Pews overflowed on Sunday as people gathered at the Church of the Epiphany in Tākaka to celebrate Pentecost.
It was my first time in this church, and I was struck by the beautiful collection of people – “Sunday best” included everything from tie-dye tops, handmade cardigans and crocs to farmers’ flannel and crisp button-ups. The seating quickly filled up until only standing room was available. Both Tākaka and Collingwood congregations had combined for the service, along with Kahurangi Christian Church.
After asking if there were any birthdays or anniversaries among the crowd to acknowledge, vicar Mark Johnson declared that Pentecost is the birthday of the “messed-up blessed-up” global Church itself and handed out a chocolate to each person!
The talented Rachel Tovey led worship beautifully with a team of young musicians. I even observed a hand drum emerge at communion.
After communion, Mark said it was time for one of the church’s “favourite hymns”. Bind Us Together began playing, and people reached for each other’s hands.
The service finished with people holding onto one another, singing:
There is only one God, there is only one King
There is only one body, that is why we sing
Bind us together, Lord
Bind us together with cords that cannot be broken
Bind us together, Lord, bind us together, Lord
Bind us together with love
If you don’t know the story of Mark and Kirsty in Golden Bay, the couple arrived to lead the parish at the start of 2025 after years of building connections in the region through “the Wheels” – a travelling community from St Tom’s in Wellington sharing Jesus among the new-age hippie scene at festivals and in towns across the country. They’re a perfect fit for the Golden Bay community.
One gentleman told me that he struggled at first with the influx of unconventional worshippers. He had returned to the parish in the 1980s and had been a faithful member ever since. It was on reflecting on Jesus’ love for all kinds of people that he asked himself, Why shouldn’t I do the same? He was serving at the entrance when I arrived, welcoming each person into the church with enthusiasm.
For the 10 days leading up to Pentecost, the room adjacent to the church was set up for 24-7 prayer. People could meditate and pray with candles, books, a wall for writing and drawing on, and other devotional stations.
Mark told me that after a few days, word got out and even the night slots were filling up faster than people could book. He announced to the church that morning that, because of its popularity, the room would remain open for at least another week.
The part of the day that felt most quintessential of the parish was the “Jesus Dance Party” in the afternoon. The team cleared some floor space by carrying the pews out onto the footpath and set up a sign at the door – Come meet God on the dancefloor. A woman named Sandra served genuine cacao (in beautiful artisan pottery that I learned she had collected and donated to the parish). When the music started, the floor filled with eager worshippers. I couldn’t help but join in, dancing with all heart and no dignity.
My main observation is this: the Christians in Golden Bay know how to party. If you’re ever in the area over the weekend, check out the parish and join in the celebrations.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Pews overflowed on Sunday as people gathered at the Church of the Epiphany in Tākaka to celebrate Pentecost.
It was my first time in this church, and I was struck by the beautiful collection of people – “Sunday best” included everything from tie-dye tops, handmade cardigans and crocs to farmers’ flannel and crisp button-ups. The seating quickly filled up until only standing room was available. Both Tākaka and Collingwood congregations had combined for the service, along with Kahurangi Christian Church.
After asking if there were any birthdays or anniversaries among the crowd to acknowledge, vicar Mark Johnson declared that Pentecost is the birthday of the “messed-up blessed-up” global Church itself and handed out a chocolate to each person!
The talented Rachel Tovey led worship beautifully with a team of young musicians. I even observed a hand drum emerge at communion.
After communion, Mark said it was time for one of the church’s “favourite hymns”. Bind Us Together began playing, and people reached for each other’s hands.
The service finished with people holding onto one another, singing:
There is only one God, there is only one King
There is only one body, that is why we sing
Bind us together, Lord
Bind us together with cords that cannot be broken
Bind us together, Lord, bind us together, Lord
Bind us together with love
If you don’t know the story of Mark and Kirsty in Golden Bay, the couple arrived to lead the parish at the start of 2025 after years of building connections in the region through “the Wheels” – a travelling community from St Tom’s in Wellington sharing Jesus among the new-age hippie scene at festivals and in towns across the country. They’re a perfect fit for the Golden Bay community.
One gentleman told me that he struggled at first with the influx of unconventional worshippers. He had returned to the parish in the 1980s and had been a faithful member ever since. It was on reflecting on Jesus’ love for all kinds of people that he asked himself, Why shouldn’t I do the same? He was serving at the entrance when I arrived, welcoming each person into the church with enthusiasm.
For the 10 days leading up to Pentecost, the room adjacent to the church was set up for 24-7 prayer. People could meditate and pray with candles, books, a wall for writing and drawing on, and other devotional stations.
Mark told me that after a few days, word got out and even the night slots were filling up faster than people could book. He announced to the church that morning that, because of its popularity, the room would remain open for at least another week.
The part of the day that felt most quintessential of the parish was the “Jesus Dance Party” in the afternoon. The team cleared some floor space by carrying the pews out onto the footpath and set up a sign at the door – Come meet God on the dancefloor. A woman named Sandra served genuine cacao (in beautiful artisan pottery that I learned she had collected and donated to the parish). When the music started, the floor filled with eager worshippers. I couldn’t help but join in, dancing with all heart and no dignity.
My main observation is this: the Christians in Golden Bay know how to party. If you’re ever in the area over the weekend, check out the parish and join in the celebrations.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
