E-NEWS 7TH SEPTEMBER 2025
Spring is here, for me it’s my favorite season seeing the blossoms on the trees and knowing the cold will soon make way to warmth and sunshine although here in Wellington it’s never guaranteed.
My new hobby: taking Charge of Health and Fitness
Since the Huia Pools closed back in April for maintenance, I stopped going to my regular liquid fitness classes. I gave the new Te Ngae ngae Pools a try, but between the crowds and the lack of parking, it just wasn’t for me. So for a while, swimming was off the agenda. While on sabbatical in Cambridge, I was walking everywhere and feeling great. But when I returned to Auckland and stayed at Vaughan Park, the weather turned atrocious, and with a car at hand (and being fed five times a day!), the walking stopped. By the time I boarded the plane back to Wellington, the seatbelt gave me a reality check — it was definitely tighter than before! So, I decided to take charge of my own health and fitness. I’ve now enrolled with a personal trainer at Atrium Towers Gym, just up the road on the Terrace from the church. My trainer, Karen — a Māori woman — is fantastic. Twice a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays, I do half-hour one-on-one sessions with her in the pool. Low-impact but challenging, it’s already doing me good.
Because there’s no parking nearby, I have to walk there and back as well, which adds an extra layer of exercise into my week. And you know what? I’m enjoying it. It feels like I’m truly in charge of my own wellbeing, and I hope this new rhythm will continue to help me with better health and strength.
Living Wage Forum at St Andrew’s
On Wednesday night, our church was filled to capacity for the Living Wage Forum. We heard powerful stories from people whose lives have been transformed by receiving the living wage. With just a little extra in their pockets, families are now able to enjoy special moments together — things many of us might take for granted. It was a reminder that while the living wage is not extravagant, it makes the crucial difference between constant struggle and having a measure of dignity and stability.
We were joined by both mayoral candidates and councillors, some of whom spoke about their own commitments to this cause. The atmosphere was alive with energy, hope, and determination.
I was honoured to open and close the evening with karakia, setting the spiritual frame for the discussions. It is heartening to see that people not only know where we are but also recognise who we are as a community.
I was interviewed yesterday on Radio by Pacific Media Network on Death and Dying practice in a Pacific context from a ministers perspective . It will be played sometime today and also be available as a podcast I think.
Next Saturday is the Kapiti Coast Cluster Group at the home of Russell & Gillian Feist with a shared lunch.
Please remember Barrie and Jen Keenan this week who are in Invercargill for the funeral of their nephew.
This Sunday is Communion Sunday and also marks the beginning of the Season of Creation (running for the next five Sundays). Alongside this, we will also be celebrating significant parents day, giving thanks for the father/mother parental care giver figures in our lives.
Next Sunday our Worship Committee will be leading worship on the Theme of Seasons of Creation “Peace”. The following Sunday is St Francis of Assisi Sunday where we will have the Blessing of the Animals so please bring your pets or a photo of them will be fun. The following week is Eco Sunday led by Sonia Goes Petrie and co.
This week our scripture focus will be on the story of Onesimus — from slave to brother. We will reflect on how God’s transforming love can move us beyond old labels into new relationships of justice, dignity, and family. Hope to see you on Sunday. Nga mihi, Fei.
You can read the full E-news here: https://mailchi.mp/95aa9ec5bc6a/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-10136280
