May 2026 be a year of growth and good health for all readers of this great little newspaper. How fortunate Martinborough is to have The Martinborough Star produced so regularly and so beautifully.
The New Year at St Andrew’s actually began on Sunday 30 November – the first day of Advent. The church calendar and the western calendar don’t always match up – for lots of historical and fascinating reasons. Sometimes one determines the other. Easter for example is always determined by the timing of the full moon. (A story for another time).
Sunday 30 November was also St Andrew’s day. It was celebrated with a touch of all things Scottish because St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland. St Andrew began life as an ordinary fisherman but became extraordinary thanks to his simple response to an invitation to follow Jesus. The Scottish flag reflects the fact that St Andrew was crucified on a diagonal cross. (Crucifixion was a gruesome but very common way the Roman Empire dealt with its opponents, so nothing special for St Andrew, except he got to choose an aspect of his torture).
Christmas 2025 was celebrated with all the mystery and poignancy that the occasion brings to young and old alike. The Venerable May Croft reminded us of the connection between the focus on presents and the real meaning of Christmas. Services were full of visitors and families, all celebrating the miracles and moments that mean so much to so many.
2026 will be a year of change and innovation at St Andrew’s. We are looking forward to new ways of being a community of people intent on understanding and following Jesus’ example of how to be human beings. In doing so we will draw on the people and their stories that have given meaning and hope to so many people for 2026 years. You are welcome to join us on that quest. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at 10.00am. (For more information you can find us on Facebook under St Andrew’s Martinborough New Zealand.)
