The Christmas narrative has significant relevance for the problems facing today's world - acts of terrorism, the clashing of political powers, religious extremism, hope and despair - says Rt Rev Andrew Norton. Read more
Presbyterian Moderator, the Rt Rev Andrew Norton, is urging people to support the People’s Climate March this weekend.
This global People's Climate March movement started in 2014, and aims to raise awareness of climate change, and call for greater action on climate from world leaders.
Climate march events take place around the world this weekend, and are scheduled to occur the week before the United Nations Paris Climate Change Conference. In New Zealand, there will be events in 34 towns and cities around the country.
Movement of peoples, acts of terrorism, the clashing of political powers, religious extremism, hope and despair. They are the stories and images in our daily news. They are also a part of the first
Christmas story.
I invite you and your family to create a short ritual at a meal this coming week. Light a candle. Place an empty chair at the table. Break bread and drink from a cup. Have a conversation about the "fear factor". Will fear or love win? This is the very least we can do!
The Presbyterian Research Centre, Dunedin, incorporates the Church’s Archives and Hewitson Library.
Christian World Service is appealing for donations to help relief efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan after a 7.5 quake on 26 October. The death toll currently stands at 382 with 2,368 reported injured. Thousands more have been left homeless. see more and donate at http://www.cws.org.nz/newsroom/media-releases/cws-appeals-afghanistanpakistan-earthquake-victims
White Ribbon Day on 25 November 2015 is the international day when people wear a white ribbon to show that they do not condone violence towards women. We have ribbons, posters and leaflets for the 2015 White Ribbon campaign available free to parishes - there's 500 so get in touch soon, email info@presbyterian.org.nz and let us know how many to send. This year the 2015 theme is Respectful Relationships between men and women.
As a supplement for the Justice & Action booklet, the Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly has prepared a resource based on the lectionary readings for Sunday, 11 October: Amos 5: 6-7, 10-15 and Mark 10: 17.
The Church has commended the Ministry of Justice on its discussion paper "Strengthening New Zealand's legislative response to family violence", which invited submissions on how to improve the country's family violence laws.
