Weekly Notices - 22 February 2026
Saying Goodbye to what has to be the cheekiest parish in New Zealand, is not easy to do.
It has been an enormous privilege and honour and scary to serve on behalf of Jesus with you.
May I leave you with a few heart felt pleads…..
Vestry:
Please don’t drag people on to fill a seat.
Invite ONLY those who are hungry for change so the parish can be what it is meant to be, AND crucially, IF they want to be part of the leaders who are needed for that change to happen.
Be bold and lead them to be “A thriving worshipping in Spirit and Truth
community whose worship and love attracts people because they can smell the presence of God”
AGM
Mostly a boring unattractive clumsy rubber stamping affair. Perhaps sit in a circle, its nicer 😊
Same old reports, same formality & same blasted unintelligible financial paper waste, lol.
This year I am convinced that there will be good big decisions to be made.🙂😊
Out of love for Jesus: Make them! New wine into old wineskins wasn’t working a century ago!
Jesus' Parable about Talents (Matt 25) springs to mind. Invest in the kingdom, or die.
St Paul’s ……
I plead with you to make a “its not rocket science” decision and seize the day to become a place where people will come because of a natural loving partnership with Hope Presbyterian who have counselors and people to help staff a Bookshop &or Library &/or Opportunity shop.
Talk and Think ONLY Positively about the simple details, the ruddy glass is more than half full!
The office next to the vicarage can be easily installed there according to Paul, and a container has been offered as well. Aussie John has 2 Men’s Shed experience to guide it’s setting up
(There are already men in that district who travel to Rolly to the Men’s Shed there! )
(Hope Op shop in Rolly stopped picking up stuff because they didn't have the volunteers.
So plenty of stuff will roll in, wish we could be there to run it all…
But any activity out there can ONLY be worth-while IF the activities are run by dedicated Jesus followers who can spark gentle conversations, leading questions and loving answers.
Yours in His grip, with deep passion and love to you all. Patrick and his better half, Trusella
Sunday February 22 Farewell Service
10.30am: Combined Service at St Columba's to farewell Patrick and T this is followed by a bring and share lunch.
Alpha Course coming up
Alpha Course
Starting Thursday 12 March at 7-8.30pm at St Saviour’s, Templeton, in the church hall.
Snacks and hot drinks provided.
Everyone is welcome.
Today’s Sentence and Prayer
Sentence: Lord be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning; our salvation in time of distress (Isaiah 33:2)
Prayer of the Day: God of the desert, Jesus was led by the Spirit to fast forty days in the wilderness and was tempted as we are, yet without sin; give us grace to observe the disciplines of Lent; and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save; through Jesus Christ, who is alive with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings: TBA
Parish News
Alpha Course
Starting Thursday 12 March at 7-8.30pm at St Saviour’s, Templeton, in the church hall. Snacks and hot drinks provided. Everyone is welcome.
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.
