Greetings! Happy New Year!
How good is January? There's something exciting and hopeful about the start of a new year. A fresh start, a new beginning, a new dawn, a new day! Wipe clean the to-do lists of yesteryear, 2026 is coming in hot! Stinking hot, actually.
Did you have a nice Christmas? I hope it was equal parts restful, joy-filled and delicious! If you caught the Christmas Day service, you'll know it was a treat! Thank you to the speakers and musicians who so generously gave their time, and to everyone who came along. It was a joy to spend the morning together, praising God for His love and goodness.
Generosity in Action
Speaking of goodness — our Christmas Day offering for Nakuru Hope raised $2,000! Nakuru Hope exists to provide food, education, refuge, and counsel to those who are destitute, hungry, and illiterate — a practical and compassionate expression of the gospel in action. This offering supports families in Kenya who would otherwise go without food and basic necessities during the school Christmas closure. Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity year after year!
As part of our commitment to give 10% of our tithe income to mission, the church will be matching the 2025 donation dollar-for-dollar. This partnership reflects our shared calling to love our neighbours, care for the vulnerable, and bear witness to God’s restoring work in the world. Your generosity makes a tangible difference to the daily wellbeing and safety of those most in need. Thank you!
Pictured above: Chris (Nakuru Hope Director) handing out food parcels to families
Looking Ahead
We are delighted (and just a little devastated!) to send Dayna off on maternity leave as we eagerly await the arrival of baby number three. Dayna will be taking eight months away, and we pray this season is filled with rest, bonding, and deep connection. While we’ll miss her dearly, we are well prepared! Keaton and I will be overseeing both the church and the School of Music, supported by our incredible volunteers who faithfully serve behind the scenes. We’ve also commandeered an Events Committee who will be working their magic to ensure highlights like Quizmas in July and other special gatherings continue throughout the year.
A New Role, A Familiar Face
I’m also thrilled to announce that we have a new Worship Director! Our very own Shanay Cullen will be stepping into this volunteer role to coordinate the worship team and help plan our Sunday services.
Shanay has been part of Dalkeith Road for 12 years, holds a Bachelor of Contemporary Music from WAAPA, a Diploma of Theology, and currently serves on our Church Leadership Team. I'm sure you will agree, she is incredibly talented, kind, humble, and deeply attentive to the presence of God. Please join me in praying for and encouraging Shanay as she steps into this role. May she be blessed, and a blessing to many.
Community and Connection
Coffee on the Lawn is back! The regular crew gathered this week to swap stories and discuss the philosophical and practical goings-on of our community and world. If you’re free at 10am on Thursdays, we’d love you to join us. We’ll meet weekly until Connect returns on the 12th of March. We also gather for prayer in the Chapel at 9am every Thursday — why not come to both and begin your day with peace, good coffee, and meaningful connection?
Sunday Series: The Holy Spirit
This Sunday we continue Week 2 of our six-week series on the Holy Spirit, exploring how God is with us and within us, working through His Spirit to restore us to wholeness. I’ll be speaking this week about how we Walk in the Spirit. Not perfectly, not instantly, but humbly, moment by moment.
Hope to see you there!
Love,
Simmone