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.

Are you quietly struggling with conception, pregnancy or fertility issues? Perhaps you know a couple who are trying to conceive and/or are on waiting lists for treatment/IVF. Our women's baby prayer group is getting together to pray and support one another on Wednesday 22 May in the St Paul's Church sanctuary at 7.30pm. By His power and grace, over 45 couples have overcome medical odds, miscarriage and unexplained infertility! All welcome. All confidential. For more info, please email Louise. Free parking at Wilson's. ps: more female pray-ers needed!

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 week is ‘understanding eating disorders’ with Maree Clark and Phil Halstead. 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.

Thank you to all who came to the Future Directions Consultation meeting on Monday evening - it was a fun and valuable time with lots of ideas shared. Your comments are being collated and will be reflected in the Parish Profile available in early June. The Vestry next meet on Monday 27 May to review the Parish Profile and vote on the three nominators who will represent the parish on the selection committee. Please pray for this process - that the Parish Profile will reflect the spirit of St Paul’s and it will speak to suitable candidates, and that the Vestry will have wisdom and insight. If you have any questions, please contact the church wardens.

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.

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.

In preparation for mike and bex’s move back to the uk, they will be saying goodbye to their furniture and possessions in two weeks time. This means that they will be without some fairly essential items - will you be able to lend the norris family some stuff? There is a list on Facebook and over at the welcome desk - please put your name next to an item you can lend. Thank you!

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.

You may have noticed a new staff member around the place over the past few weeks. Rosie Gulliford has joined the staff team for a short period to give Mathew and Paul some support during the transition into the Interregnum. Rosie’s husband Mark is half-way through a six month secondment in New Zealand. Say hi when you see them!

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.

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.

You may be new to St Paul’s, been here a few months or even years, but never actually told us that you want to belong to St Paul’s. We would love you to join in the fun with us and make sure you are on our database. If you don’t know whether you are on our database or not, you probably aren’t! (You are if you filled in a census form last year). So to make sure that you are included on the list, please pick up and complete a joining form on Sunday or do it all online here. 

We are getting lots of enquiries about our small groups at the moment – are you in a group that would be happy to include new people? Or perhaps you're interested in hosting a new group? Richard would love to hear from you as we help people to connect, and make St Paul's feel like home for those who have newly joined. You can email him here. Plus let's all remember to say hi to those around us on a Sunday!

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