NZ Freephone CWS Update provides news, information, and stories. Reproduction of items is encouraged with attribution to CWS. Current and back issues are available.
Meri Kirihimete – Merry Christmas
Thank you for your generosity and compassion, for standing with people who need water, food and justice this year. May you find love this Christmas and the strength to face new challenges in the year ahead.
Tim, Fi, Italy, Nadine, Rob and Gillian
In case of an Emergency and Office Hours
The CWS office will close for the Christmas break at 12:00 pm on Friday 22nd December and reopen on Monday 8th January. If you need to contact us, please email: cws@cws.org.nz.
If there is an international crisis or disaster over this period, check the website, Facebook or Instagram to find out how we are responding.
Share Food this Christmas
Your gift of love at Christmas is one way to give practical support to people who need food and a sustainable livelihood in the face of climate change. Small-scale farmer Somawathie talks about how she grows food in an area of Sri Lanka visited by wild elephants. Please give generously to the 2023 Christmas Appeal.
We ask you to remember people without adequate food and living in places of conflict and violence on Christmas Day. There are prayers, slides and other resources available to download. Thanks to Rev Mark Gibson for writing liturgy for this important appeal.
Gaza Palestine Appeal
Read the Christmas message from our partner, the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees. Please keep the people of Gaza and the West Bank in your prayers. Each day brings more violence, and increasing rain and cold temperatures. Special thanks to the many people who have donated to the Gaza Palestine Appeal. Read and share the latest report from the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees which includes a video from a recent psychosocial session in the Khan Younis Camp in South Gaza.
Choose Ecards
If you are looking for last minute gifts, choose ecards. Every gift you buy will support a specific programme of a Christian World Service partner. If you buy the top-selling gift, Baby and Mother Health you will be supporting two health clinics run by the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees for refugee mothers and babies in Jordan. Every gift helps people!
COP28 Results Disappointing
ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together) expressed its disappointment at the final statement from the COP28 climate negotiations earlier this week. While the agreement to establish the Loss and Damage Fund was a breakthrough, the results will not come close to delivering climate justice.
NZ Humanitarian Organisations unanimously urge Political Leaders to intensify Efforts for Peace in Gaza at Christmas Time
As parliament adjourns and New Zealand “shuts down” for the holidays, the New Zealand humanitarian community is issuing an urgent plea to our political leaders: do not forget the children of Gaza at Christmas time.
Remembering Mitzi Nairn
CWS gives thanks for Mitzi Nairn who died earlier this month. Mitzi was the director of the CCANZ Programme of Racism (Conference of Churches in Aotearoa New Zealand) for many years and helped CWS deepen its understanding of partnership. She continued to promote greater understanding and commitment to Te Tiriti O Waitangi in her role as an educator.
Photo credits: DSPR, LWF/Albin Hillert, Monlar and Steph.
