Parishioners join as one
The combined service held for all Invercargill Presbyterian churchgoers has been hailed a success.
Leaders of the city’s Presbyterian churches agreed the lone service on Sunday was a worthwhile exercise in gathering information for the future.
Richmond Grove Church minister Tony Dawson thought about 550 to 600 people attended at the Ascot Park Hotel.
He said it was a good turnout, despite statistics showing 1000 people usually attended Presbyterian church services in Invercargill and Kennington most weeks.
Some regulars might have gone to a vigil in Wachner Place to show support to the Muslim community and people of Christchurch following last week’s terrorist attack.
Dawson added it was poignant that churchgoers came together on a day when New Zealanders were united in supporting the victims of the attack.
He said parishioners gave him positive feedback from Sunday’s unique service.
The service was the first time all Invercargill Presbyterian churchgoers had worshipped at the same venue.
Erin Pendreigh, who is a minister with Southern Presbyterians, said it was a memorable event. ‘‘Everyone was out of their comfort zone. There was real power being all together.’’
Representatives from the eight Invercargill and one Kennington Presbyterian churches formed a project team and work group to come up with a long-term plan to future-proof the faith in the city. The project team and work group organised the service as part of fact-finding work.
All churches had representatives in charge of different sections of the service, which was led by Rev Geoff New, of the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership in Dunedin.