Ministry Team
Our church is served by a ministry team. The team includes our ordained ministers, Brent and Rory,
and our parish Clerk, Judith, a key leader in everything that we do.
Rev. Brent Richardson – Ministry Team Leader
brent@timarupres.org.nz
027 422 1892
03 686 1382
Brent and his wife Catherine joined us from Hope Presbyterian in Rolleston in 2016. Brent grew up in Timaru, and loves this town. He is a thoughtful and inspirational preacher, and he’s committed to seeking God’s will for our future together. Catherine is a counsellor, and has a real pastoral heart. Their two adult daughters bring light and life whenever they are around.
Rev. Rory Grant – Minister
rory@timarupres.org.nz
027 570 5156
03 686 1575
Rory and Andrea have been ministering in Timaru since 2012. Rory is creative and outgoing, and he is very involved in community life. Rory recently published his first book – a children’s creation story. Andrea works for Community and Public Health, and has a real heart for local mission. Their two boys attend Timaru Boys High, and they add energy and enthusiasm wherever they go.
Judith Begg – Parish Clerk
parishclerk@timarupres.org.nz
03 688 6004
Judith is a life-long Timaruvian whose community life revolves around church, family, skating, and her work as a public servant. Wise and thoughtful, Judith keeps an eye on the details of our life together. As an experienced leader in the church locally and regionally, she helps us keep on track practically and spiritually.
Office Staff
Our church office at St. Stephens, 349 Wai-iti Road is open from 9am-3pm from Tuesday to Friday every week. Drop in and meet our friendly team.
OUR VISION
We are an outward looking church.
We will engage with the people of Timaru with passion, enthusiasm and energy,
living and sharing God’s love;
listening to and caring for community needs, so people find meaning
through knowing God and move forward in faith.
Parish Council
Our church is led by a passionate group of volunteers – our parish council.
Living and sharing God’s love, these kaitiaki carry the vision of our parish.
Margaret Walker
03
Margaret works as a GP here in Timaru. She brings thoughtful wisdom and insight to the governance of our church.
Her young adult children are working and studying in Christchurch and Dunedin.
Lois Shipley
03 684 7511
Lois is caring and creative. Involved in many areas of church life, she is our pastoral elder, coordinating the care of our congregation. She is also strongly involved in leading worship in our parish, in small churches around the district and several services in rest homes.
Murray Facer
03 686 1629
Keen and enthusiastic, Murray helps to keep our focus on our positive future together. He is also very involved in community events such our our annual market day and Spring plant sale.
Our History
In 2009 the four Presbyterian congregations of Timaru joined together to form one church – the Timaru Presbyterian Parish. We have inherited a rich history of living and sharing God’s love from those who have gone before. As one Presbyterian family, we seek to carry this heritage into future generations. 2017 is a year of Jubilee for our people as we celebrate 100 years since the founding of St. Paul’s, 50 years since the opening or Trinity College Road, and 50 years of worship at St. Stephens Wai-ti Road.
Trinity
The first Presbyterian parish in Timaru, Trinity was founded in 1865, and built a church in Barnard Street in 1867. In 1955 a new hall was built in College Road, and the new church was completed in 1967, with the inaugural service of worship on Queen’s Birthday weekend. Trinity West, originally a congregational church, joined Trinity in 1969. Trinity West was sold in 2011.
From our Trinity forebears, we inherit a pioneering spirit, a commitment to the faith that brings us together, and a heart for the Parkside community.
Chalmers
Chalmers church was founded in 1902 in the heart of Timaru. The Chalmers church building is a well loved heritage landmark on the Timaru landscape. Unfortunately, the church was far from meeting earthquake safety standards and we bid the buildings a sad but fond farewell in December 2014
From our Chalmers forebears, we inherit an appreciation of music and the arts, a commitment to civic life, and an unconditional love for the people of Timaru.
St. Paul's
St. Paul’s was planted in the new suburb of Highfield from Chalmers church in 1917. St. Paul’s always had a strong community presence, and a strong commitment to the Highfield community and Margaret Wilson home across the road in Seddon Street. Unfortunately, the church was badly damaged by the Christchurch earthquakes and did not meet adequate safety standards. After serving as the office base for the new parish, It was sold in 2013, and the site is being redeveloped into family homes.
From our St. Paul’s forebears, we inherit a strong community spirit, a love of service, and a heart for older folk.
St. Stephen's
St. Stephen’s was planted in the 1960s as Timaru Outfields and had places of worship in Washdyke and in the old Gleniti School on Gleniti Road. The foundation was laid for the new church was laid in 1965 and regular worship was underway by 1967. 1967 also marked the beginning of the Gleniti Playcentre, which initially met in the church itself. St. Stephens Washdyke was sold in 2011.
From our St. Stephen’s forebears, we inherit a can-do attitude, a commitment to new beginnings, and a heart for children and families.
Being Presbyterian
We are a member church of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, and we share the core values of Presbyterianism.
We believe that the Holy Spirit speaks to and through God’s people.
We believe that we are always growing in our faith and our love of God.
We believe that we are members of the Body of Christ.
Visit our national church website
Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
Our parish is part of the Alpine Presbytery
The leaders and ministers of our church receive training through the
Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership
