Issue 3: 10 Poutu-te-rangi 2005
Nga Rangatahi o Te Pihopatanga o Aotearoa News

“Awesome Experience” for Te Wai Pounamu Youth

Six rangatahi leaders from Christchurch took part in a historic occasion for Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu. A handing over of three stone taonga representing the three tikanga, marked the rededication of St Andrews Anglican Church in Blaketown, West Coast of the South Island.

This event was the culmination of 138 years, where local Maori had donated the land for the first Anglican church in 1867. 

The rangatahi sung a spine tingling gradual hymn during the service which followed by a gospel reading by Chris Huriwai (17). Tereeza Kira (16) who has been involved in several rangatahi leaders’ wananga in Te Waipounamu spoke of how the handing over ceremony of the church was an “awesome experience.”

A long serving parishioner of the church, Mary Heinz, spoke to the gathered congregation about the very early days of the church when it first opened 65 years ago. She recalled how the parish had a Sunday school choir and being taught the values of respecting your elders.

Tai Tokerau Rangatahi Worker

My name is Tapu Laulu and I am the Kaitakawaenga rangatahi for Te Hui Amorangi o Te Tai Tokerau. I am currently studying at the University of Auckland completing a diploma in youth studies.

I have been a part of the Tai Tokerau rangatahi networks for six years. Now I feel that God has called me to further my ministry to help teach and nurture the new believers and to also help rangatahi within the church to strengthen their faith and help them on their journey.

Some of the tasks I have been working on for Tai Tokerau Rangatahi include organising our Evangelism Camp, which is coming up in the September holidays.

Part of my job is to identify and nurture young leaders, and I have also been working on building leaders throughout Tai Tokerau.

Earlier on this month I had my first pastorate visit. I was invited by the whanau of Hemi Tapu at Kelston to come along and take part in their service on 6th March. It was an awesome experience being part of the worship with the rangatahi from the parish. The highlight of the day was a 7 year old boy reading the epistle reading - that was cool.

TE KUPU NEWS

New Pihopa o Aotearoa
Pihopa Bown Turei has been confirmed as the new Pihopa o Aotearoa. Pihopa Brown is currently Pihopa ki Te Tai Rawhiti, and will be the 5th Pihopa o Aotearoa since the office began in 1928. He will be installed into his new position in Turanga on 7th May.

TE KUPU LINK

Soul Purpose
http://www.soulpurpose.co.nz
With over 340,000 hits every month, www.soulpurpose.co.nz is one of the largest and most popular Christian youth websites in the world. Based on the print magazine, Soul Purpose online includes music information and articles, including editorials by Brooke Fraser. A good local site in the evangelical youth part of the Christian web world.
 

TE KUPU INFO

 Te Kupu is published by Te Māra Rangatahi Ministry School. For more information visit the Te Kupu website at RUIA, www.rangatahi.org.nz. Contact the editor Nikii O’Callaghan on nikii@rangatahi.org.nz