On the Way ... the Anglican Parish of Lower Hutt
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On the Way
On the Way ... the Anglican Parish of Lower Hutt
Official opening of new plaques in our St James Historic Graveyard
Easter Monday, 22 April 2019
AYM Youth team-
leading the
worship at St James
during the
Highlight Festival
October 27, 2019
Vol. 90 No. 1 December 2019 1
On the Way
Contents
Clergy Corner 3
25 years of Ministry 4
Advent and Christmas services 2019 5
Great News! 6
Eid Dinner – a time of sharing 7
Chapel Prayer 9
Godly Play 11
Diana Ward – a friend to many 12
Peggy Squares? 14
Remembering our history 15
Let there be Light! 18
All Saints’ Pageant 20
Out of this World! 21
Return to St James 22
Farewell Eliza 23
From the Registers 24
Weekly Diary 26
Contact us 27
Front cover : Official Opening of the St James’s Historic Graveyard plaques and a
glimpse of the St James Church AYM service during the Highlight Festival.
Published by The Anglican Parish of Lower Hutt
With grateful thanks to all our photographers and contributors.
2 December 2019 Vol. 90 No. 1
On the Way
Clergy
Corner
Making connections
Welcome to this year’s parish magazine,
which features some of the important events
of the year.
You could say that Christians live in three
dimensions – in connection with God, with
others within the church, and with those who are outside the Church.
One of the things I give thanks for as I review this past year is the
opportunities we have taken to connect with our wider community –
through regular weekly activities such as the waffle breakfast
programme for teenage youth, the annual Highlight Carnival event,
through special events like the Eid dinner following the mosque
shootings in Christchurch, and the research and display of material
relating to our community history in the St James’ historic graveyard.
Our relationship with Chilton Saint James School has continued to build
through connections with the Principal, Kathy Lloyd-Parker, and the
ministry of the Revd Caro Willis as School Chaplain. We have had the
involvement of Eliza Benge as our 24/7 Youth Worker in the School. Our
partnership in assisting Chilton to express its special character as an
Anglican School is an ongoing privilege.
The Church needs to be out in the community, but it also needs to be a
safe and welcoming space for people to come into, where they can find
fellowship and connection with God. We are thankful for those who have
come new into the parish this year, and who by doing so add to our
parish’s life. Particularly here I would like to mention a number of
parishioners who formerly worshipped at Holy Trinity Church in Avalon.
There was real sadness for many in leaving a church that had been an
important part of their lives for many years, but we have been pleased
that they have come to worship with us and have fellowship here.
Vol. 90 No. 1 December 2019 3
On the Way
Continued from previous page
A third dimension of connection is our relationship with God. We are
grateful to those who lead quiet days and small groups in our parish,
helping us to focus on our relationship with God. Another invitation we
have to develop that relationship with God is to share (regularly or
occasionally) in morning and evening prayer at 8am and 5pm weekdays
in the St James Church chapel. For those who can’t pray at those times
because of work commitments, we have morning prayer on Saturdays at
8.30am in the church. Disciplines of prayer help us to open the door to a
God who wants to be in connection with us.
So we give thanks for God’s goodness to us during this past year and look
forward to what God will bring in 2020. We are delighted that four of
our younger leaders will be ordained this coming year. May we all have
the joy of seeing God at work in us and through us as we respond to
God’s leading.
Your friend and Vicar
Peter
25 Years as a Priest!
We congratulate our Vicar, Peter Benge, on reaching the milestone of
25 years in Priestly ministry at the end of November this year.
Our thanks to God for all he has given and our prayers for the next 25
years!
Thank you also to Helen for her support and sharing in Peter’s valued
ministry among us.
Dan Reeves, People’s Warden
Mark Stone, Vicar’s Warden
4 December 2019 Vol. 90 No. 1
On the Way
Our Advent and
Christmas Services
At St James’ Church At All Saints’ Church
71 Woburn Road 6 Norfolk Street
Lower Hutt Belmont Domain
Sunday 1 December - Advent 1 Sunday 1 December - Advent 1
Services 8am, 10am Service 9am
Sunday 8 December - Advent 2 Friday 6 December-Café style
Service 8am Carols by Candlelight
Eucharist & Pageant, 10am at 7.30pm
Sunday 15 December - Advent 3 Sunday 8 December - Advent 2
Services 8am, 10am Eucharist & Pageant 9am
9 Lessons & Carols, 7.30pm Sunday 15 December - Advent 3
Service 9am
Sunday 22 December - Advent 4
Services 8am, 10am Sunday 22 December - Advent 4
Eucharist Service 9am
Tuesday 24 Dec : Christmas Eve
Family service 5.30pm Wednesday 25 December -
Midnight Eucharist 11pm Christmas Day Eucharist
Service 9am
Wed 25 Dec : : Christmas Day
Services 8am, 10am Sunday 31 Dec : 1st of Christmas
Service 9am
Sunday 29 Dec : 1st of Christmas
Services 8am, 10am
Sunday services at All Saints’
will be held at 9am
Sunday services at St James’
throughout January 2020
will be held at
8am and 10am throughout
January 2020
Vol. 90 No. 1 December 2019 5
On the Way
Great News!
We are delighted to announce that
Summer and Guy Benton, our
Young Families leaders, have
applied and been accepted as
Ordinands (which leads towards
becoming Deacons and later
Priests). We thank Guy and
Summer for their willingness to
serve in the Parish of Lower Hutt,
and to use their talents for God in
this place. We have been blessed already by their contribution to the
Young Families group which has grown while they have been with us.
Our Youth leader, Andrew Spence and his wife, Emily, have also been
accepted as Ordinands. For some years Andrew and Emily have
managed the AYM (Anglican Youth Mission) house in Woburn, which
provides a home for teenagers. Andy and Emily have just returned from
leading a group of young people on a mission trip to Fiji.
Over the last few years, Andy has led the Youth Group (for Intermediates
and up to Year 13’s) at St James with bible teaching and activities on
Wednesday evenings. In2020, the youth group will be meeting on Friday
evenings, starting on 31 January 2020
at 7pm. An invitation to come to
Youth Group is being extended to the
Thursday early morning group of 150
or so young people, who come for a
Waffle breakfast during term time,
and others who might be keen to join.
Congratulations, Guy and Summer,
Andrew and Emily!
6 December 2019 Vol. 90 No. 1
On the Way Eid dinner : 8 June 2019 After the Christchurch mosque shootings on 15 March 2019 the parish hosted an Eid dinner for our local Muslim community New Zealand was shocked and dismayed by the terrible shootings that took place in Christchurch on March 15. As individuals, in our parish, and as part of the Lower Hutt community, members of our parish made responses of sorrow and lament in response to the grief and trauma of our Muslim community. Muslim people in New Zealand and around the world were touched by the solidarity expressed by New Zealanders, and an image of our Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, wearing a head scarf was famously projected onto Burj al-Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, in Dubai. What do you do after you have grieved together? You learn to live together. It was obviously not enough just to join in with the general mourning. The Parish Vestry felt that we had to make a clear statement of ongoing solidarity and support for our Muslim neighbours. Jesus taught that the two greatest commandments are to love God and to love our neighbours, and so we came up with the idea of hosting our Muslim neighbours to a festival dinner during their holy days at the end of Ramadan known as Eid al-Adha (“the Festival of the Sacrifice”). Our then Mayor, Ray Wallace, and Linda Goss-Wallace were invited, as was Bishop Eleanor Sanderson with her family, and 70 members of our local Muslim community. Around 70 members of the parish attended as well, and through generous payments and donations from parishioners and from our Mayor, we were able to cover our costs. Kathy Lloyd-Parker, Principal of Chilton Saint James School, was happy for us to use the large Jubilee Centre at the school as a venue for the dinner, and we were able to hire a Muslim caterer, who knew precisely what food would be appropriate for the occasion. Vol. 90 No. 1 December 2019 7
On the Way Thanks go to Nancy Sunia and Lois Holmes who did most of the organizing, and helpers Margaret Miller, Emily Spence, and Rosie Fyfe, who was then our Diocesan Intercultural Ministries Enabler and is now the National Director of the New Zealand Church Missionary Society. Rosie, who had worked in Egypt for several years, offered a workshop the night prior to the dinner, providing insights into how we could relate appropriately to our Muslim guests. This gave us greater confidence in our role as hosts. The dinner was a huge success. The Better World team helped to serve the meal and wash the dishes. Activities were offered in the foyer for the children while speeches were being made, the food was delicious and everybody appreciated the opportunity for fellowship and the development of new friendships. A number of parishioners are still in touch with the Muslim friends they made at the dinner. We also received an invitation to come to the Lower Hutt mosque for their open day in September, and several people from the parish attended that. We hope that our connection with the Muslim community in Lower Hutt will develop further and we would like to work together with our Muslim friends to have another Eid dinner next year. Peter Benge, Vicar 8 December 2019 Vol. 90 No. 1
On the Way
CHAPEL PRAYER...
Come for prayer for yourself or for another.
St James’ has been very fortunate for some time now in having a
dedicated team of volunteers offering prayer ministry in the chapel at the
10am service during Communion. We are very grateful for their time
and commitment and for the many ways in which we have been blessed
through their ministry.
Sadly, earlier in the year, some felt that it was
time for them to retire from the team and they
will be sorely missed. As a result, our team was
reduced in numbers and there were occasions
when we were unable to offer this important
ministry. Following our appeal for people to
prayerfully consider whether they might be
called to serve on the roster, we now have
three volunteers undergoing training as
members of the team. Please do continue to
hold the team in your prayers.
Their training involves understanding the
Biblical imperative for a healing ministry; The chapel is on the right of
the sanctuary.
studying Jesus’ healing miracles and those of
the disciples; principles and practices of the ministry and safeguarding
procedures. Fundamental to all of this is the understanding of the need
for confidentiality, love and compassion as modelled by our Lord.
In addition to formal training outside of the service, our new team
members serve alongside our experienced team each Sunday. Their
ministry will be rooted in prayer and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
No-one who serves in this way can do so in their own strength; all healing
comes from God, and to God goes the glory for all answered prayer.
There are many things in life which need God’s healing grace; physical
healing is only one in a number of needs that we can bring before the
Lord. Please feel free to come to the chapel for prayer for anything that
concerns you, whether it be for yourself or for another.
Vol. 90 No. 1 December 2019 9
On the Way
Chapel prayer ... Continued from previous page
Our team will listen carefully to your request, offer it to the Lord and
listen and watch equally carefully for his response. Sometimes we are
given a picture, a verse from Scripture or a word in response to the need
expressed. If physical healing is required and it is appropriate, the team
might ask whether they may lay hands on the recipient or anoint them
with Holy Oil which has been blessed by the Bishop for this purpose.
There is absolutely no obligation to give permission for this and the
recipient’s wishes are regarded as paramount.
Not all situations receive an instant answer or immediate healing; the
Bible tells us to be persistent in prayer, so don’t be afraid to return as
often as you wish with the same request. I received prayer, the laying on
of hands and anointing over a number of years before I was finally
healed of Multiple Sclerosis 25 years ago. During that time, I did,
however, receive strength, peace of mind and encouragement; which
enabled me to cope with the disease and live my life far more fully than
would have otherwise been the case.
God answers our prayers in many
different ways and not always in the
way we expect. God has a higher
purpose than we understand and knows
what is best for us far better than we do.
Even in our darkest times, amidst the
chaos and evil that exists in this world
as humankind exercises its free will and follows often destructive
pathways, our Lord Jesus Christ is there with us as he promised.
God loves us and offers us his grace and the guidance of his Holy Spirit
whenever we turn to him. We cannot earn his grace and love; it simply
is and so we can bring all our concerns to him no matter how unworthy
we may believe ourselves to be. I pray that all who read this will be
given the confidence to call upon our Lord in times of need and know
God’s love and concern for them.
Revd Chris Low
10 December 2019 Vol. 90 No. 1On the Way
Godly Play
Setting up the new Children’s
Space at the front of St
James’s was started off with
an “indoor” picnic, and
followed by the introduction
of the new boxes to surround
the area. [Thanks to Richard
Lamb for his contribution of
the boxes.]
The new area will provide a
space where parents and
their children can congregate during the 10am service. The Children’s
Programme will continue to provide biblical teaching to the children
while the sermon is
preached.
Our first service with the
children using Godly Play
was on Advent Sunday.
Summer Benton gave a
memorable introduction to
the season of Advent, which was
shown on the screens in church, so
that the whole congregation could
appreciate what the children are
being offered through Godly Play.
Vol. 90 No. 1 December 2019 11On the Way
Diana Ward—a friend to many
Diana Ward (1935-2019), who has been so much the pastoral face of our
parish for many years, died in October. Her funeral service was held on
All Saints’ Day, which was very appropriate because she was one of our
local ‘saints’ – a person who brought God with her in her caring for
others.
Diana, her husband Ron, and their children Fiona and Andrew came to St
James’ from St Augustine’s in Petone. Diana was soon involved with the
choir, Young Families, and leading St James’ Brownies and Guides.
Diana was in the first group of trainees to become a visitor for the
Anglican Family Centre set up in 1979. While working with families
Diana saw a need to support young mothers and babies. Naku Enei
Tamariki was established in August 1992 after a public meeting
organised by Diana. After about a year her vision, contacts and planning
led to the establishment of this three tikanga organisation employing its
first three staff.
Diana worked for 14 years as school teacher at Hutt Hospital. After she
retired from this she joined the Hospital Chaplaincy Team in 1995 as a
volunteer. She was a loyal and dedicated member of the Team for ten
years. Her ministry was greatly valued by patients and their families, by
staff and by colleagues. She prayed with, anointed, and took Holy
Communion to patients; supported women and families following
stillbirth or miscarriage; and assisted both in Chaplaincy administration
and as a lay Chaplain. She completed a course in Clinical Pastoral
Education, and continued to keep up her training through the courses
available.
In July 2005, St James Church, Lower Hutt was delighted to present the
Bishop’s Medal to Diana Ward on behalf of the Bishop of Wellington.
From her citation, we read:
Continued on next page
12 December 2019 Vol. 90 No. 1On the Way
“Diana has the uncanny knack of persuading people to
take on roles; she just quietly plants the seed and before
you know it a new project is begun and Diana is off on the
next one. One of her favourite sayings is that she likes ‘to
work at the grass roots level’. She has helped many a
friend, parishioner and stranger, she is a patient listener
and one always knows confidentiality is a high priority
with Diana. She does all this from a firm foundation of
prayer and Bible study. She has influenced many more
people than she thinks, and always passes on her serenity
and common sense with a prayer and a smile.”
At Diana’s funeral the Vicar said,
“Diana’s love language was acts of service. In all sorts of ways she has
served this community and given people the sort of care that is so human
but comes straight from the heart of God. We will miss her – but we are
so grateful to God for having known her.” He spoke for everyone there.
Dust If You Must
This poem was read Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better
at Diana’s funeral To paint a picture, or write a letter,
by her son, Andrew: Bake a cake, or plant a seed;
Ponder the difference between want and need?
It expresses in a
humorous way how Dust if you must, but there's not much time,
Diana would always With rivers to swim, and mountains to climb;
put the care of others Music to hear, and books to read;
and activities that Friends to cherish, and life to lead.
brought joy before
the more mundane Dust if you must, but the world's out there
tasks of life: With the sun in your eyes, and the wind in your hair;
A flutter of snow, a shower of rain,
This day will not come around again.
Dust if you must, but bear in mind,
Old age will come and it's not kind.
And when you go (and go you must)
You, yourself, will make more dust.
Rose Milligan
Vol. 90 No. 1 December 2019 13On the Way
Peggy Squares?
Last year, the St James AAW embroiderers spent many hours on their
new banner (see the picture below) which was completed in 2018.
While the embroiderers worked to produce our AAW banner, other
members of AAW continued the ongoing work of creating woollen
blankets, made up of knitted peggy squares. The two blankets shown
here by Chris Coleman and Una Haverfield have been given to the
Wellington City Mission to help warm Lower Hutt families.
Pamela Cook
What a wonderful way to share your skills and love! Thank
you, ladies!
(Ed.)
14 December 2019 Vol. 90 No. 1On the Way Remembering our history The St James historic graveyard has been consecrated ground since the 1840’s. The Woburn Road site replaced an earlier graveyard close to the Hutt River which was washed away in 1845. The second St James Church was built on the Woburn Road site with a new graveyard, and was replaced in 1880 with the third church. In 1946 the third St James Church was burned down and with it many records, including records relating to the graveyard. During the 1940s and 1950s the graveyard fell into a state of disrepair and in the 1950s it was remodelled as a lawn cemetery. In this process a number of headstones were laid flat and covered with earth. It became harder to recall the exact spot where particular burials had occurred. So over time a lot of historical knowledge about the graveyard was lost. In 2010 a descendent of people buried at St James approached the Vicar, Peter Benge, seeking information of their relatives. There was nothing available and so Peter undertook to research the history of the graveyard and the names of those who were buried there and to list those names publicly. This proved to be a huge task! In fact, in the early 1980s, a memo from a Vestry member stated it couldn’t be done. However, our lead researcher, Margaret Hamilton, worked on this project over a number of years as time permitted and proved it could be done. Without her determination and dedication we would not have the wonderful historical record we have today. We also owe huge thanks to Warwick Johnston, a noted local historian, who assisted in this research in so many ways. This research confirmed that whilst there were only 171 visible headstones, there were 820 people buried in the graveyard! Once most of the names and dates were verified we set about planning how we would display all the information we had. We were fortunate to already have the two Lychgates which, in 1998, were designed by Robyn Eastgate-Manning and built by Bill Friend and a team of parishioners. As many of you are aware, we not only have members of our church family buried in the churchyard but also past Mayors of our city. And so with each Lychgate having two panels we decided on the following : Vol. 90 No. 1 December 2019 15
On the Way Panel 1 records our church history, outlining the three earlier St James’s churches and the present day church. Panel 2 records notable church personalities. Panel 3 records the graveyard timeline and the surnames of those whose headstones are still visible. Panel 4 records some of the notable local citizens associated with the graveyard. The coordination of the display boards and the interaction with the Council over the placement and environmental aspects of the plaques was undertaken by Liz Friend, who brought the research project to the point where it could be put on display for the benefit of the community. There is now a separate memorial to all those who were buried in the graveyard, and it also acknowledges the twelve identified people who were buried beside the first St James Church at Aglionby, and whose remains were swept away in the flood that destroyed the first church. Between the two name boards of the 832 people in the St James graveyard, there is a plaque with the following wording: “We honour all those buried in this sacred place. This plaque is dedicated to the memory of those who are buried in this graveyard and whose memorials can no longer be seen. In God’s Care.” The new plaque and name boards were officially opened by the Lower Hutt Mayor, Ray Wallace on Easter Monday 2019, with parishioners, descendants, MPs , councillors and general public present. There appears to be renewed interest in genealogy, and one satisfying aspect of this is that families who have visible family headstones are now beginning to show an interest in upgrading these memorials. We have a graveyard committee and families and relatives can approach us with their plans for the upgrade of an existing headstone for our approval. For those whose memorials are no longer visible we can now assure them 16 December 2019 Vol. 90 No. 1
On the Way
their ancestors’ names are visibly recorded. Understandably there is now
limited space in the graveyard but applications for interment of ashes of
parishioners who have given outstanding service to the parish are given
consideration by the graveyard committee. Plots are not allocated in
advance of the need for interment.
We are also very fortunate that we have a very positive working
relationship with the Hutt City Council. Not only do they maintain the
area by keeping it in immaculate condition but they also contributed
financially to the upgrading project. We are grateful that they, too,
consider this a sacred space in our city.
There is a faithful band of parishioners who keep the headstones, where
possible, well maintained. It would be great to have others helping as we
could then, perhaps, consider doing this on a more regular basis. It is a
lovely area to work in alongside fellow parishioners.
The parish office regularly takes calls from families wishing to trace
family members. The Council is undertaking to have a touchscreen in the
Lower Hutt Memorial Library recording all the information of those
buried there. It will also have the advantage of further information, once
known, being recorded. This is a work in progress.
Do visit this historical graveyard. We, as a church, can be justifiably proud
of this quiet, sacred area in the city centre.
We acknowledge the assistance given to the project by the following:
Warwick Johnston,
historian; Fran, Concept
Signs ; Aaron Marsh and
team, HCC ; Aaron and Jake
Whiteman, Whiteman’s
Monumental Masonry;
Robert Sinclair, Crofts
Funeral Home; and Brett
Horne, Cuttriss Surveyors.
Vol. 90 No. 1 December 2019 17On the Way Let there be light! Over Labour Weekend (25-28 October) the Hutt City Council held the HighLight Event – “The Carnival of Lights” – which involved the entire city precinct. Many of you may be unaware that St James Church is formally part of this precinct and so we, too, are included and involved. The Council are very generous with their time and expertise and with meeting all costs towards the lighting and set-up of both the exterior and interior of St James for the event. It is a real pleasure working with such an enthusiastic team of people. This year it was estimated that between 125,000 and 130,000 people came to the Festival over the four nights. It is quite special that each night we, as a church, always herald in the evening of celebration. Graeme Ross plays the bells for 10 minutes and then, at exactly 8pm, Graeme chimes the bells 8 times at which time the Council turn on all the lights for the evening. It was nice to hear one member of the public say “I always thought those bells were a recording but they are real!” And there are two real gains for us as a parish. Firstly, the HighLight Festival has proven to be a wonderful form of outreach for our parish . It has given us a chance to look outward to our community and to welcome people into our space. The majority of visitors had never been inside the church before and what better way than to be able to offer hospitality and a wonderful range of entertainment. Over the three years that the Festivals have been held, we have had bands and soloists with a special focus on up and coming young local performers. This year was especially diverse. Early on Saturday evening our own preschool music programme “Chirping Cherubs” came along, led by the very enthusiastic leaders, Karen Espersen and Helen Willberg. On Sunday night we had the AYM (Anglican Youth Ministry) church service 18 December 2019 Vol. 90 No. 1
On the Way
which not only gave the public a chance to worship with youth from
around the Diocese but also gave our own parishioners the opportunity
to be part of youth
worship.
On Monday night our
own very able organist,
Jonathan Berkahn, and
his duet partner for the
night, Ingrid Schoenfeld,
showcased the versatility
of our organ. We were
also fortunate to have an
amazing sound technician organised by the Council. What a difference it
made having our new sound system in place this year!
The second gain of being part of the HighLight Festival was that it
brought many parishioners together as we ran “The Way Cafe“ in our
foyer. This involved 45 parishioners over the four nights with many
doing more than one duty. This gave parishioners a chance to meet
others, perhaps for the first time, or to renew friendships, with other
parishioners who attend the different services at our two churches—
St James and All Saints (Belmont). It is always a great time of fellowship
and good humour, as we
juggle many tasks in a
very small area.
As you will see by the
photos our Sanctuary was
a ‘Magical Forest“. This
made a wonderful
backdrop for our St James’
Sunday services and we
all adapted well to the
change, especially when it
came to Communion.
Vol. 90 No. 1 December 2019 19On the Way
Highlights’ continued
It also showed us how we can use our “space” in different ways and yet
still maintain a holy place for worship.
Prior to the event we had a working bee in the Church graveyard. This
area was also lit up for the Festival and whilst the lawn graveyard is roped
off, people are encouraged to walk quietly along the graveyard path. The
Council are very mindful that this is a sacred and historic area with both
parishioners and notable Council people buried there. The working bee
team did such a great job -- one member of the public asked if we had
renewed or replaced many of the headstones for the event!
Next year we will, once again, be involved in this Hutt City Council event. I
suggest you come to the next Light Spectacular or, better still, become
part of our Parish team. I am sure you won’t be disappointed!!
Liz Friend
All Saints’ celebrate with Modern Day Pageant
At the Christmas pageant at All Saints’, ‘look-alikes’ David Attenborough,
Lucy Lawless and Greta Thunberg came to reinforce the issues affecting
us all in our world. And in true Christmas spirit, Mary and Joseph and
Baby Jesus took centre stage! Thank you all, for taking part!
20 December 2019 Vol. 90 No. 1On the Way
Out of this World :
a service for Youth
Lost in Space and Time was the theme for the council Highlight Festival
and as part of that we thought it was worth a shot at engaging ‘Lost’
people, so we brought the Anglican Youth Movement Youth Church
service to Lower Hutt. (The Youth Church had previously only been held
in the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul.)
During the service, we had many conversations down the back of the
church with people who wandered in to see what was going on - giving
us the opportunity to share some good news with them.
Dean David Rowe shared a message about the gospel and what that
meant for us, particularly how God wants to open up the ‘reel of film on
our life‘ and look into what true freedom might mean.
As part of the Highlight festival, the AYM youth band performed during
the evening providing
us with an
opportunity to hang
out with young people
in a wider context.
We are keen to join in
the Festival again next
year, with a further
opportunity to bring
more young people
into St James’ Lower
Hutt.
Andy Spence
Vol. 90 No. 1 December 2019 21On the Way Return to St James ... John and I would like to thank our church family here at St James’ for your welcome, friendship and love during what has become our regular 6 monthly stay. You have supported us in difficult times, both in the loss of Katie’s Mum shortly after we arrived in 2017 and following our return home last year to the various problems and difficulties that we encountered on our return. These ranged from the news that my mother had been admitted to hospital on the day we left New Zealand, necessitating a seven hour drive to Cornwall; to finding our tenants had sub-let the house, which then needed a deep clean on our return; to having my phone stolen; to the new lease hire car being rear ended at traffic lights just a week after we’d picked it up. All within just over a week! In 2016, when our son, Pierren and daughter-in-law, Katie, suggested that we spend six months of each year here in New Zealand with them and our granddaughter, Jessica, we were thrilled and a little apprehensive. We’d be leaving behind our daughter, Sonja and her family, my increasingly frail mother and all that was familiar, and travelling to another country where we knew few people. There were many questions; firstly, would it work out well for us all sharing a house, albeit with separate living space: would we settle into life here in New Zealand, make friends and find a spiritual home? How would we cope with being away from our daughter and her family for so long when we were used to seeing them several times a week? We still 22 December 2019 Vol. 90 No. 1
On the Way
Two homes, two hemispheres ...
struggle with that one but then when we return home to Sheffield, it’s
Pierren and his family whom we are missing! For me there was also a
deep concern about leaving my mother for so long. Then there were all
the practicalities of letting our home in the UK; ensuring our duties
there were covered and so on.
Needless to say, a lot of prayer went into our final decision and we have
been so grateful for the way that God has answered our prayers, guided
and supported us. We are particularly grateful that he led us to St
James’, answering our prayer for a church where Jessica would be
encouraged in her faith and we would feel at home. So here we are,
back again for the third year and ready for whatever the Lord leads us
into this time.
So thank you for all that you have done, both as individuals and
collectively as a church family, to make us feel at home here. God bless
you all.
Chris and John Low
Farewell Eliza
Eliza Benge has been a youth worker in the parish and at Chilton Saint
James School in recent years. Last month she completed her Diploma of
Youth Work through Praxis. Several
members of the parish, and other friends,
went to her graduation to congratulate
her and express our support for her.
Next year Eliza will leave the parish.
She plans to undertake further studies.
Go well Eliza!
Haere i roto i te aroha o te Atua.
Eliza receiving her Diploma.
Vol. 90 No. 1 December 2019 23On the Way From the registers... Baptisms [ July 2018—Oct 2019] Jack Peter ADEANE Siketi Elijah ‘Amoriki’ Lelei He Lotu VUNGAMOEAHI Kate Jennifer Hill CAPIE Daniel CROWTHER Caroline Grace Fenwick GIBB Florence Ivy FRIEND Riley Sofia FRIEND William Christopher BROWN Joshua Sydney Robert PAPPS Estelle Sothera KIM Xavier Dara KIM Matilda Jane SIMMONDS Conor Neil Robert McCARTY Theo Francis Hay WHITTINGTON Isabella Sofia Margo CUNCANNON Savannah LAWRENCE Addison Mae BENTON Darcey Judith BOGNUDA Weddings Samuel CHAN to Courtney Jane BARDSLEY Dennis Steve GOTO MAGELE to Talanoa Carla LEITU Lindsay Paul RICHARDSON to Jessica Ann WHITE Geoffrey Peter LERWILL to Sarah PACKER 24 December 2019 Vol. 90 No. 1
On the Way
Funerals [July 2018—October 2019]
Geoffrey David WILLBERG Ian Strachan GREIG
Dawn STEELE Justine Marie SEAGAR
Margaret DICK Cynthia GEE
Joan Margaret WARREN Diana Kirke SAWREY
John Frederick KILPATRICK Ronald Bond SANDERSON
Judith Gibbons BALE Peter William McKenzie ANGUS
Sandra Edith POPE Lois THOMSON
Ross Elliot HARDIE Audrey Elizabeth BASCAND
Robyn Valerie CRAWSHAW Graeme Douglas CAMPBELL
Patrick Terence McGEOWN Shirley Florence BRABIN
Reginald Barry SMITH Yvonne Margaret MORGANS
Catherine Cushla BAMFORD Brenda Mary BLADEN
Herbert DUGDALE Roger Bernard William GILL
Maiga TVINTIKIS Gordon SMITH
Vance Eric ARKINSTALL Diana WARD
All Saints have a
new porch and
special window!
Photo from the
Blessing on
4 August 2019
Thanks, Joan A!
Vol. 90 No. 1 December 2019 25On the Way
Weekly diary
Day Time Event
8am Eucharist at St James
Service All Saints, Belmont - Eucharist 2nd & 4th Sundays,-
9am
Morning Prayer 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays
10am Family All-age service at St James, with Eucharist
Sunday
Healing service, 1st Sunday 5pm All Saints, 6 Norfolk St
Choral Evensong at St James - 2nd Sunday , 5pm
Evening
(No Evensong in January, April, December)
Tongan Language service – 3rd Sunday, 5pm St James
8am Morning Prayer, Chapel, St James
Monday 4pm Youth Choir, St James hall (term time only)
5pm Evening Prayer, Chapel, St James
8am Morning Prayer, Chapel, St James
Tuesday 1.30pm Association of Anglican Women (AAW) 2nd Tues 1.30pm
5pm Evening Prayer, Chapel, St James
8am Morning Prayer, Chapel, St James
12.15pm Eucharist at St James (resuming 15 Jan 2020)
Wednesday
5pm Evening Prayer, Chapel, St James
7-9pm Choir practice (weekly)
7.45am Waffles for young people, St James (during term time)
8am Morning Prayer, Chapel, St James
10am Holy Communion at St James (Book of Common Prayer)
Chirping Cherubs pre-school music group (St James hall) -
10am
Thursday not held during school holidays - $4 per family
10am French Conversation (fortnightly) at All Saints
Thursday Club - Games and lunch ($7 Koha for lunch).
12pm-3pm
All Saints’, 6 Norfolk St, Belmont Domain
5pm Evening Prayer, Chapel, St James
7pm Band practice, St James
8am Morning Prayer, Chapel, St James
5pm Evening Prayer, Chapel, St James
Friday
Youth Group St James hall – Intermediates and high school-
7-9pm
ers (during term time)
Saturday 8.30am Prayer time at St James
26 December 2019 Vol. 90 No. 1On the Way
Contact us
Position Person Phone Email
Vicar Revd Peter Benge 569 7685 vicar@stjames.net.nz
Revd Derek Lightbourne 232 2245 dereklightbourne@xtra.co.nz
Assistant Revd Chris Low 022 562 9602 revchris.low@gmx.com
Clergy Revd Murray Wills 021 918 147 murray@maxsys.co.nz
Vicar’s Warden Mark Stone 586 2550 markjstone35a@gmail,com
People’s Warden Dan Reeves 566 8664 dcreeves09@gmail.com
Vestry Michael Beauchamp 565 4190 michael@beauchamp.nz
(also Treasurer)
Kathy Ingram 021 105 5401 colkai@xtra.co.nz
Graeme Messenger 566 7298 g.messenger@xtra.co.nz
Wendy Shaw 027 4807 082 wendykim28@icloud.com
Eddie Taylor 589 7465 eddieteckjen@hotmail.com
Amanda Wills (chair) 938 5450 amanda@maxsys.co.nz
All Saints Rep Richard Perry 022 626 6970 richbloss@outlook.com
Synod Dan Reeves 566 8664 dcreeves09@gmail.com
Representatives Mark Stone 586 2550 markjstone35a@gmail,com
Choir Master & Jonathan Berkahn 021 0241 7233 jonathan@berkahn.net.nz
Organist
Band Leader Emily Spence 027 727 3827 2emilyspence@gmail.com
Children & Guy Benton 020 4130 4283 guy.k.benton@gmail.com
Families Summer Benton 020 4130 4285 summer.a.benton@gmail.com
Youth Ministry Andrew Spence 027 569 7685 youth.team@stjames.net.nz
Parish Raewyn Berkahn 569 6737 ext parish.admin@stjames.net.nz
Administrator 802
Reception/ Margaret Hamilton 569 6737 ext reception@stjames.net.nz
Vicar’s PA 800
St James Church, 71 Woburn Rd
P O Box 30 254, Lower Hutt
Office Hours Tue-Fri 9am-12noon
Ph 04 569 6737 extn 800 Email: reception@stjames.net.nz
www.stjames.net.nz
Vol. 90 No. 1 December 2019 27On the Way 28 December 2019 Vol. 90 No. 1
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