Who to contact on the Parish Council
There have been some changes in the membership of the Parish Council. Jenny Grandiek has stepped down from the Worship Team and been replaced by Hugh Joyce and Audrey Roby has completed her term on the Property and Works Team and been replaced by Alan Gilbertson. Contact numbers for Parish Council members are: Parish Clerk: Craig Stoneman (218-7791)
Worship Team: Hugh Joyce (216-5281) and Peter Muller (215-7800)
Pastoral Team: Bob Dykes (217-8189) and Alan Smith (218-7504)
Outreach & Community Team: Elspeth Allan (216-3277) and Susan Burns (217-2150)
Property & Works Team: David Cocker (217-7789 and Alan Gilbertson (216-9776)
Financial Management Team: Russell Brash (216-8458) and Bruce Kennard (216-2904)
Christian Education Team: Heather Kennedy (218-1952).

Heather Kennedy Reports
I hope this report finds you all wondering, as I am, where the last two months have gone. It seems as if time goes even faster the older you get. My time has been fully utilized in the usual way, including worship services at 1st@5, Bluff, Peacehaven and Rose Lodge; working with children and various groups in the parish; as well as helping with the training opportunity for those interested in leading worship.

Girls' Club
We have had steady attendance of girls. They are a quite different group with the oldest ones having only just turned nine years of age. They are all good friends from school and their enthusiasm and level of participation in activities is really encouraging. We have had a varied term focusing on why we pray and what we can pray for with activities including; making a prayer tree; watching videos; making origami cranes for Hiroshima Day; making a card for Father's Day (with a photo of themselves displayed); making a scrapbook in the shape of a hand-bag with a handle, covered with marbled paper; making a Power Point presentation; observing Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year; and swimming at Splash Palace. Pam Watt, Marion Pinkney and Donita Crombie provide good support for our activities.

Youth Group
With the departure of the Eyles family our numbers have been fewer than usual. However, a small group of regular attendees has come to our twice-monthly gatherings. Some of these young people are also coming to the parish Social Evening activities. This term we have enjoyed a 'Fear Factor' challenge with Bible stories, discussion, games and yucky food for supper; played on a Wii and Guitar Max at the Manse; watched a video; played Ten Pin Bowls; made a Power Point presentation; and went ice skating in Gore. The support of Judy Christie, Richard Gray, Bruce Buxton and Erin Kennedy adds to the interest of each night's activities.

Bluff Parish
While only 15 people attended the recent AGM an interesting development has come out of our recent publicity campaign in August. The Parish has been approached by the Bluff Christian Fellowship - a branch of the Cornerstone New Life Church - with a view to shared use of the Co-operating Parish buildings, as they have outgrown their premises. This proposal could help with the financial situation of the Parish.

A meeting has been held to discuss this proposal, chaired by Rev. Richard Gray, Interim Moderator. Unfortunately other factors regarding the lack of willingness of parishioners to take on responsibility of the office-bearers' positions of Secretary and Treasurer, will need to be addressed.

Study
I have attended a week's block course at Otago University and near completion of this Masters of Ministry paper on 'Leadership in Congregations'. I hope to do another in January next year before starting on my thesis.

Leave
In November I will be away for a few days to attend the National Executive meeting of Girls' Brigade in Auckland. From 1 Nov flights to Auckland can go direct through Wellington, so this is a welcome alternative to the quick change at Christchurch.

Heather Kennedy's call to Local Ordained Ministry

Members and Associate Members of First Presbyterian Church are at present voting on whether to support the call of Parish Assistant Heather Kennedy to Local Ordained Ministry within First Church. Explanatory notes and voting papers have been distributed and members of the congregation had the opportunity at a meeting after the service on Sunday, 30 September, to ask questions or express opinions. Votes must be received by Monday 8 October at 12 noon. Voting papers have been numbered but no record has been kept of to whom the numbers have been issued. The numbers are simply a check that only one paper per member is returned.

Heather's explains her sense of call, which has been endorsed by the Parish Council, in the statement printed below:

applications for training for the Ministry, I have continued to study theology and work towards the furthering of God's Kingdom. I initially studied Religious Studies at Massey University, then transferred to Otago University and completed a Bachelor of Theology and a Diploma for Graduates.
I was then invited to apply for the position of Parish Assistant / Mission and Evangelism Enabler at First Church, Invercargill, and commenced that position at the end of the year 2000. I remain in this position, and have since completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Ministry and a Certificate of Children's Ministry. I am currently studying towards the completion of a Masters of Ministry.

I have never felt at any stage in my life that God has led me down the wrong path. I have always trusted the promptings I have received that have led me on the path I continue to follow in following Jesus Christ. I have always strived to be a good example and to spread the Gospel message. I have continued to grow in my faith and learn from others in ministry the nature and level of commitment required for the work of ministry in the church. I now feel that God is calling me to serve as a Locally Ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the parish of First Church (including my commitment to Bluff Co-operating Parish) in the Southland Presbytery of PCANZ.