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    • October Messenger
      • RASING THE STANDARD OF GIVING <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > ‘Raising the standard of giving’ – describes the thoughtful re-examination of our giving as an important expression for our faith.  We give meaningfully, not because the Church needs it (it does, of course) but because as Christians we need to give it for our own sake spiritually. Our giving connected to our:  Discipleship Shared mission and vision Expression of generosity in proportion to our means. Together we are encouraging one another to think about our values, to examine or re-examine our giving habits accordingly, to make carefully thought-out decisions, and to re-arrange our priorities in using money to enable us to carry out these decisions.  Money is a real responsibility. The more we have of it, the greater our responsibility. The place we give it in our lives, the purposes to which we put it, are very relevant to our Christian life.   Our attitude to money and possessions provides a practical test of our love of God and for others. Often our money may be taken as a yardstick measuring the value we put upon our beliefs. Our attitudes to money, the place we give it in our lives, provide a telling clue to our Christian character.  What is ‘token giving’? Giving is not primarily token by the size of the gift, but by its relationship to the financial means of the giver and how it relates to her/his intention in making it.  What about ‘sacrificial giving’? Graham Redding recently wrote:  “Has the concept of sacrificial giving had its day? For as long as people deem the act of giving to be an integral part of their sense of vocation, then the answer to that question must be no. What is freely and abundantly given, even at a sacrificial level, can be a joy, not a burden.”1  Sacrificial giving is best understood as generous enough to involve substantial cost, and so has real meaning to the giver. It brings to the giver a sense of fulfilment - of responsibilities faced and met. It comes only after careful thought, realisation of the issues involved, prayer and the planning that makes such a gift practicable. It makes a significant impression on the giver’s spiritual life because it brings into sharp focus the importance of spiritual values in life.  So, as we move forward on the journey of faith together, let us re-examination our giving as we put our faith into action every day.  [1] ‘Time to talk about responsible rather than sacrificial giving?’ Graham Redding, Otago Daily Times, 29th April 2022. https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/time-talk-about-responsible-rather-sacrificial-giving LUMINARY Luminary is a sculptural installation by artist Auckland Karen Sewell which was installed in St John’s chapel from 29 July to 7 August this year, having earlier been shown as part of the collateral projects programme of the Venice Biennale 2022 in Italy and in Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch. It explored the metaphor of light and light giving bodies and was an effort to revive the long-standing tradition of placing art in churches, in this case with contemporary art. It involved a large sphere illuminated in white and gold light high in the ceiling of the chapel, accompanied by a display of lumen prints, showing another aspect of light.  We saw it as more than that. While providing an opportunity for people to reflect on creation and light, it was also an opportunity for St John’s to connect with the wider community and tell people about our own historic building, with its own art works of high interest such as our stained-glass window of the Good Samaritan on our north wall or Christ’s last supper, shown in the chapel. It worked well. With support from the Congregation contributing to expenses and volunteers helping to open Church, more than 300 people saw the work, including more than 200 from beyond the Congregation. Some stayed for up to half an hour and engaged well about St Johns and what we do on site. A good range of people showed interest, including many students and younger people, some who just wanted to see inside the Church which is normally not open. The sale of Karen Sewell’s donated artworks raised $207 for DCM’s work with the homeless too.   A big thank you to all who helped, including to show us some other ways to connect with our community, as we want to fulfil our vision for St John’s.   See the video production of the installation at St John’s in the city https://www.luminaryvenice.com/luminary-wellington-video  See more at www.luminaryvenice.com  David Galt  <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > CHURCH CAMP 2022 This month saw our church whānau join together at Forest Lakes campground for Church Camp 2022. We were treated to lovely spring weather, a plethora of activities, and meaningful worship sessions all packed into just 2 nights! <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > Arriving on Friday night, we quickly stowed our things in our cabins, then started camp right with icebreaker games, and a session in the chapel. We got to sing along with the combined worship band and hear more about our theme of “Journeying together”. It felt apt knowing that not only had we all journeyed to Otaki to be together, but we’ve all been on our own journeys through COVID and a rapidly changing world. Games and movies and supper sufficiently tired us all out ready for what we hoped would be a good nights’ sleep in cold cabins. Saturday dawned bright and the whole day stretched before us. After breakfast it was time to welcome our day campers and get stuck into more worship. Truly, guitars and clapping and singing - such a great way to wake up! Then came a life auction; working together in multi-generational teams and trying to build a meaningful life on a (imaginary) budget created rich conversations for sure. Being a part of a ‘poorer’ group really did make our group focus on just a few, top priority qualities that make a huge difference to a good life. Digesting this while hearing more stories of people on a journey brought home how lucky we are, and how we can keep going towards more. Free time in the sun followed our time together, with kayaking, golfing, archery and more. Kids entertained and happy campers mingling together and chatting through life with smiles beaming. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > After more games and then dinner, it was time for the long-awaited camp concert. What talent our church whānau possesses! From dancing to singing to karate to hose trumpets, it all ended with a blow out youth band jam session. What do you do when you’re alone in an elevator?? And of course, camp wouldn’t be complete without the bonfire. We saw roaring flames, gooey marshmallows, and warmth all on a beautifully still night. A perfect chance to be real, and engage with one another. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > Sunday morning worship and we tied together our journeying theme of the weekend. All tied together like a fairy tale.Church camp had been just another casualty of the COVID cancellation era last year, and it was fantastic that we got to pick it up and revive it for this year. It seemed extra rewarding that it came following a big time of post-pandemic change and busy-ness in our lives. A huge thanks to the team of volunteers who helped plan and organise to get it going, and to all those that helped while we were there to keep things running smoothly for us all. God is definitely close when we’re moving towards Him together. Amanda Fitch A FUTURE IN THE CITY In 1853 St John’s was surrounded by paddocks, on the fringe of a new settlement town. Down the road was Te Aro Pa, and in and around Dixon St were ramshackle shanty buildings and an abattoir. Muddy roads, typhoid outbreaks and a British immigrant population were seeking a new beginning having bought land from the unscrupulous NZ Company. Meanwhile Tangata Whenua hailing from Taranaki Whanui and Te Ati Awa were slowly being disenfranchised from their land. The history of Wellington’s settlement is far from pretty. By 1893 women had the vote and there was a strong movement for social improvement. As expressed in the NZ Presbyterian magazine the ‘Christian Outlook’, the place of cities, their influence, the call to be a part of the social fabric and be Christ ‘where you are’ was strong. To ‘Make that one corner, room, house, office as like heaven as you can.’… to “Beautify it, ventilate it, drain it.’… Educate it, Amuse it, Church it. Christianise capital; dignify labour.’’ In 1895, the church was calling members to get involved in the nitty gritty and dirty parts of life, to use their capital for good. To be involved in the hard stuff, to engage in social issues and matters of justice. Not to sit back and watch, but to “Join councils and committees. Provide for the poor, the sick, and the widow. So will you serve the city." This is the whakapapa of St Johns – In the City. Fast forward to 2022. 169 years later we are asking ourselves once again, what does it mean to be part of the City? How do we be Christ’s hands and feet amongst the high-rises, the apartments, and the shadows of the City where loneliness is common? How do we provide a place of restoration in a world of hard tarmac and where open spaces are rare? How do we meaningfully share the knowledge of a loving, hope-filled God to a understandably cynical generation, who have heard more about the damage meted out by religious authority, and never had firsthand experience of the church as a loving, accepting and generous community? This is what we have been grappling with for the last year. We’ve been asking ourselves what is our future? Who do we need to be for a new generation? How do we demonstrate Christ’s message of love, hope and create a place where people feel they belong and can find respite, in order to recharge for whatever life throws at them?After much deliberation, prayerful, presbyterian debate and discussion, we agreed the following statement captured our Vision for the future: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 " > The Pohutukawa tree represents our community, our hopes and aspirations – with strong roots in God’s love building faith together, a trunk with many strands that is a place of acceptance and belonging, reaching out our branches in many diverse ways to connect with the dynamic community that surrounds our site and explore the Gospel together.Quickly moving onto Actions, we have tried to put legs on good intentions, and turn theory into practical actions providing a renewed sense of community purpose post-COVID. An interactive workshop where members got a chance to choose a project team they wanted to participate in kicked off this stage. Site and Space TeamChristmas in the Courtyard - a celebration with food, music and carols    Friday 9 DecemberContact Rob Anderson or Judi Ferguson , Phone: 021 239 1702    Community Rebuild Supporting Attendance at Church Camp and Talent Show. 20 older congregation members came to church camp for the day! Awesome job team!!  Whānau Night ExtensionYouth Lead Code Breaker Night, 20 November 2022 – Come along! Vision Communication and ConnectionsImproving Signage and Billboards, Contact: Elizabeth Gibbs. This group has met and made plans. Now…full steam ahead! Getting to Know our Neighbours / Understanding Our Eco System/CommunityParticipating in Wellington Heritage Week (with our Open Day on 5 November), connecting with local property developers to understand future populations.  Contact: Pamela Cohen  Phone:  027 440 1838 Fiona Purchas NOTABLE MENTIONS New MembersAnjali George, Robyn Albertson Pearse Lane for receiving the Chief Scout Award, as well as a Karori Youth Award and MVP for his Football season with Wellington College. Alice Carter won Hutt singing competition and sang in the national Memorial Service for QEII Leon Scohpa (Son of Richard Hpa and Chantelle Scoon) for his Baptism. Bhanu Pancha for her Baptism
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        • St John's, Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand (OpenStreetMap)


    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 9 October 2022
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday we have 10,000 reasons for our hearts to sing, as we pray for those who live in our city! <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > It is the middle weekend of the school holidays, and so we will stay together for the whole worship time, celebrating Communion together too. 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. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/370260759?pwd=b2ZkajZ5d28rTy9EN1VKZDJUM3N4dz09   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/ws84o51zzseszij/9%20October%202022%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... RAISING THE STANDARD OF GIVING We are invited to reflect on how our giving is an important part of living out our faith. ‘Raising our standard of giving’ – describes the thoughtful re-examination of our giving as an important expression for our faith. Together we are thinking about our values, re-examining our giving habits accordingly, making carefully thought-out decisions, and re-arranging our priorities in using money to enable us to carry out these decisions. We give meaningfully, not because the Church needs it (it does, of course) but because as Christians we need to give for our own sake spiritually.More information will be provided in the coming weeks to help us re-examine our giving. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " >   ANNUAL REPORT AND AGM The Annual Report of St John’s in the City for the year ended June 2022 is available on the St John’s website: https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/publications-and-archiveI know you will enjoy the collection of stories and experiences shared in the various contributions. The Annual Performance Report (financial) is included there also.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 30th October 2022 in the St John’s Centre.   FELLOWSHIP GROUP Our next speaker will be Ken Edgecombe, who will share with us memories of his time as Chaplain at St Margaret College, the school that St John’s in the City built!We will meet on Tuesday 25th October 2022 at 11am in the hall. Please bring finger food for lunch.   NAME TAGS As we turn our Vision into action, one very easy and practical way we can build community is to wear a name tag.Please keep your name tag on when you come over for Morning Tea in the Centre, and there will be a receptacle to drop your name tag into before you leave.   ONE CONFERENCE This leadership training conference for the Presbyterian Church is being hosted at St John’s in November (2pm 17th of November - 2:30pm Saturday the 19th of November).We will have many folks travelling from out of town and many have asked if there is any possibility of being billeted. Would you like to consider billeting out-of-town attendees to the conference?Conference attendees will have all meals provided at the conference except breakfast. If you can offer billeting please fill in this form One Conference Billet Host Form or email grace@presbyterian.org.nz <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " >   NEW WINE FESTIVAL At this all age festival many voices worship the One. 19th-23rd January 2023 (Wellington Anniversary Weekend) at Wairarapa College in Masterton.For more details and to register to go (along with others from St John’s): https://newwine.org.nz/   VOICES IN THE WIND CONCERT “Treasures from American Composers” is a concert happening twice: 7.30pm Friday 14 October at St Barnabas Mana, and 3pm Sunday 16 October at Khandallah Town Hall.Tickets $20, $15 unwaged. See Linda Van Milligan 027 2889210 for tickets.   The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.Allister
      • Accepted from News - St John's in the City Presbyterian Church by feedreader
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        • St John's, Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand (OpenStreetMap)


    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 17 July 2022
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday we hear Jesus point out what is most important in how we live in a busy world  … we might feel challenged by what he points out about us! <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > If you want to read the Bible readings before Sunday, they are Amos 8:1-12 and Luke 10: 38-42And if you want to hear a weekly Rev’s Ramble on the Bible readings, click here. https://www.facebook.com/KhandallahPresbyterianChurch This is the middle weekend of the school holidays and we are having a one-week break from peer groups and holiday programmes – so we will all remain together for the whole worship service. If 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. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/370260759?pwd=b2ZkajZ5d28rTy9EN1VKZDJUM3N4dz09   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/wclfv5luwk0ngly/17th%20July%202022%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 ST JOHN’S VISION We have articulated a fresh Vision for St John’s. And everyone is invited to get involved as we follow this Vision as a way to reform, restore and rebuild us as a Church. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > Over several weeks we have had various presentations and discussions, and a summary of the Vision is available to read here: <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/9ah3ioisxxsnm2e/StJohns_Vision-one-pager_June.pdf?dl=0" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Summary of the 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.” The invitation is for us to activate our Vision through projects that interest us. We can get together with others to collaborate.  FELLOWSHIP GROUP AGM The group’s Annual General Meeting is near! On Tuesday 26th July the group will gather at 11am in the St John’s Centre Hall. Rev Allister Lane will be the speaker.  Please bring some food to share. ART INSTALLATION AT ST JOHN'S:LUMINARY - HE TINANA TIRETIERA The Dawning of Dreams Aotearoa New Zealand Church & Cathedral Tour 2022Sunday 31 July to Sunday 7 August, 2022   Opening Hours: 10am to 4 pm (except Sundays start at 1pm)Cost: Free   St John’s in the City Church, Corner Willis St & Dixon St, WellingtonKaren Sewell is a significant Auckland artist, recently returned from this year’s Venice Biennale where her work was featured as a collateral part of the 2022 Venice Biennale. The work shown below is touring New Zealand in Cathedrals and Churches.St John’s is showing this work both to showcase it as a fascinating artwork and to offer an opportunity for the wider Wellington community to connect with St Johns, seeing our Church and what we do as well the art. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " >  NEW ZEALAND CHRISTIANS IN SCIENCE EVENT Wellington Winter Lectures on Physics and Ethics: "Science and Faith in an Age of Misinformation"Saturday 6 August at St Johns in the City. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > Prof. Jeff Tallon, ‘Seeing the Invisible – black holes, the universe and our place in it’Dr. Greg Liston, ‘Spirit, Time and Trasnformation’Dr. Gray Manicom, ‘What the Mysteries of Mathematics Reveal About the Creator’Dr. Nicola Hoggard Creegan, ‘From Hiroshima to Recombinant DNA: The importance of ethical reflection’Cost: Only $10Register at www.nzcis.org/upcoming-eventsFacebook: https://fb.me/e/3CgwX8RYH  ST JOHN'S CHURCH CAMP After having to defer the Church Camp because of covid, we are excited about having this special weekend this year. Please SAVE THE DATE for the St John’s Church Camp:16th – 18th September 2022The theme is ‘Journeying Together’.  Not to be missed! <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " >  ORPHEUS CHOIR PRESENTS BRAHMS GERMAN REQUIEM Saturday 10 September at 7.30 pm at the Michael Fowler Centre. Discount tickets of $45 A reserve and $40 B reserve are available from Linda Van Milligan, 027 2889210 or lindavanmilligan@gmail.com
      • Accepted from News - St John's in the City Presbyterian Church by feedreader
      • Tagged as:
      • khandallah
      • covid-19
      • lectures

        • St John's, Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand (OpenStreetMap)


    • Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 17 July 2022
      • Kia ora St John’s whānau, This Sunday we hear Jesus point out what is most important in how we live in a busy world … we might feel challenged by what he points out about us! <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > If you want to read the Bible readings before Sunday, they are Amos 8:1-12 and Luke 10: 38-42And if you want to hear a weekly Rev’s Ramble on the Bible readings, click here. https://www.facebook.com/KhandallahPresbyterianChurch This is the middle weekend of the school holidays and we are having a one-week break from peer groups and holiday programmes – so we will all remain together for the whole worship service. If 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. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/370260759?pwd=b2ZkajZ5d28rTy9EN1VKZDJUM3N4dz09   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/giz5s0wbcajwhi0/24th%20July%202022%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 ST JOHN’S VISION We have articulated a fresh Vision for St John’s. And everyone is invited to get involved as we follow this Vision as a way to reform, restore and rebuild us as a Church. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > Over several weeks we have had various presentations and discussions, and a summary of the Vision is available to read here: <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/9ah3ioisxxsnm2e/StJohns_Vision-one-pager_June.pdf?dl=0" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Summary of the 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.” The invitation is for us to activate our Vision through projects that interest us. We can get together with others to collaborate.  FELLOWSHIP GROUP AGM The group’s Annual General Meeting is near! On Tuesday 26th July the group will gather at 11am in the St John’s Centre Hall. Rev Allister Lane will be the speaker.  Please bring some food to share. ART INSTALLATION AT ST JOHN'S:LUMINARY - HE TINANA TIRETIERA The Dawning of Dreams Aotearoa New Zealand Church & Cathedral Tour 2022Sunday 31 July to Sunday 7 August, 2022   Opening Hours: 10am to 4 pm (except Sundays start at 1pm)Cost: Free   St John’s in the City Church, Corner Willis St & Dixon St, WellingtonKaren Sewell is a significant Auckland artist, recently returned from this year’s Venice Biennale where her work was featured as a collateral part of the 2022 Venice Biennale. The work shown below is touring New Zealand in Cathedrals and Churches.St John’s is showing this work both to showcase it as a fascinating artwork and to offer an opportunity for the wider Wellington community to connect with St Johns, seeing our Church and what we do as well the art. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " >  NEW ZEALAND CHRISTIANS IN SCIENCE EVENT Wellington Winter Lectures on Physics and Ethics: "Science and Faith in an Age of Misinformation"Saturday 6 August at St Johns in the City. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > Prof. Jeff Tallon, ‘Seeing the Invisible – black holes, the universe and our place in it’Dr. Greg Liston, ‘Spirit, Time and Trasnformation’Dr. Gray Manicom, ‘What the Mysteries of Mathematics Reveal About the Creator’Dr. Nicola Hoggard Creegan, ‘From Hiroshima to Recombinant DNA: The importance of ethical reflection’Cost: Only $10Register at www.nzcis.org/upcoming-eventsFacebook: https://fb.me/e/3CgwX8RYH  ST JOHN'S CHURCH CAMP After having to defer the Church Camp because of covid, we are excited about having this special weekend this year. Please SAVE THE DATE for the St John’s Church Camp:16th – 18th September 2022The theme is ‘Journeying Together’.  Not to be missed! <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " >  ORPHEUS CHOIR PRESENTS BRAHMS GERMAN REQUIEM Saturday 10 September at 7.30 pm at the Michael Fowler Centre. Discount tickets of $45 A reserve and $40 B reserve are available from Linda Van Milligan, 027 2889210 or lindavanmilligan@gmail.com
      • Accepted from News - St John's in the City Presbyterian Church by feedreader
      • Tagged as:
      • khandallah
      • covid-19
      • lectures

        • St John's, Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand (OpenStreetMap)


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