When churches unite together, the whole community can benefit. That's the message from the Community Weekend of crafts, music and activities in Palmerston North in October 2002.

Four churches, St Mark's Presbyterian, St Matthew's Anglican, the Kingston Street Chapel and Palmerston North Christian Fellowship worked together to bring the event to fruition.

St Mark's minister Rev Sally Carter worked with St Matthew's minister Rev Denise Ferguson and brought in parishioners from the other churches.

Schools, the local library and pre-schools were very responsive, Sally says, and it is planned to hold the event biannually.

Sally says a surprising feature was the appeal of a prayer corner, for candle-lighting and prayers for people's concerns.

"There were some magic moments, with about five or six kids coming in and out for most of the day, talking to people."

Among groups represented was SPELADD, (Specific Learning Disabilities Attention Deficit Disorders).

An activity arranged by SPELADD was teaching people to write their names while looking in a mirror. Liaison Officer Elizabeth Manson says this is a sensation similar to that which some people with writing learning disabilities experience.

A steady stream of quilts, knitting, spinning and drawing were brought in and displayed over the two days at the churches. Sally says other people were inspired to bring items of their own in for display.

A sausage sizzle and morning and afternoon teas were provided for the events while Christian Fellowship members provided a free car wash on Saturday.

A Saturday night community concert, including items from Riverdale School, was followed by a combined service on Sunday morning and that afternoon, community hymn-singing at the chapel.

Sally says a positive outcome from the weekend has been the establishment of a 'Knitting Together' group at St Mark's, where a group of adults and children meet every week to learn about knitting, making peggy squares and drawing.

Parishioner Ron Gibson says a personal highlight for him was the goodwill generated between different age groups.

"I believe the celebration of the community is more about the new friendships, which span multiple generations."