Download the Moderator's Neighbours Day Lenten message.
I write to you as we approach Neighbours Day…and as the season of Lent begins.
Neighbours Day (22-31 March) is a time when many parishes reach out and demonstrate faith in action, showing a generous and welcoming spirit by opening their doors and offering a cup of tea or taking to the streets offering baking and a hello.
This year will you consider something a bit different and show your neighbourhood our Church’s commitment to Caring for Creation? There are suggestions for how to do this on the Church’s PresCare Neighbours Day page. I hope you will take up the offer of free seeds.
For those of you caring for green spaces in your community, the Church will send you free seeds - these are all native seeds to encourage our native plants to thrive in Aotearoa and provide food and homes to our glorious native birds and insects.
God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:10
I think Lent a good season to consider how we are being good neighbours to God’s creation. In observing our own connection to our faith, we could reflect on how we might do more to care for the green spaces of our church, home and neighbourhood.
What changes could we make in our lifestyle habits? In what ways do our choices harm God’s creation – its people, creatures and the Earth itself? God’s covenant is with all peoples and, let’s not forget, with the animals and plants (Genesis 9:9-10; Hosea 2:18).
Let’s help to heal these damaged relationships. Together we can plant a small seed and nurture positive change.
Fakaofo
Rt Rev Fakaofo Kaio
Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
moderator@presbyterian.org.nz
See the PresCare website Neighbours Day page for:
• Orders of free native seeds; details on the Church’s website.
• Ideas for churches to Care for Creation on Neighbours Day.
• Lenten studies on Caring for Creation.
• PCANZ “Caring for Creation” study guide.