Stories
Ngā Kōrero
Contact us to add your story to the collaborative Eco Church NZ puna mātauranga / pool of knowledge.
Repair Café at Onewa Christian Community
Onewa Christian Community in Birkenhead hosts Repair Cafés 3-4 times a year, in conjunction with Highbury House, the Birkenhead Community Centre. They enjoy the camaraderie and great atmosphere when mixing with the public. Most of the volunteers come back time and time again. Repairs are free but a koha is accepted for the morning tea, the proceeds of which are given to De Paul House in Northcote.
Opoho Church: A hub of Christian hope and creation care
Nestled in the hills of Dunedin, Opoho Presbyterian Church has become a beautiful example of how a faith community can embody Christian hope through practical action and environmental stewardship. With a strong commitment to creation care, the church is carving out a unique identity as a hub for sustainability and creation care in its community.
The Little Library at All Saints Ponsonby
Our beautiful Little Library is the work of many people and many months. It was suggested in 2021 at the first meeting of our Eco Church Committee. It is the 67th little library built by Real World Living, a charity that teaches practical skills (such as carpentry) and life skills to severely disabled young people. The box is made from recycled materials.
The Recycle a Device Project: Empowering Youth to Make a Difference with E-Waste
Church on Ingestre in Whanganui found out about the RAD initiative through their well-established partnership with Te Ora Hou Whanganui and saw it as a great opportunity to empower youth to be involved in a project with a great kaupapa. Working collaboratively with Te Ora Hou, they've created space at their church for RAD refurbishing workshops. At these workshops, young people learn to repair and refurbish devices, gaining valuable technical skills, with adults alongside providing encouragement and support.
Takapuna Methodist Church and the Puriri Centre on a journey towards sustainability
Takapuna Methodist Church and the Puriri Centre are engaged in a journey towards sustainability that honours the profound interconnectedness between humanity and te taiao (the environment). Our recent "Arotakenga Para | Waste Check" initiative, is a significant step in our commitment to reducing waste and safeguarding our environment as a key element of our spiritual and community practices.
All Saints Eco Group: Hitting the Ground Running!
The Eco Group of All Saints, Howick, has been working hard to encourage more sustainable living in the community. Beginning in August of 2023, we’ve had conversations around the parish to get a sense of what was needed. Read on to find out what initiatives they’re starting with at All Saints!
The Cityside travelling nativity set
Read about the Cityside Travelling Nativity Set - a Cityside Baptist tradition that began in 2013. The Nativity set starts its journey by being handed over to the initial hosts during the service on the first Sunday of Advent. There is a liturgy for the giver and the receiver to say during the process of handing over. The nativity set will stay with the hosts for one or two nights before they pass it on to the next recipients, continuing until it arrives back at Cityside on Christmas Eve.
Chartwell Cooperating Church’s sustainability initiatives
Chartwell Cooperating Church is a seasoned traveller on the sustainability journey and as shown from the excerpts below - already has so many stories to share with the Eco Church whānau. Read on to find out more and be inspired to start a creation care initiative at your church!
Clergy clothing for Polynesia
Have you got unused or surplus clerical wear in your homes or churches? Ven Julie Rokotakala is collecting any unused clergy shirts or vestments for self-supporting priests of the Diocese of Polynesia. A practical way we can partner with and support our brothers and sisters in Polynesia.
St Hilda’s Island Bay playground - appreciated by community and the environment
St Hilda's Island Bay Playgroup considered the environment when they set about creating a safe and fun playground for children in their community. The playgroup was able to collect old play equipment and rubber tiles from the Wellington City Council and repurpose them for their new playground, all at no cost to the church.
Refillery supports community development
Two Todman is a community space hosted by Brooklyn Anglicans that includes a chapel, co-working space, community space, and thrift shop. Recently they launched a refillery - a spot where people can come to get top-ups of common household consumables without creating more waste from plastic packaging. The concept came from consultation with their local community on what was missing from the main street and would add value to their neighbourhood.
Tawa Youth Group patches up
The Tawa Anglicans youth group (the Tribe) has taken an innovative approach to the challenge of creating printed hoodies and t shirts. Rather than paying for screen-printed clothing, they have created a patch that can be sewn onto any pre-existing item.
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