Much of the Presbyterian related news in this time period was dominated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly the decision to include the prohibition against same-sex marriage in their Book of Order, a decision I have already discussed. The press releases about the election of the Moderator and the Moderator-designate, a new Executive Secretary, and another about beginning the process to divest from fossil fuels got some wider distribution:
Presbyterian Church elects new leader – from Community Scoop
Presbyterian Church elects Moderator-designate – from Community Scoop
New national Assembly Executive Secretary for Presbyterians – from Community Scoop
Presbyterian Church to consider divestment of fossil fuels – from Community Scoop
At the same time church buildings face an uncertain future as congregations dwindle:
Historic Auckland church faces ‘imminent’ risk of demolition – from TVNZ
Community rallies to save old church – from The Dominion Post
In the debate over dividing Malawi into north and south countries, the Livingstonia Synod is take to task for taking sides in the matter in their siding with the current president oposing division.
CounterJab: Sorry, no room for Livingstonia Synod, Kyungu in federalism debate – from Nyasa Times
Elsewhere in the CCAP:
Malawi: Nkhoma Synod to Repay Cashgate Money Embezzled By Church Officials – from allAfrica
In Northern Ireland a Presbyterian Church was damaged and an Orange Hall destroyed by arsonists:
Locals condemn arson attack on Donegal Orange Hall – from Irish Times
Presbyterian church arson ‘an attack on all Christians’ – from Belfast News Letter; includes comments from the Moderator of the General Assembly
Convoy Orange Hall: Donegal arson arrests made – from BBC News
News from a PC(USA) related seminary:
Doris J. García Rivera installed as president of the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico – from Presbyterian News Service
From Columbia, South Carolina, a story about Blythewood Presbyterian Church, a fairly new PCA church that is using the land it one day hopes to build its sanctuary on for a community garden in the mean time:
Blythewood Community Garden: A different approach to outreach – from the Columbia Metropolitan
And finally from Scotland: While members and pastors continue to depart from the Church of Scotland
Kirk ministers and members officially join Free Church – from Aberdeen Press and Journal
There was high-profile news of a major archaeological discovery on Kirk property
In Pictures: Largest Ever Viking Treasure Trove Discovered by Metal Detectorists in Scotland – from International Business Times
Retiree unearths huge Viking treasure trove in Scotland – from Japan Times
Viking treasure trove discovered in Scotland – from The Guardian
Spectacular Viking treasure hoard found on Church land – from Church of Scotland press release
And that is what caught my attention back then. On to the next one…