Christmas @ The Meeting House

It was an exciting, noisy, busy place on Christmas evening as 75 people from numerous nations, cultures, social strata and religions merged together on the top floor of The Meeting House to share a meal. Their were relatively well off families with little children, expats with distant family, societies misfits and rejects, former high profile individuals that are now lonely and alone. They came and mixed together, supporting and serving each other: sharing their journeys and celebrating acceptance.

Added to this eclectic mozaic that previewed the potential of humanity to be family despite the differences, there was a team of Corps (church) members that had arranged their own family Christmas celebrations to be available to serve the community - and in so doing be Jesus.

We sang Carols together which retold the story of the first Christmas, and listened to a presentation which spoke of the potential for miracles that was still available because of the God who walks amongst us.

This Chruch, The Meeting House, (The Salvation Army - Mt Albert) continues to make me proud - we don't get everything right and never will - but this church, these Christians are introducing the community to Jesus and making a difference - and often with very few words.

The Kiwi and the Mouse

It's been another crazy week here at The Meeting House!

It began with a capacity crowd to farewell to Brenton (Captain) as he leaves us to get maried this weekend, and then moves on to a new appointment in the new year.

It got stranger when over 120 pre-schoolers and their carers came together for the mainly music christmam program with a difference. As the children sang and danced, they heard the story of Christmas through the eyes of a kiwi and a mouse.

This was followed by the weekly community meal: 59 people heard again the message of Emmanuel, and shared together around their tables. This eclectic group continues to surprise and delight us as we look to meet the needs of the marginalised in our community.

Wednesday and following a good attendance at the Drop-In centre, our little experiment: MAKAttack! (a Kids Club) continues to grow with over 30 children meeting to create chaos and hear the real story of Christmas.

The Meeting House is alive and well. In any given week we become home for between 275 and 300 people - many of whom are the displaced and unwanted of our community. If you want to see a church that is committed to it's purpose of Introducing people to Jesus, Meeting Needs and Making a Difference - then, check us out or come and be part of the transformation that is occuring here.