Connections Magazine Term 4 - Out Now

Recently I was asked “what was on my heart” for us as a church community. What sprang to my mind immediately was the excitement I am feeling as I am seeing God working out His plans and purposes in the Gleniti church family right before our eyes.
Outward focus: We, as a church have been seeking to be more outward focused. We wanted to get more involved in serving our local primary school and kindy. God has given us the desire of our hearts. Recently a practical project was offered to Simon Erskine and our woodwork group to help our local primary school extend their sandpit. Then we received a request from our local kindy to help them engage more with the Gleniti community. Just last week we hosted a shared lunch to welcome the Syrian family we have sponsored to settle in Timaru and asked them to invite some of their Muslim friends. Well, they came and we shared an anointed time over delicious food and warm fellowship. They requested that we continue to engage with them, so a shared picnic and football game down Caroline Bay is on the agenda. :)
God has put a vision on our hearts for GBC to develop a strong culture of caring where all ages are valued and engaged and for us to become a faith community that provides a strong network of support for many in our wider community and city who are struggling to find the love and support they long for. We live in a society where many people are experiencing loneliness and depression.Some great things have been happening within the various ministries that connect the different parts of our church family.
Children’s ministry:  Thanks to Anne Garrett who so faithfully served the needs of GBC children for many years. The baton has been passed to Simon and Louise, Mark and Lisa, Martine, Carmen and Wendy who are already making an impact with their creative ideas and events to engage the wider church family. Recently, at their request, GBC ‘unplugged’ and we held our service in the bush setting of Gunn’s Bush (Waimate).  What a wonderful time of worship, fellowship, food and fun with everyone being engaged and connected.