As we count the days to Conference 2022 we look at what participants can expect and how the celebrations and deliberations will impact the future of Te Hāhi Weteriana.

At the time of writing, 280 Methodist members and observers have registered to attend Conference in Northland in November this year. Conference delegates will gather with additional members of the Connexion and guests at sites of special significance to the first Methodist Missionaries who arrived in Aotearoa. In a series of hikoi prior to plenary sessions, attendees will journey together to reflect, pray, sing and share experiences and stories of land, people and ancestors as they celebrate 200 years of Methodism and plan for the future.

On Thursday 17 November Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu, Bishop of Te Tai Tokerau will welcome the hikoi to Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the visitors will take time to korero, visit onsite museums Te Kongahu and Te Rau Aroha (the Museum of Waitaingi and the Museum of the Price of Citizenship), share mihi whakatau in Te Whare Runanga and explore the history of our church and nation from a Methodist lens. A free afternoon offers an opportunity to visit the wider area, including Paihia, Russell and Pompallier House, the hub of the first French Catholic Mission.

On Friday a hikoi to Kaeo wil include reflections at the stone Memorial Cairn, the launch of a bi-centenary book on the history of Kaeo compiled by Te Taha Māori and shared waiata, prayer, song and conversation in a place of special significance to Methodism. In the evening, following the Wesley Historical Society AGM and dinner, Geoff Allen’s commemorative play, Amazing love - Aroha Kaiora: Wesleydale through the eyes of Catherine Leigh, will be staged at the Keao Kerikeri Union Church.

Saturday’s programme at Kerikeri’s Turner Centre Conference Venue will include the opening powhiri, a service to honour those who have died, an induction service for the incoming President and Vice President and a service to recognise retirees. Methodist celebrations this year coincide with the annual Kerikeri half marathon. Conference attendees and guests are encouraged to join the popular Kerikeri Street Party where locals, runners, tourists and visitors unwind and celebrate in the CBD to a backdrop of street performers, live music and vendors offering a range of food and beverages.

On Sunday at the celebration service at Mangungu Church the local congregation will join visitors in karakia, worship and liturgy chosen to reflect our origins and our journey. The historic Mission House will be open to view. Weather permitting, pilgrims will gather on the lawn surrounding Mission House to enjoy a picnic lunch, converse, reflect and admire the views across Hokianga Harbour. In the afternoon, an affirmation of ministry service will be followed by the Trinity College graduation ceremony. Samoan, Fijian and Tongan choirs will sing at the celebration and commemoration services and events including the Celebration Dinner on Sunday evening.

Tara says, ”It’s all about being together. We are in this place not as Methodist tourists or ecumenical tourists. We are gathering to discern and reflect; to join in song and prayer in an informal and spontaneous way to share. The hikoi will provide a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our understanding of where we have come from, and our bicultural partnership. This will inform our mahi on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. These learnings will enable us to go deep in our discussions as we create a big vision for our church.”

The hikoi and gatherings will provide what Tara refers to as “a jumping point” for the plenary sessions where Conference will dig deep into many of the issues and confronting challenges ahead for Church in Aotearoa. Monday’s first session will explore the bi-cultural journey. The afternoon session on safeguarding and abuse will be the anchor for Conference. Tara says, “Taking our experience thus far as a church with our own redress issues and hearing survivors’ stories, our response must always be survivor focused and ensure the survivor is at the centre of every decision reached.”

On Tuesday plenary sessions will concentrate on whenua and property as Conference determines a long-term strategy that recognises the opportunities and challenges ahead. “Church needs a strategy that will allow us to look at the intersectionality of many things and connect the dots,” Tara says. Presentations will be limited to allow ample time for Conference to engage in robust discussions that will ensure good decisions based on raised awareness of people and place.

Wednesday plenary sessions will focus on the future of Te Hāhi Weteriana with an emphasis and commitment to ‘Restoring the va of Papatūānuku’. The aim is to determine a stand-out vision that is ambitious, contextual and uniquely relevant to Aotearoa. “Our vision must reflect the fusion and acknowledgment of Tangata whenua, Te Tiriti, our bi-cultural journey and moana of where we have travelled. It offers a lot for drilling down into theological discussions that will be our anchor in a world that is rapidly changing,” Tara says.

Along with commemorative celebrations, inspiring and spiritual site visits, prayer, connection and plenary discussions, Conference 2022 will be a showcase for the leadership talents, technological expertise and creative abilities of our rangatahi. Michael Lemanu is drawing on the skills of his fellow youth leaders and colleagues using innovative technologies to livestream, record, facilitate and deliver many memorable moments in a celebration of the Wesley legacy in a context that is unique to Methodism in Aotearoa.