Pastor’s Pen, Dec 26

Thank you 😊

This year is coming to a close and what a year it’s been with all our COVID lockdowns! I’d like to take this space to thank some people for all their mahi over the past 12 months.

Thank you Shem for looking after our facilities, from unblocking drains to toilet fixing and painting. Thank you to our door hosts, Gail, Sharan, David and Jackie Gock, Helen F and Jill, for welcoming people so warmly. Thank you to our hospitality volunteers, Esther, Adrienne, Foua, Celeste, Jackie, Jill, Graham, Gail, Robyn, Yvonne, Hannah, Terry, Sheryl, and Glenda who fed and watered us for morning teas and shared lunches. Yummy! Thank you to Maya, Helen F and Jill for setting up the communion table so beautifully. Thank you to David Gock for spraying weeds and keeping an eye on our building in Lockdown.

Thank you to our offering counters, stuck in the office after the service – Jill, David Hydes, Elizabeth, Sharan, Glenda. Thank you to our clean up crew who slaved over a mop and vacuum – Graham, Sharan, Kirsty, Damein, the Pio family, Adrienne and Celeste, Henry, Rex, Helen F and Paul. Thank you to our Lock-up wardens, Shem Pio, our elders, Jill, David Hydes, David Havill, Rex, and myself. Thank you to Derek Shore for overseeing our church finances with diligence. Thank you to our MCBC Trust members, Derek, Vivienne, and David Hydes.

Thank you to Vivienne and Jacqui for making a library for us and updating it. Thank you Jacqui for all the tech support during Lockdown. Thank you to our sound desk operators, David Havill, Henry, Kevin, Jacqui. Thank you to our worship assistants upstairs, Jacqui, Vivienne, Paul, and Andrew. Thank you to our worship team, led fabulously by Henry – Charlie, Albert, Chloe, Jacqui, Adin, Kevin, Yvonne, Rex, Maya, Foua, Glenda, Demetrius, Nathaniel, Celeste, Tom. Thank you to all the people who helped clean up Aronia Park each Sunday. Thank you to Sushila for organising women’s events throughout the year. Thank you to David Havill for improving our security with camera installation.

Thank you to Josh and our discipleship Life-Group leaders, Andrew, Jill, and Derek. We need more of you! Thank you to Damein and Chloe for ministering to our youth with such heart. Thank you to Andrew, followed by Adrienne, our Prayer ML’s, and our team of intercessors on the Prayer chain (You know who you are), and our regular Zoom intercessors Tekura, Jacqui, Sushila and Cor. Thank you to Paula who leads our children’s ministry so sacrificially with her main team, David, and Angela Hydes, and Sushila. Thank you to Robyn, ML of our Preschool and Playgroup, and for Preschool committee members Jill and David Hydes. Thank you also to Derek and Gail for attending Playgroup as helpers. You have mastered a turbulent year.

Thank you to Jackie Gock, my wonderful office administrator and right-hand woman. Thank you to our elders, Rex (chair), David Havill (having a rest now), David Hydes, Jill, and myself. Thank you for faithfully navigating a COVID-stricken year, and for your preaching. Thank you to all our congregation who pledged money over and above their tithes until August next year. It was a big ask but you did it. If I’ve missed you out I’m truly sorry. As you can see, most of our people are in service to our church family and to God. You are all such a blessing, and I wish you rest and relaxation over the summer holidays. Stay safe and stay close to our Saviour. 2022 is going to rock as we continue to stand in faith as Connect Baptist Church.