The term Chaplain originates from the old Christian story of St Martin who offered his Chappelle (coat) to someone in deep distress and gave him a covering, lifesaving protection: in a similar manner to the parable of the Good Samaritan; offering kindness, compassion and a Christ-like presence, journeying alongside those in need.

Daphne and George Forster recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Rosalie Sugrue reports on a lifetime commitment to each other and of service to church and community.

In late May, MCNZ President Rev Peter Taylor visited Hamilton to lead a workshop on ‘Public Speaking’ for the St John’s Methodist youth group.

Bible Society has a mission to help to make the Bible accessible to everyone and encourage interaction with it and Bible Month is a key event aimed at fulfilling that mission.

On Sunday 28 May Crossroads Methodist Church held a combined service with Manukau Synod to celebrate Wesley Day - also known as Aldersgate Day - an anniversary observed by Methodists.

The Waitakere Methodist Parish remembered the 285th anniversary of John Wesley’s conversion with a combined service at the Glen Eden church. Rev Augusten Subhan prepared and led the service and the guest preacher was Rev Dr Trevor Hoggard. Doreen Sunman reports.

Coming to the realisation that we are already halfway through 2023, gave me a bit of a shock at how quickly the months of this year seem to have gone by. It also served as a timely opportunity to reflect on being in the role of Vice President of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, at this time of its journey.

The Church Life Survey is about assessing and examining our performance, reviewing our commitment and effort in doing our ministry.

Spirituality? What’s that? Once the word seemed to me to suggest a rather woolly groping after religious experience without religion, which sold both short. Now I see its value in broadening our religious insight for the secular world we live in.

Me mau tonu ki ngā taonga tapu ā ōu matua tupuna, koinei ngā taonga nā tō tātou Atua, tō tātou Kaihanga. Hold steadfast to the treasures of our ancestors, For these are the treasures of God our Creator.

The Methodist Church has a strong tradition in social justice which dates back to the Wesley's. Our passion for social justice continues today and is reflected in our Social Principles.

Tempting as it is to start yet another article with a variation on the theme of “Covid has Changed the Way We Use Technology Forever", the concept of bringing church services to the people is a concept that has been around long before Covid.

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

The great neurologist Oliver Sacks (1933-2015) once wrote, “I have found only two types of non-pharmaceutical ‘therapy’ to be vitally important for patients with chronic neurological diseases: music and gardens”

July is officially Bible Month. I would like to offer a few observations. Before I get going, let me be clear – I love the Bible – it is a daily source of inspiration and strength to me.

Matthew 10:40–42 (NIV) Mt 10:42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.

As we come to the end of our term of being in the New Zealand Methodist Women’s Fellowship (NZMWF) National Executive, I reflect on how much I have learnt as a young Samoan tamaita’i (girl) in my role of Liaison Link during the past two years.

Fraud, bribery and corruption are global problems that damage businesses, markets, democratic institutions and the social fabric of society.

Methodist Alliance members offer a wide range of services fto whānau around Aotearoa New Zealand. Young people often get bad press in the media, however, our kaimahi that work with young people, are passionate and talk highly of the rangatahi they work alongside. One of these passionate and dedicated kaimahi is Fred Ama.

On Friday 9 June, friends and staff of Everil Orr Village gathered to farewell the buildings Tyler House, Aroha Hospital and Garlick House. Each of these buildings have served the church well and it is now time to let them go.

Rev Loyal Gibson is the longest serving Methodist Presbyter in the South Island. His first appointment was in 1951 and he was ordained at Conference 1954. Recently his two children, Dawn and Mark, took their almost 96-year-old father on a 50-kilometre pilgrimage from his home at WesleyCare, Ōtautahi Christchurch to Greendale. Rev Mark Gibson reports on the journey.

Thomas Aquinas was born into a noble family in Italy. He studied at the University of Naples where he learnt about the ancient Greek and Roman authors whom Christian academics had previously ignored.

On Trinity Sunday the children at St John’s Methodist in Hamilton East heard how Jesus met with his disciples on a mountain in Galilee. Afterwards the children made bookmarks with the words, “I will always be with you.” (Matthew 28:20)

Last month’s climate negotiations in Bonn failed to focus on the real agenda according[LW1] to the ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together) Climate Justice network.

India might be the fifth largest economy in the world but there is little sign of prosperity for rural Dalit communities in Tamil Nadu. Instead they face grinding poverty, violence and discrimination on a daily basis. Dalits, once known as Untouchables, are at the bottom of a caste system which is hard to escape.

Bank of Dave rocks with live music and a cameo appearance by Def Leppard. The movie's feel-good vibes are amplified by an encore that deftly entwines respectful romance and the triumph of the underdog.

Author: John Dominic Crossan Publisher: Polebridge Press, 1994. 130 pages. Reviewer: Adrian Skelton

Author: Keith Rowe Publisher: Coventry Press, Melbourne, 2022, 198 pages Reviewer: John Thornley

Memorial plaques that were in the entry way / common area at the former Trinity Methodist Theological College, Grafton, have been returned to the Wesley Historical Society thanks to the dedication of the late Dr Helen Laurenson and the generosity of the building's new owners.

Ministry is rarely recognised in the Queen's - or King's - Birthday Honours List in NZ and the Methodist Church is sparing in its use of this means for honouring its own. Sister Merle Farland (1906- 1988) was an exception.

“The Pathway to Leadership is Through Service”.

Same 137:4 ‘EDA NA SERETAKA VAKACAVA NA SERE I JIOVA ENA NODRA VANUA NA KAI TANI?’ {How can we sing the Lord’s Song in a Foreign Land}. We continue to sing the Lord’s song, in a foreign land with help of our faith families. On Sunday 25 June 2023, Wesleydale Methodist Church at Kaeo, Northland had a very special service.