There is an old photo on the wall of a room in my parents’ house. It shows a small village with a prominent church in a valley that is surrounded by forested slopes. The dedication at the back indicates that the small village is called “Middlevale”, which is half-way up the valley to the next…

Since the beginning of the year, we have a new regular group in our Lounge — Youth Space. Previously the group met at the Papanui Youth Development Trust Centre. Because the Youth Centre cannot have so many groups meeting there due to COVID-19 restrictions , Youth Space has found a home with St Paul’s for…

This week I went to a course on governance, which in part also focussed on running meetings. While the speaker had extensive experience on commercial boards, she now often works with charities, trusts and membership organisations. She told us that what many think are essential procedures at meetings are just tradition, not requirements. For example,…

The early missionaries believed in a God who would ultimately work out all things according to his own sovereign plan. In the same way we believe that, in spite of human failings and limitations, the Creator’s purposes will be established in these islands.We believe too, in the rule and reign of the Kingdom of God,…