Chaplains to the Presidential Team Share their Key Conference Takeaways.

Connexional staff, the Presidential team, Chaplains, Te Taha Māori Tumuaki, technical and media team, the Business Session Recorder, and a local arrangements committee formed a close-knit MCNZ Conference arrangements committee at the Wesley Methodist Community Centre. Behind the scenes there were months of preparation and a lot of activity.

Takeaway #1) Hastings Methodist Samoan Parish provided local logistical support and we were blessed with their catering generosity. The multi-purpose community centre hall was transformed into a production site, stage dressed with cameras, screens, mikes, pulpit fall, floor set with office equipment and buffet style meal tables.

We pray for their continued blessings.

Takeaway #2) Pre-recordings helped set the scene with an introduction to the rich history of the Wesley Hastings Church by Rev. Iakopo Faafuata. Three local stories highlighted activities and the challenges faced by communities in the region affected by the February floods. Stories of celebration and hope shared included the progress of the Hastings Methodist Samoan Parish community development project Punavaiola providing social housing in collaboration with Wesley Community Action.

May our communities be blessed.

Takeaway #3) Vahefonua Tonga Technical Team ‘AtaOngo Tonga Aotearoa’ and Michael Lemanu provided expertise in managing the technological issues, of audio and ‘lagging’ problems typically found in holding an online Conference. Connexional staff and Nicola Teague-Grundy assisted with administration support as events unfolded.

We pray for the multi-talented gifts of our people.

Takeaway #4) Juggling tasks can be difficult. Pre-recordings enabled committee Convenors to better respond to questions from online participants. Greetings were received from our ecumenical partners General Secretary James Bhagwan of the Pacific Conference of Churches, and Sharon Hollis President of the Uniting Churches in Australia.

May our ecumenical relationships be strengthened.

Takeaway #5) Online breakout rooms provided a particularly helpful platform to address some of the major issues empowering members to connect, reflect and delve deeper into the conversations with other online participants.

We are thankful for our capacity to open ourselves to new ways of working.

Takeaway #6) Te Taha Māori recommendations brought to the Conferences’ attention the prophetic role of the church in responding to the immediate ongoing crisis in the Middle East. This issue was amplified with moments of deep thoughfulness and reflection for the people of Gaza and Palestine and this issue was highlighted through the Trinity College morning devotion presentation and direct communications from Palestinian Christian Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb.

May our future always be guided by your Spirit to look towards the promise of a new day.

Takeaway #7) The Review of Mission Resourcing has taken some significant steps in strengthing our connexional committment in the proposed Te Hāpai O Ki Muri model. Harkening to the call to model a church passionate in its commitment to work in partnership, rather than the “siloization of our church”.

We pray for new beginnings and a connexional committment to strive to do better.

Takeaway #8) Law Revision’s comprehensive report on the proposed changes to the Disciplinary code was met with a call for time and access to resource people to help support Rohe, Synods to better understand the changes proposed.

May all boards and committees of the church be blessed for their ongoing work.

Takeaway #9) The opening hymns for the Covenant service held in the Wesley Methodist Church were led by local Tongan and Samoan choirs, and were aptly supported by musician Rev. Ieremia Amituana’i. We were also blessed with a new composition; a covenant hymn composed by President Peter.

We pray for the gift of music stirring our souls to action.

Takeaway #10) We acknowledge all online Conference particpants for their engagement and for their courage in raising a prophetic voice for the vulnerable. Our Elders reminded us of our need for each other, standing in solidarity with others and the journeying together in all decisions we make.

We offer our prayer with all your people in this land and beyond this land in this church and beyond this church in this time and beyond all time.

Lord hear our prayers.

E te Ariki whakarongo mai ki a mātou.

Ia talitonu i le Atua ma o tātou faamoemoega.