Weekly Notices - 24 May 2026 - Pentecost
Dear Everyone,
I am looking forward to being with you as the Interim Priest In Charge for the next 6 months or so. No doubt most of you will be asking "Who on earth is he?" So, here's a quick bio.
Theoretically I am retired but that's a word not found in the Bible so it should be spelt "re-tyred."
In 2024 I was the interim minister at the Burnside Harewood parish and before that, vicar of Halswell Prebbleton for 6 years. In 2018 I was asked to act as the Archbishop's Commissary for the Diocese after Bp. Victoria left and until Bp. Peter was elected.
From 2009 to 2015 we were in Hong Kong in charge of an English speaking inter-denominational congregation overseen by the Chinese Anglican Church. While there, we travelled extensively in China and many other south east Asian countries. Prior to that we were part of the Nelson Diocese. Going back even further, we did missionary work in Lima, Peru.
My wife Madeleine and I have four adult children, two of whom are married and we have three grandchildren and one great grandson. We live on a block of land near Leeston where we grow almonds, run a few sheep and chase chickens off the vegetable patch. Madeleine plays keyboard and bass guitar.
Several times a year I travel to various Asian countries with a small ministry team to support and encourage pastors and churches that experience persecution.
My task as interim minister is to help the parish prepare for the good works the Lord has prepared for you to walk in. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)
Let's continue to pray for each other as we begin this exciting and challenging journey together.
Peter Hurricks
P.S. Our first Sunday with you will be 7th June.
A Prayer for the Future of our Parish: God of all hope, you have inspired your people in times past with visions of a good future and given them energy and resolve to achieve great things for your kingdom; endow us with wisdom at this time of change in our parish, unite us in love, give us your guidance, and help us to follow where you lead. In the name of Jesus Christ, the pioneer of our faith, Amen.
Today’s services:
An All Age Service is at St Columba’s and the theme is to be ‘Strength and Weakness’.
St Saviour’s is having a Sharing service is special service where anyone who wants to share a short (no more than 5 minutes) input for the church. If you would like to share something you are encouraged to do so. There will be time to reflect and respond to what has been shared.
At St Paul’s, Alice will be speaking during a Morning Worship service.
Next Week services - 31 May 2026 at St Paul’s:
We are having a combined service at 10am at St Paul’s along with a Mission Stall to raise funds for Karen’s preschool in Uganda. Nalanee’s mission trip has been postponed until further notice.
Strengthen Faith Through Confirmation:
A public declaration of faith in God and our Lord Jesus Christ can be a significant step in our discipleship and a way of strengthening faith. Recently, a St Paul’s parishioner expressed a desire to be confirmed and the Bishop has agreed to come and lead this special service on Sunday 26 July. If anyone else in the parish would like to be confirmed please contact me/Mark Chamberlain on 0274327474 and we can form a discipleship group and prepare for confirmation together.
What is Happening at St Saviour’s
Young Adults Group - seeking new members
We have a small young adults group (ages 18-35) who would love to get to know new members. If you know anyone who might be interested in joining, please contact Sarah on 021 0267 6170.
Hope House: In other news, I have organised to have a guest speaker at St Saviour’s on Sunday June 14th, Carey Ewing from the Hope House project in Hornby. I am sure it will be most interesting and encouraging to hear about the work they are doing. I have let Gina and Jean know but will remind them again next vestry meeting that we do not need a guest clergy for that service. See Sarah for more information.
24 May 2026 at 10.30am. All Age Service with shared lunch to follow at St Columba’s, Hornby.
Today’s Sentence and Prayer
Sentence: For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and we were all made to drink of one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).
Prayer of the Day: O God, on this day you taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of your Holy Spirit; may we, by the same Spirit, be truly wise and ever rejoice in your consolation; through Jesus Christ, who is alive with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings: Readings: Acts 2:1-21 & John 7:37-39 plus others
Parish News
Craft Group
Saturday 30 May, 10 am-3 pm. Bring along your activity or just come for a natter. Tea and coffee provided BYO lunch.
Gold coin donation to cover costs. Further inquiries to Gina 027 766 5073
All Ages Service at St Columba’s
Sunday 24th May:
Family Service and puppet show followed by a shared lunch. Service starts at 10.30am.
What is happening at St Saviour’s
Sharing Service
Sunday 24th May: Sharing service
In this special service we will have space for anyone who wants to share a short (no more than 5 minutes) input for the church. If you would like to share something you are encouraged to do so. Examples of things to share include:
- A poem
- A bible verse/reading
- A piece of writing that means something to you
- An artwork
- A short testimony
- A song (there will be a speaker so we can play something on YouTube)
There will be time to reflect and respond to what has been shared.
Young adults group at St Saviour’s - seeking new members
We have a small young adults group (ages 18-35) who would love to get to know new members. If you know anyone who might be interested in joining, please contact Sarah on 021 0267 6170.
Mission Stall—31 May at St Paul’s, West Melton—Combined Service - 10am service
We are going to have a mission stall to raise funds for Karen’s preschool in Uganda. Nalanee’s mission trip has been postponed until further notice.
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
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.
