The Church will mark Children’s Day by sending all parishes the new Presbyterian Church “Parenting Today” social issues study guide. The parenting booklet is aimed at taking a realistic look at parenting in NZ today, supporting parents to be the best they can be, and encouraging churches to run parenting courses for their congregations and communities.
The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, The Right Rev Dr Graham Redding will be interviewed about Children’s Day and the Church’s new booklet on the Radio Rhema breakfast show, Monday 8 March.
Graham says, “The praise and encouragement of children is integrally related to the encouragement of parents and caregivers. The home environment is the single most important factor in shaping children’s wellbeing and determining their future.”
Whilst many parents and children are doing well, Graham says that the concern being expressed throughout our communities is that parents need far more support.
“Most of us know of or hear of parents struggling with the challenges of raising children in a culture that seems to throw up barriers to good parenting. Churches have a valuable role to play in their communities as a source of support for children and parents. We are exploring innovative ways of doing this.”
Quite a few Presbyterian churches, Graham says, are already responding effectively to the needs of their communities by running parenting courses, some are doing so using Kids Friendly resources.
Graham says that the Church hopes the parenting study guide will be a catalyst for rethinking what it means to be a “better parent” and a “good parent” and “will be welcomed, because parents themselves are increasingly demonstrating a growing appetite for discussion, information and advice”.
The booklets will be sent out to all Presbyterian churches and to community organisations by mid-April and the booklet will also be available for anyone to download free from the Presbyterian Church website from early April.