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From the Moderator
From the Assembly Executive Secretary
Global Mission
Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership
Presbyterian Children and Families
Presbyterian Church Schools
Presbyterian Research Centre
Presbyterian Church Property Trustees
CWS Notices
Church Register
Notices
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From the Moderator
Tena koutou katoa
The role of Moderator certainly contains a lot of variety and one of the things I have enjoyed is visiting the Presbyterian churches around the country. Last Thursday, the Rev Stephanie Wells, Presbyterian Church Schools Resource Office Director, and I made visits to two schools in Wellington. Firstly, we visited St Oran’s in the Hutt.
We were given a tour of the school by two of the students and the Amanda Gibbs St Oran’s Principal. We also visited a couple of ‘Exploring Faith’ classes and spoke with the chaplain, Megan Ward. There was morning tea with support staff and teachers, and the Chair of the Board, and the Chair of Special Character, were also there to talk with us. Lastly, we sat in on their senior leadership team meeting where one of the teachers, Caro Willis, shared her experience of visiting Ōhope and her learnings from taking the Otago University paper, “Māori Theology and Religion”. It was a very interesting and informative morning.
We then travelled over to Scots College where we took part in a special service to honour the Rev Hēmi Pōtatau. Hēmi was the first Māori boy student at Scots, and he went on to train as a Presbyterian minister. He was the first Māori Moderator of Te Hīnota Māori and was committed to the use and advancement of te reo.
A mural had been commissioned to honour him and the artist, Ariki Brightwell, explained the symbolism in the mural. Most of the students of Scots were in attendance and it was a wonderful service ending with a haka by all of the students. It was good to meet up with Scots College Headmaster Graeme Yule, chaplain Rev David Jackson and members of the Board.
Following that I attended the annual meeting of The Church Property Trustees at St John’s in the City Presbyterian Church and their end of year dinner. There are many people from around our national Church family who faithfully serve on the various committees of CPT and give generously of their time.
I take this opportunity to wish you all a blessed Christmas. A time to reflect on the coming of the Christ and the amazing impact and legacy that the incarnation brought to our world.
“For unto us a child is born...”
Rose
Right Rev Rose Luxford
Moderator
From the Assembly Executive Secretary
Dear friends and colleagues
It started last month…the advertising on television, online, and via the mailbox. You couldn’t miss it. Christmas is coming – buy now! In some countries there is great excitement about major brands or stores releasing their Christmas adverts. And then there is the question. “What are you doing for Christmas?” Buying and being busy. Really? With all that is happening in our world…
Advent invites something hugely counter-cultural. A time of waiting; preparation to celebrate ‘the word became flesh and made his dwelling among us’ and looking forward to the return of Christ at the Second Coming. Themes of hope, peace, joy and love.
A number of years ago – somewhere between 20 to 25 years ago – a church I was part of included in its Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services a drama titled, “Away with the Manger”. In summary, it was about a newspaper reporter and photographer who go to cover the birth of Jesus. As they rearrange the scene, Jesus gets pushed to one side. Away with the manger…
As you wait and prepare may you create space to be still, and also, to share the message of hope, peace, joy and love. May the words of John 1:4-5 encourage you, ground you, breathe life into you and guide you:
I a ia te ora; ko te ora te marama mo nga tangata. I roto i te pouri te marama e whiti ana; heoi kihai i mau i te pouri.
In Him (Jesus) was life, and the life was the light of all people. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Hope, peace, joy and love…
General Assembly 2025
General Assembly 2025 will be held in Christchurch. More details will follow.
First round of voting for Moderator-designate
Early in the New Year, parish councils will receive information concerning the process for electing the Moderator-designate.
Deadlines for reports, proposals and recommendations to 2025 General Assembly
Following consultation with the Assembly Business Workgroup convener, a deadline has been set for receiving all reports and proposals that will be considered by next year’s General Assembly. All material must be received by Friday 6 June 2025. Guidelines to assist those seeking to bring proposals will be sent to parish councils and presbyteries early in the New Year. This timeframe will enable us to facilitate a consultative process with presbyteries prior to Assembly. In this way, we will be able to fulfil the 2012 Assembly decision supporting presbytery participation in the setting of the Assembly agenda.
From the Assembly Office team
On behalf of the whole Assembly Office team, thank you for your prayers and support during the year. Please know your phone calls and emails of support have made a huge difference to staff in what has been a challenging year. Blessings and we look forward to serving and supporting you in 2025.
Assembly Office holiday closure
The office will close on Friday 20 December 2024 and reopen on Monday 6 January 2025. For any urgent matters over this time, please contact me on my mobile.
Iti noa ana he pito mata / There is potential in the smallest bud, hold hope.
Wayne Matheson
Assembly Executive Secretary
Global Mission
Vanuatu
Our English teacher at Talua Theological Training Institute in Vanuatu, Jae Ahn, returns home in December. We thank Jae for the excellent contribution he has made at Talua which has extended well beyond his English teaching role. He has served with dedication and sincerity, earning warm respect from the Talua community, and strengthening the PCANZ’s longstanding commitment to supporting theological education at Talua. The English teacher position for next year remains vacant, so I will be eager to hear from anyone who is interested in learning more. See also the request for a business development manager.
Saint Kentigern Presbyterian College and Schools are moving ahead with their plans to support schools in Vanuatu again in 2025. Other opportunities exist to support mission in Vanuatu so please let me know if you are interested in learning how you or your congregation can be involved.
Consultation on modern slavery in Bangkok
I recently had the opportunity to attend a consultation on modern slavery in Bangkok, hosted by the Council for World Mission. Exploitative labour practices, child labour and human trafficking are significant issues in many areas around the world. Because of the overwhelming nature of the problem, it’s hard to know how to address it, so one way to start is to gather information and consider ways we can respond as individuals and churches. Anti-Slavery International is an NGO that is working in this area and has useful information on their website. Fairtrade and Fashion Revolution are other organisations that give good advice on how consumers can shop sustainably and support labour rights for the people who make the goods we wear and use. I encourage you to take a moment to read some of their information.
While I was in Bangkok, I caught up with Rev Pek Muan Cuang, General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar. Their situation remains critical as the country suffers under military rule with civil war conditions in many areas. Young adults are fearful of forced conscription and are leaving in droves if they can find a route out of the country. It will take a long time for Myanmar to return to any kind of normality. Please continue to pray for them.
Advent
As we enter the season of Advent, daily news of violence and suffering in many places around the world confronts our ability to embrace the spirit of Christmas. Sometimes all we have left is hope – despite everything, let us pray we can hold on to hope and be part of the solution, however long it takes. May God be your hope as you journey through the season of Advent to the stable of the peace child
Phil King
Global Mission Director
Presbyterian Children and Families
Kia ora
As we prepare for Advent, I am reminded of the way that for many, Christmas is centred around children. Not only do we celebrate the birth of the infant Jesus, but we often find ourselves celebrating the children in our own lives, as they share with us the story of Christmas through Nativity services. Many of us will also observe the joy and wonder of children close to us as they experience the excitement of Christmas day.
However, the Christmas story highlights some of the challenges that come with faithfully sharing Scripture with children. Recently, I was reflecting with a colleague how we have to carefully navigate through tricky questions that inevitably arise from a child’s curiosity. However, when we leave space for children to question and ponder, prompting them with questions like ‘what do you think…’ or ‘does anyone else have any ideas’ we leave space for them to explore theology for themselves.
Recently, with a group of 5–10-year-olds, I watched this in action as they wrestled with the question, ‘Why is Santa more important at Christmas?’ Instead of giving a token answer, I posed the question ‘I wonder, why do you think that is?’ The group of children, who were largely from non-church homes, explored this question together, concluding that maybe Jesus was in fact the more important figure at Christmas!
As we minister alongside children and families this Christmas season, I encourage you to leave space to explore theology together with the young people in your care.
Over the summer holidays, many children and families ministry programmes take a break. I pray that our leaders, volunteers and supporters all experience a deep refreshing and renewing of body and mind over the summer holidays.
Meri Kirihimete
Karo Wilson
Director
Presbyterian Children and Families Ministry
Presbyterian Research Centre
Reflections on the Archives Conference in Christchurch
“Opening The Archives: Access, Engagement Innovation” was the title for the Archives Conference held end of October in Christchurch. The Presbyterian Archives was able to send PRC Archivist, Rachel Hurd, and our Digital Content Curator, Susan Garwood, also attended – sharing a ride with Rachel.
This year’s conference was exceptional not only in its proximity to the PRC, which enabled both to attend, but it was a joint conference with our own ARANZ (Archives and Records Association of NZ), the Australian Society of Archivists, and PARBICA (Pacific Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives). This provided insight and opportunity to hear and learn from fellow archivists all over the world; the opening keynote speaker was from Jamaica and the closing speakers were from New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji. Over the four days of the conference were also speakers from other regions including Hawaii and British Columbia.
Central to all of the presentations was the focus on ways to open the archives and its collection to people of all ages and experiences while also addressing sensitivity issues around indigenous cultural knowledge.
For Susan, whose recent professional experience was in the USA, the conference provided the opportunity to hear about concerns, issues, and best practices in archives here in New Zealand. “I came away from the conference very impressed with both the PRC Archives and New Zealand’s Archival community in general. The relationship between NZ Archives and Māori is one of collaboration and cooperation. The US has a lot to learn from NZ historical repositories.”
Particularly useful sessions included those on describing archives relating to Māori, upcoming changes to copyright law, and the new Pacific-wide cultural heritage database, Digital Pasifik. It was also great to have the chance to connect with other attendees who were involved in the care of the archives of churches and church schools.
Overall, it was a valuable experience, and it was wonderful to be able to take advantage of this opportunity to attend an international conference so close to home.
Rachel Hurd
Archivist
Presbyterian Research Centre (Archives)
Susan Garwood
Digital Content Curator
Presbyterian Research Centre
Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership
One of current major workstreams is consulting with presbyteries about a range of training options KCML can offer in 2025. Those training options include a variety of ways of delivering the training too, e.g. in-person, online, self-directed etc.
We are also gearing up for our Summer Block Course. We will be welcoming a new cohort of trainees; two NOM interns and seven LOM probationers.
University of Otago/KCML 2025 Summer School: Trauma-Informed Ministry by Dr Karen McClintock
(Minister’s study and travel subsidy available).
Dr Karen McClintock will teach an intensive course in Dunedin entitled Trauma-Informed Ministry. The course is jointly offered by the Theology Programme, University of Otago, and the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership.
This course familiarises students with origins, definitions, and treatment of trauma from multiple disciplines. Trauma’s impact on the body, soul, relationships, and spirituality will be highlighted, along with congregational and community care. The course explores individual mental health concerns in the contexts of family of origin, intergenerational trauma born by repeated oppression and injustice, and community-wide traumas. Students will learn key principles of trauma-informed pastoral care in multi-ethnic contexts and discuss and develop their own ethical standards for trauma care.
The block course will start at 1pm on Monday 27 January and conclude at 1pm on Friday 31 January 2025. Classes will be held on the University of Otago Campus, Dunedin.
A generous subsidy for PCANZ ministers who either audit or study for credit is available upon application. Details can be found on the KCML website homepage here - scroll down to “Events and Notices”.
Yours in Christ
Rev Dr Geoff New
Principal
Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership
Presbyterian Church Schools
Endings and Beginnings
The school year is swiftly coming to an end. Students, and staff, from our Presbyterian schools are focussed on exams and end-of-year activities. But soon they will be contemplating what awaits in 2025: A new school? A new class? A big move? New opportunities?
Our schools start the year with staff orientation and planning days. The boarders arrive and get settled. Prefects and senior students arrive to learn leadership skills and plan the year’s activities. Then the various year groups are introduced to the New Year’s programme.
A powhiri, or mihi whakatau (a less formal powhiri), is held. At Lindisfarne, a special chapel is held to induct their newly-chosen prefects. Saint Kentigern will introduce their new chaplaincy structure, and Scots and also Columba will have new chaplains. St Andrew’s new rector will start work, as will other new staff. Schools will make their wider school community aware of the year’s fundraising projects - like Queen Margaret’s master plan, Iona’s St Martin’s chapel, and Solway’s colonial homestead.
Many class groups will go on camp (or Education Outside the Classroom activities) in February - students to bond and teachers to discover more about the pupils they will be working with for the rest of the year. John McGlashan’s new Te Anau facility will be well used, as will St Cuthbert’s dedicated camp in the Bay of Plenty.
The beginning of the year is also when School Open Days are planned. April or May may seem early to be considering where our children will go next year but due to the desirability of our Presbyterian schools, and the early cutoff for scholarships, applications need to be in early. In fact, most schools receive applications years before the child will be eligible.
While most teaching staff have Christmas holidays, the many professional staff supporting our schools work through January to catch up on maintenance and prepare a great foundation for the next year, and beyond.
Please pray for our Presbyterian schools – for good endings and great beginnings.
Stephanie Wells (Rev)
Director of Presbyterian Church Schools Resource Office
Presbyterian Church Property Trustees
Presbyterian Investment Fund
The interest rate paid on the PIF On Call Fund reduced to 5.0% p.a. from 1 December 2024. The Trustees expect the PIF On Call rate will continue to fall more or less in line with any Official Cash Rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand as it attempts to revive the fragile economy. A reminder to please provide advance notice (of at least 3 days) for major (>$100,000) withdrawals. The interest rate on the PIF Long-Term Fund remains at 3.0% pa plus inflation. Rates are subject to change.
The PIF is open to parishes, but not to individuals. For details on the Long Term Fund or further information, email the Trustees’ Executive Officer, Russell Garrett.
Trustees and PIF Annual Reports
The Trustees’ Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2024 will shortly be available on the PCANZ website here. The Annual PIF newsletter and financial statements will shortly be available here.
Russell Garrett
Executive Officer
The Presbyterian Church Property Trustees
CWS Notices
Preaching Advent hope in a climate emergency
What does the climate emergency mean for our Christian life?
At the General Assembly in 2018, the PCANZ acknowledged the important role that Christians play in being stewards of God’s creation. Four years later, the General Assembly in 2022 called for tangible action to weave creation care with Christian worship and teaching. Since then, climate change events have continued to cause damage in Aotearoa and among our neighbours in Oceania.
Christian World Service (CWS) has responded to these challenges by commissioning an original and distinctly Oceanic set of worship and teaching resources. CWS is Aotearoa New Zealand’s longest-serving home-grown development and aid agency. It began in 1945, when the National Council of Churches made its first Christmas Appeal for overseas relief to assist in addressing the aftermath of a post-war Europe.
Aware of this long history of connecting congregations with global challenges, CWS asked scholar and researcher Dr Steve Taylor to read the 2024 Advent and Christmas Bible texts through an ecological perspective. Formerly Principal of Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership, Steve drew on his upbringing in Papua New Guinea and his recent research with Pacific communities to produce a creative and compelling set of worship and teaching resources.
Steve is also the interim moderator and regular preacher at Port Chalmers Presbyterian Parish: “I wrote the resources conscious of faithful and globally minded Christians in small congregations with limited musical resources and a heart to be hospitable to children and grandchildren.”
Presented to congregations over five weeks, the CWS Christmas resources explore being good news as stewards of God’s creation. New insights into the Gospel of Luke emerge in conversation with restless seas in Advent 1, soil habitats in Advent 3 and Jesus being wrapped in cloths at Christmas.
Endorsing the worship outlines and preaching resources, the Right Rev Rose Luxford, PCANZ Moderator, said, “The effects of climate change are very real for our neighbours living in the Pacific Islands. This CWS Christmas Appeal talks of hope and provides a way in which we can give tangible support. I commend it to you”.
The resources include climate collects, sermons, intergenerational activities and ways to pray for the earth. They are available on the CWS website here.
Notices
Practical guide to help people through the process of loved one’s death
A 20-page booklet that Judy Seccombe, parish clerk of Pathways Presbyterian, made with two of her friends after their husbands died. Informed by doctors, hospice nurses, GPs, paramedics, ministers and more it covers how to prepare for loss whether from illness or unexpected, who to let know, and to consider making an advanced care plan, addresses legal, financial and insurance requirements. Printed with financial assistance from the Justice-Compassion Trust Aotearoa New Zealand and Pathways Presbyterian Church. Copies available to collect from Pathways Presbyterian Church, Palmerston North, ph 06 358 0884 or email.
Pacific Conference of Churches seeks Ecumenical Animator: Safe Churches Ministry & Ecumenical Enabler for Gender Justice
Both positions commence 13 Jan 2025 and are located at the Pacific Conference of Churches Secretariat, Suva, with limited travel in Fiji and the Pacific region. To apply and see more information, download the position description for Ecumenical Animator and for the Ecumenical Enabler. See more about the PCC here. Closing date for applications is 10 December, 2024.
Women’s Retreat, Feb 2025: Bethesda Lodge, Waipiata, with Dr Hilary Oxford Smith & Anneloes de Groot
Dr Hilary Oxford Smith and Anneloes de Groot invite you on a guided retreat in Central Otago, a beautiful land of vast skies, rugged mountains and green valleys. This four-day guided residential women’s retreat ‘Honouring The Sacred Rhythm Of Our Days’ at Bethesda Lodge, En Hakkore Christian Retreat Centre, Waipiata (near Ranfurly) will be held 4pm Thursday 20 – 2pm Monday 24 Feb 2025. See more info and book here.
Eco Church sustainable Advent & Christmas resources
A resource inviting people to journey into Christmas more in harmony with creation. Lots of ideas for a sustainable Advent and Christmas including a calendar, trees, decorations, gifts and wrapping, travel, food etc. If you have more ideas for a more sustainable Christmas, send them an email. See more.
Download Lectionary 2024-2025 Year C Luke
The lectionary starts in December with the 1st Sunday of Advent and is the calendar of the liturgical year, including Scripture readings for each week. Download it from the Church website here.
Glen Innis Holiday Homes – book for summer holidays 2024/25 & new video
You can now watch new video of Maud Hooper house! Get in fast and book now for the 2024/25 summer holidays. There are two holiday houses at Glen Innis Station, Central Hawke’s Bay, available at no cost (other than refundable bond) for National Ordained Ministers for a re-creational holiday one week each year. One of the houses, Maud Hooper, is now also available for use by Local Ordained Ministers, Amorangi, and Local Shared Ministry team members - outside school holiday periods - at a cost of $200 per week (plus a refundable $100 bond). It's self-contained accommodation for up to seven adults and one baby, with modern facilities (including Wifi and dishwasher) as well as access to a range of onsite recreational facilities (games room, swimming pool, tennis court) in beautiful country surroundings. Info here.
Church Register
For any queries concerning the Church register, contact Kate Wilson.
Minister Changes
Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly, other recognised minister Northern Presbytery to minister Napier – St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Presbytery Central – Nukuhau Tapu, 10 October 2024.
Rev Dr Mark Johnston, other recognised minister Northern Presbytery to minister Napier – St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Presbytery Central – Nukuhau Tapu, 10 October 2024.
Rev Colin Gordon, chaplain and manager, Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy Northern region, to other recognised minister, Northern Presbytery, 31 October 2024 (now Pastoral Care Manager, Uniting Church of Australia, for Public Hospitals, Brisbane, Australia).
Rev Hana Popea, minister Karori St Ninian’s Uniting Parish to minister Lower Hutt – Hutt City Uniting Congregations, Presbytery Central – Nukuahu Tapu, 14 November 2024.
Retirements
Rev Dennis Flett, other recognised minister to Minister Emeritus, Presbytery Central – Nukuhau-Tapu, 23 October 2024.
Jobs
Check out our job vacancies page and the ministerial vacancies table and featured ministerial vacancies for the latest vacancies available in Aotearoa and around the globe.
Events
Check out details about upcoming events including training workshops, opportunities to serve and more. Learn more
Social Media
Check out in one handy place the links to the social media of the Presbyterian Church and its ministries including websites, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and video.
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Self-subscribe to Bush Telegraph, Council News and to PCANZ ministries publications – see details here.