Retirement is for wimps, according to St John's Union church minister

St John's Union church in Foxton is to have more inclusive and regular Sunday services thanks to local minister Robert Allan.

Foxton resident Robert Allan, previously the minister for St John's Methodist Church in Levin during the 1980s and 1990s, wants to bring back weekly services to the town's St John's Union Church.

According to Barbara Allan, her husband is passionate about helping people and together they have ministered to congregations around New Zealand including the Wairarapa and Marlborough Sounds.

A few years ago, they felt called back to their ancestral birthplace of Horowhenua and, because as Allan said, "...retirement is for wimps...", became actively involved in their local community.

Allan and his wife run the Wharf Street Art Gallery (opposite Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom) with both of them being artists in residence as well.

Robert and Barbara Allan are caretakers and artists in residence at the Wharf Street Art Gallery in Foxton.

There are four churches in the Union (Methodist/Presbyterian) parish of Horowhenua - St David's in Shannon, St Luke's in Foxton Beach, and St Mark's in Himatangi, as well as St John's in Foxton.

The Shannon and Foxton Beach churches have weekly services, which are run by lay preachers, while the Foxton church currently offers one service every five weeks.

The St John's congregation had indicated they would really appreciate a more regular service so, after discussions with his wife, Allan has come out of retirement for the third time (at age 80) and will be conducting weekly services from Sunday July 18.

"I can also officiate at weddings, funerals, and baptisms as an ordained minister - whether at St John's or other locations," Allan said.

Inside St John's Union Church in The Avenue, Foxton, where minister Robert Allan will be leading weekly services from Sunday July 18.

The church is currently undergoing some repairs and maintenance to prepare for the increased services. The building houses the Parish office, an op shop and a preschool playgroup is based there as well.

There are a range of religious services currently offered in Foxton, from at least seven different organisations, however Allan believes there is quite a bit of narrow-mindedness in the community.

He wants the services he leads at St John's "...to be more inclusive and offer an alternative view..." to traditional Christian perspectives.

If you would like to know more about the future plans for St John's Union Church in Foxton, or want to check out the Wharf Street Art Gallery, you can give Robert a call on 027 812 3826.