Touchstone April 2024

Welcome to the April edition of Touchstone

At the Connexional Office we are looking forward to the coming Easter break. The days ahead represent so much more than a long weekend. Content this month celebrates the death and resurrection of our saviour, Jesus Christ, and the transition from darkness to light when loss and despair transformed to hope and joy. Rev Keita Hotere reflects on the customs of her whanau and how they embrace the opportunity to unveil memorial headstones during Holy Week in a tradition known as Hura Kohatu. Climate change, conservation and the Christian response to climate justice are also highlighted this month. A Rocha co-founder, Peter Harris, recently visited Aotearoa to share the origins and evolution of what has become a global organisation committed to promoting and encouraging a Christian approach to conservation.

Rev John Carr shares some of the green initiatives being undertaken by his Western Bay of Plenty parish, a member of A Rocha Eco Church NZ. This week saw the launch of a unique 'MCNZ designed and released' t-shirt promoting the Climate Justice Decade. As the promotional flyer says, “the Climate Justice t-shirts are the perfect way to amplify your voice and raise awareness about the urgent need for environmental action”.

I hope you find articles, reviews and reflections that inspire and inform.