About Knox Church
Who are we?
Whilst words can never truly express the spirit that unites and inspires a group of people, the identity statement approved in 2003 conveys a good sense of who we are:
Knox Church is a congregation within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
We aim to create a Christian community in which people of all ages, sexual orientations, cultural backgrounds and socio-economic situations are included as equally valued participants in our congregational life.
We cherish our diversity, offering a safe place of belonging to any who wish to explore their beliefs in an atmosphere promoting discussion, the development of healthy relationships and spiritual growth.
We enjoy worshipping the God made known in Jesus, endeavouring to do so in ways that are relevant to our daily lives, respect the integrity of creation, and make a positive difference to our wider world.
Our logo combines the distinctive physical appearance of our historic church building with five core values that have been formative in the growth of our congregation: love, faith, outreach, community and justice. These values are integral to the programmes and activities we offer, and to the way in which we make our facilities available to groups and individuals in the wider community in which we live.
Our ministry team currently comprises:
Mminister
Knox Church is currently vacant, if you are interested in exploring ministry with Knox Church please contact Rev Rob Fergusson for a copy of the profile. robdawnferg@gmail.com
Rev. Hugh Perry is the Interim Moderator for Knox following the resignation of the Rev. Dr. Geoff King on 25th December 2012. He can be contacted on uprev@xtra.co.nz , 03 3857545 or 027 4992107.
Rev Dr Jim Cunningham – (Stated Supply Minister)
We welcome Jim into our congregation for the next 2 months. Jim is an experienced minister of the PCANZ and lives in Wellington. He is currently an honorary associate at St Andrew’s in Wellington. We look forward to learning more about Jim as we journey with him and Maxine through to Easter.
Judith Challies (pastoral assistant)
Judith joined the Knox Ministry team in 2005, after retiring from private practice as a Gestalt Psychotherapist. She had five years in a similar position at St. Giles' Church in the 1980s, her special interest being with older people, particularly women, as they make later life transitions.
Judith has 5 adult children and 10 grandchildren, and is happily married to Bruce in a partnership which combines their Presbyterian and Catholic perspectives well. In the late 1980s they lived as part of the Teschemakers Retreat Centre team with the Dominican Sisters.
Judith's interests include exploring all things spiritual, writing, reading widely, going to movies and playing with grandchildren. She describes being part of the Knox Ministry team as “pure pleasure.”
Rev. Bob Fendall (pastoral assistant)
After nearly 35 years of ministry serving parishes in Hawkes Bay, Ashburton, Christchurch and Oregon, USA, Bob retired, only to spend the last 10 years being “recycled” in providing interim ministries in a number of Christchurch parishes.
His approach to ministry is in strengthening and encouraging faith communities that are open, accepting and outward looking. He maintains an enthusiasm for the values and teaching seen in Jesus of Nazareth.
In a former life he was an electrician.
Enjoying family life, Bob and Leita have two sons Andrew and David and daughter Elizabeth and five lively grandchildren who keep them young and active.
Interests include a weekly round of golf, supporting Crusaders and Canterbury rugby, involvement in SeniorNet and University of the Third Age, and enjoying choir singing. He has just retired from 19 years singing with the Canterbury Plainsmen Barbershop Chorus.
A strong advocate for team ministry Bob welcomes the opportunity to be part of Knox's team ministry, focussing on pastoral care and embraces the values of openness and freedom that is at the heart of Knox Church.
Diane Harrington (Secretary )
Diane is Church Secretary and is also responsible for hire of the Knox Centre rooms. Originally asked to help out in the office for just 4 weeks many years ago, Diane has continued in this position, enjoying the varied mix of duties and especially the people contact that working at Knox brings.
Our organist is Grant Williams, and the Knox Singers contribute to our worship every second week.
We meet for worship each Sunday at 10am, with each service including a story time for children, following which children of primary school age are welcome to take part in supervised “Faith and Fun” activities in their room upstairs.
Wazzup, our junior youth group for years 7-11, meets fortnightly on Sundays at 6 pm.
The APW Fireside group provides a valued social network for older women in the congregation, and meets on the third Monday evening of each month.
A monthly “Friendship Afternoon” enables residents of a number of Christchurch rest homes to enjoy a programme of entertainment provided by local musicians, school and other groups throughout the year. The planning and hosting of these events, with refreshments and support provided by volunteers from the congregation, is a long-standing expression of Knox Church's commitment to serve the wider community.
Knox Church has an increasingly extensive library containing books on a wide range of spiritual, religious and related topics, as well as a broad selection of children's books on a number of themes.
