Welcome Magazine | August 2016

AUGUST ‘16

Want to get more out of life?

Put more into it!

IN THIS ISSUE: THE JOY OF VOLUNTEERING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HARRY MILLIGAN

VOLUNTEERING IS NOT AN AGE THING

SMALL MIRACLES STAFF CHANGES AND LOTS OF FUTURE HOPES!

St Heliers Presbyterian Church and Community Centre

100 St Heliers Bay Rd, St Heliers, Auckland 1071 New Zealand [Incorporating Glendowie Community Centre, Crossfield Reserve, Glendowie]

Ministers

Rev Pauline Stewart Rev Stan Stewart

Youth Pastor Joshua Yang

General Manager

Graeme Smith

Our office is open weekdays from 9 am—5pm

ph: 09 575 6098 e-mail: centre@sthelierscentre.org.nz www.sthelierscentre.org.nz

magazine is a publication of

St Heliers Presbyterian Church and Community Centre

editor

Stan Stewart

design

WindsorCreative.org.nz

production assistants

Shinya & Satchi Koyano

editorial

I Loved Being a Volunteer . . . and still do!

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hen I was first asked if I would do a serious volunteer job I was 13, I knew I wouldn't be paid. But, I also knew I could call it a ‘real’ job. I was asked to be the Devotional Convenor for our Sunday night youth group. The youth group had 90 members and my job was to write a prayer for the close of each meeting and to invite and help someone else to lead a prayer for the beginning of each meeting.

I never thought of myself as a praying person and worried about why I was asked to do the job . The Minister said, " You always collect the prayer books and stack them neatly at the back." So that was my qualification!

It was explained to me that the prayer I was to write each week was an Intercessory prayer. I remember thinking that I had no idea what that was. Through reading I began to understand the different types of prayer.

Some of them I found quite powerful. I came to enjoy helping the younger ones write their prayers. I loved my job even though each week nerves would Pauline (left) at 14. consume me. The hardest thing was getting the words down on paper. Often I was still writing whilst walking along the street to our meeting.

My second volunteer role (I was now 14) was as a fundraiser for our Saturday youth group. This group raised funds for the church and not for the youth activities. The trick was

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finding a way to raise money. I didn't know anything really except that I had been inspired and encouraged by these words from the Bible: “That in the fulness of time God will gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth”—Ephesians 1:10.

My understanding was that the power of the creative force in nature is also in us. It is the Holy Spirit and Jesus revealed this wonder and the way it can work in the human spirit. I had learned this in church from just one sermon and it had gripped me then and still does.

Then, one day when I was working at my part time job of collecting eggs after school the great piles of manure lying under the cages prompted an idea; "Sell bags of manure by the side of the road!" I presented my idea the next Sunday to the group. We began something wonderful and raised a lot of money for our church. We even offered deliveries for an extra 50 cents.

It brought us so much satisfaction (and fun) and that was all the reward we needed.

There were older leaders in the background but we were very much the leaders of this project ourselves and we were given a lot of freedom to work and to organise.

Still today I see myself in other young people. Beyond the facade of coolness and addiction to devices I see the desire to do something significant and be a part of something that matters. They want to do good. It is a calling from God to them and to all of us. Their world is not as simple as my world was at their age. They know more, have been exposed to more, and their options are greater and more complex. But through our church and centre we can offer them the gift of serving —of being volunteers.

I am recommending to young and old, “Focus on Jesus Christ”. Internally, through his Spirit he will lead us into the joy of serving. One of the best impulses in my life has been to say ‘Yes’ to being a volunteer.

I am sure it can be the same for all of us, young or old.

In late June the Church and Community Centre said farewell and thank you to Susan Piaggi the head teacher of Small Miracles and Angela Cottrell a senior staff of Small Miracles. This was a big blow to us and to the other three teachers but after 16 years each Susan and Angela, separately, made this decision. Susan has gone to a job where she can simply teach.

Angela is enjoying a break before she begins to look for other kinds of work.

Their legacy of commitment to nurture, of making learning joyful, of building community, of music as a part of life will continue but we will still miss them very much. Meanwhile, Claire, Dee and Ingrid, are doing a great job with casual staff. The work of finding the new people is most urgent.

- pauline stewart

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The Significance of Harry Milligan - graeme smith

Our new General Manager, coming to us from Carey Baptist College

IN MY NEW JOB I HAVE A FRONT-SEAT VIEW OF THE LIFE OF OUR CENTRE. I HAVE MET SO MANY PEOPLE WHO VOLUNTEER IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE. THEY JUST GET ALONGSIDE PEOPLE. THEY OFFER A DRINK, THEY TALK, THEY PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WHERE NEEDED AND THEY HELP WITH LANGUAGE. SOME OF THE PEOPLE THE VOLUNTEERS SIT WITH ONLY NEED FRIENDSHIP, SOMEONE TO LISTEN AND WALK ALONGSIDE THEM. WE NEVER KNOW THE VALUE OF THESE SIMPLE CONTACTS. I WAS REMINDED AGAIN OF THIS STORY OF HARRY MILLIGAN.

H

law. Jesus said to the crowd, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” In Harry’s case this often caused those who were getting stuck into him over something he did or said, to pause and rethink their own position.

The man also found this stone very helpful. In fact, just knowing he had the stone in his pocket was often enough to keep him calm in the tense situations.

Over time he found that he didn’t react as quickly or as strongly as he used to.

Ten years later in 1986 a young family moved to Invercargill. At this time Harry, now in his 80’s, was a member of the Church they attended, Harry made them feel welcome as newcomers to the city and the church. As the years went by and Harry grew older this family would take him cooked meals and home-grown vegetables.

In 1996, 20 years after Harry first spoke to the alcoholic, a young girl in her last year at a Palmerston North High School developed a drug habit. This got worse over a 2-year period. The end result was that at age 18 she tried unsuccessfully to end her

arry Milligan died in Invercargill in 1996. There was nothing special about Harry apart from his concern for people. This story starts 40 years ago (1976) when Harry, who was in his early 70’s got alongside a man living in Invercargill who was an alcoholic. Harry encouraged him to go to Alcoholics Anonymous and spent time talking with him in a local community centre attached to the church he attended. Harry walked with this man throughout his journey to recovery.

This man was quick tempered, and often reacted in anger causing people to withdraw from him. One of the things Harry did for him was to give him a stone. He said to the man he was helping, “When people start to criticise you, rather than reacting with aggression, take out the stone and offer it to the person saying, “I may be at fault in this matter, but would you like to throw the first stone” Harry was referring to the passage in the Bible where a woman is about to be stoned by the religious leaders for breaking their

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life by taking an overdose of prescription pills washed down by whiskey from her father’s drinks cabinet. She was rushed to the A&E department of the hospital where she recovered from the overdose.

The parents of the girl who were at their wits end, turned to an organisation called Drug Arm that had been set up and operated in the city.

This organisation helped people with addictions.

The girl, realising she needed help, agreed to become a resident at Drug Arm’s rehabilitation farm called “Shiloh”. On her arrival she announced she would be only staying three weeks, which would be enough time, she said, for her to get her life back together.

After four months of residential support, during which time she suffered a beating from another female resident, as well as the indignity of having to shovel manure from the stables, she “graduated” from Shiloh. A graduation ceremony was held and a man named Lew Findlay was the main speaker.

He was the man responsible for the establishment of Drug Arm and the rehabilitation farm. He was also a Palmerston North City Councilor at the time. Lew told the story about how and

why the rehabilitation farm had been established. He talked about his addiction and the difficulties of overcoming it. He talked about the importance of the help he got from those who walked alongside him.

While he talked he pulled a stone from his pocket and told of a man in Invercargill called Harry Milligan. Harry had given him this stone and was instrumental in saving his life by helping him overcome his alcohol addiction.

This is what being significant is all about.

The young girl who was graduating was “blown away” as she realised the connection.

It was her family that had been befriended by Harry when they had moved to Invercargill all those years before. This was prior to them moving to Palmerston North.

A man (Harry Milligan) who she knew when she was 7 or 8 had saved the life of another man (Lew Findlay) before she was born and this man was responsible for the organisation she now says saved her life.

You know Harry never knew what the significance of just “walking alongside and being a friend” would have on the family of an eight-year-old girl, But I do, as I’m the father of that 18-year-old girl.

THE EFFECT

OF A PERSON

WHO HAS BEEN

significant GOES BEYOND HIS OR HER LIFETIME

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Discovering my Gift alan jamieson

Chairman of the Parish Council

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recent devotional in “the Word for Today” got me thinking about why people volunteer to do things at Church and God’s hand in it. The reading was about listening to God’s voice. All too often when confronted by a task that needs helpers, listening to God can be easier said than done; that is, if you are like me.

I find it is very easy to fall into the temptation of relying on my own strengths and abilities without first taking it to God. What really struck home from the devotional was a key comment that “we don’t decide God’s plan for our lives, we discover it”. In my case when asked to do a new task I seem to stumble around thinking about it before finally doing what I should have done in the first place; praying about it.

Having been challenged to explain what led me to volunteering for serving as an office bearer I should give a personal insight. It really goes back to reinforcement I received some years ago when a home group I was in held a Spiritual Gifts study course based on Paul’s teaching in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12. Towards the end of the course after exploring the meaning of gifts and their proper use the focus of the study shifted on to those participating to discover their gifting or strengths.

As Paul writes; “Now to each one, the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good”. Not to be seen as a way of elevating the individual but always as a means to helping the church to work more effectively. To cut a long story short, the study helped me to discover that the

“REMEMBER THAT THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE ARE NOT THOSE GETTING MORE, BUT THOSE GIVING MORE.” spiritual gift that came most to the fore in my case was administration. Boring maybe as it means committing to attending lots of meetings but nevertheless a necessary part of church life. Having “discovered” what tasks I should be most suited to doing in the church after that I really could not turn down requests to help out on administrative type duties.

However, it is important to remember that spiritual gifts are given to all believers.

The gifts are not a reward for our faith or our works but are freely given by God and differ from person to person. It is our mission to find ways through prayer to be ready to serve with whatever gifts God has given us.

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- graham mathieson

Social Café

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practical questions that arise in everyday life.

Having had the good fortune to travel extensively I have developed a fascination with the history, language and culture of other nationalities. Social Café has afforded me the opportunity to meet a variety of people, particularly from Asian countries and to gain a greater insight into their own culture whilst helping them to assimilate into the New Zealand way of life. It has been a most rewarding experience.

ocial Café provides an opportunity to meet in an informal setting and to sit and chat about life in general.

This group is led by like-minded parishioners who are willing to put into practice our church’s Mission Statement of “Reaching out and Welcoming In” to any newcomer to our country.

We are there to extend kiwi hospitality and to help them with their English pronunciation and grammar. We share our experiences and opinions and answer

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Volunteering is not an age thing ay Hutchinson

Just turned 84

For 16 years Gay and her daughter Lee Picot have been volunteering 3 times a week at Dove House, Glendowie, Hospice and respite care. Lee helps with the accounting and Gay has lots of patient and family contact.

The first thing Gay will say about herself is that she is not that special. (The patients and their families would never agree with this assessment.)

When she commenced, she

worried about what to say, She was told “Just be yourself’. And that is what she does and in doing so brings comfort to many.

Being with desperately sick and dying people could be depressing. Gay does not find it so, “I have met such interesting people and I often wish I had known them when they were well. As a matter of fact they sometimes make me laugh. I enjoy this work. It is a privilege.”

Miles Hunter just turned 12

Excerpts from his application to be a volunteer leader to our youth pastor, Joshua Yang.

Hi, Josh, as you know I have turned 12. This also means that I can now ask to become a Kids Club leader . . . here is my resumé.

I love inspiring children to achieve their full potential.

Becoming a leader in Kids Club where we learn and share under Christ will also help me in my personal journey with Him. Jesus really valued the younger generation and it will also teach

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me acceptance and how to deal with situations when young people really annoy me . . . This is also a great opportunity to help out and do my bit for the community. And when older, if I ever want to work in child care or, say, OSCAR as a part time job during high school, having your recommendation on my resumé will increase my chances greatly . . . and it will help me grow more mature. This is why I would love to be accepted as a Kids Club leader and begin my training with you. Regards—Miles

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Elaine Bailey Helper extraordinaire

IT WAS GREAT SADNESS THAT BROUGHT ELAINE TO

OUR CHURCH. HER GRANDDAUGHTER WAS ALREADY COMING AND TOLD ELAINE ABOUT A HELPFUL AND WELCOMING PERSON, PAULINE. SHE CAME TO CHURCH AND MET PAULINE BUT IT WAS THROUGH VOLUNTEERING THAT SHE REALLY STARTED TO FEEL THAT SHE BELONGED.

Elaine’s hobby is building little houses.

They are amazing!

Shortly after her arrival she was asked drive a person to church. This was followed by more requests for lifts. Driving for Elaine was easy and enjoyable. After a few weeks she was asked to help in the kitchen and she has been there ever since.

“Nowadays it seems I am always in the kitchen. I have a couple of good mates and I enjoy working with them and there are many others. They all know me, but I still struggle with names. I wish they would wear their name tag!

I just enjoy helping and I have made some great friends. And we go out for a coffee and share each other’s lives. This church and ‘community centre’ really is a centre of the community. We all try to help each other. Sometimes language makes it difficult to understand each other but a hot drink and a smile soon gets a friendship going.

We are always serving food in this place.

Sometimes I think we may do too much.

But when we put our minds to it we can put on a great show. The ‘High Tea’ was unbelievable but we may not do that again for a couple of years.

I am a specialist in the washing up. Now we understand the system it is quick and easy. It kind of suits me and I am glad to do it.”

TO serve

IS BEAUTIFUL, BUT ONLY IF IT IS DONE

WITH joy AND A WHOLE

HEART AND A FREE MIND FYODOR DOSTOYEVSKY 9

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Yvonne Cossar Caterer – Organizer—Encourager

YVONNE’S HUSBAND, BARRY DIED TEN YEARS AGO. BARRY A NOTABLE

ATHLETE, WAS THE PACE MAKER FOR PETER SNELL WHEN HE BROKE THE 4 MINUTE MILE AT WANGANUI. FOR YEARS SHE WORKED FOR DR GERALD GIBB AND THEN ON TO OFFICE DUTIES AND ACCOUNTS FOR SAINT MATTHEWS SCHOOL AND THEN SIMILAR DUTIES AT SAINT IGNATIUS SCHOOL. SERVING OTHERS HAS ALWAYS BEEN PART OF YVONNE’S LIFE. AS A GIRL SHE HAD MUCH TO DO AROUND THE HOUSE AND WITH THE SHOPPING.

On the Phone. I believe in personal contact both in recruiting volunteers and in inviting people to join OOOs activities. I do not use email. I use the phone – the phone attached to the wall with a wire. For instance, when people express interest in joining OOO’s I always phone them. Then I invite them to have coffee with me. At this meeting I explain what we do and can answer their questions. After this they always join the group.

OOO

Five years ago in conversation with our minister she expressed an interest in doing something for others. Arising from this chat the idea of OOO’s arose and Yvonne has been at the heart of this group ever since.

OOO’s stands for ‘On Our Own’. In total it is a group of about 35 persons, all of whom live on their own. Most but not all of them are associated with our church. The group

is predominantly women but some men attend and others are always welcome.

The aim of the group is to combat loneliness and to bring enjoyment to individuals who live alone. OOO’s gatherings always include a “cuppa” and a snack, sometimes a full meal. They are often outings and always the costs, which vary with the event, are kept to a minimum.

CATERING Yvonne’s catering prowess is amazing. On many occasions she has been the head of a small team who has fed many people for all kinds of events. She always says, “I enjoy a challenge”. In the kitchen she prefers to work with a small team. Actually she says a huge part of catering is the planning. Then nights before she spends cooking in her

kitchen—sometimes through the night.

In the end it gives me great satisfaction It gives me great satisfaction to see it set out beautifully and people enjoying the food and the occasion.”

PS: And just to keep herself busy she volunteers for one day or more every week with our Centre Accounts Manager, Vivian.

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Yousun Lee

In our community we know her as Sunny

‘SUNNY’ BY NAME AND SUNNY BY NATURE. SHE HAS BEEN

INVOLVED IN OUR CHURCH AND CENTRE FOR 18 MONTHS. ONE MONTH AFTER ARRIVING IN NEW ZEALAND SHE CAME TO OUR CHURCH WITH HER TWO CHILDREN, CHARLIE 11, AND GINA 9.ON HER THIRD VISIT TO OUR CHURCH I ASKED, “HOW MANY FRIENDS DO YOU HAVE IN NEW ZEALAND” SHE SAID, ‘TWO—YOU AND PAULINE (MY WIFE).” SHORTLY AFTER THIS SHE INVOLVED HERSELF AS A VOLUNTEER IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY.

Stan-Q: What is your volunteer work?

Well actually, what I do is to play with my friends. I am part of the English conversation class on Mondays and Fridays. It is fun.

Q: Why has this been so?

One month after arriving in New Zealand I decided to get involved. My involvement as a volunteer opened many doors. My friends were right. The life here is much different to life in Korea.

But that is not bad. In Korea there is a big emphasis on making money. It is thought that making money is the best way to care for your family. This leads to a huge emphasis on ‘work’. Even when there is a holiday many Koreans still go to work.

New Zealand is a great place for learning about holidays, weekends and family fun.

This church and centre has helped us in many ways with this side of life. We have grown personally and much joy has come into our life.

Q: What about kitchen duties?

Yes, I am in the kitchen whenever I am needed. I am there helping to cater for children’s activities, refreshments, and meals for church and community occasions. Actually the kitchen is a very good place to make friends. When you are in the kitchen you quickly get to know your fellow workers. It is easy. I recommend volunteering as a great way to meet people and make friends. This church and centre has been very good for my children. They love participating in the many programmes on offer. On many occasions they have also been volunteering and helping.

Q: Do you have many Korean friends here in New Zealand?

Not so many. Most of my friends here are Kiwis or people from other countries.

When I was in Korea my friends worried about how I would manage in New Zealand. They thought it would be hard for me to break into a new culture. It has not been hard at all.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO OFFER

AS A VOLUNTEER IN THE KITCHEN? YOU CAN DO THIS DURING THE WEEK OR ON A SUNDAY. CALL US 575 6098. IT IS A GREAT WAY TO CONNECT WITH OUR COMMUNITY.

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Terry Hann

Checking accounts and whatever else he is asked to do MY BACKGROUND IS IN BANKING. BEFORE COMING TO NEW ZEALAND I WAS A BANK MANAGER FOR 20 YEARS. MY LAST JOB WAS MANAGING A KOREAN BANK IN LONDON. I DID THIS FOR FOUR YEARS. WE ENJOYED LONDON AND HAD AN INTERESTING LIFE THERE. IT WAS ALSO VERY GOOD FOR MY CHILDREN’S EDUCATION. HOWEVER, MY LIFE WAS VERY BUSY WITH WORK SIX DAYS A WEEK. EVEN ON WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS I HAD LITTLE FREE TIME. MY HOPE WAS THAT IN RETIREMENT I WOULD HAVE SOME SPACE FOR MYSELF AND HAVE TIME TO RELAX WITH THE FAMILY. WE DECIDED TO COME TO NEW ZEALAND BECAUSE IT SEEMED LIKE SUCH A PEACEFUL PLACE, SO NATURAL AND PEACEFUL.

St Heliers is a beautiful suburb. I particularly enjoy walking and running along the waterfront. But recreation and beauty are not enough for a full life. Belonging to this church has been important for me. As well as coming to worship, the church has provided me with an opportunity to contribute some of my time and energy. I am glad to do whatever I can to help and, in return helping out makes my retirement more satisfying.

For the last year or so my volunteer job has been balancing the church chargecard. The amounts are small and this is quite a contrast to my work as a bank manager.

“IN THIS LIFE WE CANNOT DO GREAT THINGS. WE CAN ONLY DO

small things with great love.”

MOTHER TERESA

Nonetheless reconciliations require carefully matching receipts to amounts.

This detail work can be tedious, but I know it has to be done. And I enjoy the contact the work entails with our minister, the staff and the other people on the finance team.

Actually I am happy to do anything I can to help in the life of the church. It makes me feel useful. It gives me satisfaction to participate in this way. Being a volunteer has enriched my life. Contributing as a small part of the church team adds meaning to my life. I intend to keep on volunteering as long as I am able. It is my pleasure!

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Olia Essina Why did I organise a ‘Ball’ for Tomsk – Siberia?

THE FIRST ANSWER IS `OBVIOUS—I AM TRULY INSPIRED BY PETER AND MY SISTER LENA'S WORK IN TOMSK.

In February of this year they spent their holidays with us and met many people in our church family. Especially I was touched

by Sergey Ernichev’s journey from drug addiction to managing and leading the Rehabilitation Centre for addicts in Tomsk right now. The Holly Spirit is working in this centre and many men have moved from hopelessness to a new life.

Second answer is not that obvious, but not less important. I love dancing and believe that dancing together makes us happier. I have noticed that when we become older, people give ridiculous excuses why they can never dance again.

Many of these are based on self-doubt. In fact the less physical activity we undertake the less we can do. It can be a downward spiral. I believe that dancing can help us stay alive. Dancing is good for you!! It is good for the body and spirit and even our brain. The dance can be coordination, creativity, enjoying beautiful music and fun all in one! I want to see people dancing

after every social gathering, as we do in my home country of Russia. I feel very good when people are happy and it makes me happy as well!

I would love to express a wholehearted thank you to all of those who helped me by catering, organizing and creating the beautiful snowflake decorations which made our venue gorgeous. The Ball could not have happened without all this support and our joint efforts. Thank you!

Preparing for the Ball used up much of my time and energy for many weeks. But, I was glad to do it. Giving in these ways to something you believe in is one of the most rewarding ways you can spend your life. It did me good!

‘THE purpose

OF HUMAN LIFE IS TO SERVE, AND TO SHOW

compassion AND THE WILL TO HELP OTHERS.’ ALBERT SCHWEITZER 13

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Peter Young

Volunteering in the church and the community has been a huge part of Peter’s life—35 years chairman of Tamaki Budgeting for instance REV. STAN HAS ASKED ME TO RECORD MY THOUGHTS ON THE STATEMENT “IF YOU WANT MORE OUT OF LIFE, PUT MORE INTO IT.” THE KEY WORD IS ‘LIFE’.

Using the words of Macbeth, Shakespeare says (modern English version): “ Life is a story told by an idiot, full of noise and emotional disturbance but devoid of meaning.”

History confirms that much human activity supports this opinion, particularly with regard to our efforts in the military, political, race/human relations and governance arenas.

Fortunately, human instincts which produce a meaningless life, are seriously addressed in the revolutionary teachings of Jesus. It is not in our human nature to: turn the other cheek; love your enemy; do good to those who despitefully use you, etc., etc. I have found it difficult to achieve these goals, and often fail. Jesus also has a lot to say about life. In essence, his teaching presents us with a choice—either living, or merely existing.

Like many people, (I suspect), I have experienced periods in my journey when I have strongly believed that I am existing rather than living. The only thing that has lifted me out of this bog is my acceptance of the promises and teachings of Jesus on the

subject: for instance, here are a few of the words of Jesus which come often to my mind.

Whoever finds his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. So do not worry, saying, what shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or what shall we wear? …But seek first His kingdom and righteousness and all these things shall be given to you. I am the bread of life. I am the way, the truth and the life. He who has the Son has life. I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full (abundant life).

And many more.

Of course, acceptance of these teachings means that I should follow Jesus’ many instructions on what to do with this life. I have also found it difficult to achieve this goal, and often fail.

Occasionally though, I have experienced a strong conviction that the task I am performing at that particular time is what God wants me to be doing at that particular time. To me, that is living. It has nothing to do with being a “good” person, whatever that means.

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Special Volunteer Opportunities There are dozens of ways you can volunteer in our church and centre but, here are three special areas that may appealed to particular people. They each entail consultation, training, working with a small team and careful, consistent application over a period. To the right persons volunteering in these areas could be a fulfilling challenge.

Technical Support

These days vision and sound are part of every Sunday service and most special occasions.

Our hi-tech systems are growing. They are complicated but by no means impossible. There are many variables which have to be understood and managed to great effect.

Interested people will need two things— training and a willingness to commit to times and dates. The tech team personnel take turns but when you are scheduled on you must be there. Some knowledge of computers will be helpful.

There is no age requirement. Some young people have shown aptitude and enjoy the task—older persons who are willing to learn can find this activity satisfying

Sponsoring Iranian refugee couple

Creating a Volunteer Schedule

As this magazine demonstrates we already have many volunteers and we have many more tasks where volunteers are need.

However, the tasks must be identified and the volunteers must be trained. In the past some volunteers have come forward only to find that their task has not been defined and their time wasted.

What is needed is a Volunteer Coordinator—a person who can identify all the tasks and when and how they need doing. This is a task for a systems person who enjoys lists and with people skills.

Through an Iranian family in our church we have been introduced to a 25 year old refugee couple with a 6 weeks old baby. They have UNHDR refugee status and are currently living in Iran in extremely difficult circumstances.

The fact that they are Christians has and is a major contributor to their troubles.

The New Zealand Government has stated they will allow a small number of organisations to sponsor a refugee family in 2017. It seems likely that our church and centre could sponsor this family.

We need a small committee, 3 or 4 persons who will work with Stan on this procedure. We know it will not be easy and it will take time.

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Interested in any of these?

Are we talking about you?

If so let’s talk!

Contact our General Manager, Graeme Smith — 575 6098 or Stan — 021 362 489

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Children and Youth

Would you like to be part this engine? We have so many things going on for our children and youth around the community: Mandarin Class Tuesday to Thursday, Kids Club, Tween Scene, Friday Night Programme for Teenagers, Farm camps and so on.

NOW WE NEED:

1. Leaders and Cooks for Kids Club on Thursday afternoon. There are 6 sessions of Kids Club every term and you might only need to do 2 or 3 of them. Other people or team will do other weeks.

‘EACH OF YOU

3. Farm Camps from 26th - 29th Sept. Are you good with camping? Or do you like to build a bush hut with the children? Let us know if you can help us for these 4 days— especially with transport.

4. Sunday school. We have 2. We provide a walk-down Sunday school for different for children from St Heliers ages of children on Sunday School. They attend the clubs morning—would you like to that start at 4pm. So we need spend 30 minutes on Sunday help with the walk from the morning with children? school and looking after the Teaching them Bible Stories children until the club starts— or games? Feel free to contact Tuesday, Friday, 2:45pm Joshua if you would like to - 4pm. help or if you have any ideas!

575 6098 WHEN I WAS TEENAGER, I JOINED THE CHURCH YOUTH CHOIR AND

MY MINISTER ALWAYS SAID TO US: THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LIKE THE ENGINE OF THE TRAIN TO THE CHURCH. YOU DRIVE THE CHURCH GOING FORWARD. IF THE ENGINE GOES IN THE WRONG DIRECTION, OR STOPS GOING, SO DOES THE CHURCH.

Joshua Yang Children and Youth Pastor

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SHOULD USE WHATEVER GIFT YOU HAVE RECEIVED TO SERVE OTHERS, AS FAITHFUL STEWARDS OF GOD’S GOODNESS IN ITS VARIOUS FORMS.’ APOSTLE PETER

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Blue Skies Dreaming:

Our Church and Centre exists to give gifts to the community.

But what could these possibly be?

WE

gathered our leaders and asked them what they believed we could give to the community. We called it exploring ‘Blue Sky Dreaming’. After hours of discussion four key words came into focus.

Welcome Integration

Education Empowerment

We will every day intentionally be a welcoming place for all ages and races, and cultures. Ours will be a place of acceptance of differences, respect for diversity of beliefs, an environment for meaningful interaction. We are already doing this in an ad hoc way.

However we should be more focused and intentional.

Relationships need to go beyond a warm ‘hullo’. In some cases, family support is needed. Specific needs should be addressed as they emerge. For instance, help

with finding work, where to look, how to present yourself on paper and in person etc. is a real current need.

Two key challenges :Training leaders & Developing personal potential.

We need to live by the mantra, “Our Church and Centre is not a destination but a stage on the way to being the best you can be”. Encourage excellence in everything we attempt, be it group activities or personal achievement. Give opportunities for leadership and training for leadership – be they children, youth, adults and older adults. Train and equip persons with life skills necessary to survive and thrive in our confusing times. Enable individuals, youth, parents, seniors to keep up with and use the ever changing hi-tech environment. To keep up to date with modern communications and to use appropriate means—including the internet—to share aspects of our life and understanding that may be of interest and help to others.

We acknowledged that many people are suspicious of the church. Churches are seen as pious clubs always looking for new members. Churches all talk about Jesus but the Jesus they present varies. Denominations tend to make Jesus in their own image to suit their purposes.

Against this background we must constantly wrestle to understand the message of Jesus to today’s world and where he is to be found. This entails being open to the power and presence of Jesus in our life, in the community and in the world. We must share this understanding in actions mostly, and words at times, not in a triumphal or dogmatic way but in the spirit of humility and love. Sharing all we have and all we know in generosity and love.

WHAT DOES LOVE LOOK LIKE? IT HAS THE HANDS TO HELP OTHERS. IT HAS THE FEET TO HASTEN TO THE POOR AND NEEDY. IT HAS EYES TO SEE MISERY AND WANT. IT HAS THE EARS TO HEAR THE SIGHS AND SORROWS OF MEN. THAT IS WHAT LOVE LOOKS LIKE. SAINT AUGUSTINE

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† August ‘16

SMALL MIRACLES

Staff changes and lots of future hopes!

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mall Miracles has undergone a significant change this term with two long term teachers retiring—Susan Piaggi—Principal, and Angela Cottrell, They were greatly loved and are sorely missed.

It was with some trepidation that we started the new term, but our children and families have taken all the changes in their stride.

We have been very fortunate to have some awesome relief teachers working with us. Thank you, Kate, Paddy and Karen for stepping in. They are all familiar with the children and our routines, which has made the change so much easier. We hope to have news of new staff very soon. We thank Graeme Smith our Centre Manager for the support he has given the staff at this time. Rev Pauline’s personal contact is always appreciated by children and staff.

At Small Miracles we have always had great relationships with our families and this is evident in the amount of volunteer parent help that we get. We regularly have mothers pop in to help us with all those little tasks that we don’t always find time to do. Our Dads are also fantastic and are

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always happy to assemble bikes, rake the sandpit, carry heavy bags of garden refuse to the garden bin out the back etc.

At the end of each term we do a big clean up and the last week is a very sociable time with parents coming in to help clean. (We are famous for our good morning tea).

Every year we also get students from local schools (12 -13 year age)who spend time at Small Miracles as part of their community service. The children love having them here and the students find it most rewarding.

The Olympic Games have been a big focus this term and the children have been learning about the symbols, sports and countries at the Olympics. We have had a torch relay around the centre and every day we run some sporting events where we award some medals. On the 19th August we will be ending our Olympic focus with a shared Cultural Lunch. We will encourage the children and their families to choose a country and dress up in traditional clothing or colours of that country. They will also provide a plate of food from that country to share. We are all excited about this event and hope many families will come.

† ST HELIERS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE

Like to be a Love Magnet?

-stan stewart

FOR YEARS I HAVE WORKED WITH MANY PEOPLE DEVASTATED

BY GRIEF BECAUSE OF A MARRIAGE BREAKDOWN OR THE END OF AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP. MANY OF THEM BELIEVED THAT THEIR ONLY HOPE FOR REGAINING A FULL LIFE WAS TO FIND A NEW 'SOMEONE' WHO WOULD ‘LOVE’ THEM. THEY WANTED TO ATTRACT LOVE. IN MY WORDS THEY WANTED TO BECOME A ‘LOVE MAGNET’.

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he desire to attract love sells a lot of product—fashion, cosmetics, cars, gym membership, hair styling etc.. But, the right body shape or a sleek car may make more people look your way but that is something quite different to ‘loving’ you.

However I firmly believe it is possible to become a 'love magnet'. I have seen persons who were labelled, or who labelled themselves, 'an ugly duckling' become persons who everyone wants to be near to. It is possible to become a 'love magnet'.

Joan’s story. Joan was in an abusive marriage. Her husband regularly told her she was unattractive, dumb and completely devoid of personality. Worse still, she believed him. She would have committed suicide but for the children. Instead on one rainy weekday, she took the children out of school and left for family in Sydney, 300k’s away. This was the longest drive she had ever undertaken and something her husband repeatedly told her would be impossible for her. The thought of navigating the Sydney streets with its heavy traffic on a Friday afternoon terrified her.

Her greatest fear was getting lost. In preparation for the journey she wrote detailed directions for her journey on both hands and arms. In this way she could follow the right route without looking away from the road. The writing on her hands and arms was her personal GPS – years before GPS was in use.

Shortly after this, she came to a group I was leading. In the sharing time she repeated all the negative things her husband said about her. She still believed them. And then she listened intently to the stories of others. Her empathy was obvious. She started helping others to believe in themselves, and they began to do the same to her. She was a superb listener and supporter. In time no one in the group accepted her negative self-talk. They saw her as beautiful, caring person. She was loved by all. Through the giving of herself Joan had become a love magnet.

And you can do the same. Want to attract love, be a love magnet?

You can do it. Give love to others and they will love you in return.

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Want more out of life?

Put more into it!

Two Candlelight ‘Villani Piano Quartets’ Tickets: $25 adult—$20 seniors & students Bookings: 575 6098

17 SEPTEMBER COME AT 7PM FOR 7.30PM SUPPER PROVIDED AT YOUR TABLE

25 SEPTEMBER COME AT 5PM FOR 5.30PM INCLUDES LIGHT DESSERT

Farm Camp

26-29TH SEPTEMBER.

Enquire Joshua | 575 6098 Email: josuay@sthelierscentre.org.nz

Trick the Light Family Party & Talent Quest— Alternative to Halloween MON 31ST OCT—GLENDOWIE COMMUNITY CENTRE

Catering Services: Contact Lilit Manukyan | 575 6098 lilitm@sthelierscentre.org.nz

The talented young people of Centre for Music— (from left)Xiaole, Michael, Daniel, Flavio (teacher), Deanna

Donations are another way of putting more into life.

Within our church and centre we have a ‘“Centre for Music’. We offer scholarships to children and young people who otherwise would not be able to take lessons.

Think about it. Your donation to the Centre for Music can make possible a wonderful opportunity for a young person who would otherwise miss out.

Enquiries: Barbara 575 9410—Gifts are tax deductible.

. . . and there is much more! visit www.sthelierscentre.org.nz For general gifts to the Church and Centre: 01 0262 0010575 000 (St Heliers Presbyterian Church) Include your name in the reference so that a receipt can be issued.