News

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

June  05,  2018.  Launching the window

Mr John Hercus and Dame Ann Hercus
have gifted a new Graham Stewart stained glass window
to Knox Church, Bealey Ave, Christchurch.

Rev. Dr Matthew Jack and the Knox Church Council
invite you warmly to
the dedication service,
10:00am - 11:00am, Sunday 24 June.

You are also invited to
the celebratory function
at 11:15am
at which Graham Stewart will speak
and at which refreshments will be served.

For catering purposes, for the celebratory function,
please RSVP to office@knoxchurch.co.nz by 17 June.

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.