Rimutaka
Pastor Murray Gordon

Our combined churches Upper Hutt Easter Convention with speaker Murray Robertson was a great success. Our youth programme, ACTIV8, is continuing to grow and now runs youth services on a regular basis. They have also started a midweek Bible study for Year 12+ members. The three ACTIV8 leaders are coping well with the challenges of a growing ministry.

A second worship seminar with Brent Chambers has further equipped the music team. May’s “mission month” provided an opportunity to hear from a variety of mission organisations. Women’s breakfasts have been well attended with the focus on further developing a relationship with God. Regular soup and bun lunches after the morning service are providing fellowship opportunities. Chris Marshall spoke at a leadership forum, challenging our thinking on the role of women in the church. Our first evening “Taize” service provided an opportunity to focus on God in a more contemplative manner. Family services continue regularly with the last one introducing children to the meaning of communion and its connection to Passover. Parents again received resources to discuss the topic at home. Our youth band, Two Shots Fired, recently shared at a meeting at the local high school.

Upper Hutt
Chris Finlay and Paul Thompson

Chris has been leading us in a series of studies tracing the life of David. These have brought their challenges to each of us. Paul and nine youth leaders attended the youth leadership conference in Rotorua over Queen’s Birthday weekend. An end-of-term children’s service involved the Girls’ Brigade and the Children’s Ministry. At the beginning of June our BMF group hosted a meeting where Alan and Jan were the speakers and folk from a number of churches attended; it was lovely to hear of their experiences with tranzsend. We enjoyed the weekend David and Linda Marriott spent with us. A reunion breakfast was held on Saturday morning and a marriage enrichment evening for couples. David brought a challenging message on Sunday morning. On July 9 we hosted a World Vision Girls’ Night Out.

Blenheim
Pastors Aaron Salisbury, Paul Fletcher, Mike Mitchell

8 DAYS IN JUNE (13-20) two Sundays with packed services, continuing the series ‘Our Church Vision’, wrapped a very full week, with the normal Connect Group and Youth activities. 7 pastors and leaders were away for 4 days at the Holy Spirit Seminar in Hanmer. Seniors who met on Tuesday, met again on Wednesday for Seniors Celebration Service (bi-monthly), and again with all the extended family and friends of their friend Ngaire Webster for her funeral on Friday. Women’s Networx event on Monday night attracted about 30, and over 60 joined in the fun on Saturday night at the Medieval Banquet. Some were clad creatively, banners and shields decorated the walls, rabbit stew, wild pig, baked veges, mulled apple juice was consumed with medieval gusto, Men’s choir sang, and art works were auctioned off raising $1000. On 20th, Aaron preached at Wesley Methodist, for Christine Brunt’s decommissioning from her position as Girls’ Brigade National Commissioner. More recently, there have been baptisms, and the Kerby family arrived home from China for a holiday.