Weekly Notices - 8 March 2026
Why Not Deliver Hope This Easter?:
I took up the challenge last week and signed up to deliver a Christian booklet to homes in my neighborhood in the weeks before Easter. This is part of a systematic plan to cover the majority of homes in our nation. The booklet is called ‘Hope For All – Life Beyond Limitations’ and it looks at how faith in God can help people find courage to live beyond their limitations. When I read it, I was inspired and thought how encouraging it would be for my neighbours to read this positive account of Christianity. I commend this initiative and invite you to consider delivering copies in your own neighbourhood. For more information see page 3.
Three Ways You Can Support The Wardens:
Now that our interim minister Rev Patrick has left, the Wardens are now responsible for the leadership of our parish. However, we all need to ‘step up’ and play our part as well. Can I suggest that we all pledge to do the following; 1/ Pray for our Wardens and the future of our parish. 2/ Support the Wardens in practical ways as needs arise. 3/ Encourage one another especially those who offer to do something new.
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.
Blessings,
Rev Mark Chamberlain
West Melton.
Harvest Festival Sunday 15 March 2026 - come and join us
Rev’d Mark Chamberlain will be with us this Sunday at all three churches. Next week the 15 March St Columba’s is having a Harvest Festival, St Paul’s will have Alice speaking and St Saviour’s in undecided at the moment as to what the service will be.
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: But God proves his love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)
Prayer of the Day: O God, the source of all our strength; watch over us within and without, that in body we may be protected from all adversity, and in mind cleansed from all destructive thoughts; through Jesus Christ, who is alive with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings: Exodus 17:1-7 and John 4:5-42
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.
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.
