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16 May, 2011
11 May, 2011
Replanting
"It feels like we're re-planting the church." Nate made this comment during a post-earthquake staff meeting as we took time to reflect on the many changes to our young congregation due to the devastating tremor last February. Everyone seemed to share the sentiment, but along with it a common feeling of resolve, a sense that God was pulling us through, trusting that we were going to be better off because of it.
The biggest challenge we had to face dealt with something dear to us: our people. Several key families and individuals had to move away from Christchurch after the quake. Some were seeking employment in other cities after losing jobs, others were university students moving back home or transferring to another school, still others simply needed to start fresh in a new city with clean water, smooth roads, and no aftershocks. We've estimated that about 20% of ourregular attenders have moved away, which mirrors the migration trend in the city as a whole. Many of the people who moved were involved in the Worship and Creative Arts ministry. Gutted, Nate had to say goodbye to over half of his volunteers.
"You give and take away. My heart will choose to say, 'Lord, blessed be your name.'"
Matt Redman
Remarkably though, our average attendance hasn't dropped at all. We've had heaps of first-timers at Rechurch over the past couple of months and two record-setting Sundays in terms of attendance. And as for the Worship and Creative Arts ministry, Nate's added five new people in the past three weeks - two of whom have great potential as future worship leaders.
So yes, it feels like we've re-planted the church from some perspectives. But we're scrappier now, more determined than ever and ready to tackle more challenges.
The biggest challenge we had to face dealt with something dear to us: our people. Several key families and individuals had to move away from Christchurch after the quake. Some were seeking employment in other cities after losing jobs, others were university students moving back home or transferring to another school, still others simply needed to start fresh in a new city with clean water, smooth roads, and no aftershocks. We've estimated that about 20% of ourregular attenders have moved away, which mirrors the migration trend in the city as a whole. Many of the people who moved were involved in the Worship and Creative Arts ministry. Gutted, Nate had to say goodbye to over half of his volunteers.
"You give and take away. My heart will choose to say, 'Lord, blessed be your name.'"
Matt Redman
Remarkably though, our average attendance hasn't dropped at all. We've had heaps of first-timers at Rechurch over the past couple of months and two record-setting Sundays in terms of attendance. And as for the Worship and Creative Arts ministry, Nate's added five new people in the past three weeks - two of whom have great potential as future worship leaders.
So yes, it feels like we've re-planted the church from some perspectives. But we're scrappier now, more determined than ever and ready to tackle more challenges.
24 April, 2011
30 March, 2011
Shaken...
On February 22, 2011, our city of Christchurch, New Zealand was rocked by it's second major earthquake in six months. Though smaller in magnitude, the destruction of this second episode was far worse, claiming homes, businesses, and lives.
We were lucky. We escaped the quake with only 1 minor injury (a bump on Lane's head) and very little property damage. Here's a brief recap of our second quake experience:
Whitney, Lane, and Henry were at home, preparing for lunch. All three were in the kitchen/dining area when the 40-second shake started. Whitney grabbed Lane and stumbled toward the dining table (recommended procedure). Once Lane was underneath, Whitney grabbed Henry's arm and pulled him under the table and climbed under herself. For the final seconds she looked up and watched the computer dance back and forth on the desk (but thankfully not fall off!). The three of them remained under the table, eating lunch and reading books and keeping ice on Lane's head, until Nate arrived home...
Nate was at the Rechurch office, about a 10-minute drive from home. When the shaking began he jumped into his office doorway and waited it out. Immediately afterward he ran outside to survey the damage (NOT recommended procedure). Realizing quickly that it had been a devastating event and that cell phone towers would soon be down, he called Whitney to let her know he was safe. He then updated Facebook (thank you, God, for the iPhone!) with the same information, so family and friends in the States wouldn't have to worry. Knowing that Whitney was home alone with the kids, he climbed into his truck and started the hour-long drive in grid-locked traffic. [To view some video footage he took on the way home, click here.]
We spent the rest of that day and night checking in on our teammates, neighbours, and church attenders. We helped where we could, offered prayer and encouragement where we could, and tried to get some sleep. We came to the realization that home was not a safe place to be with two small children and limited access to food, water, and electricity. So the following day we packed up some things, dropped our dog off with some friends, and hit the road for seven days. It was a restless time, but a good break from aftershocks and an opportunity to focus on supporting each other.
Since we've been home, we've been trying to put the pieces back together (sometimes literally). Rechurch is meeting again, but in a new location for the forseeable future, as The Palms Shopping Centre has sustained considerable damage. We are attempting to follow a weekly routine, aided by a few of Lane's activities which have started up again. We have power and running water, which feels like such a luxury, even though we are still under a boil order for all drinking water. We are attempting this new version of a normal life, and hoping that we can begin to put this tragedy behind us.
We were lucky. We escaped the quake with only 1 minor injury (a bump on Lane's head) and very little property damage. Here's a brief recap of our second quake experience:
Whitney, Lane, and Henry were at home, preparing for lunch. All three were in the kitchen/dining area when the 40-second shake started. Whitney grabbed Lane and stumbled toward the dining table (recommended procedure). Once Lane was underneath, Whitney grabbed Henry's arm and pulled him under the table and climbed under herself. For the final seconds she looked up and watched the computer dance back and forth on the desk (but thankfully not fall off!). The three of them remained under the table, eating lunch and reading books and keeping ice on Lane's head, until Nate arrived home...Nate was at the Rechurch office, about a 10-minute drive from home. When the shaking began he jumped into his office doorway and waited it out. Immediately afterward he ran outside to survey the damage (NOT recommended procedure). Realizing quickly that it had been a devastating event and that cell phone towers would soon be down, he called Whitney to let her know he was safe. He then updated Facebook (thank you, God, for the iPhone!) with the same information, so family and friends in the States wouldn't have to worry. Knowing that Whitney was home alone with the kids, he climbed into his truck and started the hour-long drive in grid-locked traffic. [To view some video footage he took on the way home, click here.]
We spent the rest of that day and night checking in on our teammates, neighbours, and church attenders. We helped where we could, offered prayer and encouragement where we could, and tried to get some sleep. We came to the realization that home was not a safe place to be with two small children and limited access to food, water, and electricity. So the following day we packed up some things, dropped our dog off with some friends, and hit the road for seven days. It was a restless time, but a good break from aftershocks and an opportunity to focus on supporting each other.
Since we've been home, we've been trying to put the pieces back together (sometimes literally). Rechurch is meeting again, but in a new location for the forseeable future, as The Palms Shopping Centre has sustained considerable damage. We are attempting to follow a weekly routine, aided by a few of Lane's activities which have started up again. We have power and running water, which feels like such a luxury, even though we are still under a boil order for all drinking water. We are attempting this new version of a normal life, and hoping that we can begin to put this tragedy behind us.
11 March, 2011
26 February, 2011
12 November, 2010
Our Kids
Lane and Henry are growing up so fast! Henry is a very healthy 4-month-old. He's nearly 20 pounds! His sister loves to make him laugh, hold his hand, squeeze him, and sometimes sit on him. It doesn't seem to bother him yet.Laney is quite a character. She's taking a gymnastics class every Wednesday, learning some ballet with mummy at home, and even some french! Both are continuing to demand our time and attention. We're getting used to the beautiful mess that is parenthood.
06 September, 2010
Christchurch Earthquake
If you hadn't already heard, the city of Christchurch was hit with 7.1 magnitude earthquake at 4:35 am last Saturday (September 4th). OUR STORY
Whitney and I were sleeping soundly with wee Henry (our 2-month-old) in the room when we were startled with a feeling that might be described as really bad airplane turbulence, except in your house! I sat up and thought for a couple of seconds and said, "earthquake!" and immediately attempted to make my way down a bouncing hallway towards Lane's room (our two-year-old). Lane was sitting up in bed saying, "it's too loud, daddy!" I snatched her up and made my way back to our room where we waited the quake out in the door-frames. Whitney, clutching baby Henry and still obviously waking up, had suggested we get in the bathtub. I had to reminded her that it was an earthquake, not a tornado :-).
CHRISTCHURCH AFTER THE QUAKE
Amazingly, we had virtually no damage done to our house or our neighborhood. Things were thrown from shelves, pictures had to be put back on walls, drawers had to be shut, and sliding glass doors closed, but nothing was broken - not a single piece of glass! This was also the case with all of our fellow team-mates and rechurch staff members, but many in the city were not so lucky.
Not a single life was lost and there were only two people critically injured, but thousands had their homes and/or businesses destroyed and everyone lost electricity and water for a significant amount of time. Now that the initial shock has worn off, power and water have been restored to 90% of the city, and the damage has mostly been assessed, the cleanup can begin.
Rechurch is helping to organize some relief efforts. Tomorrow we begin by helping a family shovel the silt and mud from their drive and move out of their condemned home. Another group will be joining the Canterbury University student body in a united effort to help cleanup Christchurch.
We appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers. We are truly blessed to have our lives, our health, and a safe place to live after such a disaster. Pray for more opportunities for us to be the hands and feet of Christ in Christchurch.
26 July, 2010
Babies, Babies, Babies!
1+1=4
Whitney and I are enjoying our new little family. Laney has stepped right up as the loving big sister. She's usually very interested in what Henry and Mummy are up to and offers plenty of hugs, kisses, and nosey-noseys for the little guy.
25 June, 2010
Henry is Here!
Henry James Nathan Hutchison was born today, June 25th 2010 at 12:22pm at Christchurch Women's Hospital in Christchurch, New Zealand. He tipped the scales at 4.18 kgs (9 lbs, 3oz.). He's 56.5 cm (22.2 in) long. Once again, Whitney is my hero, having bravely faced every contraction and painful push with no medication. She is recovering well tonight with baby Henry sleeping at her side. We're a happy family of four now. How did that happen?!
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