E-NEWS FRIDAY 19TH DECEMBER 2025
Talofa lava, we are edging ever closer to Christmas next week — just six more days until Christmas Eve and seven until Christmas Day.
Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of hosting Parish Council at my home in Wainuiomata, with nine of us gathered in my lounge. It was a great time together as we welcomed Ata Burr and Tania Penafiel to Parish Council. We farewelled Sue Hirst from her role as Parish Council Convener and thanked her for her remarkable service, we then welcomed Pat Booth as our new Parish Council Convener.
On Sunday, we launched Rev Dr Jim Veitch’s book, Lloyd Gearing: Prophet or Heretic, here at St Andrew’s on The Terrace. Barry Keenan offered a thoughtful reflection on the life and legacy of Sir Lloyd Geering, both internationally and within our own St Andrew’s community, and Rev Dr Nicki Francis formally launched the book in the hall afterwards. With around 58 people present, it was a successful celebration.
Later that afternoon, I visited our dear Sheila Irwin at Wellington Hospital. Please hold Sheila and her family in your thoughts and prayers, especially during this Christmas season.
On Monday, I made an appointment with an Osteopath down on Lampton Quay to have a look at my knee, and he was fantastic. He manipulated my knee and explained to me what had happened, and it was a common injury. After the treatment, the knee was remarkably improved so much so that I was able to take Snoopy for a walk that very evening. I had fully expected to leave with a knee brace and continue hobbling around for a while, but instead I walked out feeling restored. So, from personal experience, I can highly recommend osteopaths when those little joint niggles appear. It was a great success and Snoopy was very pleased too!
On Tuesday, the staff from our SAOTT community centre gathered at the Dragon Yum cha in Tory Street for our end-of-year Christmas lunch. Different to what we normally do, we normally meet here at the church and have it catered for, but this time we went for Yum cha. There were nine of us present, and it was a lovely way to end the year.
We also had our last Cuppa and Chat for the year on Wednesday. We had a group of 10, and we all brought a plate to share and shared our stories as we do each week. We will recommence Cuppa and Chat in the New Year, on the first Wednesday 4th February 2025.
I’ve just returned from viewing the new 18 bed residential hostel at Queen Margaret College. It is amazing complete with various ensuites and large kitchen for the year 12 and 13 girls to practice their cooking skills. It would be a real privilege and honour to be able to stay in a place like this, more than a home away from home probably even better than a hotel for its modernity and well thought out privacy spaces for the girls.
Well, I’m all packed and ready to fly to Auckland tonight, and I’m very much looking forward to spending time with family and our special pre-Christmas celebrations on Sunday, 21 December. I’ll be flying back on Monday evening, in good time for our Christmas Eve service on Wednesday night.
On Christmas Eve, we’ll begin with cake and sherry at 7.30pm, followed by the service proper at 8.00pm. Please do come early not only to enjoy the cake and sherry, but also to secure a seat, as last year we had a full house.
Then on Christmas Day, we’ll gather for our 10.00am service. While this is usually a smaller, more intimate service, Pam Fuller and I warmly invite anyone who has nowhere else to go to join us for brunch straight after the service. If you would like to be a part of this and even want to bring some food to share you will be most welcome.
We look forward to working together in the year ahead, and we offer our warmest wishes to all our Parish Council members and FFMG committee, our staff, musicians and wider parish family for a restful and joyful break over this festive season.
In the meantime, may God keep us all safe and well over this summer season. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please take care on the roads, in the water, in the air, and wherever you may be.
God bless. Ia manuia le Kirisimasi ma le Tausaga Fou, Fei and Snoopy
You can read the full E-news here: https://mailchi.mp/d6d0ed9768c6/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-10138143
