St Paul's Waiwhetū

01/09/2026

All ready to go.

30/08/2026

Yesterday, we marked the ending of our 8 years and 5 months of meeting in our hall and then chapel.

We reflected on what we had lost in that time, but also on what we have gained and how we have grown.

In fact, as I told those gathered, I do not think that we would have grown so much, if we had not been on this journey.

You see, the past 8 years has actually not been about the hall, the chapel, or even the church building.

It had been about the people who go have been on this journey (whether for the whole time, or those that have joined us on the way).

So, I want to acknowledge and honor those people- my sisters and brothers.

A groups of people who have endured, prayed, dreamed, hoped, and persevered as we waited. People who welcomed, served, loved, and cared for each other (and those in our community) as we waited.

A group of people who never stopped being church- be it in a chapel, or an old wooden hall.

Thank you for the journey that has ended, and for the new journey that starts next Sunday.

Rev Karl

22/08/2026

This morning we have our last 8am service in the Chapel (prior to our first service in the church). So it’s appropriate that I acknowledge the elders of St Paul’s.

Firstly those who have departed from us, over the years; may they Rest In Peace.

Secondly, those who are still with us, and who continue to pray, offer encouragement, and who have been so incredibly faithful over the past season.

We are blessed to have their wisdom, experience, and their collective knowledge of this church and community.

Rev Karl

19/08/2026

I was having a cup of coffee, just before a meeting this morning…

Hang on, not just any meeting, but the last meeting I will ever have about St Paul’s EQ Strengthening journey.

Now, I have no idea how many cups of coffee have been drunk during meetings, since St Paul’s journey started way back in 2012, but I am thankful for every single cup and every single person who drank them with me.

I have no idea how many hundreds of earthquake-related emails I have read, but I am thankful for every single one (yes, even those that gave me sleepless nights), and every single person who sent them.

You see, from my perspective, our journey has been less about the building and more about the people who have been on that journey; as highlighted by the cups of coffee and emails.

It will come as no surprise that I am deeply thankful to The Lord, for each and every one of them.

I look forward to thanking them, and remembering those who have left us on Sunday, September 6th at 10 am.

Please know that you are welcome to join me, as I do.

Yes, there will be cups of coffee on offer.

05/08/2026

On Sunday, September 6th at 10am, the cover will be off this altar, as we hold a service of Celebration and Thanksgiving in our church building (finally!)

For the first time in 8 (long) years, this sacred space will resonate with song, scripture, prayer, and conversation.

This is also the first Sunday in spring, so I cannot think of a more fitting Sunday to celebrate, give thanks for, and remember all those who have played a part in our journey.

We are inviting everyone who has been involved, as well as all those who have supported us along the way.

But wait, there is more.

One week before, on Sunday August 30th at 9 am our church family will gather in our Chapel for our final service there; as it is fitting that we conduct a service of farewell and thanksgiving.

As a church family, we will use this time to mark the end of our journey out of the building. We will express our thanks for the past 8 years, remind ourselves of what we have learned, and then share our final communion in the Chapel.

Phew....
Rev Karl

02/08/2026

This is not a beautiful photo- but it's what is missing that is exciting!

What is missing?

Yesterday, it was sooooooo satisfying to finally remove the Earthquake Prone Building notification that we had to display on our window for the past 8 years.

Yesterday, it was my great privilege to announce that Hutt City Council granted St Paul's its Code of Compliance Certificate!!

This means that our church building is now able to be used for services and other gatherings!!

Once we finalise the opening date, I will post it here, as part of the process of inviting people to come and celebrate with us.

I hope to do so, within the next few days.

But in the mean time, please enjoy this rather dull photo that symbolises the end of one journey and the start of the next.

Rev Karl

31/07/2026

Why I lit a candle, when its flame cannot be seen by anyone.

We light a candles each Sunday, and due to the large windows in our Chapel, these candles are visible to all who pass by; just as those who sit in the Chapel are visible to all who pass by.

For the last few Sunday’s (and moving forward) I have also lit this candle. A candle whose flame is not visible to those who pass by, but the scent of it is smelt by those closest to it.

I light this candle to remind those gathered that countless of our sisters and brothers across the globe cannot meet as we do. They cannot meet publicly, they cannot meet safely, and they do not have the privilege of visibility; yet their scent (like this candle) is smelt by those closest to them.

I light this candle to remind us of all of the privilege we have in waiting to move into our church building. We have a building that is visible, and open to all; and this is a privilege denied to so many across the globe, due to state and religious persecution.

I light this candle to remind us to pray for our sisters and brothers across the globe who cannot meet as we do, yet whose light still shines and whose fragrance is smelt by those closest to them.

21/07/2026

We are still waiting for the official signoff on our whare; but once we get it, we will give a minimum of 4 weeks notice about the date/time of the Celebration and Thanksgiving service.

This is to allow time for invitations to be sent out and for people to plan accordingly.

In all honesty, we are not expecting that this will be in August; so it's looking like it will be in spring- which is kinda symbolic, don't you think?

Rev Karl

10/07/2026

Moose is a bit glum, and so are we.

While we finally had our final (and successful) inspection from Hutt City Council (HCC), and while we will receive sign-off on the physical aspects of the Building Consent, we are waiting for our Code of Compliance Certificate to be issued.

We cannot use the church until the CCC is granted, and we have been informed that due to a backlog, our wait time will be measured in weeks.

As such, we have postponed our church's reopening and Bishop Ana's visit on July 26th. Like Moose, we are a bit glum about this, but also we know that we will eventually be back in our whare- so we also remain excited!

But, for now, we wait.

Yet in our waiting, may we not lose hope. In our waiting may we know The Lord’s presence. In our waiting, may we continue to express our thankfulness to The Lord for all He has done to get us to this point.

Once we have the CCC issued, we will go public with a new date for us to gather and celebrate our whare, and express our deep gratitude to all who have worked on it.

Rev Karl

03/07/2026

St Paul's is not only used by a range of community groups, but our building is also highly visible to the public. As such, and with other Anglican Churches across Wellington, we have commenced fundraising for an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to placed on the exterior of our church.

An AED is a device that applies an electric charge to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat. If the heart rhythm stops, or sudden cardiac arrest occurs, a defibrillator may aid the heart to start beating again to save the life of a loved one.

​Heartsaver, a New Zealand company specialising in AEDs, recommends AEDs be located at key community locations, and within a 4-minute (walked) round trip (approximately 100 metres). To ensure the AEDs are always accessible, it is essential that they are located on the exterior of buildings, in purpose-built cabinets; and it is our intention to have one installed on the exterior of our Church.

We are hoping to raise $4000 to cover the installation of an AED, please follow the link below to donate via Givealittle, and join with us us as we serve our community.

Raising funds for an emergency AED station at St Pauls.