Porirua Anglicans chose to call the building that is their Centre, Te Whare Karakia when it was blessed by Bishop Ellie Sanderson because they wanted it foremost to be a Prayer Centre. Literally "Whare Karakia" means House of Prayer or more colloquially "Church". A cursory reading of the Gospels of our Lord Jesus Christ makes it very clear that the amazing things that flowed from His ministry were the result of praying. Nothing has changed and the amazing things we experience as we see lives and situations changed are the outcome of prayer to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, before they are anything else.

In recent weeks we have prayed for four (I suspect young) people who have requested prayers through our web form at Porirua Anglican. In responding to their requests today, after weeks of prayer, I have invited them to each report back how it is for them now. I believe each of these people has been touch by the love and power of God. My request to them to respond is not so that we get a tick for our successful praying, there's no humility in that. Rather that they notice and express their benefits and ultimately give thanks to God for these. St Paul writing to the Philippians in chapter 4 was strong on encouraging the blessed to return thanks,

4 Always be glad because of the Lord! I will say it again: Be glad. 5 Always be gentle with others. The Lord will soon be here. 6 Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.
8 Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don't ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. 9 You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you.

Luke 17:11-19 is a Gospel story about ten lepers who were cleansed and healed by Jesus. Only one came back, prostrated himself before Jesus and said thank you. Only he had the privilege of hearing Jesus's words of affirmation, "Your faith has made you well." Thanksgiving is a primary task for the soul that wants peace and blessing from God. Don't forget to say thank you. Mum was so right when we taught me to do that.

​Terry

Early May 2023 Porirua Anglicans relocated to te Whare Karakia, 49A Mungavin Ave., Ranui.  During these four months we have been consolidating worship, community life, administration and fellowship here. As Spring 2023 arrives we move forward.
Three of our number have participated, with Johnsonville Anglicans, in an ALPHA Course since mid-July. Last weekend this group of around fourteen people spent a Saturday at te Whare thinking about and experiencing the Holy Spirit as part of ALPHA. While this course has only four sessions before it concludes; we are planning to base an ALPHA course at te Whare beginning 17 January 2024 which will run for eleven weeks.
During September as we remember the passing of our dear friend Sala Manulevu, we will spend time prayerfully walking the temporary Labyrinth at Wellington Cathedral - 1:45pm Sat. 23 September.
In October we will have a SGM at St Anne's to make final decisions about St Anne's future. Then we will conclude our Church year as we discuss in some morning services/forums the seven principals of Leading Your Church into Growth. These gatherings will discern how during 2024 we will grow in our discipleship and witness as a community. 

​It's the second day of winter and its warm in te Whare Karakia. We've been worshipping here for a month now and Anglican life during the week is happening here. Feedback for those coming is they enjoy the warmth, the decor, the fellowship and the life that is emerging at te whare.
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May has been a busy month for us as we kept it as a month to celebrate as we adjusted to our new Church environment. Ascension Day and Pentecost Sunday themes have kept us God-focused and the Thy Kingdom Come eleven days (18-28 May) has kept us prayerful. On Sunday 21 May we had a Day of Prayer beginning and ending with group worship times, with folk coming by the half hour inbetween to pray assisted by our eight Prayer Stations that helped people focus on different aspects of prayer.

Now we're in June and looking forward to two specials:
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• Sunday worship (10am) on 11 May will feature a testimony from Charles Nikora who has come to join us from Auckland. Charles, a former Apostolic Pastor, will reflect on some of his encounters with God and what these have taught him.
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• The following Sunday morning (18 May, 10am) is our monthly Guest Service where we have a simple gathering (no communion) where we can sing and pray for one another, and focus on a theme - our June focus is: Jesus is Looking for Disciples. Afterwards we have an enhanced morning tea at 11am. This service is suitable for children and young people and we will have a special slot for them, as well as an activity pack.