November Update from Trinity Napier

We began with the 2 year Transitional Ministry appointment of Rev David Harding, helping us focus on where we were heading - was it to slowly disappear from sight or were we going to actively show the Community that we were still here.

 

A Congregational meeting (or two) later, showed us that we weren’t done yet.

Methodism is alive and well here in the Bay and we wanted to transform Trinity Napier into showing an outward facing ministry.

Three arenas of action were identified

1. care, support and nourishment for our congregation members

2. outreach to the community

3. better use of our physical resources

 

Step one was to put in place pastoral, social and study programs for our Congregation members and anyone who wanted to join in.  We now have a regular Tuesday study group known as Mattering with Muffins that covers off 2 of these points; we've revisited  Living the Question - a study Program meant to stretch your faith beliefs; and we have a robust Pastoral visiting program that includes leading a monthly worship service at Summerset Palms.

 

Step two was to run an Outreach program from the Church itself so that it could become a live entity rather than a building only used on Sundays. In terms of outward facing ministry sometimes taking the first step is  often the hardest part.

 

Although serving meals at Trinity to those in the Community who are finding it hard to make ends meet had been something discussed often over the years when the time came it was virtually unplanned and came about in collaboration with the Salvation Army and Ascend Church. The meal itself is served from the Church 3 nights a week and looks more like a Church Fete afternoon tea tent than a soup kitchen. On average they serve between 20 and 30 people each night.

 

Once this had been running for about 6 weeks the next phase was begun - Open Door. Opening on Tues/Thurs Open Door is a place for people to come for guidance & assistance with the many problems facing our community at this time. As a part of this Orange Sky free Laundry service is there on Tuesday mornings along with Te Kupenga Hauora Ahuriri who do free health checks.

 

Step three was to utilise our assets better and if we couldn't find long term tenants for our commercial properties how could we use them for Mission.

 

We now have a long term tenant for 251a Emerson St: JJs Crafts run by Jim & Jo Gaudin (members of the Parish ) who have overseen the iening of a new Goodwill Shop for Trinity - Johns place.

 

In the words of our chief volunteer -

The shop offers a semi-structured social environment grounded in love, light, and truth in Christ. The legacy of the name John—God’s graciousness and the qualities of love, humility, and truth—aligns beautifully with the shop’s mission. It’s a place where people’s inherent worth, dignity, and value are revealed and celebrated, reflecting God’s grace in everyday community life.