The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia
The Most Rev Don Tamihere, Archbishop
The Most Rev Philip Richardson, Archbishop
The Methodist Church of New Zealand – Te Hāhi Weteriana O Aotearoa
Christian World Service continues to deliver according to John Wesley’s dictum – ‘go not just to those who need you, go to those who need you most’. As it honours long-standing relationships and orientates more intentionally to our Pacific neighbourhood, it needs our on-going financial and prayer support.
I have met with Murray Overton, the new Director, and have been impressed by his warmth, clarity and focus. CWS is an organisation with the capacity to do much more – it simply needs our support. I believe in what they’re doing, and I’ll be personally committing to a regular financial contribution in the New Year. What I am confident of is that every dollar that is given will go directly to where it is most needed. I commend Christian World Service to you this Advent season.
Rev Andrew Doubleday
President of the Methodist Church
Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
I write to affirm and commend the Christian World Service Christmas appeal for 2021, ‘Give Joy and Justice’.
Presbyterian and Cooperating Churches in Aotearoa have a long history of supporting this annual appeal. I have good memories from the church of my childhood around this. The appeal provoked me to think more deeply about both justice and the deeper meaning of Christmas in ways that have stayed with me all these years later.
This year Isaiah 1:17 is being used as the focus text for the appeal: “Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.”
This text picks up well the Biblical mandate for justice that is in turn reflected in the CWS Christmas appeal. I warmly encourage churches to support this appeal in 2021.
Rt Rev Hamish Galloway
Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Te Hāhi Tūhauwiri, is pleased to endorse the 2021 Christmas appeal in support of the very necessary work of Christian World Service.
The call in Isaiah 1:17 to seek justice and rescue the oppressed resonates strongly with Quakers.
“Advices and Queries” of the Religious Society of Friends in Aotearoa New Zealand includes a challenge to “enter into fellowship with people of all faiths and philosophies, locally, regionally and globally so that we may work together and cooperate for peace, justice and care for the planet.” This CWS Christmas appeal, with its emphasis on bringing Joy and Justice to the world, is a wonderful way to put this challenge into practice.
Anne & Alistair Hall
Co-Clerks of the Yearly Meeting of Aotearoa New Zealand, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Te Hāhi Tūhauwiri
Christian Churches New Zealand
Christian Churches New Zealand.