Our First Combined Service of 2025

The service on Sunday 2nd February was a real celebration, for as a Combined Service with 139 present, it highlighted a significant event in the lives of four people. It was their Confirmation Day! Melissa Wills, and three siblings – Temiah, Channing and Emily-Rose Cyster, watched on by delighted parents – stood before Bishop Steve for the 'laying on of hands’ in order to receive an acknowledgement of the important, prayerful step they had taken in their spiritual growth journey. Bishop Steve presented each candidate with a certificate of Confirmation and Mary Griffiths, the Vicar’s Warden gave them individual gifts from the church family. 

Our vicar Deo led the service and Guan his wife led the music team, with each hymn specially appropriate for the purpose of the day. With the hymn ‘Welcome to the Family’ to open the service, an opportunity for people to greet each other, set the scene for the spiritual service which followed. Bishop Steve presented a very thoughtful sermon based on three concepts and it was delivered in his inimitable style. Full of passion and joy, he explained them using three words as hooks for the memory – Worship, Witness and Waiting. The message was simple but profound, and we were blessed to have him present with us again, on this auspicious occasion. 

Before the opening hymn, though, we also had a special treat. We actually met the Rev Paul Nzimbi and his delightful wife the Rev Rita. Before Covid, Paul was appointed as our Vicar. The family lived in Kenya, and we were excited for them to come. However, it was not part of God’s plan for us, and His plan for the Nzimbi family was different as well, for they are now to take up the parish duties, five years later, in Victory Church in Nelson. However, just to meet them was very good for us, and we all wish this family a very successful mission as they minister to the congregation there in Nelson. 

At the conclusion of the service a shared lunch in the hall brought this memorable day to its conclusion. People had the opportunity to extend their fellowship with each other and meet parishioners who they might not have seen before. 

We need to remember our four Confirmation candidates, Melissa, Temiah, Channing and Emily-Rose in our prayers. And we look forward to being part of the Adult Baptism Service for a small group, later in the year." 

Jackie Hall