News from First Church
Weekly Sunday gatherings are taking place in our hall from till the end of September. The cosier relaxed setting works very well and helps us to know one another better and encourages discussion as we think about what we read, sing and pray for, sharing our thoughts and experiences – and there is laughter too!
Anyone is welcome to join us – the café opens at 10am on Sunday mornings with morning tea to start, and a friendly greeting. So different from “church” of a generation ago which so many no longer find attractive or helpful.
We now see our hall as a valuable asset for more regular use in 2020’s, and have undertaken long overdue improvements to it– rewiring and upgrading of heaters, with plans to attend to some necessary repiling and interior and exterior painting.
Of course our well-loved and respectfully maintained historic church building will always be an appropriate setting on many occasions, and stands as an attractive statement on the corner of Jellicoe and Weld Streets.
First Church will be celebrating 150 years in 2021, and we are looking for reminiscences and old photos from past years to help us remember and celebrate “its story”.
This leads to an Appeal we are launching for financial support from the wider church family and community – families who have had connections over the years through baptisms, marriages, funerals and any of the activities at First Church – Sunday School, Bible Class and social groups. We are asking for contributions to help with our costs to upgrade and refurbish our buildings – to show appreciation of the part First Church has played in the community, and to help us have our buildings in good order and fit for further years of service. A one-off donation or a regular monthly contribution will be gratefully received.
For further information please contact Pam Colenso, Tel 06 306 9503 or email pmcolenso@xtra.co.nz
Charter for Compassion:
The congregation of First Church has voted to join The Charter for Compassion organisation with its essential objective To do to others as you would wish them to do to you. As a Charter partner we have joined a growing number of individuals, partners and compassionate communities wanting to work toward the vision of a compassionate global community in which we care for one another, help to relieve suffering wherever it is found, and link with others worldwide – all desiring well-being for all beings on our planet.
As we say together each week:
May the blessing of God, the Spirit of life within each one of us
Strengthen us to live well, with compassion and a sense of justice
treating others in the same way we would like them to treat us.
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