Helping People to Meet God • Make Friends • Grow in Faith

Rocking chairs

In the Dominican Republic we spent quite a bit of time on the front porch sitting in rocking chairs and watching the world go by.Neighbours would regularly shout greetings in our direction and we would respond.It wasn’t exactly a high-energy activity for our children, but they made the best of it. One day one of…

Schools and the Gospel

Schools and the GospelFrom Monday to Wednesday I attended the Clergy Conference at College House. During his address to clergy Bishop Peter also spoke about the Anglican Schools, some of which are part of the Diocese. He acknowledged that there was some discomfort among many Anglicans at being so closely associated with schools that seem elitist and exclusive. The Bishop could see…

Your bells – by Lindsay Trott

For 143 years, Papanui has heard the peal of bells from St Paul’s, calling all to worship. The first 5 bells were ordered from the UK in 1878 at a cost of £285, but the ship sank off the Cape of Good Hope.  Insurance covered the cost and a new set was shipped out to…

GRAHAM WRITES …

I wonder if you, like me, have been having times of tiredness. Not only physically speaking, but also with all the negativity and stress coming to our attention through the various media of our day. I sometimes say to my wife during a news broadcast: “When is the GOOD news coming?” Yes, it is so…

From the Treasurer

A bit of background I see my role as managing the limited finances of our parish and helping to support our mission and ministry.  This covers a variety of tasks and follows a monthly program of invoicing, supplier payments and reporting.  Additionally in February each year the annual reports have to be produced and sent…

FROM THE WARDENS – 

DrainageThe scheduled drainage work is now underway, so try and avoid parking over by LOOP and the church office in June if you can.  Sunday morning parking nearer the church will be fine as usual. Community Outreach 14th July is the new public holiday Matariki and many are looking for ways to celebrate this event (Māori New Year).…

Working together

Recently I met Ryan Feng, the minister at St Margaret’s Presbyterian Church in Bishopdale. He showed me the new church that was officially opened in early May 2023. As far as a modern church goes, it is probably even nicer than the new Methodist Church in Chapel Street. Even though we come from quite different…

Mission Action Plan

In March 2023 the Parish had a meeting with the Archdeacon for Regeneration and Mission, Mark Chamberlain. He encouraged us to draft a Mission Action Plan for the next three years. At the meeting we determined three priorities: Develop ministry to children and families Building the faith and knowledge of the Parish Improve the promotion of the Parish These priorities have been…