Values

We grow in Faith

• We worship God with hearts, heads and hands

• We learn from God and each other

• We lead people to God to forgive and restore

• We encourage thoughtful, reflective, and active faith  

How?

We challenge ourselves and ask questions.
We pay close attention to the Bible, expecting God to speak through it.
We recognise the power of the Holy Spirit to breathe life and to shape, change and grow our faith.
We foster multi-age and multi-ethnic community, with our unity in Christ.
We share our faith stories.
We worship in meaningful and engaging ways for all ages.
We prioritise faith formation for young people.

We Live and Share

• We participate in God’s mission

• We serve others and share our faith by living and proclaiming hope

• We help people to live fully as Christ shows us

How?

We practically and spiritually care for those in need.
We are hospitable; we share homes and meals with others.
We proclaim our faith with word and action.
We pray with and for others.
We allow our whole lives to be shaped by our faith.
We speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) on issues of social and global justice.
We trust in the Holy Spirit, discerning together the will of God.

our vision

We explore and share the gospel with our dynamic neighbourhood. We create safe spaces to be, to belong, and to navigate the tough stuff. Getting to know God is a team sport – that’s why we do this together, not alone.

We will do this by:

·      Nurturing the St John’s community so we can care for the wider community.

·      Finding out what our neighbours really want/need (not what we think they want or need).

·      Using our assets – our people and our buildings – to help build relationships, create contact points and strengthen our community connections.

·      Experimenting and trying new things – doing, not just talking.

·      Ensuring that all our activities reflect the following principles that underlie our vision:

One whānau

Multiple contact points

Creating space for different faith and worship expressions

Intergenerational

Safe spaces

Intentional journey

Creating and keeping intentional connections between activities

Being flexible and responsive

Being permission-giving

How to get involved

Join a project team – everyone is welcome!!

Site and Space – Get involved in exploring how the St John’s site can be used in an outreach capacity. This could involve physical changes, projects, use of the Centre.
Current Project: Christmas in the Courtyard - a celebration with food, music and carols

Community Rebuild – Help build internal relationships and friendship in the St John’s community.
Current Project: Supporting Attendance at Church Camp

Contact: Margaret Gilkison or Jemma August

Whānau Night Extension – Get involved in building on the success of Whānau Night. Held each month during school terms in the St John’s Centre or in homes. Food, fun, faith and focus.

Current Project: Theme: Restoration, 2024 Dates: 24 March, 26 May, 28 July, 3 November

Contact: Antonia Milkop

Vision Communication and Connections – Ensuring St John’s is communicating our Vision with the wider community and supporting the project teams.

Current Project: Tshirts and Community Events

Contact: Elizabeth Gibbs

Getting to Know our Neighbours /Understanding Our - Eco System/Community – Building direct relationships with our immediate neighbourhood i.e. business and organisations, Victoria University of Wellington and Massey University, Kaianga Ora, building developers, WCC, neighbouring Churches, schools.

 Current Projects: Supervised Student Study Space

Contact: Pamela Cohen

Creation Care - Caring for God’s earth as part of our mission.

Current Projects: Beach Clean-up, Recycling improvements.

Contact: Dayle Anderson

Project Teams are supported by a special crew of facilitators who will walk alongside each group and provide support and advice where necessary.

 This team is made up of:

The St John’s Vision is a key focus for Session Leaders so feel free to contact any one of them about this. In particular you can contact the Session Clerk, Rob Anderson.

 If you have a new or different project idea you wish to discuss, please get in touch with Ino Pasullean so he can connect you with the right project team or provide further advice.

 Vision Steering Group

 The St John’s Vision is a key focus for Session Leaders.  There is a small steering group made up of Session members providing implementation support and oversight.  Feel free to talk anyone from Session or Steering Group members, Rob Anderson, Fiona Purchas, Ino Pasullean, Allister Lane or Pamela Cohen.

New Ideas

 St John’s wants to innovate and try new things that fit in with our Vision. If you have a creative idea the following information might help you work out how to progress that from a thought to action.

If needed, talk to Ino Pasullean so he can connect you with the right project team or provide further advice.