Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 21 May 2023
Kia ora St John’s whānau,
This Sunday we have special guests at our 10am worship service – students, families and staff from Aitken House at Scots College.
We will be exploring what ‘family’ means for us.
The youth will remain in the whole service, and St J’s Kids (primary aged children) will have their peer group time during the second part of the service, going out after the Children’s Talk.
If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream:
Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759
Passcode: worship
The link to join the Zoom worship service is below.
If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#)
This is the link to the printable Service Sheet
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT...
VISION
Our recent workshop to generate new Vision initiatives was very successful! Thank you to those who participated in pursuing our Vision:
We explore and share the gospel with our dynamic neighbourhood. We create safe spaces to be, to belong, and to navigate the tough stuff. Getting to know God is a team sport – that’s why we do this together, not alone.
We want to prioritise initiatives that:
· Explore and share the Gospel
· Make us recognisable as a Church community in the city
· Emphasise love, fun and friendliness
· Encourage inclusion, belonging and participation
There are some tremendous ideas that the Project Teams are planning…
Site and Space Open the Chapel at times during the week
Rob Anderson and Judi Ferguson
Community Rebuild Youth & Session Dinner,
Marg Gilkison and Jemma August
Whānau Night Next one is May 14th, 5pm
Fiona Purchas and Bronwyn Wood
Vision Communication & Connections Pamphlet about who we are
Elizabeth Gibbs
Getting to Know our Neighbours Prayer Stall at events in the city
Ino Pasullean
These contact names are provided so you can get involved!
Here is a link to the full summary of priority initiatives
Our Vision is described on our website, with the contact details of key leaders: https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/values
FELLOWSHIP GROUP
Ron Fountain will be the next speaker at the May Fellowship Group on Tuesday 23rd May, 11am in the St John’s Centre.
Ron’s topic is ‘Growing up in a missionary family’.
PENTECOST
On Sunday 28th May we celebrate Pentecost – the Birthday of the Church!
As well as the 10am morning service, we will have a combined ecumenical celebration of Pentecost at St Mary of the Angels, Boulcott Street at 7:00pm.
TEAM WORK
We have weekly rosters for everyone to play a role in our St John’s whanau. We are looking for more helpers from July - particularly more bell ringers, aisle duty (offering), morning tea helpers and greeters. A few more hosts would also be helpful, see Marg Gilkison if you want details of this job. To put your hand up for any of these roles for the first time, please contact Linda Van Milligan.
FAITH THINKING
ENDING HOMELESNESS IN OUR CITY
DCM have a Food bank appeal on Saturday 27th May. We want to help by having volunteers from St John's at Chaffers New World – 2 per hour from 9:30am until 1:30pm.
To join in, contact Carolyn Goudswaard
SOUPER SUNDAYS
These lunches are back by popular demand! You are warmly invited to share in a bowl of hot soup after church on any of the following dates.
May 28
June 25
July 30
August 27
Just bring a small plate of something sweet to share with your tea or coffee. Come and share in the warm fellowship, we’d love to see you.
FUN FETE
The year 9 and 10s at St John's are organising a fete fundraiser for Kaibosh. Come along for games, crafts, second hand books, a raffle and LOTS of food.
The Peace of the Risen Christ be with you
Allister