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Who's who at St Columba

St Columba has been blessed by a team of staff who of the highest calibre, as well as an army of volunteers who provide prayer support, are a friendly face at reception, provide IT support, maintain and develop our property and gardens, cater for our functions, play their instruments in the worship team, lead our children and young people, visit people in the community, arrange flowers each week, open and close up the building, run the Opportunity Shop, serve coffee and tea after the services... the list goes on and on.

In fact, we have so many people doing different things, that it can be hard to work out who's who!

Take a look at us to find out more about some of the people who make this place tick - then feel free to introduce yourself in person!

Staff at St Columba

Andrew Norton

Senior Minister

Andrew can be contacted at: andrew.norton@stcolumba.org.nz

Dorne Barnard

Office Administrator

No two days are the same in my role. I love helping and serving people and as the Administrator I get to do that every day in various ways. I support Andrew and the team of staff and volunteers to keep St Columba functioning in our mission to help people meet people and God. I enjoy challenges and the opportunities offered both administratively and in the church community. My role is diverse, as I have various levels of involvement with all the areas of ministry offered at St Columba. The personal and spiritual growth that I've experienced through interaction with so many people makes my involvement with St Columba an amazing daily experience. This overflows to my family, who I love and spend my spare time with. We do as many things as possible outdoors and with friends. Some things I enjoy are sharing homemade treats with everyone, reading and walking. 

Dorne can be contacted at office@stcolumba.org.nz or on (09) 274 4864

David Hoe

Youth Ministry Leader

I'm married to Elmarie and we've just welcomed our first child Joshua David Hoe into the world on the 18th May. I'm passionate about seeing young people live life to full and grow more in their love for God, others and themselves. I'm also crazy about surfing, sailing and chilling out in creation. 

Dave can be contacted at: david@stcolumba.org.nz or 021 362 598  Youth

Alex Tracey

Children & Family Ministry Leader

I'm the Children's and Families Ministry Leader. After 20 years of splitting myself between a career in optometry and volunteering at St Columba, I have seen the light and am now at St Columba fulltime. I'm a science fiction film nut, and have to battle not to get absorbed into good books and computer games. I enjoy playing hockey, soccer and squash. At home, I have 5 cats, 2 daughters and 1 wife. Hero: Spongebob Squarepants.

  Alex can be contacted at: alex@stcolumba.org.nz  Children & families

Dawn Preest

Playgroup Co-ordinator

I have run the St Columba Playgroup for 6 years. I love working with children and their parents, encouraging them as they care for their children.  My passion is to see families come to the Playgroup during the week, make new friends and learn parenting skills so that they can bring up their children in a happy and loving home environment. We would love to see families join us on Sunday, in church, so that they can feel part of the St Columba church family and learn to have a personal relationship with God. I have three children of my own, Daniel (19), Rebecca (17) and Esther (11), who keep me very busy  I would love to share the knowledge that I have learnt over the last 19 years with new mums, as they embark on their new journey of motherhood. In my spare time I love being involved in Church life, gardening and playing the piano.

Dawn can be contacted on 09 274 4864  Play group

Shirley Becroft

Pastoral Care Team Leader

Hi!  I spend a couple of days each week co-ordinating pastoral care at St Columba, catching up with people who are new to the Church and organising the Home Groups which meet weekly or fortnightly. I’ve been part of St Columba for a long time and it is exciting to see God at work in people’s lives as they grow in their faith and find opportunities to be involved. The rest of my time I spend with my husband Lawrie, keep up with our adult children and our grandchildren, and try to keep the garden looking respectable.

Shirley can be contacted at: shirley@stcolumba.org.nz

Margaret Liow

Assistant Minister 

I'm the Coordinator of Howick-Pakuranga Christian Religious Education in schools. I lead teams in and teach in three of the schools weekly, as well as being the Presbyterian representative on the Churches Education Commission Auckland Committee. I also provide pastoral care where needed regularly visiting and providing communion to those in rest homes or hospitals and I coordinate and teach in the English Coversation group weekly at St Columba. I love spending time with my family, especially my wee grandaughters, music (I teach the piano), painting in oils and gardening.

Margaret can be contacted on 09 274 7013

Matthew Chapman

Ministry Intern

I am married to Allyson and we have a 7-year old daughter,Tori. I am serving at St Columba as a Ministry Intern Student, training to be a minister for the Presbyterian Church. I am involved in pastoral activities, such as preaching, worship planning, service leading, visitations and small groups, as well as training for other areas of ministry. I also love being involved in music ministry, and writing, arranging, and recording music. I am excited about the potential within our church to do great things for the Kingdom of God, as we partner with Him in His mission to redeem creation.  

Matt can be contacted at matt@stcolumba.org.nz

Russell Hill

Accountant

I'm responsible for the recording of all of the financial transactions of the Church and the preparation of the Annual Accounts ready for audit. I prepare monthly financial reports for Executive and assist the Treasurer and Executive in preparing the annual Budget. Family, Church organs, golf, and gardening easily fill in the days that I am not in the office.

Vivian Hutchinson

Accounts Assistant

I work part-time in the church office, assisting with accounts payable and receivable, offertory reconciliation, Holiday Programme enrolments and bankings. I enjoy spending time with my family - including Esther, our first grandchild - singing in the Pakuranga Ladies Choir weekly at rest homes and senior groups, gardening and reading. Walking has replaced tennis as it is easier on the joints! 

Angela Norton

Partnership Coordinator for Myanmar

Hi, I’m Angela.  A visit to Myanmar 3 years ago changed my life and career direction.  Now I'm completely focused on doing what I can to support these amazing people who live under very challenging circumstances. I'm in a brand new part time role as the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand’s National Partnership Coordinator for Myanmar.  I get to lead teams of people wishing to visit Myanmar as well as oversee development and mission projects. When I’m not talking about Myanmar, I’m studying International Relations at the University of Auckland.

Contact: myanmar@stcolumba.org.nz  or 021 357 708  Myanmar