Papanui 
Senior Pastor Ed Karlsen
Inducted Samoun and Chanimol from Cambodia to pastor the Cambodian Fellowship. Youth pastors Jeremy and Truus Adams took 100 young people to Easter Camp. Amazing God experiences! Forty men attended a camp at Castle Hill with awesome fellowship and super weather. Alpha has 30 new guests led by Margaret Mcfedries, associate pastor, and her great team.

Thanks to Stephen Shephard who managed our youth centre before relocating to North Island. An unveiling ceremony of a mural, with an Alpha theme, was held for the work painted by Livia Dias. Livia will feature in a documentary focusing on Papanui on TV One.

Alexandra
Pastor Derek Pyle 
Following Easter, our first communion service was celebrated not as the Last Supper but rather as the “first breakfast.” Derek’s message was based around the disciples going fishing. Instead of bread and wine for communion, we had fish and chips. Andrea concluded the message by encouraging us to imagine the different situations the disciples went through that day. Fish and chips will always bring back a reminder of this very moving service. Sarah Hesson’s baptism was in the Clutha river following a morning service then we had a church lunch at the Hesson’s home at Galloway.

North East Valley
Hope and faith that the resurrection brings has been highlighted in Rev. Steven O’Connor’s recent sermons. Many cruise ships were in Port Chalmers at Easter, and tourists in the nearby souvenir shop commented on our flowered cross (pictured), talked of the resurrection while walking past to Baldwin Street (the steepest street in the world). Butterflies in a video and strewn on seats by Vicky Paul, and a poem on “shedding skins” by Helen Ledger, reminded us that the Creator recreates each of us, from loss to strength. On the Sunday of Anzac week, Glenys Clements spoke of her late father, Andrew Wilfred Aitken, a longstanding and loved member of our church, who experienced tough times in war. There as a baby shower for Zoanna and David Lamond, a morning tea for Bronwyn Hanger and Ezra Lamond’s engagement, and a delightful party for Dorothy Clements’ 90th birthday.

South Dunedin
Pastor Bruce Geddes
Many events were enjoyed during the month of April, especially with the great autumn weather. A men’s BBQ was held at the manse. Coffee and chat welcomed Clare Curran, Labour MP, as a speaker at their meeting. A fellowship for the disabled shared lunch at the members’ meeting. The food bank was well used to support those in need in our community. The new structure in the youth group, balancing social and spiritual events, is producing interest from some youth to become Christians. Great teaching by Bruce from God’s word, challenging us to use our God-given gifts and the area of discipleship.  

Invercargill Central
Fundraising efforts continue for the two cross-cultural mission trips being planned, the first to Fiji in July, the second to Bangladesh next January. Our lead-up to Easter was based around readings from Mark in The Big Read resources. The worship team enjoyed an enriching weekend retreat at Omaui. We celebrated Eileen Ingles 100th birthday by looking back to what life was like in 1912. Flock (night church) series have been “Encounters with Jesus” and “Encounters with the Spirit.”