Allowing homeowners to plant berm gardens improves social cohesion and brings communities together, according to an Australian researcher. New Plymouth woman Alana Brough faces a $1000 fine with an additional $50 added every day if she doesn’t remove a fruit and vegetable garden she planted in her berm. But a senior lecturer at the University Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Community’
All Saints takes church outside church
Monday, October 14th, 2024All Saints in Nelson has started a community-focused initiative that takes the church outside the building. On Sunday morning, instead of attending their regular church service, the congregation shared breakfast of bacon sandwiches and coffee before being anointed with oil and the words from Matthew 10, “freely you have received, so freely give”. And with Read more
NZ Catholic digital on the way
Monday, June 24th, 2024
When NZ Catholic sends out its final print publication at the end of June, it will mark the end of an era. A print era, that is. Print edition will be missed “I liked the NZ Catholic because I could catch up with current news about Catholic NZ … seminarians, Vinnies, ordinations, school successes, photos Read more
Community garden faces setback after theft
Monday, May 6th, 2024The community garden near St Andrews church in Featherston has suffered a significant setback as thieves stole all gardening equipment from its shed. Hana Makin, a lead member of the garden’s management team, remains optimistic about the garden’s role in the community. “This hasn’t changed the fact that we have this beautiful space and great Read more
Antarctica: Science and Faith – part 2
Monday, March 20th, 2023
In preparing to come to Antarctica, I had been told this was the most secular continent in the world, filled with scientists on a mission for discovery. But for those who are looking for spirituality, there is a lot to be discovered here too. I have spent three weeks at the South Pole Station with Read more
The Orchestra
Thursday, February 9th, 2023
My granddaughter was young and it was her first orchestral concert. Everything was exciting for her – the programme, the crowd, the musicians walking onto the stage. Then those players started tuning their instruments; the concert hall filled with discordant noise. My granddaughter thought this was the first item. The pain on her face was Read more
Another place to meet
Thursday, November 17th, 2022
The café is a place where I not only find a drink and a croissant but also the convenience of somewhere to write. In so many ways, it has replaced the pub as a meeting place, a stop-off point for anyone and everyone to pause a while over a hot coffee, to read or have Read more
Do not betray our faith with sloppy words
Monday, April 11th, 2022
As Lent comes towards its climax in the celebration of Easter, we might revisit the energy of Ash Wednesday and renew our renewal for this final week. This process of making changes in our lives, having a new outlook, repenting, converting, turning over a new leaf — all render the command, metanoeite — that we Read more
Community in Covid times
Monday, December 6th, 2021
Covid-19 has both reinforced and challenged our sense of community. We’ve learnt that we need to think about “the team of five million” and what is good for us all, and not just for each of us as individuals. But we’ve also had times when we’ve been isolated in our homes. Many people have felt Read more
Gen Z lost touch with faith communities during pandemic but kept the faith
Thursday, June 3rd, 2021
Researchers are warning religious leaders, teachers and parents there isn’t going to be a simple “back to normal” approach for young people after the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather, we should all be looking for ways to help them experience “the new normal.” That’s the argument from Springtide Research Institute, which surveyed 2,500 members of Generation Z Read more