Spring 2016

The full story of Christchurch When I was asked to take part in the filming of what I thought was an advertisement for Christchurch Airport, I didn’t take it too seriously. I’m one of many who believe that life is too short to spend time watching television commercials and I constantly give thanks for the inventor of the little ‘R’ button that allows me to record a programme and watch it later - so I can fast-forward through the ads. So when a friend sent me the web address for A Story for Christchurch and suggested I should watch it I was slow to respond. But thank God I did. And if you haven’t watched it I suggest you do. You can google it on www.christchurchstory.co.nz. If you haven’t got access to the web you should seek out a friend who can google it for you because it’s one ‘advertisement’ that is well worth the effort. A Story of Christchurch is the product of the ‘Share an Idea’ campaign where citizens were invited to share their ideas and their dreams for the rebuild of Christchurch. The film captures the key themes of that consultation and suggests that we are involved in rebuilding a city that will be planned well and will deliver the freedom to grow, connect and find balance - a city where we can all live the Kiwi dream. My small part in the film was to remind viewers that a city

is not just bricks and mortar; that it is actually people. More by accident than design the City Mission was there at the beginning of the dream. When the quakes hit we had already laid the foundation for a new City Mission. We had dreamed our dreams and had designed a Mission that would serve the people of Christchurch in a new era and we were anticipating that we would be able to ease gracefully into the fabric of our city. But the quakes changed all that. Our new City Mission was one of the first new buildings in post-earthquake Christchurch and we literally had to hit the ground running. I can’t pretend that it was easy. The victims of the quakes flocked to our doors. Within weeks my staff and our volunteers were reaching exhaustion and I was beginning to believe that I wouldn’t live long enough to see the resurrection of the city I love. But then a young couple came to see me. They had recently arrived from England and they wanted to volunteer at the City Mission. CONTINUE OVER PAGE

In this issue: A safe haven The Sunday Lunch Money or the Bag... How They Helped Mission Postbox Prayer Power

Reach Out is a newsletter for those who support the Christchurch City Mission with their time, their treasure and their prayers. 276 Hereford Street PO Box 1032, Christchurch 8140 Phone 365 0635 (24 hours) citymission.org.nz A division of Anglican Care Find us on Facebook

Did you know? It costs over $15,000 a day to run the City Mission.

Spring 2016

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I asked them why they had come to Christchurch and they said, “We want to be part of the rebuild. We think it’s exciting and we want to be part of what Christchurch is becoming”. I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to that young couple. They jolted me out of my unthinking despair and caused me to look again and I really liked what I saw. A Story of Christchurch is a wake-up call to people who, like me, are tempted to despair. It’s a timely reminder that we are part of something most people can only imagine. We are building a city that will deliver the freedom to grow, connect and find balance to live the Kiwi dream. Mine is a still, small voice but I want to repeat my reminder that a city is not just bricks and mortar; that it is actually people. And I want the citizens of this rebuilt city to remember that an important part of the Story of Christchurch is our record of compassion for those who haven’t yet managed to live the Kiwi dream and that if they are not part of our dream city it will be little more than another shallow television advertisement. This isn’t going to happen unless the City

HOW THEY HELPED

When the Women’s Night Shelter opened four years ago, Chrystal Perelini decided she wanted to help. Over the years she has gathered together many gifted and community minded people who have attended breakfasts, sold goods, put on art exhibitions, donated quality goods, and generally gifted their time, talents and money to support the women in the shelter.  Chrystal has involved her whole family in this project including her daughter who is a year 8 student at St Michael’s.  As a result Camille has followed her mother’s example and involved the St Michael’s school community in fundraising activities on behalf of the Christchurch City Mission.  A huge thank you to Chrystal and Camille, and their communities, for all the help they give us. And how lovely to see the younger generation choosing to follow such a giving path. Camille is in the blue cardigan.

Mission is more than just dreaming. It is our mission to see that the homeless, the hungry, the sick and the prisoners are included in the dream city; that they too have the opportunity to grow, connect and find balance so that they too can actually live the Kiwi dream. But, as always, we are going to need your help. It is nearly 10 years since we last took a census of our City Mission support team and a lot of things have changed in the past 10 years. We want to take this opportunity to spring clean the list of the people who have the potential to make our dream come true. Will you please take the time to fill in the enclosed census form and return it to me in the enclosed reply-paid envelope?

way and be able to share this Christmas with the Mission family. I want to thank each and every one of you who have made it possible with your significant monetary gifts, for me and all the Mission staff to perform our duties. Each time I have gone out and asked for your help, you have responded. And please keep on keeping on with all you have been doing to ensure that the people we serve can become part of A Story for Christchurch.

I hope you have caught up with the news of my retirement as well. It’s been 12 years since I started in this incredibly rewarding role. I believe it is now the right time for me to resign and have the opportunity to spend more time with family and with friends who have all supported me so well during those years. I will be here until January 6th 2017, so I will still be here to help get the process for the Women’s Night Shelter new building on its

Michael Gorman, City Missioner

HOW THEY HELPED

The Mission couldn’t possibly do all it does without the generous support of our donors and volunteers. During Volunteer Awareness Week we were thrilled to see one of our Foodbank stalwarts, Janet Peagram, have her volunteering dedication recognised by Volunteer Canterbury. Janet has helped at the Foodbank for 17 years! Thank you Janet and all the team – we have 40 generous souls who help regularly in the Foodbank each week. Janet with her work colleagues.

41 years ago Judy Stewart answered a request for “volunteers needed for the new Great Opportunity Shop in Rangiora” and she has worked in the Rangiora shop once a week ever since! In addition, each week she brings in meticulously knitted babywear, booties, hats and cardigans. Judy orders and buys the wool, knits it up into beautifully crafted garments and donates them all to us to sell in the shop. Cathy, the shop manager, says “as you can imagine they sell out very fast, but Judy is not fazed, she just continues to knit and brings in more lovely garments the next week.” Thank you Judy for your dedication and hard work!

The One School Network (OSN) is a group made up of students from various high schools in Christchurch, aiming to improve inter-school relationships and in doing so, break down the social barriers that exist between them. They aim to do this by leading through service, whether that be helping our community or getting involved with other schools.  For their first OSN initiative, Avonside Girls’ High School, Shirley Boys’ High School, St Andrews College and St Margarets College decided to take part in a food bank week, where each school collected food items to donate to the City Mission.  They wanted to show the community that private and public schools can work together to achieve a common goal and chose the Mission as their cause to help out those less fortunate in their community. No matter what their social and economic backgrounds may be, they recognise that we all have a role to play in our Christchurch community.  We’re very appreciative of their efforts on our behalf and look forward to encouraging their future endeavours.

We have received grants from the following and would like to express our thanks – C G Tate Charitable Trust, St Lazarus Trust, Christchurch Earthquake Recovery Trust and the CCC Strengthening Community Trust.

Did you know? It costs over $15,000 a day to run the City Mission.

A Safe Haven The pilot programme for the Women’s Night Shelter was opened in December 2012 in response to a long recognised need in our community – a safe, warm, supportive place for single women to spend a night when they had no viable alternative. The idea had been bandied about for years, and finally the Mission drew a line in the sand and said “we’ll do it”. This shelter is run on similar lines to the Men’s Night Shelter. It’s currently in a rented four bedroom house and has beds for up to seven women per night. Last year we were able to shelter nearly 200 women, as well as provide dinner and breakfast, a hot shower and a laundry, and a social worker to help work through the issues that brought them there. Women usually arrive at the shelter after being referred by another community organisation such as a women’s refuge, Citizen’s Advice, mental health providers, or even the Police. The women who have used this service so far are here through very different reasons. Sandra was in her 50s. She was sleeping rough on Christchurch’s streets, using hedges for shelter. She was found by a well-intentioned but untrained person who was pushing authorities for “something to be done”. Sandra ended up at the Shelter. She left within a month. After another couple of months later, she returned and explained “I felt forced to come last time – like it wasn’t my choice. Now I know it’s somewhere safe and will help me and I want to be here.” Sandra had severe and complex mental health issues, so her case

took quite a bit of managing. Over a longer period than usual (three months), our Social Workers at the Night Shelter and Walsh House Women’s programme, the Mission’s Budget Advisor, Sandra’s mental health worker and the Council’s social housing unit all worked together to ensure Sandra’s re-entry to independent living was well supported and achievable for her long term. She’s now taking each day as it comes, but is enjoying having a roof over her head and her own space. Another couple (a mother and her sister) had come to Christchurch to support their son/nephew as he built a new life here working in the Christchurch rebuild. They were all staying with family. An upset caused a breakdown in family relationships (not unusual in overcrowded housing) and

they found themselves out in the streets, sleeping in their car. They have never been in a situation like this before and were desperate. They called the Mission - we were able to house them for a short period while we helped them find new accommodation. Making the decision to open the Women’s Night Shelter could be considered courageous – the Mission didn’t receive any extra funding to achieve it. However, as we have found over and over again, we have the support of a most generous community and they helped make this work. The past three years have proven so successful that the decision was recently made to make this a permanent service. Michael is committed to having plans underway to build on the previous Thorpe House site, before he leaves at the end of 2016.

MISSION POSTBOX

Dear City Missioner, The Trustees of the St Lazarus Trust are pleased to inform you that they have approved a grant of $5,000 to the Christchurch City Mission. We have always been a supporter of the Christchurch City Mission knowing the good you do in helping the homeless, the sick, the poor and the needy, and in some small way showing these people that someone does care for their wellbeing. We are only a small Trust and there are many organisations like yourself seeking funds in helping the community at large

and we do what we can to those we have approved grants.

Palms shopping centre last week, I couldn’t believe it.

Trusting that this grant will help in some small way, to let people know that there are charities like ourselves who believe in helping those less fortunate than ourselves – more so in the bad wet weather we have been having in Auckland.

Please accept my donation, will it help some child.

Wishing you continued success in helping those in need of your services. Please accept my gift of $35. I had some kindness shown to me at The

Yours faithfully, M.W, New Brighton Please find enclosed my $500 tax refund, as promised. Also some extra in gratitude for having a warm house and being able to travel. May God bless you all at the City Mission, R.R

Did you know? It costs over $15,000 a day to run the City Mission.

The Sunday Lunch – it's almost here! Once again Top NZ Chef JONNY SCHWASS is rounding up all his friends and suppliers from the local restaurant scene, and putting on a fabulous three course banquet, with beverages, to raise money for the City Mission Foodbank. Besides amazing food and a magical venue, there’ll be fabulous entertainment with MARK HADLOW as MC – those who attended last year will know what we mean! We have some quality items for a small, focussed auction but the emphasis is definitely on great food and great company.

ALL funds go to the Foodbank as all food, drink, labour, entertainment... EVERYTHING is donated and volunteered. It’s coming up quickly so don’t miss out! Here’s the breakdown of the basics – Date: Sunday 25th September 2016 Venue: Christ’s College Dining Hall, Rolleston Ave Time: doors open 12.30pm for a 1pm start Cost: $80 per person (plus booking fee, and credit card fee if used) NO DOOR SALES What: 3 course meal with beverages, charity auction with great prizes, amazing entertainment, impeccable company... And here’s the link to the listing on Eventfinda... http://www.eventfinda. co.nz/2016/city-mission-sunday-lunch/ christchurch

The Money or The Bag... Which way did you choose to support the Brown Paper Bag appeal this year? Either way we’re very appreciative. This appeal is fabulous for filling up the Foodbank shelves and coppers at a time when we most need it – during the coldest part of winter. We are very fortunate to receive phenomenal support from a lot of people and companies to ensure this appeal runs as smoothly and successfully as it does, so we’d like to take this opportunity to thank them:

Simon Barnett, Gary McCormick, Joanna Norris, James Daniels, Hilary Muir, Chris Lynch, Todd Blackadder and Andy Ellis for fronting the appeal. The Press, i-Site, Mai FM, The Breeze, More FM, The Hits, Magic, Newstalk ZB and RadioLive for promoting the appeal. Harvey Cameron and Immediate for designing the campaign. New World for sponsoring and collecting the bags and helping with logistics. All the volunteers who help to sort the bags and store the contents... too many to name but each one an angel. – THANK YOU all!

Spring 2016

PRAY WITH US

At 1pm on the first Wednesday of each month we join together in a service of Holy Communion in the Mission Chapel in Hereford Street. Please come and pray with us for the work of our Mission.

PRAYER POWER

Dear God: Spring is a metaphor for change. Some changes we eagerly await, and some we abhor. Some changes we plan and others arrive uninvited. To all these changes we ask the gift of Your perspective beckoning us to expectation, hope, and rebirth. May the sunlight and the rain be reminders that You are at work renewing the earth. As a God of renewal, You are ever at work in our lives, too. Open our eyes and lives to the needed changes in our lives this Spring. Awaken us to new life and perspective, for we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. Rev. Mark Bekkedahl

especially the women and children who come to Walsh House and the Women’s Night Shelter. And for Catherine, the Women’s Services Supervisor, and the dedicated staff who work with her. For our Budget Service and for our Foodbank Team. TUESDAY We pray for the guests in our Night Shelter, our Men’s Day Programme and for Phil the Men’s Services Supervisor, his team, and the Volunteers who work in the Men’s Day Programme and cook the meals and work in the Dining Room. WEDNESDAY We pray for those who come seeking the gift of sobriety and relief from addiction to drugs and for those who are helping them to overcome their addictions: Simon, his team and the Volunteers who assist them. THURSDAY We pray for our leaders. For those who hold the stewardship of care; Michael, the City Missioner;

SUNDAY

For the members of the Divisional Committee;

We pray for those who are unemployed and those who are seeking work.

For our Management, Finance, Administration and Support Staff;

For the many volunteers who support the work we do.

And for the Volunteers who help with the office work and fundraising.

And for those who give money and goods to sustain us as we offer hope to those who have none. MONDAY We pray for those who will come seeking sanctuary from violence and abuse,

FRIDAY We pray for those who rely on our Great Opportunity Shops for clothing, bedding and furniture - and for those who serve them: For Sally, her team across all the stores, our Relievers, and the Volunteers who work in the shops.

“There are days when I walk through the center of Stockholm when I get this sudden feeling of happiness - a sense of belonging and at the same time gratitude that I’m so privileged that I can live my life in my city.” Bjorn Ulvaeus

And for those who provide the clothing, Furniture and household goods.

“We can never get a re-creation of community and heal our society without giving our citizens a sense of belonging.” Patch Adams

We pray for those who otherwise will have no one to pray for them:

“You can’t build a society purely on interests, you need a sense of belonging.” Valery Giscard d’Estaing

For those who will come to the Mission for medical care and for health advice.

SATURDAY

For the forgotten elderly, living on their own.

For young people living on the streets.