The Presbyterian Church website has won the 2011 Australasian Religious Press Association (ARPA) Gold Award. ARPA Awards are presented each year for excellence in religious media and publishing.

The first Sunday in October is World Communion Sunday. This year you can celebrate it as Global Mission Sunday with the theme, “A Place at the Table”. Congregations can become global mission-minded, as part of the global village.

The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand has issued a media release expressing strong concern over the recent ban on Methodist gatherings in Fiji. The Fiji military imposed the ban this week, which includes a prohibition on all gatherings outside normal Sunday services.

The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand is seeking a suitably qualified, experienced and committed person to resource and support the growth and development of the mission and ministry of Pacific Island congregations, with a special emphasis on engagement with younger people.

Applications are now open for Faith Funding. Presbyterian Support New Zealand is a Faith Funding Manager for The Tindall Foundation for projects undertaken by Presbyterian parishes for supporting families and communities. Funding available up to $10,000 (typically between $6,000 and $10,000). Applications close 30 September 2011. Email admin@ps.org.nz or download forms.

Presbyterian churches surprise people affected by Christchurch earthquake with $70,000 of grocery vouchers

14 August 2011

On Sunday 14 August 2011 Presbyterian church-goers gave more than $70,000 - 365 $200 New World Supermarket vouchers - to homes in part of the red zone on the east side of Christchurch. 

 “The vouchers were given out to homes with no strings attached”, says the Rev Martin Stewart. “The homes are all in an area perceived as not needing help, so they hadn’t received much.”

The Presbyterian Foundation was established 15 years ago to provide grants, usually up to $10k to Presbyterian parishes and Groups, to fund church mission and new innovations in ministry. The deadline for applications has been extended until 15 October 2011.

You can read the August 2011 editions of Bush Telegraph and Council News on the Presbyterian Church website.

For information about preventing the risk of arson on churches please watch this video (80 MB, this may take some time to download when using a slow internet connection). If you would like to download the file to watch later please right click the link and select "save link as" to save a copy on your computer.

Christian World Service has launched an appeal for the Horn and East Africa in response to the worst drought in 60 years.  After two failed rain seasons and with food prices skyrocketing over 10 million people face starvation and are in need of rapid assistance.  CWS is asking for help now. Read more.