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.

While it doesn't happen often, several of the Porirua Churches congregated at the Elim church for an evening of prayer and praise last Sunday. Those gathered were welcomed by Pastor Ken Roach from Elim and led by Pastor Geoff Malcolm from Freedom Church, Cannons Creek. Leaders from other churches joined in leading in prayer.
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​While Anglicans from the Porirua Churches were few in number, they enthusiastically joined in and, like all present, came away blessed by God. There was a strong sense that what we were doing together will have an impact on Porirua City and its Churches.