It was cool to read what the guys at Sputnik Magazine make of what we make.
Part one is here.
Part two is here.
Keep up the great work team.

Did you enjoy the music on our kids' film The Christmas Story? Did you know that it was created as an original score by Joe Faris as part of our Christmas gift to the world? Well, did you know Joe's now turned those instrumentals into five amazing songs? You do now.

I went on an amazing journey in 2012: from a place of tension to a place of peace.

Over the years I had become more and more uncomfortable with people I now group under the title GLBT, which stands for gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender.

I felt I was a product of my parents, society and church, but didn’t really understand God’s heart. I didn’t feel my gut and head responses to these people were right. And my heart couldn’t engage with them at all.

I had often prayed that God would help me sort this, and last year he did. I started to read, debate, watch, listen; and the more I did, the more excited I got that it was possible to truly get my head around and my heart opened to these people that I felt so distant from.

I got my head into the clinical, political and theological sides of things. And I got my heart into God’s guidance for me, and, I think, us as a church. Bottom line, I believe God wants our community to make a ‘loving response’ to the GLBT community.

Then a friend from St Paul’s gave me this book to read. And it helped me to feel God’s heart. And it made these people personal to me. And it helped me hugely to figure out what our/my loving response could be.

It was written by a Christian guy who was a similar product to me, and it recounts his completely immersive journey to understanding and restoration.

If this is an area you want to grow in, I'd like to recommend this book as a great starting point.

Check out lots of behind-the-scenes adorable kids photos from our Unexpected Christmas film shoot here.

Thank you to all who came to the Future Directions Consultation meeting on 13 May. Your comments have now been collated into the Parish Profile which Vestry will review on Monday evening before submitting it to the Bishop for sign off. The Vestry meeting will also be voting for three Nominators from the 9 nominees who have been put forward. The ballot process will be overseen by Archdeacon Carole Hughes. Please pray for the Vestry members, that they have wisdom and insight when voting. If you have any questions on this or the overall vicar recruitment process, please contact the church wardens.

It’s not too late to register for the remaining Contemporary Care workshops taking place every Tuesday evening until 4 June from 7–9:15pm. This coming Tuesday, Angelika Halstead and Ros Broom will be teaching us about Anxiety and Calm. The night starts with dessert and coffee, followed by teaching and discussion. Parking in Wilson’s carpark on St Paul Street will be provided. Register before 12pm Monday to avoid disappointment or email theology. Each elective costs $15.

If ‘love is in the air’ and the proposal has been accepted why not put some time aside in your pre-wedding whirl to prepare for your marriage? This course is designed for both engaged and pre-engaged couples wishing to build a strong and lasting relationship into their marriage and beyond. Join Scott and Jennie Milne for dessert and coffee over 5 Tuesday evenings (11 June – 9 July) from 7.30–9pm. You will find the excellent material both relevant and helpful for any couple with or without a Christian faith. $110 per couple (including dessert/workbooks). Free parking at Wilsons. Register on our website or email Eleanor for more info.

Do you want to connect more with God and be a part of something bigger than yourself? Thursday morning prayer is where you need to be. Come along and discover an intimacy with God and a desire to pray like never before. See you there! SPPRAY from 6.45am each Thursday in the church.

St Paul’s is raising funds for World Vision’s 40 Hour Famine through a Famine Art exhibition! Whether older or young, children or not, married or single, you’re encouraged to work together to produce a piece of art (be it a sketch, painting, sculpture, diorama etc) that somehow relates to Papua New Guinea. We’ll exhibit all the entries on Friday 14 June and hold a silent auction to raise funds! It’s going to be so much fun and a chance to get really creative in the coming Autumn days.

We would love it if you could email any personal photos of you and The Norris's and any message that you may have for Mike and Bex to take with them as they go. We would need these by Friday 7 June at the latest so please get scribbling and email your thoughts to Gabrielle.

A massive thank you to everyone who’s lent household items to Mike and Bex, they are so grateful! We’re now down to the last couple of items on the list. If you have any spare rugs, oil heaters or a kitchen rubbish bin you can lend to the Norris’ until the beginning of July, please email Gabrielle. She’d love to hear from you.

Come and join us on Saturday 15 June from 10am–1.15pm to gain a greater insight into how God uses some of our most difficult life experiences to bring about wholeness and restoration. Sy Rogers will be sharing his wisdom and insight into how God heals us of our deepest wounds. Lou Grant will share her recent story of healing and transformation. Get your friends together and join us for a life changing morning. Costs $15 which includes refreshments and parking at Wilsons.

Baptism services are coming up. If you would like to be baptised or would like more information about what this means, please email Gabrielle or phone the church on 373 3268. We would love to chat.

We provide lunch for international students on a Wednesday and as the winter months roll in, we’d like to serve some homely soup. If you’d like to crack on and make some tasty soups for us, let Rosie know. Did you know that we’ve started a Bible study for international students on a Tuesday night? We provide the students with dinner before the study gets underway, and need a few more hands in the kitchen for 45 minutes from 6.15pm. If you’d like to get involved with serving the students, please get in touch with Rosie - she'd love to hear from you.

If you are a member of St Paul's, whether near or far, make sure that you are signed up for HAPPENING, our weekly eNews. In HAPPENING, you will get the latest news and info on life, events and basically everything newsworthy at St Paul's. We send it once a week and you can unsubscribe at anytime.  Well, what are you waiting for? Sign up now.

Kia Ora koutou katoa Hato Paora. Some exciting stuff has been happening with the prison cluster lately and I am pleased to say that we have been invited to be able to minister into the women’s prison here in Auckland. I am aware that there might be quite a buzz of interest in this and it will be great to all meet up to start forming a women’s cluster around this. If you feel this might be you, email me. We are thrilled about the future of God’s leading in this and look forward to meeting with you all and getting some wheels on this thing. Kei a matou te Wairua o te Atua. Mike Templeton.

What a privilege to attend a State of the Nation address where you actually feel you are making a difference in your city because you are in touch with the true Powers that Be rather than politicians. Right from the start the atmosphere in the crypt on 25 October 2012 was charged not only with worship and a glass of wine but with news of the impact of St Paul’s programme of courses and outreach on the people of our city. From Worship Central offering a forum for worship leaders and groups from many other churches, Theology and Marriage courses, Prison Ministry, Student Welcomes where people come for lunch and leave with a hunger for the Pearl of great price, to Life courses where coming to faith on the first night is not unheard of, and more, attendance is great and the outcomes are life changing. Suggestions from the floor and in writing will hopefully help Vicar Mike Norris realise his vision for more and better of the same in 2013. It is worth every effort.

Jan Halstead

Flatmate/ couple professional/s (Christian),non-smoker and preferably over 30, wanted to share with married couple. The room is a very large master bedroom with ensuite, 2 large double wardrobes in lovely area of  Parnell, close to the Rose gardens. The view looks over the sea towards Devonport.

$300 for single flatmate plus expenses, price to be negotiated for a couple.

 On the bus route to the city

The house has 2 lounges, 1 dining area, 3 bathrooms, large kitchen, separate laundry, swimming pool and deck.

If you have a cat we have a cat door, but no dogs please as there is no gate/fence.

Move in ASAP as room is available now.

Phone Angela on 0210388961