Earthquake information

Chris Chamberlain, 30 September 2010

Hi there, Not too much news to report at the moment... We are in a 'holding pattern' for a few months, as far as our historic building is concerned. There will be quite a wait while the full scale assessment of the damage to our building is finalized. It might be late 2010, or early 2011 before we get a serious idea of how to proceed. As a congregation we are 'holding up' well, considering the crisis we have been through, and the services in Christchurch East School Hall have been well attended and full of joy. Our next challenge appears to be that of patience!! However, when we look around, both locally and globally, the perspective we gain is one that says, "We have nothing to complain about." We certainly have a few challenges to deal with, but we are alive, and enjoying the comforts (or is that distractions?) of western life... If you are reading this because you have an interest in Oxford Terrace, please pray for us! We need God's help as we keep 'mere buildings' in perspective, and as we maintain a focus on our calling: "We, the people of this place, by God's grace and through the power of the Holy Spirit, will help draw people into a loving and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ."

Chris

Chris Chamberlain, 22 September 2010

Time for another update!

It has been nearly three weeks, as I write this, since the 7.1 earthquake. Our lives have been changed by this event, and the dust is beginning to settle a bit now... Here's how things are for us at the moment:

FACILITIES
Our church lounge is now safe for use. So too, are the small rooms at the rear of our main building, and 'the Hub', our older meeting room at 100 Chester St East. This allows us to operate our mid week meetings as we normally would do. So far, so good!

SUNDAYS
We held our first meeting at Christchurch East School Hall last Sunday and it was a fantastic time. The hall was full of chatter, laughing, and the overall sense was of a special family celebration. Those who like to notice the numbers will be interested that we had about 160 people present, a similar number to a regular congregation. There were a few visitors there too- having worked out how to find us! We will be at Christchurch East for another two weeks, as we continue to process what the best location for us on a Sunday should be. The school has been very generous to us in allowing the use of their hall and we do appreciate it. It is a good connection for us to be maintaining with them.

DAMAGE
We are in a holding pattern at the moment as we await the full assessment of our damaged building, which has now been secured with a series of props and braces. Some folk have rushed into decisions regarding damaged buildings, but with our heritage issues, the time for patience is upon us. The city council have publicly expressed a desire for saving buildings such as ours, but we must await the assessment. Our national Baptist leaders are keen to support our process as we decide the best future use of our site, with or without the building we currently use.

PURPOSE
In the meantime let's keep reflecting on what it means to be "The people of this place"- a line from our church mission statement... As we continue with our work as the central city Baptist church in Christchurch, I'm praying that God's leading will become apparent to us as we work through this challenging situation!

God's best for you at this time

Chris

Chris Chamberlain, 16 September 2010

Hi!

After a bit of a wait, it looks like we have some news on what our short term plans are:

SERVICE PLANS
This has been a slow process, due to waiting upon engineering clearances, but on Thursday (16th) we were granted access to the Christchurch East School Hall for this coming Sunday. At this stage is looks likely that we can use this hall for the next 3 weeks, and maybe long-term. So it is 'business as usual' at 10.30am this Sunday, just 500 meters from our main site. Special thanks to the School who have been extremely generous, and to Mike Crudge who has taken on the task of finding a new venue for us - he had about 5 realistic plans up his sleeve for this week and the school is the best option.

BUILDING UPDATE
We are now in the hands of our insurance assessor, who is working closely with us in finding solutions to the damage our building has sustained. The frontage is being secured with a series of props and braces, to make it safe, and to stop further damage. Then our lounge will be useable again. Our back rooms behind the platform may also be cleared for use soon. The garage is being cleared out to be used as an extra youth group space, and The Hub (100 Chester Street East) is being used a lot more than usual. The next stage is to undertake an in depth engineer's report on the entire building. This may take a month to receive. Depending on what that report says, we will begin to prepare for repair or other options. Please pray as we seek the appropriate way of being God's people in this place. In many ways we are at a strategic point in the history of our community of faith. Pray too, for the work of the church that needs to continue: our mid week activities have been affected by the earthquake and we are still a bit mixed up as the situation gradually unfolds. It is very much a fluid time, with each day bringing fresh news. Our youth work especially is compromised while space is tied up, so pray for Paul and his leaders.

Please continue to be careful when on the "building site", as it is now: contractors, machinery, and 'no-go' areas must be respected for everyones safety.

Chris

Chris Chamberlain, 11 September 2010

“Church is people!” It seems very ironic that I wrote those same words just two weeks ago in our last newsletter, and here we are today with a very badly damaged building that cannot be used. What a shocking experience for us all it has been. It has raised numerous issues for us and I want to comment on a few of them:

OUR FAMILY
When one part of the body hurts, the whole body hurts (see in the Bible 1st Corinthians ch 12.12-31). Our people have not had too much loss, but we especially feel for some who have had to leave their home. Our prayers are with and for them. I know there are others also who have had losses. I have been overwhelmed by the expressions of support coming to us from all over NZ and the world. We have also been receiving good support from our national Baptist leaders as we contend with this traumatic event, and the property issues it has caused. They are committed to helping us through this time.

OUR BUILDINGS
There are many complex issues that this earthquake has created. Here are the bare bones of our situation for your information: We are well insured; We have been allocated a good insurance assessor who understands the church and our needs; A final decision about the building is not going to be arrived at for some time. Decisions about the building will have input from the Council, the Insurer, the Owner (us), and the Historic Places Trust. The process is going to be slow because it is a heritage building, and has so many interested parties. The Hub at 100 Chester St East remains useable. The Lounge is not an option for meetings while the church building façade is unstable, however the offices and kitchen are ok. PLEASE keep your distance and do not cross any barriers when on the church site!!

OUR LORD
Join me in thanking God for his provision. No loss of life, superb emergency services, excellent support from others, a great church family to be a part of. Join me also, in praying, “God, use me in this time for you”, and “Work through this event to build your Church”

With love
Chris