LoginJohnsonville Uniting Church » Parish Newsletter » Easter 2007
FROM THE PASTORAL COMMITTEE
We are aware that pastoral care could "fall through the cracks" during the current ministerial vacancy. If you, or someone you know has pastoral needs, i.e. hospital visiting and visiting at when home again, sickness at home, bereavement support, etc. please contact either
Lalene Roberts (church office - 478 3396
Lois Robertson - 478 9571 and/or
Helen Hay - 478 7767
We can't arrange visits or support if we don't know when they are needed, so please keep us informed when folk you know are in need so we can help.
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
To inject some young life into the JUC family there have been two recent initiatives. The first was the decision to join the Kids Friendly Network. This is an initiative supported by the Presbyterian Church with both resources and finance. The "Becoming Kids Friendly" process is comprehensive and clearly defined in the flyer which is on the church noticeboard. One very valuable resource available to us through the Network is the Kids Friendly coach, Jill Kaiser. She is dedicated to "reaching out to, celebrating and including children into a community of faith". A shared vision. The second initiative is to hold a school holiday activities morning during the upcoming term break. Advertising has been arranged through the local Primary School newsletters, and we will be looking for support from within the congregation to help with staffing. It is hoped to be able to provide other such programmes later in the year.
The Search is on………
The search has started for a new ministry to fill the current vacancy in our parish following the parish’s decision to select the Methodist Church as church of oversight and use the Methodist stationing process. The search committee has started a series of meetings and action to find a suitable minister/ministry team and is making good progress in the early stages. This important task is both challenging and exciting. Your prayers and support are vital.
Early work has focused on protocols and deadlines for the process and preparing material. The parish profile has been prepared along with a package of information to send in response to expressions of interest. An advertisement has been prepared and will shortly be placed with a number of appropriate advertising outlets.
If you come across people who express an interest in the vacancy please refer them to the church’s website www.juc.org.nz where information will be available on how to make enquiries and/or request material. Alternatively they may contact Michael Player by email player(at)xtra.co.nz, phone 04 478 9073 or 027 224 8181.
The search committee comprises Kathy Stirrat, Karen Chapman, Michael Player, (Parish Council reps) Jennie Gianotti, Adriaan Barnard, Graham Cochrane, (congregational reps) Lynne Frith (Methodist Synod rep) Jim Cunningham (Presbytery rep), Tony Warrington (Joint Regional Committee rep) with Sandra Gaelic taking on the role of note taker. The committee intends keeping the parish informed as the process develops.
COME AND JOIN IN OUR EASTER SERVICES
6 April Good Friday Service at 10am
followed by the Ecumenical
Walk through Johnsonville
at 11 am
8 April Parish Breakfast at 8.30am
Family Worship at 10am
A warm welcome to all who would like to share with us
Minister: Rev Maurice Brown
RELAY FOR LIFE FUNDRAISING
Hutt City Musical Theatre's presentation of
"PUTTING ON THE RITZ"
on FRIDAY, 27 APRIL
7.00pm for a 7.30pm start
Tickets available from
Maureen Longman 478 7658
or Prue Simm 479 6695
Times of doubt, worry, hope and joy……
The friends and followers of Jesus faced the first Easter with trepidation and uncertainty about the future. Despite assurances they had received from Christ himself they went through a period of sorrow, doubt and worry before the utter joy of Easter Sunday and the realization that the spirit of God would always be with them.
For the people of Johnsonville Uniting the Easter story this year holds greater poignancy than normal. With the completion of Peter MacKenzie’s term in February we are now in a period of ministerial vacancy. We don’t know how long that period will be but in all likelihood it will be at least a year. It focuses us on maintaining the church without full time ordained leadership.
Yet already this has been a period of enrichment when various members of the congregation have stepped up and contributed to the leadership of worship with insightful and inspirational services.
Over Easter our own Rev Maurice Brown will lead the worship services. In keeping with his usual approach, Maurice will draw on his extensive knowledge of the bible and biblical times as well as making us think about contemporary messages. He will do this in a way that gently reaches out to people of all ages.
The Parish Council invites you, your families, friends and neighbours to celebrate with us this Easter. We look forward to welcoming you to the Terrace Centre and having a yarn over a cuppa about what we’re up to.
With best wishes.
Michael Player
Chairperson
“I am the light of the world” St John 8:12
It is believed that Jesus spoke these words in the Temple in Jerusalem. They were immediately pounced on by the Pharisees who were trying to trap Jesus and have him charged with blasphemy. This was all the more exasperating for Jesus opponents as he was close to the Great Menorah ( seven branched lamp) standing on its elevated position before the most sacred part of the temple.
Jews believed that this lamp shed its light not only over the temple precincts but over the city itself. As long as the light of the menorah could be seen the citizens of Jerusalem believed that God’s presence was with them.
In saying that he was “the light of the world” Jesus was claiming that his truth was greater than the temple rituals and sacrifices, and would stretch beyond Jerusalem.
His successful ministry in Galilee had already established that claim and the Galilean pilgrims who were loyal followers would proclaim him as he entered the Holy City on Palm Sunday.
As Easter approaches we might focus on Jesus claim and what it means for us and the church. When have we seen the light of Christ’s presence in our darkness? In what way is JUC a light in the Johnsonville community?
In St John 1:5 we read “His light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.”
Celebrating Easter as the season of light highlights the truth of God the creator
who brought light out of darkness,
hope out of despair,
joy out of sorrow,
and love’s victory over defeat and evil.
Alleluia!
Maurice Brown
SERVICES FOR APRIL to JULY
1 April - Communion/Palm Sunday Peter MacKenzie
Is 50: 4-9; Ps 118: 1-2, 19-29; Phil 2:5-11; Lk 19: 28-40 or
Jn 12: 12-16
5 April - Maundy Thursday possibly with St Peter & Pauls
6 April - Good Friday Maurice Brown
Is 52: 13 - 53: 12; Ps 22; Heb 10: 16-25 or Heb 4: 14-16, 5: 5-7;
Jn 18: 1-19: 42
8 April - Easter Day Maurice Brown
Acts 10: 34-43; Ps 118: 1-2, 14-24; 1 Cor 15: 19-26 or Acts 10: 34-43;
Jn 20 1-18 or Lk 24: 1-12
15 April Graham Cochrane and team
Acts 5: 27-32; Ps 188: 14-29 or Ps 150; Rev 1:4-8; Jn 20: 19-31
22 April Don Baker
Acts 9:1-6; Ps 30; Rev 5:11-14; Jn 21:1-9
29 April Peter MacKenzie
Acts 9:36-43; Ps 23; Rev 7:9-17; Jn 10:22-30
6 May - Communion Peter MacKenzie
13 May Margaret Inch with Martin Baker
20 May Sharmala and Michael David with
Kim Workman
27 May Peter MacKenzie
3 June - Communion Maurice Brown
10 June Ross Scott
17 June Neil and Lynette Simpson
24 June Peter MacKenzie
1 July - Communion/Winter series Glenn Barclay
8 July “
15 July “
22 July “
29 July “