- Media Release -

Festival To Celebrate Historic Church Restoration

St Andrew’s on the Terrace Presbyterian Church is celebrating the re-opening of its historic church with “St Andrew’s Shines,” a festival of arts events. From May to October, St Andrew’s was shrouded in scaffold as it underwent a huge restoration programme inside and out.

St Andrew’s minister, Rev Dr Margaret Mayman says, “Our small congregation was determined to save the church from further decay and eventual demolition. Now strengthened and restored, it shines as a beacon of history and community on The Terrace.”

Tuesday evening the church will host the screening of a documentary film “Night after Night – Po Ki Te Po.” Timed for Remembrance Day, it is a moving documentary about Kiwi survivors of the RAF’s Bomber Command in WWII and the impact that experience continues to have on lives today. Night After Night is a tribute to their memory and honours all members of the aircrews, Kiwi and German. It is a war story that inspires peace. Flim-maker Jennifer Bush-Daumec is a member of St Andrew’s.

Friday evening will see a brilliant concert featuring outstanding pianists Michael Houstoun and Diedre Irons, and the gifted Amazon Trio (viola, cello, bass). The programme includes Mendelssohn, Ravel, Bach and Tchaikovsky. The musicians are donating their time and talent to support the ongoing fundraising project at St Andrew’s, in recognition of St Andrew’s contribution to music in the capital. Tickets are available from the St Andrew’s office.

On Saturday 22 November, there will be a gala opening of an art exhibition and sale in the church that will run for a week. Titled “Raising the Roof,” it will feature paintings and engraved poetry, which are being created by Wellington artists using recycled Welsh slate from the church roof

And in keeping with St Andrew’s commitments to intellectual debate and environmental responsibility, St Andrew’s theologian in residence Lloyd Geering will deliver a lunchtime lecture entitled “God, Gaia and Us” on Thursday 27 November.

The St Andrew’s Shines Festival Season will conclude on St Andrew’s Day, Sunday 29 November, with a special service of celebration and thanksgiving for the church.

Programme: ST ANDREW’S SHINES! ST ANDREW’S CELEBRATES!
A festival celebrating the restoration and re-opening of the church.

DOCUMENTARY FILM … NIGHT AFTER NIGHT— PO KI TE PO
Tuesday 11 November (Remembrance Day)
7.30 pm — Entry by koha
Producer / Director — Jennifer Bush-Daumec
(member of St Andrew’s congregation)
A moving 78-minute documentary about Kiwi survivors of the RAF’s Bomber
Command in WWII and the impact that experience continues to have on lives
today. Night After Night is a tribute to their memory and honours all
members of the aircrews, Kiwi and German. A war story that inspires peace.

MUSIC ... PIANO & STRINGS CONCERT
with Michael Houstoun, Diedre Irons, and the Amazon Trio
Friday 14 November
6.30 pm
$30 waged/$20 unwaged
Programme:
Michael Houstoun and Diedre Irons
Mendelssohn: Andante and Variations, Op. 83a
Ravel: Rapsodie Espagnole
Amazon Trio
Ross Harris: Klezmer Trio
Michael Haydn: Divertimento in E flat major for viola, cello & double bass
Some short pieces by Bach and Tchaikovsky

Tickets are available from St Andrew’s office

ART … ART ON SLATE SALE
Art and poetry by Wellington artists on recycled St Andrew’s roof slate...
Gala Opening: Saturday 22 November 2–4 pm
Daily 24 to 29 November 10 am to 4 pm
No charge for entry
Undecorated slate will also be available for sale.

LECTURE … GOD, GAIA AND US
By Professor Lloyd Geering, St Andrew’s Theologian in Residence
Thursday 27 November 12:15 to 1 pm
By drawing upon James Lovelock’s Gaia theory of the interlocking nature of
all planetary forces, this lecture explores our mystical relationship with
the earth.
St Andrew’s Trust for the Study of Religion and Society

SPIRIT … ST ANDREW’S DAY REDEDICATION SERVICE
Sunday 30 November 10 am – everyone welcome.

ends

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