the

OUTREACH

August 2002

Minister’s Foreword

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messenger

Dear St John’s,

Life is filled with endings and beginnings.

Outreach, the theme of this edition of Messenger, requires going out from the known into the unknown, and being a people who embrace the mysterious exciting ‘call of God’.

At the beginning of this year I was approached by the Rev. David North, the Nominator of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Hamilton. He asked me if I would consider a call to be the senior minister of St Andrew’s. Since then Beverley and I have been considering this proposition, and finally accepted that we must continue to organise our life around the ‘voice’. We went up to Hamilton on the 30th June and met the people of St Andrew’s who voted overwhelmingly that we take up the position as their

Cartoon by Andrew Johnston

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Life is filled with beginnings and endings, and as our study of Abraham in recent evening services has revealed, beginnings and endings are moments when one meets with God again, and again.

The story of Genesis sets itself against a worldview and ideology, which regards the world as settled and fixed. Our modern world which applauds freedom also tends to believe that human life is closed and self-contained. With the modern religion of secularism there can be no genuine newness, no really independent gift yet to be given.

The Bible presents an alternative way of living in the world.

Christian outreach rests on the stories of the Bible for its theological foundation. May St John’s always be a church that reaches out to others in their time of need.

God bless you and keep you safe.

Yours in Christ,

Neil Johnston

August Focus on OutreachBeginnings and Endings1Laughter of Providence 4Role of the Outreach Committee

6Support Presbyterian Support

7What is the APW?

8We are Part of the Community

10BGI – The Astonishing Facts

12Ross Davis – the New Face of BGI14

Family NewsFarewell to Neil and Beverly Johnston

16Lynn Pollock Retires

18News board

19Family News

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contents

Editors

Beth Beard

Olivia McFadyen

Cover Photo

St John’s Youth Group

Thanks to all the

authors and

Church NewsCouncil News20Session News20Youth Challenge 21Brigade Reports 22150 in the City – Back to the Future24Upcoming Events Calendar27Note from the Editor26

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Opinions expressed in The Messenger are not necessarily those of St John’s in the City.

The Laughter of Providenceby Graham Redding

When we think of outreach we tend to think first of local programmes and initiatives. But outreach is also global. It’s also about people – people with a pioneering mindset and a passion for making Jesus Christ known. In this regard, I want to tell you about a kiwi with a worldwide Christian vision.

On the 10th of May I travelled to Auckland to conduct the funeral service of the Revd. Dr. Harold Turner. The story of Harold’s life is quite remarkable and is largely unknown in our Church. He was a pioneer in so many ways.

Trained as a Presbyterian minister in the 1930s, Harold was appointed to be the first full-time and ecumenical chaplain to the academic community in Dunedin. The problems of student accommodation led to his appointment as the first university lodgings registrar, and under his initiative to the founding of two Christian-based halls of residence. Harold was also instrumental in the founding of the University Book Shop. All these have continued as well-established landmarks on the University of Otago campus area.In 1954 Harold migrated to Britain with the hope of securing a teaching position. There were few openings, and as things turned out Harold took up a lecturing position in

Sierra Leone, in West Africa. A chance encounter with an unknown African on the beach led to his involvement with the movement of indigenous and independent churches in Africa. The movement encompassed over 10,000 churches, the largest of which had several million members across a number of nations. Because these churches were independent of the traditional mission-founded churches not much was known about them, and they were generally treated with disdain. Harold became a world authority on this phenomenon, and eventually took up a teaching position in Britain, where he founded the Centre for New Religious Movements at Sally Oak Colleges, Birmingham.

Harold’s academic interest in religious movements led him to become something of a champion of religious freedom. He notes wryly that when in 1989 he and his wife, Maude, left Britain to retire in New Zealand, there were 3

parties at the airport to see him off. They were from a marginal and somewhat despised Christian denomination – the Seventh Day Adventists, and from one of the so-called ‘sects and cults’ vehemently rejected by the churches – the ‘Moonies’, the Korean-founded Unification Church. Both these groups had experienced harassment or persecution in Britain, ranging from petty official discrimination to media slander to legal prosecution. Harold had exposed the injustice and publicly defended the religious freedom for these and other groups. When he returned to New Zealand he did a similar thing for the much-maligned and misunderstood Rastafarian movement. He also established the Gospel and Culture network, now known as DeepSight Trust, which had strong links with a parallel network in Britain, established by one of Harold’s former colleagues, the famous missiologist Leslie Newbigin.

Last year Harold published a collection of autobiographical stories, called

The Laughter of Providence.

The book’s title derives from a friend’s remark that “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” Harold’s plans for a quiet academic existence in England must have left Providence smiling in view of the quite unexpected encounters in store for him. We have a copy of this book in the parish library. It is an inspiring read. We also have two of Harold’s more academic books, one on the history of science and religion, and the other on religious worldviews. Both of these books cement Harold’s place among the most incisive internationally renowned scholars our Church has produced.

Grace and peace.

Graham Redding

… let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes

on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,…

Hebrews 12:1-2.

by Roger Gyles

St John’s OutreachThe Role of The Outreach Committee

During the discussions about the St John’s Lectureship and the sources for it’s funding, a number of questions were asked about the Outreach fund.

Twelve years ago St John’s established the Outreach Committee to use a portion of the income from the “Airspace” Trust for Christian and charitable work in the wider Wellington area. The congregation recognised that St John’s had been richly blessed and this was a way it could share its fruits beyond the immediate area that it could directly work with.

The available amount has grown to $100,000 for the financial year just completed.

The major guidelines for using the funds are:(a) Highest priority is given to groups and

individuals based in the Wellington Presbytery area.

(b) Groups or individuals should be involved in activities compatible with the work of the Christian church that would receive broad support from the congregation.

(c) Normally organisations or individuals will not be supported in successive years, though exception may be made at the committee’s discretion.

(d) Preference is given to the support of specific projects rather than general funding.

The committee also has responsibility to consider applications for grants from two other smaller more specific funds. These are the:

Carter Fund Special Assistance Fund used for “Second Chance” applications (e.g. refugees)

McKenzie Fund used for educational grants

The committee meets three times a year. Each member is given a share of the applications to investigate and make recommendations on. The evaluation of applications is quite challenging, as it is very difficult to assess the merits and balance extremely diverse applications.

by Helen NixonPresbyterian Support

Presbyterian Support Central needs our prayers, our encouragement, and our support.

Presbyterian Support is the largest, non-governmental supplier of social services and community support in New Zealand. In response to the teachings of Christ, Presbyterian Support aims to provide social services that effectively meet the needs of those we help. There are two main areas in which Presbyterian Support Central (PSC) works, care of the elderly and the family support centres.

Support is given to older people who choose to live in the community, including home help, day care, short-term care, and retirement villages. Residential care is provided in rest homes, hospital care, and secure care.

There are seven centres in our Central area that work with children, adolescents, and parents providing counselling, in-home family support, courses for adults, and special programmes for young people.

The PSC gratefully acknowledges the support and generosity given by various trusts and churches, including St John’s. However, workloads are increasing and the State is unable to help with sufficient funding. The community must pick up the shortfall.

Presbyterian Support needs new members. Members play an essential role as volunteers, advocates, donors or benefactors, and advisors. Members are growing older and finding it difficult to maintain their level of involvement. It is critical that the membership base be kept vibrant.

Individual membership is $20 per annum and includes a regular newsletter, voting rights at meetings, and the chance to experience the organisations’ work first hand.

Brochures and joining forms are in the church foyer. For further information, please contact Helen Nixon on phone 973 4401 or contact the church office.

by Annette BlackWhat is APW and what does it do?

The Association of Presbyterian Women (APW) is a vital and involved group of women who meet together to act locally, nationally, and internationally. What doesn’t the APW do may be a more appropriate question! Below is a small sampling of what we do. The best way to find out, of course, would be to come along.

InternationallyAPW has a direct voice to the United Nations. This is ground breaking, as APW is the only non-Government organisation in New Zealand to have this status in its own right, i.e. it is not part of a world body. The APW has Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic Social and Cultural Council. This enables a Christian voice to speak on behalf of women in the Asia – Pacific region, to strive to improve quality of life.

Bridge Builders is an exciting network of Presbyterian and secular women around the Pacific Rim who are actively seeking the same objectives of peace, justice, human rights, and sustainable development for all people.

NationallyAt present there are 7,300 women in 358 parishes that make up the APW, governed by a National Committee. It is affiliated to the National Council of Women and reports on matters of public interest.

The APW works to support and challenge local groups by preparing and publishing a rich array of study, devotion, and discussion resources. There is a magazine ‘Harvest Field’ published nine times a year that helps keep us informed and united nationally. Regional Study Conferences are organised and open to everyone. Recently “A Braided River of Faith” was published, which tells the story of faith journeys of one hundred women. Including St John’s own Nora Owen John’s story,

telling of her 60 years of work in three countries.

Abbeyfield New Zealand is a not for profit volunteer based organisation with a Christian ethos. It assists older people into affordable and supportive accommodation. Those who are living alone, feeling isolated, nervous about security, worried about accommodation costs, will find Abbeyfield offers a solution. It provides companionship, support and care, independence, and dignity and is within the reach of all superannuates. APW also offers practical help in a variety of areas from a scheme that supports students in training for ministry to organising emergency accommodation.

Each year the APW and the Methodist Women’s Fellowship combine resources to carry out a Mission Special Project. All funds raised are divided between a domestic and international mission. This year it is titled “Quality of Life”. The international focus will encompass Las

Dignas El Salvador “Women for Dignity and Life.” It works to ensure a just place for women in El Salvador society at every level from slums, to Universities, to politicians. Specific elements of the programme are literacy, anti-violence education, conflict resolution, health—especially reproductive health, women in politics, and women in non-typical occupations. The programme provides training for women throughout El Salvador in midwifery services, post-war trauma counselling, and helping communities gain the essential services.

The second portion of the programme – the New Zealand portion – is linked with our Children’s Health Camp where Positive Parenting courses have been held since 1995. This years Project is titled “Quality Family Life” and will have two aims:

a) To develop a resource library for parents at each of the camps. This will feature videotapes, books, and games designed to introduce family structure

into the home. Resources will also become available on specialist conditions such as ADHD.

b) To translate and publish the current parenting resources into Maori and Pacific Island languages. This would enable the programmes to be moved from the Camp to other locations such as Marae.

Locally

As part of the national body we support all of the above. We are also involved in bible study, discussion, entertainment, Xtra Effort, fellowship, youth work, and local mission to name a few.

St John’s Women’s Association welcomes

your interest.

by Glen LabrumWe are Part of the Community

St John’s has a long and faithful tradition of involvement in meeting some of the needs of the Wellington community. In recent years we have formalised our membership in the Downtown Community Ministry (DCM). We have committed financial support as well as providing volunteers to support the work and ethos of this well respected and high profile community group.

The DCM’s work continues to both highlight and address the many social needs within our city community. DCM’s focus is the provision of both a ‘hand out’ for immediate and urgent needs and a ‘hand up’ to help change the future for individuals and the community. It aims to identify needs, to inform the community of those needs, and to play its part in both meeting them in the short

term, and addressing the reasons why they occur.

One of the ways we can contribute to this work is to provide food for the DCM Foodbank, known as St Peter’s Pantry.

Our collection each Sunday contributes to the alleviation of an ongoing immediate need for food by families and individuals in our community.

Several times a year DCM holds a Foodbank appeal to collect food from the community. We provide volunteers to assist with the collection of food donations at the Chaffers Street New World supermarket.

Each year DCM runs a Book Fair. The proceeds from this event contribute significantly to DCM’s yearly income. This year it will be held on 24-25 August at the Queens Wharf Event Centre. Book donations

can be left in the green wheelie bin in the Church foyer.

DCM operates an advocacy service for people who have problems with accessing services from central and local government agencies. This is most clearly evident in the support and assistance provided to clients of Work and Income, the benefit delivery service of the Ministry of Social Development. DCM helps ensure these people to get what they are entitled to.

This type of ‘grass roots’ community work provides DCM with the necessary information that is required to undertake research, advocacy, and promotion of changes to the policies and processes of government social service agencies. DCM is well placed, in conjunction with other community groups, to do this.

The financial support provided by St John’s is vital to the continuation of this work. Together St John’s and DCM are able to provide tangible relief and support to those in need, and to advocate for change where

government policies are not working in the interests of the community.

St John’s also contributes to some of the needs of the community through the regional church court called Presbytery. While Presbytery is most often associated with the internal workings of the church, such as getting approvals to spend money, or when we call a new Minister, it also is where parish representatives are able to identify mission areas that involve more than one parish. By working together, parishes can provide resources and support for mission initiatives across the region.

An example of this type of co-operation was the establishment over a year ago of an ordained Cook Island Ministry in Wellington. Presbytery responded to a call from the Pacific Island parishes to establish this Ministry in Wellington. Whilst Presbytery was not able to assist financially, it was able to co-ordinate the process of clarifying what was needed and how this need could be met. The result is a new Ministry based

within the three Pacific Island parishes, co-ordinated by a Management Committee made up of representatives from the three parishes and the Presbytery.

St John’s has contributed financially via our Outreach Fund to the cost of establishing this new Ministry. We have committed funding for three years to enable the Ministry to develop and to work towards financial self-sufficiency.

Information about the Presbytery’s work is on the notice board in the foyer and is updated each month. For further information on the work and activities of both the Presbytery and DCM, or how you can be involved and make a contribution at a personal level, please feel free to contact me using the details provided below.

Glen LabrumPh 4-972 9901e-mail glabrum@paradise.net.nz

Sir George Troup and the Bible Class of St Johns formed the Wellington Boys and Girls Institute (BGI) 110 years ago to assist disadvantaged children in the region. Originally BGI provided bathing facilities for children who lived in unhygienic conditions as bathrooms were used to store coal. In order to participate in activities at the BGI, the children were required to bathe.

As you can imagine, BGI has evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of young people. However the core principles have remained the same. BGI exists to develop character, self-respect, usefulness, and ‘good citizenship’ in young people while improving their spiritual, mental, moral, social, and physical condition. BGI also provides recreation and fun.

The founding members required that BGI not permit political controversy or religious instruction, unless strictly nonpartisan in character at any meetings of the Institute, or in or about any of the buildings or premises. This clause is still non-negotiable in the constitution and must be considered when planning future activities.

BGI commenced activities in Arthur St then moved to Tory St and then to Tasmen St. To deliver more and better programmes to our target markets, this property has been sold and BGI has moved into Troup House. We have re-written the constitution to tuck ourselves back under St John’s wing. St John’s now appoints all BGI board members. If you are interested in participating, please contact Graham or myself.

The future begins with the joint appointment of a Director of Youth and Community Projects. This combining of resources by two like-minded organisations opens exciting possibilities to expand our work with young people in the community. We welcome Ross Davis to this position and look forward to working with him to achieve our goals. With a new Director, new premises, and close to $4 million in our war chest, we look

The Origin and Evolution of the BGI

forward to working with St Johns for the benefit of young people in our society.

Barry SpencerChairman

Editors Note: Barry first chaired the BGI in 1980. Since then he has helped steer it through some very difficult times. Thank you to Barry, David Clegg and all members past and present that have enabled the BGI to survive, consolidate and to expand. You have ensured the continued legacy of the BGI helping the youth in our community.

Our work with refugee youth is an example. BGI saw a need, obtained funding, and built an adventure-based learning programme, using Project Adventure’s ropes course, that

BGI’s vision, since 1883, has been to inspire the community and council leaders to set up programmes for young people. Our approach has been to look for the gaps, and provide programmes to fill them. More recently our aim has been to work collaboratively with other providers.

This approach proved so successful that we asked Hutt Valley Health if we could assist them with their most difficult clients. The counselling and psychotherapy rather than being one on one in a sterile office environment, was conducted while both therapist and their clients were hanging off ropes! Meeting others with similar issues and difficulties also helped the clients. An additional benefit was that getting out of the office invigorated the therapists. The braver ones had their clients holding the rope that was literally their lifeline! Our aim was to make the feeling of trust as tangible as possible for all participants.

There are many other examples of our work, from increasing English language skills, to working one on one with problem youths in Wellington schools. The future of BGI is going to be exciting.

BGI - the Astonishing Facts

The results surprised everyone with immediate positive outcomes for the clients. However, more surprising was the long-term effect for a majority of the clients as noted by therapists and the parents.

BGI provided both the instructor and funding for the pilot project. We are now seeking funding for it to continue and

Ross Davis – The new Face of BGIArticle by Ross Davis

Beth has asked me to write a bit about myself. How to start? I haven’t had to do this since we had to write a family profile for the Children and Young Persons Service when we were thinking about adopting kids. I am into sailing, drinking wine, my wife Anna, playing with kids, hanging out with teenagers and enjoyed running and building up a business –obviously not in that order!

My new job is Director of Youth and Community Projects for BGI. A great aspect of this job is that it demands the whole of me – not just my accounting and business skills, but my creative approach and my love for people. I haven’t

quite figured out how the wine tasting fits yet, but I did invent the first wine and theology group in Auckland.

There are three key words that are helping me get my head around this new job. They are hope, mission, and adoption.

Why hope?

I think that in this world where many people including some of my close friends are becoming clinically depressed there is a need to tell of our hope. To do this I need to understand more of what exactly is the Gospel Hope, and where it comes from so I can communicate it as part of my new role. I can only learn of that by being part of a

Kia Ora e aku hoa

hou. Hello my new friends.

church community such as this. I am finding already there is a sense of expectancy and hope, in this church and in BGI, which is rubbing off on me. A main focus of the BGI is its High Ropes High Hopes programme.

Why Mission?

Before I came to Wellington I returned all my library books except two. One is called Hope for the Church by Jurgen Moltmann and the other is titled What is Mission? by David Kirk.

Someone told me recently the church is the only

organisation that exists for those who are not its

members.

Therefore I believe there is hope for the church only if we get involved in mission. In my understanding the mission we are assigned is not the Church’s mission - it is the missio Dei (mission of God). It is the stuff God is doing both with the church and without it. Therefore our task becomes identifying and getting on with this mission. There is an urgency to get on

with it because I believe it is God’s hope to complete things sooner rather than later. And it seems to me that this almost always involves both words and action. It is my hope that the BGI will benefit from a closer dialogue with St John’s and St John’s will participate in the practical and down to earth ‘God logic’ of the BGI.

Dr Harold Turner said that one of the most practical things we can do is to “think” more deeply before we act. The BGI Board is hopeful and open to new visions. One of the first things they have asked me to do is to think. I plan to analyse what the many other community groups are doing and to find where we can best play our part. I would appreciate early input from the thinkers in this community.

Why Adoption?This issue of ‘The Messenger’ is focusing on Mission Outreach. I believe this is why God has ‘adopted’ us as his children. It is exciting to be joining a church that has recognised something of this and the warmth of your welcome has already made

me feel like I have been adopted by you and belong here. Therefore I am looking forward to sharing the hope that Jesus brings with kids through the medium of ‘personal development and specialist recreational activity’ as it says on the BGI business cards.

I had meant to give my Whakapapa and list all of our Whanau’s connections. Anna, I, Andrew, Eve, and Claire have lots of links with various Maori and Pakeha iwi in Aotearoa, New Zealand. However I have used up the word allocation Beth gave me

–suffice to say we have connections with Ngati Porou, Ngati Rangi, Auckland, Christchurch, Gisbourne, TikiTiki, Ohope, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Te Aroha, Patea, some outlying Islands in the Pacific called PukaPuka. Further out we have links to England, Scotland, Ireland, and closer by to Heaven, which, I am told, is not far from Wellington – on a good day!

Thanks for your warm welcome and the challenge,

Arohanui,Ross Davis and Whanau.

As you know, Neil has accepted a call to St Andrew’s Church in Hamilton. His last service here at St John’s will be on the 18th of August. More will be said closer to the time, and proper acknowledgement made of Neil’s ministry then, but for now I want on your behalf to wish Neil and Beverley every blessing as they prepare for their new ministry. Neil has been Associate Minister here at St John’s for almost 8 years and will be remembered as a caring pastor who was fully involved in the life of the parish. It has been an involvement supported and shared by Beverley and their children – David, James, Ruth and Andrew. Each one of them rightly deserves both our gratitude and our

Farewell to Neil and Beverley Johnston

.

Neil and Beverly have made our lives so much richer. We have really benefited from Neil’s warm personality and

I thank you for taking the time to share with us your sincerity of interest, support and friendship in spite of the busy lives that you have both led both at home and within the

Beverly and Neil have had such an impact on our lives. Here are just a few comments from members of the congregation to represent all our thanks and appreciation of this special

Your personal, genuine welcome when I first visited St Johns gave me cause to stay and explore this

The challenge we received from your sermons and the strength of your pastoral care will be greatly missed.

Printed with permission from Sacred Heart College

30 Years of Wonderful Service

Lynn has taught History, Social Studies, Religious Education, Economic Studies, Geography, English, and English Language support and was formerly HOD of Social Studies.

The staff and Board and a number of previous colleagues and pupils came to farewell Lynn one Friday evening. Principal Lisl Prendergast had this to say:

"Lynn, you have given wonderful service to Sacred Heart College and you have motivated many of our students to look further into the wonders of the earth, the complexity of culture and the bed-rock of our faith. Thank you for all your labours for your students. By my calculations you've had nearly 4,000 students through your classes in your time at Sacred Heart. Thank you for the trips you have run and for all your hard work. I admire your long service and your sense of teaching as a vocation. I also admire your determination, your sense of fairness and your good nature."

Thank you to Lynn, and all the other teachers in our parish for all the hard and vibrant work that you do in such an

essential field.

Lynn Pollock, an elder of St John’s, retired from teaching after 30 years at Sacred Heart College in May 2002. We would like to take this opportunity to honour her and the great contribution she has made to many lives over her

Can You Help?

I have been asked to prepare a banner for the General Assembly (1m wide, 2m long).  To keep costs as low as possible I would love to get scraps of fabrics or braids from anyone who has any.   The banner is to be a view of mountains with a river in the foreground.  I would be interested in earthy colours and greens and blues.   They do not have to be 100% cotton.  I am particularly interested in any silver or shiny fabrics I could use for the river.Please bring your fabrics to church or phone me and I will come and get them.    Thank you.   Judi Ferguson  972-9901.

Family NewsCongratulations to Vicki and David Wood who have

announced they are expecting their first child.

We note the passing of Betty Coker with her funeral on July 16th. We pass on our condolences to friends and family.

Our prayers and best wishes to Christine Sing and Mike Kirkby who are to be married in October.

If you have anything to share in this section next issue, please contact the editor or Graham Redding.

Council NewsIntroduction of Duty Team Leader

Council has agreed to a recommendation brought forward by Peter Baillie for the Music and Worship Committee, for there to be a Duty Team Leader for all Sunday morning duties.  This person will coordinate the activities of managers, greeters, tea/coffee servers, bell ringers, etc.  There will be little change to the existing duties, although it is hoped that all duty team members will be able to commence their duties with a brief prayer in the chapel at about 9.30 am.  The new arrangement is expected to commence in September.  The Duty Team Leaders will be on duty in the porch throughout morning services and will receive training to be able to handle situations such as disruptive behaviour, sudden illness, and emergency evacuation of the church.

It was noted that the Parish Library is to be re-launched in July.  Librarians on Sunday mornings will be Beryl Anderson and Helen Nixon.

Malcolm ShawChair, St John's Council

Session News Annual General Meeting

The proposed date for the St John’s in the City AGM is Saturday, September 14th at 5.30pm. The format will be similar to last year beginning with a potluck tea. The agenda includes Annual Meeting business, music, and other activities for all ages to enjoy. Please note this family occasion in your diary.

Move to Troup HouseAt a recent meeting of the congregation, it was agreed that the ministers, counsellor, and office staff should move to Level 4 Troup House. Work will begin as soon as possible, once the approval of the Presbytery Property and Finance Committee has been given. The planned installation of a lift from the courtyard will make Troup House more user friendly for visitors and parish members alike.

Muriel EwanSession Clerk

Out–Reach-Out

What is outreach? Reaching out to others around you? Moving out of your comfort zone maybe? The very word ‘outreach’ has many connotations doesn’t it? In the context of youth ministry there are many levels in which we can look at ‘Outreach’ within the community of the church.

As a responsible congregation we must think of outreach as an opportunity to share God’s love and grace with others. Outreach of course is something we think about as moving outside the church buildings and into the community. We can also think of outreach within our church community especially in youth ministry where young people are learning about God and what it means to be a part of the wider church body.

We have the opportunity to open up our lives, experience and guidance to our young people and invest in their futures and the future of the church. By reaching out to a young person in the St John’s

congregation you offer them a place to belong, a place to grow and the opportunity to interact with positive role models.

You can make a difference in one child’s life by simply being a positive role model. You could make that difference by approaching a parent and asking permission to send their child a birthday card, ask them how their week has been on a Sunday morning, bake a cake or go and watch a sports game. Try inviting a family or student over for a home cooked meal. All of this is a form of outreach within the church family. By taking an active role in the life of a child, family or student you are reaching out beyond yourself and sharing the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God – even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my

by Lisa Smith

own good but the good of many, so they may be saved.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”

1 Corinthians 11:1

Brigade News

We still have seven happy Juniors.

In the 2nd term we completed the work for God’s Book and spent the last three weeks doing ball activities including trying to play netball in two teams with just seven girls, which was a lot of fun.

We ended the term with a Presentation Evening for parents and friends. Our Chaplain, Neil Johnston, led devotions and presented four certificates to each girl for work completed. The girls sang four songs and their practical work was on display.

We have openings for more

Junior ReportGirls Brigade

The Boys’ Brigade

Activities this term:a) Company Section –

Rifle shooting, Chemistry experiments and an evening at Laser force.

b) Anchor and Team Sections – Pizza and Games night with a prize for the ‘snazziest’ dressed. The badge work continues.

There is a good spirit throughout each Section of the Company. It is a tremendous honour to be

An exciting organisation for boys aged 6 to 18 years old.

2nd Wellington Company“Second to None”

On the Lighter Side

A big thank you toAdrienne Eames and Margaret Krebs

who continue to make such a huge contribution converting our used stamps into money for mission.

Thank you both for your continued efforts.

We can help by continuing to save and donate our used stamps. Please remember to leave paper around the stamp. Also the higher value and unusual stamps fetch the highest prices. All stamps may be useful.

"When I hear somebody sigh, 'Life is hard,' I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared to what?'" Sydney J. Harris

Time may be a great healer, but it’s a lousy beautician. Anon.

Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.

Anon.

I am a nutritional overachiever. Anon.

Life not only begins at forty, it also begins to show. Anon.

The Reverend John Moir, aged 46, minister of the Free Church at Menmuir, Scotland, accepted the invitation and after a 17-week voyage, landed in Wellington on 3 November 1853. His diary records that he was gratified at being met on board by several of his people. On the following Sunday, 6 November 1853, the Reverend Moir conducted his first service in the Athenaeum. This building stood on Lambton Quay next to the

The Diamond Jubilee Souvenir booklet from November 1913 traces the beginnings of St John’s to a group of sixty-nine persons, members of St Andrew’s Established Church of Scotland, the church founded in 1840 by Scottish immigrants from the ship “Bengal Merchant”. St Andrew’s first church building was on Lambton Quay opposite the Featherston Street intersection. This group petitioned the Free Church of

150 in the CityThe Beginnings

The First Of A Series by Peter Baillie

Our present Church building, glistening in its new paint both in rain and sunshine, inspires affection and admiration in current worshippers as it did in the St John’s annual report for the year 1885. “The new church is acknowledged to be architecturally a success – beautiful in design, admirable in finish, comfortable in its seating, excellent in its acoustics, and in every way well adapted to its purpose. It reflects great credit both on the architect, Mr T Turnbull, and the builder, Mr James Wilson.” It was opened on 6 December 1885. This is the impressive building we know and love today - but what was St John’s like 150 years ago?

The Reverend W Dron of the Hutt inducted the Reverend Moir into his office on Thursday 17 November 1853. (Thursday is still the Presbytery’s day for inductions!). This is the date that has been celebrated as St John’s official birthday at the 60th, centenary, and 125th celebrations, and is our benchmark day in 2003.

For three years the new congregation met in the Athenaeum a few metres along from St Andrew’s on Beach, as Lambton Quay was then known.

Towards the end of 1855, the year of the force 8 earthquake that devastated the small settlement, the collection of funds to establish a church home for the congregation began. At a cost of £1,000 the site on the corner of Willis and Dixon Streets was purchased and the modest structure seating 200 (shown in the photo), was built. It is fascinating to see the church on its bare steep site, surrounded by a white picket fence, in relation to Spinks’ Cottage next door. On 31 August 1856 the new church was opened, known as the Willis Street Presbyterian Church. The Reverend John Muir preached on the words of the 87th

Psalm: “The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob”, and the collection was £25.

Next Edition

Worship

Our next ‘Messenger’ will focus on worship.What does it mean for you as an individual, as part of your involvement with St John’s and within the

wider context of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa?

I’m looking at publishing ideas from our congregation on how they express their worship, in the form of photography / artwork / poetry and the like. Alternatively if you have a written contribution I would be more than happy to hear from you. So far we have been spoilt by the quality and volume of contributions from authors. I would like to thank all the authors who have contributed so far.

Having now put together two newsletters I am discovering there is a lot more work than appears on the surface and also just how difficult it is to fit it all into the available space. To avoid my nervous breakdown please allow me some planning time! The body of the magazine is decided upon by the end of August to allow authors to than have time to write their articles. If you are interested in contributing then please contact us before the end of August. If you would like to submit written work then there are additional editorial guidelines (word limits, editorial policy) that I need to advise you on in advance.

Let us continue to make this our magazine.

Special Services and Events

Sunday 4 August 10:00 am - All Age Service

Saturday 10 August 7:00 pm - Congregational Event: “An Enchanted Evening” with Bel Canto Vocal Ensemble in the Conference Centre. Magical Music and a light supper.

Sunday 11 August 7:00 pm - Scots College and Queen Margaret College Founders’ Day Service

Weekend 24 / 25 August DCM Book Fair

Sunday 25 August 10:00 am - Gregory Fortuin, the Human Rights Commissioner, will be participating in the Morning Service and speaking at the APW luncheon.

Sunday 25 August 7:00 pm - Youth Service

Sunday 8 September Quarterly Communion

Saturday 14 September Annual General Meeting

22 – 27th September The Presbyterian General Assembly

St John’s in the CitySt John’s Presbyterian Church,

Corner Willis and Dixon Streets, Wellington

Telephone (04) 385 1546 PO Box 27 148

www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz