New Life at All Saints Ōtaki
From food-share to beach baptisms, the parish is making its impact felt in the community.
Pam and George Williamson recently moved to Ōtaki and quickly discovered that All Saints Church is a vibrant hub of faith and community life.
Pam writes:
What an exciting place to have landed. All Saints Church, Ōtaki, is definitely a happening place we discovered after moving to this delightful township on the Kāpiti Coast.
The congregation seems to be growing weekly, and outreach into the community punches well above its size.
A Friday food-share provides kai to around 30 families in need, in a relaxed supermarket-style arrangement. Patrons may join helpers in prayer before and after collecting the chosen food items for their pantry. In collaboration with another local church, The Hub, the community is offered fresh fruit and vegetables (many grown and provided by parishioners), meat and grocery items, and an occasional treat of doughnuts and other pastries collected by volunteers from Kaibosh and other sources.
After “shopping,” all are invited to chat over a cup of tea and bikkies, and relationships of trust are quickly being built.
Our interim vicar serves All Saints and its little sister down the road in Te Horo, St Margaret’s. This quaint country church has been saved from decommissioning and now serves as a community church for all denominations, with around 20 meeting on Sunday afternoons – with amazing musicians leading the worship.
At the conclusion of a recent Alpha Course, water baptisms were conducted in the balmy waters off Ōtaki Beach. How wonderful to witness Jesus’ love transforming lives.
Such occasions as these baptisms surely deserve a joyous ringing out of the church bells, but sadly, both St Margaret’s and All Saints churches have silent bells. Over the years, somehow, both bells have detached from their bell pull cords. The weather thwarted the local fire brigade’s efforts to resolve the All Saints’ situation during one of their recent training sessions; however, the brass section of our music team has stepped into the breach, and at 10 a.m. every Sunday, the local township is now called to worship with a rousing blast of trumpets.
Music also played a large part in entertaining the crowds during the latest community outreach, a Light Party. This well-publicised event was held in the All Saints Hall and church grounds. The early evening party on October 31 drew a crowd of well over 100 children and adults.
The smell of free sausages sizzling on the BBQ drew in a few witches and ghouls who happened to be trick-or-treating down the street, but the majority of children and adults attending dressed in bright, colourful clothing to dance the night away.
It was indeed a night to remember with the presence of Jesus celebrated with joy. Thank you, All Saints Ōtaki, for making us feel so welcome and helping us connect with the community so quickly. If we had a bell, we’d ring it in your honour.
All Saints have a vacancy advertised
