Rev Maro Manavaikai, minister of New Lynn Congregational church, passed away on the 13th of October 2011
Christchurch Earthquake update
News from Linwood Congregational Church, November 2011As most of you know, both the Church and hall were damaged in the earthquakes over the past year and so because of this ,repairs to both buildings started early September and have been underway now for two months.
The interior of the hall has been repaired and painted,
the ceiling lowered and new light fittings installed.
The Church at present is still full of scaffolding and dust, but is looking very good with what has been done so far.
There has been work done to the underground water system as the pipes were broken and various other items have been repaired.
While the Church has been out of action we have held our services in the hall and this has proved very satisfactory. Everyone has adapted well to the situation, including the lay preachers who have conducted services recently.
June 13th 2011. Two more earthquakes shake the eastern suburbs producing more liquifaction and flooding.
June 14th the magnitude 6 quake is upgraded from aftershock to 'separate event' and measured 6.3. This was identified as another fault. Aftershocks have continued through the night, many people afraid to go to sleep.
In contact with Audrey from the CUNZ Linwood church she reports checking that repairs just or about to be completed from the February quake in their home,have withstood this new event, another member has his driveway blocked with liquifaction again. So far the church buildings have withstood the shake. More buildings are down, 3000 homes still without power, all water is to be boiled and the use of chemical toilets is requested where possible.
24th Feb: Pastor Moega Lasei reports from our church in Christchurch - Linwood- which is situated in Phillipstown, that everyone is OK. Recent photos of the damage to the church hall. It is not able to be used as it awaits inspection by engineers.
June 4th This area of Christchurch has suffered a long time without sewage, water and power which was the first to be reconnected. The church itself has continued to hold services but the hall has been damaged and needs repairs. The people of Linwood are in good heart and have generously reached out to their community. The repair work will take some time as it will for much of Christchurch.
Messages of Support
From our ChairmanOur prayers are with the Canterbury people at this uneasy time following the recent earthquake. We in particular think of Moega, Mara and all the Linwood folk and pray for their safety at this time.
God bless
Moses
My name is Kim and I am the administrative assistant with the Congregational Christian Churches in Canada. Our National Pastor, David Schrader, has asked me to contact you regarding the devastating earthquake that has happened in New Zealand. He is wondering if it has affected any of your churches and if there is anything tangible that we are to do to help out from here. Please let me know and then I can send information out to our churches here in Canada.
Kim Adeniran
"Our Prayers and Thoughts go to Moega and Mara & the family and all the members of the Church and also the whole of Christchurch for your city has been destroyed twice".
from Mangere brothers and sisters take care and God Bless.
,
"Our thoughts and prayers are for our brothers and sisters in the Lord at Linwood as they witness, in the further badly shaken and traumatised city of Christchurch, to their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the One who is the unshakable Rock of their Salvation".
From Emmanuel Congregational Church, Palmerston North
From Australia- We rejoice with you that the church members have been spared. But what pain they must be suffering – we will pray for them as they comfort and support each other following the horror of the earthquake and the tragedy of losing friends, acquaintances and possibly, family members, not to mention the trauma of living through such a terrifying event and the aftershocks that show no sign of abating. We will also pray for the church as it seeks to be a beacon of hope and comfort in its community (with the other churches of the Canterbury District).
You know, our two countries love to tease and kid each other, and sporting contests are sometimes like organised warfare, but when something like this happens, all that is forgotten – the ANZAC spirit, that is always present, immediately comes to the fore. Your brothers and sisters are suffering and praying with you.
Blessings,
Alan
Alan Best, General Secretary, FELLOWSHIP OF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES,
PO Box 47s, Bexley South NSW 2207 Tel: (02) 9588 5128 Fax: (02) 9587 0640
CWM community unites behind quake-hit NZChurches across the globe have united in messages of prayer and support for the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Congregational Union of New Zealand following this week's devastating earthquake.The support comes as New Zealand's prime minister John Keys declared the country a state of emergency as the death toll for victims in quake-hit Christchurch rose to 98 with more than 200 people still missing.
" To the folk at Linwood, you are constantly in our thoughts and prayers" From TKCC
Me and my husband will continue to pray for the needs of our people who are in trouble in so many places including Christchurch . thank you very much
Keity and Samuel