From the Moderator
In his book, Meditations of a Hermit, Charles de Foucauld has this interesting reflection: “What is our Lord doing in his last hour before his arrest, before his Passion begins? He goes away alone to pray: So we, when we have a severe trial to undergo, or some danger or some suffering to face, go aside to pray in solitude, and so pass the last hours that separate us from our trial”.
I recently read Peter Robertson’s latest book, The Tribulation Church, in which he shares about Dietrich Bonheoffer facing the Nazi onslaught in the 1930s to 1940s at his seminary at Finkenwalde. Bonheoffer gathered a small group of people into community and prayed the Psalms. A tribulation church is a church under pressure or a church under constraint.
As your Moderator I have been praying the Psalms for our Church and would like to invite you, call you, challenge you to join me “in community” in prayer for the PCANZ.
In many ways we too are a Church under pressure and constraint. One example I could choose happened at a recent Council of Assembly meeting, we were presented with a number of wonderful projects or possibilities for mission over and above our budget. We simply do not have the money for this work and we cannot ask more of the Church in this time of fiscal restraint. But we can ask God. We can pray!1
As we journey through this Easter season and prepare for the wonderful festival of Pentecost in May, praying the Psalms has reminded me of a wonderful, simple truth – God is for us and not against us. God delights in us. In Psalm 19 we can pray, “God brought me into a spacious place; God rescued me because God delighted in me”. God delights in us and enjoys us.
In Psalm 21 we can pray, “You have granted our heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of our lips. You came to greet us with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on our head … you have bestowed on us splendour and majesty”. God loves the Presbyterian Church. God has bestowed splendour and majesty on our Church.
Part of the great Easter message of our faith is that God gives us new beginnings out of tough times. Out of pressure and constraint a new day dawns. Jesus bears the full brunt of our freedom, entering into our human story, carrying our pain and sorrow and sin and despair and denials of God – and then – and then is resurrected three days later! For the first Christians this is the compelling part. They saw in Jesus’ resurrection a new era in human consciousness, a new way to see the world being birthed, a way in which even death does not have the last word. Our God is for us.
Can I encourage you to pray a Psalm a day – or a portion of a Psalm – knowing that as you pray in the quietness of your home, you are joining with many others around the country, and me, in community praying for our ‘tribulation’ Church.
But PLEASE, do not restrict yourself to praying the mission/money example above! Let’s pray that we will be a resurrection Church flowing with the life-giving love and grace of Jesus; that we can effectively proclaim the Gospel; that the poor and needy are helped, and the vulnerable cared and advocated for. Allow Holy Spirit to guide you as you pray the Psalms.
1If you do have some money that you would like to put towards a special mission project please speak to our Assembly Executive Secretary, the Rev Martin Baker, ph 04 801 6000 or email martin@presbyterian.org.nz
God bless you,
Ray
From the Assembly Executive Secretary
Dear Friends and Colleagues
As we celebrate the birth of the Church in the season of Pentecost, we hear of “God’s deeds of power” spoken in the languages of all who were gathered on that day.
I can’t read these verses without reflecting on our own Church and the increasing number of languages proclaiming God’s deeds of power in worship around New Zealand each Sunday.
However, speaking God’s deeds of power takes on completely new forms in the age of the internet.
I was speaking to a friend who is writing her thesis on communications and the internet and the viral-like effect that communications can have when shared through various digital media. A text, tweet, YouTube, or blog entry can be shared a thousand times over in a matter of minutes. A Wellington high school girl featured on the front page of a recent newspaper has 7 million friends on Facebook!
For some of us, the internet remains relatively recent in terms of the decades we have lived, but for my children and their generation, their first point of engagement with any organisation, group or institution is via their mobiles, smartphones, iPads or computer screens.
While the transformative power of God’s saving word does not change, the digital age provides opportunities for proclaiming the Gospel in a context and to a community whose magnitude was unimaginable by previous generations.
Changes in the Marriage Act
I recently sent out a note to all presbyteries providing some direction in terms of the implication of these changes. Please contact your presbytery clerk for more information.
Te Aka Puaho website and hireage of Ohope Marae
Te Aka Puaho has a new website for the Church’s national marae, Ohope Marae - Te Maungarongo Marae http://www.naumaiplace.com/site/ohope/home/welcome/. Many of you experienced the beautiful setting of the marae – in the hills, surrounded by native bush and opposite the beach at Ohope - at GA12. From GA12 feedback we know that the marae was a highlight for many of you, as was the warm hospitality we received from Te Aka Puaho, and that the general consensus was that people wished we could have stayed longer. Te Aka Puaho are encouraging you to hire the marae to hold conferences, meetings and special events. Details of how to book are on the website.
New Church Management Support Guide
The Church has produced a new Church Management Support Guide to guide treasurers, clerks and administrators through their roles, and to be used as a business resource for administration and management. You can download a copy here.
KIRC renamed Presbyterian Research Centre
Following a 2011 review of the Knox College-based Church Archives and Hewitson Library, a single administrative entity was created - the Knox Information and Research Centre (KIRC). KIRC has now been renamed the Presbyterian Research Centre Incorporating the Archives and Hewitson Library Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Calling a newly trained minister
This year, six people will complete their training as interns. They are a terrific group of people and represent a range of backgrounds and experience. All are eager to commit themselves to ministry within the life of a congregation. Profiles for each are available from the Rev Allister Lane, who coordinates introductions and discussions between final year interns and Ministry Settlement Boards. For more information, please contact Allister.
Ministry Development Programme
In order for ministers to retain their Certificate of Good Standing, it is essential that they participate in the Ministry Development Programme and complete their first ministry review by October 2013. Many have already benefited from the review process. A minister will not be in Good Standing if they do not have a review that is less than three years old as at October 2013. This does not apply to retired ministers, unless they are in, or plan to return to, some active recognised ministry role.
If you have not completed a review, or your review is more than three years out of date as of October this year, you will no longer be able to conduct weddings nor will you be able to be called to another congregation. Full details here.
Certificates of Good Standing are valid for six years with a review needed to be undertaken every three years. Please note that the guidelines have been updated to take account of ministers serving overseas and active ministers who are not currently serving in parish or chaplaincy positions.
Matters for consideration by presbyteries and church councils – 1 July 2013 deadline for responses
All Assembly Minutes have been posted online. Other matters for consideration, and changes in our Book of Order for consideration by presbyteries, Synod and Te Aka Puaho can now been downloaded here. If you would like this booklet photocopied and mailed to you please email office@presbyterian.org.nz
These documents include proposed changes in our Book of Order that require support from church council’s and presbyteries, as well as discussion documents concerning the role of the Moderator, and decisions about the relationship between property and mission. The deadline for responding to these documents is 1 July 2013. This deadline enables us to respond to issues and questions raised in the documents and to engage in further consultation later this year.
NB: One or two presbyteries and congregations have already got back to me indicating a difficulty in meeting this deadline. An early analysis of responses by the Council of Assembly enables us to continue the discussion on these matters later this year. If you cannot make the 1 July deadline, please let me know.
Thanks again for all you do to support our Church and mission
Martin
Kids Friendly
Churches on a mission
It’s been an exciting and affirming month for Kids Friendly. We had wonderful feedback from churches and schools regarding their Easter worship with children. More and more of our leaders are recognising the importance of helping children engage with, and reflect on, the whole Easter story.
Jillian Fenton, chaplain at St Andrew’s College Preparatory School, Christchurch, shared: “I had a fantastic week leading our students through a Holy Week experience based on the Lenten ideas in the Kids Friendly resource. I set up eight stations and the students had 50 minutes to engage with the story. My classroom was transformed into a “holy place”. The children had to take their shoes off and enter through a curtain over the door adding to the mystery. They loved the interactive approach” .
Last weekend I joined with St John’s Presbyterian in Hastings to celebrate their church becoming Kids Friendly. They hid me in an office and had me phone them on Skype (supposedly from my Auckland office) to announce they had been assessed Kids Friendly. Minutes after the call I miraculously arrived at their church service to delivered their certificate, t-shirts etc. It was a lot of fun and included all age worship with over 30 young people participating - eight months ago St John’s had four children at worship! It was inspiring to hear of their mission and the many ways they are connecting with and serving children and families.
In February I met with some leaders from Waimana Presbyterian (Te Aka Puaho) to introduce them to the Messy Church concept and resources. Six weeks later the team at Waimana launched their first Messy Church at the marae. What a thrill it was to see over 80 people of all ages celebrating, worshipping, playing and eating together.
It truly is exciting for me to hear more and more stories of hope as our churches grasp the importance of mission with children and families and find new ways of being church for their communities.
Jill Kayser
Kids Friendly
Global Mission
Vanuatu is our primary mission partnership, and there is a lot happening there at the moment. At the time of writing, a working party from St Alban’s Church in Chartwell, Hamilton is finishing off a new kindergarten building at Talua Theological College. This has been made possible through donations from individuals and congregations in New Zealand, a grant from Global Mission, and also the NZ High Commission in Vanuatu. The construction work has been shared among building teams from Chartwell, students from Talua, and local builders. All this has been overseen by Roger and Paula Levy, who live on site at Talua. The kindergarten will be a valuable addition to early childhood education within the Talua community.
At the same time as this, the Principal of KCML, the Very Rev Graham Redding, is also spending a week lecturing at Talua. I’m not sure whether he has been roped into helping with the building project but who knows?
And a school group from Columba College in Dunedin is visiting a school on Paama Island, in the central group of islands, during the school holidays. This will be an amazing experience for this group of students and their adult supporters, which includes the Rev Geoff Skilton of Highgate Church. It is good to see our links with Vanuatu being maintained and developed.
While I was in Myanmar and India recently, I received emails from people who were exploring opportunities to serve in Global Mission, encouraging me that interest in GM is strong throughout our Church. If you feel God prompting you to serve in this challenging but fulfilling ministry, I would be pleased to hear from you. I am available to speak at church services and meetings around the country in the latter half of this year.
See the notices section for opportunities to serve in Vanuatu.
Phil King
Global Mission Coordinator
Presbyterian Youth Ministry
Holly Grace is now six weeks old. The last month seems something of a blur, albeit an exciting one.
I had the privilege of speaking on a leadership panel at the Fono Tupulaga last week to a group of younger leaders.
I was encouraged by the time I spent with the Bachelor of Ministry PYM interns: Courtney Forrest at Hope Presbyterian, Christchurch; John Simpson at St Andrews, Geraldine and Aimee Coffey, at Brockville, Dunedin. Keep an eye out for the next SPANZ for an article on these fantastic youth ministry interns.
Going Deeper: in leadership is being run in Hamilton this month (3-5 May). For more information see: http://www.pym.org.nz/ministries/going/goingdeeper/ Gordon and I are looking forward to spending some quality time with our youth leaders in Kaimai, and those coming down from Auckland.
Connect registrations are open: http://www.pym.org.nz/training/connect/ This year’s theme is “Sustainable youth ministry”. There are 42 workshops so there is going to be plenty to choose from.
A reminder that Youth Week is this month. Here is the link to some resources to use for youth groups and within a church service: http://www.pym.org.nz/resources/youth-week-2013/ The theme for Youth Week 2013 is, “Live like a legend”.
Carlton Johnstone
Youth Ministry Development leader
Presbyterian Women
National Business Meeting
Presbyterian Women invites all Presbyterian Women to attend the National Business Meeting of Presbyterian Women Aotearoa New Zealand to be held at St John's in the City, Corner of Willis and Dixon Streets, Wellington on Saturday 25 May 2013 commencing at 10am.
Please rsvp to Valerie Anderson, email robval653@slingshot.co.nz
Jan Harland
National Convenor
Notices
Tindall Foundation Funding applications sought
Presbyterian Support New Zealand is the Tindall Foundation Faith Funding Manager for Presbyterian organisations and parishes and invites applications for this year’s funding round. Donations of up to $10,000 (typically between $6,000 and $10,000) per project can be made. Criteria and application forms https://ps.org.nz/node/2548 . Closing date is 28 June 2013.
Seminar on Child Poverty in New Zealand, Lower Hutt, 8 May
Save the Children, Lower Hutt, in association with the Waiwhetu Uniting Church is delighted to present this seminar on Child Poverty in New Zealand at 7.30 pm, Wednesday, 8 May 2013 at the Waiwhetu Uniting Church, 6 Trafalgar Street (cnr Grenville & Trafalgar Sts), Waiwhetu, Lower Hutt, Wellington. For information phone 04 569 5338 or 04 569 9635.
Presbyterian Investment Fund
The Church Property Trustees advise that the interest rate paid on Presbyterian Investment Fund deposits remains at five percent. This rate became effective from 1 April 2013. The Fund is open to parishes, but not to individuals. For further information, email the Trustees’ Executive Officer Kos van Lier.
National Volunteer Week 16 – 22 June
Is coordinated annually by Volunteering New Zealand. Events and celebrations are held across NZ to recognise the invaluable contribution made by volunteers across all sectors of society including churches. This year, the theme is: “He tāngata, He tāngata, He tāngata!” - “It is people, it is people, it is people!” More information at http://www.volunteeringnz.org.nz/
Glen Innis vacancies
May 6 - 13 Cottage
May 13 - 20 Homestead/Cottage
May 20 - 27 Homestead/Cottage
May 27 - June 3 Homestead/Cottage
June 3 - 10 Homestead/Cottage
Have your say on how New Zealand scores on human rights
New Zealand has to prepare a report for the United National Human Rights Council. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade wants to hear your views on New Zealand’s human rights situation. You can attend consultation meetings:
Rotorua TBA Venue and time to be confirmed – check website
Dunedin 10 May 12-2pm, Dunningham Suite, Dunedin City Library 230 Moray Place.
Kaitaia 30 May 10am, Toko Tumoana Building 24-26 Matthews Ave, Kaitaia.
For more information email upr@mfat.govt.nz or see http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Foreign-Relations/1-Global-Issues/Human-Rights/Universal-Periodic-Review/index.php
Opportunities for service in Vanuatu – librarian and health care tutor: If you are interested in either of these, please contact Global Mission Coordinator, Phil King, phil@presbyterian.org.nz or ph 04 3818294. Librarian Talua Theological College seeks the services of a volunteer librarian to help with cataloguing. You will need to cover your own airfares but accommodation and food will be provided on site. This request has only just been received, and there is some urgency to it. Health care tutors for 2014. The Korvan Health Centre in Port Vila trains people to be primary health carers in their local communities. They are looking for health professionals to provide skills training, either on a long term or short term basis in 2014. This would suit retired health professionals or skilled personnel with some spare time to volunteer on an occasional basis.
Emails to parish Treasurers
The Church’s finance department has recently had some Treasurer’s newsletters returned. If your email address has changed recently please email it to katrina@presbyterian.org.nz. Please also add this email address to your contacts to avoid the newsletter going into your spam folder.
Youth Week 4 – 12 May
Youth Week is about recognising the amazing contributions and achievements of young people in New Zealand. The week inspires us to value, support, and affirm the diversity of young people in our society. This year the theme for youth week is Pakiwaitaratanga | Live Like a Legend. For more information see http://arataiohi.org.nz/YouthWeek
South Island Ministry Conference
This year’s conference will be held at East Taieri Church in Otago from 14 – 16 May. The conference theme is “a story worth telling” and the keynote speaker is Rob Harley. You can register here http://www.etchurch.co.nz/ministry-conference/conf-rego
Early Years toolbox parenting course in Wellington
For carers of 0-6 year olds, at Island Bay Community Centre from 13 May for six Monday nights. It will be held from 7.30 to 9.30pm. Cost - double $90, single $67.50. For more information call Liz on 04 3835114 or email jebrucefamily@clear.net.nz
Amazing opportunity to travel on the Peace Train
The 10th World Council of Churches General Assembly will be held in Korea this year, and inevitably much attention will be drawn to the ongoing division between North and South Korea. Unification of the Korean Peninsula is always on the minds of the Korean people. Prior to the WCC event, a Peace Train, travelling with a message of reconciliation, will depart Berlin on 6 October and travel through Russia and China before arriving in Korea on 28 October. This is being organised by the National Council of Churches in Korea. Information and registration material for the Peace Train can be found at www.peacetrain2013.org
Asia Sunday 12 May
Traditionally, Asia Sunday is celebrated every year a week before Pentecost to commemorate the birth of the Christian Conference of Asia, which PCANZ is a member of. This is an opportunity to specially connect, remember and pray for each other as a fellowship of churches linked through CCA in spiritual solidarity. For 2013, the celebration of Asia Sunday falls on 12 May 2013, but local congregations are free to choose any other date suitable to their schedule.
Hospice Awareness Week – 13 – 19 May 2013
Hospice Awareness Week is a week to increase public awareness about hospice care as well as raising funds so that hospices can continue to provide services to the community free of charge. See more here http://www.hospice.org.nz/home
The Persistence of the Elephants Lecture, Dept of Theology & Religion, University of Otago, 2 May
All welcome to a lecture by Professor Thomas R Trautmann (Professor Emeritus of History and Anthropology, University of Michigan), ‘The Persistence of the Elephants’, at Archway 2 Lecture Theatre, 5.15pm - 6.30 pm, Thursday 2 May. “Elephants have been retreating for thousands of years as human civilization has spread, especially in China where elephants were once found throughout but are now reduced to fewer than 300, on the border of Myanmar.”
Justice conference 18-19 September
We know that God asks us to do what is fair and just to our neighbours, and to be compassionate in love. But what does this look like in your ministry and workplace? What does it look like for each individual you deal with on a daily basis? What does it look like for you? The Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit are convinced that social justice can be more than a tired catch phrase and be instead a living reality and a way of being for those of us following Jesus. The venue is the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, in Manukau. Speakers - internationally renowned Shane Claiborne and Dr John M Perkins. Both have a wealth of experience. Register at www.salvationarmy.org.nz/justaction
Into the Deep a new album by the Rev Malcolm Gordon
No.6 in the NZ music charts last week and No.8 this week. More about Malcolm’s top ten album here http://onevoice.org.nz/2013/04/22/surprises-trust-and-yesterdays-manna/ and here https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/into-the-deep/id640434804?ign-mpt=uo%3D4
New Zealand Sign Language Week 13 – 19 May 2013
Each May, Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand organises NZSL Week - a celebration of one of the country's official languages, New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). The week is a platform for the Deaf community to stand proud as Deaf and promote their language and culture. NZSL Week also gives Deaf Aotearoa an opportunity to reaffirm the rights of Deaf people as defined by the UN's Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities. More here http://www.deaf.co.nz/nz-sign-language
Kids Friendly Facebook
Kids Friendly has a new Facebook page, click here to visit for the latest news and events
Auckland Inter-Faith Seminar 4 May
The Auckland Inter-Faith Council will hold an interactive seminar with the theme, “Is Religion Relevant in Today’s Growing Auckland?” on 4 May, 9.30am- 4.00pm at St John’s Theological College, 202-210 St Johns Road, Meadowbank. Speakers from various faiths will address the topic of the relevance of religion in Auckland today. The morning speaker will be Dr Peter Lineham, Associate-Professor at Massey University.
Gardening volunteers wanted
Eighty-two year old Avis Leeson from St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Hamilton has helped teach children in over 40 schools in Hamilton how to grow their own gardens. She featured in the Summer 2012 issue of Spanz and has won a Civic Award
Avis cannot do as much as she could because of her age and is looking for volunteers to help her teach the gift of gardening. If you’re interested, give her a call on 07 8525783.
Rural Ministry
Go to www.irca.net.nz for information about events and activities of the International Rural Churches Association and of rural churches around the world. Click on IRCA-Oceania for news, events, and links of interest in our part of the world.
Study Leave Reports needed – now!
Have you undertaken study leave at any time during the past 10 years? Do you have a study leave report languishing on your desk or filed in your study, or almost completed on your computer? If so, NOW is the time to share it with the rest of the Church. Please find it, dust it off, give it last finishing touches if required and send it to us – we will be happy to accept them in whatever format you have them - paper copies or electronic versions. The reports can then be made available online, and will be a wonderful resource for many. We will also be interested to receive copies of relevant dissertations, theses and doctoral research. As is the current procedure, hard copies will continue to be filed with the Presbyterian Archives Research Centre. Study leave reports already filed with the Archives are listed here. The postal address is The Registrar, Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership, Knox College, Arden Street, Opoho, Dunedin 9010. Email: registrar@knoxcentre.ac.nz
Breakaway Families – Prison Fellowship seeks volunteers from Porirua & Wainuiomata for 24 May in Upper Hutt
Breakaway Families are families who have isolated themselves due to feeling shame, or having been bullied and/or judged. Prison Fellowship wants to create opportunity for these families to connect with volunteers. Upper Hutt Baptist Church and has been organising these events on a monthly basis since November 2011, but families in both Porirua and Wainuiomata have been asking if they can have a group more local. Volunteers are needed for both Porirua & Wainuiomata who would be willing to be part of the Upper Hutt programme on the 24th May. Phone 04 479 5286.
PCANZ Yearbook 2013
The Church’s 2013 Yearbook information has been updated to include recent changes to contact details. Please download changes up to May here using the username and password emailed to you in April 2013.
CWS Notices
CWS Syrian Refugee Appeal
Syria’s violent civil war is pushing refugees toward uncertain futures where support systems are often overwhelmed by demand.
CWS has launched an appeal for Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon who are partly supported by long-time CWS partner, the Department of Service for Palestinian Refugees (DSPR). Their work with Syrian refugees involves many Palestinian families who are now “double refugees” having fled into Syria years ago and now being forced to leave again.
DSPR have been able to provide families with medical care and check-ups. They have distributed food packs, kitchen utensils, women’s hygiene products, stoves, infant clothes, stationery and school bags. The demand for these goods just keeps escalating with an estimated 5000 people fleeing from Syria every day.
As the vicious civil war rages on it is estimated that a third of all homes within Syria have now been destroyed. There are an estimated four million internally displaced people within Syria and over 1 million refugees in neighbouring lands. Where host countries have provided refugee camps the camps are swamped by demand.
The majority of the refugee population (75 per cent) is women and children. For all the groups involved in supporting them, protecting against sexual and gender based violence and prevention and response services for child protection are key priorities.
Groups like DSPR with connections amongst the Palestinian community are ideally placed to help those in greatest need. It is estimated that three quarters of the refugees are living in host communities that are struggling to cope.
To support the CWS Syrian Refugee Appeal go online to: www.cws.org.nz/donate Direct Deposit - Name of Account: Christian World Service, Account number: ANZ 06 0817 0318646 00, ref: Syria Refugee Appeal.
Church Register
Licensings:
Mr Andrew Nicol, Intern, Southern Presbytery, to Licentiate, Southern Presbytery, 24 March 2013.
Ordination and Inductions:
Wimutu Te Whiu, Te Aka Puaho, to Amorangi Minister, Te Taitokorau Maori Pastorate, Te Aka Puaho, 5 February 2013.
Changes in Status:
Rev Gene Lawrence, Minister, Wanganui – St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Manawatu Wanganui Presbytery, to Member, Manawatu Wanganui Presbytery, 30 November 2012.
Rev Karen Nelson, Minister, St Aidan’s Conifer Grove, Northern Presbytery, to Other Recognised Minister, Northern Presbytery, 24 February 2013.
Rev Clive Thomson, Stated Supply, Hamilton – Knox Presbyterian Church, Kaimai Presbytery, to Minister, Hamilton – Knox Presbyterian Church, Kaimai Presbytery, 14 March 2013.
Mr Philip Warner, Lay Supply, Marton – St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Manawatu Wanganui, to Local Ordained Minister Probationer, Marton – St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Manawatu Wanganui, 10 December 2012.
Changes in Co-Operative Venture Ministries:
Rev Mary Nicholas, Methodist Minister, has been appointed to Minister, Raumanga, St John’s Cooperating Parish, Northern Presbytery, 30 January 2013.
Lay Appointments:
The Local Lay Ministry Team of Mrs Jane Green, Mrs Marion Patridge, and Mrs Janet Shave, Maheno Otepopo Presbyterian Parish, Southern Presbytery, dissolved on 3 February 2013. Rev Rose Luxford remains as Oversight Minister.
Retirements:
Rev Hamuera Rangiahua, Amorangi, Ruatahuna Pastorate, Te Aka Puaho, to Amorangi Emeritus, Te Aka Puaho, 23 February 2013.
Rev Sarah Mitchell, Minister, Dunedin – Knox Presbyterian Church, Southern Presbytery, to Minister Emerita, Southern Presbytery, 11 February 2012.
Deaths:
Very Rev Dr John Evans, former Moderator, died on 1 April 2013 in Scotland.
Rev Rangiaukume Barbara Sanderson, Amorangi, Great Barrier Island – Auckland, Te Aka Puaho, died on 23 February 2013.
Mr Jack Smaill, former Assembly Office staff member, Wellington Presbytery, died on 1 April 2013.
Parish Register:
North Shore Korean Church, Northern Presbytery, joined the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand on 11 December 2012.
Correction:
Rev Chris Bedford, Kaimai Presbytery started his term as transition ministry at Te Aroha Co-Operating, 3 February 2013.
Events
Check out our listing of national and regional events.
Jobs
Check out our jobs vacancies page and the ministerial vacancies table.