E NEWS 21ST MARCH 2025
Talofa lava. I had a good break in Canberra last week visiting my nephew on his 10-acre farm in Googong. Nice to be there for his son Atlas’ 4th birthday party too and catch up with a couple of colleagues in Canberra and Sydney.
This week, I had lunch with a couple from North Carolina on Tuesday Susan Clearman and Rev. Mary Wetzel a minister from the Episcopal Church. Susan is a classical concert musician and composer and was interested in Shirley Murray’s songs and music. She gave me two pieces of music which she composed for our use and distribution. “Drop thy still dews of Quietness” and “Prayer of the Living Stones”.
The inner-city ministers met for lunch on Thursday at St Peter’s Willis Street, we had a general catchup and just talked about our Easter services. I may be hosting the April meeting if we can change it to the last week of April as it clashes with Holy Week as it stands.
Good Friday and Maundy Thursday. I hope you have all had time to consider whether you would like to do one of the readings of the stations of the cross and write a subsequent prayer to follow and read out aloud on Good Friday? I haven’t had any volunteers offer yet. Also, regarding Maundy Thursday I have received one offer to provide a leg of lamb from the Kirby’s are there any other offers to provide any of the other ingredients? I have yet to get confirmation from Te Kakano o te Aroha if they will be joining with us. Please see my E News from 2 weeks ago.
This Sunday’s theme is about “Second chances”. How many second chances have you had in your life? Something to ponder on.
A reminder that Ben Gray will be leading a workshop after coffee on “Enduring Power of Attorney” which I think is very important for all of us to know about. Following that the Pastoral Care Committee will be meeting.
I feel terrible. On Wednesday as I had to go to Wellington hospital and was unable to attend Cuppa and Chat, I offered my carpark to Jim and Maxine Cunningham. Unfortunately, when they returned after Cuppa and Chat someone had hit their car and done a hit and run. I know that would definitely have been my car hit had I been there. It would have been the second time this year for me. But I’m so sorry it happened to them.
I have the sad news to convey my second father here in Wellington Taule’ale’ausumai Sione Taule’ale’ausumai (my dad’s brother) passed away last night at 10.15pm at Wellington hospital. Even though I had my biological parents and siblings in Auckland my family here in Wellington he has always considered me his eldest daughter. I’m glad I managed to take a break away in Canberra last week not knowing that this would occur on my return. The Samoan Methodist churches from around Wellington start arriving tonight to begin their vigils over this whole coming week.
I will take our Sunday service this week and also the following Sunday, but I will be on bereavement leave in between. We are hoping to have his funeral on Wednesday or Thursday depending on relatives coming from Samoa and Australia and maybe USA. He is the last surviving chief of his generation in our family and also the last surviving founding elder of the Hataitai Samoan Methodist church here in Wellington he was 90 years old. He has led a very active and full life. RIL.
With every good wish, ka kite ano. Fei
You can read the full E-news here: https://mailchi.mp/ab630220fc4d/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-10133774?e=[UNIQID]
