News archive
New Moderator for Te Aka Puaho
Congratulations to Rina Rakuraku who will be installed as the spiritual leader, the Moderator of Te Aka Puaho, the Maori Synod of the Presbyterian Church on Friday 3 February at Te Maungarongo Marae, Ohope.
Rina (Marina) Rakuraku is of Tuhoe and Ngati Porou and Kahungungu descent, and has Scottish, English and Spanish roots. She was raised in Waimana and has been a Maori resource teacher at Paroa School in Whakatane.
Her uncle, former Moderator, the Very Rev Tame Takao, had a hand in her decision to take the role of Moderator on.
Scholarship for history of Turakina Maori Girls' College
To Whom It May Concern,
Kia ora, me nga mihi nui ki a koutou hoki.
Turakina Maori Girls’ College was closed in January of this year, after 110 years of service, and the students were obliged to make alternative arrangements for the continuation of their education.
Assembly Office closed for Christmas New Year
Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year to everyone from the Presbyterian Church Assembly Office. Assembly Office will be closed from 23 December 2016 reopening 9 January 2017.
White Ribbon Christmas Message from Very Rev Ray Coster
Recently I attended a Christmas Carol service. One of the songs we sang was an old Frank Sinatra melody with the lyrics:
Christmas 2016 message from Moderator
Christmas: Giving presents, being present
Greetings
Moderator's Earthquake Appeal launched
Today the Moderator wrote to all parishes, ministers, presbyteries and synods encouraging them to support the Upper South Island Earthquake Appeal he launched at General Assembly 2016 in response to the earthquakes of 14 November which caused devastation across the northern part of the South Island and Wellington.
Presbyterians reject that earthquakes are ‘divine punishment’
Friday 18 November 2016
At its General Assembly in Dunedin today the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand rejected the view that natural disasters, including the recent earthquakes, are a form of divine punishment.
The Presbyterian Church expressed its “prayerful solidarity” with all those affected by the civil emergencies which have resulted from the current earthquake and storm disasters.
Presbyterian Church elects new leader full of hope
Tues 15 November 2016
The Right Rev Richard Dawson of Dunedin is the new Moderator or elected leader of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. He begins his two year term from Tuesday 15 November 2016.
Richard is minister at St Stephens/Leith Valley Presbyterian Church in Dunedin. Born in Dunedin, he studied at the University of Otago. After graduating in 1980 he worked for Youth For Christ and then as a forestry contractor until 1985. He then studied at the Presbyterian Theological Hall completing his training in 1988.
Assembly Office closed Mon, 14 Nov
Due to the Civil Defence advisory asking people to stay out of Wellington's central business district following the large earthquake which has affected the top of the South Island and bottom of the North Island, Assembly Office is closed until an inspection of the building has been completed.
Download the latest lectionary and calendar
The 2016 - 2017 lectionary worship resources is now available for download from the Church's website. This lectionary is Year A - Matthew. Download or view lectionary