This Sunday marks a meaningful moment in the life of the Whakatāne Anglican-Methodist Parish, with two unique services happening on the same day – one reviving a much-loved local church, and another celebrating the furry members of our families.

At 10am, a service will be held at St Nicholas Church in Ōhope, the first in a new series of monthly services taking place every third Sunday of the month. The beautiful beachside church has not been in regular use for some time, but Reverend Philippa Hales is leading the initiative to breathe life back into a space steeped in personal and parish history.

“When I took over as priest, one of my goals was to get St Nicholas used again,” Rev’d Hales said.

Earlier this year, when the bell tower at St George’s had to be closed for safety reasons, the congregation temporarily shifted to St Nicholas.

“Everyone said, ‘This place is great, we should be using it.”

“It’s the first parish I worshipped in. In the 1970s we had four priests across the parish – two at St George’s and two at St Nicholas. There was a service there every week.

“It’s where I first led services, and the first parish I worshipped in when we immigrated here in 1965.”

The hope is to build attendance gradually.

“If over the next year or 18 months we have around 20 people regularly attending from Ōhope, we’ll consider having a weekly 10am service there as well as in town.”

The 8.30am Sunday service at St George and St John on Domain Road will continue as usual, and anyone needing a lift to Ōhope for the 10am service every third Sunday is encouraged to reach out to the parish.

“We can meet you at the church and carpool over to the beach,” Rev Hales said.

Later on Sunday, the parish will hold its first pet blessing service at 4pm at St George and St John Church, in partnership with the Whakatāne SPCA.

“Many churches hold these services in October each year, the month when we remember St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of all animals,” said Rev Hales.

“I’ve volunteered with the SPCA for about 25 years and was on the committee for 10 years.”

The service is open to everyone, and pets of all kinds are welcome – dogs on leads and cats and smaller creatures in carriers.

“My bearded collie, Niamh, will be there on Sunday afternoon greeting people and assist with the service,” she said.

There will be a special collection during the service to support the work of the Whakatāne SPCA, and if the community response is strong, the pet blessing could become an annual tradition.

“People seem to be quite keen on the service. “It’s a good way to remind people that the parish is here and we’re doing things.”

For more information contact the Whakatāne Anglican-Methodist Parish office on 07 308 5809.

Service details
Third Sunday Communion Service
■ When: Sunday, October 20, 10am.
■ Where: St Nicholas Church, 179 Pohutukawa Ave, Ōhope
Now held every third Sunday of the month.

Pet Blessing Service
■ When: Sunday, October 20, 4pm
■ Where: St George and St John Church, 30 Domain Road

All animals welcome. Dogs on leads, smaller pets in crates. Collection for SPCA.