Weekly Notices - 25 May 2025
"From an email from Bishop Peter...
"Greetings!
With this email I want to get the proposed working group for the review of ministry, mission and plant for the Hornby, Templeton and West Melton parish underway.
What is the reason for the (review) group (Diocese Manager, Arch Deacon Nick, Paul and Jean and Karen our Wardens and Myself being appointed?"
"During a period of vacancy between vicars we should look at the best form this parish should take in the future.
I am not satisfied that the parish has its “best form” at present.
For instance, I am not confident we are going to readily secure a medium to long term vicar for the parish as it is currently constituted (as a parish with three distinct centres).
Should the parish be restructured? If so, what, how and when?
There has been a long concern about the financial viability of the parish: can we somehow affect change about its financial viability with a wise restructuring of the parish?
Further, I think the state of the Hornby buildings (church/hall, vicarage) is challenging (considerable upkeep is required, where would funds come from to do this?
I also think the location of the Hornby plant is challenging: yes, on the main road; but set back, behind trees, somewhat invisible to motorists.
Is it wiser to review the property at Hornby (and the other properties) before we call for a new vicar? (My answer is Yes!)"
"I offer the following thoughts:
It would be an achievement to have a “re-imagination of the parish by the group, with an exciting vision for the future and some practical, · affordable steps set out for ways forward in respect of financing of the future mission and ministry, in association with clear and mission-enhancing proposals for the properties, with particular reference to the Hornby property”.
· Another way to think about achievement for the group is that where the group gets to, is an agreed* pathway towards appointing a new vicar for a well-reviewed and potentially well-revised parish. (*Agreed here means: parish <<>> bishop <<>> Standing Committee (and, re property and financial assets) <<>> CPT are all in agreement.)
Is anything ruled out of consideration re possible change?
In my view, No."
So...Your vestry members have a copy of rough notes from a brainstorm Diocese manager Rachelle did with us last month
I invite you to have fun dreaming and submitting your dreams to the Lord, and nagging your dear vestry members and help them have some local gatherings of parishioners to pray! to share! to ask questions!
Let's gather all initial prayers, thoughts and questions by the 22nd June (to the wardens or myself) and at our combined worship on the 29th we can begin to chew some things over.
Bishop Peter asks if we together can have an initial draft by early November which gives us serious time to sit before our Lord, face our past, and hear from Him again about our future.
In His grip, Patrick
June service times are as follows: St Paul’s: 8.45am, St Columba’s: 11am, St Saviour’s: 5pm except for Sunday 8th June we will be having a combined Pentecost Service at 4pm at St Saviour’s Templeton. There is also a combined service at St Paul’s on the fifth Sunday of the month June 29th. Time to be confirmed but there will be a Bring and Share Lunch to follow the service.
Today’s Sentence and Prayer
Sentence: Speak out with a voice of joy; let it be heard to the ends of the earth: The Lord has set his people free, alleluia.
Prayer of the Day: Everliving God, may we fervently celebrate with great joy these days in honour of the Risen One and show forth in our lives all that we proclaim; through Jesus Christ, who is alive with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings: Acts 16:6-16 & John 14:15-26
Parish News
Next Parish Monthly Prayer Meeting at St Saviour's Church - 9:15am: 27 May 2025
Craft Group - Saturday 31 May 2025.
10am-3pm, St Columba’s Church Hall. Tea and coffee provided please bring your own lunch. A gold coin is appreciated to cover costs.
Thy Kingdom Come
A Global Day of Prayer
As a Diocese, our commitment to prayer will be from 9am to 5pm on Saturday June 7. You’re welcome to pray on your own, in a prayer group or gather your parish together.
Please consider committing to an hour (or more) of prayer during this period. We have creative resources available to guide you through this time.
Further information will follow in eLife, and a mailout to the Diocesan Prayer community or by contacting The Rev Tim Handley.
For more information about ‘Thy Kingdom Come’, please visit https://www.thykingdomcome.global/
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
Africa Day Celebration
Saturday 24 May from 11am-5pm at Phillipstown Community Hub Market, 39 Nursery Rd
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.
