New Zealand's Minister for Pacific Peoples to Help Launch 'Light the World' Christmas Initiative

Hon. Aupito William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples, Associate Minister of Courts and Associate Minister of Justice, will be the guest of honour of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints tomorrow as the Church launches this year’s “Light the World” Christmas initiative in the South Pacific.

Mr Sio and other invited guests will be hosted by members of the Church’s Pacific Area Presidency, Elder O. Vincent Haleck, Elder Craig A. Cardon and Elder Ian S. Ardern.

“Light the World” is a worldwide initiative that invites people to engage in daily acts of kindness throughout the Christmas season, starting tomorrow (1 December).

A service advent calendar is available for download at Mormon.org that includes suggestions for each day, so participants can “Light the world in 25 ways over 25 days.”

In keeping with tomorrow’s theme on the calendar, “Freely ye have received, freely give,” taken from Matthew 10:8, the Church will announce donations to three Auckland charities with a combined value of $25,000.

Medical, computer and sporting equipment will be donated to Auckland City Mission, Salvation Army (Manukau) and Monte Cecelia Housing Trust (Mangere).

Enquiries from news media can be directed to Richard Hunter, director of public affairs for the Church in the Pacific Area, on 021 2407804.