Thought For The Week 30 June 2024

Thank you to all those who attended and participated in our family forum last week considering the proposal to move our worship to one site from January next year. There were 9 groups who discussed the proposal and provided valuable feedback for Council to consider. I provide a brief summery for your interest.

We asked what you valued about our current worship. At the top of the list was joining together with likeminded people to share worship together and the  important place a spiritual rhythm has in our lives. People also appreciated good biblical sermons that relate to our lives. We appreciate the traditional and            contemporary expressions of worship on offer.

We asked what worried people about the proposal. Every group were concerned at the potential to lose people, as happened when the four parishes amalgamated in 2009. There were questions around what a one site service would look like and what we lose as we attempt to blend two distinct styles together. There was concern expressed that the chosen site would be too far from where we live and whether the proposal will save sufficient money to restore us to sustainability.

We asked what excited us about the proposal. The biggest thing here was being together as one church and the potential to do new things to reach our community. The potential cost savings is appealing and some expressed thanks that we were heading forward in a positive direction.

The discussion around which site was best revealed that each site has its strengths and weaknesses and it will require careful and prayerful discernment about which is the best option. Both sites will require work to make it fit for purpose but going to one site only means we can concentrate our efforts and resources without the burden of upgrading everything.

The next step is for Parish Council to work on this analysis and decide on a plan to move us forward.

Once again, thank you to those who participated.

Nga manaakitanga ki a koutou katoa (Blessings to all).

Brent