Church Ministries

We have a range of regular activities and special events for all ages within the Parish and wider community.

Photo of a child doing arts and crafts at a table

Children and families

We have a number of regular and annual events for children and their families;

Photo of the senior's coffee group celebrating a 60th birthday

Seniors

  • Social activities for older people, such as a the Seniors’ Coffee Group, are part of the care offered by the parish

  • In-home communion visits are available on request

  • ‘Steady as you go’ gentle falls-prevention exercise classes are run at the Parish Centre by Age Concern Ashburton

  • Seniors’ Christmas and Easter communion services

  • Rest home ministry is a feature of parish life, with church services and visiting undertaken regularly in five of the six local rest homes, in cooperation with the Ashburton Christian Ministers’ Association rest home ministry.

A groups of church members enjoying a shared lunch

Outreach and Community Support

  • Eight flats built opposite St Andrew’s Tinwald provide affordable social housing as part of the parish’s commitment to the community.

  • Food items are gathered at every church service and delivered to the local food banks.

  • The Parish provides financial support to Anglican Care, which run services such as Oceans Grief & Loss Support and Anglican advocacy programmes

A church member lighting candles in the St Stephens chapel

Overseas Mission

In addition to working within our own parish and country, our overseas mission is facilitated by Anglican Missions, the Church Missionary Society, and the Association of Anglican Women’s Overseas and Outreach.

International Aid

Through financial contributions and prayer, Ashburton Anglicans support international development and aid through Christian World Service - New Zealand’s longest-serving home-grown aid agency, and through AWA, Anglican Missions’ aid, development and humanitarian unit.