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 Vicar's Welcome
Welcome to the parish web site.
I was born and bred in Christchurch and relocated to New Plymouth, where I was ordained in 1995. I moved to Auckland shortly after when Sue and I married. We have 3 teenaged young people, the eldest, Tim, is an aircraft engineer, our middle son, Hamish is at university and Georgia (Geo) is at school.
I served my curacy in the parishes of New Plymouth and Ellerslie-Mt Wellington before moving overseas to Melbourne as Associate Priest in the Parish of South Yarra. Upon return to Auckland I was appointed Vicar of Royal Oak, then Vicar of Remuera.
A relocation to Christchurch in 2017 was a move home to familiar territory. It is great to be part of this wonderful and diverse parish. Its holds a huge amount of history and although the church in Heathcote (St Mary’s) and Mt Pleasant (Church of the Ascension) are quite different in construction and era, both hold significant presence in their local communities.
The services are Anglican in format and nature, the people are warm and inviting and the liturgy is stimulating and real.
The Christchurch Earthquakes have had a significant effect upon the life of the parish. However, the tenacity and energy of those who lived through the experience has helped lay a firm foundation upon which the Anglican presence in the area can continue. Both the Heathcote and Mt Pleasant Churches have been reinstated and modernized and have halls and facilities that serve the local community well.
It is my pleasure to lead the parish as its Vicar and I welcome you along to join us at any time for any occasion. Please feel free to phone or email me to make a time to catch up.
The Reverend Mark Sullivan
Vicar
Welcome to the Parish of Heathcote-Mt Pleasant
Since you’ve landed here on this website you must be on, or at least curious about, your journey with Christ and possibly looking for a place you can find others who are on a similar journey. Here at Heathcote – Mt Pleasant Parish, we encourage questions and lively discussion about what Christianity means to each of us today. You’ll find that you are not the only one with questions, and that none of us has all of the answers! That is what the journey is all about!
At Heathcote-Mt Pleasant we alternate our services between the Church of St Mary in Heathcote Valley, and our Church of the Ascension on Mt Pleasant. As a vibrant congregation, we also offer study groups, social events, community service and community events sure to meet the spiritual and social needs of most of us within the Heathcote and Mt Pleasant communities.
We would like to welcome you to join us at one of our services or events throughout the week. All are welcomed, no matter where you are on your life’s journey. If you’re not ready to visit us in person, you can find out more about us here. A warm welcome awaits you no matter when you decide to come along!
Parish Directory
Vicar:
The Reverend Mark Sullivan
027 475 9946
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Vicar’s Warden:
Alistair McKerchar
384 4788
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People’s Warden:
Allan Stack
027 433 3735
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Parish Notices and Events
Parish/Community News (47/21)
Warm Greetings
It seems that the COVID19 threat has curbed our intentions once again. We have received notification from the Diocese to cancel our planned Shrove Tuesday pancake evening. After speaking to Pat, we have decided to transfer the event to Sunday morning tea after worship. If the threat level is not reduced as hoped during the week, we will also have to halt this activity, however normal morning tea will be served as usual in lieu of pancakes.
Thankfully, our Wednesday Bible study and soup evening will not be effected and will continue as planned. We hope to see you at Viki Brinkman’s place from 7pm this Wednesday. Viki’s address is 163 Moncks Spur Rd.
Jenny Steele’s husband, Brian, died last week. Brian worked in an asbestos mine in his younger days and succumbed to the effects of asbestosis last week. I was fortunate to have visited Jenny and Brian several times during his rapid deterioration. Upon notification of Brian’s death, I called upon Jenny and assured her of our prayers and best wishes.
May Brian rest in peace and rise in glory. His funeral was held on Tuesday at the Valley Inn.
Smiling Cyclists Monthly Trek
We have begun planning a monthly parishioner bike trek. Several us have E-Bikes and this initiative is planned to provide an opportunity for those with a common interest to get together for a social ride.
Quarterly Men’s dinner
We have begun planning a quarterly men’s dinner. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please see either of the Wardens, or the Vicar.
Parish Swim Group, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:30am
Please join us at Jellie Park for swimming and refreshments. Please contact the Swim Team Captain, Viki Brinkman (021 069 8084) for further assistance.
Café Crawl, 10:30pm on Tuesdays
We meet at the Café Spur, 87 Main Rd, Redcliffs. We hope you will join us.
Twinkle Tots Friday’s 1030am at the Village Hall
Twinkle Tots begins again or the year this Friday (12th). Please pass information to those around you who have toddlers below the age of kindergarten.
Woolston Club Monthly Lunch
This is held on the 4th Wednesday of the month from 12 noon. Please join us.
Parish Fair 10:00am 13 March 2021
I have been advised that the fair will now be held at the Church of St Mary. Please note this venue change. Judy Phillips and Chris Kirkland are organising the event, please contact either Judy or Chris if you have any inquiries.
Pub BYO Celebrations 19 February from 5:30pm
Councilor Sarah Templeton has advised that this event might be postponed a week due to the COVID19 threat level. Further information is expected later in the week.
Court Theatre
Viki only has a few tickets left so please see her urgently if you wish to purchase any of the spare tickets off her.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE (Organised by the women of Vanuatu)
Friday 5 MARCH 2021 at 6.30pm at Redcliffs Church, 148 Main Road Redcliffs with refreshments 6pm. An ecumenical Service; Collection taken. Please join us for the service, members of our parish are taking part.
Parish AGM, 7 March, 11am at the Church of St Mary
Please stay after worship for our AGM. Nominations are open for the vestry members. Vestry nomination forms are available from the rear of the church.
All reports will be emailed out for your consideration. The Vicars report is attached to this email.
Lenten Studies: Wednesdays at 7pm between 17 February-24 March
Ash Wednesday (beginning of Lent) is on 17 February. Please keep Wednesday nights free for Lenten Studies from 7pm. We will meet for soup and a roll each Wednesday during Lent as we watch a short DVD followed by some discussion. We hope you will join us for this very high quality presentation. The series will complete with a lunch at the Vicar’s home from 11am on Saturday 3 April.
Holy week Services, 7pm, Church of the Ascension
Monday 29 March, Tuesday 30 March and Wednesday 31 March at 7pm. These are short, quiet and contemplative services using music from the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. Please join us and bring along family and friends
Maundy Thursday, 1 April at 7pm, Church of the Ascension
This service will incorporate the Institution of the Eucharist, Hand Washing and Tenebrae services. Please join us and bring along family and friends
Good Friday Stations of the Cross, 2 April, 9am Church of St Mary
This service will begin with a Hot Cross Bun breakfast at 9am followed by a very different Stations of the Cross Service. Please join us and bring along family and friends
Weekly services are held:
Church of St Mary 1st and third Sundays of the month at 10am, followed by refreshments
Church of the Ascension 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 10am followed by refreshments.
Prayers
Please keep Judith, Hamish, Judy, the Steele family, our AGM, Bishop Peter and Archdeacon Katrina in your prayers.
Other information
Have a good week, worship this Sunday is at the Church of St Mary at 10am. Please invite your friends and family to join us for worship.
Whakawhirinaki ki te Atua tuatahi,
Mark.
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