The parish newsletter will be updated each month in print form, and available at service each Sunday. We always contact church members with extra important information.
January 2021
Note from Nathan
Hello everyone and welcome back. We’ve now resumed normal services with Bruce’s service last Sunday, and our week-day ministries get ready to start again after Waitangi weekend. We had a lovely break exploring New Zealand without crowds of tourists; we could see some places are struggling through a lack of overseas visitors, but we are blessed to live in a beautiful country.
It was really sad to receive the news, while we were in Tekapo, that Wilma had left us. Wilma was a ray of light and a deeply Christian woman who touched young and old alike. I was grateful for Liz and Bruce meeting with the family and planning the funeral, and for the family holding off til I was back. Wilma, however, isn’t the only loss; we also mourn with Michael and Anne Bain at the passing of Michael’s sister Colleen whom, I assume, also went through Sunday School here at IBPC. May God’s Spirit also be with that family.
February is always a busy time after a quiet month.
Thurs 28th Jan: we have been interviewing potential candidates for our Youth Worker position. These continue tonight with two more interviews. Please pray.
Sat 30th Jan: this was advertised a bit before Christmas, but we are having our prayer and planning retreat for 2021 this Saturday from 10am-3pm (at the latest), in the IBPC lounge. All leaders, volunteers, prayers, preachers, servants are welcome to join with us to reflect on 2020, to be still before God, and to seek to discern themes and priorities for a new year. Apologies for the short notice.
Sat Feb 13th: The Island Bay Festival is coming our way again, starting with a garage sale from 10am-noon at IBPC, and then following with a trailer in the parade. Help with the sale appreciated as always, and if you would like to help decorate a float, see Mel.
Sun Feb 14th: The festival continues with a raft race at noon on the Sunday. We would love to be able to enter this event with our youth group and Brigades, but would need people with engineering skills to help put a raft together, and an afternoon building it. If you are keen, see Nathan.
Feb 18th: Lent begins on the 17th and the usual ecumenical service up at the Home of Compassion. Thurs 18th will see the start of our 5-week Lent study for 2021. This year we are using a study from the Church of England called “Living the Story.” The pattern for the study is bible reading, reflection, video, discussion. Session 1 looks at re-telling the story; session 2 looks at entering into the story. We will run these in our Thurs 10am BBC group. See Nathan if you would like to be part of a 5-week Lent study in the evenings.
News n updates
Margaret heard great reports about the summer combined services. She heard from friends that they liked meeting up with other Island Bay Christian folk and they enjoyed hearing from the spirit through the different flavours that are unique to each of our churches. She says “Long may our tradition of meeting together continue!”
Choral Workshop on 30 January. Festival Singers. Saturday 30 January 2021, 10am to 4pm. St Hilda’s Anglican.
Our Garage Sale: 2 weeks away! Saturday 13th Feb, 10-12. Bring all and sundry goods to the church at any time. We accept most things except large furniture items and white ware. Small appliances are fine!
Island Bay Festival:13 + 14 February 2021 – Shorland Park and surrounds. The Fun Day is packed full of events this year, including the annual Festival Parade and Variety Show showcasing our local talent and community groups. The Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club is hosting a family fun day on the beach with their Tapu te Ranga Island Swim, a mini surf comp for littlies, a sand castle competition and more! The inaugural raft race is a fun event for schools and clubs – build your own raft and race around a short course – extra points for theme rafts and costumes!
DCM food bank dates for 2021. March 7, 14, 21; June 6, 13, 20; Sept 5, 12, 19; Dec 5, 12, 19.
A Rep from IBPC to Zoom for the environment
Could you join the PCANZ ‘Enviro’ network? First Zoom is Thursday 18 Feb, 7.30pm. Please email Silvia. At our General Assembly 2018 the PCANZ affirmed our calling to be “responsible stewards of God’s creation” and agreed to take “achievable and measurable act-ions”, and to report on this. The Zoom meeting will be an opportunity to hear from each other about what our churches and presbyteries are doing in care for creation. It will also be a chance to plan ‘what next?’ Come along (virtually)!
Trappers needed
Manawa Karioi, Wellington’s oldest restoration project, needs your help to control introduced predators. Visiting Kererū, Kākā and Kārearea need to nest safely in the reserve. (Stage 2 of Predator Free Wellington’s rollout does not include Manawa Karioi.) Full training for new volunteers. Please contact Annie.
Great Housekeeping Moments
Storage in Lounge annex: Please leave clear access to the tall grey cabinet and to the toy boxes stored at rear. These units are used weekly. We don’t have too many options for storing the new play group’s equipment, so let’s try to keep the space accessible.