St. David's

Presbyterian Church, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Gathering in worship

Worship is absolutely central to our life as a Christian Community. In worship, St. David’s offers a Christian spirituality that is hospitable, celebratory, thoughtful and relevant to contemporary life. We are creative and enjoy music. Our worship style is neither pentecostal nor highly traditional,

Robert our organist is a great jazz musician and from time to time he is joined by instrumentalists or a singing group - the Music Makers. We try to use the best of all styles of worship music: old hymns and contemporary songs. We especially enjoy contemporary hymns written by New Zealand writers and composers.

Our worship centre has some very beautiful banners and fabric art (locally designed and made)

Here are some of the opportunities we provide:

Morning Worship

Sunday 10 a.m. This is our main focus for the week – normally led by the Minister, with active participation from the congregation, in readings, prayers and drama.

During school terms, there is time in worship for our children, before they depart to “Godsown”, the children’s programme, and once a term at least, the whole service will be given over to children’s ministry

Holy Communion is celebrated on the 2^nd Sunday of each month during morning worship, and on occasion at mid-week gatherings. The Minister /Elders are available for home communions as well.

During the summer period we share worship with Wesley Broadway Methodist Church

Special Services for Christian Festivals

During Holy Week (the week leading up to Good Friday), and over the Easter weekend we mark this most significant event in our faith: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, to celebrate the birthday of Jesus there will be:

* A Family Christmas pageant

* A Service of readings and carols

* A Blue Christmas service (for those who have lost a significant relative or friend in the preceding year)

* A service to highlight the Christian World Service Christmas Appeal,

* A Candlelight Christmas Eve service

* A Family worship for Christmas Day

These are advertised through the Sunday Bulletin, Kowhai Communications (the church Newsletter) and the Manawatu Standard Newspaper.

Community Facing Worship

We like to offer the community worship that reflects the NZ scene, for instance on the nearest Sunday to 25 April, we hold an Anzac Memorial Service. We provide services for some Homes for the Elderly in Terrace End.

We often invite guests from beyond the congregation to participate: for example students from Turakina Maori Girls’ College, or a worker from Christian World Service (an aid and development agency) or a local project that we are supporting.

Kumbayah Services - for people with intellectual disabilities and their families and caregivers, are held monthly, 3^rd Sunday, 2.00 pm These are lead by the Rev Anne Bennett, our Community Chaplain

Family Friday Nights – 5.30 pm monthly: a shared meal (takeaways) and family worship. This connects with our Outreach Programmes for preschoolers and their families.

Tranquil Space – a mid-week contemplative service, Thursdays 4.30 pm, for about 30 minutes

Significant moments in the Journey of Life

Baptism: At St David’s we warmly welcome infants and adults into the life of the church through Christian baptism. This normally happens during Sunday morning worship. Our minister is available to conduct Thanksgiving, Dedication or Naming ceremonies for children too. Classes leading to adult membership of the church (confirmation) are held at least annually.

Weddings: Our Minister is available for Christian wedding services, either at the church or in another appropriate venue.

Funerals: We work with the local funeral directors to provide very meaningful and helpful funeral services, not only for our own members but for any family who wishes to use our services. The minister works with the families to provide a service that reflects the spirituality of the deceased.