We are looking forward to our inspiring family festival celebration on Saturday the 17th of November, 2018 at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul as we celebrate our Diocesan Thanksgiving and Ordination service.  This day is our opportunity for everyone to come together as diocesan family to celebrate the ordination as deacons and priests those responding to God’s call to be the gatherers of the faith community; and to celebrate how God has been answering our prayers with and through us over the last five years, transforming us and our local communities as we partner with Him.

It really is open to everyone – and we know that when you come, you’ll go back to your community full of appreciation of God’s goodness, and excitement for the opportunities to be a blessing and to make a difference.  So we encourage all – from Ruapehu to Seatoun, leaders and parishioners, young and old will to come together, learn together, and continue to build the bond of family.

We’ll update you on how the day will run as we get closer to the event.  Please pray for Bishop Justin, Bishop Eleanor, all the ordinands and their families, and all diocesan personnel involved in the discernment and ordination process.

Although it was the first Sunday of the school holidays there was a great turnout at St Christopher's for eucharistic worship last Sunday. Parishioners from the Porirua Cluster parishes of Pauatahanui, Whitby, Porirua, Titahi Bay and Tawa-Linden joined together for this fifth Sunday service. Tawa Associate priest Terry McIvor led the service, con-celebrating with Bishop Ellie who also preached a message centering on the Gospel story (John 4:1-26) of the woman at the well who encountered Jesus there. Peter Dennison, Pauatahanui warden, read the scriptures and Tawa parishioners provided the lead for sung worship and offered prayer ministry during communion. Youth pastor Luke spoke to the children about living water before they moved to watch a video.
Bishop Ellie in her Gospel reflection sketched a verbal picture of the woman at the well who, on the basis of recognising Jesus as a prophet, had the privilege of telling her fellow townsfolk about him. Jesus gave her acceptance and status and enabled her to be reconciled to God - the theme of the day's epistle reading (2Corinthians 5:16-20). Her listeners were left with invitations to consider their own encounter/s with Jesus, what it means for them to be reconciled with God and to be alert to not judge others.
​A wholesome morning tea followed in the St Christopher's Annexe.