Kia ora

Welcome to the Winter newsletter from the St Andrew’s Centre. We hope you are keeping warm as winter well and truly sets in. It is incredible to think that I am into my fifth month working here at St Andrew’s. A massive thank you to everyone who has made me feel so welcome.  I am lucky to work with such a varied and fantastic bunch of people.

Read on to find out the latest news from the Centre. We have a lot happening in the next couple of months.

  • Laetitia and the team.

 

Construction next door nearing the end

Construction on the NZ Medical Association building next door to the Centre is on track to finish at the end of July. You may have noticed that a temporary ramp has been built along the lane so Naylor Love can shift the scaffolding and move on to the last stage of construction. This also means we will be saying goodbye (at least for now) to the lovely mural and some of the knitted figures that have brightened our pathway this year. However, we have to say we are looking forward to a slightly quieter office once the construction finishes up.

 

Fresh look for the Church

Painting has been happening over the last couple of weeks to give the hall and church a fresh look. We love it, hopefully you will too.

 

Lost property

If you have lost anything over the last couple of months please check in with our lost property. We have accumulated an array of coats, hats, water bottles and scarves. Make sure to check next time you’re in as anything left at the end of July will be donated to charity.

 

Busy time in the Centre

We have a couple of multiple day and room venue hires in the first weeks of August and September so we are going to have very limited availability during this time. If you are wanting to book a room, let us know soon.

 

Parking

Just a reminder that if you need a park during office hours, email Karyn or myself at office@standrews.org.nz or reservations@standrews.org.nz to make arrangements. Most of the parks are privately rented, and cars parked in private parks do risk being towed.

After hours parking

If you require a park afterhours or during the weekend we would ask that you only use the single car parks down the side of the Church and hall, and ensure that you are parked in marked carparks only.

Events and concerts and St Andrew’s

We have plenty of upcoming concerts and events over the next couple of months which we would love you to join us for.

Every Wednesday at 12.15pm

St Andrew’s hosts a free lunchtime concert. We are so blessed to have so many share their gift of music with us.

7 July – Gale Force Gospel Choir

Don’t miss Gale Force Gospel in their annual concert, Get on Board that Gospel Train! on Friday 7 July at 7pm at St Andrew’s on The Terrace. The choir, which sings acapella (unaccompanied by instruments), will delight their audience with a musical programme of trains, chariots and wheels, in the black gospel tradition.  The 50-strong choir’s performance will also include songs by small ensembles in an evening not to be missed.  Tickets $15 adults, $10 unwaged, under-10s FREE.  To buy tickets please contact a choir member or info@galeforcegospel.co.nz – door sales also available.

9 July – Wellington Chamber Music  

Kiwa Quartet (string quartet) will be playing works by Beethoven, John Adams, Gareth Farr and Tchaikovsky.

10 July – Wellington Housing Forum

You are invited to the first of two evenings of pre-election discussion and debate.

First forum: The Housing Crisis

Date: Monday 10 July, 2017

Time: 5:30 – 7 pm

Topic: Housing in Wellington – how are we doing?

Panel members:

Chair: Linda Meade, Partner, Deloitte

Grant Robertson, MP for Wellington Central (Labour)

Stephanie McIntyre, Director, DCM

Nicola Willis, candidate for Wellington Central (National)

James Shaw, candidate for Wellington Central (Green)

21 July – Imogen Thirwall concert

Imogen has been awarded a language scholarship from the Goethe-Institut New Zealand to study in Berlin and is relocating to Germany in September 2017 with a view to audition for opera houses. Imogen & Friends is a concert to raise funds in support of the vital tuition needed, such as singing lessons and vocal coaching, to pursue this career path.

The concert programme includes solos, duets, quartets and ensembles across art song, opera and musical theatre, featuring excerpts from Schumann’s Spanisches Liederspiel, Bernstein’s Candide and Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd. Each performer is showcased for their unique qualities as a soloist and for their exceptional ability to perform in a tight knit ensemble.

23 July -Music Futures

Music Futures – Supporting tomorrow’s musicians today.

Featuring:

– Teal Voices, Wellington Girls’ College

– Nikau Brass Quintet

– Chamber Music finalists, Wellington Regional Competition

– Nicole Thomson, flautist, Kapiti College

28 July- Let Us Entertain You

Let Us Entertain You is the first fundraising events for the restoration of the heritage organ at St Andrew’s. Featuring Jane Keller, with Michael Nicholas Williams on piano and Peter Franklin on the organ. Jane Keller delights with hilarious highlights from her four one-woman cabaret shows. Cash bar available on the night.

13th August – Inspirare, “Symmetry: Conflict and Resolution”

This programme is about the difficulties and realities of war, along with the joys and serenity of peace. Wellington College Chorale, a group of 36 boys will be joining Inspirare for this fantastic concert.

There will be familiar favourites such as “Danny Boy” and new repertoire which will challenge your mind, emotions, and thoughts. Book now to experience the vibrant sounds of Inspirare and the Wellington College Chorale.

Tuesday 15 – August Fair Incomes for NZ.

Paul Barber and Max Rashbrooke and others discuss the concept of a fair income and invite your input.

Thursday 31 August – Keeping Faith in Politics.

We host political candidates for the Centre for Theology and Political Issues’ series ‘Keeping Faith in Politics’.