‘Born-again kiwi’ inspires new clubs

Press, 18 June 1982, Page 13

‘Born-again kiwi’ inspires new clubs

BY

MARGARET PRICE

Arnold, a “born again" cartoon kiwi, is the key to a series of Christian children’s clubs wich are springing up in Christchurch. The character's transition from a flightless bird into a graceful Kotuku (the Maori name for white heron) has been adopted as the theme for the Kotuku clubs, which have given Sunday School teaching a new dimension. Already six such clubs are running in Canterbury — two in Christchurch city, and others in Burwood, Kaiapoi, Bishopdale, and St Albans — and another three are on the drawing board. Three also operate in Auckland. Run from Christchurch by the Kotuku Foundation, the clubs aim not only to teach children Christianity in an "exciting" way. but to bring together all denominations. The idea of Kotuku clubs was sparked off by lan Kington, now the Christchurch director of Youth for Christ. It has since been taken up by a cartoonist, Neville Logan, who will be recognised from the “After School” television show. With Barry Botherway, Mr Logan is a trustee of the Kotuku Foundation. From its ; High Street office, the foundation invites churches to start their own clubs, and once this initiative has been taken, distributes

material free of charge for young members and their youth leaders. This includes a monthly newsletter, stickers, posters, badges, ideas, and a story and colouring book featuring “Arnold, the Kiwi that became a Kotuku,” written and illustrated by Mr Logan. Individual churches use the programme as they wish. One invited children to. become Kotuku Club members by putting notices in householders' letterboxes. Initial meetings centred mainly on games, progressing to the use of Christian-type material. Another club has written, and will put on, a play about Arnold. Mr Logan is clearly proud of the club’s progess so far, and he hopes members will eventually, have their own television programme, and even a radio show. Children, he says, love belonging to a club. , “We developed this, idea about three years ago and nothing much happened. It is only in recent weeks that a brochure has been-produced to tell churches about the clubs,” Mr Logan says. . The Christchurch clubs meet at various times, but each . month' their youth loaders, representing several denominations, come together at the High Street office with Neville Logan to

discuss what each is doing, and future ideas. “It really is a healthy situation where churches are working so closely together.” About 160 children, aged from 10 to 14, belong to the clubs. Neville Logan believes this will grow quickly as news of them spreads among churches, usually by word of mouth. Many Sunday School teachers have all the necessary gifts, but for them the sheer economics of producing material; such as colouring and story books, is impossible, he says. The Kotuku clubs are just one facet of Neville Logan’s work in the community.. He became a Christian four years ago after having observed the lives of his Christian friends for some time. , . Later, he hired two floors of the present premises at 225 High Street to) bring together people- of all denominations. The. Christian Centre, now called simply “225 Hi!,” has become just that. People of all ages “drop in” for a chat, a comforting word, or just.a.cup of coffee day or night, except on Sundays when .it is closed. Mr Logan says they had opened 24 hours at one time but people started sleeping overnight on the floor, and because the building did not meet Health Department regulations as a boarding i-

house, this had to stop. It also put an extra burden on the eight, unpaid volunteer staff. ' ■ Neville Logan, apart from being director of “225 Hi!,” appears as a cartoonist on Oily Ohlsdn’s-?'After School" television programme, helps at the Living Springs Christian Camp at Governor's • Bay, and teaches art at the Stanmore Road Boys’ Home. - In addition, he runs his own Kotuku Boys’ Club from High Street. Its 20 or so

members, aged from 10 to 15, are youngsters that Neville Logan has “collected over the years.” They come from varying backgrounds; from solo parent homes, Christian, homes, and “real hard case 1 ?* situations. Recently, the boys put bn a .;- play at Akaroa's . Gaiety Theatre, written by Mr Logan.’’They also entertain at children’s homes, pray together for . peopld, and are working on a large mural, designed by Mr Logan, for their headquarters.

Financing of the centre’s activities is, Neville Logan adds) on faith alone. “We pray. It is totally a faith exercise.” . He wanted money to come from sources other than churches, which in many cases cannot afford to contribute. The centre runs solely on donations put in a box at the top of the stairs. "We do not have collections, and we do not solicit money. We are still here after two years. God said He would provide and He does."