Victory Church was packed on Sunday as everyone came to say goodbye to beloved vicar Watiri Maina. After serving as assistant minister from November 2019, Watiri had been installed as vicar in July 2021.
On Sunday, Watiri told the congregation about how she had sensed a call to a new season: a season of study. Initially she had debated with God and tried to negotiate the terms – surely she could take up study and continue to lead – but the message was firm. God reassured her that both she and the church were ready for this change. It was time to move on.
Concluding a series on Jesus’ farewell, Watiri’s final sermon to Victory was based on John 17. Just as Jesus prayed for his disciples, she felt called to keep praying for her church family.
“When I think of you as Victory, I see you as a people who deeply love the Lord,” she said, “people who have sought to be united – not uniform, but united. Keep the unity that you have in the Spirit. Keep the love that you have for each other in Jesus.”
After a shared lunch, everyone was invited to share their personal farewells. Friends, congregation members and colleagues stood up to speak. They spoke of Watiri’s gentle, warm and peaceful presence, her encouragement for others to step out of their comfort zones and use their gifts, and her consistent integrity both in public and private life, driven by deep personal faith and a lifestyle of prayer.
Together, the congregation blessed and released Watiri. In a final address, she assured them, “Whenever the bishop visits, the bishop's wife will be with him!”
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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.
Victory Church was packed on Sunday as everyone came to say goodbye to beloved vicar Watiri Maina. After serving as assistant minister from November 2019, Watiri had been installed as vicar in July 2021.
On Sunday, Watiri told the congregation about how she had sensed a call to a new season: a season of study. Initially she had debated with God and tried to negotiate the terms – surely she could take up study and continue to lead – but the message was firm. God reassured her that both she and the church were ready for this change. It was time to move on.
Concluding a series on Jesus’ farewell, Watiri’s final sermon to Victory was based on John 17. Just as Jesus prayed for his disciples, she felt called to keep praying for her church family.
“When I think of you as Victory, I see you as a people who deeply love the Lord,” she said, “people who have sought to be united – not uniform, but united. Keep the unity that you have in the Spirit. Keep the love that you have for each other in Jesus.”
After a shared lunch, everyone was invited to share their personal farewells. Friends, congregation members and colleagues stood up to speak. They spoke of Watiri’s gentle, warm and peaceful presence, her encouragement for others to step out of their comfort zones and use their gifts, and her consistent integrity both in public and private life, driven by deep personal faith and a lifestyle of prayer.
Together, the congregation blessed and released Watiri. In a final address, she assured them, “Whenever the bishop visits, the bishop's wife will be with him!”
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
