NZMWF Convention 16-17 October 2021

As we continue to journey through this Covid-19 time of lockdown and restrictions, vaccination and immunisation, we are counting down the remaining days before our online NZMWF Convention 2021 being held on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 October. 

The theme for the Convention is "A New Vision for a Sustainable Future" (Revelation 21:1-5 and 22:1-5) from the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women. This theme coincides with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 13, 14 and 15 allocated to the NZMWF to raise awareness of the devastating effect of global warming from the 2018 South Pacific Area (SPA) Seminar held in Fiji. The WFMUCW is committed to working for the United Nation's SDGs. Resource material is prepared annually and placed on their website.We will also celebrate the achievement of our 2019-2021 goals. We thank all our members throughout the country for their care and support of each other in this challenging time and for how they have put into action our themes:

• Proclaiming Life and Hope – for women and children (2019-2021)

• To Know Christ and to Make Him Known (ongoing)

• A New Vision for a Sustainable Future (Convention 2021). 

These themes all aim at uniting members in prayer, fellowship and service to support the work of the Methodist and Uniting churches, encouraging them to make a Christian witness of life and hope for women on a worldwide mission. They have become a reality through newsletters, Touchstones and e-Messengers. Members have been encouraged to share their faith stories proclaiming life and hope in Knowing Christ and Making Him Known.

The Online MWF Convention

Changes to the traditional four-day Convention programme are based on what the National Executive considered 'doable' to suit the situation and the uncertainty of further interruptions beyond our control. The programme will run over two days and will include reports, guest speaker presentations and special services.

Registration is free

However all Convention members and participants need to register to join. The free registration provides an excellent opportunity for those who are thinking of supporting the MWF vision and mission to participate in a Convention at no charge. Registration forms can be downloaded from the MWF site on the MCNZ’s website.

In closing, I leave you with an overview of two MWF themes that we have focused on in previous communications: 1) Knowing Christ and Making Him Known is like longing, moreover trying to reflect Jesus in all that we say and do. It is essential to enjoy a personal relationship with Christ and when we do, we grow from strength to strength in greater depth. As Paul said in Galatian 2:20, “It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.” Knowing Christ and making him known also comes with the will to destroy our ego and crucify our selfish nature to cultivate Christ’s loving nature. 2) Proclaiming Life and Hope for Women and Children is a mission of sharing God’s love, grace and movement in our lives through His saving grace and actions. The life of Jesus and the hope we have for Jesus is not just a story in the Bible. It is the story of our lives and what brings us to life. We are simply sharing with women and children how God works in our lives which means we share the story that shapes our individual journey and life story. For example: (i) when we show Christ through our daily work and lives, that expresses thanks to the loving God and care for the common good;(ii) when we invite others to the church where Christ is proclaimed; (iii) when we confess in worship our faith through words and songs; and (iv) when we offer encouragement to friends and others who are ill or in need.