The Methodist Church of New Zealand ~ Te Hāhi Weteriana O Aotearoa

Transcription

1 e-messenger The Methodist Church of New Zealand ~ Te Hāhi Weteriana O Aotearoa Our Church's Mission in Aotearoa New Zealand is to reflect and proclaim the transforming love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ and declared in the Scriptures. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to serve God in the world. The Treaty of Waitangi is the covenant establishing our nation on the basis of a power-sharing relationship, and will guide how we undertake mission. CONTENTS Official Communications.2 - A message from the President & Vice President - A message from the General Secretary Conference Update... 5 News from Around the Connexion... 7 Job Vacancies Remember in your Prayers Methodist Mission & Ecumenical Ecumenical News & Views Amendments to the Yearbook June 2012 Web Site Address: 1 e-messenger

2 Official Communications A Message from the President and Vice President We are now in the season of Pentecost, the period during which the church recalls its faith in God the Holy Trinity and seeks to relate its faith as the people of God to Christ s mission in the world. According to Christian belief, the Holy Spirit unites with the Father and the Son to form the Most Holy Trinity. It was the Holy Spirit who seized the man Jesus and opened his mouth to announce the good news of the gospel to the Jews. It was owing to the Holy Spirit that a few Galilean fishermen found the courage, after the Nazarene s death, to preach a world religion. Moreover the Holy Spirit granted Christians sensational experiences, ecstasies and inspirations, which were then talked about and helped bring the evangel to the people. (Adolph Holl, The Left hand of God: A Biography of the Holy Spirit ) What s the President been up to? 8-11 May President John made a second post-earthquake visit to Christchurch. He met with Connexional office people for a briefing on property and insurance matters; shared a breakfast with presbyters; attended a Central South island Synod executive meeting; met with Jill Hawkey for a briefing on the developing future strategy for the Methodist Church in Christchurch; attended a discussion on the future of superintendency of the Christchurch Methodist Mission. Pastoral visits to supernumeraries were fitted in over the four days in Christchurch May John was, along with his wife Diana, in the Waikato-Waiariki District of our church. On Sunday 20th he presided at worship services marking Wesley Day in Tauranga and Hamilton. Over the five days there were: supernumerary gatherings in Tauranga and Hamilton; a morning tea with seniors of the Morrinsville Parish; visits to supernumeraries and widows. On 12 May John and Diana travelled to Te Rahui Centre in Hamilton at the beginning of Pare Waaka s tangihanga. It was an opportunity to pay respects to Pari and her whanau on behalf of the Methodist Church. The next day we travelled to Wellsford to receive Tom Waight into full connexion with the Methodist Church, and then went to Port Albert where John led worship at the last regular service to be held in the Port Albert Methodist Church. In Auckland John has: attended a meeting of the Anglican-Methodist Dialogue where mutual recognition of ministries was on the agenda; attended two of Trevor Hoggard s lectures on the international Catholic-Methodist Dialogue s latest report; and made pastoral visits to supernumerary ministers. Come the end of the month John was ready for eight days annual leave. This was spent at Omori, a village on the southern shores of Lake Taupo. The sun shone brilliantly most of the time and he and Diana enjoyed the time out greatly. What s the Vice-President been up to? Olive was invited to officially open the 2012 Sinoti Samoa Youth Career Expo in Auckland on the 19th of May. This Youth Career Expo was for the Sinoti Samoa Youth in the Auckland and Manukau regions. It June e-messenger

3 was a great event and it was well attended by young people and children of the Sinoti Samoa as well as young people from the surrounding communities. It was well organised by a great team of very talented and multi skill youth leaders and an organised committee, a great team work with great results. It was so pleasing to see the strong support from the parents and Sinoti Samoa ordained and lay leaders as well as the stall holders from different universities, government agencies, and some private education providers. Olive was invited to preach at the Mother s Day service at the Wesley Methodist Church, Samoan Parish in Hastings. This was a very special day for mothers in this parish as the fathers and their children were busy cooking and serving the mothers breakfast and lunch. So mothers were very spoilt on their special day. Fathers of this parish looked like real chefs in their white and black uniform and white hair net caps. It was so good to see the old and bold fathers working happily together. Olive also attended some meetings. A Pentecost prayer written by Kate McIlhagga: Come Holy Spirit, come fire of love, warm the earth with your touch, cleanse the polluted waters of creation, restore balance, bring healing, pour out energy, lighten skies darkened by our sin. Come Holy Spirit, come renewer of life, nourish the potential in us all. In our work and in our leisure waken us to fresh opportunities. In our families and community life nurture and inspire our creativity in all things. Come Holy Spirit, come wind of God, whisper your tender words of healing in the ears of the sick, breathe your spirit of comfort around those who mourn, stir hearts hardened by despair to new life and hope. Come Holy Spirit, drive us out of our pious ghettos to glimpse new ways to witness, new ways to use our wealth, new ways to work for peace, new ways of being the people you call us to be. Come Holy Spirit, renew the whole creation. Amen. Grace and Peace John and Olive June e-messenger

4 A Message from the General Secretary How much choice do we really employ? Charles Duhigg in The Power of Habit suggests that much of life is made up of routines and habitual responses. Just think of what you do in the morning from the time you wake to the time you sit at your desk. The advantage is we do not have to think I must find time to brush my teeth...or to put on my shoes. The habits we have established enable us to complete these tasks, and listen to the news, and drink our coffee and... Habits can also blind us. It feels so right to follow the same routines, but we may not be responding to changes or opportunities. The current advertising campaign asking consumers to examine their electricity costs addresses this issue. In rapidly changing times this type of habit is a risk for the church and any other institution. The temptation to stick with our habitual patterns can make new opportunities seem too risky. The danger is that over time the habits may see such a body becoming irrelevant. Significantly, Duhigg uses as one of his examples Rick Warren and the Saddleback Church. Its success is due, he claims, to members being encouraged to develop faith habits and in the process become responsible for their own spiritual growth,...new habits have become a focus of the church. Once we do that, the responsibility for spiritual growth is no longer with me, it s with you. We ve given you a recipe...we don t have to guide you, because you re guiding yourself. During the last week of May I was privileged to meet with the General Secretaries of the Uniting Church and the Assembly Secretary of the PCANZ. We meet together every 18 months taking turns as host. The value is building relationships and being able to reflect on our situation by learning about the opportunities and issues facing others. The Australians were interested in knowing how NZ churches have responded to and dealt with Civil Unions. Legislation is about to come before the Australian parliament and it is likely to be a hot topic at the UCA Assembly in July. I was interested in risk management processes which ensure that Presbyters/congregations have a process for reporting risky and questionable behaviours. The snowfall and frosty days in Christchurch saw the office open late and close early last week so that staff did not have to negotiate icy roads. We hope this may be winters worst for 2012! A reminder that PAC and PAC Media and Communications applications close on 30 th June. Grace and peace David June e-messenger

5 Conference Update Below is an update on various arrangements for Conference 2012 Please note that more detailed information will be placed on the Methodist website, sent out via emessenger and published in the emessenger Newsletter as it becomes available. Planning continues to progress well for the 100 th Conference to be held in Wellington from Saturday 3 November to Wednesday 7 November This update contains information on accommodation available in Wellington locations that would be appropriate for the conference. Some special rates have been negotiated as you will see from the information below. ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS FOR CONFERENCE 2012 Central City Apartment Hotel (serviced apartments) 130 Victoria Street, Te Aro 6011 (04) CLOSE TO WESLEY Comfort Hotel Wellington 213 Cuba Street Te Aro, Wellington Distinction Wellington - Grand Mercure Wellington, Century City Apartments (serviced apartments very close to Wesley) 70 Tory Street Te Aro, Wellington 6011 (04) Nomads Capital Backpackers Hostel (opposite the Town Hall) 247/118 Wakefield Street Te Aro, Wellington 6011 (04) Trinity Hotel 166 Willis Street Te Aro, Wellington 6011 (04) Lodge In The City (very close to Wesley) 152 Taranaki Street Te Aro, 6011 (04) Quality Hotel Wellington 223 Cuba Street Te Aro, Wellington 6011 (04) Wellywood Backpackers (very close to Wesley) 58 Tory Street Te Aro 6011 (04) Apollo Lodge Motel (close to Wesley) 49 Majoribanks Street Wellington (04) June e-messenger

6 Aitken On Mulgrave Suites (close to the Cathedral) 7 Aitken Street Thorndon, Wellington 6011 (04) CLOSE TO THE CATHEDRAL Bolton Hotel (Cathedral end of town) 12 Bolton Street Wellington, 6011 (04) Ibis Wellington (about half way between the two venues) 153 Featherston Street Wellington, 6140 A studio style room with either one king bed or two double beds for $139 inc GST per room per night. This rate would be available up to 18 Sept and/or 40 rooms max. You must quote code MCC at the time of booking. Bookings can be made direct on or h3049-re01@accor.com. Rydges Wellington Hotel (close to the railway station and to the Cathedral) 75 Featherston Street Pipitea, Wellington 6011 (04) King/twin standard room $229 incl GST this includes breakfast for one or $249 which includes breakfast for 2. Bookings must be made directly with the hotel before 3 October and/or 10 rooms. Delegates must either quote the Methodist Conference or code number X-MCC11/12. Kingsgate Hotel Wellington (close to the Cathedral) 24 Hawkestone St Thorndon, Wellington Special rate $ incl for either a twinshare or queen, dependent on availability. Includes breakfast for up to two occupants. This rate is only available by contacting the hotel directly and delegates will need to inform at the time of reservation that they are attending the Methodist Church conference. Wellington Downtown Backpackers (close to the Cathedral) 1 Bunny Street Pipitea, Wellington June e-messenger

7 Connexional News PAC Distribution Group Applications 2012 A reminder that funding applications for PAC are due at the Connexional Office no later than 30 June For full application details and a copy of the PAC Distribution Cover Sheet see the Methodist Church website: If you require further information or assistance in making your request, please contact the General Secretary, Rev David Bush, ph (03) ext 824 or davidb@methodist.org.nz. Please mail completed documents to PAC Distribution Group, P O Box 931, Christchurch 8140 or to wendyk@methodist.org.nz. PAC Media and Communications Funds 2012 Applications for the PAC Media and Communications Fund need to be received by the Convenor by 30 June For a copy of the application form and Information Leaflet 106, see the Methodist Church website: Applications should be addressed to: The Convenor, Trish Moseley PAC Media and Communications Fund PO Box , St Heliers, Auckland 1740 Ph: (09) , patriciamoseley@yahoo.co.nz Please note: no late applications will be accepted. News from the Methodist Church of NZ Archives Auckland Methodist Archives Just a reminder that the Auckland Archives is closed temporarily due to the retirement of Mrs Jill Weeks. In the interim, the Archivist, Jo Smith, will be travelling to Auckland approximately once a month, to answer written enquiries or to open the Archives for researchers if required. If you need to access the Archives, please give Jo a call or to see when she will be in Auckland next. archives@methodist.org.nz or phone ext 831 Order of St Stephen Membership Roll Book During the shelf inventory of the Auckland Archives undertaken recently by Jo Smith and Christchurch Archives volunteer Enid Ellis, we came across the membership roll for the Order of St Stephen which has been 'lost' for many years. Rev Marcia Baker who was responsible for compiling the list of members on the Methodist Church website was extremely excited to hear it had been located. June e-messenger

8 Christchurch Archives on the Move The Archivist, Jo Smith, is currently overseeing the removal of 700 linear metres of archives from Morley House, Latimer Square, Christchurch to a temporary storage facility in Harewood. The last 18 months have been incredibly difficult for the Archivist, as the Archives Collection has been within the cordoned off area of the central business district of Christchurch due to the Christchurch earthquakes. Researchers have been incredibly patient and understanding fortunately. Once the move is complete and the collection re-organised on the shelves, the Methodist Archives Collection will be available again, and researchers will be able to visit and undertake research themselves. Jo will advise the re-opening date for the Archives. Bread not Stone School of Theology, Lower North Island Synod 'Bread not Stone' School of Theology, Lower North Island Synod July 5th to 7th, Wanganui Girls College The Methodist Church has called us to pay attention to the plight of children in our land. This is our response - a School of Theology about children; how they are being harmed, how they can be helped and what we as churches can do to redress the wrongs of our society towards children. All are welcome. Key speakers are: Deborah Morris-Travers of Every Child Counts David Hanna, Director, Wesley Community Action Esme Cole, Kids Loving Church Children's Ministry Co-ordinator For a registration form or more information please contact: J. Olsson, Synod Secretary, olsson.noel.jenny@clear.net.nz Methodist Public Questions Network Stewardship: Renewing our Covenant with Creation? A June Event Public Questions is distributing a resource on Stewardship to parishes via Synods, in June. This is to coincide with the UN Conference on Sustainability, Rio+20 which will be convened in Brazil in June. The resource is a small booklet and a DVD with snapshots of parish actions for stewardship which is described by Paula Taumoepeau as taking responsibility for the future. The resource is called What are we doing as Stewards of Creation? The DVD and booklet are to assist parish groups with activities for stewardship which start with neighbours and parishes and locally based activities. They give examples of actions at a number of levels, with do-able possibilities at small and larger scales. The possibilities of stewardship are in our homes and families, our communities and landscapes they are beside us in our everyday lives. Stewardship is a biblical idea of economy as ensuring wellbeing of people and place and imparts a compelling wisdom for today. Stewardship is the art of ensuring wellbeing for people and place, land and water, while making optimal use of limited natural resources. It comes from the older term oeconomia, or oikonomia, stewardship of a household. June e-messenger

9 Rio+20 is twenty years on from the 1992 Earth Summit when sustainability was put on the agenda of the global community. On June 20-22nd world leaders will meet to address global sustainability. While we wait on tiptoe to see if the leaders of states will take some bold steps to navigate a future of sustainability and stewardship we have the shared responsibility to make the transition at home. For church people our covenant of stewardship resonates better and reminds us that our reciprocal relationship with God engages us in people and place, in families and communities in an environmental context. We hope parishes and groups in the Methodist church will enjoy the small booklet and DVD on stewardship at the same time as world leaders meet to tackle the big picture. can they do it? Can we do it? For further details See: Urewera Four Distrust for Crown relationships with Tuhoe, and by implication with other tribes, has deepened with the sentencing of the Urewera Four, and in particular with the Jail sentences of Tame Iti and Te Rangikaiwhiria Kemara. One senses injustice. A waiata from Parihaka kuia after the sentencing is a reminder of the tradition of raids on tribal communities that is still sadly alive. Yes, this sentencing undermines trust between Crown and Urewera. It undermines hope in restoring a covenantal relationship between Crown and tangata whenua. What can we do? Write to the Police Commissioner and ask for an apology for the raids on Tuhoe families. Write to the Minister of Justice. Write a letter to the paper. For the full statement see This comment is supported by Te Taha Maori Tumuaki Diana Tana Public Questions A Meagre Government Budget 2012 Using the theme of Wellsprings we refer to Psalm 104: 'He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills 'to assess the budget. A Zero budget will not reduce inequality. A budget for future wellbeing and the transition to an economy of stewardship and sustainability needs investment in jobs and employment and incentives for an economy of renewable energy and carbon reduction. For main points on a 'Meagre Budget' see For a more comprehensive overview of the 2012 Government Budget with analysis of the social implications see NZCCSS Policy Watch Betsan Martin, Methodist Public Questions June e-messenger

10 FOR SALE: Allen 603 Digital Computer Organ (new 1982) $5000 or reasonable offer Features: 2 manuals (61 notes) AGO pedal board (32 notes) 38 stops 8 Alterable stops with large selection of computer cards full capture action with 2 memories 6 pistons to each manual 6 toe studs to pedals 10 general pistons and toe studs 1 expression pedal to Swell/Great 1 crescendo pedal 4 external speakers (846 x 441 x 483 mm) Separate rack with 4 x 100 watt amplifiers (housed in matching wood cabinet) Thumb and toe pistons for all couplers Further enquiries may be made to Jeremy Whimster jvwhim@actrix.co.nz June e-messenger

11 Job Vacancies The Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa New Zealand ECUMENICAL HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN Hawke's Bay Hospital (Part-time) Applications are sought from experienced hospital chaplains for this chaplaincy position at the Hawke's Bay regional Hospital in Hastings. The Position is being offered for a term of 2 years initially as a permanent part-time position with regular and variable (locum) hours, paid by the hour, with allowances calculated at.1 FTE. For a copy of the full job advertisements and profiles please see: An application must be made on the Application Form in the information pack which is available from: The National Executive Officer Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy PO Box 6427 Wellington 6141 Ph: Fax: Em: admin@ichc.org.nz Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 15 June 2012 ECUMENICAL HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN Tauranga Hospital of the Bay of Plenty DHB (Full-time) Applications are sought from experienced hospital chaplains and other suitably qualified ordained clergy for the Full-time chaplaincy position on the Cha0plaincy Team at the Tauranga Hospital. The position is being offered on the basis of a 3 year term subject tot he continued availability of funding. For a copy of the full job advertisement and Profile of Chaplaincy at Bay of Plenty DHB please see: An information pack is available from: The National Executive Officer Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy PO Box 6427 Wellington 6141 Ph: Fax: Em: admin@ichc.org.nz Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 29 June 2012 June e-messenger

12 REMEMBER In your Prayers I have been notified of the death of Geoff Scarr. While I am not aware that Geoff had current links with the Methodist Church, there will be those who remember him and his ministry The Press 10th May records the death of Geoffrey Ernest Scarr. Died May 7th - his funeral was held at the Lamb and Hayward - Westpark Chapel, Christchurch on Tuesday 15th May. Messages can be sent to the late Geoffrey Scarr, P O Box 39001, Christchurch Virginia Wright is recorded as his loved soulmate and friend for 30 years. Geoff was an ordained Methodist Minister, appointed 1957 to Hikurangi, 1960 Palmerston North (2nd appointment) and 1962 Willowby. In 1969 he moved to Christchurch without appointment (resting). It would appear that he resigned from ministry as his name ceases to be listed in the Minutes of Conference We extend our condolences to Geoff's family. It is with deep sadness we inform the Connexion that Pari Waaka, a member of Te Taha Maori and Waikato Waiariki Synod died on Saturday 12th May at 1:00am in Waikato Hospital. After lying in state at the Te Rahui Centre River Road Hamilton until Sunday evening 13th May Pari was taken to be with her people on the East Coast. Her funeral was held in Gisbourne on Monday 14 May. Pari was a wonderful servant of the Church. She served on Council of Conference, was a member of the Board of Administration and the Budget Task Group, she shared her wisdom on many appointment panels and was deeply involved in every aspect of the work of Te Taha Maori. Messages for Pari's family can be sent care of Te Taha Maori, Private Bag , Ellerslie, Auckland We express our sympathy and care to each of these families as they grieve and lovingly remember. June e-messenger

13 Methodist Mission & Ecumenical Newsletter May 2012 Secretary: Prince Devanandan 409 Great South Road, PO Box , Ellerslie, Auckland 1542 Phone Fax: or MM&E SECRETARY S VISIT TO SOLOMON ISLANDS MM&E Secretary Prince Devanandan visited Solomon Islands from 11 to 21 May During the visit Prince met with the Partners in Mission who are connected to the Methodist Church of new Zealand through the Uniting Church of Solomon Islands (UCSI). The newly inducted moderator of the United Church Solomon Islands Rev. Wilfred Kurepitu welcomed Prince to UCSI and its mission stations. During the ten days in Solomon Islands Prince visited the Assembly office, Helena Goldie Hospital, Helena Goldie College of Nursing, Kokeqolo Community High School, Goldie College, Tabaka Agricultural and Technical Training Centre, United Church in Taro and Sasamuqa Hospital. Prince also met with Bishop Zebedee Pedakano of the UCSI and Rev. Fr. Peter Murnane, the Rev. Wilfred Kurepitu Dominican Priest from New Zealand now serving in the Roman Catholic Parish of Gizo and Districts. * * * CHAPLAIN S HOUSE AT HELENA GOLDIE HOSPITAL A chaplain s house was built at Helena Goldie Hospital in Munda with financial assistance from MM&E. The project was started when Rev. John Roberts was Secretary of MM&E. The house is now complete and ready for the new chaplain (to be appointed shortly) to move in. The hospital organized the dedication and opening of the house to coincide with MM&E Secretary s visit. MOTHER AND CHILD UNIT AT SASAMUQA After the successful completion of the birthing unit at Sasamuqa Hospital in 2011, MM&E launched a project to build the Mother and Child Unit that was started in 2008 after the tsunami and abandoned due to lack of funds. The building process started during Rev. John Robert s time as secretary of MM&E. The building is completed now and ready for use. The hospital board arranged a ceremony to dedicate and open the new ward during the visit of Prince Devanandan. Prince cutting the ribbon to open the new mother and child unit at Sasamuqa Hospital The community in Sasamuqa gathered to celebrate the opening of the ward. One of the leaders commented: thank you Methodist Church New Zealand for helping our young ones to survive. Registered Nurse Annie Miavana in her speech stated that this facility will help Sasamuqa hospital to achieve the WHO goal of reducing mother and infant mortalities. She added that without the help of the Methodist Church of New Zealand it will not be possible to reach this goal in Sasamuqa. Outgoing charge nurse Keity Diko in her address stated that most cases of higher level of medical care are in the area of obstetrics and this facility would assist them to reduce risks of cross infections. The New Chaplain s House ready to be opened The moderator Rev. Wilfred Kurepitu dedicated the new house and invited Prince Devanandan to open it in a ceremony held on 12 May 2012 at the premises. The house is with two bedrooms and a study with separate entrance. The comments made by those present include that the house will attract many ministers to come as chaplain to Helena Goldie Hospital. The community expressed their gratitude to the people of the Methodist Church of New Zealand for their support. * * * Community Lunch at Sasamuqa After the opening ceremony a fellowship lunch was held for the community. During lunch many more speeches were made thanking Methodist Church of New Zealand for the continuing support and Rev. John Roberts in particular for his part in making the Mother and Child Unit possible. * * * 13 e-messenger

14 METHODIST ECUMENICAL COMPUTER LAB AT GOLDIE COLLEGE The computer lab built by MM&E is in full use now. Fifteen computers were installed. They are in use to educate forms 6 and 7 students. The three laptops are being used in the staff room by staff with wireless internet available in the premises. Computers in the Computer lab at Goldie College SOLAR POWER TO POWER THE COMPUTERS MM&E organized the installing of a solar power unit at the computer lab to supply power to use the computer. Prince was told that the Solar Power Unit with 14 Solar panels is the largest unit installed in the Solomon Islands. The 24 batteries connected to charge during the day supply power to the computers as well as light up the staff room and supply power to the laptops. John Roberts thinking and planning in making this a possibility is highly regarded and acknowledged. This solar power unit has become a model for MM&E to use for similar projects in future e.g.: Sasamuqa. The life span of the batteries and the solar panels is minimum five years. Thereafter there will be a need to replace them. Fourteen Solar panels on the Roof of the Computer Lab Twenty Four batteries that hold the power to supply to fifteen computers and light up the lab and staff room ANNUAL APPEAL FOR SASAMUQA HOSPITAL SOLAR POWER UNIT MM&E launched the annual appeal in 2012 to fundraise for a Solar Power Unit for Sasamuqa Hospital to supply power for the Mother and Child Unit of the hospital and to operate the new incubator and resuscitator. The success story at Goldie College in running 15 computers with Solar Power has given MM&E more confidence in installing a solar power unit for Sasamuqa. MM&E is raising funds for this to happen and count on the support of the people in the Methodist Church of New Zealand to make this dream come true. * * * Churches say No more violence in the name of God Johan Galtung: Religions have potential for peace Religious insights can offer immense resources for peacemaking, Professor Johan Galtung, a pioneer in the discipline of peace studies, has said in a lecture at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva. Galtung, 81, was born in Norway and founded the Peace Research Institute Oslo in "Religions are enormous reservoirs of experience," Galtung said in his 22 May lecture sponsored by the World Council of Churches, Globethics.net, and the Galtung Institute for Peace Theory and Peace Practice. Galtung is the co-author of Globalizing God: Religion, Spirituality and Peace. The book explores how religions relate to spirituality, understood as an inner sense of something beyond the self, and peace, a pattern of nonviolence and equity. Johan Galtung The insights of religions can also serve to judge political developments, suggested Galtung, referring to current tensions in the European Union. "Germany is acting against a very important religious principle," he said. "Inequality in economics is incompatible with peace. Germany has forced other countries into debt bondage. Here we have something to preserve, the egalitarian peaceful tradition." In a lecture that covered a range of religions - from Judaism to African indigenous religions, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Polynesian religions, as well as humanism - Galtung described the insights of religions as a "tool box" in the search for peace. "Their comparative advantage is their transcendence perspective," said Galtung, who described himself as a "pagan with Buddhist spots". "The kind of peace message I try to extract is a message against structural violence, from the insights of Islam, and against direct violence, from those of Buddhism," said Galtung. Read more online at June e-messenger

15 ECUMENICAL News & Views Christian World Service Direct Partners hits the spot. Direct Partners, the CWS vehicle to allow closer links between donors and partner projects has provided Dunedin churches with a fresh, inspiring way to link into local communities. Direct Partners was developed after a CWS supporter survey found people wanted an option to increase their sense of connection with partner projects overseas. For an eventual $5000 fundraising goal churches are able to fundraise in fitting ways that are limited only by their imagination. For the Dunedin Mornington Methodist Parish this led to a well-attended turnout of over 100 people turning up for the fundraising event featuring some of children s author, Margaret Mahey s stories and poems set to music. Ms Mahey was unable to go but her illustrator; David Elliot stood in and shed some light on her creative processes. A DVD of the evening was made and can still be ordered at $10 a copy from colin.gibson@clear.net.nz Please provide a mail address with orders. For Dunedin s All Saint s Anglican Church the fundraising mechanism has been more direct with a goal set of finding 33 people in the parish and local community each pledging to donate $3 per week until the total is reached. The two church communities are both supporting the Direct Partners project working on increasing access to clean water for people in the West Bank, Jerusalem. Within months there will be six Direct Partners to choose from. For any inquiries about how and what Direct Partners is contact the CWs Church and Donor Relations Coordinator, Michael Earle, telephone or or michael.earle@cws.org.nz Refugee Sunday Christian World Service, Caritas and Refugee Services are joining together for reflections on the lives of refugees on Sunday, June 17.Lectionary based resources will be available early June on with the theme The Lord looks on the heart. World Refugee day is June 20. Live below the Line In September CWS will be looking for people willing and able to take on the challenge of living on just $2.25 a day for 5 days. They will do so as part of the Live Below The Line challenge from September 24 to 28.Live Below The Line has swept the world in the last two years as an effective, attainable witness to what life is like for the one billion people who live below the poverty line with no choice. This will be the second year it runs in New Zealand. CWS was asked to take part last year as a foundation member for what is fast proving a hugely popular way to confront and experience the reality of extreme global poverty. More early information can be found from cws@cws.org.nz 15 e-messenger

16 Contents for Music in the Air Summer/Autumn 2012, Issue 33 Publisher/Editor: John Thornley Choral Eucharist and Dedication of the Willis Organ St Matthew in the City, Auckland Barry Brinson Michael Bell s Mass deserves to be recognised as probably the most significant liturgical musical composition yet, by a New Zealand composer Christmas Stories John Meredith It s a Family Affair Five Lessons and Eight Carols Wesley Broadway, Palmerston North Press Release: The Virgin of Guadalupe Speaks Jim Burklo At a press conference in Los Angeles, CA, La Virgen de Guadalupe, on the 480 th anniversary of her apparition in Mexico, suddenly appeared, held up on a crescent by a little cherubic angel The Word Made Flesh: Eugene Peterson Review by Graham Brogden and John Thornley Out of the Actual : Pitt St Methodist Organ Centenary Service Sermon by Lynne Frith Toward an Honest Pluralism Jim Burklo Sing along with the Yoots John Thornley : This congregational hootenanny of the Maori NZ Song Book makes a significant contribution to our bicultural journey Shaping contemporary Southern Hemisphere Sunday Morning experiences - an Australian perspective Rex Hunt I wish to claim our task is more than just reinterpreting and restating the given orthodox biblical tradition, creedal statements or worship traditions. It also requires us to be willing to think differently and rethinking for our present and future faith journey I am OK until I m measured by the perceived norms - widening our understanding of palliative care Rhonda Swenson, poet, artist and advocate on issues of disability, and now speaker at national conference on disability, held at University of Otago, November Christmas in the Trenches John McCutcheon s folk ballad on the World War One incident at the front, when German and Allied troops met across No Man s Land to celebrate the Christmas message Paul in the market place of Athens - living in new times John Meredith challenges Christians to face the realities of today Articles in Winter/Spring 2012 issue include: the story of Jenny McLeod s opera Hohepa; T S Eliot s Waste Land and Bob Dylan s Like a Rolling Stone; Liz Robinson NZ contact for John Spong s tours and books - and a lot more Annual Subscription (two issues) to Music in the Air $30.00). Mail cheque ( Music in the Air ) to Music in the Air, 15 Oriana Place, Palmerston North. June e-messenger

17 Epworth Books Ltd June Selection 338 Karori Road, Karori, Wellington 6012, New Zealand PO Box 17255, Karori, Wellington 6147, New Zealand NZ freephone ph fax sales@epworthbooks.org.nz Web site: Epworth Books June Selection Click here to view our June Selection of new and interesting books and resources: Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus Lois Tverberg helps us gain a richer, deeper understanding of Jesus' ministry by examining his key teachings in their Jewish context. Engaging. Hardcover Zondervan $37.99* June Highlights: Knit One, Purl a Prayer Peggy Rosenthal shows how knitting can help you craft a deeper connection with God. Paraclete $32.00* Happiness Joan Chittister provides a penetrating, wide-ranging study. Hardcover. Eerdmans $35.00* *plus p&p Palliative Care, Ageing and Spirituality Elizabeth MacKinlay provides people nearing the end of life, their loved ones, and those who work with them, with a new understanding of the spiritual issues around death & dying. Jessica Kingsley. $39.00* Wellington's Anglican Church has appointed a new bishop, but he's far from your usual man of the cloth. Justin Duckworth has dreadlocks, wears a hoodie, barefeet or jandals, and runs a contemporary monastery. Read about what he believes in Against the Tide, Towards the Kingdom. Jenny & Justin Duckworth. $ Matariki Matariki starts on 21 June this year. Order your Matariki titles now. Also check our Just Arrived page for a list of other new titles in stock. SALE! Children s Christmas and Easter clearance 70% off. 28 titles specialled this month Click for list To order please sales@epworthbooks.org.nz or phone free June e-messenger

18 June Amendments To the Yearbook Names & Addresses (Pg 21) Subhan, Augusten [H] Kolmar Road [O][F] Papatoetoe [Em} augustensubhan@yahoo.com Manukau 2025 If you have any amendments or updates to the yearbook please feel free to Wendy at wendyk@methodist.org.nz with the updates and they can be published here for the information of the Connexion. June e-messenger