Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 13 November 2022

Kia ora St John’s whānau,

This Sunday we have a Baptism, celebrate Communion and a special guest preacher (see below), and we will consider how much we rate human wisdom in relation to God’s power!

If you want to read the Bible readings before Sunday, they are: Isaiah 12: 2-6 and 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

Children start at 10am with their peer group in the St John’s Centre and join in Communion later. The Youth Group will stay in the whole service this Sunday, to hear Dr Gray Manicom.

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.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/370260759?pwd=b2ZkajZ5d28rTy9EN1VKZDJUM3N4dz09 
 

If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#)

This is the link to the printable Service Sheet 

If worshipping via Zoom, please be prepared for Communion at home with your bread and cup.

VISITING MATHEMATICIAN

We are delighted to be hosting Dr Gray Manicom for a visit at St John’s in the City this weekend (12th & 13th November)
There will be three opportunities to hear him: on Saturday at 3pm (for students), in the Sunday morning service, and an informal presentation after the service.

Dr Gray Manicom is a mathematician with interests in dynamical systems. His PhD is in the study of memory effects in heteroclinic networks. He is a research fellow in the Department of Physics at the University of Auckland, modelling and investigating the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic on a network. He loves cricket, movies and talking about ideas.

Please help us share the Saturday event for students…

‘Uses of Mathematics today: How Mathematics helps solve the world’s problems’
Can 42 actually be the answer to the ultimate question? Can an equation take over the world? Can mathematics unlock lockdowns and quarantine pandemics? The next few decades of human development will depend on big data, AI, genetic editing, quantum computing, space travel and other fields that are, in essence, entirely dependent on mathematics. Quantum particles are too small, space too far, data too plentiful and AI too unpredictable to experiment on these things in traditional ways. Scientists in these fields typically no longer rely on experimental data to tell them what is true or not, instead, they rely on the language of mathematics' ability to describe the world. But is this trust justified? What are the differences between science and mathematics? And where does God fit in?
Saturday 12th November, at 3pm in the St John’s Centre at St John’s in the City

On Sunday after the morning service the talk in the St John’s Centre is: ‘Mathematics, Creativity and the Creator’
All mathematics is created by people, and imagination is still the main tool for mathematical progress. However, just like with inspiring art, sometimes it seems to go beyond something created, beyond the imagination of the human creator, to suggest there was something fantastic and real waiting to be discovered the entire time. Join me as I reveal the secret life of the mathematician, and how my quest through the realm of mathematics has led me closer to the ultimate Creator.

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT...

THE MESSENGER

The most recent St John’s Messenger newsletter reviews some recent events, and looks ahead to what is next.

RAISING THE STANDARD OF GIVING

Last week, we highlighted the slides from the AGM about the church finances.

These show that we are continuing to navigate a difficult financial environment with multiple pressures. Even though St John’s achieved an “accounting surplus” for 2021/22, a large deficit of $400,000 is budgeted for 2022/23. This arises because of:
• The need to inflation protect the Trust Fund – high inflation and low returns means very limited real returns are expected this year
• Insurance costs are $176,000 (plus GST) for the year – a $20,000 increase on last year and a 50% increase over the last 3 years
• Repairs and maintenance – painting the manse, washing the buildings on the St John’s site, and the repair of the Church reception roof have added to costs this year
• Higher salaries arising from market demand and the intention to fill the youth and children’s ministry vacancies
• A significant decline in annual congregational giving of about $60,000 compared with 2018.
Some of these challenges, such as insurance, will require a regional or national approach, as other Churches are facing similar cost challenges.

And some of these challenges are ours. Giving should be a joy that reflects our faith and enables our worship, ministry, mission and outreach. Jesus talked about money a lot. At least a third of his teaching was about money and property related matters – the incidents of the rich young ruler and the widow’s mite are forthright in their implications. Jesus did this because he knew that many of those he spoke to considered money more important than the Kingdom of God.

Let’s prayerfully re-examine our giving as an important expression of our faith and rise to the challenge of an additional $20,000 a year over the next three years.

ONE CONFERENCE

We are excited to have over 240 participants registered for the One Conference here at St John's in the City November 17-19.

You have the opportunity to attend any of the four main sessions of the conference for just $5 per session. For information on the main sessions go to: https://www.oneconference.org.nz/keynote-speakers
You do not need to preregister to attend, simply come with $5 cash before the session and pay it at the hospitality desk in the St Johns Centre.

WHĀNAU NIGHT

5pm-6.30pm, Sunday 20 November, BYO Picnic. The theme for the evening will be a youth-led Code Breaker night.
We started off the year with a picnic in the park, and we are going to finish off with a picnic in the hall. We invite you to bring your own meal to our final celebration.
This will be our LAST whānau night of 2022. And in order to continue whānau nights in 2023, we are looking for a committed leader to help orchestrate and organise teams, as Gordon Fitch is stepping down from this role.
Please get in touch if you can to help organise whānau nights.

DCM

Foodbank Appeal …Saturday 19th of November. St John's have been asked to collect from 9am -1pm at Chaffers St New World, with two collectors per hour. You might consider doing this for the sake of those in our city who need help. Please contact Carolyn Goudswaard, if you are able to help.

Annual General Meeting …Monday 28th November. Their AGM is in the St John’s Centre. Refreshments will be served from 5:30pm with a meeting start time of 6pm. DCM’s Manahautū, Stephen Turnock, will offer a reflection.

SCOTS COLLEGE ADVENT SERVICE

At St John’s in the City 4pm Sunday 27th November 2022.

COMBINED ADVENT SERVICE

With St Mary of the Angels and St Peter’s.
At St Mary of the Angels 7pm Sunday 27th November 2022

FELLOWSHIP GROUP

The Fellowship Group meets for the traditional Advent Service on Tuesday 29th November at 11am in the St John’s Church. Please note this is the fifth Tuesday of the month.
The usual shared lunch will be enhanced by strawberries and ice-cream. And a koha will be invited in support of the work of Christian World Service.

The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Allister