A Fond Farewell

Our gift to Alan

Sunday 1 March our Parish said farewell to Alan Burnett, our Vicar for over 5 years. Derry Boylan organised this framed picture so that he wouldn't forget the people of the parish he leaves behind to start a new chapter in his life. We wished him well knowing that he has more than enough skills to be a success his new role.

Alan was also gifted technology that would support him in his new position.

Our Vicar's Warden, Joss Morrin had these words to say -

In trying to acknowledge all that Alan has achieved and accomplished during his time as our Vicar has led to a few words being a little longer than anticipated!!

At the time of Alan’s arrival, we were emerging from the lockdowns of Covid, we were facing deficit budgets, our buildings were in need of refurbishment, numbers were declining, and Alan had some interesting challenges to face, both internally and externally.

But Alan came with the ability to think strategically and within a short space of time, a new strategic plan and vision had been developed that was to be our guiding framework over the next 4 years – that was To be a Church that connects, equips, and serves our city with the love of Jesus. Each year one aspect of the vision was the focus; being a community that connects people to one another and to God; equipping others for ministry; and serving others with the love and fellowship that we have received. The logo and visual branding evolved to reflect this new vision. And in this past year the Strategic Plan was revised to meet where are currently, to look forward and to guide us in the future especially the next 5 years. As a Parish, we have a reputation for having a good understanding of the strong and clear governance and management that is required to run a Parish, and I thank Alan and the Vestries during his time for this.

Over the past 5 years the deferred maintenance of the buildings was a major undertaking to ensure the future of All Saints church

and facilities were secure for at least another generation. This involved repainting, both externally and internally, re-roofing and the interior refurbishment of All Saints church along with the upgrading of the lighting system and sound system; and the exterior painting of the hall. The hall kitchen was remodelled, and solar panels installed on the roof. The vicarage too had a major refurbishment and the asbestos fence around the vicarage section was finally removed and replaced.

In December 2022, the St Thomas’ Church in Meeanee was deconsecrated and sold the following year. Funds from the sale were able to be used to assist with the cost of this deferred maintenance.

The use of our facilities has been increased and diversified to bring in additional funding sources – almost trebling what it was in 2020.

Alan was capable of searching out funding sources – to support and strengthen our church and fund ministries that had wider social impact such as ACW partnering with us to foster the wider community engagement and the development of a deeper community footprint of the parish in the area – programmes such as Senior Chef programme, Duffy Books in School, community lunches, Men’s Breakfast, and various seniors groups; and children and youth initiatives. ECCT and other funders were found to help with the refurbishment, the kitchen update and the installation of the solar panels.

Puketapu and Districts Parish merged with Taradale Parish – the vicarage now being used for housing for those undertaking internships.

Cyclone Gabrielle was another challenge faced during Alan’s time with us. The water system for Puketapu Church was destroyed, and a replacement bore, tanks and water treated scheme had to be installed.

As a church, donations and grants were received (we were the fundholder) for funds that then had to be distributed to those directly affected by the flooding in the Puketapu and Pakowhai areas especially. This all added to Alan’s workload; not to mention Hukarere School moving onto our church site after the Esk River had flooded them out.

Earlier, Covid was a challenge, impacting on the way services, groups, meetings and everything associated with the church ran, Alan faced this challenge with On-line services that were viewed by more than just our local parish members, but from afar; meetings were by Zoom, and staff worked from home.

During Alan’s time various programmes have operated for our younger members – the Connect Music, the Connect After-school programme, the Junior Youth, Senior Youth programmes and numerous special youth group events ; the Alpha programmes for youth and adult members, and the Catalyst Education programmes that not only touched our lives, but the lives of the wider community members.

The Napier Toy Library, who joined our complex in 2022, the Samoan Methodist Church, Dance Studio and Dance Fitness are some of the groups not only using our facilities but introducing members of the community to our Church facilities.

Reaching wider, our Mission funding was made direct to Nadawa/St Marks in Fiji to renew their building and make the building more permanent, and then last year they visited us.

And it was great to have Alan as our Vicar for the 150th Jubilee celebrations of All Saints Church in 2025.

Followed by Ruth Spicer (People’s Warden)

What can we say to describe the way that we, as a congregation and community have been led by someone so passionate, knowledgeable, ridiculously energetic, and available?!

I guess we can start by sharing our gratitude- as Joss has so wonderfully articulated, Alan has shared his visions from the beginning, and driven and grown what we see here today. The extensive mission work within our own community, but also throughout the diocese as part of Koru ministry, inspires us to be bold, to stand tall in our belief and share the Good news with pride.

Alan your openness and willingness to share all your wisdom, intellect and deep love of Christ with us all, has been the most welcome reintroduction to our journey in faith. I know everyone here, new, old, in between, will share with Joss and I our heartfelt thanks and gratefulness for all you have done to teach us, lead and guide us, and prepare our Church for the future, and generations to come.

Thank you Alan, and your beautiful whānau, for giving us all you have. Although a time of sadness, this is truly the most wonderful opportunity for the youth of our wider community to understand The Word, and we look forward to seeing what happens at Iona and beyond.

Ngā mihi, mā te Atua e manaaki.