Seabrook Avenue
Church of the Nazarene

November
Newsletter

From the Pastors desk
I come across so many good quotes and sayings throughout the year.  Some are profound, some make me laugh some are just great wisdom, so I thought that in this newsletter I would list a few under the title of Seabrook Sayings...

"How many people on their deathbed's wish they'd spent more time at the office?"   S. Covey from First Things First

"What you live with, you learn. What you learn, you practice.  What you practice, you become.  What you become has consequences."   Anonymous

"Choose your rut carefully. You'll be in it for the next 200 miles."   Sign on an Alaskan highway.

"No matter how hard you try, you can't baptise a cat."   Anonymous.

"A father to the fatherless is God in His holy dwelling."   Psalm 68:5

 "Rage blooms in the deep soil of unresolved loss."   David Damico  The Faces of Rage

"Justice:  We get what we deserve.
Mercy:   We do not get what we deserve.
Grace:    We get what we do not deserve."   Sam Wilson

"I went to a Pavarotti Concert once and I can tell you this much.  He does not like people joining in on the chorus!"

"Watch over your heart with all diligence for from it flow the springs of life."   Proverbs 4:23

"Problems do not go away.  They must be worked through or else they remain, forever a barrier to growth in the spirit.   M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Travelled.

"Nothing changes if nothing changes."   Sir Howard Morrison
This Month on the Avenue

Christmas on the Avenue Update...
Good and steady progress is being made as we prepare to host two very special Christmas dinners to people in our community who may be alone at this time of year.  In a few days time letters will be sent out requesting hands, helpers and hosts to be available for one or both of these evenings; December 22nd & 23rd.

We have had a great response and as we get closer to the events anticipation builds!

Christmas Choir...
Please contact Ingrid if you have are interested in being part of a Christmas Choir.  Don't wait to be asked, bribed or talent spotted please just step forward and get singing!

Food Parcel Ministry
This is a special ministry we offer in a limited but important way to our community.  At any time non perishable food items can be dropped off at the church or gold coin donations can be left at the coin box on the information table.

Neighbourhood Care Team
Paul Thomson is currently recruiting for a team to give an hour or so of their time in this vital ministry.  These teams help people of our community with property care in the form of light gardening duties.  Every home visited is so appreciative and it is one of the best ways of showing we care.

Annual General Meeting
As we begin to conclude our year it is really important to formally report on the church activities, finances and future.  The AGM will take place 20 minutes after the morning service November 24th.  Those who are formally members of the church will receive a ballot to elect a board of management for 2003.  All  are welcome at the AGM, we encourage as many as possibly can to attend.

Perhaps you have been considering church membership but have not really addressed this?  We invite all those who have with true repentance accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour to consider uniting with the church in membership.  The pastor is available to answer any questions you are bound to have on this matter.

Breakfast...
is an event that if you are missing it you shouldn't be. But consider this idea....  The pastor would love to meet with anyone at all over breakfast.  The venue will be in the New Lynn - Avondale areas and the cost is on him. If you want to talk over life issues, church matters, the weather, your Christmas shopping or just want to hum while he talks, get in touch with him and make a time.

What's in name she says?
Actually a fair bit if you are the newest Thomson in town. Many missed the full name of Baby T and others ran out of ink so here it is and surely it is bound for nobility - Callaghan Leo Max Crosby

We've moved...
The Polglase family now live in Kelston.
It's a beautiful house and Anita and Steve make the world's best coffee, drop in on them.  See the printed newsletter or ask a contact for the new details.

 We're on holiday!
Bob and Maureen Gordon are touring the South Island taking camera and caravan to their Scottish past.

Mark & Pauline Lorenzen visit Christchurch on a cultural tour of our nation's artistic City.

Joyce Arnmitage ends her Queensland holiday and return to our summer season.

Youth Camp:
Bookings and deposits are well on their way as the young people plan their summer camps.  November 30th is the final opportunity to raise serious cash for camp.  A special letter is on its way to remind you of you of Roll Up Time at the Warehouse.  We had a fantastic time last month and will provide endless entertainment with new and updated sausage sizzle and live talk back.

2001 CampTe Arai Point Camp
The great outdoors and a chance to relax near the beach, forest and friends. Sign up on the information table for the New Year's Eve Camp.

Prayer Group
November 3rd and November 17th at the Church.  We meet, we pray we see wonderful answers.  6:30 pm.

Seabrook Cafe
Coffee and Tea are served from 10 am on every Sunday morning.

Snapshot
This youth event was delayed last month and will be held Sunday November 3rd @ 2pm.  Please bring a shared snack and $2.

Kid's Club
Fridays 3:30 pm...  90 minutes of fast moving kids and slow moving leaders!  This is Sunday School on Steroids and on Fridays.

Ladies Coffee Breaks
Ladies all dates and information for coffee breaks are on a special press release at the information table.

Fiji Fund
For many years the church has protected a special investment fund ear marked for land in Fiji.  Successive treasurers have managed the fund well and it has now reached an amazing $9,500. Through out the year the board has spent time investigating possible projects to send this fund to.  The Navua Church of the Nazarene meet in small cramped rented facility just outside of Suva.  With the funds released we can assist them with the purchase of land which until now has been their prayer and cherished dream.  The fund will be managed by Dr Neville Bartle who superintends the Nazarene Churches in Fiji.  Now that this fund has been invested it is the challenge of this church to right away establish a new fund for a new project.

Please think and pray about this.  If not for some brave vision many years ago we would have no Fiji Fund -  it's now time to think ahead once again.