The billboard was put up for Lent several weeks ago outside St Luke's Presbyterian Church in Remuera.

The sign depicted US presidential candidate Donald Trump standing in front of the crucified Jesus, holding a hammer and saying, "I don't like losers".

The billboard was taken by thieves on the Thursday before Easter.

The theft happened while St Luke's minister Rev. Glynn Cardy was inside the church conducting a funeral service.

Rev. Cardy admitted he isn't sure whether the thieves stole the billboard because they liked it or because they hated it.

"Some people don't like the billboard because they like Donald Trump.

"Some don't like the billboard because it [implies] Jesus was a loser.

"Whereas others, like myself and those here at the community of St Luke, see the cartoon as showing that the values and views of people like Mr Trump are completely at odds with those of Jesus.

"It is disappointing that someone decided to break the law and steal something that was stimulating a meaningful discussion in our community about the meaning of Easter."

St Luke's stated it would be replacing the billboard after Easter Sunday.

The church intends to keep the billboard up as long as the issue of Trump's candidacy remains undecided.

Rev. Cardy was vicar at St Matthew-in-the-City church in Auckland when it put up controversial billboards several years ago.

Sources

• New Zealand Herald
• Stuff
• Image: New Zealand Herald

The sponsors promise that,"Together we will put on the most fabulous food & venue and the most glamorous theme, entertainment, celebrant, cake and more".

Part of the prize was a wedding in a church.

ZM Radio has annouced that "St Matthew In The City told them that they could host the wedding at their church, but have now decided that the marriage ceremony can no longer take place at St Matthew's".

St Matthew's vicar, Glynn Cardy, said,"We are sorry that we were unable to negotiate a way to hold the first same gender wedding ceremony here at St Matthew's".

"At St Matthew's we think that policy is discriminatory and we are committed to working to change it; although realistically such change may take many years".

"We wish the couple well, and wish ZM all the best as you support them".

ZM Radio blamed "higher powers in the Church".

But Cardy said that while he thought the Anglican policy discriminated against gay and lesbian couples, St Matthew had always intended to work within the rules.

Those required same gender couples to be legally married in a civil ceremony elsewhere before taking part in a ceremony at the church.

"We were in a process of discussion and clarification with ZM," Cardy said.

"When it became clear to them that the civil ceremony part couldn't be part of what we would do at St Matthew, then they decided they couldn't proceed," he said.

A statement from the Anglican Diocese of Auckland said Reverend Cardy had told the Bishop of Auckland, the Right Reverend Ross Bay, that there was no intention for the church to offer such an event, although a blessing would be possible following a legal civil marriage elsewhere.

The bishop says no directive was given to St Matthew's because there was never an intention for such a wedding to take place because the vicar was working within Anglican Church policy, which he understood.

Source

• ZM online
  
• New Zealand Herald
• Image: GayRepublic.co.nz

The billboard erected at the front of St Matthews in the City today depicts a Facebook photo album with Jesus on the cross as the main image. Directly below, the image is "liked" by Judas Iscariot.

"We decided to make a joke about the propensity of Christians to lay blame," said Reverend Glynn Cardy.

There are four main traditions of the season. Each can be valued and celebrated. For each encourage and challenge us to make our world a better place.

The first is the Winter Solstice observed on December 25th in the Julian Calendar. It marked the longest night of the year. Following harvest, all nature seemingly had begun to die, and the colour green faded from the earth.

Death was advancing. But then, significantly, the sun "turned". Light was re-born to the world. People rejoiced, feasted and celebrated.

In Middle Eastern civilisations - Syria, Egypt, Persia - Winter Solstice was symbolised by the birth of a divine male child from the dark womb of the Goddess. Winter Solstice rituals in Europe primarily involved fire and greenery.

Continue reading Glynn Cardy's article 'The Biblical Christmas was not about a baby in a manger' in The New Zealand Herald.

Glynn Cardy is vicar of the Anglican church of St Matthew-in-the-City, Auckland.

Image: The Mother Huddle