News archive

Over the last twelve months the Presbyterian and Anglican Schools’ offices have been collaborating on a Christian contemplation curriculum website.

The website is now live and can be found at www.ccc.net.nz

There are many resources available to New Zealand schools from within the mindfulness stream which have either a Buddhist or secular framework, explains Rev Sharon Ross Ensor from the Presbyterian Schools' Resource Office.

The 2016 minutes of the General Assembly held at St David Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, from Tuesday 15 November to Saturday 19 November 2016 are now online. Read them here.

Greetings to you all as we look forward to a fine Waitangi weekend.

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

I begin with a traditional Maori karakia which I pray for and over the whole Church:

He hōnore, he korōria ki te Atua
He maungārongo ki te whenua
He whakaaro pai ki ngā tāngata katoa
Hangā e te Atua he ngākau hou
Ki roto, ki tēnā, ki tēnā o mātou
Whakatōngia to wairua tapu
Hei awhina, hei tohutohu i a mātou
Hei ako hoki i ngā mahi mō tēnei rā

Congratulations to Rina Rakuraku who will be installed as the spiritual leader, the Moderator of Te Aka Puaho, the Maori Synod of the Presbyterian Church on Friday 3 February at Te Maungarongo Marae, Ohope.

Rina (Marina) Rakuraku is of Tuhoe and Ngati Porou and Kahungungu descent, and has Scottish, English and Spanish roots. She was raised in Waimana and has been a Maori resource teacher at Paroa School in Whakatane.

Her uncle, former Moderator, the Very Rev Tame Takao, had a hand in her decision to take the role of Moderator on.

To Whom It May Concern,

Kia ora, me nga mihi nui ki a koutou hoki.

Turakina Maori Girls’ College was closed in January of this year, after 110 years of service, and the students were obliged to make alternative arrangements for the continuation of their education.

Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year to everyone from the Presbyterian Church Assembly Office. Assembly Office will be closed from 23 December 2016 reopening 9 January 2017.

Recently I attended a Christmas Carol service. One of the songs we sang was an old Frank Sinatra melody with the lyrics:

Christmas: Giving presents, being present

Greetings

Today the Moderator wrote to all parishes, ministers, presbyteries and synods encouraging them to support the Upper South Island Earthquake Appeal he launched at General Assembly 2016 in response to the earthquakes of 14 November which caused devastation across the northern part of the South Island and Wellington.