FIRST CHURCH OF - WHAT’S ON DURING JULY FIRST CHURCH OF OTAGO

WEEKLY EVENTS Mondays 1.30pm Mah Jong - McLean Room 415 Moray Place, SUNDAY JULY 4 Thursdays 7.30pm Bells Practice 10.00am - Morning worship - The Reverend Tokerau Joseph Friday 6pm Youth Group Burns Hall NEWSLETTER - JULY 2010 10am DUTIES: Stan Catchpole (471 0633), Ian Mitchell, Mar- garet Mitchell, June Evans. Finance: Stan Catchpole WHAT’S ON DURING JULY FIRST CHURCH MISSION STATEMENT TEA/COFFEE Patricia and Marion Wylie Thursday 1 Craft Group meets “We are striving to become a truly multi-cultural community, providing a warm, creative and affirming home

TUES 13 4.30pm Property Committee base, enabling us to reach out with the Good News to those working and living in the inner-city and beyond.” 12noon - Cook Islands Service- The Reverend Anne Thomson WED 14 7.30pm SESSION 2.00pm - Samoan Service - The Reverend Tokerau Joseph Thursday 15 Craft Group meets Sunday 18 Cafe lunch at Logies 12 noon Message from The Reverend Tokerau Joseph —contact Russell Duff 4763494 SUNDAY JULY 11 10.00am -Morning Worship - The Reverend Tokerau Joseph Mon 19 4.00pm Finance Committee Inside this issue WED 21 7.30pm DEACONS COURT Uapou Fellowship 10am DUTIES: Ian Robertson ( 454 4513) Jenni Elmes, Vicki Thursday 29 Craft Group meets Representing First Church at the Cook Islands Uapou Fellowship in Auckland was Penny, Julie Savage, Maara Williams Finance: Tony Stevely. Reverends 1 Tokerau Joseph again a highlight. Despite returning with the cold or flu, we had a wonderful experience TEA/COFFEE: Maureen and Les Green ELDERLY EXERCISE WEDNESDAY of mixing and mingling with different church groups from around the country. What Anne Thomson 2 12noon - Cook Islands ` - The Reverend Tokerau Joseph ( no class the first Wednesday of each month) stood out for me was the opportunity for mission and outreach to young Pacific people. Youth 2.00pm - Samoan Service - The Reverend Anne Thomson 10.30am-11.30am BURNS HALL From what I saw, perhaps 70 percent of nearly 2000 who attended over the whole Session 3 weekend were 40 years and younger. In my conversations with other ministers it was SUNDAY JULY 18 recognised that many joined their respective groups just to attend the Uapou 10.00am -Morning Worship - The Reverend Tokerau Joseph APW 4 Presbyterian Support Food Bank Each Fellowship. For about two or three months in preparation of cultural and religious items, 10am DUTIES: Russell Duff ( 476 3494) Selina Mulder and Sina Sunday morning our offering includes food and grocer- it provided a window for the churches to connect with those in their wider community Muliau Finance: Russell Duff Cook Islands ‘ 5 ies to support the work of the Food Bank. Everything who would not have usually engaged with any church activity. Therefore, the Uapou TEA/COFFEE: Margaret and Ian Mitchell is very welcome, including fresh fruit and vegetables, Fellowship was a setting for sowing the seed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a Lectionary 12noon - Cook Islands ` - The Reverend Tokerau Joseph but right now there is a particular need for tea, coffee 6 beautiful experience that brought alive both faith and Pacific culture in relevant ways. and sugar. And with school holidays approaching, 2.00pm - Samoan Service - The Reverend Tokerau Joseph I would like to acknowledge with gratitude the hospitality and support that Mt. Eden parents know that children at home tend to 'forage', Services 8 and food that you thought you had in the pantry just P.I.C gave to us and other churches during our stay in Auckland. The overall SUNDAY JULY 25 disappears. So, it's really helpful if the Food Bank can experience was hard work and costly in many ways, but it was also one that brought 10.00am -Morning Worship - The Reverend Anne Thomson add extra 'snacks' to food parcels for families with excitement for great potential of congregations to grow in different ways. 10am DUTIES: Nineva Vaitupu (455 3375), Les and Maureen school age kids on holiday. What could OASIS IN Green. Finance: Les Green that include? Muesli bars, small chip Midweek services flyer drop TEA/COFFEE: Loraine Denniston and June Hastie packets, biscuits, crackers,small packets Last week, we began dropping off flyers to the businesses and apartment blocks of the of raisins – what do you like to snack on THE CITY 12noon - Cook Islands ` - T Brydon when you're at home feeling peckish? inner city advertising our upcoming midweek services commencing in July. With the 2.00pm - Samoan Service - Satele Faatoese IN FIRST help of John Brockbank it was an enjoyable experience meeting and talking with all CHURCH kinds of people about what they do and what we are trying to do. The drop-off was ministry in itself where it symbolised the hand of fellowship being extending to the Each Tuesday businesses and people in the inner city. Not every one wanted to talk, but the meeting SOME LIGHT HEARTEDNESS - QANTAS AIRLINES REPAIR DIVISON & Thursday signalled our interest in making connections as a neighbour in the city. For those who After every flight Qantas pilots fill out a form called a 'Gripe Sheet' which tells mechanics about the problems with the did have the time to share it was a good opportunity to hear of their successes and aircraft.— The maintenance engineers correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review 12:15pm – the Gripe Sheets before the next flight Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by Qantas pilots challenges of both business and residential life in the city. I didn‘t realise just how many (marked with a P) and the solutions (marked with an S ) by the maintenance engineers. 12:30pm work offices there are in the city. So many are less obvious until you check out the different floors, corridors and, sometimes, individual doors. Some people were amazed P Left inside main tyre almost needs replacement. S Almost replaced left inside main tyre. Commencing that I actually found their office. It‘s a great reminder of how God can find us even in the P Test flight OK except auto-land very rough. S Auto-land not installed on this aircraft th most unlikely of places and circumstances. Please keep our midweek service initiative P Something loose in cockpit. S Something tightened in cockpit 6 July 2010 P Dead bugs on windshield. S Live bugs on back-order in prayer. an opportunity to P Auto-pilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent. S Cannot reproduce problem on ground. pause briefly in the Farewell test at Carisbrook P Evidence of leak on right main landing gear. S Evidence removed. middle of the P DME volume unbelievably loud. S DME volume set to more believable level. On the home front, Tangi and I took our two young boys, Tokerau Jr. and Paul to the All working day, to be Blacks test against Wales at Carisbrook. It was their first and last All Blacks test at P Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick S That's what friction locks are for. quiet, to stop P IFF inoperative in OFF mode. S IFF always inoperative in OFF mode. rushing, to rest and Carisbrook and one that they will always remember. Not only did the All Blacks do well, P Suspected crack in windshield. S Suspect you're right. pray. but so did the 28,000 crowd and the organisers for putting on a P Number 3 engine missing. S Engine found on right wing after brief search. fantastic farewell celebration. The results of the "feel-good factor" P Aircraft handles funny. S Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right and be serious. From 6 July we will were inspirational for young Tokerau in doing better at his Otago P Target radar hums. S Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics. be holding a brief time of midday Metro rugby trials the next day. This got me thinking about what P Mouse in cockpit. S Cat installed. would inspire us as individuals and as a community at First Church P Noise coming from under instrument panel.- Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer. worship each Tuesday and Thurs- in our mission. Ultimately we believe that inspiration is through the S. Took hammer away from midget.*Note: Qantas is the only major airline that has never, ever, had an accident. day. at 12.15 pm for power of the Holy Spirit and that our life as a church is more than

fifteen minutes, we just an emotional experience. But, seeing and hearing of the SENIOR MINISTER: The Reverend Tokerau Joseph, phone 477 7792 cell 027 371 4733 will take time to be success stories of people in God's service can energise others into PART TIME ASSISTANT MINISTER: The Reverend Anne Thomson 477 7150 cell 027 467 5488 still, to listen, to action. Please pray that we will continue to see and hear of our PART TIME PASTORAL ASSISTANT MINISTER : The Rev John Sinclair (473 9950 or 027 436 9204) pray, and to worship FIRST CHURCH BELL RINGERS - Practice 7.30pm Thursday nights; Contact Phone Bruce Wood ph 474 3464 W, 489 8628 own experiences that may inspire and encourage others to service H, [email protected] in the kingdom of God.— Tokerau

MESSSAGE FROM THE REVEREND ANNE THOMSON Dunedin Abrahamic Interfaith Group and Otago University Chaplaincy Dear First Church folk 2010 Peace Lecture

During June I had a weekend in Auckland when I attended a conference – Mission Chaiwat Satha-Anand Professor of Political Science at Thammasat University, Thailand and Unity: Then, Now and into the Future. It marked one hundred years since the ―Overcoming cultural resistance to non-violence" World Missionary Conference held in Edinburgh in 1910. While the focus of Edin- Burns 1 Lecture Theatre Monday 12th July 5.30pm (supper to follow) burgh 1910 was on the interaction between ―the Home Base of Mission‖ (definitely Dr Satha-Anand will discuss the problems of violence and non-violence in religious traditions and will UK, USA and Europe) and the ―Non-Christian World‖, the on-going legacy of the focus on some Muslims‘ reluctance to employ the language of nonviolence in characterising their own actions. He will conference has been traced to the ecumenical movement which saw the argue that this is due to an inadequate understanding of both the concepts of power and nonviolent actions, the lack of establishment of the World Council of Churches in 1948 and moves toward church nonviolent language to identify most present-day fighting against injustice, and the bypassing of Muslims‘ own legacy unity, and to a new understanding of 'mission' as being our participation in what of nonviolence. He will also present some ideas on how to redress this problem. God is doing in the world. Alongside that has been the collapse of 'Christendom', Dr Chaiwat Satha-Anand is Professor of Political Science at Thammasat University, Bangkok, as well as the Founder and the emergence of a truly world-wide church where the 'centre of gravity' of and Director of the Thai Peace Information Centre. Born in Bangkok, Thailand, he holds a PhD in Political Science Christianity in now in Africa. (Out of the 1200 delegates at Edinburgh 1910, there was one from Africa, nine- from University of Hawaii, USA. He has published numerous books, book chapters, and articles on non violence theory teen from Asia, and none from the Pacific) and activism, the military, alternative defence, religion and peace, Islam and nonviolence, and modern political philoso- phy. He serves on the Scientific Committee of the International University for Peoples' Initiative for Peace, IUPIP, in The ecumenical movement in NZ in the twentieth century saw the establishment of the National Council of Rovereto Italy; and for several years he directed the International Peace Research Association's (IPRA) commission Churches and the moves towards church union. Here at First Church the amalgamation with Moray Place on non-violence. Further information :Dr Najib Lafraie [email protected] Mai Tamimi [email protected] Greg Congregational Church was expected to be a first step on the road to church union. Over the past twenty or Hughson [email protected] www.otago.ac.nz/chaplain www.dunedininterfaith.net.nz thirty years, the impetus toward institutional unity has died. John Bluck, a past lecturer at Knox Theological College and former Bishop of Waipu, asked where the new 'tipping point' or catalyst towards ecumenism might come. He offered 'hospitality' as a model that could provide that starting place. As Christians gather around the table, God's table, and as they invite others to share in the feast, they can celebrate the Dunedin Abrahamic Interfaith Group diversity that exists within our unity, recognising that all have equal standing at the table, all are equally in In the immediate aftermath of September 11 2001, leaders from the Jewish, Christian and Moslem commu- need, all are equally welcome. Cheen Khaw, a Malaysian Chinese Christian, offered the metaphor of a pot nities in Dunedin met together in solidarity and goodwill, recognising a common heritage and concern. luck meal, where each culture, each denomination, brings its distinctive gourmet dish to place on the table. Over the past nine years, the group has regularly visited high schools to speak with students about their The food is not all mixed together in one pot, but each dish is a unique contribution to the shared meal. faiths, and actively encouraged interfaith dialogue and activities among tertiary students. There is always room for one more dish, he said, and all are able to taste and appreciate the contribution Since 2004 an annual Peace Lecture has been delivered, in conjunction with the Otago University Tertiary each one makes. chaplaincy. You can become a supporter of the group – an information brochure is available in the bookrack in the We offer hospitality in various ways at First Church – literally in the cup of tea after each of our services, oc- church foyer. casionally in our shared meals, in the welcome we extend to tourists in worship and at the Heritage Centre. This month we are going to begin offering a time of quiet worship at lunchtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays, particularly to the many hundreds who work each day in our immediate neighbourhood. What other opportu- LETTER FROM COLUMBA COLLEGE 31 MAY 2010 nities can we see to extend 'the hand of fellowship' within our community at First Church and to those be- yond who are not yet part of it? Anne

FIRST CHURCH YOUTH GROUP NEWS — RON MULIAU

The First Church youth worker, Ron Muliau, will be attending the Connect 2010 conference in Waikane in the first weekend of July. This brings together people involved in youth ministry from Presbyterian churches all over the country. Connect 2010 pro- General Assembly 2010 vides an opportunity of networking, encouragement, resourcing, will be held from 11am training and connection. As well as three keynote speakers, a Thursday 30 September to wide range of workshops is offered over the three days. 5pm Sunday 3 October, at St Andrew's College,

Christchurch. July 16 and 17 the First Church Youth Group are heading for The Moderator of GA10 Winton at the invitation of the Central Southland Presbyterian Parish to lead will be the Rev Peter music at a gathering for young people from all over Southland. First Church Cheyne, of Calvin Youth went down last year, to the first such event, and have been invited back Community Presbyterian by popular demand. We pray for safe traveling and a great time of fellowship Church in Gore. as they minister through music to the young people who will be there. His theme is "making disciple-making disciples”

Page 2 Page 7 NEWS FROM THE SESSION CLERK Why do we have flags in First Church?

You will have noticed that high above the pulpit there are what appear to be two “Union Greetings. Jack” flags and elsewhere in the church on the north wall and above the choir loft there At our June Meeting Session agreed to accept the invitation from the University of Otago's are others. Strictly speaking they are not flags. They are military “colours.” Theology & Public Issues Department, to host the Howard Paterson Memorial Lecture, which will be on Tuesday 28 September, in First Church and Burns Hall. Several hun- The two above the sanctuary are „Royal Colours‟ originally presented to two infantry regiments of the British dred people are expected to attend this lecture to hear Dr. Jim Wallis, a leading theologian army - probably by Queen Victoria. Units from these regiments served in New Zealand in the early days of set- from the USA. The First Church APW has also generously agreed to provide the catering. This will require tlement and some of our settlers were actually soldiers serving with that part of the British army. much goodwill and assistance from members of the congregation, and I ask you to note it on The colours were presented to the regiments as a token of the Loyal Contract between the monarch and the your calendar now. officers and men of the regiments. On induction into the forces the men swore loyalty to the sovereign and as a token of their contract carried the „colours‟ where-ever they served. Also, Knox Church have invited members of First Church to join with them in the organisation and participation of a Combined Church Camp. This will be held on the last weekend of February, or the weekend of the 9th March When a new set of colours was presented to a regiment- when a new monarch took the throne or the regiment 2011. The confirmed date and venue will be advised in our next newsletter. Thanks to Mr Russell Duff and Mr Ben was disbanded- the colours were “laid up”. It was deemed inappropriate to carry two sets of royal colours and Bates who have volunteered to join the organising committee. First Church members who attended the camp earlier this year thoroughly enjoyed the experience. they could not be discarded so with due dignity they were mounted in a sacred place where their safety was

ensured and no disrespect could be offered to them. Several of our members are in hospital Please remember them in your prayers.

Other „colours‟ in the Church are regimental colours of specific local forces and they are embroidered with the Congratulations to the Craft group on the wonderful display in the Heritage Centre of items dating back to 1840. significant battles in which these regiments were engaged. These „honours‟ are silent tributes to the officers Please take the opportunity to visit this display. You won't be disappointed. Thankyou to members of the congregation and others who fought, were wounded or killed, in these engagements. They are historic documents of history who have loaned some very valuable treasures to be displayed.

and like the Royal Colours, are laid up in the church for safe keeping. A New Vision for a New Age

O God our shepherd, give to the church a new vision and a new charity, Regimental colours are presented to regiments by regional authorities or groups of supporters of the regiment. new wisdom and fresh understanding, the revival of her brightness and the renewal of her unity, It is not unusual for the wives of senior officers of the regiment to make and embroider the presentation that the eternal message of your Son, undefiled by human traditions, may be hailed as the good news of the new age, colours. through him who makes all things new, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Percy Dearmer (1867 - 1936) On official occasions the colours are paraded to remind the soldiers concerned of the traditions of courage

into which they have been inducted. Nan Rickard, Session Clerk The „colours‟ are regarded by the military as sacred and touching them with bare hands is forbidden except for the chaplain of the regiment.

The laid up colours in First Church represent a high compliment from the military of several generations who Handcrafts From the Past to the Present” have entrusted these symbols of commitment and devotion to our care. On display from June 19th in the Heritage Centre Open:10.30am-3pm

The Handcraft Display ―From the Past to the Present‖ is in place in the Heritage Centre and worth a visit. LECTIONARY READINGS FOR JULY More than 50 people came to browse on Saturday19th.The majority were locals who had never visited the During July, these are the readings that we will use in our services: the Revised Common Lectionary at the Centre before, so please invite family and friends to view this display of 10 am and 2 pm service, and Te Tia at the 12 noon service. historic and interesting items. Revised Common Lectionary Te Tia (12 noon service) 4 July 2 Kings 5:1-14 Salamo 39 Very grateful thanks to all who have assisted in any way getting this Pentecost 6 Psalm 30 event up and running. Special thanks to those who have loaned Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16 precious items and those who have worked long hours setting every- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 thing in place. 11 July Amos 7:7-17 Salamo 60 Pentecost 7 Psalm 82 Colossians 1: 1-14 Luke 10: 25-37 18 July Amos 8:1-12 Salamo 99 Pentecost 8 Psalm 52 Colossians 1:15-28 Luke 10:38-42 25 July Hosea 1: 2-10 Salamo 135 Above: Shirley Brown Photos taken by Brian Williscroft of Pentecost 9 Psalm 85 exhibits at the Craft Display. Colossians 2: 6-15, (16-19)

Luke 11: 1-13

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CHUR News From First Church Association of Presbyterian Women COOK ISLANDS COMMUNITY NEWS

APW REPORT Our June meeting was an informal occasion beginning at mid-day. Lunch was a time for food and fellowship, followed Kia orana akaou tatou e te iti tangata kuki airani O First Church i teia by the business meeting and a sharing of ‗where we began School and Sunday School‘. Some interesting stories marama ko tiurai. Where has the time gone???? were related. The Cook Island Uapou group travelled to Auckland on Queen‘s Birth- Donations were approved to National APW/MWF Special Project $300.00; Turakina Maori Girls College $250.00 and day weekend and boy was it a warm Friday and Saturday. The event Deacons‘ Court $500.00. We are also committed to forwarding the money collected for Mission Birthday Gift and started off on the Friday 4th of June to introduce all the different groups. Fellowship of the Least Coin. Then Saturday we had the items and drum dances. We thoroughly en- The National APW/MWF Special Project for 2009/10 supports:- joyed ourselves tremendously. Sunday morning we were back at the hall Overseas - The Council of Protestant Churches in Nicaragua to provide a better future for children and young people for a church service and then we went back to our Marae where we were – better nutrition, water supply, schooling and electricity. treated to a heavy lunch. Other groups from Wellington and Hamil- New Zealand – Supporting youth through the Methodist Youth Conference and Presbyterian Connect. ton joined us as well. Then it was back to the Pukapuka hall to do more damage to the voice. We sang our hearts out with all the rest of the 12 - Our next meeting is the Annual General Meeting in August. 13 groups joining in with us. We had to sing two imene tuki. We were the last to perform our 2nd imene tuki and I must say "we rocked the house"

Everyone got off their seats and joined us What mission might God be calling us to do together on the floor. There was hardly any space on the floor. We all had fun. We even had the Putokotoko ministers helping us out with our singing, not that we as Presbyterian churches in Dunedin? needed help of course, but we were proud to have them come and join us. We were That's the question which will be the focus of some 'prayerful brainstorming' when Dunedin parishes meet well looked after by our host, Mount Eden congregation. Each morning we were up on Tuesday 6 July as a Resource Group of the Southern Presbytery. 7am for breakfast, then lunch and finally tea. Next year the youth will be taking over Could it involve some form of prison ministry, building on the Sycamore Tree Programme, or at- the Uapou in Hamilton. Sadly quite a few of us came back with colds and flu. tending to the needs of those released at the end of their sentence? Could we expand the successful Children's Day event at three or four venues around the city, We sang one of our imene tuki at the 10am service on June 13th. After lunch that pooling our resources and expertise to connect with the families of Dunedin? day, we had the privilege of watching ourselves on a video taken by Ben Bates dur- ing the Uapou. Could it be something we haven't even begun to imagine yet? The Resource Group is open to everyone. On Tuesday 6 July we will meet at Maori Hill Church, Highgate, One of our senior elders Mrs Pepe Henry has been hospitalised due to having an at 6.00 pm for a meal (cost: $10) , and the programme part of the evening will begin at 7.00 pm. We will operation. We have been praying for Pepe and hope she has a speedy recovery. worship together, hear from two or three people who have dreams and possibilities to share, and then spend time listening together to what the Spirit might be saying to the churches. The evening will finish at Mrs Vaine Hosking is in Rarotonga at the moment. She travelled there to unveil her 8.30 pm husband, the late Martin Hoskings headstone. Her family also went with her. She will be back at the end of June You are very welcome to be part of the Resource Group meeting. when we will be looking forward to hearing her news.

If you want to have the meal, you need to book in with the Highgate Parish office by Thursday 1st The Putokotoko meeting will be held on Friday 2nd of July in Oamaru for those who attending. July - ph. 464 0158 or email: [email protected]. On Sunday 27th the Cook Islands congregation will be having a Kaikai on behalf of those who travelled to the If you want to come for the evening's discussion, please join us by 7.00 pm. Uapou.

Lastly we the congregation would like to congratulate Nooke Metuatai on her 21st birthday celebration to be held in the Green Island civic hall on July 10th. The Uapou group have been invited to do items for the 21st birthday. Blessings to all– Tere Taana

First Church stands in the middle of the city, surrounded by shops, offices, businesses and apartments, and it offers a different space, a quiet place, an oasis in the city. Many people enjoy lunch or some time out on the lawn (on a fine day). Many people New Overseas Mission Coordinator visit the church to admire its architecture and its history. But we know that First Church is primarily a place of worship, a house of prayer. And we The Very Rev Pamela Tankersley has been appointed as the new Overseas Mission Coordinator. Pamela starts this know that many people work and live in the immediate neighbourhood. And we think two-year role from mid August 2010. that some of them would appreciate an opportunity to pause briefly in the middle of their Pamela brings with her a passion for mission, a breadth of experience and knowledge of the Church, and significant working day, to be quiet, to stop rushing, to rest and pray. From 6 July we will be hold- experience in supporting our Church‘s intentional relationships. Her work will include developing and maintaining relationships with congregations and engaging with our current over- ing a brief time of midday worship each Tuesday and Thursday. seas commitments. She will support our international ecumenical partnerships, particularly key relationships such as At 12.15 pm for fifteen minutes, we will take time to be still, to listen, to pray, and to the Council for World Mission, the Uniting Church in Australia and Christian World Service. worship. We are inviting our near neighbours to share this time in the middle of the day. You will have noticed increased coverage in our national magazine Spanz of global mission work, with an extra four Fliers are being personally delivered to all the businesses in the blocks around First Church. So, if you are pages each issue dedicated to the area. In the June issue, we feature Kathryn McDaniel, who is supported by the in town on Tuesday or Thursday, why not come and join us? And invite others to come too. Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand in her work with the inmates of Thailand‘s Chiang Mai prison. Other key overseas partnerships include Vanuatu, where Ken and Jenny Williams have been based for the past year and half. Each Tuesday & Thursday 12:15pm – 12:30pm Commencing 6th July 2010 Their contract comes to an end in late 2010, and we have begun advertising for a replacement – see Spanz for more “Then they were glad because they had quiet details.—In our relationship with Myanmar, St Columba @ Botany Downs is taking a lead role, while the Friends of and he brought them to their desired haven.” - Psalm 107:30 (NRSV) Jagadhri continue to maintain our historic relationship with North India.

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