Ministers report 2026
Ministers report for AGM
2025 – 2026 has been an encouraging year for the joint venture parish. We are seeing steady growth in attendance and engagement at our main service in Seddon. Our finances are steady and we are completing our deferred maintenance program. It is pleasing to see that we had a small increase in overall church service attendance in our parish last year.
Thankyou to everyone who prayed and sang, shared Jesus and served others in 2025-2026. Your contributions are often unseen, but remember Jesus’ promise, “Your Father, who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:4)
Intermediates and families staff member.
I am delighted with the impact that Raylene is having. She brings a unique set of gifts to the parish. Her missional mindset, gift of evangelism and evident joy in the Lord are having an impact on our community.
We are very grateful to Raylene, Sara and Nastassia for the beautiful carol service led by our young ones.
Please be in prayer for the families we are in contact with. We long to see our young people growing into resilient faith.
Seasonal Employees
Last year, I was privileged to be involved in Bible studies with seasonal employees from Vanuatu and PNG. We studied Christianity Explored and began Discipleship Explored. I am looking forward to re-commencing studies with the winter crews when they arrive.
Our Mission
In response to Bishop Steve’s call for revitalisation, and the visit from City to City, we refreshed our vision and mission statements. Our mission for 2024 and 2025 was to:
- Develop pathways to Christian faith,
- Gather to grow in Christ,
- Learn to share the gospel effectively.
I would encourage you to pause and consider how well we have implemented our mission statement.
I also encourage you to reflect on our vision for the Awatere:
- gathering to worship in Spirit and truth,
- pursuing biblical truth,
- equipped for every good work,
- joyfully serving as ambassadors for Christ.
Please pray that the Holy Spirit would equip us all to implement this vision. He alone can do it.
2026 Sunday gatherings on the East Coast.
In 2026 there will be some changes to the East Coast services. We have been invited by the St. Oswald trust to lead services there. Our first service will be an early service on Easter Sunday, followed by services on 5th Sundays at 2 pm. There will also be some changes at Kekerengu. There will be services on the second Sunday under the umbrella of New Life Kaikoura at the community Hall. The Joint Venture will continue to run services at St. Georges. We expect those services to be on the 4th Sunday. We will continue to meet at St. Peter’s, Ward on the first Sunday of the month at 8 am.
In Memoriam
Finally, I want to honour the memory of a true woman of God, Di Brown. Granny Di will be sorely missed by her family and the many, many people she impacted with her loving, joyful, Spirit filled life.
Finally,
I believe my call for this year is to call God’s people to fresh pastures and clean water. Enjoy him, grow closer to him. One day we will delight to see him face to face. Until then, we are called to follow him, knowing that he is with us and meets in the simple means of grace: God’s word, prayer, and the sacraments.
God Bless, John