KEY POINTS:
Young people at a West Auckland church are upset that their Sunday School's band equipment has been stolen, a week before their special children's day service.
The theft of a black Basix drum kit, including cymbals, a kick drum, pedals and stands, is a blow for the children at the Henderson Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa.
The youngsters, who have been practising for almost four weeks, are still preparing for their children's White Sunday service - an annual traditional ceremony where children perform musicals, skits and recite verses from the Bible - set for next week.
The timing of the theft was especially hurtful, said the Rev Fa'amalua Peteru. "They took the whole drum set and it's very upsetting because the kids need it for their songs and praise and worship during church services and for White Sunday.
"We don't know what we're going to do and it hurts. I think I will go and find a place to hire a drum set for the kids," he said.
The thieves got in through a back office and took the drum kit while the choir was rehearsing.
Mr Peteru said taking crime to a church was also upsetting.
"It just shows they have no respect for the church."
