Anzac Service: A warm thank you to all who contributed to our Anzac service last Sunday. It was inspiring to see a full church with those of all generations from babies to nonagenarians together remembering, giving thanks, praying and committing ourselves to be peacemakers and peacekeepers in God’s world. Many were challenged by the speeches of Henry, Letitia and Thomas from local schools as they wondered aloud what Anzac servicemen and women might say to us today. There was warm appreciation of Rose Light’s sensitive violin playing before the service and her poignant rendition of the Last Post and Reveille. The children’s book I read was The Anzac Violin by Jennifer Beck, and it was lovely to find Alexander Aitken the violinist was a relative of Marjorie Smart! Thank you too to Carol Stewart and team for the beautiful floral arrangements of poppies and white crosses; and to Denis and the choir for leading our worship in inspiring hymns and ‘In Flanders Fields’ anthem.  Bill Black went beyond the call of duty to deliver his reading – owing to a thunderstorm, his plane was diverted from Christchurch back to Wellington, and he had to get a very early Sunday morning flight to be here at church on time – well done, Bill, for your faithfulness.

Pastoral and Funeral Ministry: I am very grateful to Shirley-Anne Collins and team who have catered for 3 funerals over the last week, with grace and care, whether a funeral be large or small. Theirs is a pastoral ministry, much appreciated by family members, and the spirit with which it is offered is truly a ministry of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter – thank you.

As winter approaches, do keep in touch with one another, and let us know if you hear of someone who is housebound, unwell or in hospital, and we will do our best to be in contact with them. Please don’t just assume that we know, as sometimes family are too preoccupied to contact us. We’d rather hear sooner than later. Thanks for your care. Arohanui, Revd Jenny (Wilkens)