Farewell Yohei

Sadly, a couple of weeks ago it was time to farewell Yohei, as he left NZ to return to his family in Japan. 

We will miss you Yohei! 

During his time with Christchurch North Methodist Parish, Yohei has been a pretty awesome member of our church family. He has been camera operator, helped out with our young people, been a fantastic team player and member of a dry-land synchronised swimming team, and an actor/stuntman as the 3rd Wise Man in our Nativity movie.

Puppet show pics

Paul and Silas
Jailhouse Rock!

Here are a few photos I didn't get around to posting from a couple of weeks ago, when we heard the story of Paul and Silas.

We remember that even when life gets tough, even on the most terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day... God is with us, loving us, caring for us, and giving us strength to get through. Now that's something to sing about!

Jailhouse break!

Go you clever crafty things!

Be a Buddy, not a Bully

The focus this week is on anti-bullying... on being a buddy, not a bully. God loves each one of us, and wants us to share God's loving kindness to all.

Tomorrow in Awesome Time we will decorate some kindness cupcakes, find out what God and apples have in common, come up with some cool anti-bullying T-shirt designs, to enter into a competition. Check out one of the winning designs from a previous competition below.

Pink Shirt Day 20 May

Wear a pink shirt on Friday...

Go FISH this Saturday!

Bubble fun at Musikool Kids

Lovely to have a grandad on hand, ready to help with bubbles!

You've got a friend

Remember, even if you're having a stink day...

Jesus is always with you, loving you and helping you get through.

Unique and Priceless

Berith's awesome self portrait!

Missing Artwork

Here is Berith's amazing picture, which somehow was missing when I photographed them for the blog entry last week.

Unique 

Our Awesome Kids created these spectacular works of art as a representation of themselves.

Each one of the pictures is so unique, just as we are all different from each other. No matter what colour our hair, skin, eyes, what language we speak or food we eat - we are each loved by God.

Each one of us is part of God's family. God loves us, and wants us to love one another.

Make sure you check out the Chapel Street Art Gallery sometime soon! Watch this space for more amazing creations from our Awesome Artists.

Dream catcher

Dream Catcher, by Monica K.

Hope everyone has found a place to hang their dream-catchers we made on Sunday!

The dream-catcher craft inspired Monica to sketch this when she got home from church. Great job, Monica!

All My Favourites

The Search

This morning there was much laughter in church... when Neti had us all on our hands and knees searching underneath our seats for sheets of paper. Those who found one were asked to participate in the leading of the service - prayer, reading etc. The children were especially helpful in the hunt!

You're All My Favourites

Rachel read a story about three bears who each wondered which of them was the Daddy Bear's favourite. In the end they discovered that boy, girl, big, small, patches or no patches... it didn't matter, as their father loved them all just the same. They were all his favourites... just as God loves each of us the same.

Hamish's Prayer

Hamish lead us in prayer, thanking God for being with us always and loving us the same - boy, girl, old, young, short, tall, freckles or no freckles... we are each loved equally by God.

Dream Catchers

Our Awesome Kids made some Native American Dream Catchers - to remind us of the bible story in which Paul and Lydia had dreams and visions. We need to trust in God to be with us always, in the happy times, sad times, scary times... and to listen to what God wants us to do. God is always with us, loving us, no matter what.

Chapel Street Art Gallery

It was also the opening of our Chapel Street Art Gallery... and the self portraits by our Awesome Kids were greatly admired by all. Pop in and check them out yourself!

Marie and Daria admiring the Awesome Kids' artwork

Next FISH Sat 14 May

Mark your calendars now! The next FISH night is Saturday 14 May at the Chapel Street Centre. Loads of fun challenges and games for the whole family, all ages. Everyone welcome!

Awesome Artists

This morning our Awesome Kids created some spectacular works of art - each piece a representation of themselves. Each one of the pictures is so unique, just as we are all different from each other. No matter what colour our hair, skin, eyes, what language we speak or food we eat - we are all loved by God. Each one of us is part of God's family.

Check out the works in progress...

The finished pieces will be framed and displayed in our gallery in the Chapel Street Centre. Call in next Sunday to check them out!

You can have a sneak preview here:

Congratulations to Emma!

Last week Emma shared with us the fantastic news that she has qualified for the Kids' Lit Quiz National Competition. Emma's team placed 2nd in the Canterbury competition, earning them the place in the NZ finals in Wellington early next month.

We wish you all the very best Emma!

If you want to know more about KLQ, you can click here to read more.

Thanks Philomena!

At Christchurch North Methodist we are blessed with an amazing bunch of talented musicians... from our choir to our pianists to the Chapel Street Band. However, it is a truly special Sunday when our worship starts with a beautiful solo performance by Philomena. Here is a short clip from last week of Mena singing 'My Redeemer Lives'.

Awesome Kids with "Experience"

From time to time we acknowledge and celebrate in church and on this blog the sporting, cultural and academic successes of our Awesome Kids. Last Sunday, Nancy Gillespie shared fantastic news of a gardening award to her and Murray. Perhaps they were spurred on by the recent successes of our Awesome Kids? We thought they deserved a spot on our blog!

Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Gillespie, for winning the William Steward Cup for Most Uplifting Surroundings, from the Papanui Beautifying Association. The cup was awarded for their contribution in making Papanui 'The Garden Suburb' of Christchurch.

A Tabitha Sewing Circle

Last week we heard the story from the Bible of Tabitha, who sewed clothes for people who couldn't afford them. Through Tabitha's holy work others felt the love of Jesus.

We made fabulous fabric creations to represent how we can show God's loving kindness to others.

Living in God's way may seem like a big challenge, but Jesus showed that even the smallest everyday words and actions can share God's love. Our own small acts of loving kindness can add up to one big message: Jesus' love is alive in us!

Sophia's prayer

Sophia led the congregation in prayer last Sunday

Each week, one of our Awesome Kids leads the congregation in prayer. Sometimes they use a prayer that has been written for them, sometimes it is one from a book or found online, and sometimes they write their own. Last Sunday Sophia read a very special prayer she wrote all by herself. We thanked God for the beautiful day, for our families, and especially for Sophia's Nana. Thank you Sophia!

Magic Carpet Riders

Rosalie, Lois and Merilyn - all ready for take-off on our Magic Carpet Ride at Musikool Kids a couple of weeks ago.

Which direction shall we go?

On Sunday we heard a story about a guy who was the biggest bully on the block. We were amazed to hear how he was changed by the love of God, became a follower of Jesus and was chosen for important work by God.

Our Awesome Kids made a signpost with the names of all the places Paul journeyed to. We might hear about some of these travels over the coming months.

In the meantime, we will try and remember that God's love can do amazing things... even stop mean bullies in their tracks and turn their lives around.

Photos from FISH

Our first FISH night was held tonight at the Chapel Street Centre. After a BYO takeaway tea we played a variety of games, from mind boggling cryptic puzzles to high energy, highly competitive team games. A highlight for many was 'Hagoo', where teams had to walk the gauntlet, trying to make their opposing team member smile. We also played 'tape tag', 'Hovering Bunnies', and 'Rob the Nest'. Dylan was the "winner" of 'Jaffa on Mount Flour' and had to retrieve a jaffa from a mountain of flour using only his teeth!

Check out the photos (view more by clicking on the link below) and join us at next month's FISH evening, Saturday 14th May 5pm-7pm.

Balloon soccer

What's in the mystery box?

'Hagoo!'

Jaffa on Mountain of Flour Game

Ice cream and chocolate fish for dessert!

click here to see photos

FISH - this Saturday night!