Earth Day resources
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 each year. Any day is a good day though to reflect on the goodness of creation and God’s call to us to care for it.
Resource list: Earth Day resources
Blessing for a new building
This prayer was written for the opening of a new pre-school building at Queen Margaret College, Wellington in
November 2015. It could easily be adapted for other contexts.
Resource: Blessing for a new building
A service about courage
This service explores the themes of courage and fear using the story of Jesus calming the storm.
Download: Children’s service on courage
A service about our wonderful earth.
This participatory service looks at God’s call to care for our environment and includes a group exercise in making ‘wearable art’ from recyclable materials.
Download: Children’s service wonderful earth
A liturgy for Holocaust Memorial Day.
Internationally recognised on January 27th each year, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz camp, Holocaust Memorial Day remembers those who died, not just in the holocaust of WW2, but those who continue to be victims of genocide around the world. While January 27th is probably not a day which works for NZ schools to recognise this day, the liturgy could be used at other times of the year to reflect on issues of global justice, tolerance and peace. Thanks to Rev Phil King, the Presbyterian Global Mission Co-ordinator for compiling this resource. The liturgy downloads as a Word file.
Download: Holocaust Memorial Day January 27
Resources for the issue of Human Trafficking
Broken For You is a collection of resources including prayers, Bible readings, refkections, hymn suggestions and general information on the issue of Human Trafficking. It has been compiled by the World Communion of Reformed Churches which the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand is a member church of. It is written for the season of Lent but could be used at any time of the year.
Broken For You Lenten Worship Resource
ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans) have produced a teaching resource for secondary school teachers to assist in educating and raising consciousness about the issue of human trafficking. It is written for an Australian context but could easily be adapted for NZ schools.
Human Trafficking Education Resource
Matariki – Maori New Year
A mid-year celebration which has many rich themes of remembrance, thanksgiving and sharing what we have with others.
Rev Bosco Peter’s (Anglican church) web-site. The post includes a link to an education resource on Matariki.
St Andrew’s on The Terrace, Wellington. Matariki service 2008
St Andrew’s on The Terrace, Wellington. Matariki service 2012
A winter affirmation adapted from words by Bronwyn White, Wellington
Words for Matariki adapted from St Andrew’s on The Terrace Matariki services
A Matariki Resource from the Methodist Church
The Resource Office has a copy of a children’s illustrated book (one of many available) called Matariki by Melanie Drewery. It tells the story of a family celebrating the rising of Matariki (Pleiades in the Bible, see Job 38:31).
Farewells
A collection of responses to recognise a special farewell. Litany of Farewell