Inspired by the Eco Church idea, tamariki at St Heliers Presbyterian journeyed through Advent by rebuilding a koru each week from river stones, flowers, shells and recycled treasures gathered from their homes and neighbourhoods. This hands-on ritual connected the Christmas story with the beauty of creation in Aotearoa, inviting teamwork, wonder and a deeper awareness of God’s presence among us.

Five weeks in September were set aside to gently celebrate creation at Hemi Tapu. From green-decorated worship spaces and home-made communion bread, to kids’ church exploring trees, birds and worms, and community activities like a coastal wander and local wine tasting, the Season of Creation was marked by joy, creativity, and connection. By focusing on celebration rather than crisis, the parish laid thoughtful groundwork for deeper engagement with creation care in the seasons ahead.

It was super exciting to pilot a brand-new day camp during the July school holidays in Ōtautahi Christchurch! Designed for children aged 8–12, this hands-on, nature-based programme invited our young explorers to connect deeply with God’s creation and discover what it means to care for it. With plenty of time for fun, friendship, and meaningful discovery, the programme offered a rich way for children to grow in faith and care for the environment.

How do we strengthen and nourish our young people who care about the environment in their faith? A group of us gathered for this online kōrero organised by Eco Church NZ to hear from guest speakers - Elke Keeling, Natalie Duchesne and James Beck - and explore what they have found to be helpful and unhelpful. It was an inspiring session hearing about ideas and resources available to support ecological discipleship in our children and youth.

Look at that bunch of children and parents with spades and buckets. They’re above Te Auaunga (Oakley Creek), on the Auckland isthmus and it’s a Saturday afternoon, children from Cityside Baptist Church. They’re celebrating Matariki, the Māori New Year, with this midwinter tree-planting.

How to get children engaged in sustainability? Baking! Our Kids' Church have been learning about the wonder of Creation, how it's struggling, and how we can participate in God's healing work. When asked how we could reduce our waste at Kids' Church, the children had the fantastic idea of doing some home baking to replace the plastic packets of biscuits they consume each week for morning tea.