Church statistics for 2008 are now available. These statistics provide detailed information on membership and finance for Presbyterian parishes and presbyteries. The data is presented as an overall summary and also broken down by presbytery (region). Statistics forms for 2009 are also available for download.
We needed to shift the website to a new software platform, because we were having technical support difficulties with the old platform. This kind of shift is a large undertaking, with every page having to be transferred from the old system to the new; every link re-linked; and every file and image re-uploaded.
This month, Moderator the Right Rev Dr Graham Redding talks of the fine example set by the Very Rev Michael Thawley, whose funeral he attended in June; and of his visit to Presbyterian school Turakina Maori Girls' College.
Assembly Executive Secretary the Rev Martin Baker talks of the upcoming Connect youth conference, the imminent relaunch of the website, and of work underway on Press Go.
New rates for ministers' stipends are effective from 1 July 2009, with the basic stipend increasing by 3.3% to $41,904p. The increase is based on Average Wage Index increase of 3.3% for the year to 31 March 2010.