Kathryn Walters Retires: Farewell and Thank you

Representatives from the Methodist Church of New Zealand, the Connexional Office, Fijian congregation and members of the Synods she has presided over honoured her legacy and work. As former MCNZ General Secretary Rev David Bush said, “Being a leader can be a lonely place.” Kathryn played a key role in strategic decisions that significantly impacted many areas.

Growing up in a Methodist farming family in the Waikato, Kathryn traces her call to ministry back to her confirmation in 1974 by Rev Ted Baker, a charismatic evangelical. That experience led to her first communion but it was not until some years later a spiritual awakening at a crusade she attended with her cousin prompted her to think, “Crikey we better find a church.” That turned out to be an Elim Church where Pastor Larry Davis provided advice that has informed her life and ministry ever since. “Larry always said, ‘If you do it in faith, and you do it with discernment and in wholeheartedness, even if you are wrong, you are right.’ Ministry takes risk and God honours that risk.”

Embracing the concept of ‘taking a risk,’ in 1988 she left her safe job in a bank and headed to Hong Kong for a year with Asian Outreach International. In 1993 she completed a Bachelor’s degree in ministry with the intention of returning to Hong Kong as a missionary. Instead she was called to go into ordained ministry and in 1998 she completed a Bachelor of Theology at Trinity College. The following year she took on her first ministry appointment at Kamo Co-operating Parish, an appointment she described as ‘amazing’. Ordination followed in 2000. Her leadership skills were recognised early on in her ministry and that same year Kathryn became Superintendent of the Northland Synod.

Her sense of humour has been an integral part of her life and work. “I love to laugh. Everyone has a sense of humour. It is a great leveller; it dampens the intensity. Otherwise things can become a bit dry. You find it and use it. It makes you real, but knowing when to use it is important. I have got it wrong from time to time. Humour with the whanau is not always the humour you use in pastoral care,“ she says laughing.

From 2004 to 2008 Kathryn was presbyter at Christchurch Central Parish (Durham Street) and later spent five years at Halswell Union Parish. During her time at Durham Street she graduated from Canterbury University with a graduate diploma in Business Management. She acknowledges that working in predominantly co-operative ventures honed her leadership skills. “Methodists by nature are ecumenical. In any parish you have to work with differences theologically and in the way we do our business, and that serves you well for leadership.”

Since 2015 Kathryn served as Superintendent of the Central South Island Synod and from 2018 concurrently as Superintendent of the Nelson Marlborough West Coast Synod. She worked closely with both Synods as they discussed and then prepared for amalgamation and she oversaw the process of amalgamating all three South Island Synods into the new combined Synod for the South Island. These were very demanding years, as Canterbury was still involved with church property rebuilds and post-earthquake parish uncertainties. Over the past four years dealing with an unprecedented pandemic situation added to her considerable workload.

Her ability to seek solutions that take people along with her, pastoral caring skills, clarity of thinking and her commitment to always act a with a deep concern for the people involved contributed to her outstanding effectiveness as a minister, Synod Superintendent and in the numerous additional roles she undertook.

At her retirement function David Bush referred to her time on the Methodist Publishing Board (initially as a member and later Convenor), saying, “Whenever asked to participate, she always says yes and brings expertise and knowledge to the work.” He closed his address wishing the scooter-riding, sometimes defiant, always kind, refreshingly funny, rainbow community stalwart, social justice advocate and all-round wise and much-loved person, “an adventurous and fun filled future.”

Peter van Hout, speaking on behalf of the Connexional Office and the Board of Administration highlighted her inquisitive nature that always stimulated thought-provoking questions and answers and invariably generated innovative and sometimes unexpected solutions. Rev Martin Stewart, Executive Officer of the Alpine Presbytery, referred to her as playful, forthright, friendly and helpful as well as fiercely intelligent. “Kathryn just knows stuff and she is always able to tell you all about it,” he said.

A highlight of last year’s online Conference was a Q&A interview between So’otaga Misikei (host) and Kathryn (interviewee). It was reflective, funny, poignant, honest, insightful, inspiring and informative. And all delivered in her unique inimitable style that brings humour, humility, warmth and wisdom to every aspect of her life and ministry.

In addressing guests gathered at the Chapel Street Centre, Christchurch North Methodist Parish, Kathryn paid tribute to her wife Viv, for her constant support, love and care. ”I am only the best I can be because I am supported by the best.” Her farewell in January 2024 marked 20 years since the couple relocated from Whangarei to Christchurch. Kathryn acknowledged that difficult decisions come at a cost but she has always felt supported by the communities she has served. “In the long term, benefits far outweigh the costliness,” she said.

An anecdote she shared gave an insight into her approach to ministry. At her ordination service, graduands were invited to share their gift to the church. As she was near the end of the newly ordained ministers sharing their gifts with the congregation (Walters is way down the alphabet …) humour and humility guided her response. “Any gift I have is not mine. Any gifts you think I brought have been given to me. My rebelliousness is genetic but a gift nevertheless.”

In closing she thanked everyone for the love, support and care that “has allowed me to do this job as well as I could.”

Rev Kathryn Walters served in many church roles while in parish and synod appointments, including:

· Stipend and Housing Committee

· Mission and Ecumenical

· Central South Island Synod Treasurer

· Methodist Publishing Board, first as a member and then as convenor

· Budget Task Group

· Local Interchurch Tertiary Chaplaincy Council

· UCANZ Standing Committee

· PAC Distribution Group

Kathryn was a member of the interviewing panel that appointed me as Touchstone editor in 2018. I thank her for having faith in my ability to do the mahi and for her support, advice and encouragement ever since. On behalf of the Publishing Board, I wish Kathryn a long, happy and ‘real deal’ retirement. My greatest hope is that the next phase of her life provides unlimited opportunities for her to enjoy leisure, activity, travel and rest time, people and pleasures, and all at a pace, schedule and scale of her choice.