Kete Aroha o Waipounamu 2025 not to be missed!

Registrations are now invited for the South Island Synod School of Theology, Kete Aroha o Waipounamu 2025.

When the three geographical synods in Te Waipounamu decided to combine, one of the areas they explored was the taonga that each synod would bring to the new combined South Island Methodist Synod, Te Hinota Weteriana o te Waipounamu.  They found it easy to identify a significant taonga from the Otago Southland Synod to be carried forward – the tradition of holding schools of theology. The events were considered unmissable by those in the know. And so, the first South Island Synod School of Theology, Kete Aroha o Waipounamu, was held immediately following the inaugural Synod meeting at the beginning of last year. 

The South Island Synod School of Theology, Kete Aroha o Waipounamu 2025, is being held from 2pm Sunday 16 March to lunchtime Tuesday 18 March, 2025, at the Aldersgate Centre, central Christchurch.  The varied, stimulating and educational programme includes sessions on the Sunday and Monday evenings.

The ‘star’ of the Waitangi Day Dawn Service, President Te Aroha Rountree is one of the keynote speakers.  Her two sessions will kōrerorero two significant areas in the life of Te Hāhi:

1.    The bicultural journey - discussing ‘Honouring the Treaty Forever’ and

2.    Climate justice – ‘Rekindle the vā of Papatūānuku’ - exploring the topic of ‘Nature, People and God’. 

Te Aroha’s Presidential duties mean she is currently on leave from her Trinity Methodist Theological College lecturer position. Those who attend Kete Aroha o Waipounamu will benefit from her extensive knowledge and insights usually shared with the Trinity College students.

The other main keynote speaker will be Dr Emily Colgan, another Trinity Methodist Theological College lecturer.  With extensive scholarship in Biblical studies and theology, focusing on the relationship between the Bible and social issues we face today, Emily’s first session will raise awareness of the ‘lens’ we and others bring to Biblical texts.  Her second session will be an extended practical workshop to help us explore ours and others’ perspectives that need to be acknowledged whenever we consider biblical texts.

As well as these very capable and highly regarded keynote speakers, the programme will also include up to four workshop sessions giving people the possibility of exploring topics like:

-     Origins of Christianity in the West Coast from a Māori perspective

-     Climate Justice – sharing findings from last year’s World Methodist Conference

-     Working with Pacific People as part of your congregation

-     Congregational-based Ministry with children - the learnings that come with experience

-     A fresh look at the New Zealand liturgical calendar

-     Theology through a disability lens

Schools of theology, like Kete Aroha o Waipounamu, are wonderful opportunities to keep our minds theologically stimulated and exposed to modern scholarship. These events also offer practical and helpful expressions of ministry.

Kete Aroha o Waipounamu is open to anyone who would like to attend.  Publicity, with full programme details, will be available by Friday 14 February, and will be widely distributed.  Anyone who would like the information sent to them directly can email: superintendent.sis@methodist.org.nz