Gumboot-wearing parishioners took their usual seats in the pew for an unusual church service at Napier's Waiapu St John Cathedral on Sunday.
The specially themed service was dedicated to the victims of Christchurch's earthquakes, with parishioners invited to wear gumboots with their Sunday best as a sign of solidarity for Cantabrians
still dealing with the aftermath of February's earthquake.
The choir led the congregation in a version of Fred Dagg's The Gumboot Song, with lyrics modified to reflect the need for Christchurch people to wear gumboots while cleaning up liquefaction.
Younger church-goers appreciated a reading from children's book Quaky Cat and the chance to send personal messages of support in hand-decorated cards, which would be delivered to St Chad's Anglican Church in Linwood, a suburb east of the central city significantly damaged in the quake.
Money from the collection plate would be donated to the Bishop's Relief Fund.
Dean Helen Jacobi said the 65-strong congregation "really enjoyed" the service.
Parishioner Vicki Vaughan was particularly touched by the service. Standing in her "working" gumboots decorated in ribbon she said: "I wrote in my card that I stand in this cathedral and remember that Napier was once broken and in ruins. And I think one day Christchurch will be proud and beautiful again."
Dean Jacobi said even after four months, Christchurch needed ongoing support. "We're really aware it's a long haul for Christchurch and it's going to take them years to recover. "We've already sent quite a lot of money down but we've got to keep doing it. They need plenty."
She said the church wanted to send Christchurch a message that they were "standing by them" as they continued to deal with the aftermath.
She personally sported a pair of polka-dotted gumboots under her alb, but was not to be outdone by the collection of zebra striped, hand-decorated and flower-printed boots. Others opted for a more garden variety, which were scrubbed clean for the occasion.
