St Columba... in touch with our community
Meet some of our people who are in touch with our community.
John & Margaret Pollock
John has the privilege and pleasure as well as the responsibility of leading the Thursday fellowship at St. Columba. They are a very loving, caring congregation.
John draws up the rosters for the service and is fortunate to be able to call on large number of very able and willing speakers and six pianists who freely give of their talents.
He also keeps in touch with any of our fellowship who are ill and regularly visits those who are now in rest homes and unable to attend service. He is ably supported by Margaret who is on the piano roster and also visits these members.
The fellowship is always adding to its numbers. So if you are free on a Thursday at 10.30am, why not drop in and join us in worship followed by fellowship over tea and coffee?
Robin Greig
Robin volunteered to be a driver for the Howick & Pakuranga branch of the New Zealand Red Cross to transport people with no transport to medical and hospital appointments. Very soon he was elected to be Branch Treasurer and very soon after that, Branch President. for 20 years he has served on the Regional Board (including 6 years as Chairman) and 6 years on the National Board.
As president of the branch he works with the committee to maintain interest in the Red Cross among members and volunteers by organising regular meetings with Red Cross speakers who have worked overseas and in emergency situations.
His branch also supports the Annual Appeal collection and all other special appeals. during the last ten years, the branch has raised well over $200,000 from the Howick, Pakuranga and Botany areas for the work of the Red Cross. Being a volunteer can be onerous at times but being a volunteer for the world's largest humanitarian organisation in the world is reward enough.
Cynthia Karlsen
The 60+ Luncheon is held quarterly and caters for the community as well as our Church members. A delicious two course dinner is served and this is followed by a speaker with an inspiring life and faith story to tell.
The numbers are around 120 rising to 150 for our Christmas dinner.
Your attendance is valued as we endeavour to mingle with our neighbours offering friendship and fellowship.
A team of 15-20 volunteers is needed to prepare and serve the meal each time.
Fay Wilkinson
Fay is the coordinator of the daily running of our Church Op Shop. She is really enthusiastic about the service of providing good affordable clothing and small household items to the wider community.A team of 30 happy helpers all enjoy their shifts and most importantly have a good rapport with customers, many of whom are regulars. This worthwhile service owes its success to your continued supply of donations without which our Op Shop could not operate.
Thank you for your generosity.
Graeme Murray
Graeme Murray is the former minister of St Columba when it was sited in Pakuranga. He continues his calling in service as the part-time Chaplain at St Andrew's Village Hospital, Glendowie.
This facility offers respite and general hospital care and specialises in Dementia and Palliative Care. He has pastoral oversight of 105 residents.
His chaplaincy of them includes friendship, counselling, prayer ministry and a fortnightly Chapel Service.
Norman & Barbara Sutton
Norman & Barbara formed the New Kiwi Families Ministry earlier this year.
The families join together for social activities once a month. The group has grown to involve about 50 people. Many of these families now regularly attend church. For those who's English is not good enough to understand the Sunday sermon, Norman leads them in a bible study in the chapel during this time. He also runs a Youth Bible Study and a weekly table tennis club for the children and parents.