The Messenger PARISH OF SAINT MARK REMUERA November 2016 Parish website: www.stmarks.org.nz Editor: Annabelle Couldwell
From the Vicar
April 2014
As you receive this copy of the Messenger, Advent will be just around the corner (Advent 1 is the 27th November). As I have begun to prepare for the Seasons of Advent and Christmas, I have been thinking a lot about Mary. One of the things that has struck me is the way she is depicted in so many medieval artists impressions at the moment of the Annunciation. When the archangel Gabriel swoops in with his outrageous invitation, as these artists would have it, he finds Mary with a book. Some artists have portrayed her reading from the Hebrew bible, specifically the passage in Isaiah that tells of a young woman who will bear a son named Immanuel. In a lovely bit of anachronism, the other artists painted her with a medieval prayerbook -- a Book of Hours -- in her hands. The Bible doesn't tell, of course, what Mary was specifically doing when the messenger of God showed her a visit. But as Jan Richardson comments, I love the notion that Mary was already prayerfully steeping herself in the Word, long before Christ the Word ever became steeped in her. In depicting her this way, the medieval artists sought to convey the idea that although she couldn't have known what lay ahead, Mary had already been preparing herself, making space in her life for the presence of God.
Whatever it was that Mary was doing when Gabriel turned up with God's wild invitation, her story challenges me in this season. Advent, after all, is a time of preparation and anticipation of the One who searches us out in this and every season. These weeks remind us that although we never know just what lies ahead, God is ever seeking a space within our lives. Within us. Mary's openness to the God of daring invitations, along with her equally daring "Yes," beckons me to ask, what am I doing to prepare a space for God in my own life and in my own self? How about you? How spacious is your life these days? Whatever you're giving yourself to in this season, I pray that we may each leave ourselves open to the God of wild surprises and that we may be bearers of Christ in this world. The medieval German mystic Meister Eckhart wrote, "We are all mothers of God, for God is always needing to be born." May Christ the Word take flesh anew in us in these days as we anticipate and prepare for Immanuel - God with us. With every blessing Reverend Anne Mills
Visit by General Secretary, World Council of Churches, Dr Olav Fyske Tveit, at an ecumenical service held at Holy Trinity Cathedral
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Our Place, your Church - from your Wardens We take pride in our lovely yet ageing church. To maintain our quiet corner of beauty and place The annual Parish of worship, we need to bestow our love in a Thanksgiving Offering form wasn’t sent out in tangible way. September. Please find it Each of us can make a difference. enclosed in this issue. Each of us can help make up the difference. Please follow the long tradition of giving at St Marks to support both the church and the vulnerable. We thank those who readily and happily give their time and talents. For God's grace and goodness let us pledge to contribute in a regular and disciplined way, a generous portion of our income. Please consider prayerfully how you can support the life and Ministry of St Marks and make the difference. Darren Woodward Gae Griffiths
Peoples Warden
Vicars Warden
Parishioners’ Poll You will find a short survey inserted in this copy of the Messenger, which is also available in the Church and Parish centre. Please mail it back to us, or drop it in to the Church or office. This will further our Vestry’s understanding of how you think the Parish should be managed financially. Below is a diagram of the income and expenditure for St Marks, showing that we currently have a deficit of around $2,500 per week.
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It's not about HE versus SHE:
The commitment to using Inclusive Language in our Church's work, in liturgy and music, for the people and for God.
At this year's Diocesan Synod a motion was passed that recommits our churches to the use of inclusive language within all facets of our life and worship. What follows in an excerpt from a speech made by the Reverend Diana Rattray, Vicar of All Saints, Ponsonby. For a fuller record of this dialogue from Synod copies of the current Anglican Women's Studies Centre newsletter can be found in the church porch. Reverend Diana Rattray began by saying: “This motion in nothing new. It is a motion seeking re-commitment from this Synod to use inclusive language in the business and legal work of the church as well as in our liturgical services and in music. The language we use really matters. Here in Aotearoa New Zealand we have been debating about inclusive language since the General Synod of 1978. By then the first women priests had been ordained but the church was not ready to effect change in the language used in liturgy... sadly, over 25 years later, we still need to be reminded about why this issue of language and imagery is so important. Inclusive and expansive language means using language that reflects the poetry of today and yesterday and provides us with words and imagery so we can imagine God at work in the ever changing world. When we limit our language then we risk limiting people’s understanding of God. Gender equality and inclusive language must reflect the fullness of the body of Christ reflected in all who make up the church and all who seek to follow Christ. Linguists, sociologists and psychologists teach us that language profoundly impacts how we form the ideas that frame our understanding of the world. As we seek to be and build up the body of Christ, we need to use these insights to help us form strong and vibrant communities. The task is for us is to use spoken and written language that intentionally avoids word use that is needlessly gender-specific or exclusive. Inclusive language also means the use of male and female imagery and metaphors in a balanced way to express the truths we know of God. Inclusive language may challenge the church to discover new depths of meaning and possibility in the words of faith that we use. We need to continually use language in the life of the church that includes and welcomes all people, whatever their race, age, ethnic or regional background, or sexual orientation. We are a missional church. As more and more people do not have a church background, when we write and use liturgy we need to be mindful that we are talking about God to people who have no preconceived notions of faith and worship. We can no longer perpetuate a way of communication that refers to God and the church as archaic, sexist or outdated.” 4
2016 DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND SYNOD INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE MOTION 6 MOVED: The Reverend Diana Rattray SECONDED: The Reverend Clare Barrie That the Diocese, in accordance with Diocesan Synod Standing Order 7(c)(vi) and General Synod Standing Resolution SRL2: a) recommits to using inclusive language in all areas of its work, and b) commits to using inclusive language in liturgy and music, for people and for God.
Confirmation The confirmation of our Verger, Liam Philips, was attended by an exceedingly large congregation, who all wished Liam well on his Christian journey. We are sad to see Liam leave us, as he has been a very able and dedicated administrator for Saint Mark’s over the past year and half. However, we hope he will return to Saint Mark’s Church as often as he can, while he is studying for Ministry at Saint John’s Theological College. May the Grace and love of God stay with you, Liam.
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Carols on the Lawn – Bigger & Better! This year we are reaching out to our community with an invitation to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with a bigger and better Carols on the Lawn event. The Choir will be there to lead us in rousing renditions of your favourite Christmas Carols – a real “Christmas in the Park”! There will be food and gift stalls, and of course, Santa with his bag of lollies for the kids. Weather permitting, come relax on a picnic blanket in our beautiful grounds for a few hours, and take a break after a busy week of Christmas preparations
Please spread the word and bring your friends and neighbours along!
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Musical Notes by Brian Millar, Director of Music
Christmas is approaching, if you haven’t already noticed, with seasonal advertising material appearing in our letterboxes before Labour Weekend! Christmas means festive music, which also means hard work for the choir, and lots of work for the Director of Music, who starts planning the Christmas music for Saint Marks each year in August. The selected music is then collected, collated, printed, and put into duo-binders for a major Christmas choir notelearning workshop, which has recently been held. The Choir is ready! The evening Advent Services in 2014 and 2015 recent years have been quite poorly attended, so Save the Dates for this year we’re having our Advent Service at 9:30 Glorious Christmas Music th am on Dec. 4 , with the theme “Prepare the way!” Advent Service: The much loved Nine Lessons and Carols service 9.30am on 4th December will be at 7:30 pm on Dec. 18th. Both these services Nine Lessons & Carols: will feature plenty of congregational singing, 7.30pm on 1th December including (mainly!) well known and appropriate Christmas Eve 6pm Christmas carols; plus old and new Christmas music from the choir, including some recent New Christmas Day 8am & 9.30am Zealand carols. Come and be uplifted and inspired! And don’t forget our Christmas Eve service (with pre-service carol singing) and Christmas Day – carols at both 8 am and 9:30 am services. In August the choir travelled to Whangarei to sing Evensong at Christ Church. We were warmly welcomed and catered for by Peter and Kahu, plus priest-incharge Alan Burnett and the rest of the Whangarei congregation. They wanted us so badly they even provided a mini-bus to help with transport! Much appreciated. Saint Marks is genuinely blessed to have such a loyal and hardworking choir. There are only a handful of Anglican churches in Auckland (out of almost 100) that have a regular choir each Sunday to assist in worship. The local branch of RSCM (Royal School of Church Music; to which our choir has been affiliated since 1962) is currently investigating the establishment of a couple of choral scholarships, aimed at getting younger (school/university age) singers involved in regular church choirs. I’m hoping to be able to acquire a singer or two from this venture; more details coming up! If you know of any possible candidates, please get in touch with Brian Millar, via the Church office.
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What’s been happening in the Parish? Our Vicar in the Kinder Chapel The refurbishment of the Kinder Chapel, named for the Kinder family as is the Anglican Kinder Library in Parnell, is now complete. This lovely little place of peace and contemplation has been a boon to those seeking solace in our church.
All Ages Sunday School Worship Once a month in St Marks this worship provides an opportunity for us all to join together to celebrate God amongst us.
Mainly Music One of our strong outreach programmes, Mainly Music give us the opportunity to bring the Christian Message to mothers and children who may not otherwise have any notion of the meaning of Christ in their lives. If you are able to give some time to helping with this programme on Monday mornings, please contact the Parish Office. 8
Quiz Night An evening of fun and friendship, our annual Quiz Night brought out many familiar faces. In a hard fought competition, our Vicar led the winning team, and there was also a prize for second place.
Wednesday Communion Enjoying morning tea together on All Saints Day.
Weddings 2016 Wedding season is in full swing as Summer approaches and the bridal cars seem to get bigger and bigger - our Verger waits to see if our driveway is graced with a classic Rolls Royce this year, his ideal motor!
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Verger’s Verge by Liam Phillips
Well who would have thought the year would have gone by so fast that we are almost in the season of Advent. It feels like only yesterday that we were preparing for Lent! This will be the last time I write in the Messenger as a full time staff member at Saint Mark’s, as I shall finish up in the office early in the New Year, though I will be remaining on in a Verger capacity. So this gives me an opportunity both to highlight some of the things that have happened in the Parish and a time to thank all of those Parishioners who have continued to support me in this role and reaffirm my calling to ordained ministry. Parish life is different almost each day, from the regular office tasks of emails, phone calls, accounting and bill paying, to typing the weekly pew sheet, the editing and formatting of orders of service and dealing with tenants and hall hirers. There are also joyous moments of working in and around the Church, setting up for services, assisting at Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals, some of these being for Parishioners and their families of which I have been honoured to take part in, helping to create that fuller relationship between person and Church, Parishioner and Parish. We at Saint Mark’s are truly blessed with what we have and what generation after generation have worked to build and left us with. A stunningly beautiful place of worship, full of historical significance, memories of families’ gone by and remaining connections today. We have welcoming tranquil grounds, a relaxing space to be in so close to the city and we have a fantastic facility in the Parish Centre, which hopefully will continue to be used for many years to come, producing an income able to sustain the expenses of such a parish and allowing for work and growth in the wider community. But more than all of this, we are blessed with wonderful people, those dedicated to working in the grounds, handyman tasks, sanctuary duties, charity work, helping in the office, delivering advertising material, Communicare volunteers and those who are out there telling our story. 10
To thank these people individually by name would take up an entire Messenger, so I simply hope and pray that I have been vocal enough in your praise that you are aware of how grateful I am for the magnificent work you do! I hope over the last year and a half as full time Administrator I have been able to add to the vibrant nature of this place. Throughout the last four and a half years with the Parish, I have tried my hand at quite a few tasks, some not always successful; vestry minutes secretary, but some more successful; Saint Mark’s Calling and others most rewarding; leading the Liturgists and Services, spending times with Parishioners, talking and helping with issues where possible, and continuing the texture of our history with the restoration of our historic brass memorial plaques of which I just want to thank Mr Sievers and Mrs Reid for their support in this. As I mentioned in my Remembrance Day sermon ‘as custodians of this building, we are not just here to stop the roof from leaking and hold off the wood rot, but to continue the legacy of all those gone before us’. So as we go from liturgical green, to violet, to white, the year comes to one of its happiest seasons and we as a community of faith join together to celebrate the coming of the Christ child. I wish to thank all of you for the year that was and the inspiration you have given me, thank the clergy for their teaching, training and believing in me, thank the choir for putting up with my stage managing, all the helpers that make our Church look beautiful and to wish each and everyone of you the very best of health and happiness as Christmas arrives. For all of you, I feel a more wholesome person. I look forward to joining with you at Mass over the coming season. God bless you all!
Commemoration on Remembrance Sunday 11
Communications – it all starts with you! Communications really is a two way street. Give and take, speak and listen, ask and respond. A few months back, we set out to improve communications within our community. This is an update on how we’re doing. Our goal remains to build a vibrant, diverse parish that is growing, with an engaged congregation of parishioners who… • Feel that they ‘belong’ to St Marks • Participate in the life of the Church • And take the good that is inside, out into the wider community. We’ve had some great feedback through our Winter Parishioner Poll – so much so, that the next poll is included with this newsletter, and available in the Church for you to continue telling us what you think. The results from the first poll are reported elsewhere in this newsletter. Our discussion-prompting question of the month, posted on a flipchart in the church, has not worked so well, with relatively few people adding their thoughts. Thanks to those who did… we loved seeing your prayers for St Marks, and more recently your ideas for how to ‘make Christ known’. We’ll be trying some different things to get more participation in these types of discussions in the future. Meanwhile, our weekly email has been upgraded, and Liam is doing a great job of keeping us all up to date with what’s on at St Marks, and inspired by his thoughtful reflection on the week ahead. If you haven’t signed up yet, please email us at office@stmarks.org.nz to have yourself added to the mailing list. One email per week, no more, I promise! Our Facebook page is still a work in progress – if there’s a Facebook expert out there willing to help, please put your hand up. There are still a number of duplicate pages that we’re trying to have shut down. If you are on Facebook, please join us at the ‘real’ St Marks, which you will find at @StMarksRemuera. We’d love our Facebook page to be the first place the community goes to find out about St Marks, and what’s on at our place. It would be great to get a couple of volunteers willing to post to Facebook regularly on behalf of the different groups within the Parish – we can sign you up with access rights to get you going.
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For those not on social media, and not on email – don’t worry! We know that paper works best for you, and will continue sending The Messenger regularly, and look forward to talking with you in person. Communications is all about sharing ideas – please continue sharing your thoughts over the coming months, and most of all, talking to me and to each other about where we’re heading as a community of faith.
Parishioner Poll – Winter Results Thanks to the 30 people who completed our first ‘find out about you’ survey. Here’s a bit of what we’ve learned so far. Those who completed the survey told us they all regularly attend services at St Marks (we’d love to have heard from the rest of you!); and most are members of the Parish Roll. Only two choir members checked in for this poll – it would be great to hear more from you too. This time around our questions were about belonging. Almost half of you have been associated with St Marks for 20 years or more (with 61 years being the longest). We were pleased to see some responses also from people who have been with us for less and 5 years – and hoping to see more ‘recent joiners’ in the future. Thanks to our many long term parishioners, the average tenure with St Marks was a whopping 24 years. We asked you how strongly you feel a sense of belonging to the St Marks Parish. On a scale from 0 – 10, you rated your attachment to St Marks very highly, with a score of 9.3, which dropped only slightly to 8.9 amongst those of you who have been part of our community for less than 10 years. So what it is that gives you and others a sense of belonging (or I love St Marks not) at St Marks? It’s really a combination of things – the as my spiritual history, the traditions, the warmth of the people, the home – the true quality of the liturgy, the choir, the peacefulness of the Anglican place – and interestingly, the opportunity to participate, to worship help with the big and little things that make our community run more smoothly. This from one of our parishioners:
“I feel very much at home in the quiet peaceful atmosphere of the church in the early morning. The timelessness of the traditional service, the warm personal approach of the clergy, the warm friendly company of fellow worshippers, the physical presence of the church and its situation as part of the Remuera / Newmarket community” A big thank you to those who shared their thoughts – please participate in the next poll out now. 13
From Our Library Remember that we have a well-stocked library in the Parish Centre. You’re welcome to borrow books for interest and inspiration – just fill in the card!
By Angela Caughey
Dealing Daily with Dementia
(Book Review by Sally Avison, Registered Nurse Educator, Alzheimers Auckland)
Angela Caughey’s book Dealing Daily with Dementia is a rich resource for family carers because Angela understands the reality of caring for someone with dementia 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In her introduction, Angela reminds us of the human side of dementia, how even though carers face many challenges, there are also times when it is a very rewarding and satisfying role, one that many people come to value over time. We can see what may seem like an arduous journey can be made more bearable by being involved with friends and family, counselling support groups and education – for the people with dementia as well as the carers. Angela’s book honours the role of carer, acknowledging all that it involves and encouraging them to find person-centred solutions to the way they care for people with dementia. Throughout the book, real examples are given to illustrate the many diverse, sensitive and complex issues which are raised. Angela’s book also honours people with dementia and reminds us that through their intensely difficult journey, they remain essentially the same people they have always been, their human-ness is not altered and, first and foremost, they deserve to always be treated with dignity and respect. Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously but Not Literally By Marcus J. Borg Many Christians mistakenly believe that their only choice is either to reconcile themselves to a fundamentalist reading of scripture (a "literal-factual" approach) or to simply reject the Bible as something that could bring meaning and value into their lives. In Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg shows how instead we can freshly appreciate all the essential elements of the Old and New Testaments—from Genesis to Revelation—in a way that can open up a new world of intelligent faith. In Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, Borg reveals how it is possible to reconcile a scientific and critical way of thinking with our deepest spiritual needs, leading to an insightful experience of ancient text. This unique book invites every reader—whatever his or her religious background—to engage the Bible, to wrestle with its meaning, to explore its mysteries, and to understand its relevance. Reading the Bible Again for the First Time shows us how to encounter the Bible in a fresh, new way that rejects the limits of simple literalism and opens up the rich possibility of living a life of authentic faith. 14
From the Registers August to October 2016
Baptised into Christ’s Church Edward Money Eloise Carruthers Fredrich Erstich Florence Lourie
Helena Pentney Marissa Snowden
Joined together in Marriage Elizabeth Walker and Dave Roudkivi Sarah Ellis and Nicholas Moodie Committed to God’s Care Anthony Drillien Lois Shirley Richard Hames
Palma Perry Betty Keller
Richard Read Jessie Wilson Elizbeth Macnicol
Thanks for Your Regular Support WINGS Trust, Glenbrae School and ATWC value our continuing support of their activities, in the form of our fortnightly food basket for WINGS and monetary donations towards weekly lunches at Glenbrae School and donations towards ATWC appeals. Thank you for your donations.
Vicar: Associate Clergy:
Verger: Director of Music: Lay Minister:
Parish Contact Details: The Reverend Anne Mills The Reverend James Withers The Reverend Bob Driver The Reverend Canon Howard Leigh Liam Phillips Brian Millar Trevor Brooker
027 680 5922 021 239 1800 09 849 3538 027 4885 892 022 350 2764 021 253 1437 021 614 227
Email: office@stmarks.org.nz Website: www.stmarks.org.nz Telephone: 09 520 2258 15
Advent 1 (Hope) Sunday 27th November Blessing of the Advent Wreath 8.00am Eucharist 9.30am Choral Eucharist
Advent 2 (Peace) Sunday 4th December 8.00am Eucharist (BCP) with anointing for healing 9.30am Choral Advent Eucharist with anointing for healing
Advent 3 ( Joy) Sunday 11th December 8.00am Eucharist 9.30am Eucharist with children’s nativity play - followed by a BYO picnic on the lawn
Advent 4 (Love) Sunday 18th December 8.00am Eucharist 9.30am Eucharist with Hymns 7.30pm Nine Lessons and Carols
Christmas Eve Saturday 24th December 6.00pm Family Service “Christingle” 11.30pm Midnight Mass with Carols (Incense will be used)
Christmas Day Sunday 25th December 8.00am Eucharist with Carols 9.30am Festal Choral Eucharist
The Clergy of Saint Mark’s wish you and your family the very best of health and cheer this festive season.
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