1 2 Church Embroidery

The Dossal (front cover) The idea of having a dossal (ornamental cloth hanging behind a church altar) originally came from the St Alban’s architect. The whole process started in early 1975 and the task of producing it took 18 months. It was embroidered by 10 different people and has 10 different symbols of the Christian Church: The Latin Cross is the most common form of cross, the three intertwining circles represent the Trinity and the letters X and P represent the Greek word for Christ. IHS represents the Greek word for Jesus; the burning bush symbolises God calling Moses while the ship represents the universal nature of the church. The dove denotes peace, forgiveness and anticipation of new life, the crown of thorns worn by Jesus at his trial symbolises humiliation and suffering, wheat symbolises the bread of life and the fish was a secret sign that persecuted followers of Jesus used. Linen, baize and other materials and hours and hours of loving labour were all donated. Kath des Forges, Jill McVinnie and Allen Palmer gave unceasing time and advice for the design and conception and Lilian Palmer oversaw the whole project which was completed for approximately £120 ($240). The dossal was dedicated by the Rev Geoff Crawshaw assisted by the Revs Gordon Hall and Wilf Cable with the ‘whole church’ standing in the sanctuary on1 10 October 1976. It was made in memory of Mr Graeme Sinel who was a keen member of Chartwell Church and had died of cancer earlier in 1974. A Sower went forth to Sow This stunning work, a labour of love by Jill White, has adorned the wall of the worship centre since its opening in 2000 and has been admired by worshippers — even coveted by ecclesiastical entities, it is understood — ever since. It illustrates Jesus’ first parable which has affected Christian life and practice right up to the present day.

3 Foreword This year, 2016, marks 50 years since Chartwell Church, formerly known as the Cooperating Parish of St Albans, was established in Hamilton. With this anniversary it is relevant to reflect on the people and activities that have founded and moulded this church to make the significant community that it is today. The first 25 years of the church’s history, and included here, was recorded by Norman Kingsbury in the booklet ‘Cooperating Parish of St Albans, Chartwell, 1966-1992, twenty- five years together’. He described the formation of the joint venture by Anglicans, Methodists and Presbyterians in the new area of northern Chartwell. Norman played a major part in making the cooperating venture at Chartwell so successful and for that we are all very grateful. A record of the next five years from 1992-1996 was also recorded and updated the original publication. This 50-year anniversary publication records the formation of the vision for a church in 1961 and its growth as a cooperating venture from 1966 to 2016. Much of the information has come from the monthly church magazine Charter where major changes in the church and significant outreach activities in the community are recorded. We thank the editors, contributors and printers of Charter which is a valuable resource which started as A4 copied pages and is now a high quality booklet. Over the years many, many people have given freely of their time and talents to help the church run effectively and smoothly. They include Charter contributors, editors and folders, church cleaners, church linen ladies, embroiderers, flower arrangers, gardeners, hospital visitors, librarians, maintenance workers, money counters, office workers, servers in the Liverpool Op shop [for 30 years!], sound system operators, spring cleaners, Sunday school and youth group leaders. We give thanks for all these dedicated people who have worshipped and worked in this place. We are a beloved community that attempts to meet the challenges in our society; that seeks new ways to express God’s love to those around us. So now we ask for guidance as we seek to share this love in ways appropriate to the needs of our changing world; guidance for ways to blossom and grow, both now and into the future. We extend our appreciation and an enormous thank you to Jock Crawford, Jan Silvester and Gwen Kentish for the hours and hours of research which has gone into this history and the way they have knitted both history and the living story of the people of Chartwell Cooperating Parish into this edition. These are faithful people who have made this parish home and created or recreated it through their love, care and commitment. Thank you. Rev Ken Olsen and Rev Chee Yeong

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MINISTERS who have served at Chartwell Cooperating Church have included (clock-wise from top left) the Revs David Ansell, David Evans, Diane Miller-Keeley and her husband Bruce Keeley, Alan Leadley, Loris Eyre (on left) and Florence Chambers.

5 The Vision The major motivation for the establishment of a joint venture by Anglicans, Methodists and Presbyterians in Chartwell was the belief that the Church could do a better job if its various sectors worked together. A core group of Christians in the new suburb (just beginning in the mid-sixties to be called ‘Chartwell’) decided that if they worked together in one church they could • provide a natural focus for Christian worship and action in the neighbourhood • develop as an integral part of the suburb as it grew • develop faster together than they could as separate denominational ventures • make a better use of their combined resources. This concept was in accord with what was then the growing enthusiasm in the national churches for progress towards unity: a response to the prayer of Jesus that we might all be one. A quarter of a century ago, Hamilton was changing rapidly from a rural town to one of New Zealand’s major urban centres. (It is hard now to remember that in the mid- sixties Hamilton still had a railway line crossing the main street, and all traffic came to a stop every time a train went by.) Chartwell was a new growth area made up of competing separately-named subdivisions. But some residents felt that a wider vision was needed and they sought in numerous ways to develop a common identity for this north-eastern sector of Hamilton. So it was in the context of local concern for both church unity and community identity that Chartwell Church was conceived and born. As early as 1956, the Anglicans had foreseen the need for development in the new suburb. In 1960 St Aidan’s vestry purchased a section of the corner of Comries and Herbert Roads. The people of StAidan’s raised money, took out loans and, in 1963, were able to put a small new building on the site. In October of that year, it was dedicated and named for St Alban. Services were conducted there by clergy from St Aidan’s. A small but energetic band of local Anglicans soon had many activities under way. Community use was encouraged from the begining. Plunket, kindergarten, indoor bowls, and flower shows. The Ladies Guild, the Mothers Union, Young Wives and a youth group were formed. The Sunday School soon had five teachers and 104 children. At the end of the first year, it produced a nativity play, the first of many such annual events. Another historic development was a church fair in the Spring [the first of which raised just $360], thereby beginning a tradition which brought great social and financial benefit and which continues to this day. In the early sixties, the Methodists also became interested in beginning work in Chartwell as an extension of Wesley Church in Heaphy Terrace. Methodists, Mr John and Mrs Gladys Chapman gave over half an acre of land in three sections on the corner of Comries Road and Bellmont Avenue and the Methodist Church purchased two adjoining sections. Much of the fundraising for these two other sections and the 6 nucleus of a building fund was done by a Methodist women’s group which catered for stock sales. By these means, the present excellent site was acquired by the Methodists. The Presbyterians had also given thought to further outreach to the north, although their new Fairfield parish church in Insoll Avenue was still being developed. The Presbyterians had a site on the corner of Glen Lynne Avenue and Clements Crescent identified for long-term development. In April 1965, the Methodists took the initiative and proposed discussion on joint use of facilities in Chartwell (but not necessarily joint worship). Anglicans and Presbyterians responded readily. Discussions on joint use quickly gave way to plans for combined worship and the pooling of resources. May 1966 saw the inaugural meeting of Chartwell Church Committee, a local creation based on membership from St Aidan’s Anglican, Wesley Methodist and Fairfield Presbyterian. By this time, there were living in Chartwell itself a number of energetic lay people from all three denominations committed to achieving the greatest possible level of local cooperation. This preceded the negotiating churches national Act of Commitment of 1967, but was inspired by the same spirit. By local agreement, joint services were held over the next year in St Alban’s centre on the corner of Comries and Herbert Roads. The arrangement was formalised in August 1967 and thereafter all services were combined. They were taken in rotation by clergy from St Alban’s, Wesley and Fairfield Presbyterian. Right from the beginning, it was emphasized that every service was for everyone. Services were not advertised as Methodist, Anglican or Presbyterian. So the oneness of the people was built up through common worship, even before there was full inter-communion. (In the seventies, a common service book was prepared in Chartwell and used for some years.) In 1968, the Anglican Synod created the Parochial District of St Alban and Rev Jon Williams was appointed first vicar. Worship and ministry were shared between him, Rev Wilf Cable (Wesley) and Rev Gordon Hall (Fairfield Presbyterian). Active lay people combined with the clergy to form a local congregation deeply committed to making a success of ecumenical cooperation in Chartwell. Strong lay participation in worship and in all the other activities of the parish became an enduring characteristic of St Alban’s, Chartwell. In 1970, the clergy house in Comries Road was built and the following year Rev Geoffrey Crawshaw replaced Rev Jon Williams. The building in Herbert Road was already proving too small and so planning for further development was begun. In 1973, the Anglican building was moved on to the fine Methodist site and, with the help of a generous grant from the Presbyterian Church and a modest loan, major extensions were carried out. Chartwell members from all three denominations became Methodist trustees. The useable space was more than doubled by the addition of the sanctuary, choir and family corner, a vestry, committee room, office, study, storage and toilet space. The grounds were landscaped and there was plenty of space left for further development.

7 When the national guidelines for cooperative ventures were published two years later, the parish was reformed as the Cooperating Parish of St Alban’s Chartwell. Anew Parish Council replaced the Chartwell Church Committee. St Mary’s Anglican Church in Gordonton joined the Chartwell parish and a regular schedule of services has been held there ever since. [Until March 2007. See Timeline 2007] Earlier, there had been approaches to provide a cooperating parish presence in Horsham Downs. Quarterly services in the church there were led by clergy and lay people from Chartwell for some nine years until 1983, when the local congregation decided to return to solely Presbyterian services. The Methodist Church at Rototuna became part of the cooperating parish from 1977 and services of worship continued until it became clear that the congregation had become too small to sustain the church. After much consideration, the church property was sold in 1983. The next few years saw considerable changes in ministry. These are detailed in the attached timeline. By 1988, the Parish was again feeling pressure on the use of its building and a need for more space. By 1991, tremendous fundraising and voluntary labour (under professional supervision) had made possible the addition of a large lounge and foyer, a new kitchen and additional space in the church, plus substantial alteration to the office and committee area. The extensions were designed to increase our capacity for outreach to the community, especially in meeting the needs of the young and the old. There has been an extraordinary range of activities and events in the past thirty years. Creative forms of worship involving many people have become a part of life in Chartwell. The word is proclaimed and the sacraments are celebrated with a fresh blend of old and new. Music, drama, clowning, dance, mime, thoughtful prayers and readings together with the beauty of flowers, candles and banners all contribute to a lively but reverent style of worship which draws on the riches of all three denominational traditions. The faithful work of those who tend the sanctuary, the church and the grounds contributes much to the spirit of worship. The use of chairs rather than fixed seats allows flexibility for worship as well as for other activities. Indeed, moving the chairs in Chartwell has become a traditional art form in itself! Very large numbers of people have been involved in the Chartwell Church Committee and its successor the Parish Council, in their numerous committees, in representation on regional and national church courts of three denominations and in service on ecumenical bodies. A variety of women’s groups have flourished from the start. They have served as support groups for their members, as training ground for leaders, and as outreach networks. As fundraisers, educators, church housekeepers, sharers of the faith, workers for missions and community causes as nurturers through the ministry of hospitality, their members have kept warm the hearth which is the centre of our common life. 8 Sunday School began in the Herbert Road building, but could not long be contained there. It moved to Bankwood School where as many as eight classrooms were in use during the seventies. It then moved back to the church in the early eighties. Youth groups have flourished over the years with varying numbers, but maintained a continuing commitment to the honest sharing of Christian faith and values. Children and young people have contributed their exuberance and their insights to the worship of the church through their drama and music, especially at Easter and Christmas. Many adults too have employed their God-given talents in the performing arts and in many crafts to the glory of God. There have been many beautiful choral presentations. Major dramatic productions have included Construction, Christ in the Concrete City, After the Rain, The Tower and the Glory, The Better Butter Battle Book, The Toymaker and Jack and the Beanstalk. [Who will ever forget Rev Diane Miller- Keeley as Jack climbing up the ladder beanstalk?] Concern for the wider community has been expressed in help for those in trouble, assistance for refugees and for the needy at home and abroad, visiting the sick and the bereaved, running after-school programmes and public forums on, economics, politics, health and religion. We have shared worship and study with Christians from neighbouring parishes and many denominations; happy and sad times, fine worship and teaching, hospitality in each other’s homes, and fun and learning in socials, camps and study groups. We give thanks to God for the faith and witness of so many committed people who have built up the life of our parish. We think especially of those who have died. There have been difficulties, as the parish sought to find new ways forward while respecting the three denominational traditions, but has found itself constrained by the old institutions. There have been theological and political differences, and personality clashes. — Norman Kingsbury in Chartwell Cooperating Church 1962-1991 There have been conflicting attitudes to social issues of gender and sexuality. There is the continuing challenge of coming to terms with the bi-cultural reality of Aotearoa New Zealand. The parish has sought to be faithful to its mission to be a witness to Christian unity. In 1996 we look back with thankfulness for the blessings we have known and the unity the Spirit has given us; and we look forward with confidence to the future, knowing that we are in God’s hands. Since 1992 we have had many changes in our clergy and many challenges and have met these with confidence. Perhaps one of our biggest challenges now is to reach out to the children, youth and families in our immediate parish and in the fast growing new housing areas to our north. We seek to offer them worship and a church programme which will be relevant in the year 2000 and beyond. —Addition for the 30th celebration in 1996

9 CHARTWELL COOPERATING PARISH The now well established suburb of Chartwell was developed to a large extent on land that was a dairy farm owned by Mr J.W.M. Chapman, a local resident with a strong Methodist allegiance. The first disturbance of these farming activities occurred in the 1950s when Mr Chapman was approached by the Education authorities to make land available for the establishment of the Bankwood School. This development was followed by residential subdivision, resulting in the establishment of the suburb of Chartwell, named after its association with Winston Churchill. As the area developed and became more closely populat.ed, so did the Church show increasing interest in the part it could play in making its services available. The Anglican Church, working from a base at St Aidan’s Parish in Claudelands, had acquired a section at the corner of Comries Road and Herbert Road purchased in December 1960 and had erected a hall cum church on this site in 1963. The Methodists were encouraged when Mr Chapman donated f& Church purposes the corner section of the present church property at the intersection of Comries Road and Bellmont Avenue. It was intended that this should be a base for Methodist outreach from the existing Wesley Methodist Church at Fairfield where Rev Derek G Laws was the minister. Unfortunately — perhaps fortunately — Wesley Church never developed sufficient strength to undertake the challenge and so Methodism was receptive to suggestions of joint Church activity in the area. When Rev Geoff Crawshaw was appointed resident Vicar, based in Herbert Road, the opportunity was taken to encourage and develop the joint project. At a meeting of the Hamilton East Parish (Circuit as it was then called) on 9 December 1963 it was reported that 108 residential sections were on the market in the vicinity of the church section, and an early start with a Building Programme was urged. The Presbyterian Church was also involved in early discussions concerning joint activity in the area — but this was largely in respect of people living between the present church and the Waikato River as they were establishing their own activity not far to the east on what is their present site in Insoll Avenue. At a meeting of the Methodist Parish on 12 October 1964, Rev Derek G Laws reported that at a recent meeting of the Wesley Leaders and Trustees it had been decided to contact representatives of other denominations in the area with a view to promoting a uniting Church in Chartwell.

10 MEMORIES “The first fair was in 1961 and was well supported. A caravan was the cake stall, tents were set up for stallholders, and orders were taken for meat. Mr Joe Dunn from Queenwood Butchery cut up the meat in his shop for us free, and gave us the use of his cool room. (He was a Roman Catholic). Men of the parish did a marathon task with orders and delivery of the meat. Poor man probably had no customers for the next week. Coal orders were taken. J.J. Craig delivered and also gave their R.T. services and were used as a taxi service to bring people from town to the fair - this having been advertised in the paper. Mrs Wilson cut out material for sewing. Ladies in the area sewed and it was said all the children in Queenwood were in St Alban’s pyjamas!” — Margaret Nicklin “In 1962 funds were being raised by a variety of enthusiastic means and groups to build a new church in Chartwell Debentures were raised, and a major fair was held which raised $320. We had a number of vacant sections which we used for potato cropping. This provided good community liaison and fun — and a disastrous financial result. The worst drought for years gave an appalling return!” — SirRoss Jansen “The hall was furnished with about 10 wooden and tubular benches like they had in schools, 12 plain wooden chairs of similar style. We had two old flower stands and an old reading lectern given by St Aidans. There was also an old dining table given by Wallis Holland. For a start, we knelt on small cushions given by St Aidans. There were no heaters, no curtains and no floor covering. The first gathering of parishioners was when the building was completed and we assembled outside to see the Bishop knock on the door and be admitted. I do remember the feeling of great pride as I walked in there for the first time. We had built a church!” — Eva Richards “My memories of the early days of the St Alban’s Church are mainly of the Sunday School in which I taught for a number of years when our four children were young. The Sunday School was started in the Church Hall at the corner of Herbert and Comries Rds in crowded conditions. When the building was moved to its present site the roll numbers grew so the Sunday School was held at Bankwood School, each class occupying a classroom the times coinciding with the Church service time. Thus parents left their children on the way to Church and met them after the services.” — Frances Crosbee “It was not long before plans were made to move the church building from Herbert Road corner to its present site, and I can well remember the building being jacked up and loaded on to trailers early (6 a.m.) on a foggy morning, and being driven down

11 Comries Rd with people standing on the roof with brooms to lift the phone and power lines clear while the building passed underneath. The building was then hauled on to the building site and re-located, and the new structure added on. While this was taking place, we used to worship in the St Paul’s Collegiate Chapel until the re-building of the church was complete. — Jean and Colin Bennett “I remember the exceedingly good friendships and relationships that existed with Rev Geoff Crawshaw, Rev Gordon Hall and me, and with church members on the Parish Council and property and finance committees. Church union at its best. We prepared a worship booklet containing a few services which were used regularly for some time. All were “Chartwell Church Services” including Communion, and denominational labels were forgotten in our worship. The services were planned on a roster basis with Geoff taking a few more than Gordon or me as he was fulltime in the Parish. No one in the pew knew who would be officiating until the service began; we had no desire to encourage people to attend only when their denominational minister was presiding!” — Rev. Will Cable

12 TIMELINE Early and Subsequent Development 1960 December: St Aidan’s vestry purchased a section on the corner of Comries and Herbert Roads to build a Church Hall. This was after much consideration since 1956 regarding the desirability of having a curate in the newly developing area north of Clarkin Road, and discussion with Mr Chapman about a site on his subdivision in Hukanui Road and with Mr Jary in the Queenwood subdivision. 1961 July: Public meeting at Fairfield College to form a committee for building a Church Hall funded by St Aidan’s vestry, public donations and debentures. 1963 May: Tender of T.F. Smith for Church Hall accepted. June: Foundation stone laid by Bishop Holland. First mention of the name St Alban. October: Building dedicated to St Alban. Holy Communion celebrated on the first Sunday of the month at 11.15am, and Family Service every third Sunday at 2pm by clergy from St Aidans. November: Public meeting held on the 19th to ascertain future activities and explain financial commitments. Indoor bowls club mooted to start next autumn. Hall being used by kindergarten [prior to Queenwood building], and Plunket Society, with other organisations interested. Sunday School commenced on the 24th at 9.45am. 1964 February: Additional Service of Evening Prayer started at 7pm every Sunday. Ladies Guild, Mothers Union and Young Wives formed, and a Fair Committee was set up to organise a Fair next September or October. A Youth Group was established and Sunday School pupils numbered 104 with 5 teachers. December: Sunday School performed the first Nativity play. 1965 April: Request received from Methodist Convenor for Anglican representatives on a committee to discuss joint use of facilities in Chartwell. Reference was to land and buildings at this stage, not necessarily joint worship. May: Boundaries for Anglican Parochial District to be the area north of a line between Diocesan School, Fairfield College, St Paul’s Collegiate, and to the north of Crosby Road. 1966 May: Inaugural Meeting of Chartwell Church Committee to consider cooperative worship in the area and to pool resources. Parent churches included the Anglican Church of St Aidan’s with church halls [St Chad’s in Holland Road and St Alban’s in Comries Road], Methodist churches at Heaphy Terrace and Rototuna, and Presbyterian churches at Insoll Ave and Horsham Downs. May 22: First combined service and beginning of regular combined services. 13 1967 August: Joint worship held in St Alban’s church hall by Anglicans, Presbyterians and Methodists. September: St Aidan’s vestry resolved to ask the bishop to form a Parochial District in Chartwell based on St Alban’s church hall and to provide a vicar. 1968 July: Diocese of Waikato synod agrees to the formation of a Parochial District of St Alban and the appointment of a priest-in-charge from 1 December 1968. This action was received with apprehension by the other churches as an ‘Anglican take-over’ until it was explained that this was to make St Alban’s stand on its own feet as St Aidan’s had the worry of a large debt to service St Chad’s hall in Holland Road. December: Rev Jon Williams [formerly a curate at St Aidan’s] appointed as priest- in-charge of St Alban’s Parochial District. 1970 January: Vicarage built opposite the church hall in Comries Road and occupied by Rev Jon Williams and family. September: Joint Use of Buildings Agreement ratified on the 6th, but Methodist hall Rototuna not included until April 1977. 1971 Rev Geoff Crawshaw replaced Rev Jon Williams, and assistance was provided by Rev Wilf Cable from Heaphy Terrace Methodist Church. 1973 St Alban’s church hall moved to the corner of Comries Road and Bellmont Ave., a Methodist site donated by Mr Chapman. The hall was incorporated in additions financed by the parent churches and the local parishioners worshipping jointly, [Presbyterian donation of $15,000 similar in size to Anglican and Methodist contribution.]

The original church building on the Herbert Road site...

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…. during its removal to Bellmont Ave/Comries Rd site in 1973 1975 May: Special meeting of parishioners held on the 29th to elect a Parish Council to be effective from 1 June. The council was to comprise of 8 Anglican, 4 Presbyterian and 3 Methodist representatives. The congregational proportions then were approximately 70% Anglican, 20% Presbyterian and 10% Methodist. June: First meeting of the Parish Council who elected Rev G. Crawshaw chairman, Mr L. Green secretary and Mr J. Bell treasurer. St Alban’s Day was celebrated on 22 July. Parishioners of St Mary’s Gordonton [ex Cathedral Parish] agreed to be part of the new Cooperating Parish of St Alban. October: Formal Agreement for the Cooperating Parish of St Alban, Chartwell, signed. Resident Minister, Rev G. Crawshaw with part-time assistance from Rev W. Cable, Heaphy Terrace Methodist, and Rev G. Hall, Insoll Aye, Presbyterian. 1976 February: Parochial District of St Alban vestry resolved that five Anglican members serving on the Parish Council be the vestry members together with the Vicar’s warden and the People’s warden. 1977 April: Rototuna church hall, which was built in 1907, was incorporated in the Cooperating Parish of St Alban. 1978 January: Rev David Ansell replaced Rev Wilf Cable. April: Rev G. Crawshaw and family left for Taumarunui. 1979 February: Rev Thomas Somerville from First Church, Dunedin, was installed as resident minister. 1981 David Ansell replaced Rev T. Somerville upon the latter’s untimely death. It was decided to have two resident ministers, in denominational rotation where possible. Rev Vance Vidal was appointed by the Anglican Church and a house for him was purchased in Pulham Crescent. 1983 December. Rev V. Vidal left to go to Kristin School in Northland.

15 1984 July: Rev Diane Miller-Keeley and her husband Rev Bruce Keeley were appointed to a joint ministry. The Pulham Crescent house and the Rototuna church property were sold to enable the purchase of a house in De Vere Crescent for the Keeley family. [The $50,000 from the sale of the Rototuna Methodist church property went into Parish funds separate from the purchase of De Verê Cresc. house.] 1986 January: Rev D. Ansell moved to Tauranga. 1987 June: Rev David Evans from First Church, Dunedin, replaced Rev D. Ansell. At the AGM it was decided to elect five non-denominational representatives from the congregation. Deacon Edna Webster was installed in April. 1988 August: Parish Annual General Meeting agreed to proceed with additions to the church hall. The organ was replaced by a new model funded by parishioners. 1989 September: The Miller-Keeley family was granted a year’s leave of absence to attend ecumenical studies in Belfast. Chartwell organised the Venturing Forward Conference for all co-operative ventures. 1990 Stage one of the additions were completed and stage two commenced. A computer was purchased for the parish office from subscriptions and a new colour copier installed. 1991 Stage two of major extensions and alterations to St Alban’s Church Centre, begun in 1988, were completed debt free.

The church and office complex after completion in 1991. 1992 February - March: Celebration of 25 years of cooperation in Chartwell. September: Dagmer Ulbrich welcomed for a year’s ministry (from Germany). November-December: Deacon Edna Webster and Revs Bruce Keeley and Diane Miller-Keeley farewelled. 1994 February: Rev Florence Chambers inducted.

16 November: Rev David and Elizabeth Evans farewelled; Rev Loris Eyres ordination as a non-stipendary Anglican vocational deacon. 1995 February: Rev Alan Leadley’s induction (Methodist); new office opened. 1996 Parish 30th Anniversary festival. 1997 November: Vicarage at 50 Comries Road sold. 1998 December: Rev Loris Eyre’s ordination as a priest in the Anglican Church. Fundraising activities to purchase new organ for $6750. 1999 December: Miriam Tonkin (née Coyle) farewelled as After School Care and Holiday Programme Coordinator and a shared Youth Group leader. Ministry to new housing area to the north was explored. Hamilton East Methodists had a piece of land on the corner of Thomas and Hukanui Roads and could fund a building but not ministry. Our parish was interested if it could have been a cooperating venture with our partner churches, but not interested in planting a single denomination venture in the new area. Neither the Presbyterians nor the Anglicans (who were then expecting a new Anglican school to be built in the area) were receptive to the idea. The outcome has been to expand on our own site.

Pouring the concrete floor of the new worship centre in October 1999. 2000 February: Opening and dedication of new worship centre.

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18 2002 December: Rev Florence Chambers farewelled. 2003 February: Rev Ken Olsen (Methodist) contracted part time for 3 months. May: Rev Ken Olsen’s induction. Presbyterian oversight. 2004 February: Rev Rosemary Carey (Anglican) commissioned as a non-stipendary deacon to St Mary’s, Gordonton in February. May: Rev Alan Leadley farewelled. September: 70th Anniversary of St Marys, Gordonton. 2005 January-April: Hall alterations and roof replacement. May: Rev Anne Mills’ induction (Anglican).

Preparing wall panelling for re-use during halt renovations in 2005. 2006 January: Rev Loris Eyre retired from ministry team. April: Founders Evening celebration of 40 years of cooperation. May: Peter Renner commissioned as a half-time lay worker ministering to families but was only in this role for eight months. Derek Kingsbury commissioned as a quarter-time youth worker. 2007 March: De Vere Crescent house was sold. December: Rev Rosemary Carey’s ordination and the transition of St Mary’s members from St Alban’s to St Mary’s Gordonton as a Parochial District in the Diocese of Waikato. 2008 January-March: Extensions and renovations to entrance, office and lounge. May: Farewell to youth worker Derek Kingsbury

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Demolishing the old deck before building the new activity room, January 2008

The build was not an ‘all blokes’ affair!

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Feeding the workers was an ongoing rostered task.

Builders on parade ready to enter the celebration party at the end of the project. 2010 May: Rev Andrew McKean (Ang.) began leading Insight services once a month 2012 Under new NCUC Guidelines, Rev Ken Olsen was offered an extension of ministry up to a further 5 years from February 2013. 2013 January: Rev Ken Olsen now overseen by the Methodist Church. November: Amanda Bowcott commissioned as a part-time Family and Youth Coordinator. 2015 January: Rev Anne Mills farewelled. November: Rev Chee Yong (Anglican) inducted.

21 OUR JOURNEY TO DATE Written and presented by Gwen Kentish for the 10th Anniversary of the Church Opening on 14 February 2010 The development of St Albans, Chartwell, was a response of the Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian denominations to the “mission field” that was opening up in the north eastern section of Hamilton. From the early 1960s the local community was worshipping together in the new Anglican hall on the corner of Herbert and Comries Roads. This joint venture made sense, with the prospect of national Church Union still on the agenda of the denominations in the 1970s. It also made sense that the churches should act together in all matters except those in which deep differences of conviction compelled them to act separately. It was in response to this movement as well as the need for more space that, in 1973, this Anglican building was moved on to Methodist land on the present site. What a mammoth effort that was. A grant from the Presbyterian Church enabled major extensions to be carried out on the original building, the first of several through the years! The Cooperating Parish officially came into being in 1975. The Chartwell Church complex is well situated, has had able lay and ordained leadership for more than four decades, and has been well supported by the participating denominations. It has also been helped by the fact that the majority of people who have made it their spiritual home knew they were becoming part of a Cooperating Parish right from the start. To belong to an ecumenical venture was their choice. The parish has shown the benefit of strategic planning for mission. Each extension to the building was a response to the need for more space to increase our capacity for outreach into the community, especially in meeting the needs of the young and the old. There have been times of tremendous fundraising and voluntary labour under professional supervision for the alterations. It was not all hard work, and often there were times of fun and developing friendships. Part of the challenge has been to change our complex to meet both the growing needs of the church and the wider community. So today we acknowledge that it is ten years since we opened this splendid Worship Centre, debt free, the culmination of much prayerful planning, fundraising successful grant applications and much hard work. The additional space, on Sundays alone, has made it possible for two different styles of services and the Sunday School to run concurrently in different parts of the building. From the outset, the parish has seen this project both as building a new space for worship and as continuing our partnership with our community. This has indeed enabled a high level of use of much of our building by church and community groups each week.

22 “My faith journey has, without doubt, led me to Chartwell Cooperating Church for a reason. I believe beyond all shadow of a doubt that every idea, challenge, chance meeting, opportunity, choice and relationship on my journey led me here. I came to this church on the recommendation of a chance meeting with the mother of a student my daughter met on her first day at school. I keep coming for one reason, to marvel at and be a small part of a community truly committed to living Christian values, the way Jesus meant us to.” — Carol Webb “My wife was a Presbyterian and I was an Anglican and when we came to Chartwell Church we found that we could worship together in a church where we learned each other’s traditions and found there was so much comnonality in our liturgies and worship.” — Russell Young “To me, to be a Christian is to have a regard and to care for others regardless of race or gender. We need to be Christian ‘doers’ as well as having knowledge of the Word.” — Bob Dawson “In some ways I was fated to become ‘continuity person’ at Chartwell Church as circumstances dictated that my 8 years in Chartwell saw me associated with 5 other clergy. At that stage my own appointment was both to the Wesley Church congregation in the Hamilton East Methodist Parish, and to Chartwell finally overcame my fear concerning Anglican mysteries on the day that I was celebrating Holy Communion at a mid-week service. We had come to the point in the service where I turned to pour the wine into the chalice, only to find that the wine flask was filled with ants. Great embarrassment! I endeavoured to decant the wine and leave the ants behind, but they swam faster than my decanting finger could move, and took over the chalice. At that point I asked myself what would I do if I were a Methodist minister in a purely Methodist situation? And I told myself that I would quietly leave the sanctuary, clean the chalice, and make a new beginning. So I did just that, and it worked, and became a new beginning for me also.” — Rev. David Ansell “My looking back memories involve, not so much the major events in our church life as isolated incidents involving people. These are my memories in no particular order: A cake from Frances when we brought our new daughter home. Barbara’s invitation to a play group. Norman’s laughter. John’s jokes. Coral’s music. Geoff’s favourite hymn. The social and morning teas AND the washing up! Eric’s wave and smile on a dismal morning. Thelma’s determination. Agnes’s hilarious talk on an unmentionable subject. Margaret’s ‘above and beyond’ service. Jan’s organising ability. Our children’s friends and teachers. Nancy’s inspiring brand of Christianity Teamwork in the camp kitchen with Ross and Elwyn. Our theatrical efforts under Will’s direction. The nice people on church cleaning. Vicki’s fritters at camp and Bob’s brave cold dip. And who could resist an offer from Terry to become a Sunday School teacher!” — Dorothy Parsons

23 Parish Life Our ministers have often been involved in leadership beyond the Parish: Alan Leadley became Methodist District Co-Superintendent; Diane Miller-Keeley and Anne Mills became Co-Archdeacons; Florence Chambers was the Anglican rep on the Cooperating Ventures Forum and School Chaplain to staff and students at Hukanui School; and Ken Olsen on Methodist District Executive. All these positions were held towards the end of their term of ministry at Chartwell on top of their parish responsibilities. While some lay people and the second minister had to fill a gap at times, the parish has benefited from the broader experience and understanding gained.

The two ministers of Chartwell Cooperating who had a great working relationship: the Revs Anne Mills and Ken Olsen pictured here before taking Insight and Morning Worship respectively on this occasion. They shared a very effective ministry here for a decade. Worship: In addition to the regular 8am and 9.30am Sunday and l0am Wednesday services, innovative worship has been a vital part of Chartwell Church, giving people choices of style of worship, grounded in study opportunities, seeking new ways to be ‘church’.

24 Messy Church: A 4pm service, commenced in 2011, is an all-age, fun-filled expression of Christian community outside the traditional Sunday worship, introducing Jesus through hospitality, friendship, stories and worship. It is high impact and fast moving and is held in the church hall, with story time, craft activities and music, followed by a shared meal. It has enabled relationships to be built and strengthened. The service attracts a number of young families who have not previously attended other services, and has led to several baptisms. Insight Service: After starting in the worship centre with the main 9.30 service, the Insight group moves into the church hall for an interactive café style service. The Insight group is guided by church leaders who plan sessions that leave plenty of space for questions and discussions. The group aims to create an environment where a diverse range of theological views from traditional through to progressive can be discussed openly and respectfully. Progressive Exploration Service: This service is held in the evening on the first Sunday of each month and is an exploration of the Christian faith and issues of importance in our time. It allows for discussion and presents thoughtful comment on the journey of faith in our day. Usually guest speakers are arranged, sometimes high profile. This service is advertised through our partner church networks and often people from outside our parish attend. Refugees supported: In 1984, the Hitchens family and others started supporting Hom Son and family, refugees from Cambodia. In 1997, Ted Mead initiated parish support of a Somali refugee family for three years Youth work flourished in the 1990s during Rev Florence Chambers’ ministry. A third morning service at 11.15am was started before 1996. As the Sunday School numbers were very small, this was hoped to meet the needs of families. In September 2006 this Family Service was held in the Lounge concurrently with the 9.30 service in the church and was renamed Insight soon after. In 1996 Florence started a weekly playgroup called Kidz Korner for mothers and preschoolers, Mainly Music has been a popular programme for pre-schoolers with some mothers taking leadership and church people providing food to support the programme. This outreach into the community still continues today.

Participants in Mainly Music lift a banner high. 25 In October 1997 Bonnie Hebenton led a three-day Youth Consultation to determine the best way forward to meet the needs of children and youth in our community. The Toy Library was established and opened in January 1998. School holiday programmes ran for several years. In the 1980s the After School Care programme was started and has been one of the longest running endeavours to assist the local community. The Girls Brigade Company reformed in May 1997. The 1997 children’s nativity play was presented at Chartwell Square and the following year the children’s Christmas play was presented in church and at nine local schools. The Sunday School and Youth Group grew in numbers again from 2005. There was training of teachers. The first Light Party, as an alternative to Halloween, was held in October 2005 and is still going 11 years later. Movie Nights (with food) started monthly on a Friday evening in 2009 and continue.

Christmas angels, 2013

An actor in the Palm Sunday drama, 2015. 26 The first Transformers Group started in 2010, the second one three years later. Eleven to fourteen-year-olds paired with a mentor for a year and trained in leadership, with a commitment to study and service. Suddenly our young people became more visible within the congregation. Church Camps held through the years from the l980s have been inspirational and a significant time of relationships building. Annual camps with the Keeleys and Silvesters often focused on the environment. Small groups of lay people have planned many of the camps and campers have contributed to entertainment and planning of the worship times. Pre 1996 records show that camps were held at Epworth several times, also at Wathi Beach, Kauaeranga Valley and Pureora Forest. Post 1996 camps have been held at Epworth (4), Miranda (2), Tui Ridge Park (2), Waihi Beach (4), Narrows Park, Ngatuhoa Lodge, Ohakune, Omokoroa and Pureora Forest. Church picnics have been held occasionally: Amakiwi, Pukemokemoke, Karangahake, the Narrows Park, the Des Forges and Haultain properties. Social and Interest Events: These have included cruising down the river, Miranda migrants day trip, car rally, dinners-for-eight, exploring our past — tour visiting historic Methodist Mission sites, yachting trips, walk-a-thon to visit historical and cultural places within our parish, concerts, bi-cultural visit to Raglan, Karangahake Valley and the Kauri Grove walks.

Monty and Evone Siufanga with their three youngest children — Daiana, Evone Jnr and Manu. Monty (real name Veitomoni and originally from Tonga) was placed with us as a Trinity College student in 2013 and in May 2016 was accepted for ordained ministry in the Methodist Church... Family Groups: Three groups were launched in September 1998 with Val West, for the first year, and Merlene Woolerton as co-ordinators. A fourth group was formed

27 later. It continues to be an easy way to get to know other church members and have fun and fellowship at the same time. People really enjoy the shared meals, gatherings and occasional outings together. In 2010 Family Groups became the responsibility of Pastoral Care. Men’s Dinners: Started in 2000 and are usually held from 4pm on a Sunday evening three times a year, with a speaker and a meal to follow. Music: From early l980s there was a church choir under John Carter’s leadership that sang once a month at 9.30am and a small group of women, The Good News Singers, who also sang monthly and were led by Jessie Clements. The augmented choir performed cantatas for several years during the Christmas season. When a new couple with theatrical experience joined the parish, they produced two shows, Old lime Music Hall in 1993 and Showtime in 1994. An instrumental music group was formed in 1996 and played monthly at the 9.30 service. Good News Singers (men and women) still sing today under the leadership of Alan King. For many years a small but dedicated group of organists/pianists has ably led the music for worship and funerals. We are greatly indebted to them for their commitment. Study Groups: There have been up to 3 or 4 weekly home groups through the years led by Bob Dawson, Peter Renner, Peter West and Marina Grantham-Campbell. Short length studies have included: Gossiping the Gospel; Alpha; winter and spring seminars on the environment etc; study of Marcus Borg’s Heart of Christianity, Rob Harley series after his visit in August 2007; Advent study series. Since 2009 Living the Questions studies have continued during the winter each year. The occasional Chat Room was held from 11am - noon on Sundays during the late 1990s for several years, on advertised topics of interest. Community Outreach: In December 1995 and 1996 St Albans took part in the Interchurch Christmas display at Chartwell Square. Other community focussed programmes include volunteers for weekly remedial reading classes Bankwood School (for some years); and basic cooking courses. More recent initiatives include cakes to local businesses; connection with Miropiko Kohanga Reo and a gardening project started; computer classes. The Wednesday winter soup lunches began in 2009 and continue to be very popular.

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Cakes to Businesses was started in 2011 to recognise local businesses, the local fire station crew in this photo. Social Concerns: The parish has throughout its life sought to identify the needs of the community and then find ways to meet them. The championing of justice has been one of the motivating factors. Individuals were active and involved in submissions, marches, petitions for opposition to the casino, alcohol, gender and sexuality issues. While there have been conflicting attitudes to some of these, there have been those who have continued to strive for inclusiveness in these areas. In the early 90s, when Bill Earle was chaplain to the Unemployed Workers Union, he was involved in organising a protest march for the cause. Our church hosted several Friday night meals for the unemployed in the area and conversations following the meal were facilitated. The outcome was that the people the church sought to assist went on to set up structures to look after their own needs in the form of a Green Shop and information sharing. Ted Mead advocated for the walkway from Sefton Crescent to the local bus stop to remain open when the council tried to close it as a result of graffiti. The closure would have meant a long walk to a bus stop. Donations of food are being made weekly by parishioners to the Foodbank. Prior to this a fruit and vegetable co-op was run by the parish. The Queenwood Fellowship made emergency school lunches for Fairfield Primary School for 12 years until their needs were met in other ways. Social Issues: Anti-casino meetings began in 1997; later that year a Referendum re ordination of homosexual persons, Presbyterian process, was held; discussions and meetings concerning sexuality and the church have continued sporadically to this day. A bi-cultural committee has explored areas of bi-cultural interest in the region e.g. a bus trip to visit the Confiscation Line and a launch trip on the Waikato River explored early settlements. Some parishioners were involved with the Hikoi of Hope, the march for social justice from throughout the country which ended at the Beehive, 1 October 1998. 29 Parish Planning Days have been held over the years on occasion following an abbreviated Sunday 9.30 service, sometimes facilitated by someone from outside the parish. Congregational meetings have been held when needed to share ideas and gauge opinions e.g. about proposed new worship centre in 1998. Fundraising events for the building fund included renting out holiday homes, a clothing and plant sale, Waikato attractions tour, golf tournament, yachting trips, mammoth March sale, quiz night, talent bank scheme and a water colour painting workshop. Patronal Festival usually takes place on a weekend in June with either a concert, quiz or dinner etc. Confirmation services are sometimes held on the following Sunday with senior representatives from the three partner churches taking part. Church Fairs, held in October, while a lot of work, are a real community event. The first one held in the early sixties raised $360; the 2015 fair raised $22,600. More fundraisers/social events: garden tours and rambles, a murder mystery evening, l930s evening and dinner. Mission: In 1999, Alan Leadley led a group of 13 for a two-week visit to the Solomon Islands, not as a work party but to build living face-to-face relationships with our partner churches, the Anglican and United Churches. Mostly from St Albans, the group went to look, listen and learn and to join in conversation with Solomoni Christians. Eight volunteers from the parish did major renovations of a pre-school building in Talua, Vanuatu, and took with them supplies of educational resources in 2012. Volunteers returned to complete the build in 2013. The Church Library is well resourced and is well used. There is a budget to allow new books to be purchased and these are reviewed in each Charter. Pastoral: There is a strong network of pastoral care through visiting and phone contacts in the parish. Other events are organised to help build relationships and community. Funeral hospitality started in 2010. Members of the women’s groups set up the hall and serve refreshments after the service. Administration: New logo was designed and the church website was re-launched in 2007. Church Facebook page launched in February 2016. Healing Group Ministry: Began in 1990. Quiet days offered each year. Art Displays/Fairs began with Christmas Art in Chartwell (2002). The following year Don Home staged his Natural Image Photographic Exploration. For the next four years we held art and craft exhibitions/festivals in the church and foyer. Displays, which included art work from several schools, primary, intermediate

30 and college were open to the public for most of a fortnight with people being rostered to oversee them. For nearly a decade since Jean Horn has been organising displays of parishioners’ art in the office and office foyer.

In the early nineties it was decided to start a Fruit and Vegetable Cooperative in the Parish. A box of mixed vegetables and fruit, valued at $20 was agreed upon and David Slack was asked to buy for us at the Turner and Growers auctions. Bill picked up the food from David, then volunteers (Frances, Yo, Eric, Veda, Dorothy made up the core members plus others e.g. Bob and Vidd sometimes etc.) divided up the supplies to make a mixed box. In addition to the members, one box was kept for a donation for needy families, as and when needed. We always suspected that Florence and Alan’s boxes were regularly raided for Parish needy too!

As well as the Fruit and Vege Boxes the Parish also asked (as now) the congregation for donations to the Food Bank. This was then divided between the Methodist Church, St Pauls, the Anglican Men’s Help (flats on Victoria St) and the Anchorage (Frankton). These all cared for the needy of Hamilton before the Foodbank. — Dorothy Parsons I remember... The first Fair [in the early sixties] was held in pouring rain on the church hall section on the corner of Herbert and Comries Roads and raised just $360. The foundation stone [for the original St Alban’s] was laid in 1963 by Bishop Holland. The hall was designed by Aubrey de Lisle of White, Leigh, de Lisle and Fraser, Architects and Engineers. The original foundation stone, moved with the hall, now rests on concrete and is screwed to an outside wall — a pity! Another fair was held ($380), again in the rain, on the empty section across the road now occupied by council flats. The hall was built by then. As a fundraiser the house next door on Comries Road was bought, renovated and sold. Jon Williams from St Aidan’s took the first services in the hall. Before long Derek Laws from Fairfield Methodist Church came to Queenwood about once a month. Next Gordon Hall, Insoll Avenue, took a service.

31 Methodist and Presbyterian clergy offered communion to all present but before any cooperating agreement was made Anglicans were not allowed to reciprocate. The first women’s group was Mothers Union and the first leader was Ev Tanner. After a while Mrs Thora Holland came to an afternoon meeting to tell us about the formation of Young Wives and Fellowship groups. As well, she reminded us we should only be Young Wives for two years! On that occasion John Williams offered communion to all — oh dear, Mrs Holland was listening. Until cooperation was formalised there were interesting decisions between denominations — bread or wafers, grape juice or wine, raffles or guessing the length of string in a jar! Sunday school went well and filled classrooms at Bankwood School. John Richards had a lot to do with this. Eva Richards, (Gisborne now) will remember details. Chris Deverson and I were members of the first Parish of St Alban and served on the vestry. Others were Don Traill and Keith Tanner. - Jill White

TWO members of the first Parish of St Alban: Chris Deverson and Jill Wbite. Jill has provided morning tea for the Wednesday service attendees for over 40 years

Gardening working bee - plenty of helpers. 32 Younger and Older

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37 “Chartwell is a church which encourages open enquiry into matters of faith and religion.”

ST ALBANS CO-OPERATING CHURCH PERSON PROFILE [20151 Recognising that a minister will reflect a life guided by the Holy Spirit, growing in faith and character, we seek a person who is: • Theologically sound, inclusive, open and receptive to the diversity of faith experiences within our church community • A person with potential to work positively with a team, who has good organisational skills and an ecumenical focus • A people’s person who has the ability to nurture relationships within our congregation and empower the people in their giftings • Able to work intergenerationally and able to ensure the continuity and nurture of all groups within our congregation. • An inspirational, creative, competent worship leader who is respectful of the traditions within our congregation • A warm, encouraging personality with a sense of humour and an active concern for outreach and renewal

• A person with a strong social conscience who will encourage a responsive attitude within our congregation to local end wider community issues.

THE Rev Chee Yong was inducted in November 2015. 38 “Why do you come to Chartwell Church?” Comments from parishioners... A good place to worship the Lord. When we first came it was because we knew people here. Being confirmed in this place was a special occasion. It’s a good community. It allows the freedom to explore our faith openly. I come to church to meet God. Chartwell Church. My local. I enjoy the friendship and exploration of theology. I enjoy the ‘oldies’ and the care and work they do. I enjoy the fellowship and diversity of service. Chartwell Church is special to me. It is accepting, it is friendly, it is thoughtful, and it is Christ in action. Thank you. I come to Chartwell Church because here for the first time in my Christian life I feel fully accepted as a gay man, able to express openly my deep love for my saviour Jesus Christ. My sexuality has never been a problem as I strive to serve Him and my congregation. Chartwell Church with its variety of expression and worship, to me, exhibits the true love of the community of Christ allowing all to express their love of the gospel according to the dictates of the gospel in their lives. StAlbans is where I find God’s house. We are truly blessed to have two ‘Men of God’, Revs Ken and Chee. I love StAlbans because they are a friendly bunch. When one has a problem, there is always someone to help. Community. Peace within and people with whom I can explore the Christian faith. I come so we can learn about Jesus. I like the church because I have been nurtured in to the faith.

The Wall of Remembrance at a special service in memory of Barbara Kingsbury, 2006. 39 The Journey A personal view It is now 20 years since I first encountered this unique congregation and became absorbed in its vibrant life. In 1996 it was still known as St Alban’s Cooperating Parish as had been the case since the cooperating venture had come into being in 1975 as reported elsewhere in the timeline. The aftermath of the Second World War brought about a flurry of church building and active congregational life was happening throughout the country. Hamilton, like other places, was expanding rapidly, new dwellings for newly-marrieds were springing up and the traditional churches were trying to meet the spiritual and social needs, particularly of young families. The Chartwell area was one of many such but its geographical position to the north of the city attracted a lot of new residents, some of whom became very active church supporters together with the children they were raising. People with vision, youthfulness and vigour were a major part of the congregational mix at that time. The University of Waikato was developing fast and attracting staff and students with ability, some of whom became closely involved at St Aidan’s and/or Chartwell and contributed much to church growth. The first of those whose influence on the cooperating congregation’s development was significant came from academia. Dr Norman Kingsbury, a Presbyterian layman, was appointed the first Registrar of the fledgling university in 1964. It was Norman who, in the mid- to late sixties, became deeply involved in the discussions and negotiations between the three partner churches which resulted in formal cooperation. Norman brought a breadth of view of how Christians should work together to which people responded readily. During the seventies there was much emphasis on the physical amenities and consolidation of the cooperating parish. A lot of energy, planning and finance was expended in moving the church hall from Herbert Road to its present site and subsequent developments. The appointment of the Revs Bruce Keeley and Diane Miller-Keeley as joint ministers by the Waikato Anglican Diocese in 1984, following the departure of Rev Vance Vidal (up to 120 young people attended events he organised), must have been unusually inspirational. They were liberal, talented, popular and their effective ministry here is remembered with gratitude by those who experienced it. It was during their time — and as a result of then Bishop Roger Herft’s request — that St Alban’s became, for some months, a place of refuge and worship for members of the LGBT community in Hamilton and from further afield until they found a place of their own. Any liberal expression of Christian life was downplayed for a brief period after the departure of Diane and Bruce in 1992 until it resurfaced again with the Methodist appointment of Rev Alan Leadley in 1995. Alan introduced us to some modem 40 theological thinking and demonstrated a commitment to the living of an inclusive faith and the need to grapple with issues of social justice and disempowerment with intellectual integrity. It was during Alan’s ministry here that we held occasional Chat Rooms on various religious, social and political subjects after a 9.30am service. The speakers usually came from either the wider church or the university. Perhaps it was the subsequent recognition of the need for some further exploration of faith issues that saw the introduction of Insight to run concurrently in the hall during the main traditional 9.3Oam Sunday service. The continued growth of our splendid church library (surely one of the best in the country) meant more of the community were being exposed to contemporary religious research and scholarship and their interest aroused. The Living the Questions study material filled a growing need and brought into focus well regarded authors such as Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan, John Spong and others. So where are we now? What is the state of our ‘cooperating venture’ which started out with such optimism, vigour and strong belief in future life and hope? No appraisal of where we are would be worth much without acknowledging the ongoing ministry of Ken Olsen who has now served here longer than any other minister. And that has been most definitely our choice as well as his willingness to do so. He has walked with us the fine line between Methodism and Presbyterianism, liberal and traditional with ability, grace and integrity. Yes, we are indeed still a viable church congregation that has weathered, at times, difficult and painful situations — but many of us are getting older and lacking in energy. In another decade or so many of us will be gone: how many will actively take our place? We owe Anne Mills (and her husband Chris) for the commitment which encouraged younger families to join us in youth and other activities. The present congregation’s average age has dropped thanks to their considerable abilities over a decade of ministry — and ongoing youth initiatives since the Mills’ departure.. This is a great development but will remain a work in progress to nourish younger people to a mature, contemporary faith. Will Chartwell be able to resist the creeping, reactionary fundamentalism that overtaking much of the Western Church and dismissing vital elements of religious enquiry and integrity, so hastening the departure of thinking Christians who could save it? In secular New Zealand interest in and support of the individual mainline Protestant churches is under threat from both within and without. We, here and now, are on the cusp of opportunity with the recent Anglican appointment of Rev Chee Yong. My hope is that Chartwell Cooperating Church will continue to develop as an oasis of diverse, informed and practising 21st century followers of Jesus who greatly value what they find there — as, indeed, I and many others already do. — Jock Crawford

41 ORGANISAT1ONS WHICH USE OUR FACILITIES Before/After School Care Bowls Cantando Choir Chartwell Gold Club Chinese School Conversational English Classes Dance Training Funerals Garden Club Genealogy group Girls Brigade Korean Methodist Church Mainly Music Patchwork and Quilters Polling Booth for elections Probus groups Sea of Faith Tai Chi Toy Library U3A Weddings Weight Watchers INTERACTIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY Before & After School Care Cakes to Businesses Catering for funerals Christmas gifts to children at Prisoners Aid Computer classes Fair - since 1968 Foodbank Fowl Manure - 240 bags sold in 2009 Gardening at Kohanga Reo Light Party Living the Questions Lunches for Fairfield Int. children Mainly Music Messy Church Spring Festival of Arts and Crafts Toy Library Winter soup lunches from 2009

42 MISSION LOCAL NATIONAL & INTERNATiONAL Cakes to Business Christian Foodbank Christian World Service Hospital Visiting Support of parent church programmes Overseas building projects

Some of the coloured blankets made by members of the parish ready to send to to orphanages in Eastern Europe. Called ‘Operation Cover-up’ it was one of the Mission Without Borders project in 2007.

Stalwart lay person Bob Dawson he yet again with a church initiative, this time at neighbouring kohanga reo.

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