Speaker & Worship Leader:- Jonathan Mason
Jonathan Mason © 9 June 2024
Meditation / Conversation starter
- Why do you attend the Auckland Unitarian Church?
- How do we create a thriving church over the next 10 years?
Fundraising
Cyclone Gabrielle
How can we help?
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, the devastation it has caused, and the terrible impact this ex-cyclonic storm has wrought on our people and our land in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We are witnessing huge amounts of strength and sadness, and the media pictures portray the huge scale of this disaster.
How can we help? The need now is primarily for financial help in the recovery and rescue stage. Here are a couple of links to websites where donations can be made.
- NZ Disaster Relief Fund set up by NZ Red Cross in conjunction with NZ Herald and NZME.
- Stuff NZ’s Givealittle page – Stuff is calling for readers to support the Red Cross and Mayoral Relief Funds in affected areas.
- Re-Source work specifically in Hawke’s Bay.
- Hawkes Bay has an underwear shortage. You can donate NEW underwear by sending it to 617 Fitzroy Ave, Hastings, 4120. Specialty items outside the standard Large/Medium/Small ranges are most appreciated. Find out more at this RNZ interview.
- RNZ also has a comprehensive list of organisations accepting donations of money or time to aid the recovery.
There are many people and organisations raising funds to help with this disaster, and if you haven’t already, please do help by contributing – every bit helps .
Our hearts go out to all.
2022 Service Auction
Begins Monday 28 November 2022
Our church’s service auctions are the major fundraising events of the year.
This year bidding for most items will take place by email over 4 days (from Monday 28 November until Friday 2 December).
Follow this link to the catalogue of auction services and items, along with instructions on how to bid.
In addition to online bidding, we will be holding a LIVE auction at the Church on Saturday 3 December from 4.00 – 6.00 pm.
Live Auction on Saturday 3 December 4.00 – 6.00 PM
Please join us at the Church for a happy hour of drinks, nibbles and conversation starting at 4 pm on Saturday 3 December. The programme will include a live auction of items listed on the last page of the catalogue. Everyone is welcome – regardless of whether or not you place a bid.
As the evening will mark the first social event at the Church in ages, we hope you will come along to reconnect and support this important fundraiser.
Stewardship is more about magic than money
with Rev. Clay Nelson
Read below, or download the PDF
Follow this shortcut to the bottom of the page for the various readings, videos, etc. shared in the service.
Clay Nelson © 22 May 2022
I was never a big fan of magicians because I don’t enjoy feeling conned or suspending my disbelief. Then I encountered Penn and Teller. Who couldn’t love magicians with a TV show called Bullshit? They are scientific sceptics and atheists who love making mince out of sacred cows. I particularly enjoyed their trick of making an American flag seem to disappear by wrapping it in a copy of the United States Bill of Rights, and apparently setting the flag on fire, so that the flag is gone but the Bill of Rights remains. I saw the trick first on West Wing. If their unique routine weren’t enough they have written numerous books. I am most drawn to two of their titles: God, No!: Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales and Every Day is an Atheist Holiday!: More Magical Tales from the Author of God, No!
Continue reading Stewardship is more about magic than moneyUkraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal
Update:-
Thank you everyone, together we raised $690 for the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal 🙂
As the fighting in Ukraine continues, the humanitarian need is growing, and your help in supporting the NZ Red Cross relief effort with the $690 donation is very much appreciated. Well done everyone! The church congregation raised $440 for the appeal, adding to the PSJ Group donation of $250 – a great effort by all.
Again, thank you !
NZ Red Cross Ukraine Appeal
“People in Ukraine are suffering. More than 11 million people are believed to have fled their homes in Ukraine since the conflict began, according to the United Nations. As well as the 5.3 million who have left for neighbouring countries, and another 6.5 million people are thought to be displaced inside the war-torn country itself.” (BBC News, refer link: How many Ukrainians have fled their homes and where have they gone? – BBC News) These are devastating times for the people in Ukraine.
How can we help?
You can help by supporting the NZ Red Cross Ukraine Appeal through our church Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Campaign. Our church has started a Campaign fund with the Peace and Social Justice Group donating $250 to start it off. You are welcome to add to this fund by donating online to the…
Our PSJ appeal closed Friday 17th June 2022, however you can make a donation directly to the NZ Red Cross “Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal” after that date if you wish.
Thank you 😊
Note, the usual tax relief for donations apply.
2021 Service Auction – Virtual Covid Edition
Begins Sunday 5 December 2021
Ends with final ‘live’ (by Zoom) auction on
Saturday 11 December 2021 at 7.30 pm
Our church’s service auctions are the major fundraising events of the year.
Due to Covid restrictions, we haven’t been able to plan our usual in-church auction for 2021. That’s why for this year’s Covid edition, bidding for most items will take place by email over 5 days (from Sunday 5 December until Friday 10 December).
Follow this link to the catalogue of auction services and items, along with instructions on how to bid.
On Saturday evening 11 December, everyone will have an opportunity to socialise and place live bids on some select items by attending a live auction by Zoom starting at 7.30 pm.
Here is the link for joining our finale evening by Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8949163748?pwd=eU4vaXhzRXZJNkd5c3JIVmliSm1pZz09
Meeting ID: 894 916 3748
Password: 12345
Quiz on Wheels – Fundraiser for PSJ projects
Photos from this can be seen on this google slideshow.
On Saturday 7 August Auckland Unitarians will be holding a battle of wits as we gently explore Northcote/Birkenhead. The stakes are high, those in the winning car will win movie tickets!
This is a fun day out for all the family, there are questions to answer and quests to accomplish. Learn some of the history, love stories and and interest spots of one of our fascinating city suburbs. It is highly recommended that each team has at least one member with a phone with access to the internet.
We finish up with a shared afternoon tea chez Rachel and Clay. This is a fundraiser for Peace and Social Justice projects. Suggested entry fee is $10-$20 per adult, depending on what you can afford. Children are free. Winners are determined by wits, not speed! More details later…
Quiz Night Returns!
Absent in 2020 due to ‘that virus’ Quiz Night returns in 2021 bigger and better than ever!
Saturday 22 May, 6.00 pm–10.00pm:
Contact Betsy Marshall (quiznight@aucklandunitarian.org.nz) or sign up at a Sunday service to let us know if you (and the number of family members/friends) are planning to attend the Celebration Dinner and Quiz Night at the church on Saturday 22 May from 6.00pm to 10.00pm.
As everyone will be seated at round tables for eight, we are keen to ensure we have enough tables for everyone attending.
Also, please bring along a main, salad or dessert for six to eight people for a pot-luck dinner.
How wonderful it will be to get together after a year of Covid restrictions. Also, we look forward to having a brief presentation from our Church Treasurer about what will be needed to ensure our community continues to thrive this year.
Hope to see you on Saturday 22 May.
Betsy Marshall
Quiz Night Coordinator
Help a Kid to Camp – Thank You!!
Thanks to everyone for the tremendous support for this campaign!
Through your efforts, church members have sponsored 43 Year 7 & 8 Glen Taylor School students to the school camp at Kawau Island held later this month. Sponsorship for these students is very much appreciated, and the school’s Principal, Chris Herlihy, sends huge thanks to all!
Help a Kid to Camp
The Help a Kid to Camp campaign for Glen Taylor School is a request for sponsorship to enable students in this decile 1a school to attend a school camp on Kawau Island in May this year.
You can read all about it on the sponsorship form.
If you want to sponsor a student, then we ask that you:-
- donate to the church’s account, Auckland Unitarian Church, 02 0100 0024691 00 and reference the donation as “Kids Camp”
- Return the sponsorship form to:- psj@aucklandunitarian.org.nz, or to Gary or Brenda on a Sunday morning.
The Peace & Social Justice Group will send the sponsorship forms into Glen Taylor School so that sponsors can be matched with a student.
The campaign finishes Friday 7th May, and we ask that all sponsorship donations are made before that date.