Pacific Voices Heard

David Bell and Terry Wall, Methodist Church of New Zealand Te Hāhi Weteriana o Aotearoa supernumerary presbyters, have been engaged in a project that combines their interest in exploring and conveying spirituality in diverse ways.

Connexional Office staff gathered recently over a long-delayed celebration lunch to acknowledge the official retirement of Fund Administrator, Gail Smith, following 19 years with MCNZ. It probably will not come as a surprise to many MCNZ associates that Gail has “been about to retire for the past 10 years”. Moreover, although she is now officially no longer a permanent member of the staff, she will be continuing to cover staff leave for the near future.

Doreen Sunman, a lay preacher originally from the UK and now based in Auckland, reflects on the Methodist influence in education for children and how it can be adapted for today’s multi-cultural society.

As this is being distributed, we will be in the middle of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Dr Seini Taufa, Research Lead at Moana Research and active member of the Onehunga Tongan Methodist congregation, serves as an independent evaluator of the TCP pilot project. In her capacity as evaluator of the programme, Seini shares her thoughts and reflections on the TCP project introduced in the May Touchstone.

In June 1997, the Waiwhetu Methodist Church in Lower Hutt merged with St Luke’s Presbyterian Church to form the Waiwhetu Uniting Church.

Gospel

A question asked by every generation with regard to the notion of legacy and its validity is, “What kind of footprint would we like to leave behind for the next generation?” This rhetorical question has a major implication for the wellbeing of those who are following. It has prompted those who are leading or going before to be responsible for their actions and to assess their behaviour.

Rev Dr Arapera Ngaha reports on mahi being undertaken by MCNZ to ensure land stories capture the history of tangata whenua.

In the December issue of Touchstone, we introduced Shirley Rivers, Ngāi Takoto, Ngāpuhi and Waikato iwi, as she took on the role as Head of Methodist Mission Northern. Six months on, we ask Shirley to comment on her work, her priorities for the mission and a typical workday.

Nearly 600,000 households rent in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Rental properties are often in poorer condition than owner-occupied homes. There is a link between cold, damp and mouldy homes and bad health outcomes – especially for people with asthma and heart conditions.

I have been watching a series of programmes on Shine TV lately that reminded me of a well-known adage, of ‘not re-inventing the wheel’. This saying relates well to the way that parishes embark on mission projects, often failing at the first hurdle as they find a) they are either doubling up on what other parishes are undertaking, or b) what they thought was a good project, did not fit with the members of their congregation or with the needs of the community.

Rev Motekiai Fakatou reflects on John 14:8–17

Sometimes I find it all gets too much. The prevalent sadness. The violence in Ukraine and in local neighbourhoods. Entrenched racism, child abuse. Poverty, sickness, waiting lists, climate change. In TV so-called news bulletins every day. Day after day after day. Overwhelming. Depressing. Out of control. What, I sometimes ask myself, is my theology for the extinction of the human species.

Directly east of the Ōtautahi/Christchurch central city is the coastal suburb of New Brighton. With a stunning waterfront, Saturday morning market, a popular water-front hot pool complex and a new playground, it is an exciting place to visit.

Bullying Free New Zealand week ran from 16 - 20 May in conjunction with Pink Shirt Day.

Minita-a-iwi Te Papara Kopa-Katene from Waikato Rohe offers this reflection on whakapai kai (blessing food), an act of community love. Government action on reducing child poverty has surfaced in our most recent budget. Notwithstanding the impact on the increased cost of living and access to affordable food, it raises yet again issues of food security and food equity. Whakapai kai leads us to pause and be grateful as we make this blessing with a greater sense of sincerity and mindfulness.

In the last month we have heard of several ram raids that have rocked our nation, including one targeting our local Auckland shopping mall. It is disappointing to note how young the offenders are and I wonder what has made them turn to such drastic measures to get attention.

This month we introduce Janine Tuivaiti.

Methodists within the European Methodist Council (www.methodist.eu) are a small family within the continental European context; even smaller within the context of Eastern Europe. Yet there are several United Methodist congregations in Slovakia, Hungary, and Ukraine that are located in a circle with a diameter less than 100km from the Ukraine border. There were 12 Methodist congregations in Ukraine prior to the war.

Until a few months ago, the people of Ukraine lived normal lives. Children went to school. Adults went to work and most people had food. Now more than 6.4 million people from a population of 43 million have fled their country.

Of the 30+ miracles recorded in the gospels during the ministry of Jesus, all but 10 are healing miracles.

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Youth share prayers for MCNZ as we lead up to Conference 2022.

Fast Facts

I can’t believe that I am sitting at my laptop with the sun streaming through my windows in the middle of May. The only sign of autumn is a tree in the park with beautiful, coloured leaves.

Matariki Around the World

Hunger is spreading rapidly as families throughout the world face sometimes severe food shortages. The war in Ukraine has sent prices spiralling and diverted funding from what are increasingly seen as the forgotten crises. Covid, climate change and conflict are pushing people closer to starvation.

Michael Hartfield and Murray Overton, the directors of Anglican Missions and Christian World Service have written a joint statement:

In 1997 musician Nick Cave released Into My Arms. The song, which Cave considered one of his finest, begins with theology: “I don’t believe in an interventionist God.”

A Re-examination of Church Missionary Society Evangelisation of Māori 1814-1840

The author was ordained by Desmond Tutu and served as his chaplain. Battle states that the biography is a testimony to Tutu’s spirituality, character, political impact and engaging humour. The book includes a foreword by the Dalai Lama and an afterword by Tutu himself.

Several weeks ago, I was offered boxes of treasures accumulated over the years by the late Rev Phil Taylor and Rev Barbara Miller-Taylor to look through. From those I gleaned valuable pointers related to Methodist dreams, as seen through their eyes.

Announced by Trumpets and Drums

The works we do today, will bring blessings for tomorrow.

A theological interrogative question posed by Jesus to His disciples, required an honest, personal, and brutal response. It is an open-ended question posed by the Master to his potential followers. This is the core of our reflections for this month.

Na’e kau fakataha ‘a e Vāhenga Ngāue Saione, To’utupu Tonga Trust pea mo e ngaahi siasi ni’ihi ‘i he fakamālohisino ‘o e toutu’u kumala .

Neongo ‘oku kuo faka’atā ‘e he pule’anga ‘a e ngaahi fakataputapui na’a tau anga maheni mai ki ai ka ‘oku ‘ikai ke pehē ‘oku holoa ai ‘a e malohi ‘a e mahaki faka’auha ni ‘i hotau komuniti. Kuo tu’utu’uni ‘e he Vahefonua ke ‘atā e foki e lotu ki he ngaahi falelotu ‘i he mahina ko Mē kae kei fai’aki pē ‘a e taki fakapotopoto ‘a e faifekau pea mo e setuata ‘o e peulisi takitaha. Pea ko e Vāhenga Ngāue ‘Okalani mo Manukau ‘oku te’eki ai ke nau foki kinautolu ‘o lotu. Ko e taha ia ‘a e ngaahi faka’ilonga ‘oku kei mahu’inga pe ‘a e faka’ehi’ehi he ‘oku kei mālohi pe ‘a e tu’unga ‘o e mahaki.

Kuo kakato ‘a e ngāue tufa ‘i Tonga ‘a e kōmiti Tēkina i Moana ‘a e koniteina ‘e 4 na’e me’a’ofa atu mei he ngaahi fāmili mo e ngaahi fai’angalotu ‘a e Vahefonua heni, Siaola mo e Siasi Metotisi ‘o Nu’usila.

Share your dream or story. Grant requests close 30 June 2022

Orders for the new Lectionary are due by Friday 8 July 2022

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