St Paul's Katikati - A Day to Remember

Sunday, September 30th 2007 was a watershed day in the lives of the people of  St Paul's Presbyterian Church in Katikati, Bay of Plenty.

Four and a half years of prayer, preparing a vision for the future, planning, countless fundraising events, working bee's, committee and business meetings brought into being a great day of celebrating the goodness of God as a new worship and community centre was opened.

Some two hundred and fifity members and adherents crammed into the old church where services had been held for one hundred years. There was standing room only with only limited seating available. Children and young people sat on the stage with elders huddled in one corner.

Rev Martin Macauley opened the service recalling the precious memories of many associated with the old building.  After the singing of a hymn, a former session clerk and elder lifted the cross off the wall and led a procession out of the church and through the car park to the doors of the new church.

With a large crowd clustered around, the minister knocked on the door of the new church which was then opened by Graeme Wallis the hardworking chairman of the building committee. As people entered they were prayed for by name by the elders and then invited to place a flower on the cross in the foyer. To the singing of "Here I am to worship" the cross the pulpit Bible and symbols of communion table were carried into the new church by two long standing members and a child of a church family. Martin Macauley then led a service of worship and celebration ending with communion.

The new church kitchen proved its worth as a sumptuous lunch was prepared and enjoyed by all.

St Paul's extends its grateful thanks to PSDS for providing some of the financial support that has enabled this lovely facility to be completed and celebrated.

The congregation are mindful that the opening of the new church is not an end to itself; it simply provides better resources to get on with the main task of reaching and serving the people of Katikati with the "good news' of Jesus Christ.

Allan H knight ,  1 October 2007,  PO Box 150,  Katikati 3166