Tatou ka whakapai, ka whakanui i te Atua mo ake tonu atu.
Let us praise and exalt God above all for ever!
1. Matariki
I’m looking forward to spending time with family and friends over the new long weekend.
Hopefully some of my family will join me before dawn, looking at the stars. We will also spend time reflecting on the past year, and praying about the year ahead of us. We have a few shared meals planned, including one with our Life Group. And we’re also planning to start a new family tradition, planting a tree.
Here are some other resources, ideas and information about Matariki and how this can be celebrated. In particular, I love the video from Wilberforce foundation, and the booklet from NZ Baptist missionary society.
The Wilberforce foundation – Te Rongopai and Matariki
NZ Christian Network – Further information and life group questions to go alongside the video above – https://nzchristiannetwork.org.nz/te-rongopai-and-matariki/
The Parenting Place – https://parentingplace.nz/resources/ideas-for-celebrating-matariki-with-your-whānau
NZ Baptist Missionary Society – including a video, life group and family resources NZBMS Matariki resources
2. Staff update
Children and families pastor
There have been several responses to the children’s ministry role as a job-share scenario. You’ll be aware that this was a possibility offered in the advertisement, and we see this as an excellent option moving forward.
This could mean that the overall Children and Families pastor role is split between two people. One role, with pastoral maturity to oversee the ministry, strengthen volunteer teams and pastoral care of families. The second role would focus on leadership of Sunday morning programs. This approach could also help strengthen our team approach to children, youth and family ministries, alongside our Next Generation pastor, Josh.
We are currently in conversation with the potential candidates for these roles and will keep you updated.
Executive pastor
We would like to make the Executive pastor role permanent. The interim role (10hrs) has proven to be very helpful to the church over the past year. We see the value Penny brings to the church in this role, and we would like to move towards this in our next financial year (from August).
24/7 Youth worker
Tremayne Moana has recently concluded his role as 24/7 youth worker at Pukekohe High School. The FBC trust is currently looking for someone suitable to fill this vacancy. They are in conversation with a potential candidate.
All of these roles remain within our current budget allocation for staffing. If you are interested in further information about staffing, you are welcome to contact me, tim@fbc.nz
3. Church meeting update and potluck for Carol
Our church meeting to finalise our next budget will be held on Sunday 24th July. We will send our further details closer to the time.
On Sunday 3rd July we have a special church family potluck lunch after the service, as we acknowledge Carol Dobbe who has returned from her overseas mission work in India. We are looking forward to hearing her share during this service.
Kia tau ki a koutou, te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua.
To each of you, grace and peace from God
Tim Palmer.
