All those enthusiasts who scan the daily rags or electronic equivalent in the hope of something uplifting are reminded instead, ad nauseam, that our great nation is living beyond its means i.e. income and expenditure are out of whack.
The inescapable consequence is an increase in debt. For the Government of the day this can eventually turn into a financial shambles as the funders of this shortfall demand higher interest rates on the government stock they buy (because the risk of non-payment is judged to have increased). Either that, or in addition, speculative punters who are both large and many begin selling the NZ dollar as they lose confidence in the NZ economy. It’s called the free market in action. All well understood by Treasury and the Reserve Bank. (And now, by First Church parishioners and the readers of this column!)
The unpopular answer of balancing the books generally requires more spine than our politicians possess. Why rabbit on about this you ask?
Well, on a smaller scale, a similar scenario affects many rural churches who, with a dwindling and ageing demographic are finding it harder to make ends meet. Short of a resurgence of religious interest and attendance this pressure is not going away any time soon. And, surprise, surprise this dilemma is not unique to NZ. In the UK for instance the newly installed Archbishop of Canterbury the Rt Rev and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally bewailed the growing secular trend and hoped that she would be able to infuse new life into the church. A worthy challenge.
First Church is not immune and is being invited to inspect its navel. Which is why a committee has been established to look at the options including re-hashing the elegant church and maybe rationalising its other assets – the hall, the manse and Burnside.
Preliminary scoping work on refurbishing the church is under way by conservation architects with the financial viability of the whole project still subject to analysis. With the government’s recent re-arrangement of earthquake criteria this element of the drama looks to be in the clear. A few comments from the architects are in order and reinforce the uniqueness of our church. It was designed by Danish architect Christian Julius Toxward who was prolific and versatile. His list of buildings includes (but is not limited to) Kirkaldie and Stains, Wellington College, a warehouse for Joseph Nathan, the Union Bank of Australia, the Wellington Hospital, the AMP building and a new St Andrews Church and additions to Old St. Pauls. All built in timber. First Church is in good company. First Church might well be the only building of his still standing (apart from Sir Guy Powles house in Wesley Road).
Will keep you posted.
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday 4 November – Afternoon Tea Plus – starts at 12.15 and all very welcome. Community Hall, Weld Street, Martinborough.
Saturday 29 November – Book and Bric a Brac sales in the Community Hall – 1.30pm till 5pm
