CONTACTS:
Parish Clerk
Phone/Fax: 368 9392
87 Oxford Street
Levin 5510
Email:
Facebook
Office
[email protected]
Allen Little
06 367 5900
Email: [email protected]
Levin Uniting Church
Website
www.levinuniting.church
December 2015/Jan & Feb 2016
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GOT THAT CHRISTMAS FEELING EARLY!
The Women’s Fellowship had their Christmas Combined meeting in November this year.
They started with their guest speaker, then stopped for lunch (lots of yummy goodies on 2 tables!)
Then they had their normal meeting. It got quiet, so I went to see what was happening …. And found
this—wrapping Christmas presents for the Women’s Refugee and Prisoner Aid.
Well done!
WELCOME TO ROSEMARY
Rev. Bob Eyles welcomed another infant into our church family,
Rosemary Chrystal Thake. In the company of Allen Little, both her
parents and about a dozen family and caregivers.
WELL DONE!
Eileen Bolitho was
awarded a
Service Award at the
AGM Central
Districts Justices of
the Peace Association,
where they recognised
her 34 years of public
Service as JP.
The award was one of several
presented to Central Districts JPs
from the Secretary Of
Justice, presented by Mr Graeme
Kitto JP, President of the Royal
Federation of Justice.
CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY
Come & hear a speaker from CAP
Sunday 14th February At 10am in the hall
on
The CAP story: How it all started CAP story: How it all started
In 1996, with just a small donation and a big faith, John Kirkby left his career in finance and started Christians Against
Poverty in Bradford, England. His faith adventure led him to people crippled by debt; and he used his expertise to
negotiate with creditors, set up budgeting systems and offer a lifeline to those trapped in debt.
John knew that people all over the country were struggling in the same way and he began looking to replicate the
work across the UK. He found the answer in the local church, and through this partnership, began opening Debt Help
Centres.
Today, CAP’s holistic debt counselling service is run in partnership with hundreds of churches throughout the UK and
provides the best debt help service to those with the very least. CAP started running CAP Money Courses in partnership
with local churches to help people budget, save and prevent debt, and now offers Job Clubs to help people back into
employment.
CAP comes to New Zealand In 2007, Gareth and Heather Jones arrived in New Zealand with just
enough money to cover two month's expenses and a few contacts to help begin the work of CAP. They found s country
ready and waiting for CAP Debt Help and CAP Money Courses.
Since those early days, CAP has experienced rapid expansion across New Zealand. Today, 40 churches partner with
CAP to provide holistic Debt Help, and hundreds more run the CAP Money Course, so that thousands of Kiwi families
have access to CAP's free services and the love of the local church.
CAP New Zealand is consistently looking for ways to meet the unique needs of Kiwi families and local churches, including launching CAP Job Clubs in 2014 to help and support the unemployed; and the development of a rural Debt Help
model, so those in the most remote and poorest parts of our country can experience life free from debt.
Your Church
We do everything through the local church - because they are best equipped to bring hope and
freedom into their communities. We want your church to reach even more people in your community, see even more
people released from financial bondage and see them live a life filled with hope and freedom.
By partnering with CAP, your church can:
Open a Debt Centre to bring practical help and hope to those living in debt and poverty in
your communities, through our one-of-a-kind debt help service.
Run the CAP Money course, and teach people how to budget wisely, prevent debt, live well
within their means and save for the future.
Start a CAP Job Club, a step-by-step, eight-week course designed to help people back into
employment.
CONGRADULATIONS MURRAY
Certificate of Recognition: Murray Easton has earned the welldeserved title of Levin’s Own Piper.
He’s been playing the bagpipes for over 50 years at all sorts of special
events in the district: ANZAC parades; civic parades; Christmas at the
War Veterans Home; St Andrew’s Day; Haggis ceremonies and for
private functions like a recent naval wedding in Koputaroa.
He learnt to play as a youngster in Hawkes Bay but he and his pipes
have travelled the world with some wonderful and unusual highlights
like playing for the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday; the Edinburgh
Tattoo; and he was invited to play with the City of Christchurch Pipe
Band in Tripoli in Libya in a military music festival in honor of Colonel
Gaddafi’s 40 years in power. (That seems a long time ago and hasn’t the world changed!?)
The pipes have been a large part of family life for Murray. He has a drummer, a piper and a highland dancer
in the line up!
Bagpipes so often provide the wonderful finishing touch to special occasions and we in Horowhenua are
grateful to have had such an accomplished piper to enhance them.
Thank you Murray.
SANTA—SOME INFO
Did Coke create the red-suited Santa?
Actually, we do not claim the colour of Santa’s coat, though it has worked out quite well for us, since
red is so closely related to Coca-Cola! But we did not come up with the idea of putting Santa in red
clothes.
Many previous interpretations of the Santa Claus story featured Santa in a red outfit, notably the
illustrations of the famous political cartoonist Thomas Nast and the Christmas card printed by Louis
Prang.
Coca-Cola did help to create the modern-day image of Santa, and in fact the way most of us see
Santa Claus – friendly and plump with a white beard – did come from Coca-Cola advertising. Before
these ads, Santa was drawn in a variety of ways – even as a scary elf – but he was already wearing
red!
Coca-Cola introduced this new friendly, human image of Santa (created by illustrator
Haddon Sundblom) in December 1931.
(This picture is of a 1931 ad.)
From 1931-1964, Sundblom created holiday ads for Coke featuring Santa, and those
images continue to be used each year on bottles, cans and 12-packs.
Recently I had the question “are you Santa? Kids in my class tell me it is mummy & daddy”
I found what I thought was the perfect answer, this letter:
Dear Millie,
Thank you for your question. You asked a very good question: "Are you Santa?"
I know you've wanted the answer to this question for a long time, and I've had to give it careful thought
to know just what to say.
The answer is no. I am not Santa. There is no one Santa.
I am the person who fills your stockings with presents, though. I also choose and wrap the presents
under the tree, the same way my mum did for me, and the same way her mum did for her. (And yes,
Daddy helps, too.)
I imagine you will someday do this for your children, and I know you will love seeing them run down the
Christmas magic stairs on Christmas morning. You will love seeing them sit under the tree, their small
faces lit with Christmas lights.
This won't make you Santa, though.
Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he
does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches children how to have belief in something they can't see or
touch.
It's a big job, and it's an important one. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in
yourself, in your friends, in your talents, and in your family. You'll also need to believe in things you
can't measure or even hold in your hand. Here, I am talking about love, that great power that will light
your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.
Santa is a teacher, and I have been his student, and now you know the secret of how he gets down all
those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he's filled with joy.
With full hearts, people like Daddy and me take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise
be impossible.
So, no, I am not Santa. Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness. I'm on his team, and now you
are, too.
I love you and I always will.
Mummy
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not
perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15
Freely you have received, feely give. Matthew 10:8
It was a wonderful day!
We had around 150 people at
the morning service in the
church. Rev. Peter MacKenzie
lead the service with Rev.
David Pearson.
The combined choir was
awesome, the pipe as always
was perfect, the highland
dancers were lovely to watch.
A different way of Kirking the
Tartan this year, but we learnt
lots!
And we learnt how the golf
course was first made! Thanks
to St Andrew’s lost ship.
Then into the hall for more
Scottish traditions.
See our Facebook page for the
Address to the Haggis.
Thank you to all those
who participated in
making this day great!
CHRISTMAS GIFT OFFERING
Every year the Parish Council try to think of which mission to help in the way of our annual Christmas Gift Offering.
This year it was decided it would be here, at Levin Uniting Church.
The church administration office is in need of refurbishment, the day-core is still in the 1970’s - As this can be the
first impression that new people will see, we would like to make it more inviting.
Also included with the refurbishment would be the tinting of the windows as the
blinds have to be closed due to sun glare.
If you can help, it would be gratefully appreciated.
There is an envelope attached, please place in the Sunday offering plate, or if you
receive this by email, there will be spare envelopes as you come in/or at the
office.
PARISH COUNCIL 18TH NOVEMBER 2015
Parish Council met on Wednesday 18th November for our usual business. We will meet again on Wednesday
25th November to formally receive the recent Parish Review carried out by Presbytery.
Council was pleased to learn of our success in securing a grant toward the evening meal from the Presbyterian
Foundation and noted the necessity of attracting wider community support perhaps from some of our Market
Gardeners.
We were particularly appreciative for the generosity of our Women’s Fellowship who kindly donated the new
‘Shure microphone’ which is now installed and working well.
Horowhenua District Council have again issued us with a Busking Permit to enable Carol singing in the CBD
during the week before Christmas.
Parish Council spent a considerable amount of time discussing the Churches works programme and related financial implications. At a previous meeting the valued thoughts of a senior Church member were reported. In the
context of considering the works committee report it was decided to set up a ‘Development Team to look at
future concepts for Church plant development’ and we will be inviting input from the Congregation plus recruiting
some additions to the group. It’s important that we think futuristically with a sense of realism when considering
how we carry on in modern times.
We also made the important decision about future oversight. agreeing "THAT the Parish Council of Levin
Uniting Church acknowledges the dialogue with the Participating Partners during the last few
months, as a result of the dialogue supports the Methodist Church of NZ through its Lower North
Island Synod, becoming the Coordinating Partner from November 2015 and requests the Parish Clerk
to inform the national church partners and UCANZ accordingly."
There was some discussion concerning the Christmas Retiring Offering and who would benefit from it.
We received a number of Committee reports including Worship; Waitarere Fellowship; Works; Pastoral; Synod/
Presbytery and Evening Meal.
Allen L Parish Clerk
New Year Wishes
I wish you to have a
Sweetest Sunday,
Marvellous Monday,
Tasty Tuesday,
Wonderful Wednesday,
Thankful Thursday,
Friendly Friday,
Successful Saturday,
Have a great Year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
SO WHO IS REV DR PAUL ROGERS?
When I saw his name on the preaching roster, I asked, who is this man? This is an edited version of his reply. I found
his life very interesting. Come and hear him on Sunday January 31st.
Rev Dr Paul Rogers, Born in Auckland - Now aged 68. Moved to farm near Dargaville when aged 7.
Married to Colleen April 1982
Totally blinded while working in a shearing gang at age 18
Trained as a Basket Maker at Foundation for the Blind in Auckland in 1966 then trained as a Telephonist in late 1967.
Got a position with Winstone Northland Ltd in Whangarei in October 1968 and remained with them till 1988.
Born in to a nominal Anglican family, converted at age 14 while a patient in Auckland Hospital by the then Baptist City
Missioner, Nurtured in the faith by members of the Dargaville Open Brethren Assembly after returning to the farm.
After being blinded went to Foundation for the Blind in 1966 and got involved with Salvation Army.
in 1986 approached Army about some kind of full time ministry but doors were closed at that time due to my
disability.
Colleen and I had restored a 1942 American Army Jeep and developed a fun ministry driving around the Northland
countryside distributing Anti Drug Literature. One day the jeep broke down and as it had an original flathead sidevalve
Engine we needed help from someone who knew more about such motors than we did. We eventually were led to a
Christian Mechanic who turned out to be a member of the Whangarei Church Of The Nazarene. The Nazarene Church
is Wesleyan in doctrine very similar to the Salvation Army except that they believe in Baptism and Communion which
the Army does not practice.
I was in the midst of my Theological studies when the Whangarei Nazarene Church Pastor suddenly left town and
although only a year or so in to my course I was asked by the congregation to become their Pastor. I did so and
continued working on the study programme that the Nazarene Ministerial Studies Board set me, finally completing it
at the end of 1994. I was Ordained in January 1995 and transferred to Papakura South Auckland to get experience
working with Pacific Island peoples. I spent a year there as Assistant Pastor and was then asked to take over the
Nazarene Church in Hamilton. I was there for three years and then returned to South Auckland where I tutored
Samoan, Cook Island and Maori folk who were studying for the ministry. I was then invited to go to the South Pacific
Nazarene
Theological College in Samoa
God opened up the way for us and we spent six wonderful months in the Islands where we were already well known
due to our association with Samoans in Auckland.
Eventually we ended up in Oamaru in North Otago and bought a house. I was invited to Minister in the local Union
Parish from time to time and also began to establish an itinerant ministry travelings and preaching in Presbyterian Methodist and Nazarene Churches from just South of Oamaru to Christchurch.
In 2001 the Presbyterian Church in Owaka South Otago went through a major split with many members leaving and
only a small number hanging on. They heard about me and asked if I'd be willing to move there and try to salvage
their Church and the Presbyterian Ministry it that area.
We accepted the challenge and spent the next six years there with the fellowship being re-established with God doing
the work and me getting the credit.
In 2007 we were invited to take the Presbyterian Church in Mangere South Auckland. We had transferred to the
Presbyterian Church by this time and I had been recognised as a Local Ordained Minister. As we had begun to feel the
isolation in the deep south and as we did not enjoy the climate we moved to Mangere and spent the next seven years
there.
In 2013 my Mother who is also blind and who lived alone in Masterton developed Dementia and needed to go in to
permanent care. I resigned from my Parish and moved to the Wairarapa to look after her affairs.
We have now been here for two years and have been attending Saint James union Parish.
Recently our Minister moved on and it quickly became evident that they needed to get another minister in as quickly
as they could so they asked me if I would take over.
Up until recently Union Parishes came under one or other of their former denominations for a period of ten years but
this has now been changed to five year periods.
Because Saint James has been under Presbyterian direction for the last five years or so the Methodists now feel that it
is time they got involved again.
In all that I have none Colleen has been there as my faithful support, best friend, critic and main encourager. She has
lived in places and endured living conditions that most women would refuse to even think about let alone willingly
accept as her lot. She lived in places where Typhoid had been rife and where the living arrangement were basic to say
the least. Eating food and risking the most awful infections from bad water and worse food she gamely hung on in as
she believed in all that we did we were being directed by God.
She became greatly loved and respected by the Samoan, Tongan, Rarotogan, Fijian Indian and other ethnic groups.
Because of the help we gave to the Tokelau Island community in Mangere and in Logan City Brisbane Queensland we
are known as "Friends of the Tokelau People".
So that is a very quick—of who we are and why we are where we are.
This was enjoyed at the last Presbytery Gathering in Palmerston North,
so we are sharing it with you too!
Apricot Delight
1 tin of apricots
cream to whip
1 cup cornflakes
2 orange jellies
3 tbsp golden syrup
Mash or blend the apricots. Heat in the microwave. Add jellies and 2 cups of boiling water, stir until dissolved. When
set cover with whipped cream.
Topping
Warm golden syrup and add cornflakes, stir to glaze. (do this at the last minute or the flakes tend to go chewy.)
You can add a little sugar to make the cornflakes more crunchy but don’t dissolve the sugar.
LEVIN UNITING PARISH COMMUNIQUE’
Giving last
Budgeted:
1st Nov
8th Nov
15th Nov
22nd Nov
29th Nov
6 weeks:
$714.45 Adults attended
768.10
97
670.00
64
585.50
75
690.60
71
1,182.40
146 St Andrews Day
Total Budgeted:
Total Received:
$3,572.25
$3,893.60 over $324.35
The budgeted amount was included in this years
budget that you approved at the AGM. The automatic payments have its own budgeted amount & is not
included in this figure. Only the envelope/open combined Levin/Waitarere given amounts. Please
consider changing to an automatic payment—
this is a constant amount, especially if you are
unable to attend church every week. Thank you
to those who have done this.
Helpers are needed to help set up (Friday AM)
and take down church each Sunday morning.
Please consider this important part of making
church run smoothly. There is no one to help?
If you know of someone who is not
well, PLEASE let the office know! I will
get someone to get in contact
December DOOR DUTY:
6/13—Maurice & Faye Waldrom
20/27—Murray Easton & ?
Jan 2016
3/10 - Murray Easton & ?
17/24 31 Jan/7 Feb -
Feb 2016
14/21 28 Feb/6 Mar Lots of spaces free, please put your hand up and
make people feel welcome.
Cuppa Time after Worship for Dec:
Dec 6th Janet & Harvey Brown/Colleen Price
Dec 13th Mary & Lindsay McKay
Dec 20th Helen Hutchings/Murray Easton
Dec 27th Beth & John Berry/Betty Burbourgh
Jan 3rd Gwyneth Harris/Lorene Burdan
Jan 10th Lois & Bob/Viv Hayes
Jan 17th Helen & Paul Kirkby/John Brown
Jan 24th Ruth & Richard Rushton
Jan 31st Eileen & Doug Bolitho/Glad Passmore
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP
NOTICES FOR FEBRUARY
Morning Group: Did not advise in time for printing
Afternoon Group: Meets Tuesday 9th at 1.30pm in
the Wesley Lounge
Evening Group: Meet Tuesday 24th at 7.30pm at a
Sunday venue to be advised.
Can you spare 1/2 hour on
Evenings?
From 5.45pm the community evening
meal is served and we need people to
help to do this. Talk to Peter or Jack.
Thank you
This is EVERY SUNDAY we would
love to see you.
Loaves & Fishes Lunch
Starts again in February
Thursday 18th from 11.30am,
lunch at 12pm sharp! A hearty
soup, roll and dessert only $8p/p
Christmas Singing in the Levin CDB—
there was a lot of fun and joy doing this
last year—we are doing it again! If you
would like to bring some Christmas joy to
the people of Levin by singing Christian
Christmas carols—please let the office know ,for practice
times and when it will happen!
Fun FACT:
Did you know that the Monthly Market from April
2011—Oct 2015 has raised for this church
$12,053.90 What a wonderful effort!
Carols at Horowhenua Health Centre
Wednesday 16 December ,at 7pm. This year we have
uncovered some more talent among staff and their
families to lead the singing. A very warm welcome is
extended to all members of the public to join what
is a real Christmas and community event. Bring your
friends. There will be supper afterwards.
Good News stories, celebrations, What’s happening
in the Parish to include in The communiqué . This is
your newsletter about your parish, if you have
news, please let the office know (phone or email)
Something to talk/think about please!
What would you think about another
bus trip?
Maybe to Whanganui river and taking
a say cruise on it?
What about a Movie Fundraiser?
A fun popular movie at Focal Point
next year?
Let your thoughts be known!
According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game,
while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the
summer each year (the only members of the deer family,
Cervidae, to have females do so). Male reindeer drop their
antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November
to mid December.
Female reindeer, however, retain their antlers till after
they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to every
historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, every single
one of them, from Rudolf to Blitzen.... had to
be a female.
We should've known this when they were
able to find their way.
CALENDAR DECEMBER 2015 TO FEBRUARY 2016
When
What’s Happening?
Where?
DECEMBER 2015
Saturday 5th
8—11.30am Monthly Market—last until Feb 2016
Hall
Sunday 6th
10am
Communion with Rev. Bob Eyles
Church
Sunday 13th
10am
Lessons & Carols with LUC Choir & Youth
Hall
Sunday 20th
10am
Evening
7pm
Rev. John Turton
Christmas Carols in the carpark
St Mary’s Christmas Carol Service
Hall
Salvation Army carpark
St Mary’s Anglican church
Thursday 24th
2pm
5pm
11.15pm
11pm
Office closes
Crib Blessing
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Christmas Eve Service
Merry Christmas everyone!
St Mary’s Anglican Church Levin
Waitarere
St Mary’s Anglican Church Levin
Friday 25th
Christmas Day
9.30am
9am
Christmas Day Service
Christmas Day Service
Church
St Aiden’s Anglican, Waitarere
Sunday 27th
10am
Allen Little— Children’s ‘Show & Tell’
Christmas Presents
Church
Sunday 3rd
10am
Communion with Bob Eyles
Church
Sunday 10th
10am
Worship with Rev Merv Rive
Hall
Sunday 17th
10am
Worship with Rev Jan Richmond
Hall
Sunday 24th
10am
Worship with Peggy Jourdain
Hall
Monday 25th
All Day
Wellington Anniversary
Wellington Region
Tuesday 26th
9am
Office Opens for 2016
Sunday 31st
10am
7pm
Worship with Rev Dr Paul Rogers
Interchurch Service, with Rasik Ranchod
Hall
Levin Lifechangers
Thursday 4th
9.45am
Women’s Fellowship—To be confirmed
Gilmour Lounge
Friday 5th
9am
Market Set up
Hall
Saturday 6th
8-11.30am
Monthly Market
Waitangi Day
Hall
Sunday 7th
10am
Communion with Rev. Bob Eyles
Church
Monday 8th
All Day
Waitangi Day Observed
Office Closed
Tuesday 9th
1.30pm
Women’s Fellowship
Wesley Lounge
Sunday 14th
10am
Christians Against Poverty (CAPS)
Hall
Tuesday 16th
By 2pm
Communique Items Due
To the office please
Wednesday 17th
7pm
Parish Council
Gilmour Lounge
Sunday 21st
10am
11.15am
Mary MacKay
Worship Committee
Hall
Staff Room
Tuesday 23rd
7.30pm
Women’s Fellowship
TBA
Friday 26th
9am
Newsletter Team
Gilmour Lounge
Sunday 28th
10am
Mary MacKay
Hall
JANUARY 2016
FEBRUARY 2016
EVERY SUNDAY—10am at Waitarere,
6pm Community Meal, 7pm Evening Service in Hall
A lady lost her handbag in the bustle of Christmas shopping. It was found by an honest little boy and returned to her.
Looking in her purse, she commented, "Hmmm.... That's funny. When I lost my bag there was a $20 bill in it. Now
there are twenty $1 bills."
The boy quickly replied, "That's right, lady. The last time I found a lady's purse, she didn't have any change for a reward."
Thanks for the electric guitar you gave me for Christmas," little Chris Cody said to his uncle the first time he saw him
after the holidays. "It's the best present I ever got."
"That's great," said his uncle. "Do you know how to play it?"
"Oh, I don't play it," the little fellow said. "My mom gives me a dollar a day not to play it during the day and my
dad gives me five dollars a week not to play it at night.