St Andrew’s on The Terrace Parish serious about sustainability

By Frank Hanson. Originally published in Touchstone October 2024.

Each week members from St Andrew’s on The Terrace join others in a protest at Parliament calling on the Government to take more urgent action on the climate emergency.

Since April this year, every Tuesday parishioners from St Andrew’s on The Terrace join representatives from other religious groups for a peaceful lunchtime protest on Parliament grounds.

Holding placards that draw attention to the damning impact of fossil fuels, the weekly vigil is just one of several sustainable and environmentally sensitive  initiatives being undertaken by the parish.

Congregation members Anna Smith and Sonia Groes-Petrie represent St Andrew’s on The Terrace on  Eco Church and provide the lead on environmental matters within the parish, reporting to the monthly congregation meeting. The parish supports climate justice campaigns initiated by other organisations, such as faith group Common Grace Aotearoa, and regularly write submissions to Parliament on proposed environmental legislation and strategies.

The parish is committed to reducing waste within the church and the adjoining conference centre. There are systems in place for reducing and recycling waste, and surplus food and goods are donated  to the wider community.

Anna says, “Our commitment to sustainability and the environment is an integral part of our six strategic pillars, which underpin how we conduct our mission. We do all we can to be a sustainable church and demonstrate our care for creation by being a leading voice on environmental issues.”

Age is no barrier to participating in the climate justice initiatives. Frank Hanson aged 90 - a former MCNZ President and principal at Trinity College – participates regularly in the protest at Parliament. His motivation for leaving the world a better place extends beyond  aspirations for  his children and grandchildren. “A basic reason for being there is my concern for the world for my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, but it is selfish to leave it there. We need to consider the whole world. We left the 20th century feeling a lot of hope for the 21st century but that has not materialised in the way we thought it might.” 

Footnote: A letter that Frank Hanson rote to the Stuff newsroom sparked the interest of their reporting team and on Thursday 26 September, Frank was the subject of a feature article in The Press, The Post and The Waikato Times celebrating his optimism and outlook. To view the article Click Here