September 07, 2006 Because of the donuts Someone sent out these bumper stickers to most of the commissioners who will be going to General Assembly . My non-church-going friends keep asking me why I would want to be involved in the church, and on days like today it seems like a very good question. So, sometimes, I have to remind myself. I have no trouble remembering why I want to be part of St Andrew?s. I love this church, and its people. I love that I am free to wonder and question. I love the teaching, and the discussions. I love the work we do, for peace, for justice, for the planet. I love the worship, which is creative, inclusive, beautiful and poetic. I chose to be baptised into the Church because at St Andrew?s I felt accepted and loved. But... St Andrew?s is part of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. I could, of course, keep going to St Andrew?s but say that I?m not part of the wider church. But that option doesn?t sit quite right with my conscience. So I?m trying to remind myself, again, why on earth I would want to be Presbyterian. 1. Well, it is part of my heritage. My Scottish ancestors arrived here early in 1840, and it?s likely they were at the first Presbyterian service held on the shore of Petone. 2. If I left, the balance of the Presbyterian Church would change and tilt just that little bit further to