meadows blog

Jack and the Beanstalk

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:14:00 +1300

Local artist Emma Weakley from The Meadows Church is about to have her first book published - and she's still a teenager.

Wellington publisher Random Static will be releasing "Jack and the Beanstalk", a quirky take on the classic fairytale.

"Emma's illustrations are delightful," said Random Static editor Kelly Buchanan.

"The story is simple enough for young children, but the sense of humour and the little details in the artwork make it entertaining for adults who haven't completely lost touch with their inner child, too. It's a bit outside our usual remit, but we enjoyed it too much to pass up."

"I didn't expect anything to come of this little project, so it is very exciting to have it published," said Emma. She lives on the Kapiti Coast and turned 19 last November.

She likes drawing monsters, listening to irritating music, and quiet days investigating dead things on the beach. Last year, she won the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Professional Art, for her cover illustration for "Newtons Sleep".

The SJV Awards are presented anually by SFFANZ, New Zealand's national organisation for science fiction and fantasy.

Combined Campuses Picnic

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +1300

What an absolute stunner... the weather was great... the food was great... the company was great!!

After another amazing message from John Steele in the morning, we all headed along to the Domain. There was a Family Fun Day there aswell and we got to join in with some of their activities from egg and spoon races to racing down the mud slide and not to forget the the good old bouncy castle. While the youngersters were entertained the older lot played volleyball and various other sporting games.

It was just such a great time of fellowship and for the newer people in the Church to get to know others a little better.

ALT Meeting

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:40:00 +1300

The ALT (Apostolic Leadership Team) which heads the overal Leadership for New Life Churches who are from around New Zealand all met in Paraparaumu, here at the Meadows Church this week.
It was a busy time for those involved with lots to discus especially since we are now heading into March which will see the National New Life Conference "Cause 2010" being held towards the end of the month.

Recreational Cycling

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:50:00 +1300

Interested? Sound like you? Want to get out and about?

John Gibson is interested in forming a weekly recreational cycling group for local outings. Possibly Monday or Tuesday mornings for a couple of hours. If you are keen or simply want to find out more information phone John Gibson (04) 905-9897.

50th Wedding Anniversary

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:57:00 +1300

A HUGE congratulations to Ken and Iola Thompson who celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on Saturday 20 February 2010

50th Wedding Anniversary

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +1300

A HUGE congratulations to Alan and Judy White celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on Waitangi Day (6 February 2010)

Farewell & Welcome

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:00:00 +1300

After 2 1/2 years working as Receptionist & PA to Pastor Adam White, Rochelle Dewe worked her final day on Friday 5th February. Rochelle & her husband Adam will be moving up to Auckland on Sunday 7th to both become students - Adam will study teaching and Rochelle will study law and business. Adam has been part of the church since early childhood, always involved and happy to help out. His smily face and cheerful spirit will be missed. Rochelle was a great asset to the church with a wealth of information and will also be sadly missed. Miriam St George has now taken over Rochelle's position and is looking forward to all that's ahead.

3PM School Holiday Fun

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +1300

Don MacFarlane jumping for joy and excited about the day ahead!

India Missions Team Update

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +1300

The India team have had a great time so far, working in Pune doing medical camps and ministering in churches. This week they have travelled on to Mumbai to work with World Vision.

Praise Report for New Generation Kapiti

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +1300

This Tuesday at Pram College students were handing out free sausages with personalised New Generation cards that had messages like "God has a plan & a purpose for your life"...."You are special and unique and Jesus loves you"...

Pastor Michelle walked down to see how it was going.

She got there just as the bell rang and literally HEAPS of students were running out of the classrooms to get their free sausage.

The team did really well....and there were BAGS & BAGS of sausages distributed (we raised $400 at Meadows).

There was a HUGE line waiting at the end of BBQs and a couple of teachers had to help with Crowd Control.

I think most of the students at Pram college would have either got a sausage or heard about what was happening.

Lots of students thought the personalised cards were awesome and were stoked to get a free sausage.

Let's keep praying for the students at Pram College!!!

Girls Getaway

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:30:00 +1300

What an AWESOME time we had at Girls Getaway 09!! Girls of all ages took time aside in the first weekend of November to come together for a weekend at El Rancho.

There was a whole lot of laughter, fun, and incredible GOD TIME shared. This year we even had some ladies from Shannon New Life join with us which was so great :)

We had the privelege of having Pastor Julie Steele ministering to us over the weekend and everyone was so blessed as she encouraged us to lay things down before God; challenged us to continually build the altars of our heart and taught on how to live in Faith, Hope and Peace. A whole lot of pearls of wisdom and experience was imparted!!!!!

After the Friday night session we enjoyed chocolate fondue together and watched a light-hearted, girly movie "Confessions of a Shopaholic" which was made complete with popcorn & treats in our own goodie bags.

On Saturday afternoon the ladies from Otaki ran "The Amazing Race" and had us running around El Rancho in search of clues, each leading us closer to the finish line. At each clue there were physical & mental challenges we had to complete, some of which left us a little wet!!!

On Saturday night we had an amazing time of worship followed by some powerful ministry time. It was great to see everyone respond and take a stand for change in their own personal walks with God and be ministered to in a special way by the Holy Spirit.

If you weren't there this year, we really encourage you to make it a priority next year. Girls Getaway 2010 will be one you don't want to miss!!!! Get your registrations in early for an unforgettable weekend!!!!

Exciting Young New Christian

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:00:00 +1300

We are hearing exciting reports of God moving in our Youth & Young Adult Life Groups.

A new guy, Joseph (15/16yrs), has been coming along to Edge the last couple of months. He responded to Ps. Adam's message on Sunday and Ps. Sam and Tim (one of Joseph's Life Group leaders) talked with him afterwards and gave him a new Christian's pack etc....

On Wednesday at Life Group, his leaders prayed for him to be filled with the Holy Spirit and Joseph was totally touched and ended up face down on the floor, shaking!

Justin, a life group leader, said that he even looked different when he got off the floor. They were really encouraged as leaders!!!

He doesn't have a Christian background so is completely new to this whole thing. Praise God!!!

Elevate with Ps. Joakim Lundqvist

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +1300

October saw New Life Youth come together from all over the lower North Island come together for the first ever "Elevate Youth & Young Adults Conference."

The guest speaker was Ps. Joakim Lundqvist from "Word of Life Church" in Sweden.

Ps. Joakim also heads up www.newgenerationuk.com, a youth movement of 20,000+ young people impacting their schoos and universities across the globe.

Young people were challenged and equipped to share the love and hope we have in Christ. See you all again at Elevate 2010!

Meadows 10th Birthday @ Realm Drive Site

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 10:15:00 +1200

What a weekend, first the Watoto Choir rocked the house on Friday night then Meadows Church celebrated our TENTH birthday at the Realm Drive site!! We had EVERYTHING!!! Lionel Ritchie (aka Ps. Ian Dennis), a bouncy castle, dancers, a free sausage sizzle and lollie scramble. It was a beautiful day, and we sentimentally let go of balloons, as was done at the opening of the Realm Drive Site... and what a great 10 years it has been-so many changes & developments. Praise the Lord, and here's to another 10 years of Impacting our world for Christ!!!

Watoto Choir: packed out!!

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:00:00 +1200

WOW!!!! The Watoto Choir were AMAZING, what a night and what a privilege. The Auditorium was totally packed out -so much so, that the doors had to be shut and people weren't able to get in!! The African choir, all orphans touched so many hearts, yet showed through their performance and stories just how much joy (and ENERGY!!!!) they had because of their faith, hope and trust in Jesus! To find out more about Watoto, see www.watoto.com

Otaki's 1st Men's Breakfast

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 08:00:00 +1200

On the 12th Sept, the Otaki Meadows held their first Mens Breakfast with 32 men in attendance!!! The breakfast was held at the Pukekaraka Marae in Otaki and proved to be a great success with all involved. The ladies of the house cooked an exceptional breakfast which was followed up by a great time of sharing and testimony by Robin Doyle. The church look forward to their next event and opportunity to share the message!!!

Men's Breakfast with Rob Harley

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 08:00:00 +1200

Food for the stomach and food for the spirit - 60 guys gathered at Southwards on Saturday 6^th Sept to listen to Rob Harley speak. After enjoying a big cooked breakfast the guys were entertained and challenged on "The Power of Words" by Rob.

Sari Saturday

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 09:00:00 +1200

The start of the India fundraising began with our own original “Sari Saturday”- a pre-loved women’s clothing sale. The racks were filled with over 1000 items when the doors were open on the 8^th of August, and it was AWESOME!

We had lines of about 100 women waiting to enter at 9.00am, and once the doors were open, we did not really get a chance to breathe until 10.30am; the place was packed and the women loved it, all asking when the next one was!

The boys were put to work with a $5.00 car wash in the church car pack, and we also had the cafe pumping out great coffees.

All up, we made a total of $4500, $3800 of which was just from the clothing. This awesome event has only been made possible by the amazing support of friends, family and our own wonderful Meadows church women. Thanks for having a clean out girls, we love you for it.

One event down..... more to follow. Stayed tuned!!!

Men's BBQ

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:47:00 +1200

What an awesome place is Al’s shed. A shed to beat all sheds, open fire, pool table, table tennis, lights and sounds and even a shower open to mother nature.

The boys had a great night of fierce competition...again we saw Ps Adam playing his pastors card...”boys you know the pastor always has to win”...yeah right Adam!

The food was great – meat, meat and more meat.

Thanks Al, we had a blast and will be back for more...

Young Adults

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 19:30:00 +1200

The Young Adults night on Sat 25 July was AWESOME!! The girls & guys split up for the evening and this is what happened...

The girls had a very girly "tea party" ... involving tea, fondue, chocolate and treats all laid out on a carpet picnic as well as pampering, tinting, waxing, footspas and candles ...

The boys had a "gaming night" which, according to sources was "geek central" with electronic entertainment galore ... including WII, Xbox, boardgames, computer games, Guitar Hero, and, of course LOTS of pizza