The retirement of our part-time minister in 1996 began a new era for our parish. The Lay Ministry Team of four or five elders now does all the work needed to maintain the parish’s ministry and mission.
Eliminating paid ministry from our budget has enabled us to reach out to others much more. Over half of our offering income goes beyond the parish’s needs and a half of our regular givers designate part of the offering for:
* Christian World Service
* The “time out” programme of our Centre www.centreforrecreation.org.nz
* support for the Moerewa Day Care Centre.
Having sold the Minister’s residence the parish has finished two cottages on the Paihia property to enable the property to be used as Timeout Centre.
Ministers are welcome to spend a weekend in one of the cottages in return for conducting worship on Sunday – but bookings are essential.