Christchurch South Parish St Marks Somerfield Our Core Values: Acceptance Caring Creativity Outreach Teamwork Worshipfulness Christchurch South Methodist Parish - Contact details St Marks Church and Hall Cnr Barrington & Somerfield Streets, Somerfield, Christchurch 8024 See Map at the bottom of this web page. Presbyter: Rev Andrew Donaldson C/- Parish Office, 7 Somerfield St, Barrington, Christchurch 8024 Phone: +64 (03) 981 0699 Email: stmarks7@clear.net.nz Worship Times: St Marks Somerfield 10:00 am Sunday SUNDAY April 7th: 10:00 a.m. Holy Communion Easter 2 Rev Andrew Donaldson SUNDAY April 14th: 10:00 a.m. Easter 3 Rev Andrew Donaldson SUNDAY April 21st: 10:00 a.m. Easter 4 Rev Andrew Donaldson SUNDAY March 24th: 10:00 a.m. Easter 5 TBC Rev Andrew Donaldson's April Passage We are now in the season of Easter. This is the highest point in the church year. Easter came early this year and has made it feel that the year is running like an out of control stream engine. There seems to be no let up. On the plus side we are enjoying a warm autumn. The health care professionals tell us that about this time out from the tragic earthquakes we as a population will be feeling emotionally drained and that we will be at a low ebb. If you are feeling emotionally vulnerable this is normal and to be expected. If you need to go and see a doctor, go. They will be waiting for you. Feelings of vulnerability and anxiety are a normal reaction to the abnormal. Frustrations I'm told are piling on top of frustrations. Medical and mental health carers are primed and ready to help. We, the Church family, are in it together. It is now that we need to be supporting one another. It is easy in these times to have strained relations. How we feel and respond to our anxiety will differ from person to person. So we treat one another, as best we can, with respect and care. This last week I found myself feeling upset and somewhat depressed after hearing an article on the National Programme, I remember asking "What is the point?" after our political leaders seemed to be completely missing our precarious environmental disaster that is building. It seemed to me my anxiety at that point had nowhere to go. I found solace in the Holy Week services, especially on the Tuesday evening at Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church when I was able to meditate on one of the Psalms. I found my energy levels build and some clarity of mind. This was added to by the positive regard I felt towards me as my feet were symbolically washed. The symbolism and the human contact were important. Easter is about the new possibilities of the now. New birth, the affirmation of life and our hope of life in its fullness are central messages of Easter. We in the Methodist Church make the claim "Every member a minister" our take on the priesthood of all believers. The Easter affirmation is found in our being community through both the good and the bad. I invite you to keep in your prayers and thoughts our faith community and our neighbours as we minister to one another; at this time. Andrew Email: stmarks7@clear.net.nz Phone +64 3 981 0699

WHAREORA HOUSE OF LIFE Community House Administered by St Marks Methodist and St James Presbyterian Church News Letter

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Updated 6 April, 2013