COMMUNITY WORSHIP

When:    Every Sunday
Time:     9.30am

At the heart of the Community of Saint Luke is the week by week Sunday morning service. This is a time and a place where the heart, soul, body and mind can be nourished and enriched.

"A church where I don't have to turn my brain off at the door," said one person of worship at St Lukes. "A place where my journey and my questioning are respected," said another.

While largely traditional in its format, the main weekly service draws on a variety of contemporary sources including Celtic and Taizé material, and other resources from New Zealand, Australia, Britain and the USA. We offer worship that is evocative rather than prescriptive. We offer a weekly space to 'be' amidst the pressures and busyness of lives which always seem to be ‘doing’.

Community worship at St Lukes can be a place where people who have walked away from church in the past can reconnect. It can also provide a space for those who are wondering whether Christianity is for them. While largely Presbyterian in ethos, people from a wide variety of backgrounds and traditions find their needs met at St Lukes with worship and preaching that is open, honest, sensitive, inclusive, challenging and enriching.

MIDWEEK COMMUNION

It doesn't sound very exciting……but this weekly gathering is at the core of that which makes this community what it is.

The hour-long gathering includes discussion which is usually lively, provocative, unorthodox, even teetering on the heretical.

The service is often contemplative and includes a focus on intercessory prayer.

Midweek Communion is communal, caring, and cutting edge. It is spiritual, sensitive and searching.

There is quietness, and laughter, and at the heart of it all is the breaking of bread and sharing of wine that earths the Divine in our common life.

BAPTISM

The birth of a child is a significant event in a family's life - both the immediate family of that child, and also their extended families. It is a sign of new beginnings, and a new future through a new generation. It is also the beginning of many years of deep commitment by the parents to the growth and development of their child. Parents of a new child often wish to celebrate this beginning new life in a special way. We at St Lukes are privileged when we are asked to share in this.

Two alternatives are available.

1. Baptism

Most often, people ask to have their child baptised. (Sometimes people call it 'christen'. 'Christen' is an Old English term. Literally, it means 'to Christ-en', to make someone one with Christ. The proper term, which the churches use, is 'baptise', and 'baptism'.)

Background to Baptism:  Baptism has been the means by which people have joined the Christian community right from the very beginning, nearly 2000 years ago. It began as a ritual washing of people who converted to the new Christian faith. There are examples of this in the New Testament (e.g. Acts 8: 26-40; Acts 9: 10-19). Normally such people were adults, though sometimes it would include a whole family, adults and children (e.g. Acts 16: 11-15 and 25-34. As time went by, adults who were already baptised Christians wished their newborn children to also be baptised and so from the very beginning of their lives to be part of the Christian community (the church). All churches these days, with a few minor exceptions, admit people to Christian community through baptism. Most churches baptise children and adults, although some only baptise adults.

In St Lukes , baptism is available for children and for adults. All baptisms in St Lukes are conducted during the Sunday morning service (9.30am). A baptism is a public, church occasion as distinct from a private or family occasion such as a wedding or even a funeral.

There is an implication in having a child baptised that the parents are or will be part of the life of the church. Having their child baptised is a statement by the parents that they themselves (one, if not both) have a commitment to the Christian faith and that they intend to nurture their child in the Christian faith. Where neither of the parents are already members of the Community of Saint Luke, it is necessary for the parish council to give approval for the baptism to take place. While a baptism is performed by the minister, it is on behalf of the whole church community.

Parental commitment.  While the child is the focus of the ceremony, baptism is not something "done" to a child (like, for instance, medical inoculations appropriate for a small child's health). In and of itself, baptism doesn't make any difference to the child. The difference baptism can make is through the parents' commitment, given during the service, to nurture their child in the Christian faith, and involving themselves with their child in the church's worship and activities. The question that is asked of the child’s parents during the service is:

In response to God's gracious love, it will be your responsibility to nurture [ child’s name ] in the Christian faith, and to bring her/him up to walk in the way of Christ, by rejecting evil, and by loving God and neighbour.

 Do you acknowledge and accept this responsibility? 

Baptism is both a celebration of the gift of a new life within a family, and also marks the beginning of a child's life within the Christian community and the Christian faith. Only the child's parents can make that a reality. The church is a partner with the parents in this Christian nurture through Sunday school and so on. All our children will, of course, have the right later in their life to decide                                                                 whether or not Christian faith is for them.

While the parents are the principal care-givers and nurtures of the baptised child, others are also involved. Sometimes a couple will invite some friends or family members to be ‘godparents’ to their child. There is a question for godparents during the service:

Will you support these parents in their undertaking, and play your part in this child's Christian upbringing?  

Baptism is into the whole church, through a particular church.  Children are baptised as Christians (we sometimes use the traditional phrase, "the holy catholic church" to refer to the world-wide Christian church), not into a denomination. No one is baptised 'Presbyterian', for example, nor into a specific community such as St Lukes.  

However, it is preferable that a child be baptised by the particular Christian community she or he will continue to be part of. Sometimes we receive a request for baptism from a family living at such a distance from St Lukes that any level of regular involvement in St Lukes is impractical.   In such cases we encourage the parents to explore the possibility of baptism at a church they are or would be able to be involved with closer to where they live. If, however, they wish to be linked to St Lukes despite distance, we welcome the opportunity to discuss baptism further with them.

There is a commitment asked of the church community during the baptism service. The congregation are partners with the parents in their child’s Christian nurture, and are asked this question along with the child’s wider family and friends of the parents:

Will you, the people of God who are the Church in this place, and you, family and friends of these parents, do all in your power to help this child (and all the children in our midst) grow in the knowledge and love of God, supporting the parents as they fulfil their responsibilities? 

2. Naming / Blessing

A ceremony for the naming and blessing of their child is an alternative for parents who feel they can not or should not make the specific Christian commitment of the baptism service.

This is a more informal occasion, and usually takes place in the family home but can take place in the church either as part of or separate from the main Sunday service. It does not include a specific promise to nurture the child in the Christian faith. It does not involve the use of water (as does baptism), and is specifically not baptism or christening. It is a more private, family occasion as distinct from the public church occasion that is baptism.

The celebration can take a number of forms. There are a range of resources available, and there is no set format. The parents and celebrant can be as creative as they wish. For example, some parents taking this option, although they are Pakeha, follow the M?ѬÅori custom of burying the placenta, and planting a suitable native tree as part of the naming / blessing ceremony.

The primary focus is on celebrating the gift of new life in the child and what this means for the family, celebrating the child's name (and its meaning), and includes prayers and a blessing for the child. There is usually opportunity for parents, family and friends to express their hopes and dreams for the child, and to share readings (poems etc) which are significant for them and the child;  and there is a form of commitment by parents and others to the safe and respectful nurture of the child.

CONFIRMATION

On our Christian journey we may come to a point where we feel we want to say “Yes!” to being Christian, to being part of a particular faith community, and to intentionally seeking to walk the way of Jesus the Christ.

'Confirmation' is that “Yes!”

Traditionally, Presbyterians have called this 'Profession of Faith' (PoF).   PoF is when a young adult or adult stands before the worshipping community and makes an act of commitment.   If they are not baptised, then baptism takes place.   The minister and some elders lay their hands on the person's head and prays for them.   (If this person had been baptised in infancy, this act of commitment, laying on of hands and prayer, is 'confirmation' of the relationship between God and the individual in their baptism – the individual 'confirms' her/his relationship and in the laying on of hands God's relationship with the individual is 'confirmed'.)

PoF (confirmation) is generally seen as the way in which a person accepts being a full member of the church – both St Lukes and the whole Christian Church – and takes on the commitments of being part of a faith community and of being Christian in the communities of their daily life.

Sometimes someone who has already been confirmed experiences in their faith journey another “Yes!” moment and they may want to express that in public.   This 're-confirmation' possibility is available along with a ceremony for those saying “Yes!” for the first time.

In St Lukes, recent confirmation programmes have been with teenagers, and have involved a series of studies over six weeks using material created within St Lukes.   This is also available to adults for a first or another “Yes!” time in their life.

Traditionally, those being confirmed have been asked some questions – some vows or promises.   In St Lukes we have developed the tradition that those being confirmed say an affirmation of faith along with the whole congregation, and then later make their own statement of commitment.   One such statement created by young people being confirmed recently reads:

We are here because we have made a choice to explore our faith and affirm our relationship with God and with this community. We are undertaking a journey of seeking, of questioning and of transformation.

We aspire to the way of Jesus who, for us, discloses God and the fullness of a life lived in God. We are challenged and inspired by Jesus the teacher, the healer, the friend of outcasts, the radical.

We choose to journey with and be loyal to our compassionate God, the God of grace who is incapable of loving us less. In our busy lives we seek to leave space for the stillness of God. We want to trust in the buoyancy of God and undertake this journey in response to the relationship we have with our loving creator.

We seek the intimacy of the passionate spirit of God – the spirit of God who is here and now, who is closer than our breathing. We seek the unsettling presence of this intimate God as we grow and continue to change.

Anyone wishing to join a confirmation-preparation series, or just wanting to talk about being confirmed or re-confirmed, should contact the minister.

WEDDINGS

 Answers to some FAQs

CAN ANYONE BE MARRIED IN SAINT LUKES?
Yes. We have no requirement that one or both of you must be a member of St Lukes, or be a Presbyterian, or be baptised. It does not matter if one or both of you are from another or no church background. 

CAN OUR WEDDING BE CONDUCTED BY OUR OWN OR ANOTHER MINISTER / PASTOR?
No.  Wedding ceremonies in St Lukes church are conducted by the St Lukes minister.  This is a service we are happy to make available to couples whether or not they are already linked with St Lukes.

DOES IT MATTER IF ONE OF US HAS ALREADY BEEN MARRIED OR IN A CIVIL UNION?
No. A legally dissolved former marriage or civil union is not a barrier to a wedding in St Lukes.  If you are currently in a civil union as a couple, the civil union must be dissolved before you can marry one another.

DOES IT MATTER IF WE ARE ALREADY LIVING TOGETHER?
No. Most weddings conducted in St Lukes are of people who have already begun living together. We make no judgement on how other people have chosen, as responsible adults, to arrange their lives. In fact, your experience of life together before your wedding can be a good foundation for your future life together.

DO WE HAVE TO HAVE ATTEND ANY CLASSES OR COURSES?
Yes. We want couples to have the best opportunity to prepare for married life, as well as offering them an attractive venue and a sympathetic celebrant for their wedding.  All couples marrying in St Lukes must attend the pre-marriage education course described in the enclosed leaflet.  In addition, you would have two or three meetings with the St Lukes minister conducting your wedding.

DO WE HAVE TO COME TO CHURCH AT ST LUKES BEFORE OUR WEDDING?
No, but yes.  We make no demand that you do this. But, we do feel it would be appropriate for you to get to know the people and the building where you are to marry. You are free to make your own decisions and choices.

CAN WE WRITE OUR OWN VOWS?
Yes.  In fact, you get to write your own marriage service, drawing on a kit of resources we provide for you.

WHICH DOOR WOULD WE USE?
The entrance in the tower facing Remuera Road (the glass doors) is used for weddings.  Wheel-chair access is available through the main entrance up the drive.  

CAN WE PROVIDE OUR OWN ORGANIST OR OTHER MUSICIAN(S)?
Yes.  But the fee to the St Lukes organist is paid whether he is used or not.  Any other organist needs to be approved by the St Lukes organist. We are happy to play recorded music if that is requested.

CAN WE ARRANGE OUR OWN FLOWERS?
Maybe, but..  We would prefer to use our own arrangers who are experienced in providing appropriate arrangements in St Lukes.  They would ask for your preference in types of flowers and colours.

ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS AS TO WHEN A WEDDING CAN TAKE PLACE?
The legal hours of marriage are between 6am and 10pm any day.  Within reason, we will conduct weddings on any day, including Sunday, when the church is available, except for Good Friday, the Saturday of Easter, and Christmas Day.  

CAN WE DECORATE THE ENDS OF THE PEWS?
Yes, by tying any decorations on, and removing them after the wedding.

DO WE NEED A REHEARSAL?
Most people choose to have a rehearsal the day before the wedding day.

HOW ABOUT PARKING?  Availability of parking depends on what else is happening in the buildings.  We usually reserve the 11 spaces in the car park on the Newmarket side of the church for family.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BE MARRIED IN SAINT LUKES?

The total cost of your wedding being conducted by one of the St Lukes ministers is $901.25

(A) Booking fee: $56.25 (GST included)
(B) Wedding fee: $585.00 (GST incl) [Covers use of the church, minister, and organist. There is an additional call out fee if the organist is required for a rehearsal or consultation]
(C) Flower fee: $260.00

The non-refundable booking fee is paid when you book the wedding.  The other fees are paid a week before the wedding.

WHAT DO WE DO NEXT?
To book your wedding, you need to contact the minister, asking for your wedding to be conducted by him, or one of the other ministers associated with St Lukes. Your wedding will be pencilled in. A full information pack and a booking form will be sent to you. You need to return the booking form with the booking fee for your wedding date to be confirmed.  You will then need to book yourself into the pre-marriage education course at the same time as booking your wedding at St Lukes.

Minister: David J Clark

email: david@stlukes.org.nz

OR

FUNERALS

Death – our own, or that of someone close to us – is one of the certainties of life.

To love someone is to risk the pain of parting.

Not to love is never to have lived.

The grief we experience is the honouring of our love.

In the cycle of life and death the earth is replenished

and life is eternally renewed.

At the time of a death, the St Lukes minister is available to be with the family and friends to walk with them through those things we all need to do in the face of death – grieve, reminisce, acknowledge the range of feelings being experienced, and to plan a suitable funeral service.   This may be held in the church, or at the crematorium or a funeral director's chapel.

At St Lukes we believe that all human life is valuable, and the truth, integrity and hopefulness which resides in each life lives on. We acknowledge this in a funeral service which is often, these days, called a Celebration of Life.

We seek to be realistic and sensitive about death. It is a time for giving thanks for those things that were good, for putting to rest relationships which may have become strained, for acknowledging our human frailty and vulnerability, for recognising that death inevitably awaits us all, and to affirm hope and trust in God from whom we all come and to whom we all return in death.   In some circumstances we may need to express anger, despair, deep anxiety, and deep pain.

Funeral services conducted by the St Lukes minister may take a variety of forms, and the minister is keen to work with family members in creating the most appropriate service for the circumstances.   We encourage family and friends to take as full a part as possible in the service, and to be imaginative in how the service is created.   For people who are not particularly “religious”, the funeral service need not be particularly “religious” either.

At St Lukes we encourage people before they die (even before they are facing any approaching possibility of death) to make their wishes known about the form that their own funeral service would take when it comes to their death.   Choices cover such matters as where they would like the service held and who they would like to lead it, their choice of hymns, readings, speaker(s), who else to be involved in the service, whether they wish to be buried or cremated and so on.  

At St Lukes we make a form available for people to complete which will when the time comes both provide the information a funeral director needs at the time of death, and also guide those who are arranging the funeral service as to wishes for the content of the service.   This form is freely available – just contact the minister.   The form can be kept with the person's will, a copy given to the minister to file away, or left somewhere where next of kin know where to find it.

If there is some way in which St Lukes or the St Lukes minister can be assistance to you concerning death – whether it is a long way off, imminent, just happened, or from the past – please do not hesitate to contact us.   We can also recommend qualified grief counsellors and other support groups such as 'Solace', a group for those who have experienced the suicide of someone close to them.

O God, as we come face to face with death

and our own mortality,

we have many feelings as well as grief,

and possibly fear for the future.

Please come close to us with your love,

travel with us into these serious moments,

and open our hearts to each other.

We ask it in the name of Jesus Christ

who faced his own death and the death of a friend.

Amen.

Acknowledgement: words in italics from

“A simple Funeral” by Dorothy McRae-McMahon