4 July 2024
Greetings Church Family
Many thanks to all of you who prayed for the Kiribati RSE workers who were involved in a tragic car accident the other week near Grovetown, which resulted in the death of Kaiea Taubakoa. Last night I took Kaiea’s service at Sowman’s Chapel (you can see a photo from the service below). It was a moving service of farewell to this hardworking man of 37 years, who came here to earn a living for his family, but tragically lost his life. Psalm 23 and the hymn Amazing Grace, read and sung last night, brought much-needed consolation to many grieving hearts. Kaiea’s body will be repatriated to Kiribas tomorrow. I encourage you to continue to uphold his family in your prayers.
Many thanks also to all who gave towards the special collection for Kaiea’s family. The collection closed on Tuesday, and the total amount collected was $920, a very generous amount, which has now been sent via online banking to Tiru Bouanteraoi in Kiribas, who looks after Kaiea’s 8-year-old son. I was able to speak with Tiru yesterday, when I rang him, via international call, on his mobile phone. As you can expect he was surprised to receive my call, and he couldn’t believe a church in New Zealand would raise and give such a generous amount to them. He was deeply moved by our generosity. Tiru and I are in touch on Facebook and he will let me know when the money has come through. So, again, thank you for your generous support of our special fundraising for Kaiea’s family.
Last night at Kaiea’s service I saw the man who was seated beside Kaiea in the van and sustained serious injuries. As you might be aware, he had to be flown to Wellington for treatment. He is still recovering and off work, but he has achieved amazing recovery thus far. I said to him last night that it must have been a miracle that he survived the car crash. He nodded in agreement.
The last couple of weeks had been difficult and challenging as well for Kaiea’s employer – E & E Trading – and the people working in the company office, including Guan. Last night was sort of a partial closure to this difficult period of time, and hopefully also a healing time for them.
On a positive and happier note, we praise God for the 122 people who attended our combined church family service this past Sunday. That’s an excellent turnout on a long weekend! Both the service and the ensuing lunch fellowship went well, and I’m thankful to all who helped with the service and the lunch. At the service we looked together at the theme of “Good News for All,” and we were once again reminded that as followers of Christ we are called to share the Good News of Jesus to all people. At the lunch we enjoyed an abundance of food, and we had the opportunity to hear updates about some ministries of our church:
1) Jonathan spoke about Elevate Youth – they have now finished for Term 2, and are beginning to plan and prepare for Term 3. Elevate Youth urgently needs a volunteer (a woman) to assist at youth meetings. Please pray about this need.
2) Guan shared about the Chinese ministry: they are continuing with their weekly Bible study and monthly service. They are currently studying the book of Genesis at their weekly meetings. A praise report from Guan is that one of her participants has come forward wanting to be baptised. Please pray for a smooth baptism preparation for this person.
3) Tineke shared updates about our children’s Sunday school. There are currently 2 groups of children’s classes every Sunday: one for under 6’s and one for older children. Tineke stressed that additional teachers and helpers are desperately needed at the moment, particularly for this coming term, as Mark Rolston, one of the main teachers for the older group, will be away for most of the term.
4) Enny gave quick updates about Messy Church. She thanked all who helped with Messy Church in June. Preparations for the next Messy Church, scheduled for September, are now under way. Enny is on the lookout for additional helpers for Messy Church as well: 1 helper at the door, 1 helper with the sound, a few additional helpers in the kitchen and a few more helpers with the crafts.
5) Philip shared an update on Mission, focusing on the poster recently sent in by World Vision. The poster showed pictures of the 5 children in Onga (in Malawi) who receive regular financial sponsorship from members of St Christopher’s. The poster was intended both to say thank you and to convey that the financial sponsorships are making a difference in the lives of these children.
6) Mark Peters gave updates about church property and about Christ’s College Choir. There have been some recent upgrades and installations done in the church buildings: the installation of non-slip stair nosings in the church and in the hall; the installation of emergency lighting in the church and in the hall; repainting of the lounge, toilets, kitchen and foyer; etc. Some of these projects were costly (the emergency lights installation, for instance, cost about $21,000), but we had to get them done as they were required under health and safety regulations. We are very blessed to be able to pay for these expenses, and we thank our church family for their generous giving.
Mark also gave updates about Christ’s College Chapel Choir (Cambridge University, UK) who will be coming through to Blenheim on 18th July as part of their NZ Tour. The Choir will perform at St Christopher’s at 7pm on the 18th with an admission fee of $20 per person. Mark stressed the dilemma we have due to the 200 seating capacity in the church. If we advertise widely, we may end up having to turn people away on the night; if we don’t advertise, we may not get the numbers we want. So Mark asked that members and friends of St Christopher’s please write their names down on the clipboard at the back of the church if they plan on coming, so we can have an idea of the initial numbers and decide whether we have to advertise widely or not.
I encourage you to uplift in prayer all of these ministry needs, believing the Lord can and will provide the people and the resources we need so we can continue to do the work he has given us.
This coming Sunday the Confirmation Class will gather for our third meeting. We will be studying about the Sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Please pray for me as I teach the class and for the 9 Confirmation Candidates.
Also this Sunday, at our 9am and 11am services, we will be returning to our series on 1 Peter, and we will looking at the theme of Holy Community in 1 Peter 2:4-10. I look forward to seeing you and worshipping with you this Sunday.
Looking ahead to next week, I will be away from Thursday to Sunday, with my family, attending the annual Diocesan Leadership Camp at Lake Rotoiti. Please pray for the success of this gathering of church leaders and their families.
Next Sunday, the 14th, Rev Kaye Dyer will be preaching and celebrating at the 9am service and preaching at the 11am service.
The Lord bless you always,
Deo
Kaiea Taubakoa’s Service - 3rd July 2024