E-NEWS FRIDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 2025
Well, it has certainly been a full on week at St Andrew’s. On Sunday we celebrated the baptism of little Aiofe Robinson, and what a joy it was. Somehow the baptismal bowl is missing so we had to do some last minute improvising. The Cunninghams as usual came to the rescue. Thankyou Jim & Maxine. It was nice to have the presence of Aoife’s family friends and extended whānau who came along to witness this precious moment. Their warmth and support added a lovely spirit to our worship, and it was a privilege for us as a community to welcome Aoife into the family of faith.
Shauna McAuley and Gareth Robinson. Parents of Aiofe.
Following the service, we held our Annual General Meeting, where we took time to thank Sue Hirst for her many dedicated years as our Parish Council Convener. Sue’s steady leadership and generosity of spirit have been a real gift to St Andrew’s. We also warmly welcomed Ataga’i Burr (Ata) and Tania Penafiel onto the Parish Council. We hold them in our prayers as they begin their service and offer their gifts to the life of our community.
On Monday evening at 8.30pm, I had the privilege of leading the prayers for Aotearoa New Zealand as part of the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. I also read the Gospel in Te Reo Māori, which felt especially fitting for this international gathering. This week the focus was on Australia and Aotearoa, and it was great to see a few familiar faces from past ministry connections joining online. The service connected our prayers with the global concerns being raised at COP30 in Brazil, reminding us again that our local acts of faith are interwoven with the worldwide call for climate justice and care for creation.
This week also turned into a bit of a baking adventure for me. I decided to experiment with pani popo, our beautiful Samoan coconut buns. After watching someone make them online I thought, surely I can adapt this for a diabetic-friendly version! So, for the very first time, I rolled up my sleeves and gave it a go. To my surprise, they turned out to be quite a success… and I may have made far more than intended, given my uncertain relationship with yeast and quantities! It was all rather exciting, and who knows one day I might be brave enough to even bring a tray to church for morning tea. Although I’m not entirely sure how our Palagi friends will cope with the rich coconut sauce but the proof, as always, will be in the eating.
On Wednesday evening the Queen Margaret College Board met for our final meeting of the year. As always, we began with a beautiful pre-board dinner prepared by the college chef. A small ritual that continues to make our work together feel both collegial and nourishing. With the year drawing to a close, I’m now looking forward to attending their Carols on the Lawn service this evening at 5.30pm and this year will be especially precious as it is being led primarily by the junior school choir. If you free you are welcome to come and join Snoopy and I.
Today (Thursday) I also enjoyed a lovely drive out to the Wairarapa to visit Gavin and Jenny Watson in Grey Town. We shared a beautiful lunch together, and it was wonderful to spend time with them amidst the quiet and sunshine of the countryside. Gavin and Jenny send their warmest love and greetings to everyone at St Andrew’s.
This Sunday we will gather for Transgender Memorial Sunday, a deeply important moment in our calendar as we honour and remember transgender lives lost to violence and discrimination, and affirm our commitment to being a safe, loving, and justice-seeking community. Our special guest speaker is Mani Mitchell, MNZM, a respected advocate and community leader, who will share with us from their experience and wisdom. We are also delighted to welcome back The Glamaphones Choir, who will offer three musical items during the service. I warmly encourage you all to join us as we stand in solidarity with our LGBTQI+ whānau and celebrate the hope, dignity, and courage that this day represents.
Wishing you all a peaceful and gentle weekend, and I look forward to seeing many of you on Sunday.
Ngā manaakitanga, Fei
You can read the full E-news here: https://mailchi.mp/dee101bd5451/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-10137627
