Media Releases

Too many children associate Easter with an over-consumption of chocolate and are unaware of its religious origins, says the Presbyterian Church.

“It is good that Easter is a time of celebration for many children, but the Church would like them to know what they are celebrating. It is an important part of our cultural and religious heritage,” says the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, the Right Rev Dr Graham Redding.

Thursday 4 March 2010

The Presbyterian Church is to mark the theme of Children’s Day 2010, “Praise and Encouragement”, by sending every one of its 416 churches a specially written parenting booklet aimed at encouraging churches to run parenting courses for their communities, and support parents to be the best they can be.

The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand has launched a free advice service called e-minister to the public.

Christmas is increasingly succumbing to consumerism, says the Right Rev Dr Graham Redding, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.

“Lured by holiday sales and interest-free deals, many people feel pressured to buy gifts that they cannot afford. Behind the glitter, the reality for many is financial stress and over-consumption of everything including alcohol, leading to mental and emotional suffering.”

20 November 2009

Volunteer Awareness Week is an important event, and it highlights how we need to show volunteers each day throughout the year just how important and appreciated they are says the Right Rev Dr Graham Redding, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.

“Our Church, our communities and our nation would not be what they are without the dedicated help of volunteers. We benefit enormously from their passion, their skills and talents. They need to feel appreciated and valued for what they give every day”, says Graham.

Consumers should not assume that because something is labelled Fair Trade it necessarily costs more, as some Fair Trade products are no more expensive than their unfairly traded competitors, says the Right Rev Dr Graham Redding, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.

On Wednesday 8 April two low-decile schools in Wellington will receive Easter buns and milk from St John’s in the City Presbyterian Church, Wellington.

For morning tea on Wednesday, Berhampore School and Newtown School in Wellington will receive from St John’s congregation buttered Easter buns and chocolate milk for every student and teacher.

The Rev Allister Lane, senior minister at St John's in the City says that low-decile schools regularly have pupils arrive without having had breakfast or without lunch.