Throughout the country there are hundreds of opportunity shops staffed by volunteers dedicated to sorting, curating and on-selling second-hand goods to a variety of shoppers motivated - by a variety of reasons - to purchase pre-loved furniture, household goods, books, bric-a-brac and clothing. Many of the enterprises are run by charitable organisations and community outreach is as important as matching buyers with bargains. We meet three managers overseeing charity shops with a connection to the Connexion.

May was one of the most demanding and rewarding months I have ever experienced. Aside from it being the month that my now five-year-old started ‘big school,’ in addition to attending various consultations, forums, and pastoral duties expected of me in this current role, I had the pleasure of observing a range of special Sunday celebrations.

The beginnings of Methodism in Greendale date back to 1867 when George Rudd and his family settled in the district, approximately 40 kilometres from Otautahi.

St John’s Co-operating Parish – also known as St John’s Golden Church - has been hosting special events for the local Whangarei community for several years. Covid-19 stifled their community outreach programme for a couple of years but on June 14 this year they will be celebrating Mātāriki with friends and families during an evening that includes a shared dinner, story-telling and star-gazing.

Financial Services manager, Peter van Hout, has long been monitoring the financial performance of the Connexional Office and the many MCNZ entities under its jurisdiction. He has now added carbon emissions to the list of measures he monitors as he has been working on finding a simple solution for parishes to help them determine their carbon footprint. Peter says, “It has been difficult to get my head around where to start as there is a lot of information available but much of it is complex. I wanted to find a simple solution, something parishes could use as a starting point, a reference point.”

“He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Niu Tireni," the Declaration of Independence, asserted that sovereignty and authority rested with Te Whakaminenga, the Confederation of Northern Tribes. It was signed on 28 October 1835 between several Northern Chiefs and the British Resident, James Busby. Five years later a second declaration Te Tiriti o Waitangi outlined what were the rights and privileges of Māori and later arrivals (Tauiwi) to Aotearoa.

Earlier this year MCNZ leaders prepared and sent a letter to the Prime Minister's Office appealing for the coalition government to preserve and honour the provisions of the Treaty. The letter, below, was jointly signed by Rev Peter Taylor, President, TeRito Peyroux-Semu, Vice-President and Rev Dr Arapera Ngaha, Tumuaki.

This month, Marion Hines responds to a letter querying the status of the Public Questions Committee and Rosalie Sugrue invites people to consider disability and those impacted.

We share a reflection of an article by Jonathan Tautari in the book Rekindle the Vā of Papatuānuku, from one of our Kaikarakia, Sharon Waaka, Waikato Rohe. Mori

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, connectivity has transcended convenience to become an integral part of our daily routines.

E. Stanley Jones was an American Methodist Missionary to India where he served 50+ years. Jones died in India in 1973 just short of his 90th birthday.

When I was looking through the Gospel readings for June, I found two stories which seemed to link together.

With the onset of winter, I have been feeling cold. I began Googling what the bible says about the cold and I stumbled across Matthew 24. Jesus on the Mount of Olives warned the disciples of God’s judgment towards the people of Israel. In verse 12 Jesus says, “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.”

Immanuel Kant was a great Enlightenment philosopher of the 18th century. As the world celebrates the 300th anniversary of Kant’s birth in 2024, his legacy continues to resonate globally. Born in the East Prussian city of Konigsberg on the Baltic Sea on 22 April 1724, his family background was Lutheran.

Later this month Christian World Service will launch its annual campaign for refugees, Operation Refugee. Churches and groups are invited to mark Refugee Sunday and raise funds for displaced people overseas.

Christian World Service has launched an appeal to provide humanitarian support in Haiti. The immediate goal is to raise $10,000 for psychosocial care, a collective kitchen and water system repairs - whatever is needed for Haitians facing hunger and insecurity.

Pink Shirt Day was celebrated on 17 May 2024 throughout the world. It is a powerful movement to spread aroha, kindness and end bullying.

"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." - John 3:8 (NIV)

On 27 April 2024, Methodist women from across the greater Wellington area came together at Wesley Wellington Church for a day of worship and fellowship. Special guests from Auckland included NZMWF National President Lesieli Pope, and members of the National Executive.

‘Ecumenical Diakonia and Sustainable Development’

The newly constituted CCA Programme Committee held its first meeting from 2 – 5 May in Medan, Indonesia.

This month we say thank you to the Tongan children at St John’s Methodist in Hamilton for sharing with us what they did on Fakame (Children’s Day).

“Totally weird” is how Scarlett Johansson described Kiwi humour. Rhys Darby, Bret McKenzie, Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi had popularised a distinctly dark form of comedy built around making fun of life’s absurdities. Taika Waititi described Kiwi comedy as making you cringe, bordering on tragic yet resonating with emotional truth.

Author: Rev Dr Lynne Frith Publisher: EVBooks, Napier, 2023. Reviewer: John Thornley

Author: Elspeth Sandys Publisher: Otago University Press, 2017, 400 pages. Reviewer: Brian Turner

“…there is neither male nor female, for ye are all one in Jesus Christ” (Gal 3:28)

Percy R Paris 1882 -1942

In his last farewell from his bedside, John Wesley reiterated, “The best of all is, that God is with us.” 1 John 4 : 15 “Whoever confesses that Jesus is Lord, God lives in them, and them lives with God? The love of God is reflected within us all, and we share this love to our families and friends.

In June, Samoa will celebrate 62 years of independence. Rev Fatuatia Tufuga reflects on the history of the nation and events that led to independence. He invites us to share a time of silence in respect of those forefathers and mothers who fought for independence, so Samoa could have freedom, hope and peace for future generations.