August 2026

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From the Assembly Executive Secretary
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Presbyterian Research Centre
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Please note: This month we have a limited number of updates from our ministries. If you would like to see opportunities our ministries have coming up and resources, please visit their websites and social media here and last month's Bush Telegraph.

From the Assembly Executive Secretary

Greetings friends and colleagues.

As I reflect on my first six months in the role of AES, one observation has stood out: the difference between what we sometimes say is happening and what I am experiencing, at least in some places.

I have heard others say, and have heard myself say, that we are becoming increasingly congregational; that we are moving away from what it means to be Presbyterian. These are significant statements, and they carry real concern.

I have carried those statements with me as I have settled into my role and attended committees, gatherings, and worship services, looking for signs that they have merit.
To an extent, at the pew level, perhaps they do. People are rightly focused on their worship and on the community they have been called to serve.

And yet, over these past six months, I keep encountering groups of people from around the country meeting together by Zoom or in person, attending to matters of mission and ministry, learning from each other, challenging each other, and discerning where God is leading us as a denomination – with anything but a congregational emphasis.

I have just been at a Church Property Trustees meeting, where incredibly skilled people were wrestling with insurance and property matters, while considering how they might empower congregations and presbyteries to make the best decisions with the resources available.

The Executive Officers of our presbyteries

In this column, though, I want to mention the Executive Officers in the presbyteries. We try to meet fortnightly on Zoom and share the topics that are top of mind for each region. People, property, mission, support for their councils, study leave, youth, AI, finances, governance, conflicts of interest, gatherings, WOF training, presbytery staff, employment, and many other matters have all been part of our conversations.

What has struck me is the generosity of sharing within this group, and the care they hold for the people in their regions. Each presbytery is unique and operates differently, with different organisational structures, different resources, and different skill sets. They could all quite reasonably focus only on their own work. And yet they make time to share with each other; they offer ideas from their experience to assist their neighbours, and they seek to discern what may be useful as circumstances ebb and flow. There is honesty when they speak about the work to be done and the people available to do it, and there is also hope as they work through what they are experiencing.

It feels anything but congregational. It feels deeply Presbyterian: continuing to reform, drawing on collective wisdom, and discerning for and with each other. There is an interconnectedness here that I wonder if we could speak about more often; an appreciation of the strength found in working together, even when things may look different on the surface.

What a resource our Executive Officers are.

– Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be. 1 Peter 5:2

Ngā manaakitanga
Erin Pendreigh

Global Mission

I’m writing this from Lamen Bay on Epi Island, Vanuatu, where I’m attending the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu’s General Assembly with Moderator Right Rev Peter Dunn, his wife Helen, and Global Mission volunteer Neville Jones. Former PCANZ missionaries including Graham and Margaret Horwell, and Neal and June Whimp had a long association with Epi so it’s gratifying to spend time in the area where they served so faithfully and are still held in high regard.

It’s great to have a team here as it allows for wider engagement with the delegates and helps to strengthen our partnership. Being here is important for confirming our commitment to this partnership and also for networking, reviewing progress on various projects and discussing plans for the future. One of these plans will bear fruit next month when a PCANZ team will lead chaplains’ training programmes at Eton village on Efate Island. This second programme comes at the invitation of the PCV and follows a first event that was held two years ago, so the team – Rev’s Paula Levy, Geoff Skilton, David Jackson and Steve Millward - will be building on that.

Global Mission volunteer Neville Jones is also at the assembly, having just concluded his supporting role with the Saint Kentigern College service programme at PCV schools (Onesua College and Popowoh Primary School) last week. His experience is invaluable in ensuring the success of these programmes. Once again, we thank the Saint Kentigern staff, parents and students for their commitment to supporting education in Vanuatu.

Newsletters

Check out the recently produced Global Mission newsletters with information about our partnerships in Vanuatu and Myanmar.

Phil King
Global Mission Director

Presbyterian Research Centre

The Contentious Presbyterium Forum

The Contentious Presbyterium Forum will be held live and online on Saturday 29 August. Here is the schedule for the day:
9:15 Registration and morning tea, 10:00 Welcome and Martin George Holmes speaking, 10:45 Mike Grimshaw speaking, 11:25 break, 11:30 Terry Puouno speaking, 12:10 lunch, display tables, and mingling, 1:00 book launch, with Jim Veitch and Niki Francis, 1:40 break, 1:45 Response Panel, 3:00 Closing.

I will be your host, emceeing on the day. We will be located in the Frank Nichol Room, Knox College, Dunedin. Zoom links for the individual sessions will be made available in the run-up to the event, so you may join us in person or online.

Precinct Food will provide a platter lunch, catering to a variety of diets including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan. $10 koha is requested, on the day.

The keynote for the day will be the Dunedin book launch of Jim Veitch’s book, Lloyd Geering: Prophet or Heretic? Hewitson Library copies of the book can be checked out here.

Here are details on the sessions:
1)    Talk – “On the Back Foot: Conservative Presbyterians Confront their Progressive Counterparts in New Zealand History,” by Martin George Holmes.
2)    Talk – “Via Lloyd … via Lex & Arthur? Radical Presbyterianism and the theological and political road not travelled,” by Mike Grimshaw.
3)    Talk – “Pasifika relational spaces through the vā; understanding religious conservatism in Pacific communities,” by Terry Pouono.
4)    Book Launch – Lloyd Geering: Prophet or Heretic, on Zoom with its author, Jim Veitch, and in person with Niki Francis.
5)    Response Panel - to the book launch, the talks, and the discussion on the day, with Yvonne Willkie, Alofa Lale, Mike Grimshaw, and Martin George Holmes.

This forum is organised and presented by Presbyterian Research Network. It is co-sponsored and hosted by Presbyterian Research Centre. For further information, and to request Zoom links for the sessions, please email me.

In Christ
Jay Robinson
Director
Presbyterian Research Centre

Notices

AI & Humanity Conference, Christchurch 28-29 August 2026

A one-and-a-half-day public gathering designed to inform, equip and inspire about Artificial Intelligence — its rapid developments, its practical applications, and its deeper implications for our lives, communities and humanity itself. Hosted by Cashmere Presbyterian Church, Christchurch. Guest Speakers are Dr Stephen Garner, Dr Matthew Galloway, Emma Humphrey & Prof Kathryn MacCallum. They will lead open sessions and workshops during the conference. Contact Cashmere Presbyterian and see more and register here.

Watch KCML 'AI and Christianity' webinar recordings

Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership offer a series of AI and Christianity webinar recordings that can be accessed in the resource section of the KCML website or directly on their YouTube channel here.

IRCA 2026 gathering online/in-person - Christchurch 7-9 October 2026

The International Rural Churches Association gathered in Romania in late July, using these resources the Oceania people have decided to have our own gathering. All interested are invited to attend in-person or on ZOOM the IRCA 2026 Sequel event at The Village Church, Bryndwr, Christchurch. All interested are welcome, see more and register here.

Thriving in This Land free resource for churches

Common Grace Aotearoa offer a free workshop resource for churches and faith communities to follow Jesus in the big questions facing NZ in an election year. Three 90 min workshops on economic, climate and Treaty justice with video, guided discussion, and printed resources. See more at Common Grace and the PCANZ website.

Season of Creation resources 2026

Season of Creation is a time (Sept 1 - Oct 4) for Christians to come together in prayer and action for Creation. The theme this year is Living Water with biblical text drawn from Ezekiel 47: 1- 12, which portrays God’s life-giving water flowing from the temple of God. Download the 2026 Celebration Guide. See also the Church of England’s new resource Hope for All Creation exploring the biblical and theological foundations for caring for God's creation.

Intergenerate Conference 2026, 6-14 August

Intergenerate’s mission is to support Intergenerational Faith Communities. The theme for this year’s conferences is Planted to Flourish and will inspire conversations about the flourishing of faith communities where all ages grow together. See details for Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington, Auckland here.

SUNZ Summer Camps are back! – registrations open 3 Aug

Get ready for a summer filled with adventure, friendships, fun activities, and amazing memories! SUNZ summer camps registrations open on 3 August – don't miss out on one of the best experiences of the summer. Spaces fill quickly, so be sure to register as soon as applications open. See more.

Prison and hospital chaplaincy P/T vacancies Manawatū and Auckland

Apply here for Middlemore Hospital Ecumenical Chaplain vacancy (P/T 0.8FTE) - closes 5 Aug, or, apply here for the Prison Chaplain Manawatū Prison - vacancy, P/T 20 hrs per wk - closes 21 Aug.

Glen Innis Holiday Homes – bookings now open to all ministers

Glen Innis Holiday Houses are available to all ordained ministers. Thanks to the generosity of James McNutt, ministers of the Presbyterian Church are able to enjoy up to one week each year in one of two holiday houses (free of charge) on Glen Innis Station, just south of Waipukurau, Central Hawke's Bay. The holiday houses are available for National Ordained Ministers, Local Ordained Ministers, and Amorangi without cost (subject to a refundable bond). For more information, please check out info and video here.

Church Register

For any queries concerning the Church register, contact Bronwyn Miller.

Ordination and Inductions

Rev Janie Ingram, Ruatahuna Maori Pastorate, 11 July 2026.
Rev Alice Iranui Tawa, Ruatahuna Maori Pastorate, 11 July 2026.
Rev Faye Apanui, Waimana Maori Pastorate, 19 July 2026.
Rev Honey Hukarere Thrupp, Waimana Maori Pastorate, 19 July 2026.
Rev Don John Hiramana-Rua, Waimana Maori Pastorate, 19 July 2026.

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