Auckland Community Church
Te Hahi Waka Huihui i Nga Tangata o Tamaki Makaurau

Family Circle April 2007

Coming Events

At the Outtakes film festival:
We will be sponsoring the film God & Gays: Bridging the Gap
See movie website

The Big Gay Out & Hero 2007

A cycling trip down the USA – well it was a dream that became a reality, 2700 miles by pedal power.

There was a great response to the combined church stand at Coyle Park for the Big Gay Out. Brian and others were particularly effective as impromptu angels, wearing the plastic wings we had originally used on a Hero Parade float. The church service with MCC was also a great occasion.

The 2007 AGM summary

The Board welcomes two new members: Campion Read, and Liz Nicolson, as well as the 2006 Board continuing: Peter Jenkins, Peter Lineham, Craig Blockley, Mark Hangartner, Alastair Priestley, Cathy Hartles, Charles Grinter.

2007 OFFICERS

Chair: Peter Lineham, Deputy: Mark Hangartner

Secretary: Charles Grinter

Treasurers: Craig Blockley, Peter Jenkins.

Topics for discussion were:

our capacity for responding to pastoral needs,

improving our visibility and involvement in the wider community,

the climate in other churches for issues of sexuality,

communion services being lead by ordained clergy.

Some reflection on the Easter services

Easter Saturday evening saw us combining with St. Matthew's morning congregation for the time of "waiting" - the Vigil. After the darkness and desolation of the Crucifixion we needed to see some light.

Bob, in his wheelchair-bound state, waited with me the in the Church in the dark (!!) while everyone else gathered outside. A fire was lit, providing a moment of concern as Clay's robes wafted close to the flames.

The solemn procession entered and quietly lit more and more candles. There followed the full Easter Passion liturgy, with beautiful sung responses. We worked thro' readings and psalms which expressed the agony and the waiting..................... Bob reminded us of the need for patience as we watched and waited. It was a time of grief and raw emotion. "Be still and quiet. Focus on a point of light. Wait" was the message.

Incense wafted around us and the choir reminded us in song of the waiting......

Finally, we were able to sing "Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia."

A beautiful supper concluded the service as we "partied with the Risen Christ." Cathy

On Sunday night there was also our own service: Hector gave an excellent homily on "Kindness and Hospitality"

Peggy Turner

With both sadness and joy we remember the life of Peggy Turner, a founding mother of Auckland Community Church. She died peacefully on Thursday 19th April, she was 96 years old.

Her contribution to the life of St Matthews was enormous, she continued to arrange flowers over many years, until very recently making an increasingly perilous journey from her home in Mission Bay to church.

She and her late husband Hec were at the initial meeting that set up what later became Auckland Community Church. They were faithful attenders of our service, often with Hec well swathed by Peggy in rugs and scarves, in a then colder St Matthews on winter nights. But they were not uncritical, and could challenge a preacher who had ‘gone off the rails’.

They were also involved in one of St Matthews livelier vicars Morris Russell’s initiative to provide a club for people to meet, the All Come Together club. Auckland was scandalised by St Matthews being used for wine drinking, smoking and dancing in church.

Many have enjoyed their hospitality and counsel at their home. Peggy coordinated a Palm Cross making evening during Lent.

John Marcon reflected when he first came to our church he thought “What is that old Anglican couple doing here” – he soon had his answer, they maintained a bond of affection between our congregations, wisdom and deep vision for the pastoral work of the church.

In John Mullane’s reflections at the 10th anniversary service he talked about our beginnings as ‘a haven for people sufferring from prejudice’, and this maintained in quietness not stidency. Peggy was very much a part of creating that haven, and for that we can be thankful, the last gracious words are hers from the history on our website.

Hec and I have always felt very privileged to be so warmly encircled by A.C.C. over the years. It was all new to us at the beginning, and we hope we have helped the unhappy and confused - to become their true selves. We certainly have made some wonderful friends - Peggy

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Contacts:
curl by email: info@aucklandcommunitychurch.org.nz
curl by phone: Cathy and Liz (64)(09)578 1292 or Hugh Dyson (64)(09)579 1850
curl by snail mail: c/- 187 Federal Street, Auckland, New Zealand.

This date was last updated on 18th May 2006 - the page may have been updated later than this!