Karen says she and her sister Susan grew up going to Sunday school and church every
Sunday with their parents and their friends, the Jennings and Hulse families,
along with other folk.
At the service representatives from each of these three families spoke, reminding those there of the fellowship and friendship shared at the church.
"We are all still great friends today, despite living around the world.
"Our parents, and in the Jennings' case, grandparents, were huge supporters of the Mamaku Presbyterian Church, being session members and elders, Sunday school teachers, organists, and lay preachers.
"Angela Wharekura nee Jennings explained that their family would not be there today if it wasn't for Mamaku Trinity Church as that is where her parents met and married."
She says Graham Hulse spoke about Doris Scott, who was the fourth female Presbyterian minister to be ordained in New Zealand. Doris was the church's minister from 1969 to1982.
"John Dalbeth has been an integral part of our church family, as both friend and minister, in Ngongotahā and Mamaku.
"He spoke of the church's history and mentioned the work of my father Alan Watkins, who for years leased some forestry land at the end of our farm, bought some stock and donated the money from the wool and meat to Trinity, which was a regular boon for the finances."
A musical trio, comprising of Alan the violinist, Bonnie Tu'iuli-Stamm and Symon Stamm - guitarists/singers, led those present through the thanksgiving/reminiscing service.
"After 83 years in the community, the humble Mamaku Trinity Presbyterian Church closed with the Lord's Prayer.
"We were each given a spring bulb to plant in our garden, so that when it flowers in times to come we can remember and appreciate our faith and friends."
