Darfield
Pastor Jim Patrick
Pastor Jim preached on Philippians 2 during October, including a sermon on why church community is so important. A Church Family Forum was held in October to discuss our missions policy and budget for 2011. We have been supporting a family in our area who lost their house in a fire soon after the earthquake. Youth Pastor Sam Broughton was elected as a councillor for the Selwyn District Council.

We praise God for his works of healing in the lives of people in our church. With Pastor Jim due to retire by the end of 2011, a committee is being formed to call a new pastor.

Rangiora
During the October School holidays, Rod Thompson (Children’s Pastor) and team ran a Children’s Holiday Programme. Up to 35 children from the local community were involved. We have a committee working on the search for a new senior pastor, to start next year. A cafe is now open three days a week called The Hub and Lounge Cafe. A group of people has worked hard to clean and alter the old house on our land to set up the cafe. Next door to the church we also have a community garden, a project in which we’re involved. We held a women’s conference in November. At present we are fundraising for a team from Tonga who will visit our church early next year.

Caversham
Pastors Roly Scott and Martin Baldwin
Many in the congregation have been blessed and challenged by Marjory Gibson’s visit. More than 25 people of various ages and abilities enjoyed time together on the Central Otago Rail Trail during Labour Weekend. The men conceded the Weetbix soccer cup to DCBC (again).

South Dunedin
Pastor Bruce Geddes
Another month of rich biblical teaching from Bruce. Speaker Martin Baldwin visited from Caversham. Bruce is busy with finishing his final presentation for Bible college. There have been many social events – ladies’ afternoon tea with a flower theme, men’s movie night; light party (Halloween alternative) attended by “southsiders”; Rainbow

Pre-school children’s church service; Bruce and Pauline attending the Gathering in Tauranga. Barry Tipler told us of his short mission trip to the Ukraine.