News

August  15,  2018.  While the minister is away

Matthew is taking a few weeks annual leave, with the view of coming back refreshed for the full and vibrant months moving through from Springtime into Christmas. He'll be away from Thursday 16 August, returning on Wednesday 5 September. Provisions have been made for the time of his absence for fine services of worship to be held. And expert ministerial care is available for any pastoral emergencies that might arise while he is away. To access the emergency pastoral care, please contact the Church Council Clerk, Janet Wilson (338 7203), from Thursday 16 August until 30 August. From 31 August until 5 September, please contact the acting Church Council Clerk, Jean Brouwer (355 6534).

June  24,  2018.  A brand new window

On Sunday 24 June about 170 people gathered to celebrate the installation of the new Graham Stewart stained glass window gifted to Knox by John and Ann Hercus. After a moving service, during which John spoke lovingly of Duncan, Helen, Agnes and Ian Hercus, food and drink was shared, Graham spoke, and hearts were gladdened. It was a tremendous occasion. We plan to hold an open day on Sunday 5 August (1:00pm-3:00pm), so that interested people can view the window. It is hoped that Graham will be present at the open day to answer any questions.

It goes without saying that Knox is very grateful to the Hercuses for gifting us such a beautiful window.

June  21,  2018.  The separation of children from their parents

At the Knox Church Council meeting last night, a discussion was held about Donald Trump's zero-tolerance policy, by which the children of unauthorised migrants were being separated from their parents.

Council declared its deploring of that policy. It asked the Council clerk to declare as much to the US Ambassador to New Zealand. It also asked the minister to write an open letter to the editor of the Christchurch Press. This is the letter that has been submitted to the editor of the Press:

The Council of Knox Church, Christchurch, has watched the way that Donald Trump’s zero-tolerance policy concerning border control is causing children to be separated from their parents. Regardless of how parents are assessed, and regardless of whether they have committed immigration crimes, we vehemently reject any process by which children are punished for the actions of their parents.

We notice that this implementation of separation coincides with the USA’s withdrawal from the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. We note Nikki Hayley’s (US Ambassador to the UN) explanation for withdrawing from the Council: "The world's most inhumane regimes continue to escape its scrutiny, and the council continues politicizing scapegoating of countries with positive human rights records in an attempt to distract from the abusers in its ranks."

Knox urges USA to hear the children, and to realise the thinness of their self-condemning rhetoric concerning inhumane regimes escaping scrutiny.

Rev. Dr Matthew Jack
for the Council of Knox Church, Christchurch.

June  10,  2018.  American churchs speak to the times

This link leads you to see a wide variety of American church leaders speaking about the current political time.

https://www.facebook.com/SojournersMagazine/posts/10155595109767794

February  24,  2018.  Mission Discernment - Update

Last year, following the fifth mission discernment forum, input was sought from the whole congregation into commenting on the ideas that had come forth. Those comments were added into the pot, and the ideas were sorted under big theme headings. In a couple of weeks, Knox Council is gathering for a special retreat to consider the major theme headings, and to discern priorities for further development. Please hold Council members in your thoughts and prayers as this important next stage is undertaken.