The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand marked Volunteer Awareness Week in June by extending a special thank you to people who give generously of their time, energy and talents.
Four parishes around the country took to the streets outside their churches and gave passers-by muffins and thanks for all the volunteering they have done in their lives.
Although the weather was a dismal mix of snow, rain, hail and wind, the hardy folk at St Andrew’s on The Terrace, Wellington; St David’s Presbyterian, Auckland and Fairfield Discovery Christian Centre, Hamilton, made many people’s day with the unexpected treat. First Church of Otago was a little delayed in handing out their muffins as the delivery truck could not get through the snow!
Responses from the grateful recipients were mostly surprise and delight at
having their volunteering recognised. Many were eager to share their long
history of volunteering.
Speaking on Radio Rhema about the event, Moderator the Right Rev Dr Graham Redding said that the “thank you” was a way to draw attention to the great work that all volunteers do, and to get people thinking about how they
can volunteer.
Graham said that most of the Presbyterian Church’s 30,000 regular churchgoers volunteer at their church or within their community or both. He stressed the need to show volunteers just how appreciated they are each day throughout the year. A recent NZ study estimated that more than 70 percent of volunteers in religious activities also donated to other sectors of the community.
Assembly Office in Wellington also marked Volunteer Week, with staff bringing in home-made “thank you” cakes for the Wellington Central Budget Service and the budget advisors at the City Mission. Many volunteer budget advisors are also Presbyterian church-goers, and Assembly staff wanted to both thank them and acknowledge how much more difficult their work is during the recession.
By Angela Singer