This June edition of Touchstone is the last one produced and posted to parishes free-of-charge. Increasing printing and postage costs, diminishing returns on investments and a commitment by MCNZ to embrace initiatives that meet our 10-year plan to reduce, reuse and recycle as we aim for zero waste, contributed to a decision made at Conference 2022 to see Touchstone move to a subscription-based model.

The Papakura Crossroads Methodist Church congregation and Commercial Property Committee recently celebrated three significant anniversaries. Bill Peddie reports on a weekend in April when an estimated 230 folk gathered to remember and celebrate local church history.

To celebrate his 90th birthday, prolific Methodist hymn-writer Rev William L. Wallace (Bill) shared highlights of his life’s work in theology, composition and hymn-writing at two events held in Christchurch in April.

Beckenham-Sydenham Parish, Christchurch, held a special service on 5 March to dedicate a special new memorial garden at their church. The Garden of Friends recognises and honours long-serving members June and Norm Allen, along with other loyal and dedicated former members of the church family. Kelvin Aird and Ros Jackson report on the project that has been a welcome addition to the Beckenham community.

Peter Lineham, renowned religious historian and retired Massey University professor, recently visited Kei Muri Māpara to trawl through records as part of his research into a publication based on the early Māori Mission which he has been commissioned to edit by the Wesley Historical Society.

“You’ve not changed a bit,” they said. They were church folk from Cockermouth, UK where I’d been presbyter before emigrating in 2006. I was there on holiday visiting my son’s family and meeting our first grandchild. I met many of the church folk from those days and stayed with two of them. It was good to see them all.

Stationing Committee, in 2022, faced the very rare scenario of having more presbyters available for Stationing than parishes. Mission Resourcing continued to facilitate conversations working with parishes who did not go on stationing due to financial constraints. Continuous Stationing process required funding assistance for new initiatives and ministry partnerships between synods and parishes. This allowed appointments for most of the presbyters on Stationing.

The sale of property in Richmond, Nelson has enabled the Nelson Tasman Methodist Parish to purchase four rental houses with the proceeds. Tenants are grateful to be able to access modern, safe housing at an affordable rate.

Imagine human life without the planet on which it is set. It isn’t easy: we are so dependent on its air, water and soil. Yet since the Industrial Revolution humans have been exploiting, polluting, even trashing our environment at an ever-increasing rate. The earth has been enhancing us; we have not been enhancing the earth.

I want to congratulate you on printing the letter in the April issue on inclusive church. I myself have been vaxxed, and like the writer I was greatly saddened by the Methodist stance in 2021 and felt it was a missed opportunity to show the breadth and depth of Christianity. Since then I have seen a great deal of research on the vaccine and have come to the conclusion that we have been misled, government and people both, by a dominant and influential group with money and power at the heart of it. Happily I read that a country like Switzerland has abandoned the mRNA vaccine, while England now offers it only to those over 75 years old, and to younger people only if they are immunity compromised. In my opinion it is time that our own health department followed suit. Best wishes, Peter Wood, Lower Hutt.

At this time of year, Papatūānuku has withdrawn much of her energy within. We have enjoyed the flourish of Koanga/Spring, the bounty of Raumati/Summer, and the yields of Ngahuru/Autumn. As we settle into Hōtoke/Winter, the main activity is now occurring quietly below the ground.

The irony of the appropriately labelled “No Frills Budget” was not lost on me. People whose income comes from welfare know exactly what a no-frills budget means.

Do you remember the fire drills you used to do at school? As a kid, I thought they were a waste of time but hey, they got us out of the classroom for a while!

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

The Auckland ecumenical network of lay preachers is committed to keeping up to date with developments in theology and holds regular workshops for their its members. Rev Dr Terry Wall & Linda Hall report on their its most recent meeting for continuing education held at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, Remuera.

I recently returned home from attending my fourth UCANZ Forum. I have appreciated the opportunity to serve six and a half years on the standing committee as an elected member and as one of the few representatives from the South Island.

Last week while searching for a book in my library, housed in the parsonage garage where I am currently located, I lost myself in the searching. It happens quite regularly as I enter the garage space with a singularity of focus to lay my hands on a particular book that I want to use mostly as I prepare a Sunday reflection or possibly to confer with alongside something else I am reading, listening to, or a thought that has come to mind in that moment.

There may be situations when disclosure is necessary to avoid putting the Church into disrepute. In every situation an individual, congregation, parish or affiliation of the Church should ask itself if disclosure or non-disclosure helps to avoid putting the Church into disrepute. A good place to start is by looking at Principle 11 of the Privacy Act 2020.

We are seeking a minister.

Michael Herman, Christchurch Methodist Mission Communications Manager

In recent weeks the authorised liturgy for the coronation rite of his majesty King Charles III of England and a Māori translation of the serenity prayer crossed my desk. I appreciated the translation and the adjoining commentary of the coronation liturgy. Readers might choose to read, analyse, and draw from the messages meaning for themselves. The liturgies provided universal messages of peace, wisdom and love. Both liturgical resources seek to bring a continuity of reassurance and hope in times of uncertainty.

Tui Salevao, President, NZMWF If you ask any Samoan if they have ever come across this proverb, you would expect an affirmation that they have heard it. If you then ask what this saying means to them, they would explain in their own words that to get somewhere in life you need to prove your service to your elders, village, church or family.

Pelagius was likely born in the British Isles sometime between AD 360-370. He belonged to the Celtic tradition and is known to have practised an ascetic life. His Celtic theology sharply contrasted with the predominantly North African Christianity of Augustine and the Christianity of Jerusalem led by Jerome. Pelagius is important because of his theological insights and because he touched on a problem that remains perennial, namely, the problem of free will. In this respect, he was a precursor to a secular liberal West emphasising individual autonomy and free choice. He anticipated the Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Immanuel Kant.

At the end of April approximately 30 people from across the Waikato Waiariki Methodist Synod, including the Waikato Rohe, gathered for their annual Refresh Retreat at Epworth Camp. The event was blessed with good weather, a wonderful venue, superb staff, good food and an inspiring programme.

Last month Rev Christina Morunga reported on a pilgrimage to Turkiye and Greece. As part of her travels, she attended an International Rural Churches Conference (IRCA) in the United States that inspired and enriched her ministry.

This year Brenda Skinner celebrates 65 years’ service as a lay preacher. The milestone is just one in a lifetime of dedicated service.

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This past Easter, I was privileged once again to head to the annual Epworth Easter Camp, hosted by the awesome Waikato-Waiariki Unite (WWU) and Youth Activities Committee (YAK). It was the usual outstanding weekend of high energy, fellowship, food and good vibes.

On the Sunday after Easter, St Mark’s Somerfield Methodist Church, Christchurch held a children’s service focussing on doubting Thomas and Jesus’ resurrection.

In April, International Programmes Coordinator for Christian World Service, Rob Wayne, visited Poland to meet with local partner the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). He was able to monitor the use of New Zealand government funding and meet with recent refugees.

Boy from Heaven probes the place of religion and power in the modern world. Director Tarik Saleh, Swedish-born with Egyptian grandparents, gifts viewers with a political and religious thriller.

Author: Dr Jack Davy. Publisher: Quercus, London 2022. 333pp.

Authors: Rangi Mātāmua and Miriama Kamo, with illustrations by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White. Publisher: Scholastic New Zealand, Auckland, 2022. 80 pages. $28.

In the six months since Katherine Doig and Jennie Hood took over the role following the retirement of long-term Methodist archivist, Jo Smith, they have been working to introduce archival best practice to the physical management of Kei Muri Māpara’s 1.5km of original records. Katherine shares what they have been doing.

Thomas Russell 1830 – 1904

Fa’atalofa atu i matua o le Sinoti, Susuga i Tausi Itu malo, le paia o le aufaigaluega, susuga i ta’ita’i, fa’apea le mamalu o le tatou Sinoti. E maualuga pea le viiga ma le agaga fa’afetai i le Atua ona o lana tausiga ma lana ta’ita’iga alofa lea ua tatou aulia mai ai lenei vaitau o le tausaga. E le fesiligia le louloua o le tau mai le tele o masina ua mavae, ae fa’afetai i le alofa o le Atua, ua leai se tasi o le tatou Sinoti o afaina ai le soifua. E ui lava ina afea nisi o tatou aulotu ma aiga i le malaga a le maliu ma le oti, ae fa’afetai ua amia le to’atasi ae o lo’o manuia pea le to’atele.

The Salvation of Jesus Christ with the Grace of the Holy Spirit to make Changes.

Sapate Fakamē – Moia-Mei-He-‘Eiki, 2023 (White Sunday)

‘E hoko he mahina ni e ta’u 50 e kamata e lotu Tonga ‘i he falelotu Wesley ‘i loto Uelingatoni, pea ‘oku ‘amanaki ke fakahoko ha re-union ‘a kinautolu na’a nau kau ki he kamata.