Thank You Chris by Ruth Hodges
Back in 1985, on the first day we attended this church, Deep Creek Congregation was worshipping at George Street. That morning, a young lady seated behind us (also relatively new to this church) tapped us on the shoulder, introduced herself and welcomed us. This young lady was none other than Chris Bairstow. This incident typifies the type of person Chris is- open, friendly and welcoming. Our family settled easily into the life of this congregation and Chris was a large part of the reason for this.
As a young family new to the area returning after a period of living overseas, Chris was a huge support to us- nothing was ever too much trouble- from offering her warm hospitality, to assisting with child minding, to lending a listening ear to me as a lonely young mother with a husband constantly travelling with his job. She has always was and still is there to assist us in times of need. Many of you will have similar stories about your relationship with Chris. For instance, over the years she has been a surrogate mother and grandmother and an always willing babysitter to numerous young families in our church community- some of them without family of their own close by.
Well before Chris was employed as Coordinator of our Family and Children Ministry 15 years ago, she was unofficially carrying on this role.
It started when Helen Cox, during a period of supply ministry, challenged Chris to take on the role of Sunday School coordinator. Chris soon had a revitalized and exciting Sunday School of some 40-50 children. During this period she was a great support to Pat Trevilien with her amazingly successful Serendipity Puppet ministry.
After returning from a long family caravanning jaunt around Australia- and suffering a serious accident on the way home- Chris left her successful primary school teaching career behind her. At this point it seems, Chris , driven by a deep Christian calling, was able to utilize her teaching skills, her considerable organizational skills, her eye for detail and unbounding energy, to influence countless numbers of children and their parents who have passed through the door of this Church. She has formed lasting relationships with many families and has the ability to make each person, whether they be adult or child, feel special. Some of us have had the privilege of seeing that kind of relationship develop first with our children then with our grandchildren!
Through 15 years of Spotlight on Christmas, Chris has inspired an entire congregation to become involved with this significant outreach ministry to the children of our area. Chris has also led the congregation to offer Easter children’s workshops, to communicate the Easter message to many children. Children who would otherwise not learn about the basis of the Christian faith….. As we all know, Chris has her own “unique ways” of involving people right across the congregation!
Over the years Chris has successfully organized and coordinated Kuka, JKs, playgroups, the Music Alive programme, family fun nights , family camps and parenting workshops.(And I have probably left out equally as many smaller but equally significant tasks) She has never been afraid to rough it under canvas at many years of Kuka Campouts and in recent years the Torquay Beach Mission She was an influential member of the group which established our evening contemporary service. This service has now run every Sunday night for more than 11 years. Chris headed the worship planning committee for this service for several years.
She has been a tireless advocate for the young families of our church- year after year giving much time to help plan relevant worship for this group. She has inspired many of our young people to assume leadership roles in these programmes. Through all this Chris gave- and still gives- of her love and time unconditionally!
For the past 20 years, Chris has been an Elder of this Church. She has been on Church Council for at least 15 years. As the one constant employed leader, over 15 years of change and at times uncertainty, Chris has been a person that people of all ages and stages (not just children and young families), have turned to with problems both minor and major. Chris is never too busy to stop what she is doing and chat one on one.
Chris has a very straightforward manner. She is not afraid to call a spade a spade. One way or another, she manages to get her message across! She is never afraid to stick her neck out if she feels the needs of young families and children are not being met.
Chris’s work in children and family ministry has become recognized beyond our Church. We are very proud that Chris is known and respected within the wider church for her expertise and service in ministry to children and young families.
We are very sad to know that her ministry with us is concluding. We will greatly miss Chris’s creativity, her concern for others, her commitment.
However, through her influence on other people within the congregation I have no doubt her work will continue and that ministry to young families will remain a major focus for our church.
Chris, we want you to enjoy a break for a while but we are hoping and praying that you will continue with a more relaxed involvement in this church family where you are so much loved.
We present these gifts to express a million “thank yous”!!