Southern Presbyterians News Feed

Vacancy - Community Church of Akaroa Banks Peninsula

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Full time Minister for the Community Church of Akaroa Banks Peninsula – Is this you?

Akaroa is seeking a visionary Minister to serve and lead its parish, and to help us in making Jesus Christ known on beautiful Banks Peninsula and beyond. The newly formed Community Church of Akaroa Banks Peninsula is a joint venture between the former Presbyterian and Anglican congregations of Akaroa and Banks Peninsula.

We are a motivated Parish, on a journey which we believe God has called us to. We are seeking a leader who can offer encouragement, energy and enthusiasm to help us as we attend to the Holy Spirit’s leading. We are looking for a leader with a passion for people, a heart for Jesus, and the ability to lead new initiatives. He or she will need to be comfortable in rural and small-town ministry, open to contemporary and traditional styles of worship, confident to drive over Peninsula roads for ministry in the surrounding Bays, and active in building networks in the wider community.

We are open to expressions of interest from Anglican and Presbyterian ministers or ordained ministry leaders of other denominations who would be comfortable with being part of our Community Church. The Parish has a committed and experienced Governance team and will initially be under Presbyterian oversight.

Highlights of the area include a vibrant community that is great for families, with well set up local schools and health facilities, a beautiful natural environment, harbour, heritage and recreational opportunities.

Could God be calling you to join us?

Please email Martin Stewart martin@alpinepresbytery.org for a copy of our Parish Profile. Expressions of interest are invited and can be made, in confidence, prior to 10 December 2024.

Vacancy - Clinton Youth Worker

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Clinton presy church are seeking to employ a part-time youth worker.

Clinton Presbyterian is a vibrant, growing church serving our corner of South Otago in the name of Christ. We seek a keen person to help in our expanding youth ministry, supporting young people both inside and outside of our congregation. This part-time youth worker would help in running weekly youth group nights (ages 11-16) and assist in discipleship and leadership development of church youth. Ideally, we are looking for someone who has:

· Good biblical knowledge and some youth ministry training;

· Compassion and concern for unchurched youth;

· Experience in a Christian church-based ministry;

· A driver’s licence.

If you are interested, please contact Alex Watt, 0274054772, alex_watt581@hotmail.com

Study Theology at the University of Otago

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Theology at the University of Otago

• The Theology Programme at the University of Otago offers the opportunity to think more deeply about Christian faith. Christian students have found our papers to be constructive and helpful; such study can enrich, broaden and deepen your understanding of your faith. We study Theology from within the Christian tradition, with academic depth.

• The subjects on offer include Old Testament and New Testament Studies, Church History, Systematic Theology, Māori Theology, Moana Pasifika Theology, Ethics, Practical Theology and Ministry (including Chaplaincy Studies), and Biblical languages (Hebrew and New Testament Greek). The Theology Programme has a Centre for Theology and Public Issues, offering papers with a strong social justice focus on contemporary issues.

• You can study toward a qualification, or you can take a single paper (or more) for interest, or as part of another degree. Most University of Otago students can include up to 5 Theology papers in their degree.

• If you're looking for a qualification then we offer the Diploma in Theology, the Bachelor of Theology degree, as well as Postgraduate degrees in Theology, Ministry, Chaplaincy, and Faith-Based Leadership and Management, the MTheol and PhD. If you've already got another degree, we offer a Diploma for Graduates, which is 7 papers, 4 at 300-level. This is the equivalent of one full year’s study of Theology, but can be split up across several years.

• In pre-Christmas Summer School (11 Nov-14 Dec, 2024), we have a paper on Theology and Science (CHTH 217/317). We also have two Semester 1 papers where the teaching is done in intensives prior to the Semester (with assessment during the Semester). These are Trauma-Informed Ministry (PAST 307/MINS 405), with a block course 27-31 Jan in Dunedin (a flyer is attached), and Moana Pasifika Theology (CHTH 237/337) with a block course in Mangere, 9-13 Feb.

• Papers on offer in 2025 are in the attached posters and brochures, and a power point.

Further information:

theology@otago.ac.nz

Carers Peer Support Circle

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A new community group is being established at Mornington Presbyterian Church (MPC), for private Carers (spouse, partner or other family member or friend) who care for people living with dementia or a similar affliction. Private Carers, un paid and mainly unrecognised, cope with the mental and physical challenges arising from dementia, until residential care facilities are involved. Having experienced this 24-hr challenge for over 5 years, the convenor understands the Carer’s concerns and needs. The circle is to alleviate the diffi-
culties arising for private Carers by sharing experiences with other carers in a friendly atmosphere. Confidentiality - all information shared in the group stays in the group.

Are you a private Carer looking after somebody with dementia? Take a break and join us for a convivial hour of Carers Peer Support.

Meetings are held at MPC, 16 Maryhill Terrace, every 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month, starting at 10.00 a.m.

Public Transport: take the No.63 bus to Balaclava, and get off at Mitchell Ave. Cross over and walk westward to the steps down to the lower carpark entrance to the MPC complex.

For more information contact David Tucker, davidtucker008@gmail.com the convenor of the group.

A printable flyer can be found HERE

Vacancy - Central Southland, Winton

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Central Southland Presbyterian Parish

The Central Southland Parish at Winton wish to employ a 0.5 time Nationally Ordained Minister (NOM) to work alongside our existing Church leadership and outreach groups, to fulfil our vision which is to know Jesus and make His love known.

If you feel called to a rural town with a mix of young families and retirees then please request our profile where you will learn what we already have in place and how you could help us to grow God’s work in our church and in our community.

The 0.5 position is exciting, as it allows a minister flexibility to pursue further career paths or studies, undertake other forms of ministry or develop passions. It might simply be time to take life a little easier and have time to enjoy all that Central Southland and its surrounds have to offer. Beaches, fishing, national parks, skiing and tramping, all a short distance away. This gateway to unspoiled New Zealand may even offer tourism hospitality opportunities.

If you feel the Holy Spirit stirring in you as you read this, please contact our MSB convenor and request a copy of our profile. We’d be excited to hear from you.

Rev. Barry Kelk, MSM convenor

24 Paterson Road, Nevis Bannockburn 9384.

Email: kelbarr54@gmail.com

Phone: 0273755315

God within Matariki

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Our whānau at Flagstaff Community Church have been part of a documentary from Shine TV celebrating Matariki.

The Blurb reads: A stunning new documentary produced by Shine TV for the upcoming celebration of Matariki. What does the Bible say about this time in our Kiwi calendar, and how do we navigate the celebrations and complexities of this season as Christian communities? Theologian Dr Brad Haami and church leaders help us look up and see where our creator God is within the stars of Matariki.

The documentary can be watched for free HERE

Introducing Common Grace Aotearoa

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The ecumenical Christian group making waves on big justice issues

Common Grace Aotearoa may be just over a year old, but is having a growing impact in the ministry of 'transforming unjust structures' in society, and activating Christians young and old in a fresh expression of their faith.

Started by Kate Day and Alex Johnston in early 2023, the ecumenical charity has a mission to equip and organise followers of Jesus across Aotearoa to run advocacy campaigns alongside the wider community and civil society that advance policy solutions towards climate, economic and Te Tiriti justice.

More than 120 churches are hosting its Treaty education course ‘Belonging in This Land: Treaty Basics from a Christian Perspective’, developed alongside Karuwhā Trust and Te Manu Hononga - the Sir Paul Reeves Centre. This two-part workshop is readying Christians to be a gracious voice in the national conversations ahead on the status of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Meanwhile, the group is set to hand in a 5000-strong petition to Members of Parliament in June calling on the government to review a subsidy to large industrial polluters that is holding back their transformation to climate-friendly processes.

Their third area of focus is economic justice, where they have already won a major victory. The Everyone Connected campaign brought national attention to energy hardship faced by those who are disconnected from electricity due to unpaid bills. Because of the campaign, media coverage skyrocketed, leading to crucial meetings with the Electricity Authority. In January 2024, they finally announced binding consumer care rules for power companies - before this there had been only voluntary guidelines about how companies should treat their customers.

A key part of the work of Common Grace Aotearoa is mentoring teams of volunteers, who learn by doing as they make the campaigns happen and consider what it means to do this as followers of Jesus.

Esme, age 27, has been involved in the economic justice team from the start, and says it has been a faith-building experience so far: "I’ve spent a lot of time in faith spaces responding to the immediate needs around me. I believe whilst we are called to the injustice in front of us, we are also called to flip the tables that create those needs. Common Grace has given me an accessible way of doing this work with others - whilst learning skills and building friendships along the way”.

Meanwhile Rev Silvia Purdie, a minister in the Presbyterian church, recently got involved in the climate justice team: “It is very clear to me that God is calling the church to care for creation, and I’m passionate about encouraging a wide range of approaches. As well as small local things, together we can also address big national issues and have a significant impact. What I love about Common Grace is the sense that, with prayer, support and training and smart thinking, small groups of Christian people can make a real difference.”

The organisation provides ways for individuals and faith communities to get involved in its campaigns through weekly emails. To find out more and get involved, head to www.commongrace.nz.

At present they are also inviting churches to host ‘Belonging in this Land: Treaty Basics from a Christian Perspective’. Anyone interested in this two-part video workshop for communities of faith can learn more at treatyandbelonging.nz.

Bill and Margaret Best Travel Fund

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For more information: CLICK HERE

The Leprosy Mission 2025 Youth Advocate Scholarship

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Get ready for an incredible opportunity! The Leprosy Mission New Zealand is inviting students aged 18-24 to apply for our Youth Advocate Scholarship to Nepal in 2025.

As Youth Advocates, you will have the opportunity to travel to Kathmandu, Nepal. A life-changing experience awaits you!

You get to immerse yourselves in the local culture, share life stories with people affected by leprosy in the Leprosy Mission Anandaban Hospital and out in the community. You also get to watch a reconstructive hand surgery in the operation theatre and go on a 2-day trek at the Kathmandu Valley!

You will be so inspired by the resilience of those affected by leprosy; and humbled by the heart of the hospital staff who dedicate their lives to serve people affected by leprosy.

This scholarship offers more than just a trip—it's a transformative journey of faith and adventure. Each year, we welcome vibrant young people eager to immerse themselves in our mission. Together, we witness the miracles of God's love in the breathtaking landscapes of Nepal, touching lives with compassion and hope.

But our mission doesn't end there. Inspired by our experiences, we return home driven to make a difference. With unwavering determination, we rally together to raise awareness and funding for Leprosy Mission projects, spreading a message of healing and hope.

We're seeking candidates with a passion for overseas missions and a desire to learn, serve, and make a difference. If your heart is ablaze for mission, we invite you to join us on this noble journey.

Your flight (air tickets) to Nepal, meals, accommodation, transport in Nepal and travel insurance are covered by the Youth Advocate Scholarship. Your responsibilities are to arrive at the Auckland Airport and to ensure that you have the necessary immunisations required for travel. Once you have been selected, you will be notified by the coordinator (see info below). Start your application process by clicking on the website link below!

For more information and to apply, you can visit the Leprosy Mission website at leprosymission.org.nz/youth-advocate-scholarship

Join us as we embark on this journey of faith and transformation with you!

If you have any questions or would like more information or resources to share in your church, contact the Leprosy Mission Coordinator, Nadia Paul, on her mobile phone 022 199 5758 or email her at Nadia.Paul@leprosymission.org.nz