August 2017

6 August Worship with Susan Brown ........................................... 9.30am

Taizé by candlelight .................................................... 6.30pm

13 Augu st Holy Communion with Rev Reg Weeks .......................... 9.30am

20 August Worship with St Ronan’s Prayer Group .......................... 9.30am

27 August Worship with Rev John Howell ..................................... 9.30am

In this issue

What’s in a name? ........................................................................................ 2 Clerk’s Corner .............................................................................................. 3 Community fridge ......................................................................................... 4 Winter Series ............................................................................................... 5 Insurance (sit down for this) .......................................................................... 6 Bikes for Randwick .................................................................................... 6 Phil’s photo (Doggy heaven?) ......................................................................... 7 Rood screen (Rambo) ................................................................................... 9 CWS news (Nicaragua) ................................................................................ 10 Michael Leunig ............................................. 11 Jacks & Jims .................................................................................. 12 Children’s Power Hour ................................................................................ 13 1-2-1 Seminar ......................................................................................... 15

Power Hour – Sundays 9.30am; Bible Study – Sundays 11.15am

Breakfast Prayer - Tuesdays 7.30am Mainly Music – Thursdays 9.30am

St Ronan’s Pastoral Care

For pastoral care needs, please contact our Pastoral Care Co-ordinators, Colin Dalziel 562 7238 or Mary Williams 568 3216

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What’s in a name…?

What a wide range of names the church and the community use to address those of us who are members of the clergy - Reverend, Padre, Vicar, Pastor, Minister - in much the same way as you might catch the attention of the person behind the wheel of a bus by saying “Driver”.

I have been called all of these things, and the interesting thing is that although all are in fact members of that category of people known as ‘clergy’, each has a subtle but significant difference. (Clergy is from both Latin and Greek clericus, meaning on the one hand a member of the priestly class and, on the other, referring to the OT Levites who had no inheritance other than the Lord).

‘Reverend’ of course is not a category of people like ‘doctor’ but a descriptive word, an honorific, and should always be preceded by “the”, as in ‘The honourable’. This becomes clearer when some clergy, because of their position, are addressed as ‘the right reverend’ or ‘the very reverend’ (and some would occasionally prefer to be regarded as ‘the not so reverend’).

‘Padre’ is distinctively the military term for a chaplain, while ‘Vicar’ is an Anglican term designating one carrying personal responsibility for a local parish. Then ‘Pastor’ has connotations of the biblical image of the shepherd and emphasises the caring role.

‘Minster’ on the other hand is the term Presbyterians generally prefer and comes from the Latin word meaning ‘servant’. The following paragraphs from our Book of Order make this clear

Within the ministry of the whole Church, Jesus Christ calls men and women to

proclaim the Gospel in word and deed through the ordained ministry of word

and sacrament and through ordination to the office of elder.

In the Presbyterian tradition, the minister is responsible for preaching and

teaching the Word and administering the sacraments. In this tradition, the minister is understood as the guardian of the Gospel and along with the elders

is concerned with the spiritual rule and pastoral oversight of congregations,

leadership in mission and the government of the Church through its courts.

When I began my training as a minister 50 years ago, it was made very clear that we were to be primarily ‘Servants of the Word’, which is why there has always been in our church a strong emphasis on theological education. With the increasing rate of change in the world around, leadership rose in importance, and the emphasis has changed. The Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership has been established and on its website you will read:

The Presbyterian Church has coined the phrase “Servant Mission Leadership” to

describe the form of leadership that is required for today.

Now most of the names above tend to reflect what a clergy person or minister does, but regarding our understanding of ministry there has also been reflection on what attributes a minister brings. These can be listed as:

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• A trained and authorised theological perspective consistent with the ethos of

the Presbyterian Church. Anyone can study theology but a minister must

satisfy a Presbytery in order to be ordained. And no church council can meet

without a minister being present.

• A committed availability. A minister may have office hours but a pastoral

emergency requires an immediate response.

• A non-aligned and relational leadership. As Moderator, a minister’s task is to

ensure all voices are heard and to seek ‘the peace and unity’ of the church.

They may not move motions nor have a deliberative vote, but they may

certainly offer a viewpoint.

• Remuneration by way of a stipend. The stipend is set nationally and is an

‘allowance’ based on the average cost of living. It is not a salary based on

ability, experience, and qualification. Ministers put aside all thought of

material advancement through their work.

While the commercial world regards such ideas as rather quaint and unworkable, our Presbyteries continue to be impressed by the very high calibre of people responding to the call of Christ on their lives to serve in this way. As the church’s statement on Ordination puts it, such people are …admitted to a

fellowship responsible for the guardianship of the Gospel – a guardianship

which must express itself in freshness and adaptability as the Church is led by Christ to do new things. The minister has not only the task of protecting the

Church and the Gospel from error, but also, and particularly, the task of

initiating creative trends in the Church’s witness.

The General Assembly, in 2002, recognised four strands of ordained ministry in our church:•National Ordained Ministry, •Local Ordained Ministry, •Local Ministry Team and •Amorangi. Each strand, though different in training and focus, has the same status and responsibilities, and is expected to bring the same attributes as outlined above.

As we in St Ronan’s approach the possibility of a change in strand, it may be timely to look again at what’s behind the label.

Reg Weeks

Clerk’s Corner

Ministry Settlement Board (MSB): The MSB report recommending a Local Ministry Team (LMT) was received by Presbytery Central on 3 July. It’s got a bit

delayed but our man in Palmy (Rev Peter MacKenzie) is on to it and says will do all he can to get us a response by 9 August. Meanwhile, the MSB continues to meet. We are assuming Presbytery will say ‘yes’ and so we are working through the local process to the point at which we will be in time for a congregation vote on who should be our LMT people at our upcoming AGM in Septemberor or October.

Taizé: Next candlelight Taizé is 6 August at 6.30pm…

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Winter Series Lectures: Halfway through now. A huge success this year. Gonna be a book about it when it’s done – a special issue of the Record with

summaries of the presentations. Let’s support Anne as she organises the last two of this lecture series. Thanks for all the support so far – food, sound, greetings, general hosting and ushing etc a team effort…!

Community fridge: Ginny Horrocks (Chair, Eastbourne Community Board) suggested St Ronan’s might like to host an ‘Eastbourne Community Fridge’. We said ‘Yes’ (see article below).

Until recently, the Eastbourne Community Garden (hosted by St Alban’s) provided some food (runner beans, zucchini, tomatoes, broad beans, leaf greens etc) for local people needing help. Also, surplus plant produce was sometimes taken to the Lower Hutt FoodBank. The community fridge concept is similar to a community garden – but different…! Community fridges have been in operation for some time in Auckland and Christchurch and can work well – Google community fridge nz and see… Soon we will have an Eastbourne Community Fridge… Let’s get in behind this and make it work…!

AGM: At last year’s AGM we had a couple of discussion items raised from the floor without warning. While these were useful matters, it does not feel right to have discussions of this complexity at an AGM and without having had the chance to do the background homework to make the process effective. In future we will keep the AGM for the usual formal business (there’s enough of that for one meeting) and PC will meanwhile create other vehicles to ensure items of concern (unrelated to annual business) can be raised and dealt with effectively at any time of year.

Parish council (PC): There was no July meeting of PC. Our regular time slot was gazumped by an out-of-synch MSB meeting and it proved difficult to suddenly reschedule the PC meeting. We deferred most items of business to the August PC meeting.

e: slang@xtra.co.nz t:562 8752 m:021 222 0383 Sandy Lang

Eastbourne Community Fridge…

Let me introduce Finola Rance. Fiona lives and works in Eastbourne and recently proposed a ‘community fridge’ be

hosted by St Ronan’s. We have agreed to support Finola’s

initiative – Sandy Lang…

Finola writes…

The community fridge aims to reduce food waste within the Eastbourne and the wider Lower Hutt communities.

The fridge will be used as a central drop-off point for over-flow produce from local gardens, as well as for non-perishable food products. It will be situated outdoors (in a shelter) just behind St Ronan’s church.

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Although Eastbourne is a high socio-economic area there are nevertheless a good number in the community who would benefit hugely every so often from a boost to their pantries. The fridge food would be accessible to all. As long as someone is using the excess, food waste is being reduced and peope are helped…

• The fridge will be monitored and cleaned by Finola and other volunteers. • Once a week all leftover goods will be donated to the Lower Hutt FoodBank. • It is hoped the fridge will be in place by late spring.

If you can help in any of the following ways, I would love to hear from you…

1. Volunteers are need on a roster basis to help me check, clean and clear the fridge. 2. Assistance is needed to design, source materials and construct a weather shelter for the fridge to sit in. If you have any expertise or building materials you could donate that would be much appreciated. 3. If you have any artistic talent, help is also needed to design a logo for use on the fridge and promotional materials.

I am away in the UK until mid-September, so the best contact would be by email finola.rance@gmail.com

Finola Rance

Winter Series – half way…!

We are half way through this year’s Winter Series – two down, two to go! The response from our audiences has been really gratifying. Numbers have been good and the question and answer sessions have been lively, demonstrating a real engagement with the topics. Let’s hope these high standards continue for the last two sessions.

On August 6 – a day to commemorate the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - international humanitarian law adviser to the New Zealand Red Cross, Dr Rebecca Dudley will discuss efforts to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading to their elimination.

And on August 20, senior lecturer in media studies at Victoria University, Dr

Peter Thompson will explain why the public service media is vital to our culture and democracy.

A community fridge

Wellesley St, Auckland

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Please come and support the series, and bring a small plate of food to share at the afternoon tea after the lectures.

And there’s something else to look forward to – a booklet with comprehensive summaries of all four lectures will be published as a special edition of the Record later in August.

Winter Series co-ordinator Anne Manchester

Building insurance premiums 2017…

Are you sitting down? Our buildings are insured under a national PCANZ policy. Crombie Lockwood, PCANZ’s insurance broker, has recently advised premiums will increase by 54% in the coming year. This reflects the many large claims NZ insurers have faced in the last year. These include the Kaikoura earthquakes, Port Hills fires and several cyclones and floods.

In addition PCANZ’s recent fire history has not helped: “Since 2015 PCANZ has

experienced six major fire losses estimated to cost insurers over $8,000,000.

Three of the events were accidental, stemming from electrical faults. The most recent one was 16 July 2017 and the claim is expected to exceed $400,000.

This is a six-fold increase in fire losses when compared to earlier loss history.”

Crombie Lockwood invited nine insurers to quote for PCANZ’s business and only received two quotations. PCANZ’s new insurers will be Lloyd’s of London.

Simon Shaw

Bikes for Randwick School…

Randwick School has started fundraising for a classroom set of bicycles and helmets. This is part of the Bikes in Schools programme which aims to encourage all children to learn to ride a bike, to gain confidence and self-esteem. Having a full classroom set of bikes will allow all children at the school to have access to a bike. The bikes will be stored in a secure container.

Randwick is also raising funds to develop a bike track at the school to help riders develop their road skills. The bike track will also be available for community use.

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If you would like to support either or both of these causes the school has set up two ‘Give a Little’ pages:

For bikes go to https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/bikesforrandwickschool and for bike-track go to https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/communitybiketrackrandwickschool

Alternatively you can put a donation in the plate one Sunday. Put it in an envelope clearly marked RANDWICK. If you add your name or envelope number your donation will be combined with your other donations in a tax receipt at the end of the FY.

Alternatively, you can donate by internet banking to St Ronan’s BNZ bank account 02-0544-0142859-000 you must mark this Randwick (reference) else it will go into our general fund and your name (code) else you won’t get a tax receipt for it.

Simon Shaw

Phil’s photo – Is there a doggy Heaven…?

The weather was terrible, a southerly rocked the house, hail rattled the windows, rain drummed on the roof. No worries. I was in front of the fire reading a book and favourite pooch, Daisy-Bell, was asleep on the couch beside me. I was happy. Daisy-Bell was happy.

Some of Dr Doolittle’s magic must have been afoot. Suddenly Daisy-Bell spoke up. I could understand her…! After some preliminary chatter, I asked her what would be her ideal holiday.

Quick as a flash, she listed her requirements…

1. Respite from the stress of looking after Heather and me. A six-week holiday at a Wairarapa farm.

2. To sleep in a real bed. A breakfast call at 7.30am. A choice between a full English breakfast or a warm, gravy-covered, meat pie.

3. After breakfast, a social time with the other residents before going for a madcap morning romp around the farm. The dewy grass a delight to her paws.

4. After this a good sniff around to check for rabbits, a leisurely swim in a muddy pond. Then to come inside to clean up and dry off on the carpet.

5. A morning snack. Maybe half a cheese scone, followed by a lie-down on a sheepskin rug till luncheon.

6. Roast chicken with stewed prunes. Then into the library to be read an Enid Blyton. Maybe the awesome adventures of the Famous Five Hounds?

7. After a rest in the sun, it’s time to explore the paddocks and to chase rabbits.

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8. Then dinner. Do they serve steak…? After dinner curl up in front of a state-of-the-art 50" TV. World affairs. Maybe a laugh at Cocoa the Trump’s latest antics. Then off to bed so as to be fully-rested for tomorrow.

Daisy-Bell then asked me what Heather and I would really like. “To be on holiday”, I said. “Give you a nice break from having to care for us.” “Fly off in a big, big Airbus 380 to the other side of the world to catch up with our family.” I could almost smell the plastic food. I could actually feel the rough texture of the warm, wet, flannel given me by the slim, raven-haired, Singapore Airlines ‘hostie’ to run over my poor, travel-weary face. Suddenly, I awoke. It was not a warm, flannel at all – it was a rough, warm, wet, doggy tongue. I was at home. I must have dropped off over my book. Five o’clock. “OK dog. Time for tea. Dog nuts a Tux and some fresh water for you.” Obviously a complete communications breakdown…

Phil Benge

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Rood Screen – Rambo…

A few months ago I was sporting a couple of really impressive bruises on my arm. Well, there was a bit of a story behind them.

A friend had asked me if I had ever given an injection to a sheep. I believe that the word that she used was subcutaneous. I replied that I hadn’t but I couldn’t imagine it could be all that difficult…

When the time came and we were heading to the paddock, she casually asked if she had mentioned that it was the ram. I am certain I would have remembered an important detail like that but, oh well, in for a penny, in for a pound.

I thought I handled myself like a pro. I squinted knowingly at the needle as I squirted out a few drops ‘just to clear any bubbles from the syringe’ (I’d seen them do that on TV). Then I grabbed his neck to get a good bundle of skin for a target and hopefully not inject my own fingers, inserted the needle and squeezed.

This was about the point where all dignity and decorum evaporated. To say that the ram did not appreciate my ministrations would be something of an understatement. In fact, hitherto I’d no idea a ram was even able to execute such a perfect 1Tobi Ushiro Geri kick. As this is a church magazine, I will try to imply that I only said “Ouch!” That is when I started calling him ‘Rambo’.

Nevertheless, Rambo got his injection and I would like to think that he and I now have a little more mutual respect.

I’ve always felt Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:14 a little harsh: If anyone will not

welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the

dust off your feet.

Sometimes though, when traveling the pilgrims’ road, we may know what is right - but it is either inappropriate or not the right time. It is better just to ‘zip the lip’ and come back later.

There was a round-two with Rambo. But more of that another time…

John Harris

1 A brutal jump back karate kick

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CWS News - Enterprise in Nicaragua…

Luis (24 yr) leads community development in Malacatoya, a rural village outside San Jose de los Remates and 96 km from capital city Managua.

In 2013, he and two other farmers gained access to water from a motorised irrigator pump to pump water to their farms. Hearing of the effects of the 2014 drought, they gave the pump to a neighbouring community facing hunger and starvation. “We could manage without it,” said Luis. Now growing 25 different crops using organic techniques and a rotation system, his life has improved. Grateful for the progress his community has made, he spoke very highly of CEPAD (Council or Protestant Churches of

Nicaragua).

The 2013 drought was very long and hard. They had enough clean water to drink but not enough to irrigate. “So, it was amazing when

CEPAD brought the irrigator pump and trained us how to use it." Said Luis. The system will allow them to harvest basic crops year round to provide food for their families and increase their incomes.

In Nicaragua, there are two seasons – a six-month dry season and a six-month wet season. The drought ended in May but many farmers are still struggling with water supply and to repair fields and crops damaged by the drought.

CEPAD first arrived in Malacatoya about five years ago. Back then, most farmers planted only corn. Now they grow more than 25 different crops. They began by bringing interested members from eight small communities together to decide what they needed and to form a cooperative. From CEPAD, he and other farmers learned about crop rotation and organic practices that reduce the amount of water needed. They also provided seeds, plants, trees and the pump. According to Luis, the best result of the changes is a healthy future for his 16-month-old daughter, Ingrid Alexa. “Her health is going to be better, her life is going to be better”

Now confident the cooperative is strong, CEPAD is winding up its work in Malacatoya and will begin the process again with a new community.

CWS Advocate at St Ronan’s Douglas Day

Support NZ's growing climate consensus…

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright, has issued a rallying call to MPs of all parties: It’s time to come together to tackle

climate change. See http://www.pce.parliament.nz/our-work/news-

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insights/time-to-take-a-historic-step-for-climate-change-says-environment-commissioner

A coalition of twenty New Zealand social and environmental NGOs has pulled together an Action Plan for Sensible Climate Decision-Making, to focus discussion ahead of the election under the banner of Climate Consensus

Coalition Aotearoa (CCCA).

The CCCA hopes that, if Parliament adopts the Action Plan, the next three years will bring:

• Adoption of a science-based emissions reduction target,

• A legitimate, honest and coherent process around Parliament's climate

change decision-making and

• Political debate focused on how we achieve what the science says is

necessary.

The CCCA is now inviting other NGOs big and small from around the country to join them. Individuals can encourage any NGO (or similar) with which they are affiliated to register their support or to register themselves as individuals. Go to http://climateconsensus.strikingly.com

You’ll be OK but this is for your grandchildren and your great grandchildren…!

Sandy Lang

Michael Leunig

As featured in Anne’s intercessory prayers on 23 July…

We give thanks for our friends. Our dear little friends.

We anger each other.

We fail each other. We share this sad earth, this tender life,

this precious time.

Such richness. Such wildness. Together we are blown about.

Together we are dragged along.

All this delight. All this suffering.

All this forgiving life.

We hold it together Amen.

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We give thanks for the blessing of winter: Season to cherish the heart.

To make warmth and quiet for the heart.

To make soups and broths for the heart. To cook for the heart and read for the heart.

To curl up softly and nestle with the heart.

To sleep deeply and gently at one with the heart. To dream with the heart.

To spend time with the heart.

A long, long time of peace with the heart. We give thanks for the blessing of winter:

Season to cherish the heart. Amen.

God help us to change. To change ourselves and to change our world. To know the need for it. To deal with

the pain of it. To feel the joy of it. To undertake the

journey without understanding the destination. The art of gentle revolution. Amen.

Michael Leunig is an Australian cartoonist, poet and cultural commentator.

Of Jacks and Jims…

Anne’s account of her experiences on the Camino de Santiago led me onto a little-known network of related tracks. As Anne notes, Santiago is what we know as Saint James, and is a contraction of Santo Iago, which also appears in the form San Diego.

In Iago we can see the English Jake and Jack which are derived, not from John, as conventionally taught, but from Jacob and the French Jacques and its cognate Jacqueline.

In a Jewish New Testament James is given his proper Hebrew name of Ya’akov, and in the Greek New testament it is Iakobus. The name moved into Latin as Iacobus and then in the popular language to Iacombus, and Iacomus, in which we see the Italian Giacomo. In France, however, Iacomo became James and that is how it became the English form we know. This also explains how it was that the supporters of James VII & II and Bonnie Prince Charlie were known as the Jacobites.

In Maori we have both Hemi and Hakopa. In Samoan, James is Iakopo. We have a Samoan relative, a minister, whose name has always been Iakopo. I was amazed a few months ago to hear my wife address him as Yago (Iako). The event prompted an inquisition.

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Other forms you may have encountered over the years are Jaime (Spanish and Portuguese), Jaap, Jop (Dutch), Seamus (Irish), Jago (Cornish) and Koppel (Yiddish).

James seems a long way removed from Ya’aqov but it simply indicates how much our languages like our cultures and communities are constantly subtly transforming.

What does the name mean? All Semitic (Arabic/Hebrew) words have a three-consonant root. But the (not-written) vowels determine the word’s pronunciation and meaning. Going back 3000 years to try to guess what Rebecca was thinking when she gave her baby the name 'qv is a fraught exercise but I like to think that she was just responding to the reality of her birthing experience. She had just given birth to twin boys. This one was the second and he seemed to be hanging on to his brother’s heel. So she very simply named him ‘heel’. Over the years the myriad vowel variations on the root consonants led to other nicknames such as Supplanter.

English Jack is a curious case. I have asserted that it derives from Jacob and Jacques. Others repeat the tradition that it is a diminutive of John. I find that difficult to accept. Apart from Johnnie, John in English has no masculine diminutives - although we have feminine forms in Jean, Joan, Joanne, Joanna. Jack has supplanted them all.

Geoff Mann

Children’s Power hour…

LOVE REACHES OUT is a very special Kids Friendly National Presbyterian artistic project for children. This year the theme is: DOING SMALL THINGS WITH GREAT LOVE. Students can express themselves through craft, painting, drawing, poetry and writing. Entry was by 31 July with over $900 of prizes.

It’s not about being super, as no one can do that. It’s about doing small things with great love. This is a way of handling things better for oneself and for others. Love makes the difference.

Our children have shown wonderful enthusiasm in expressing their views. They have even come in during the school holidays to finish their projects on time.

One project has highlighted a good sense of design with purpose. Backed by the understanding that Jesus is always alongside you, a bug house has been made to care for bugs and animals. The bugs’ world is

colourful and with texture. It contains many plants, animals, fish, flowers, mountains and rocks. They need caring for too.

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In another project, there is a strong understanding of how God is present watching over everything. At the same time, by using one’s eyes, one can carefully watch and attentively care for family and friends by joining in to help them where needed and to keep them safe. The

expression shows a dominating and fascinating detailed sparkling ‘eye’ that is looking everywhere. The caption is, “God’s Eye Watches over Everything. My eye Watches over my friends and family.”

Another project shows a strong inner spirit of love that

drives worthy actions in caring for others. A striking burst of joyous colours radiates out from an equally beautiful warm and giant heart. Many cutout figures surround the heart. The caption reads Spread

love around the World…! In the past, this student has organised a Christmas stall to fundraise for cancer research.

Please look at the children’s thoughtful and interesting display in the church. They are so meaningful - each image is worth a thousand words.

A relevant children’s book is Becky Arganbright’s, beautifully illustrated, The

Little Flower. It is a parable of St Therese of Lisieux, France. Therese was first sad about not being able to serve God in big ways but then came to new understandings of what she could do by doing small things with great love.

Blessings Susan Connell 568 5747

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1-2-1 with Jesus seminar - Summary & Invitation

I went to the seminar with Helen Harray in May this year…

How would you sum it up, Cath...? Probably the best and briefest review I can give is I found it so valuable I’ve asked Helen to come and do another one. I also have a few, far-flung friends travelling all the way from as far as Matamata to join our next 1-2-1 seminar (coming soon to St Ronan’s)

Come on Cath. Be more specific about the seminar... OK. Wearing my objective/thinking hat, I found it biblically based, provided practical and effective ways to communicate quickly, specifically and intimately with Jesus. I especially liked how the strategies I learnt in a group situation can be applied at home and still be effective.

Cath, that sounds like you’re writing a report, using words linked with productivity and results... Doesn’t sound very interesting or intimate. Certainly doesn’t sound interesting enough to drive all the way from Matamata to Eastbourne for…! OK. Wearing my subjective/feelings hat, I found when I used the strategies/techniques I was guided through, I had these inspiring, very moving personal moments/insights/experiences with Jesus... I sensed/imagined I could see and hear Jesus and receive personal messages related specifically to me and my life, my hopes, my worries, my regrets and my dreams. The results for me have been powerful and so encouraging…

Cath, that sounds quite airy-fairy and a tad far-fetched…! I know. That’s why I started off wearing my objective/thinking hat but that version didn’t sound exciting or interesting enough to drive the 499 km from Matamata.

Can you wear a different hat and speak a language that promotes the seminar as both interesting and not too ‘fluffy’…? Ok, wearing my non-fluffy hat, I was also wary about some of my insights/perspectives initially. Wondering if I had just fabricated things from my imaginings. However, Helen gave each of us a booklet to

keep, which contains references from the bible about several different ‘ordinary’ people throughout history who encountered Jesus in relevant and personal ways. The booklet included bible passages highlighting how Greek and Hebrew translations can illuminate how God uses what we might term ‘imagination’ as a God-given communication tool. Also, how to ‘test’ or check if the messages/insights you receive align with God’s message of Good News and Love. It also outlined strategies to help communicate quickly, specifically and intimately with Jesus.

So, Cath, you’d recommend it…? Yes, I would, no matter what hat I was wearing. And Abby is now excitedly planning her trip from Matamata. And you are welcome to join us too…

And lastly, what hat will you be sporting on the day Cath…? Most probably my retro, 70’s-inspired, quirky, brown, buttoned hat, depending on the presence/absence of a rip-roaring Wellington wind. Cath Louden-Sim

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St Ronan’s Presbyterian Church, 234 Muritai Road, Eastbourne 5013

Interim Moderator Rev Reg Weeks Church (Tues & Thurs): 562 7583 Home: 027 491 5947 Email: reg@thirdage.co.nz Parish Clerk Sandy Lang Hall Bookings Sandy Lang Home: 562 8753 Email: slang@xtra.co.nz Church office (Tues mornings) 562 7583

Email: office@stronans.org.nz Website: www.stronans.org.nz

Contributions for the ‘Record’ are most welcome. Please place them in the Church letterbox or email to

Helen.Withy@xtra.co.nz or janheine@xtra.co.nz

The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the

authors. They do not necessarily represent those of St Ronan’s Church.

The closing date for the September 2017 Record is Sunday 27 August 2017