Message from Northern Presbytery Moderator Rev Steve Millward https://youtu.be/_4llKB0QkUY
Joint Worship Service at Zion Hill
An inspirational service in a packed church was shared by many from St Aidans, Zion Hill Methodist and St Andrews on Sunday 31st March, based on the love and forgiveness in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15. The Samoan Ekelesia’s intergenerational singing was amazing, as was new Zion Hill Minister Rev Robyn Allen-Gouge’s song and harp playing. Rev Colin Gordon and Rev Matt Chapman presented “My letter to the boy who ran”. (See SERMONS page) An enormous morning tea and lots of catch-up talk followed in the hall after the service.
New back steps at St Andrews
The Resource Committee was concerned that parts of the wooden steps to the Mariposa Crescent footpath were no longer safe. Clive McMillan of Mokoia Developments (who did restoration work in the church, some with no labour charge) was commissioned to replace them and made a superb job. Thanks to Clive and also to Greg Skudder, who has painted them in his retirement spare time.
Tribute to Tony Green, 14 February 2019
Tony, love of her life for over 60 years, had been ill for some time and Anne and their many friends paid tribute to this larger-than-life, fun-loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Annes’ story of their initial telephone meeting and love at first sight began her moving account of their life together, the growth of their family, the place of dance, music and fun in their lives together and Tony’s contribution to Association Football here and in Vanuatu. Grandchildren spoke and read a poem. Lifelong friend Tom McMillan spoke, and Malcolm McLeod conducted the memorial occasion. A superb slideshow illustrated the dancing, music and fancy dress of so many happy events.
Over 70 from St Aidans, St Andrews and St Lukes worshipped together on 30 December
Gerald Sharrock of St Aidans led a very happy and thought-provoking service and talked about some of the Cs which shaped our thinking and traditions about Christmas, the birth of Jesus. These included the Council of Nicea, Constantine, the Concordat of Worms, Calvin, Dickens’ Christmas Carol, Queen Victoria’s Consort Prince Albert, Bing Crosby and Commercialism. Everyone enjoyed the singing of carols and hymns and the chance to talk with old friends, while so many other friends were away on holiday.
Meeting between members of Zion Hill, St Aidans and St Andrews 28 October
The 5 faces of mission today
Our Church nationally has adopted Five Faces of Mission. These are:
• the preaching of the message of Jesus • the nurturing of disciples • the loving service of people in need • the involvement in society for its transformation • and in caring for creation.
Elders’ dinner and directions seminar
St Andrews Elders met for dinner and discussion on a recent Sunday evening. Colin led the discussion as we reviewed progress with our 5-year Strategic Plan and thought about what works well and what else can be added to our parish life over the next little while. Thoughts and suggestions were written on big sheets for display on noticeboards and in the hall.
2018 AGM 26 August
The Annual General Meeting of the congregation was sandwiched between morning tea and lunch after the service. Colin ensured that everyone could see and hear one another, all reports were received and financial statements were adopted. The budget for the year to 30 June 2019 was adopted after brief discussion. The many good things we are doing were shared, as were ideas of how we might extend our mission to the community. David Hansen brought greetings from our friends at St Aidans Northcote.
Grace Hibbs:
Grace died recently and her funeral was held on Thursday 16 August 2018 at St Andrews. Grace was a very active member of St Philips and St Andrews and led Girls’ Brigade at St Philips for many years, as well as participating actively in many church activities. She served several terms on the Session. Her gentle nature belied her firmness when addressing situations and issues.
Pauline Fish gave a lovely tribute on our behalf, one which was not only heart-felt but based on her personal friendship with Grace. The family were very appreciative of all the visitors Grace continued to have over these last few years, particularly when she was not able to get to church. They were so grateful the church was made available and really appreciated everyone’s contribution to saying ‘farewell’. Our love goes out to Linda and Murray and their families.
News from Laurie Wesley in Santiago de Chile
Hello all,
The time is passing very quickly here, and things are all going smoothly. I was expecting to go out with one of my colleagues today but he postponed our outing for family reasons. So today I did some walking up the main hill in Santiago known as San Cristobal. 
The zoo is on the lower slopes and there is a large statue of Mary at the top. I took the train to Pedro de Valdivia station (where we were the last time you visited us Alison) and walked from there to the top. The hill is a national park with a well built sealed road to the top, and there are a network of walking tracks all over it. It is usually full of cyclists on Sundays
However they were back operating again as one of the photos shows. I had lunch at the top then went down on the funicular and traveled home on the Metro by a slightly long route. A new line (No 6) has opened since we were last here so I tried it out. It is all very new and the stations all have complete barriers like the systems in Singapore and Dubai, and the trains are automatic (ie driverless).
It seems their collection is very different to ours in NZ and probably those in England and countries involved in the two World Wars. There was no sign of Spitfires, Lancasters, Mosquitos etc. One part of it was dedicated to the Ides or dreams people had of flying over the centuries before real aircraft were invented and it was well done.[Webmaster and Robyn know that hill – but we went up by bus. An ambitious walk for Laurie.]
Farewell to Dr Gary Bold
Gary Bold, husband, father, grandfather, physicist and teacher, radio ham, tramper and mountaineer, Christian, elder …. the list goes on. Gary died on Tuesday 3rd July 2018 after a short illness, and a Family Service for Gary’s family and the congregation was held on Friday evening 6th July. Members remembered Gary’s dramatic presentation of readings, prayers, sermons and children’s talks over the 40+ years he and Rosemary had been at St Andrews. They spoke of his musical contribution – the trumpet in the music group, the Happy Birthdays and frequent other piano playing at worship, the way in which someone who could not read music could contribute so much. Some remembered that Gary was an encourager who lived his faith. Our love and prayers are with Rosemary, Geoff, Michael, Anna, the grandchildren and wider family as they go forward in life without him.
At the funeral on Saturday, the church was packed and a relay enabled many in the hall to share in a celebration of Gary’s life. University of Auckland colleagues explained how an eccentric PhD student of Physics in the late 1950s became the recipient in 2004 of the first Prime Minister’s Award for Best Tertiary Teacher in New Zealand. 
Radio hams told how he wrote an excellent and popular column in their magazine for many years. Pauline Fish spoke of the huge contribution Gary had made to our church. Anna and Geoff talked about their father, the poetry he taught them and the family holidays they had had at Whangapoua. Geoff explained that the plain, rough-sawn, wooden coffin he, Michael and Anna had chosen was just like something Gary would have made.
The Webmaster is dead.
God help the new Webmaster.
. 
