The Village

Presbyterian Church

Parish Profile: 2024

PO Box 5030, Papanui 8542, Christchurch

www.villagechurch.nz

https://www.facebook.com/thevillagechch/

Updated July 2024

Matariki Service and 5th Sunday Feast, Bryndwr, June 2024

Contents:

Introduction to The Village Presbyterian Church (Executive Summary)
Vision, Purpose, Mission, Strategy & Actions
Background to this document
History of The Village Church
Parish Overview
Membership of The Village Church
The Spiritual Qualities of The Village Church
Ministry and Worship
Governance Structure and Teams
Finance
Buildings and Property
Village Life
Community Centre
Staff
Community Partnerships
Links with other Congregations, and Denominations
Achievements, past and present
What are The Village’s most pressing needs?
What are The Village’s aspirations and what are seen as opportunities in the future?
Additional Statistical Information

Music Moments

Introduction to The Village Presbyterian Church (Executive Summary)

The parish of The Village Presbyterian Church encompasses the Christchurch suburbs of Bryndwr, Papanui and Redwood. The oldest part of the parish is Papanui, who historically established congregations in Bryndwr, Redwood and Bishopdale as mission stations. Currently The Village actively functions in two locations, Bryndwr and Papanui, with a half time minister serving at Papanui and a vacancy for a full-time minister. A 10.00 a.m. Sunday Service is held at Bryndwr and an 11.30 a.m. mid-week service, followed by a catered lunch, is held on Thursdays at Papanui. The age of people worshipping at Bryndwr ranges from a few children to many members who are retirees. 66.5% of the congregation are aged over 65 (147 members). Most members have a robust but questioning faith and are accommodating of differing theological perspectives. While most of the members are of NZ European/Pakeha descent, other ethnicities are also represented among the membership. Inclusiveness is important to the members (including being welcoming of people who belong to the LGBTQI+ communities).

Children and Youth Ministry is of great importance to The Village. A children’s worship programme (Village Kids) takes place on a Sunday morning, and the children are also encouraged to take part in the rituals of worship (such as lighting the Christ candle), and part of the service is specifically directed to them. The Youth Group (FOUND. Youth) meets on Thursday evenings at Bryndwr, and is led by our Youth Leader and assisted by the 24/7 Youth Worker sponsored by The Village to work within Burnside High School. Parish Council supports the Youth Group to function as a separate congregation. Because a number of its members are in their last year of high school, the need to establish a Young Adults Group has been recognised.

Worship at The Village Bryndwr tends to be more of a traditional style, but the congregation has shown itself willing to experiment with alternative forms of worship (for example, all age worship, 5^th Sunday Feasts, Messy Church). Some more modern Christian music has been introduced, where the lyrics are theologically sound and inclusive, and the melody is appealing to sing. A singing group has been established to assist the congregation to expand its repertoire.

Mid-week worship at The Village Papanui is more informal than Sunday worship at Bryndwr. This congregation is small but growing, and is encouraged to participate in a discussion of the sermon topic during the service. The calendar at The Village is full of activities in which members of the congregation participate in. These range from faith focused gatherings such as Evening Circle, to pastoral care visiting groups like FlyBys and Pop-ins.

In recognition of our Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations, Te Reo Māori has been introduced into worship. Parish Council has discussed the value of eventually appointing a Cultural Advisor to teach correct Te Reo Māori pronunciation and provide advice on matters of Māori protocol and spirituality, to deepen the congregation’s appreciation of Māori cultural values and to ensure that the appearance of tokenism is avoided.

The Village Presbyterian Church was the first church in New Zealand to sign up to Eco Church New Zealand, indicating the commitment of the members to good stewardship of the planet and to combating the causes of climate change. We endeavour to include this in all aspects of life in The Village.

Community service and outreach is an important part of life at The Village. The majority of this occurs under the umbrella of The Village Community Centre. These important activities help us to serve the wider community. The Community Centre provides significant contributions towards the overheads of the church.

Currently The Village is funded by offerings, rental income, interest on investments, drawing down on reserves and through the support of The Village Community Centre. The 0.5 FTE ministry position of Mission Lead at Papanui is currently funded from our own capital funds released for this new mission by the Church Property Trustees. The funding is in place for a three-year period ending in December 2026. Parish Council believes that at present the church has the income and reserves to fund a full-time minister/team leader for the next four to five years.

Gathering around the Fire Art Exhibition in the Creative Nest in November 2023

Vision, Purpose, Mission, Strategy & Actions

Vision: core beliefs & values

We believe and value:

Our Faith

God is living, loving, and forgiving.
God is three-in-one (trinity) – diverse yet one – the source of life, freedom and goodness.
God has a name and a face in Jesus.
God’s perspective is much bigger than ours.
That our worship and our acts of service bear witness to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

Community

We are called to value others, be open to and be accepting of others.
That God welcomes us with generous hospitality, therefore this is how we are to be with others. Hospitality is central to how God is with us, therefore this is how we are to be with ourselves and others.

Loving Service

Non-coercive invitations to faith exploration.
That relationships comes first.
That we need to be adaptable and flexible.
The nurture and care of our environment.
Seeking the wellbeing of the city.

Therefore, as a way to bring all these together, we will work to realise our vision:

to be an open, vibrant, multifaceted, God-filled presence in our communities…

Purpose: a timeless overarching higher purpose

Our enduring and overarching sense of purpose is:

To take notice of, point towards, and engage people with the goodness, grace and love of God, through Jesus, animated by the Spirit.

Mission: current long term goal – big and audacious!

By June 2027 we will have:

A deeply embedded clear understanding of our Vision in the areas of Faith life, Community and Loving Service within our various contexts.
A strong and mature group of home grown leaders who are continuously developing our understanding across all areas of Faith, Community and Loving Service.
Significant & varied mission presences in our communities which have visible positive impact both materially and spiritually on those who interact with them.

Strategy: what we are doing this year (2023-2024) to achieve our mission

Work towards the start-up of a new ministry and mission presence located at Papanui.
Develop a new understanding of eldership that makes sense and is productive in our context.
Explore areas for consolidation and simplification to ease burden on key office bearers and resources.
Replace front window of Clothing Shop at Bryndwr with a large “shop front” type display space.
Rebrand the Clothing Shop with a name and signage.
Continue community building celebrations such as the combined services and feast days.
Intentionally do things to support our Youth (Found. Youth) and our Young Adults in discipleship and worship.

Actions: real time actions – day to day, week to week, month to month

Start small, simple and low-key – things don’t necessarily need big announcements.
Begin with current leaders and staff.
Be consistent in actions that embody who we are and who we want to become.
Foster conversation spaces around important topics such as, Eldership, Leadership, and Faith.
Encourage and support attendance at combined service and feast days.
Encourage participation in monthly Birthday Dinners.
Commit to regular prayer for both our church family and the wider community.
Continue to be intentional with our practical care for people where we can in appropriate ways.
Identify people’s gifts and ways to enable greater participation.

Background to this document

The parish has carried out a review within the last three years. The parish profile has been updated again this year, given the need to request a Ministry Settlement Board to assist with the appointment of a new minister.

This parish profile belongs to all members of The Village Presbyterian Church. While the collation and editing of the information in the document has been overseen by the Parish Council, members of the congregation have been asked to, and have provided material for inclusion.

A cornerstone in the process of compiling a parish profile is consultation. To ensure that everyone connected with The Village has a voice, all members of the congregation have had an opportunity to give information and share their opinions. Throughout the process, ‘stake holders’ (Parish Council, Minister, and Congregation) were kept informed of progress and the final document was shared.

Quiz night fundraiser for Easter Camp 2024

FOUND. Youth at Easter Camp 2024

History of The Village Church

The Village Church is a reasonably new entity in the community. It came into being in 2012 when St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church Bryndwr and St Giles Presbyterian Church Papanui combined. Since that time, St Luke’s Presbyterian Church Redwood have been incorporated into The Village Church.

Parish Overview

The Village Presbyterian Church operates in several north western suburbs of Christchurch City: Bryndwr, Papanui and Redwood. It is situated approximately five kilometres north-west of the Central Business District (CBD). It is characterised by residential housing along with several shopping precincts including a large commercial and retail centre that includes Northlands Mall and the Northlink Hub. Educational facilities ranging from pre-school and smaller primary to large secondary schools are sited in the parish and elements of the University of Canterbury campus are also located within its confines. Major recreational facilities in the parish area include numerous sports grounds along with the Jellie Park Aquatics Centre and the Graham Condon Complex.

Population statistics for the suburbs The Village Church is situated in (2018 Census figures):[1]

Papanui: 7260 Average age: 42.2

Bryndwr: 6279 Average age: 37.7

Redwood: 8184 Average age: 37.9

Total: 21723 Average age: 39.2

Several areas of Kāinga Ora / Housing New Zealand properties and Christchurch City Council Housing Units exist across the parish. In its 2023 profile of the Fendalton Ward, the Christchurch City Council noted that the area east of Jellie Park scores between 9 and 10 on the New Zealand Deprivation Index (meaning the highest level of deprivation).[2] The Village Presbyterian Church’s facilities and manse at Bryndwr are located on the edge of this area.

The area is well-served by community and faith-based services, many and varied sports and leisure related organisations, especially amongst the youth sector.

The parish is situated partially within the Waipapa Papanui Innes-Central Community Board and the Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board. The Village has a working relationship with both organisations.

Membership of The Village Church

	Female	Male	Total
Up to 25 years	13	13	26
26 to 45 years	11	8	19
45 to 65 years	19	10	29
Over 65 years	93	54	147
Total	136	85	221*

*As at June 2024

The Village has an aging congregation. 66.5% are aged 65 years or older. 11.76% are aged 25 years or younger. 61% of the congregation are female.

Members of the congregation have many qualities. They are best described as being friendly, accepting, welcoming, hospitable, non-judgemental and tolerant.

Due to the aging nature of the congregation, a great deal of the ‘work’, administration and support is carried out by a small (and diminishing) number of parishioners, the large majority of whom volunteer their time and skills. During the year ended 30 June 2023, volunteer hours were calculated at 103 hours per week.

The Spiritual Qualities of The Village Church

The Village is a robust faith community with a strong belief in stewardship within the local community. There is an openness amongst members of the congregation that supports a broad range of ways to express faith and spirituality. That all people, including children and visitors, are invited to the communion table demonstrates this. While not often openly discussed, faith is more readily expressed through the actions of congregation members, who often view ‘doing’ as the practical embodiment of living their beliefs.

Ministry and Worship

We meet for worship because we have heard God’s call to come together to sing and pray, and to hear the word spoken proclaimed. Our lives beyond these times are lived in response to this rhythm of worship and reflect our praise and thanks for a love given graciously, freely, and abundantly. Our worship is not restricted to these allocated times and places, but it is when we are together, where two or three are gathered in God’s name, that we are often more aware of being in God’s presence. In these times we express what it means to live our lives according to something other than our whims and feelings.

Breast Cancer Awareness Sunday, Bryndwr 2023

During the current vacancy, Sunday worship at The Village at Bryndwr is being led by members of the congregation (two of whom are ordained clergy and two NZLPA[3] accredited lay preachers) on a rota basis. Due to the presence of ordained clergy we are able to continue to celebrate monthly Communion. Congregation members have appreciated the different styles of worship that we are being led in. A lay worship team has also been established and currently is in training, as well as a singing group. Children are catered for on Sunday with the Village Kids worship programme, led by experienced Children’s Ministry volunteers. The Interim Moderator is being employed for 12 hours a week to provide pastoral care, until the current vacancy is filled.

A mid-week worship service, followed by a catered simple lunch, is held every Thursday morning at Papanui and is overseen by our part-time minister. This congregation averages about 20 people and is growing. A community drop-in space has also been created in the “Creative Nest” at Papanui, a sunny, welcoming room utilised by local artists and writers to express their spirituality through their creativity.

The Village aims to re-establish a ministry team by calling a full-time minister to fulfil the role of team leader. Prior to the current vacancy, the congregation and Parish Council appreciated and supported the approach the former ministry team promoted at The Village. The ministers were viewed as hard working, and professional in the way they worked. They had a modern, collaborative attitude to the way they functioned, underpinned with strong theology and a passionate belief in supporting and serving the congregation and the community in which the church is situated. The concept of working alongside, rather than imposing views, is fundamental to the way they led. The ministry team encouraged and challenged the members of the congregation to question and think about their faith and spirituality. The ministers were aware of the areas that required input and attention, e.g.; integration of sub-groups, expanding children’s ministry, and endeavoured to promote and develop these.

For The Village to realise its missional aspirations in the future, 1.5 FTE ministry positions are considered essential. The current concept of operating a ministry team has not only found favour with the parish but has a proven record of successful operation. The ministry position at Papanui (0.5 FTE) has been established to grow the presence of the Village Church in the Papanui area. A families and community connector role for eight hours a week has also been established at Papanui to support this ministry. We are anticipating that the Community Centre model of fundraising (whereby grants are obtained to fund the community services The Village runs from its premises) will be successfully utilised at our Papanui building, and will contribute to the financial viability of having a presence at Papanui.

The Alpine Presbytery has been supporting a New Mission Seedling in the suburb of Prestons. The Village Presbyterian Church has had a close association with this endeavour, providing oversight in the past. The current minister filling the 0.5 FTE position for The Village also holds a 0.5 FTE position with Alpine Presbytery to work for the mission seedling in Prestons.

2024 Palm Sunday Service at Bryndwr

Governance Structure and Teams

The Village Church operates under the guidance of a Parish Council. Members, who generally serve three-year terms, are elected by the congregation. The overall view amongst parishioners is that the system works effectively and efficiently. While members are respectful, focussed and encouraging, they are also prepared to question and debate issues they may be confronted with. In recent times, greater emphasis has been placed upon ‘big picture’ thinking and regular review of performance. There has also been a greater focus on reporting back and informing the wider congregation on a regular basis about the work of and the decisions made by the Parish Council.

The current Parish Council consists of:

Eight elected members
Parish Clerk
Treasurer (ex offico)
Interim Moderator
Minister based at Papanui

Several teams / committees oversee and direct important facets of management and planning at The Village:

Finance
Community Centre
Property and Buildings
Health and Safety
Hospitality
Children, Families and Young People’s Ministry
Burnside Primary Outreach
EcoChurch

Finance

The financial affairs of The Village are administered very capably by the Treasurer and a Finance Team. The Village operates within an asset rich / cash deficient environment.

Parish Council members and many members of the congregation acknowledge the substantial monetary constraints and pressures under which The Village is obliged to operate. While there remains an air of optimism about the future, the key areas of concern are:

The parish being able to afford the services of a full time minister and a half time minister in the current economic climate.
In the most recent parish survey, approximately a third of respondents were concerned or very concerned about the difficult financial climate and the succession of annual deficits The Village has had to operate under.
Some respondents were concerned with the aging / declining population of the congregation and the subsequent decline in the level of giving and the ability to continue the high level of voluntary support for parish tasks.
Several respondents voiced concern about the increasing drain on The Village’s finances that are related to property issues e.g.; maintenance and insurance.

Financial Information taken from reviewed Performance Report for the year ended
30 June 2023

Financial Performance
	June 2023	June 2022	June 2021
Revenue	$	$	$
Offerings	142,474	150,030	154,180
Other Donations & Fundraising	24,699	8,498	14,196
Revenue from providing goods or services	174,632	196,825	207,533
Interest Income	31,955	9,722	6,173
Total Revenue	373,760	365,075	382,082

Expenses
Expenses relating to provision of services and activities	300,243 *	164,211	160,350
Volunteer & employee related cost	206,548	243,919	226,599
Other expenses	50,363	52,481	53,869
Total Expenses	557,154	460,611	440,818
Operating Deficit	(183,394)	(95,536)	(58,736)

* The increase in expenses relating to the provision of services and activities during the year ended 30 June 2023 largely arose due to a change in reporting requirements in regard to depreciation of buildings and a one-off adjustment for previously capitalised expenditure for a project which did not proceed.

Cash deficits have been funded by our reserves – largely the General and Maintenance Reserves and the StARR fund.

Financial Position
	June 2023	June 2022	June 2021
	$	$	$
Assets
Current Assets	345,247	384,686	456,016
Property, Plant and Equipment	9,158,640	7,612,526	6,354,782
Investments	774,097	287,312	–
	10,277,984	8,284,524	6,810,798
Current Liabilities	22,702	27,134	30,035
Net Assets	10,255,282	8,257,390	6,780,763


Accumulated surpluses	6,515,482	7,113,514	5,830,465
Reserves
Asset Revaluation Reserve	2,685,658	562,226	562,226
General Reserve	47,307	55,651	90,652
Building Fund (Bryndwr)	8,023	31,013	35,726
Property Maintenance Fund	82,610	78,607	89,181
Property Capital Fund	774,097	262,655	–
Mabel Hare Funds	3,429	3,326	3,283
“Pioneering Projects” Fund	84,388	97,593	100,000
StARR Fund	5,894	14,409	25,961
Community Centre Funds	48,394	38,396	43,269
Total Reserves	3,739,800	1,143,876	950,298
Total Accumulated Funds	10,255,282	8,257,390	6,780,763

Weekly Clothing Shop

Buildings and Property

The Village currently has five properties;

Bryndwr

This facility sited on the corner of Aorangi Road and Ilam Road includes a large common area with lounges, barista coffee setup, offices, chapel, committee rooms, hall, clothing shop, kitchen and utility areas. The newer part of the building was constructed as a rebuild following the 2011 earthquakes and was joined to the existing hall complex which was built in the 1950’s.

Papanui

This facility sited on the corner of Frank Street and Papanui Road includes a hall, offices, multi-purpose area, The Creative Nest craft room with barista coffee setup, committee room, kitchen and utility areas. It was constructed as a rebuild following the 2011 earthquakes.

Redwood

This facility sited on the corners of Daniel’s Road and Main North Road includes a main worship area, an office, kitchen and utility areas. It was constructed in the 1970’s.

Bryndwr Manse

This modern four-bedroom house is sited on the same property as the Bryndwr Church complex on Truman Road. It is being rented on an annual lease and is managed by a Property Manager.

Papanui Manse

This modern four-bedroom house is in Virtue Place in Bishopdale and is being rented on an annual lease and is managed by a Property Manager.

The Property and Building Team has responsibility for the direction of the care and maintenance of these assets. Volunteers generally take on the responsibility for grounds care.

Village Life

The calendar at The Village is full of activities in which members of the congregation (and others) lead and engage in.

Faith Groups

Table Talk – this group meets at Papanui on the first and third Sunday evening for a light meal to discuss and act upon issues of Faith, Social Justice and the Environment
Evening Circle – this group meets on the fourth Sunday evening in members’ homes to explore and reflect on Spirituality and Celtic mysticism
Youth – this group meets every Thursday evening at Bryndwr for high school aged young people, and is led by our Young People’s Ministry Leader and supported by a 24/7 Youth Worker.
Bible Study / Prayer Group – this group meets on Monday afternoons at The Village Redwood
Women Wonder – this is a theological conversation group that meets every two weeks in members’ homes

Pastoral Care and Hospitality

At The Village we strive to create a “community of care” where we realise that it is for us all to look out for others in our church and wider community. Pastoral care and hospitality activities include:

Pastoral Visitors – rostered pastoral visiting and delivery of quarterly newsletters
Pop ins Visiting – meet every two weeks during term time to visit people in pairs
Flybys Visiting– meet each Tuesday morning during term time to visit people in pairs.
Prayer Team – confidential prayer requests emailed weekly
Fifth Sunday Feasts –quarterly celebrations after Sunday worship
First Thursdays Social Hour –meeting at Bryndwr on the first Thursday for drinks and nibbles
Birthday dinners – a shared meal for those who have a birthday in the given month
Friendly Circle lunches – meeting on the second Tuesday in people’s homes
Women’s Fellowship Group – meeting on an occasional basis for fellowship

Social Sport

Indoor Bowls at Bryndwr (Monday evenings) and Papanui (Friday afternoons)
Badminton at Papanui (Wednesday mornings)

Community Centre

Community service has always been highly valued by all the congregations that amalgamated to form The Village Presbyterian Church. We do this because we take seriously our role in creating and sustaining community. In hosting people through activities and programmes, we want to convey the openness of God’s love and that there is a space for all people. Out of trusting relationships comes good conversation and opportunities to listen, to learn, to care for one another, and express our creativity. Through these we tend to and cultivate life and peace in our city.

The Community Centre was established at Bryndwr during the ministry of the Rev. Brian Hardie and Rev. Sylvia Miller-Hardie. Since then the Community Centre has grown to encompass activities at Papanui and Redwood to become The Village Community Centre.

Having a constant, noticeable presence across the parish in the three distinctive communities (Bryndwr, Papanui and Redwood,) is seen as paramount to the outreach of The Village.

Activities run under the umbrella of the Community Centre include:

The Creative Nest (Papanui)
Weekly clothing shop (Bryndwr)
Foot clinic (Bryndwr)
Monthly market (Bryndwr)
Lilliput libraries (Papanui and Bryndwr)
Preschool music (Bryndwr)
Music moments (Papanui)

These activities (led by Village volunteers) are funded by community donations (see below) and are partially augmented by koha from participants and other small donations. Other groups that use our facilities to serve the community are seen as our partners (see Community Partnerships below).

Funding applications have been successfully made to various trusts and to the Christchurch City Council. A positive relationship has been created with the Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board, and the Council staff at the Fendalton Service Centre. A similar relationship is being developed with the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central City Community Board, and the Council staff at the Papanui Service Centre. This support, along with that of organisations such as The Rata Foundation, enable the Community Centre to serve the wider community and to make significant contributions towards the overheads of the church, whose facilities the Community Centre uses. This can amount to about $60,000 a year, which is likely to increase as the Community Centre develops new activities in the Papanui building.

The Community Centre is overseen by a committee that reports to Parish Council. Traditionally the Community Centre manager has been a minister, who besides overseeing the daily running of the Centre, provides pastoral care for members of the public who utilise the services provided. The Community Centre contributes towards the minister’s stipend in compensation for their time spent on Community Centre activities. Another staff member is employed part-time as a community liaison officer, with the responsibility of applying for grants. Currently this position has been extended to include the role of Acting Community Centre Manager.

The Village Community Centre is held in high regard within the communities it serves. At the 25^th anniversary celebration in 2022, guests of honour included the Mayor of Christchurch, the Moderator of the Alpine Presbytery and other supporters from outside the church. It was acknowledged on that occasion that our work is far from done.

Community Centre 25^th Anniversary Celebration, 2022

The Village Monthly Market

Staff

Across the Village Church and Community Centre we employee 7 part-time staff.

1 Pastoral visitor (during our ministry vacancy)
1 Families and Community Connector worker (based at Papanui)
2 Office Administrators (based at Bryndwr and Papanui)
1 Young People’s Ministry Leader
1 Cleaner (Bryndwr building)
1 Community Liaison Officer / Acting Community Centre Manager

Community Partnerships

The Village already has a strong presence in the community and has effective partnerships with a range of groups that either hire the church’s facilities or have an active collaboration with the parish.

Parents Centre
Toastmasters
Floral art groups
Nuku Mai Faith and Light
Sharon’s Art Studio
Art classes and groups
School groups
Post Natal support
Multiple Birth group
Bryndwr Community Garden
Hato Hone St John
Dance and Arts Therapy NZ
Harman’s Lawyers
Filipino Choir
Line Dancing
Te Whatu Ora Before School Check Clinics
Canterbury Downs Syndrome Association
Redwood Garden Club
Redwood Women’s Institute
Belfast Redwood Friendship Group
Representation at the Belfast Community Network
Exercise groups (Older citizen exercises and fall prevention)

Recent survey responses indicated potential and actual forms of outreach:

There is strong backing for The Village to employ and utilise a community support worker.
There is support for the expansion of the parish’s current work in and alongside schools.
While The Village already has a strong presence in the community, its various localities across the parish are seen as ideal centres for further community projects and services such as counselling, drop-in spaces, educational support and entertainment.

Links with other Congregations and Denominations

The Village has ties with several neighbouring Presbyterian parishes including St. Margaret’s Bishopdale, St Mark’s Avonhead, Knox in the central city and St Andrew’s College Chapel in Papanui. Most major denominations are represented within the area of the parish. The Village has a working relationship with St. Aidan’s Anglican Bryndwr.

The Village has strong links with Alpine Presbytery with ministers and several lay people taking active roles in it.

The Village is a member of EcoChurch New Zealand, an ecumenical initiative to support church communities across Aotearoa New Zealand to actively care for God’s earth as an integral part of their mission. As part of this we conduct an annual self-assessment, include EcoChurch goals in The Village Annual Plan and undertake activities to care for Creation.

Achievements, past and present

The Village has many past and present achievements of note:

Successfully rebuilding the worship spaces to reflect the needs of the local community at Bryndwr and Papanui following the earthquakes
The promotion of a caring and supportive community
The successful merging or incorporation of three parishes
The development and operation of The Village Community Centre, for over 25 years
The connection / relationship with Burnside Primary School
Support of 24/7 Youth Workers at Burnside High School
The establishment of youth groups from our Sunday children’s programmes and Kid’s Club
The successful operation of the Clothing Shop
A wide range of worship and faith activities
The transition to and use of some online services during the Covid Pandemic
Being the first church in New Zealand to join EcoChurch
Established the first Lilliput Libraries in Christchuch
Successfully hosting four intern ministers from KCML

Papanui Lilliput Library

What are The Village’s most pressing needs?

The Parish Council members acknowledge that they need to ensure that they have a clear vision for addressing the needs of the Village in the years ahead. These include:

Looking after and meeting the needs of all members of the congregation, especially those who are older and those who are younger.
To call a new full time minister
To continue meeting the needs of our community, at least to the level that they are at present
To address the issues associated with a deficit budget.
To consider and promote, in a pragmatic way, new ventures that enhance The Village’s work in the community.
Looking at how The Village can maintain its volunteer base given the aging membership of the congregation.
Develop a Young Adults Bible Study Group in 2025 to serve current Youth Group members about to leave school and enter employment or tertiary education.

What are The Village’s aspirations and what are seen as opportunities in the future?

Developing the connection with Burnside Primary School.
Extending the community outreach through the work of The Creative Nest.
Extending the community outreach through the work of the Clothing Shop.
Interacting with the people who come to live in the new housing developments
Developing relationships with businesses in the Papanui/ Redwood/Bryndwr areas of the parish.
Advancing the connection with the Preston’s New Mission Seedling.
Developing the EcoChurch connections.