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: (Click on the links below to go to each section) Official Communications A message from the President & Vice President - A message from the General Secretary Remember in your Prayers... 5 Conference Update... 6 News from Around the Connexion Public Issues Network News Job Vacancies Methodist Mission & Ecumenical Ecumenical News & Views Amendments to the Yearbook October 2014 Web Site Address: October e-messenger

2 Official Communications A Message from the President and Vice President Greetings from the Presidential Team We have both been kept very busy in the lead up to Conference and nearing the end of our two year term as the Presidential team. National Church Leaders Aotearoa New Zealand Early in September, President Elect Rev Tovia Aumua and Rex attended the National Church Leaders Aotearoa New Zealand meeting in Wellington. There are 21 member churches that currently participate and are nationally recognised movements of Churches embracing theological adherence to a Trinitarian affirmation of God, and adhering to the Apostles Creed. Many of the national church leaders in New Zealand have been meeting together for over 20 years. The Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church changes its leader membership when the Presidency changes but most of the other Church leaders attending generally remain the same. The purposes of the group is An expression of unity in Jesus Christ A forum for the discussion of current theological and social issues To share key information about issues and events within each denomination To develop closer working relationships between the Churches in Aotearoa To facilitate friendship and mutual support among National Church Leaders who share similar responsibilities A catalyst for identifying key projects and causes whereby Churches might serve the people of Aotearoa To be a forum to invite guests to talk on particular topics to enhance our cause The group meets twice a year in Wellington. The current Chairperson of the group is Rev Dr Richard Waugh from the Wesleyan Methodist Church of NZ. New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services This group also meets in Wellington but separate to the NCLANZ group. The member Churches of this group are Methodist, Anglican, Presbyterian, Catholic, Salvation Army and Baptist. To assist in its Social Services work, each member Church has an Advisor. The Methodist Advisor is David Hanna. This group is able to meet with the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Leaders of other Political Parties to discuss issues that are confronted within all of society and the community. Visit to Turkey An exceptional opportunity for Rex to accompany the Principal, students from Methodist Theological College and others to visit Turkey and to witness and marvel at the unique architectural beauty of historical sites. The Topkapi Palace which served as the palace of the Ottoman Sultans between the 16 th and 19 th centuries, the magnificent Haghia Sophia built by Constantine the Great, visited Ankara the capital of Turkey and a swim in the Mediterranean. Went hot air ballooning in Cappadocia and viewed a performance by the Whirling Dervish dancers. October e-messenger

3 There were so many highlights but visiting places where Paul once ventured was certainly significant and having read the places in the Bible he journeyed to and to actually visit those places was an experience. The visit to Gallipoli, Anzac Cove, Lone Pine cemetery and Chunuk Bair was very emotional. Time and space has prevented a full report being published but there will be other forms of presentation in due course. While Rex was in Turkey, Jan visited Christchurch to Commission Jill Hawkey as Director Christchurch Methodist Mission. Jill s wide ranging skills, gained through her work with Christian World Service, World Council of Churches ACT Alliance and as Regional Strategic Planning Co-ordinator following the Christchurch Earthquakes for Central South Island Synod, will be invaluable for the work she will be undertaking for the Mission. We wish Jill well in this appointment. Rex and Jan A Message from the General Secretary From David s Desk... It has been very busy over the last couple of weeks as the Conference agenda takes shape. A big thank you this year as material has been sent in good time. It makes Wendy s life just a bit easier. The Ordination service is always a high point of Conference. This year there are 13 Ordinands; 1 Deacon and 12 Presbyters. To make sure everyone can be accommodated we are using the Claudelands Events Centre in Hamilton. There will be plenty of room. If you are in driving distance I encourage you to come. Share the invitation in your church community bring a car, a van, or even a bus! The choirs are also a special feature of the Ordination service. You will see the Conference Day to Day later in this emessenger. You are welcome to attend the weekend services. The speaker s sessions on Monday and Tuesday evenings are also open to all. The Charitable and not-for-profit sector is coming under increasing scrutiny. Law changes about to take effect have significant penalties for non-compliance. We are aware that far too many Methodist parishes and trusts would not comply if the legislation was currently in effect. Please read the longer reflection below. All entities will be advised of the degree of compliance of their financial returns shortly. If yours does not get a pass mark, then please take urgent action. As always the Connexional Office is here to help. I have been reading Jim Wallis s most recent book On God s Side, which is a call to serve the common good. Written against a highly polarised US political scene, Wallis makes the case that left and right politics miss the point. The point is the common good, those policies and decisions which are good for all, not just the strong and the powerful. He makes the case for faith based organisations to be part of the public mobilisation which engages with political leaders to reach across party and political lines to reach broad, lasting solutions. Our recent elections seemed to emphasise the left - right divide more than in the past. This has polarised and crippled politics in the USA. Wallis s call to work toward the common good is timely then, and one which I believe will resonate in NZ society where the notion of fairness and equity is still strong. In the final chapter he refers to John Wesley. The revival Wesley and others led helped change the conversation in England about what was right and what responsibilities people had to one another. Three centuries later it is still the right conversation. That s what many of today s young people have in mind: to find the common good again and to spark a big enough movement to end some obvious injustices. Grace and peace David October e-messenger

4 DON T PUT YOUR CHARITABLE STATUS AT RISK! Destiny Church received unwelcome publicity on 5 October. The Herald on Sunday headline read Destiny Charities slow to file. Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne is quoted saying they would be pretty vigorous in policing compliance. That creates an issue for the Methodist Church. There are Methodist Parishes and Trusts which have not filed their returns, some have never filed a return. This puts the tax-free status of these entities at risk, with potential for tax to be assessed over the whole period of failure to comply. More importantly it puts the Methodist Church at risk. Craig Fisher, Chair of Hayer Knight and a member of our Audit Committee is quoted as saying, Not for Profit organisations that were getting a tax benefit were receiving it from the Government on behalf of the general public. Part of the quid pro quo is the fact they need to be transparent and accountable. Not filing their information on time means they are not doing a great job of that transparency. Financial returns for the year ending 30 June 2014 must be filed on the Charities Commission website by 31 December If returns for 2013 or earlier years have not been filed then as a matter of urgency you must do so. If you do not know how to go about this or are uncertain please contact Peter van Hout peterv@methodist.org.nz, or (03) , ext. 819 (see message from Peter below). The Connexional Office is here to help. Our aim is 100% compliance. We do not want to find any of our entities having to pay tax or being unable to issue donation receipts. Charities Commission Annual Returns This is my annual reminder that for all registered charities whose end of financial year is the 30 June 2014 (99% of all Methodist entities), that they are required by the Charities Act to make an annual return by 31 December You can do this either online or by downloading the Annual Return Form (Form 4) from Charities Services website ( The cost of filing online is lower than filing a paper based return. You will need your annual accounts completed when you make the annual return as these have to be attached and sent to Charities Services also. If Annual Returns are not filed, then the registered charity could be deregistered. If this were to happen, then it places that registered entity at risk from not being a donee organisation for tax purposes (cannot issue donation receipts for offering, bequests and other donations) and also may impose income tax obligations on the Officers of the deregistered entity due to recent changes in the Income Tax Act. For those entities within the Church who do not lodge their returns by the 31 December, the Church has introduced a new protocol to ensure that Annual Returns are made. The protocol requires me to inform the General Secretary, the Synod Superintendent (or similar person if the entity does not report to a Synod, such as the Chairperson of the Board) that an Annual Return has not been completed by the due date. In addition, I will be required to report this to the Board of Administration at their next meeting. October e-messenger

5 REMEMBER In your Prayers It is with sadness that I inform the Connexion of the death in Hamilton of Ken Ross, father-in-law of Rev Tony Franklin-Ross. We extend our sympathy to David and Tony, noting that Tony is currently overseas studying at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute in Switzerland. The funeral was held on Friday 19 September at Simply Cremations, Hamilton. Messages may be sent to tony@franklinross. We advise the Connexion of the sudden death, in Invercargill, of Jeaninne Stevenson's mother, Rosemary Smith. The office's thoughts and prayers are with Jeaninne, Gordon and their family. Messages can be sent to Jeaninne by at jeaninnes@methodist.org.nz. It is with sadness I write to inform you of the passing of Ken Fay, a former Vice President of the Methodist Church of New Zealand. The funeral for Ken was held on Thursday 25 September 2014 at Wesley Broadway, Palmerston North. Rev Tony Bell officiated at the funeral. Messages can be sent to nikkihurnard@gmail.com. The following death notice for Noel Dorothy Eisner appeared in the NZ Herald. We extend our sympathy to Noel's friends and church family. "EISNER Noel Dorothy. Peacefully on Tuesday 16 September 2014 at Tauranga Hospital, in her 95th year. Loved wife of the late Reverend Wilfred Eisner. A memorial service to celebrate Noel's life will be held at the Kaimai Restaurant, Greenwood Park Retirement Village 10 Welcome Bay Road Tauranga, on Friday 3 October at 10am." It is with sadness that we advise the Connexion of the death on 26 September 2014 of Sheena Watson. Sheena was the wife of the late Rev Alex Watson. A celebration of Sheena's life was held at Upper Riccarton Methodist Church, Christchurch on Thursday 2 October. We extend our sympathy and care to Sheena's family and friends. Messages may be sent c/- John Rhind Funeral Directors, 19 London Street, Christchurch 8013 or at It is with sadness that I advise the Connexion that Greg's mother, Dallas Wright died in Christchurch on 9th October after a short illness. The funeral will be held in Christchurch on Wednesday 15 October, 10:00am at Lamb & Hayward, 467 Wairakei Road, Burnside. We extend out sympathy to Greg, Annette, Melissa and their extended family. Messages may be sent to PO Box 931, Christchurch 8140 or by to gregw@methodist.org.nz. We express our sympathy and care to each of these families as they grieve and lovingly remember October e-messenger

6 Conference Update 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. KEY DATES METHODIST CONFERENCE November Hamilton Friday 14 November Stationing 10:00am Tauiwi 2:00pm Saturday 15 November Introduction to 8:30am Powhiri and 10:00am Saturday & Sunday 15 & 16 November Inductions, Ordinations and special services Monday to Wednesday November Conference Theology at Work (Business) Sessions Conference will conclude at 3:00pm on Wednesday 19 November CONFERENCE REGISTRATIONS ONLY 1 WEEK TO GO TO GET THE EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT! A reminder that time is slipping away fast and there are still many registrations to come in - if you haven't registered yet and are planning to, please do so in this coming week. REMEMBER late registrations received after FRIDAY 17 OCTOBER 2014 will not receive the discount of $40. The Registration Fee includes the cost of the Agenda, Minutes of Conference and Yearbook. (The Early Registration discount will not show when you fill out your online registration form but will be deducted when you receive your confirmation.) For full registration information go to the Methodist website To go directly to the Registration Form follow this link All Conference members and observers must be registered. WEEKEND GUESTS Those people attending the Ordination Service, Retiree Service and the Service to Honour Those Who Have Died during the weekend do not need to register. October e-messenger

7 WEEKEND MEAL EVENTS Weekend guests (those not registered for Conference) who wish to attend the Wesley Historical Society Dinner, the Conference Dinner, Lay Preachers meeting and Meal or the Liberal Society/Evangelical Network AGM/Dinner must request a ticket to the dinners prior to Conference. Please Wendy Keir wendyk@methodist.org.nz with details of how many tickets you require and either your bank account details to enable a direct debit by our accounts team, or the name and address of the person who the cost can be invoiced to for payment by cheque or direct credit. Please note that we are not able to process credit card payments. ACCOMMODATION A list of accommodation options is available on the Methodist website GENERAL INFORMATION When making your travel arrangements, while Conference does not begin until Saturday the Wesley Historical Society Dinner and AGM is on the Friday evening. Members of the Stationing Committee and Tauiwi Strategy will also meet on Friday. The Te Taha Maori and Tauiwi meetings on Sunday morning are open to any members of Te Taha Maori or Tauiwi. These meetings are for information sharing and discussion. Conference will hear from guest speakers on Monday and Tuesday evenings. These sessions are open to the public, and Methodist members are encouraged to share in these opportunities. CONFERENCE DAY TO DAY Methodist Conference 2014 Conference Day to Day Venue Locations Claudelands Event Centre: Brooklyn Road, Claudelands, Hamilton 3214 WINTEC: Tristram Street, Whitiora, Hamilton 3200 Hamilton Methodist Parish: 62 London Street, Hamilton 3240 Hamilton Friday 14 November Hamilton Methodist Parish, 62 London Street (unless otherwise stated) 11:00am 6:00pm 10:00am 1:00pm 2:00pm 5:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 5:30pm Registration open in foyer of Recreation Hall Stationing Committee - Fellowship Room Lunch Tauiwi Strategy Rehearsal for Ordination Service - Claudelands Arena Rehearsal for Induction Service - Claudelands Arena Wesley Historical Society AGM/Dinner ($29 + GST) Fellowship Room & Hall October e-messenger

8 Saturday 15 November Claudelands Event Centre: Brooklyn Road, Claudelands, Hamilton :30am 8:30am 8:30am (unless otherwise stated) Evangelical Network Breakfast - Hamilton Methodist Parish, 62 London Street Introduction to Conference Oakley Room 9:45am Families of the Deceased meet with Tumuaki Heaphy Room 1 (via Door 8) 10:00am 11:00am Powhiri / Welcome Claudelands Arena Service to Honour Those Who Have Died (Whole Conference) - Claudelands Arena 12:00 noon Lunch 12:00 noon Presidential Lunch with Families of the Deceased Heaphy Room 1 2:00pm 3:30pm 4:00pm 5:30pm 6:30pm 10:00pm Induction of President and Vice President - Claudelands Arena Afternoon Tea Recognition of Retirees / End of ministries - Claudelands Arena Free time Conference Dinner Heaphy Room 1-2 (registration required - $51 + GST) Sunday 16 November Claudelands Event Centre: Brooklyn Road, Claudelands, Hamilton :30am 10:00am (unless otherwise stated) Sunday Worship Claudelands Arena Te Taha Maori & Tauiwi Meetings TTM in Oakley Room & Tauiwi in Claudelands Arena 12:00 noon Lunch (for Conference Representatives) 12:00 noon Lay Preachers meeting and meal (registration required - $ GST)) 2:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm Ordination Service Claudelands Arena Dinner (own arrangements) Liberal Society / Evangelical Network Meeting/Dinner Cherry Blossom Café, Tamahere Eventide Village, Cherry Lane, Tamahere (registration required - $40 incl. GST) Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Network and Their Friends Dinner Victoria Street Bistro Function Room, Cnr Victoria St & Sapper Moore Jones Pl. RSVP Susan Thompson susanthompson@clear.net.nz (all are welcome) - $45 incl. GST (main & dessert) Monday 17 November - WINTEC: Tristram Street, Whitiora, Hamilton 3200 (unless otherwise stated) 8:30am 9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 10:30am 12:30pm 1:30pm 1:45pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 4:00pm 4:50pm 5:00pm Conference sessions in Atrium, Conference members meals in Long Room Opening Worship Chaplains Introduction to Conference Staff, Observers, Visitors, Council of Elders Consensus Decision Making reminder of Conference Process Questions 1-24 (General Secretary) Partnership Reporting, Council of Conference Morning Tea Business Committees choose one committee Lunch Presentation from Sinoti Samoa Partnership Reporting, Council of Conference, Te Taha Maori, Tauiwi (cont d) Mission & Ecumenical Afternoon Tea Mission & Ecumenical (cont d) Korean Methodist Church Presentation Trinity College October e-messenger

9 6:00pm 7:00pm 8:45pm Guest Speaker: Bryan Bruce Close of Day - Chaplains Evening Meal Tuesday 18 November - WINTEC: Tristram Street, Whitiora, Hamilton 3200 (unless otherwise stated) 8:30am Opening Worship Sinoti Samoa 9:00am Methodist Mission Aotearoa / Social Services 10:00am Morning Tea 10:30am Board of Administration 12:00 noon Ex-President and Ex-Vice President Reflection 12:30pm Lunch 1:15pm Lunch-time Communion 2:00pm Mission Resourcing 3:30pm Afternoon Tea 4:00pm Social Issues (Public Issues Network) 5:00pm Faith and Order 6:00pm Evening Meal 7:00pm Overseas Guests 7:30pm Guest Speaker: Opeta Amani and David Lui 8:45pm Close of Day Sinoti Samoa Wednesday 19 November - WINTEC: Tristram Street, Whitiora, Hamilton 3200 (unless otherwise stated) 8:30am 9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 10:30am 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm Opening Worship Te Taha Maori Communications Law Revision Unfinished Business Covenant Service Close of Conference Morning Tea Lunch October e-messenger

10 Connexional News Travel and Study Grants Reminder The next closing date for applications to be received is November 15 th 2014 If you are planning to study in 2015 or attend Conferences, the committee will appreciate indication of your plans soon, this assists careful budgeting. Please carefully read the Guidelines before applying and include all the documents with the completed form Applications and queries to the Secretary Mary West Commemorative Service for the Closure of Board Bay Methodist Church, Dunedin The Dunedin Methodist Parish will hold a COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE for the closure of BROAD BAY METHODIST CHURCH on 30 November 2014 at Broad Bay Methodist Church, 11:00am Past and present ministers and parishioners of Broad Bay Church and members of the parish are warmly invited. For information or reservations call: Jenny Winter (03) or Rev Siosifa Pole (03) October e-messenger

11 World Methodist Council Peace Awards Dr. Hugh and Shirliann Johnson Named Recipients of 2014 World Methodist Peace Award Dr. Hugh G. Johnson, a retired missionary, pastor and former Superintendent of the North African District of the United Methodist Church and his wife Shirliann have been named as co-recipients of the 2014 World Methodist Peace Award. For more than forty years ( ), Dr. and Mrs. Johnson operated under a simple motto: The church has to be where the needs are the greatest, and this philosophy carried his ministry. As missionaries in North Africa, the Johnsons served during times of great unrest. From their beginnings with the General Board of Global Ministries in Algeria, the couple served throughout the nation during the country s war of independence and the following turbulences. Serving first in Laarba Nath Irathen in the Kabyila Mountains and later in Algiers, the couple s tirelessness and drive to connect the gospel with the lives of the people of the Maghreb region led them to become fluent in Arabic as well as in Kabylian (a Berber language) as well as preaching in French, Dr. Johnson wanted there to be no barriers between the Word and the people. In 1972, the Algerian government closed orphanages, hospitals and other diaconal institutions of the church. In response Dr. Johnson helped establish an English-language library, which served as a meeting place for people in the region and an unofficial place for Christian fellowship. Dr. Johnson also regularly appeared on Algerian Radio, often in dialogue with a Muslim representative. He was a mediator who crossed the lines for the cause of reconciliation and mutual understanding. Shirliann Johnson often visited refugee camps in the desert, coordinating humanitarian aid and teaching young women to lead kindergarten classes in the camp in order to help children and families who were affected by the war. As the region dealt with a rising tide of religious extremism, the couple s home and church were often attacked and targeted by militant groups. Serving a local church (The Protestant Church in Algeria) that was largely comprised of converted Muslims, Dr. Johnson faced restrictions limiting the church s ability to worship and evangelize. To combat these laws he held meetings in his home between various Christian denominations and worked together in the spirit of ecumenism. His outspokenness and clashes with local authorities over the import of Bibles in Arabic and the Berber languages displayed the courage and willingness to stand up for his faith and church October e-messenger

12 family, often at great risk to himself. Dr. Johnson was stabbed in an attack during this time, but his faith and commitment to his ministry never wavered. Through numerous disputes with the government and even expulsions from the country, Dr. Johnson always returned to Algeria to help the small Christian community that had formed there. His voice was one that served as a calming influence within the small community of believers in the country as well as an open ear and voice to Muslims in the area. Upon retirement Dr. and Mrs. Johnson left the nation, but their hearts and spirits are still with the people in North Africa. For a life s work in ministry, and demonstrating courage, creativity and consistency in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ, Dr. Hugh and Mrs. Shirliann Johnson are awarded the 2014 World Methodist Peace Award. About The World Methodist Council The World Methodist Council finds its origins in a conference held in London, England at Wesley s Chapel in 1881 where some 400 delegates from 30 Methodist bodies around the world gathered in an Ecumenical Methodist Conference. The World Methodist Council is composed of between 250 to 528 delegates elected from its member churches. From 2001 onward, the Council has averaged at 400 members. Representation is determined by Church membership and financial contribution to the work of the Council. In 1956, the World Methodist Council established a permanent headquarters in the United States at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. About the World Methodist Peace Award First awarded in 1977, the World Methodist Peace Award is given semi-annually to a person or persons who have displayed courage, creativity and consistency in pursuing peace and equal rights for individuals throughout the world. Nominations may be made by leaders of the World Methodist Council s Member Churches by submitting a letter highlighting the reason for the nomination and giving evidence of the fruit of the nominee s efforts toward peace, etc. Prior recipients of the award include former South African President Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Other recipients are former President of Macedonia Boris Trajkovski, the compassionate community of Sant Egidio in Rome, and the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo in Argentina. Together We Can Stand Against Domestic and Familial Violence - WMC The Methodist Church of New Zealand is an active participant in the World Methodist Council. General Secretary David Bush serves on the Steering Committee as Regional officer for the South Pacific. In the First Friday newsletter for October Bishop Ivan Abrahams, General Secretary of the World Methodist Council reflects on overcoming Domestic and Familial Violence. In the light of our Vision "Let the Children Live" his words challenge us to create equal, just societies and remind how the church has been at the forefront of this in the past and continues to work to this end. Together We Can Stand Against Domestic and Familial Violence By General Secretary of the World Methodist Council Ivan Abrahams I recently had the privilege of speaking at the unveiling of a portrait at the World Methodist Museum, where we gave visibility and voice to Helen Alder Davisson, a circuit-riding preacher who was amongst the first women to be ordained in the Methodist Church in the United States. That afternoon spent at the museum reminded me of my own mother and the many passionate and committed women of faith whose contagious zeal for the gospel propelled me on my spiritual journey into the ordained ministry. I give thanks to God for the rich wisdom and grace of women who despite patriarchy, bigotry and marginalization carried on the tradition and faith. I m deeply inspired by the continuous witness of women within the World Methodist Council like our Vice- President Gillian Kingston, our Steering Committee members Ruby Beech, Emmy Lou John, Bishop Theresa Snorton, the new Director of World Methodist Evangelism Dr. Kimberly Reisman, and our Youth and Young Adult October e-messenger

13 co-chairs Rev. Lauren Matthew and Christy-Anna Errington all of whom bring a unique perspective to the work that we do. I look forward with great excitement to working with Bishop Janice Riggle Huie from the Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church and the Program Chair Sarah Wilkie as we look towards the 21 st World Methodist Conference in Houston, Texas. While we celebrate the women in ministry we can t gloss over the pain, suffering and injustice that many endured to have their voices heard. Even though today women are more visible, there is still a profound silence in churches about issues like rape, abuse and violence against women. Unfortunately patriarchy still continues to shape societies throughout much of the world. Currently in the United States there is an engaging conversation about domestic and familial violence which involves two prominent sports stars, Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson. The responses have been both encouraging and troubling. There are those who want to downplay each incident as private matters between families and others who want to continue the discussion about how we deal with violence within our society. The World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women are participants in the Thursdays in Black Movement, which was born out of the World Council of Church s Ecumenical Decade of Churches in Solidarity with Women. I had the pleasure of being part of this campaign and seeing this movement expand and flourish. The movement has become an international campaign with links to the 1999 recipients of the World Methodist Peace Prize, the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo. It has a global footprint and is strong in places like Bosnia, Palestine, South Africa, India, and Australia. To join and show solidarity with victims and survivors of gender abuse, people are simply asked to wear black on Thursdays. October is Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Please join me in challenging patriarchy and working towards the day that the Global Methodist family will be a joyful community where we can celebrate equitable relationships between women and men in a world free of violence October e-messenger

14 Methodist Hamilton Conference 2014 Conference Reports Please complete the form for: 1. Those people within your parish who are not attending Conference and/or additional copies. (Conference attendees receive a copy of the Agenda, Minutes of Conference and the Yearbook) NOTE: Conference Reports and Decisions are posted on the MCNZ website when they are available. PDF copies of the Yearbook are also available via , contact Wendy wendyk@methodist.org.nz if you would like to receive these. Prices listed below are inclusive of delivery. When completed, please keep a copy of this form for your records. DELIVERY Conference Reports (Agenda) is distributed prior to Conference (approx. mid-october in 2014) Decisions and Yearbooks are printed and distributed after Conference (approx. mid-february 2015) Please complete ALL sections: Parish / Board: Parish No: Contact Name: Street Address: Postal Address: City: Postal Code: If purchasing an unbound copy of the Yearbook, we recommend that you use an A4 ring binder (size 4cm) to accommodate both reports and decisions. Item No. Required Cost Total *NOTE: GST is payable by individuals & Union Parishes only Exclusive GST *Inclusive GST (15%) Shrink wrapped Agenda, Minutes of Conference & Yearbook $40.00 $46.00 Bound Agenda, Minutes of Conference & Yearbook $50.00 $57.50 Additional Set of Addresses $17.00 $19.55 Bound Financial Statements $35.00 $40.25 Total payment enclosed: Please post your order, including payment to: Methodist Connexional Office PO Box 931, Christchurch 8140 INV No. FOR OFFICE USE ONLY PAID: October e-messenger

15 Methodist Public Issues Network News October 2014 Public Issue: Social Housing in Hamilton Social housing has come to the fore for church action in Hamilton, with the City Council proposing to sell its pensioner housing stock. The Council argue that providing housing for the elderly is not their core business. Church groups are engaging with the Council to insist that the houses should remain as part of Council housing provision. Waikato Waiariki Superintendent Susan Thompson and Karen Morrison Hume, Director of Anglican Action wrote a paper on care for elderly as a social responsibility. The Council argue that they prefer to make way for other social housing providers, which have the advantage of wrap around services. Susan and Karen point out that security of housing is a prime value and that this should be foremost for older people. Services are available to all who need it regardless of their housing situation. Behind all this we are seeing the impacts of changes to Local Government Act which came into effect this year. The four wellbeings were removed - economic, environmental, cultural and social. These are replaced with the principles of local infrastructure, local public services and regulatory functions. NZCCSS 19 th Vulnerability Report How are Older People (65+) faring in Communities? The NZCCSS vulnerability Report in September highlights the important effect of home ownership, the universal superannuation payment and state funded supports to keep older people out of the worst of poverty. We see the universal superannuation payment has been a success in keeping older people out of the worst of poverty, and that this model has merit for a number of vulnerable groups, including 285,000 children living in poverty said Trevor McGlinchey, Executive Officer of the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS). See The Super provisions for older people should be a model for provisions for children. Conference Social Justice in Communities: October NZCCSS and Community Networks Aotearoa are hosting a conference in Christchurch to explore the meaning of social justice in communities. Speakers from New Zealand and Australia will share their experience in working to bring about self-determination, inclusion and empowerment. For information contact Ros Rice ( ) or Trevor McGlinchey ( ) Registration: An Outlook NZer s Values, Environment and Economic Prospects During the year a group of Environment NGO s checked out priorities for New Zealanders. Fairness and trust and ability to work together come out on top. Interviews with Maori brought up the importance of spirituality integrated into social and environmental wellbeing. The natural landscape is a feature of our identity. In one review 89 per cent of adults put the natural environment as important to their identity as New Zealanders. This is a view that is not associated with political affiliations - it spreads across the political spectrum. However New Zealand s record on environment protection and quality isn t always what we think. Only 10 percent said they are proud of our Clean Green image and 48 per cent were proud about New Zealand s environmental protection. Whio, Tongariro River New Zealand s economic future depends on the quality of the environment regardless of the 100% pure Brand, tourism is the biggest employer, and second-biggest earner. All of our major primary produce export industries dairy, meat and wool, wine, horticulture, forestry and fisheries rely on natural assets. October e-messenger

16 Many New Zealanders are mindful of our record as environmental and social champions. The Prime Minister put child poverty on the agenda after the election. The churches, the Children s Commission and many children s organizations can be proud of making this an unavoidable political issue, with unwavering insistence on finding solutions to child poverty. Overall this would be achieved through economic policy that is integrated with social wellbeing and the environment. A high level goal is an economy that goes hand in hand with the environment to deliver quality of life for all people. To achieve this we would need to see reporting that goes beyond the way economic activity is framed by GDP. Measures of economic progress need to include quality of life along with positive or negative change with robust measures of social wellbeing and environment quality. They need to account for voluntary contributions to families and communities and the values of stewardship of people and of nature. RMA and Water A big issue expected for fast action possibly before Christmas, is changes to the RMA to speed up the process for consents for development, and to remove the environmental protections which are the hallmark of the RMA. Environmental experts say that changes to fine tune planning can be done while retaining stewardship and Kaitiaki values. An amendment to include provisions for climate change to take account of the climate impacts of development, by accounting for carbon emissions.. We need a price on water for commercial use, with income through a resource rental for commercial users. Income from the rental could go towards freshwarter clean up, stewardship and Kaitiaki initiatives and riparian planting. A public good system for water private profit should pay Key issues to watch for: 1. Reform that removes the landscape and stewardship values in Sections 6 and 7 in part Provisions for participation in RMA decision making with assurance on the collaborative management proposals 3. Carbon mission impacts of development 4. Impacts on water quality 5. Expansion of dairying Further policy for transitions to development based on stewardship: Commitments backed by specific policies that set New Zealand clearly on a path towards an energy revolution in which, by 2050, we fully phase out coal, oil and gas, and rely on 100 per cent renewables for all our energy and transport needs. An economy in which polluters pay (eg, through a carbon tax, charges on the commercial use of water, clean-up costs), in which financial costs of polluting are an effective disincentive and the social licence to pollute or to operate as a polluter is removed. Removal of government subsidies that tilt the balance away from sustainability (eg, fossil fuels, irrigation). (Acknowledgement to Forest and Bird Briefing to the Incoming Ministers 2014) Children The coalition of organizations working for Children will meet in November to evaluate our work and next steps. October e-messenger

17 Job Vacancies Christian World Service (CWS) Relationships Coordinator Key Donor Development Role Social Justice, Aid & Development Environment Auckland Christian World Service ( ) is a well-established Christian justice, aid and development agency built on an ethos of respect and responding to need regardless of race or religion. From New Zealand it works to support partners who are running community development programmes to benefit their local communities. These partners are located in a wide variety of developing countries in the Pacific, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. The agency also provides humanitarian relief when disasters strike. CWS is seeking to appoint a Relationships Coordinator to grow the number of donors and supporters and to build relationships and connections with stakeholders. Reporting to the National Director and fully contributing as a member of a committed and capable team you will: Develop and implement strategies to grow and broaden the scope of the group of donors who financially support the work; Promote the work to stakeholders including churches, community groups, schools and special interest groups; Possess a track record in relationship development through sales or business development and be adept at engaging people at a community level; Understand the principles of fundraising nd be skilled in the use of customer relationship management tools; Be committed to working in a diverse, faith-based environment; Demonstrate a commitment to social justice, to peace and to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and have the drive to take action on poverty. This is a challenging, yet rewarding role and the need is great. If you have a passion to make a meaningful difference and believe that you have what it takes to make a vital contribution, then we want to hear from you. For more information contact Catharina Vossen at MICAH Partners on phone: (04) or your resume and covering letter to: contact@micahpartners.co.nz October e-messenger

18 Methodist Mission & Ecumenical Newsletter October 2014 WATER FLOWS FROM TAPS IN GOLDIE COLLEGE The work on the water supply scheme was completed and launched on 18 August as scheduled. It was a joyful occasion for the entire community of Goldie College. The principal ceremonially opens the tap for the water. The students enjoy drinking from a tap The deputy head boy Kalivati Mamani in his speech at the ceremony thanked all the people who made this project a success. Excerpts from his speech: Today marks another achievement for Goldie College. We have witnessed the launching and commissioning of the ground water project which again brings pride and joy to our school. For a long time some parts of Goldie College are in desperate need of water, but this year I am proud to mention we have a double blessing of water. (1) Miss Solomon has donated us with the MISS SOLOMON TANKS which one can see around the school campus. Our blessing from the sky is stored in these tanks. [Miss Solomon 2013 Tema Wickham is an old girl of Goldie College. She used her beauty contest victory to supply a dozen water tanks to Goldie College.] (2) Our two guests with their expertise in their field who did all the engineering work on the ground that finally enabled water to be distributed fairly by means of standpipes to the Eastern end of the school and especially to the boys. Our blessings from the ground are pumped using the submersible pump to refill water into the Green Tank. These solved the problems the students encountered over the past years. These are now solved. GOD KNOWS WHAT S BEST FOR OUR SCHOOL. HE SEES OUR NEED. At this juncture I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank leading figures behind this ground water project. For such a project to take shape, finance is the foundation. Therefore first and foremost our sincere gratitude goes to Rev. Prince from Methodist Church of New Zealand who has taken the initiative to fund this project with assistance from his other Christian friends. Though he is not here we salute him in spirit. Long live the Kiwi hearts who have their hearts for the island hearts. The students only wish that he is present here today.... Long live Goldie College and long live friends of Goldie College. May God s continuous showers of blessings be upon our school. The speech by the deputy head boy highlights the need that was in Goldie College for many years and his gratitude on behalf of the students to all who contributed from Methodist Church of New Zealand to make this project a success. I am delighted to state that we had some left over money from the water scheme which we donated to build a new classroom in Goldie College. Let our good works continue in caring for the needy in Christ s love. Prince D. WSCF Pacific Sub regional Women's Programme The World Student Christian Federation Asia-Pacific (WSCF-AP) and the Student Christian Movement Aotearoa (SCMA) invites you to apply for the 2014 Pacific sub-regional women's programme on the theme "Agents of Healing: healing ourselves, our communities and our planet". October e-messenger

19 The programme will prioritise workshops and presentations on issues that are urgent for women that include but are not limited to: gender and identity, culture, post-colonisation, commercialisation, gender equality and eco-justice. This programme will be an opportunity to bring together young women, senior friends and partners from around the Pacific to share their experiences of social and political engagement in local and global contexts, to reflect theologically on the Christian faith through a feminist perspective, and to provide participants with concrete skills and tools to be agents of healing within their own contexts. When: 4-9 December 2014 Where: Puketeraki Marae, 520 Apes Road, Karitane, Otago, Cost: Registration fee ($100) + travel to Dunedin (limited travel scholarships will be available) Applications close October 15th 2014 Due to limited space, we will be considering all applications and selecting 20 NZ participants. If accepted you will receive programme information and account details for payment. To fill out the Application: To fill it out, visit: &w=1&usp=mail_form_link For any questions, please natsec@scm.org.nz Islamic State cannot be defeated by military action alone, say major Church leaders Some insights from the British Church leaders statement for our churches DE6MZO7J35/cr.aspx Leaders of two of Britain s major Churches say that the UK Government must not give into the rhetoric that Islamic State can simply be bombed out of existence. In a statement released, leaders of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the Methodist Church in Britain say that the case for military intervention can only be supported as one part of a broader political and economic strategy to tackle the ideology of IS. The Churches have issued a briefing on the issues and are urging their members to pray and to write to their MPs asking the Government to offer greater support to refugees from Syria and Iraq as part of such a strategy. The full statement follows: The UK Government must treat with caution suggestions that Islamic State could be defeated primarily through military action. An ideology even one as dangerous and perverse as that of IS cannot be defeated by the use of weapons. Military action could help to protect persecuted minorities and prevent IS from expanding its control in Iraq. But countering extremist violence in Iraq requires that Iraqis effectively address the underlying grievances that provided support for the rise of IS. The situation in Syria is more chaotic and the effectiveness of external military intervention less certain. Both nations face difficult challenges for which there are no easy solutions. Military intervention carries huge risks. Any intervention must be legally justified and can only be supported as one part of a broad political and economic strategy which must have the support of countries in the region. It is not certain that the most crucial elements of such a strategy are in place. We recognise the Government s attempts to involve Iran, but would like to see this on a much broader front, and there are a number of unanswered questions that must urgently be addressed. For example, what is the level of commitment among countries in the region to take steps to prevent the funding of violent extremism - not only in Iraq and Syria but more broadly? The international community also has a key role to play in documenting human rights abuses and challenging the culture of impunity that allows such atrocities to occur. We are grateful that the Government has agreed to provide resettlement for some Syrian refugees, but to date only a handful have been resettled in the UK. This does not even begin to scratch the surface of the level of need and further support must be extended to displaced people from both nations, in the UK and elsewhere. Meanwhile we welcome the contribution of the UK Government to the support of millions of displaced persons and refugees who remain in the region. As Christians we stand with those who are abused, persecuted and marginalised, whatever their faith or ethnicity. We pray that leaders in government who grapple with seemingly impossible situations will be guided by God s wisdom and peace. We will continue to pray for peace, to work towards greater understanding between peoples of all faiths and none, and to advocate for the needs of those most marginalised. The Revd Lynn Green General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain The Revd Ken Howcroft President of the Methodist Conference Ms Gill Dascombe Vice-President of the Methodist Conference METHODIST MISSION AND ECUMENICAL Secretary: Rev. Prince Devanandan 409 Great South Road Private Bag Ellerslie Auckland 1542 Phone: Fax: mm-e@methodist.org.nz October e-messenger

20 ECUMENICAL News & Views Christian World Service Christmas Appeal Resource Kits For many people 2013 has been a tough year. The devastation wrought by disaster, poverty and conflict has challenged them in every way. In this year s Christmas Appeal, Christian World Service is asking for your support to Build Hope for Tomorrow. Resources focus on five partners who with great dedication are making sure communities get back on their feet. The Christmas Appeal kit has been sent to parishes but if you missed out or would like a copy please contact Emma at Order posters (in many languages), envelopes and service sheets. Worship materials are available from the website or on a CD. CWS partners are working from within their communities to end injustice and help people out of poverty. They need our help. Let us know if you can distribute Christmas Appeal envelopes or organise a street appeal in your area. Please promote this year s appeal. Thank you! Gifted Gift giving can be fun and simple. Choose something for the gardener or animal lover in your family, or help set someone up in business. Buy bees for a Sri Lankan family wanting to pay school fees or contribute to a water tank for an HIV and AIDS affected family in southwest Uganda. You buy the gift and CWS gives the money to partners. By choosing something from Gifted you double your gift once to a friend or loved one and once to a family in need of practical help. You can order cards or e-cards, or more catalogues. Churches Respond to Ebola Virus ACT Alliance partners are responding to the Ebola virus. They have launched an appeal to help churches provide community education and hygiene supplies in Sierra Leone and Liberia. The World Council of Churches hosted a joint meeting with Christian and UN agencies to increase their effectiveness in stopping the spread of the virus on 29 September. Please continue to pray for all those affected by this outbreak. Churches Week of Action on Food From October CWS invites parishes to join a global focus on food resilience. Through the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, you can share your food story with a church in another country. There are worship and background materials available. Live Below the Line Thanks to everyone who took part in this year s Live Below the Line challenge to help some of the 1.2 billion people living with poverty. We appreciated their serious commitment to eat less and raise funds for Developers, rebuilding homes and livelihoods in Aklan province in the Philippines. Participants spent no more than $2.25 a day on food from 6-10 October. You can show your support by sponsoring them and helping Filipinos recover from last year s typhoon. Poster/Youth Topics Many CWS partners are reporting climate change is proving a major challenge to the people with whom they work. The lack of water or too short growing seasons are making gardening more difficult and undermining a family s ability to meet its food needs. CWS has produced a new poster with faith-based activities for young people which is now available from Emma or phone October e-messenger

21 Taize Young Adult Pilgrimage Wellington and Christchurch, February 2015 (see attached flyers for full advertisements) Wellington 9-10 February 2015 You are invited to a pilgrimage with workshops at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and evening prayer at St Paul s Cathedral. For more information mpoynton@xtra.co.nz Christchurch 11 February 2015 You are invited to a workshop for young adults and evening prayer in the Transitional Cathedral. For further details, taizechristchurch@gmail.com Music in the Air Music in the Air will cease publication in A total of 40 issues have been published since its launch in A discount cost of $20 will mail you the two issues for (Cheque to Music in the Air, 15 Oriana Place, Palmerston North 4412) The Summer/Autumn 2014 issue includes Colin Gibson on Australasian Hymnody and also his sermon on terrorism, Love or Terror?, Keith Rowe on An Inclusive Church, poems by Presbyterian minister, Brian Hardie, 11 original hymn texts by Mary Pearson all sung to well-known tunes, John Thornley on The Catching of Values exploring music and values issues, Brian Wren s re-working of And Can It Be? and Dominion writer Dave Armstrong s essay on the Passchendaele Tragedy. The Winter/Spring 2014 issues (publishing in December) inclues Ka Ora Theology (a reprint of Taha Maori s double page insert in the Easter 1998 issue of Crosslink), Plato s Cave: the realities of composing in New Zealand by Philip Norman, Ian Boddy s celebration of singer/songwriter John Lennon, The Poetry of Rowan Williams (former Archbishop of Canterbury) by Kerry Popplewell, John Thornley s comments on two significant popular artists: Harry Belafonte s Paradise in Gazankulu (more critical of Apartheid than Paul Simon s Graceland) and the Nick Cave single The Mercy Seat, a theological treatise, in song, on Law and Grace, and poems and prose from Alan Ireland muslim, poet, ex-journalist and webmaster (islamnz.com) of Palmerston North. And more! The ceramic image, reprinted below, will feature on the front cover of the Winter/Spring issue. It tells the creation story of Rangi and Papa, with the tears of Rangi at her forced separation from Papa providing the shape of the wall hanging. The artist, Sharon Salmon (nee Williams), works in her tattoo studio in Nelson. October e-messenger

22 Festival of Flowers & Franklin Rose Show - Waiuku John Kinder Theological Library 202 St Johns Rd., Meadowbank, Auckland Waea library@kinderlibrary.ac.nz These new books will be on display in the library from 30 October. They can be borrowed from 6 November, but you can reserve them earlier. Interested in exploring your Methodist heritage? Start here! Methodist clergy and parishioners can become library members at no cost. Borrowers can access e-books, theological journal databases and Oxford Biblical Studies online. Get a preview of how e-books work by going to Anglicat and searching on the words: electronic resource Methodist to see some e-books to which library members have immediate online access, once their cards are issued. Living outside of Auckland? The library sends books in the mail (though postal borrowers cover all postage costs). To learn more about the library, go to our webpage. The registration form can be found under Library membership and services. Please contact us with any questions October e-messenger

23 October Amendments To the Yearbook Names and Addresses (Pg 22) 1986 D29 Hight, Dianne C (Deacon) [H] No. 7 Road, RD1 [M] Waitoa 3380 [O] [Em] dchightnz@gmail.com AS3 Ahn, David [H] Kapiti Place, Sunnynook [M] Auckland 0620 [Em] asw3202@naver.com 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. October e-messenger

24 taizé wellington 9-10 feb 2015 young adult pilgrimage You are invited to a pilgrimage with workshops at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and evening prayer at St Paul s Cathedral. For more information mpoynton@xtra.co.nz

25 Photos by Sabine Leutenegger Taizé: Towards a New Solidarity The Taizé Community was founded in 1940, by Brother Roger, in the village of the same name in Central France. Made up of around 100 brothers from different Christian Churches and about 25 different countries, the community strives through a monastic life to live a sign of reconciliation and unity among Christians and in the human family. Since the 1960s, young people have been coming to share in the life of the community in greater and greater numbers. In summer, the community often welcomes up to 5,000 young people each week. Young people who come to Taizé are welcomed by a community that has been inspired by two aims: to go further in fellowship with God through prayer and to be a leaven of peace and trust in the midst of the human family. Through common prayer, singing, silence and personal meditation, a stay in Taizé can help rediscover the presence of God in our lives and find once more an inner peace, a reason for living or new impetus. Throughout the year 2015, the community is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its foundation and it invites everyone to remember its founder, 100 years after his birth and ten years after his death. To prepare for 2015, Brother Alois, Brother Roger s successor as prior of the community, inaugurated a new stage in the pilgrimage of trust, which Taizé has led for many years. He proposed a three-year time of searching Towards a New Solidarity, in order to renew in the light of the Gospel our commitment to human solidarity and announced that during this period, gatherings with young adults would be held on every continent in 2012 in Africa, 2013 in Asia, 2014 in the Americas. In February 2015, Brother Alois will make a pilgrimage to Australia and New Zealand. On 9-10th February, join us for a gathering in Wellington. What s happening on 9-10th Feb? Monday, 9th February: 7.00pm: Welcome (powhiri) and service in Rangiatea church at Otaki with the local communities. After at Ngatiawa River Monastery for those who wish. Tuesday, 10th February: 7.00pm: Workshop at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Wellington 8.00pm: Pilgrimage to St Paul s Cathedral, Wellington 8.30 pm: Evening prayer with a short reflection by Brother Alois, prayer around the cross and celebration of the Resurrection in St Paul s Cathedral For further details please contact: Margaret Poynton: mpoynton@xtra.co.nz

26 taizé christchurch 11 feb 2015 young adult pilgrimage You are invited to a workshop for young adults and evening prayer in the Transitional Cathedral. For further details, taizechristchurch@gmail.com