow in relationship with people in our St John's whānau in our neighbourhoods. Here is the registration form to choose your preferred locations. Registration Form Registration will close on Monday 17th July and you will then receive an email with the address of the house where you will go to take part. FELLOWSHIP GROUP Matariki is here and the Fellowship Group AGM is near. Please mark your calendar for attendance on Tuesday 25th July 2023 at 11am in the St John’s Centre. Will you be inspired with any special mid-winter ideas for the shared lunch? RECENT OUTREACH GRANTS GIVEN AWAY The following grants have been made on all our behalf by the St John’s Outreach Committee… $1,200 to Perkiwi the Indonesian Christian network to provide pastoral care and support to local people in need. $1,500 to the PCANZ Moderator’s Appeal to fund necessary construction work at the Ohope Marae. $1,500 to the PCANZ global mission programme supporting the Cyclone recovery by the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu. $2,500 to Project Moroto in Uganda for a faith-based charity to build a dormitory for orphan girls. MENS BREAKFAST This is an informal time for men exploring faith over a hearty breakfast. We meet in the St John’s Centre and finish promptly to get on with the day! 7:30-8:30 am on Thursdays, fortnightly. The next breakfast is Thursday 27th July. See the St John’s website for more details and who to contact to let them know you are coming. CONCERT IN PAEKAKARIKI 23RD JULY PHOTOS FROM OUR ALL AGE WORSHIP As part of making connections with Matariki, we stuck to the cross our expressions of taonga (treasure) at St Johns. The way of Christ is perfect; we can always trust that walking with our Saviour is good for us. Allister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church -9 July 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday we celebrate the elements of Matariki that connect with the revelation of God we recognise in scripture and creation. This is an All Age Service, and so we remain together for the whole service, including Communion. Matariki is about sharing what we have, so you are invited to bring some extra food items for the DCM Foodbank this Sunday. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... MODERATOR’S MATARIKI MESSAGE You can read the message for Matariki from Rt Rev Hamish Galloway, the PCANZ Moderator of General Assembly Matariki Message MATARIKI FUN DAY Invite your friends to come along to a family-friendly afternoon of different activities exploring Matariki. Hosted in the St John's Centre on the corner of Dixon and Willis Street. There will be crafts to make, stories to tell, games to play and food to eat. We will end the fun day by going to fly kites. This is a special event for people of all ages, so see you there on the 16th of July at 2pm with your family and friends. WHANAU NIGHT The next St John’s Whanau Night is happening across the city. Sunday 23 July, 5-7pm You are invited to a home near you. The evening will centre around a meal and connection. By meeting like this we hope to grow in relationship with people in our St John's whānau in our neighbourhoods. Here is the registration form to choose your preferred locations. Registration Form Registration will close on Thursday 13 July at midday and you will then receive an email on Thursday afternoon with the address of the house where you will go to take part. RECENT OUTREACH GRANTS GIVEN AWAY The following grants have been made on all our behalf by the St John’s Outreach Committee… $1,200 to Perkiwi the Indonesian Christian network to provide pastoral care and support to local people in need. $1,500 to the PCANZ Moderator’s Appeal to fund necessary construction work at the Ohope Marae. $1,500 to the PCANZ global mission programme supporting the Cyclone recovery by the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu. $2,500 to Project Moroto in Uganda for a faith-based charity to build a dormitory for orphan girls. MENS BREAKFAST This is an informal time for men exploring faith over a hearty breakfast. We meet in the St John’s Centre and finish promptly to get on with the day! 7:30-8:30 am on Thursdays, fortnightly. The next breakfast is Thursday 13th July. See the St John’s website for more details and who to contact to let them know you are coming. The way of Christ is perfect; we can always trust that walking with our Saviour is good for us. Allister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church -2 July 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, We gather for worship this Sunday as usual at 10am and the Youth Group will lead us in worship, emphasising we are part of an upside-down Kingdom. The Youth Group have been exploring the shape of our communal worship, guided by Isaiah, the Major Prophet in the Hebrew scriptures. All the young people will remain in for all of this special service. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759 Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet Printable Service Sheet Link to Zoom Service OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... MATARIKI ALL AGE SERVICE On the Sunday 9th July – prior to the Matariki public holiday – we will have an All Age Service exploring the elements of the Matariki celebration that connect with the revelation of God we recognise in scripture and creation. MATARIKI FUN DAY Invite your friends to come along to a family-friendly afternoon of different activities exploring Matariki. Hosted in the St John's Centre on the corner of Dixon and Willis Street. There will be crafts to make, stories to tell, games to play and food to eat. We will end the fun day by going to fly kites. This is a special event for people of all ages, so see you there on the 16th of July at 2pm with your family and friends. PUBLIC THEOLOGY Myk Habets (Head of Theology at Laidlaw College) is speaking at Wellington Central Baptist this weekend: on Friday evening (June 30) and Saturday morning (July 1). His topic is Engaging Theology and there is a $10 door charge to cover costs for catering. DCM ART SHOW Our friends at DCM are holding an art show to exhibit the works of some of their talented whānau – Jason, Hapi and Fraser. This is Wednesday 5 July, 12-5pm, at Wesley Methodist Church, 75 Taranaki Street. The way of Christ is perfect; we can always trust that walking with our Saviour is good for us. Allister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 25 June 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, When we are confronted with ugliness in the world – abuse, violence, depravation – we need to remind one another that God knows, God cares, and God loves. We gather for worship this Sunday as usual at 10am and we will hear again the hope that comes for us in Christ. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > Our St J’s Kids (primary aged children) and Youth Group will have their peer group time during the second part of the service, going out after the Sung Blessing. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet  <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/qfgpre2zeclqh1w/25th%20June%202023%20Order%20of%20Service.pdf?dl=0" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Printable Service Sheet <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/370260759?pwd=b2ZkajZ5d28rTy9EN1VKZDJUM3N4dz09" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Link to Zoom Service   OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... SCOTS JUNIOR SCHOOL SERVICE This Sunday at 4pm there is a special service at St John’s for the Scots College Junior School. We are pleased to host this occasion for students, staff, and their families. The theme is ‘Using our gifts for God’ and all are welcome to join in this time of worship.   FELLOWSHIP GROUP The next meeting is Tuesday 27th June, at 11am in the St John’s Centre. The speaker is Hannah North, our Youth and Families Pastor. She will share a bit about herself, as well as her goals and aspirations for St John’s in the City. This is followed by lunch together.   SOUPER SUNDAYS <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > You are warmly invited to share in a bowl of hot soup after church THIS SUNDAY, and on these following dates: July 30 and August 27.Just bring a small plate of something sweet to share with your tea or coffee.  Come and share in the warm fellowship, we’d love to see you.Ice cream and the large yoghurt containers are useful for leftovers. If you can donate some, please leave these in the Centre kitchen pantry.   MATARIKI ALL AGE SERVICE <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > We explore the elements of the Matariki celebration that connect with the revelation of God we recognise in scripture and creation with an All Age Service at 10am on the 9th July – the Sunday prior to the public holiday.   MATARIKI FUN DAY <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > Invite your friends to come along to a family-friendly afternoon of different activities exploring Matariki.Hosted in the St John's Centre on the corner of Dixon and Willis Street. There will be crafts to make, stories to tell, games to play and food to eat. We will end the fun day by going to fly kites.This is a special event for people of all ages, so see you there on the 16th of July at 2pm with your family and friends.   CLUBS DAY <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > On Sunday 23rd July the various groups and committees that get stuff done for the mission of St John’s will be profiled as part of our morning service. This is a fun opportunity allowing us all to find out about activities across St John’s and get involved.   FUN FETE $3750 was raised from this event last week for Kaibosh Food Rescue charity! Well done to our Year 9 and 10s for organising this, and all their supporters. <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/q1z8e7svjkx0xg5/Fun%20Fete%20June%202023.mov?dl=0" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Highlights video   The way of Christ is perfect; we can always trust that walking with our Saviour is good for us.Allister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 18 June 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday we have special guests at our 10am worship service – students, families and staff from Fergusson House at Scots College. The House is named after His Excellency the Governor General, Sir Charles Fergusson, who also visited St John’s (in 1966) <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > In our worship service we will reflect on the image of the thistle – which is the symbol of Fergusson House, taken from the Fergusson Family Coat of Arms. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > The youth will remain in the whole service, and St J’s Kids (primary aged children) will have their peer group time during the second part of the service, going out after the Sung Blessing. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet  <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/7np8k1u4gnqo6m9/18th%20June%202023%20Order%20of%20Service.pdf?dl=0" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Printable Service Sheet <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/370260759?pwd=b2ZkajZ5d28rTy9EN1VKZDJUM3N4dz09" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Link to Zoom Service   OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... FOOD STALL FUNDRAISER <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > This Sunday the Perkiwi Indonesian Group are running a Food Stall in the St John’s courtyard, fundraising for mental health support in Indonesia.   FUN FETE <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > This Saturday! 11am-2pm! See you there!   FELLOWSHIP GROUP The next meeting is Tuesday 27th June, at 11am in the St John’s Centre. The speaker is Hannah North, our Youth and Families Pastor. She will share a bit about herself, as well as her goals and aspirations for St John’s in the City. This is followed by lunch together.   OUR NEIGHBOURS <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > As part of living out our Vision, we are sending out invitations to our neighbours in the city who live in nearby apartments.As well as general information about St John’s in the City – the ministries and groups we have – we are inviting our neighbours to the Fun Fete and Food Stall events next weekend (see above). As always, we have the opportunity to make newcomers feel welcome in our Church community.   SOUPER SUNDAYS <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > These lunches are back by popular demand! You are warmly invited to share in a bowl of hot soup after church on any of the following dates. June 25July 30August 27Just bring a small plate of something sweet to share with your tea or coffee.  Come and share in the warm fellowship, we’d love to see you.Ice cream and the large yoghurt containers are useful for leftovers. If you can donate some, please leave these in the Centre kitchen pantry.   REMINDER ABOUT PARKING We rent out the majority of on-site car parks during the week, Monday to Friday, to 6pm.There are 2 spaces allocated for when members of St John’s come to visit someone at St John’s during the week – these are the two mobility parking spaces marked with yellow paint (spaces #23 and #30).Anyone wanting to use these parks when visiting St John’s during the week are asked to please phone the St John’s Office: 385 1546.   May the Spirit of Christ give joy that outlasts our sorrows and faith that gives us reason to rejoice – to be glad for who we are because God made us and gave us life, and all we have is a gift.Allister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 11 June 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, God’s grace comes to us in the call of Jesus and, this Sunday, we will celebrate this reality with the meal of Quarterly Communion. Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > Peer groups will be happening on Sunday, starting in the Centre at 10:00am, and young people and leaders will then join in for Communion in the second part of the service. If you want to read the Bible reading before Sunday, it is Matthew 9: 9-13And if you want to hear a weekly Rev’s Ramble on the Bible readings, click here: https://fb.watch/l0RW5wu3Qm/ If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet  <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/338krdcs6kvb0si/11th%20June%202023%20Order%20of%20Service.pdf?dl=0" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Printable Service Sheet <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/370260759?pwd=b2ZkajZ5d28rTy9EN1VKZDJUM3N4dz09" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Link to Zoom Service   OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... UTTLEY HOUSE <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > We are enjoying the visits from Scots College Houses this term. THIS Sunday Uttley House will have their service at 4pm at St John’s in the City. They are celebrating their 30th Anniversary and the theme of this worship service is feast. All are welcome. Afterward there will be a cake, and then you can go to Whanau Night   WHANAU NIGHT <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > Whanau Night (social) is on this Sunday evening! Changing venue, we're meeting this month at the Southern Cross Garden Bar Restaurant, 39 Abel Smith Street. From 5:00-7:30pm, come along for a chance to chill, connect and catch up. Buy your own drinks. Bring a $5 koha for some chips and platters. There's games, a fire, pool table and the venue is kid friendly.   FUN FETE <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > The year 9 and 10s at St John's are organising a fete fundraiser for Kaibosh. So close to our fete now! Come for great kai, games, face painting, second hand books, crafts and live music. Who will you be bringing?Second-hand book donations to the fete can be dropped off to the St John’s Office Reception during working hours.   FOOD STALL FUNDRAISER <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > On Sunday 18th June the Perkiwi Indonesian Group Food Stall is in the St John’s courtyard.Fundraising for mental health support.   OUR NEIGHBOURS <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > As well as general information about St John’s in the City – the ministries and groups we have – we are inviting our neighbours to the Fun Fete and Food Stall events next weekend (see above). As always, we have the opportunity to make newcomers feel welcome in our Church community.   REMINDER ABOUT PARKING We rent out the majority of on-site car parks during the week, Monday to Friday, to 6pm.There are 2 spaces allocated for when members of St John’s come to visit someone at St John’s during the week – these are the two mobility parking spaces marked with yellow paint (spaces #23 and #30).Anyone wanting to use these parks when visiting St John’s during the week are asked to please phone the St John’s Office: 385 1546.   The Peace of the Risen Christ be with youAllister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 4 June 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This King’s Birthday Weekend we meet in the city for worship on Sunday at 10am (as usual). <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > Although it is a holiday weekend, we still have peer groups happening for young people. Our worship service theme celebrates Trinity Sunday. If you want to read the Bible readings before Sunday, they are: Matthew 28: 16-20 and 2 Corinthians 13:11-13And if you want to hear a weekly Rev’s Ramble on the Bible readings, click here:https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2252957831556746 If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet  <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/6dey4zv5aaiedxp/4th%20June%202023%20Order%20of%20Service.pdf?dl=0" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Printable Service Sheet <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/370260759?pwd=b2ZkajZ5d28rTy9EN1VKZDJUM3N4dz09" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Link to Zoom Service   OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... VISION We explore and share the gospel with our dynamic neighbourhood. We create safe spaces to be, to belong, and to navigate the tough stuff. Getting to know God is a team sport – that’s why we do this together, not alone. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > We want to prioritise initiatives that: ·        Explore and share the Gospel ·        Make us recognisable as a Church community in the city ·        Emphasise love, fun and friendliness ·        Encourage inclusion, belonging and participation   There are some tremendous ideas that the Project Teams are planning… Site and Space              Open the Chapel at times during the week           Rob Anderson and Judi Ferguson Community Rebuild      Youth & Session Dinner,                                            Marg Gilkison and Jemma August Whānau Night                 Next one is June 11th (off site)                                       Fiona Purchas and Bronwyn Wood Vision Communication & Connections    Pamphlet about who we are        Elizabeth Gibbs Getting to Know our Neighbours             Prayer Stall at events in the city  Ino PasulleanThese contact names are provided so you can get involved! Here is a link to the full summary of priority initiatives <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/sugfzqc3ozulftn/St%20Johns%20Vision%20Priority%20Initiatives%20for%202023%20V2.pdf?dl=0" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Vision Initiatives Our Vision is described on our website, with the contact details of key leaders: https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/values   SOUPER SUNDAYS <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > These lunches are back by popular demand! You are warmly invited to share in a bowl of hot soup after church on any of the following dates. June 25July 30August 27 Just bring a small plate of something sweet to share with your tea or coffee.  Come and share in the warm fellowship, we’d love to see you.Ice cream and the large yoghurt containers are useful for leftovers. If you can donate some, please leave these in the Centre kitchen pantry.   FUN FETE <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > The year 9 and 10s at St John's are organising a fete fundraiser for Kaibosh. Who will you be bringing to the fete? Spread the word and help us support Kaibosh. Bring a neighbour, friend, your whanau …or all of the above! See you there.   FOOD STALL FUNDRAISER On Sunday 18th June the Perkiwi Indonesian Group will have delicious food for sale in the courtyard after the morning service.This is to raise funds to support our friend Rev Ridho in his work supporting people in his region of Indonesia suffering from poor mental health. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " >   The Peace of the Risen Christ be with youAllister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 28 May 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost – the Birthday of the Church! Red is the colour for Pentecost, so please come wearing something RED for the occasion: t-shirts, scarfs, ties, …even a red flower. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > Our young people have their peer group time during the second part of the service, going out after the Sung Blessing. If you want to read the Bible readings before Sunday, they are: John 7: 37-39 and Acts 2: 1-21 And if you want to hear a weekly Rev’s Ramble on the Bible readings, click here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=209037908648311 As well as the 10am morning service, we will have a combined ecumenical celebration of Pentecost at St Mary of the Angels, Boulcott Street at 7:00pm. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet  <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/v8tfynv0i1ve3ag/28th%20May%202023%20Order%20of%20Service.pdf?dl=0" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Printable Service Sheet <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/370260759?pwd=b2ZkajZ5d28rTy9EN1VKZDJUM3N4dz09" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Link to Zoom Service   OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... VISION Our recent workshop to generate new Vision initiatives was very successful! Thank you to those who participated in pursuing our Vision: We explore and share the gospel with our dynamic neighbourhood. We create safe spaces to be, to belong, and to navigate the tough stuff. Getting to know God is a team sport – that’s why we do this together, not alone. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > We want to prioritise initiatives that: ·        Explore and share the Gospel ·        Make us recognisable as a Church community in the city ·        Emphasise love, fun and friendliness ·        Encourage inclusion, belonging and participation   There are some tremendous ideas that the Project Teams are planning… Site and Space              Open the Chapel at times during the week           Rob Anderson and Judi Ferguson Community Rebuild      Youth & Session Dinner,                                            Marg Gilkison and Jemma August Whānau Night                 Next one is June 11th (off site)                                       Fiona Purchas and Bronwyn Wood Vision Communication & Connections    Pamphlet about who we are        Elizabeth Gibbs Getting to Know our Neighbours             Prayer Stall at events in the city  Ino PasulleanThese contact names are provided so you can get involved! Here is a link to the full summary of priority initiatives <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/sugfzqc3ozulftn/St%20Johns%20Vision%20Priority%20Initiatives%20for%202023%20V2.pdf?dl=0" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Vision Initiatives Our Vision is described on our website, with the contact details of key leaders: https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/values   TEAM WORK <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > We have weekly rosters for everyone to play a role in our St John’s whanau. We are looking for more helpers from July - particularly more bell ringers, aisle duty (offering), morning tea helpers and greeters. A few more hosts would also be helpful, see Marg Gilkison if you want details of this job.  To put your hand up for any of these roles for the first time, please contact Linda Van Milligan.   SOUPER SUNDAYS <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > These lunches are back by popular demand! You are warmly invited to share in a bowl of hot soup after church on any of the following dates. May 28 June 25 July 30 August 27 Just bring a small plate of something sweet to share with your tea or coffee. Come and share in the warm fellowship, we’d love to see you.   FUN FETE <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > The year 9 and 10s at St John's are organising a fete fundraiser for Kaibosh. Who will you be bringing to the fete? Spread the word and help us support Kaibosh. Bring a neighbour, friend, your whanau …or all of the above! See you there.   The Peace of the Risen Christ be with youAllister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 21 May 2023
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday we have special guests at our 10am worship service – students, families and staff from Aitken House at Scots College. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > We will be exploring what ‘family’ means for us. The youth will remain in the whole service, and St J’s Kids (primary aged children) will have their peer group time during the second part of the service, going out after the Children’s Talk. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet  <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/5jy4zo8cpuumfuy/21st%20May%202023%20Order%20of%20Service.pdf?dl=0" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Printable Service Sheet <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/370260759?pwd=b2ZkajZ5d28rTy9EN1VKZDJUM3N4dz09" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Link to Zoom Service   OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... VISION Our recent workshop to generate new Vision initiatives was very successful! Thank you to those who participated in pursuing our Vision: We explore and share the gospel with our dynamic neighbourhood. We create safe spaces to be, to belong, and to navigate the tough stuff. Getting to know God is a team sport – that’s why we do this together, not alone. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > We want to prioritise initiatives that: ·        Explore and share the Gospel ·        Make us recognisable as a Church community in the city ·        Emphasise love, fun and friendliness ·        Encourage inclusion, belonging and participation   There are some tremendous ideas that the Project Teams are planning… Site and Space              Open the Chapel at times during the week           Rob Anderson and Judi Ferguson Community Rebuild      Youth & Session Dinner,                                            Marg Gilkison and Jemma August Whānau Night                 Next one is May 14th, 5pm                                        Fiona Purchas and Bronwyn Wood Vision Communication & Connections    Pamphlet about who we are        Elizabeth Gibbs Getting to Know our Neighbours             Prayer Stall at events in the city  Ino PasulleanThese contact names are provided so you can get involved! Here is a link to the full summary of priority initiatives <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/sugfzqc3ozulftn/St%20Johns%20Vision%20Priority%20Initiatives%20for%202023%20V2.pdf?dl=0" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Vision Initiatives Our Vision is described on our website, with the contact details of key leaders: https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/values   FELLOWSHIP GROUP Ron Fountain will be the next speaker at the May Fellowship Group on Tuesday 23rd May, 11am in the St John’s Centre. Ron’s topic is ‘Growing up in a missionary family’.   PENTECOST On Sunday 28th May we celebrate Pentecost – the Birthday of the Church! As well as the 10am morning service, we will have a combined ecumenical celebration of Pentecost at St Mary of the Angels, Boulcott Street at 7:00pm.   TEAM WORK We have weekly rosters for everyone to play a role in our St John’s whanau. We are looking for more helpers from July - particularly more bell ringers, aisle duty (offering), morning tea helpers and greeters. A few more hosts would also be helpful, see Marg Gilkison if you want details of this job.  To put your hand up for any of these roles for the first time, please contact Linda Van Milligan.   FAITH THINKING <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <a href="https://otago.zoom.us/j/97045582427?pwd=ZVh0ZjU2T0tsTUc1WW5OMDgrcnExUT09" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Link to the Zoom meeting   ENDING HOMELESNESS IN OUR CITY <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > DCM have a Food bank appeal on Saturday 27th May. We want to help by having volunteers from St John's at Chaffers New World – 2 per hour from 9:30am until 1:30pm.To join in, contact Carolyn Goudswaard   SOUPER SUNDAYS <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > These lunches are back by popular demand! You are warmly invited to share in a bowl of hot soup after church on any of the following dates.  May 28 June 25 July 30 August 27   Just bring a small plate of something sweet to share with your tea or coffee.  Come and share in the warm fellowship, we’d love to see you.   FUN FETE <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > The year 9 and 10s at St John's are organising a fete fundraiser for Kaibosh. Come along for games, crafts, second hand books, a raffle and LOTS of food.   The Peace of the Risen Christ be with youAllister

    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 14 May 2023
      • This Sunday is Mother’s Day, and we will consider what it means to talk of God as ‘Father’! We celebrate a Baptism and the holy meal of Communion. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > Peer groups will be happening on Sunday starting in the Centre at 10:00am and young people and their leaders joining in for Communion in the second part of the service. If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream: Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759Passcode: worship The link to join the Zoom worship service is below. If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet  <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/fliwp40f9za2oqj/14th%20May%202023%20Order%20of%20Service.pdf?dl=0" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Printable Service Sheet <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/370260759?pwd=b2ZkajZ5d28rTy9EN1VKZDJUM3N4dz09" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Link to Zoom Service   OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... VISION Our recent workshop to generate new Vision initiatives was very successful! Thank you to those who participated in pursuing our Vision: We explore and share the gospel with our dynamic neighbourhood. We create safe spaces to be, to belong, and to navigate the tough stuff. Getting to know God is a team sport – that’s why we do this together, not alone. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > We want to prioritise initiatives that: ·        Explore and share the Gospel ·        Make us recognisable as a Church community in the city ·        Emphasise love, fun and friendliness ·        Encourage inclusion, belonging and participation   There are some tremendous ideas that the Project Teams are planning… Site and Space              Open the Chapel at times during the week           Rob Anderson and Judi Ferguson Community Rebuild      Youth & Session Dinner,                                            Marg Gilkison and Jemma August Whānau Night                 Next one is May 14th, 5pm                                        Fiona Purchas and Bronwyn Wood Vision Communication & Connections    Pamphlet about who we are        Elizabeth Gibbs Getting to Know our Neighbours             Prayer Stall at events in the city  Ino PasulleanThese contact names are provided so you can get involved! Our Vision is described on our website, with the contact details of key leaders: https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/values   YOUTH LED WORSHIP <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > This term our youth group is having teaching about worship. As our young people explore these expressions of our connections with God, they will lead us in an element of worship each week. We look forward to these contributions as we journey as a Church whānau. This Sunday the youth will lead our Prayer of Confession.   WHANAU NIGHT <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > St John’s Whānau Night is happening this Sunday 14 May, 5:00pm - 6:30pmYou are invited to have a special evening connecting with your St John's whānau in an evening of worship, discussion and food.  Please bring a plate of food to share. Please invite others to come along too!   FELLOWSHIP GROUP Ron Fountain will be the next speaker at the May Fellowship Group on Tuesday 23rd May, 11am in the St John’s Centre. Ron’s topic is ‘Growing up in a missionary family’.   TEAM WORK We have weekly rosters for everyone to play a role in our St John’s whanau. We are looking for more helpers from July - particularly more bell ringers, aisle duty (offering), morning tea helpers and greeters. A few more hosts would also be helpful, see Marg Gilkison if you want details of this job.  To put your hand up for any of these roles for the first time, please contact Linda Van Milligan.   FAITH THINKING <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <a href="https://otago.zoom.us/j/97045582427?pwd=ZVh0ZjU2T0tsTUc1WW5OMDgrcnExUT09" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Link to the Zoom meeting   ENDING HOMELESNESS IN OUR CITY <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > DCM have a Food bank appeal on Saturday 27th May. We want to help by having volunteers from St John's at Chaffers New World – 2 per hour from 9:30am until 1:30pm.To join in, contact Carolyn Goudswaard   SOUPER SUNDAYS <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > These lunches are back by popular demand! You are warmly invited to share in a bowl of hot soup after church on any of the following dates.  May 28 June 25 July 30 August 27   Just bring a small plate of something sweet to share with your tea or coffee.  Come and share in the warm fellowship, we’d love to see you.   The Peace of the Risen Christ be with youAllister

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