Ashburton

Pastor David Jensen

Together with our farming families, we rejoice over the conclusion of another grain harvest. A Sunday service/picnic was held on a local farm where the church hosted a number of our Early Learning Centre families. We eagerly await the demolition of the old and building of our new church facilities, which will hopefully start by the middle of this year.

Darfield

During January, Pastor Jim preached about giving to support world missions. Darfield Baptist is changing its approach to giving, encouraging people to make a faith promise for 2010. Early indications point to a large expected increase in giving to world missions. There have been a number of young people baptised recently. This has been very encouraging, and the example has lead other young people to step forward for baptism as well. Maureen is the new leader for 2010 of the KingzKids ministry. The women of the church have already planned an agenda of encouragement and various fun activities for 2010, including a camp. The men aren’t so quick off the mark!

Opawa

Assistant Pastor Paul McMahon

Great to see the participation of a number of community people at the all age camp at Glen Roy in mid February. Marjorie Gibson’s interactive sessions on prayer were greatly appreciated, as well as her personal ministry to us. At the first of our Bible Days series with Mark Grace we were challenged to find out all we can about the spread of the Good News in our area in the middle of the 19^th Century. Search committee meets regularly and we are continuing to pray for the call and appointment of a new senior pastor. Building project nearly finished and looking great.

Oxford Terrace

Rev Chris Chamberlain

Newcomers lunch the church leaders held

where we welcomed 15 people into the church family. On Waitangi Day the church picnic was held at Spencer Park. The church delegates have reported back on Assembly. Oxford Terrace have suggested that we host Assembly in 2013, the year of our 150^th anniversary. We held our first team leaders meeting. It was a full agenda and we enjoyed the sense of getting to know one another in a new setting. We welcomed our new children’s worker, Emma Tovey, and pray as we begin to operate as one big team with staff and elders.

Caversham

Pastors Roly Scott and Martin Baldwin

Dunedin’s sunny spell has seen our tomato ministry produce a bountiful crop! The youth group are busy fundraising for Easter camp. Thirty-two children turned up to Kidz Club one Friday night, up from 16 the week before, a great challenge to have!

South Dunedin

Pastor Bruce Geddes

The worship team led the service on the morning that Bruce conducted the services at St James Church. We viewed a DVD of Merrilyn Withers recorded at Assembly. Great to have Phil and Lee Denby’s families from Wales and Australia and Gordon, Amanda and Alissa Youngson from London visiting family – Great Granny Doris Milner. Colin Howell making a good recovery from heart surgery. All home groups, Girls’ Brigade, kids’ church, youth group, coffee and chat, CFFD are in full swing. All-day prayer retreat held. Barbecue for Rainbow Day Care Centre. World Day of Prayer meeting well attended by folk from South Dunedin. John and Daphne Lowery welcome another grandson in Christchurch. The event we had all been looking forward to was a true blessing: Rodney Macann welcomed Bruce and Pauline Geddes into membership followed by their very moving commissioning service. Rodney’s inspirational message left us all mindful of our responsibility as members to commit ourselves to be a part of this new ministry. An excellent attendance including a number of visitors then enjoyed fellowship over a luncheon.