Weekly Notices - 15 March 2026
Greetings in Christ’s name! At the Parish AGM on March 29th a new Vestry will be elected. Vestry is the governing body of the parish and so it’s important that we elect suitable people. Please find below some common questions and answers that may inform your prayers and help those who may feel called to serve on Vestry.
What is the purpose of Vestry? Vestry is responsible for the good governance and efficient running of the parish. This involves taking responsibility for parish finances, the maintenance and care of buildings, health and safety, and to prayerfully develop, enact and review all plans and strategies intended to promote the mission of the church.
What are the qualifications of those standing for Vestry? Anyone can stand who is at least 16, identifies as a member of a local Anglican Church, attends worship regularly, is baptized and is recorded on the parish roll. We would also hope that Vestry members pray daily and participate actively in the ministry and mission of the parish.
What is the election process?: The election of Vestry takes place at the parish AGM. The chair declares to the meeting the names of those who have been nominated to the position of Vestry. Nominations must be submitted to a Warden before the AGM and must be proposed and seconded by two members of the parish. The election is by secret ballot in writing with each person nominated required to poll over 50%.
What are the responsibilities of Vestry members? They are to uphold and support the Vicar and Wardens and develop and enable the vision and strategy of the parish. This includes the spiritual growth of church members and the promotion of the Christian faith to the wider community.
What commitments are expected of Vestry members? They are expected to attend the monthly Vestry meetings (this has been the third Wednesday of the month), prepare for each meeting by reading the agenda and supporting papers, fully engage with the discussion and decision making, pray for wisdom and God’s guidance, and support the vision and mission of the parish.
Blessings, Rev Mark Chamberlain - West Melton.
Exciting AGM Coming Up!:
Our Parish AGM will take place on Sunday 29 March at about 11.30am at St Columba’s following a combined 10am service led by Ven Nick Mountfort. Far from being a ‘rubber stamp’ meeting it is a crucial time to look back and forward. We take stock of the way the mission of our parish has been carried forward in the last 12 months and give thanks to God for all the good things that have happened. We will also consider the finances of the parish and elect a People’s Warden, Synod Reps and Vestry members. Please pray for our AGM and do your best to be present.
Harvest Festival Sunday 15 March 2026 - come and join us
This week on 15 March St Columba’s is having a Harvest Festival, St Paul’s will have Alice speaking with Mark Chamberlain presiding and St Saviour’s is a surprise.
Alpha Course coming up
Alpha Course
Started on Thursday 12 March at 7-8.30pm at St Saviour’s, Templeton, in the church hall.
Snacks and hot drinks provided.
Everyone is welcome. If you are interested or have any questions please drop by.
Today’s Sentence and Prayer
Sentence: I am the light of the world (John 9:5)
Prayer of the Day: Forgive, O God, the offences of your people, that through your goodness we may be freed from the bonds of the sins which in our frailty we have committed; through Jesus Christ, who is alive with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings: possible readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and John 9:1-41
Parish News
Alpha Course
Started Thursday 12 March at 7-8.30pm at St Saviour’s, Templeton, in the church hall. Snacks and hot drinks provided. Everyone is welcome.
Time For You
Tuesday 17th March, St Patrick's Day. An afternoon of music and song, afternoon tea and a beautiful garden. Held in a rural property in Templeton. Cost $25.
For further information contact Eileen or Gina
Parish AGM
29 March 2026 after the 10am Combined Service with Archdeacon Nick Mountfort to lead, at St Columba’s Church, Hornby . With a shared lunch to follow.
Please send all group reports for the AGM booklet to office@hornbyanglican.org.nz before the 15 March 2026.
Next Prayer Meetings
Templeton will be held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday mornings of the month -
9:15am: at Jean’s place.
Hornby will be held on Wednesdays mornings -
Wednesday 10.30am, prayer gathering at Bolton's place
Hope Project Easter 2026
Anyone who wants to take part and deliver booklets is welcome to sign up. This might also be something any home or youth groups could consider getting involved in and they could select a few areas to deliver in or deliver to those areas around the Church.
The project provides an opportunity to pray for the homes, as well as walking the streets to deliver Hope Project booklets. People who register early will likely be able to select blocks that best suit them for a delivery close to or around their own homes.
Information about getting involved as a volunteer and how to select those areas to deliver in from an online map are available by going to: https://alltogether.co.nz/christchurch/ the website also includes the volunteer policies (Safety briefing, delivery and donating).
Additional Information about the project, vision, scope, resources (there are short videos for church promotions, posters) and an online copy of the booklet can be found here at: https://alltogether.co.nz/hopeproject/
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact the Hope Project office. admin@shininglights.co.nz
Anglican Parish of Hornby, Templeton and West Melton & Beyond…
Prayer for Leading Your Church into Growth
God of mission, who alone brings growth to your Church, send your Holy Spirit to give vision to our planning, wisdom to our actions, joy to our worship, and power to our witness. Help our parish churches to grow in numbers, in spiritual commitment to you, and in service to our local community. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
News from around the Diocese
See Anglican e-life: http://anglicanlife.org.nz/publications/e-life/
Helpful info
Groups
It’s easy to connect and get involved with some great social and faith-focused groups that meet regularly across the parish. You can find out about all our regular groups on our Groups page. If you have any questions, just click the contact button to connect with the group’s organiser.
Recycling
Used batteries can be placed in the boxes in each church or taken to Mitre 10
Soft plastics can be dropped off at participating store locations. This is any plastic you can fold up in your hand.
Pastoral Care
Need meals or other in-home pastoral support? Please contact the Parish Pastoral Care Co-ordinator.
In-Home Communion
If parishioners can't attend church but would still like to have communion, this can be brought to you at your home or rest home. Please get in touch with the Home Communion Co-ordinator to organise this.
Need prayer?
We’d love to pray for you. See the ‘Prayer Support’ section on the Help & Support page for more information on how we can help with your prayer needs. There are confidential and anonymous options available.
