The Covid-19 pandemic taught us many things. Some of those lessons learned have proven to be gamechangers long beyond the impact of sudden lockdowns, closed borders and event disruptions. Hosting virtual meetings is a Covid legacy and Conference 2023 was a showcase for how church and business can be effectively and efficiently conducted when most attendees are participating remotely from homes and venues throughout the motu.

There were many memorable Conference comments - here we capture just a few of the choice comments, shared online and asides ...

On arrival at the Quest Hotel in Hastings Rev Tovia was allocated Room 007 - perhaps an inadvertent acknowledgement of his special status as an agent of and for the church. That James Bond association and analogy became an ongoing source of amusement over the days of Conference.

The dynamic of our Conference was affected by the “venue” being online for most of those in attendance. I have a love hate relationship with Zoom. On one hand it can mean a far more efficient use of time, on the other, the personal engagement is just not the same. Many of us use online meeting platforms on a regular basis, but I suspect many of our Conference attendees do not.

Mission Resourcing is tasked by the Conference to resource the Methodist Church of New Zealand, Te Hāhi Weteriana O Aotearoa. Its mandate according to the Law Book, “Is to resource parishes, synods, and leaders for contemporary mission and ministry.” This is a huge responsibility but at the same time a huge opportunity to serve our church with the capacity of the staff that have been tasked to carry out this expectation.

The infographics below summarise the work undertaken by the 26 Methodist Alliance members around the motu in the year ending 30 June 2023. The large Methodist Alliance team are making a significant difference to the lives of many disadvantaged citizens throughout Aotearoa in a range of practical ways as well as advocating for social changes to enhance and protect the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable people.

Mission and Ecumenical achievements since last Conference have been change worthy as we have sought advice on how to condense our strategies before looking to employ a new director.

Only a few will know the logistics involved in organising a significantly scaled down Conference. As Chaplains to the Presidential team, we provide this unique perspective and our ’10 Takeaways’ of how we experienced our recent online Conference.

The major decision made by the Methodist Publishing Board (MBP) took over the past year was to produce Touchstone in an electronic form only. Dwindling cash reserves and rising production and distribution costs meant it was no longer viable to print and distribute the publication.

Throughout the past year especially, I have had the incredible privilege and pleasure of consistently witnessing, meeting and even working alongside a multitude of highly talented, intelligent, creative, dedicated, compassionate and generous people and collectives within our hāhi. Many have graciously volunteered their time and efforts, going above and beyond expectations (and job descriptions), to wholeheartedly extend offerings of support, hospitality, understanding, patience, care, love and hope.

Council of Elders members Kuina Matini and Viv Whimster, were thankful for the opportunity to reflect on the life of the 2023 on-line Conference, and report on their role to enable and assist the Church in its Bicultural Journey, their findings and recommendations.

Since 2022, a committee of Church members, lawyers and experts have been meeting to consider the Church’s process for addressing alleged wrongdoing by members and moving towards a restorative justice model that better reflects our church values and our bicultural journey.

Conference catering was overseen by Olive Amani Tanielu who was supported by a huge team – many of whom took annual leave from their workplaces - to ensure the Conference onsite team were well sustained during their time in Hastings. Olive says, “It was a real pleasure to host our Methodist Church of NZ Conference. Our team really enjoyed serving the Lord through MCNZ Conference.”

Trinity College seeks to provide transformative theological education that empowers students to become transformational and compassionate leaders. Its operation is informed by the key strategic values of Ngākau Tapatahi (integrity), Whanaungatanga (relationality), Mahi Ngātahi (solidarity), and Wairua Auaha (inquiry). We reflect on the achievements, changes and challenges that Trinity College has experienced this year.

A statement by Rev David Bush prompted the inauguration of an annual Festival of Song in the Auckland region in 2013. David had made the case that apart from our gathering as the whole Methodist family at Conference, we generally operate in our ethnic silos, each doing our own thing. We in Auckland pondered that comment and identified music and song as two key components that bind us together as Methodists. Ten years on, the Festival of Song is a popular event that unites our Auckland Methodist family.

This year, to commemorate St. Francis of Assisi’s vision of the nativity scene, an exhibition of ‘100 cribs in the Vatican’ will be held to honour the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the first crib. Terry Wall shares the history behind the nativity scene that has inspired devotion in Catholic and Protestant churches around the world ever since the first iteration in 1223.

The 2023 year proved to be challenging for Wesley College in light of the Royal Commission and media attention. However, the school, its staff and its students persevered and continued to do what they do best. In words and pictures, we highlight some of the year’s events and successes.

I have had this particular ‘wilderness’ experience at least once before. I was a young minister at the time serving six small churches around Canterbury, UK. I had struggled all week with the lectionary readings but could not discern what God was asking me to preach about. I ended up preaching about what happens when inspiration dries up, when words fail you and when God seems to abandon you.

Past and present parishioners gathered for a special event of remembrances and dedications on Sunday 12 November at New Brighton Union Parish, Christchurch.

As summer brings outdoor life and activity to Aotearoa, we must remember our responsibilities as stewards of the earth. The Climate Justice Working group remind us of the need to continue Rekindling the Vā of Papatūānuku as climate change brings positive and destructive outcomes.

At Christmas every year, Christians celebrate an event that took place at Bethlehem, in Palestine, many moons ago. A young woman named Mary (Maria, Maryam) gave birth to a child of God named Jesus (Iesous, Isa). This event is narrated in the Christian Bible and remembered in the Qur’an.

I have been tracking the prosecutions following the 2019 tragedy on Whakaari. I share my thoughts with you because it took me some work to understand all the different media articles and further thinking to consider how this might affect the Connexion. I am not a lawyer and do not quote the specific legislation. Legal opinions are available on the Internet if that is what you would prefer.

Our regular cartoon that seeks to find the funny side of faith.

One of the lessons from my first year in my role with UCANZ has been the growing awareness that within the partner churches Cooperating Ventures seem to be largely invisible. While partner churches will claim a CV as one of their own, too often there is a failure to properly recognise that each CV involves more than one partner.

One of the books I love looking at in my children’s book collection is simply entitled Imagine a Day. It is a companion book to one entitled Imagine a Night. it is a fascinating foray into the imagination. Illustrated by a Canadian artist the book stretches the limits of visual exploration with its few words and stunningly breathtaking illustrations which encourages both child and adult to look beyond the limits of the everyday world and imagine.

The new NZMWF committee have been meeting over the course of this year, planning ways to continuing the purpose of bringing together our women in fellowship. They are excited to live their vision to serve in being life-givers to our church. Given the range of skills within the committee they are looking forward to their term and excited by the possibilities to grow this ministry and look at strengthening the continuity of NZMWF.

St Mark’s kids learn lesson from workers in the vineyard

Husna’s Story is, in the words of the subtitle, Farid’s account of “My wife, the Christchurch massacre and my journey of forgiveness”. It is a book of profound importance for Christians and Muslims, for people of faith and of no faith, for New Zealanders and for the global community.

“He has filled the hungry with good things.” Luke 1:53a

At the centre of this year’s Christmas Appeal is the story of a brave Sri Lankan farmer. Somawathie supports herself on a tiny plot of land by growing beans, peanuts and vegetables. However, the wild elephants that used to visit her land only occasionally are coming more often. They eat the crops that she has worked hard to grow. As temperatures warm and climate change begins to bite, she is worried about the future and how she and the elephants will survive.

With days lengthening and summer peeking around the corner, many Kiwis will embrace the outdoors. Bush tracks beckon, with the promise of bird song and river bank. We might find ourselves walking behind tourists, eager for a sighting of our flightless birds. Loop Track is Kiwi made horror that presents a darker vision of our great outdoors.

In September, I had the privilege of co-hosting an archives wānanga with General Secretary Rev Tara Tautari at the Connexional Office in Christchurch. We were delighted to be joined by interested representatives of Te Taha Māori, Vahefonua Tonga ‘o Aotearoa, Wasewase ko Viti Kei Rotuma e Niu Siladi, and Sinoti Samoa, many of whom flew to Ōtautahi especially for the occasion.

It is exactly a century since the Native Bird Society, now the Forest and Bird Society, was formed. At the time of writing this piece that recognises the contribution of two Methodists to that Society, the choice of ‘bird of the century’ is l in progress. I imagine there will be many who will vote for the huia. The ‘Bird of the Century’ is a reminder of the very real significance of birds for Aotearoa and our shared responsibility to care for them.

“ENA VUKU NI KA OQO, MO NI REREVAKI JIOVA KA QARAVI KOYA NA YALODINA KEI NA YALODODONU. MO NI BIUTA TANI NA VEIKALOU ERA A QARAVA NA NOMUNI QASE MAI MESOPOTEMIA KEI IJIPITA, KA MO NI QARAVI JIOVA DUADUA, IA KOI AU KEI NA NOQU VUVALE KEITOU NA QARAVI JIOVA GA” Josua 24:14-15