In October 2022 a three-day pilot workshop, Accompanying Survivors of Sexual Harm: A Toolkit for Churches led by Dr Emily Colgan was held at Trinity College, Auckland.

This is the third in a series of articles looking at the role of chaplains working in the university, military and hospital sectors of Aotearoa.

On Sunday 6 August Auckland synod’s Central Parishes Region came together for a joint service hosted by the Mt Albert Parish.

Mary McNair The Mt Albert Methodist Church choir recently participated in the Festival of Music and Brass at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, organized as a special evensong by the Auckland branch of the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM).

Vice-President’s Report

St. Johns Methodist Church, Hamilton East, witnessed rich cultural expressions of joy, as Wasewase ko Viti kei Rotuma celebrated its 10th Anniversary, on Saturday 15 July 2023.

When it comes to our waste there is no such thing as ‘away’. It is an illusion. It might be out of sight, out of mind but it still exists somewhere else.

The Methodist Alliance working group campaigning to increase benefit levels and abatement rates has finalised the resource for parishes and the wider Methodist Church.

Rhonda Swenson – artist, advocate, policy influencer and member of Ngaio Union Church – recently fronted a special service to raise the profile of an issue often overlooked, the level of ordinary people’s debt to the Ministry of Social Development, and its contribution to wealth inequality in Aotearoa New Zealand.

My last Touchstone article was the first of a series on a few easy and relatively cheap ways to make your livestream experience memorable (for the right reasons!).

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

September has always been a month where time goes so quickly. Whatever our current occupation may be, September seems to be always the month where everything needs to get done.

Yes, I know, this is supposed to be about UCANZ, yet it is ultimately about ways we are all interconnected – even though not planned or asked for.

The famous Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho, known in particular for the writing of his 1988 novel The Alchemist, is quoted as saying … “There are times when in saying “yes” to others, he is actually saying “no” to himself. That is why he never says “yes” with his lips if, in his heart, he is saying “no”.”

Fear about rising crime has hit a record high in recent political surveys and polling, with law and order now featuring as a major concern for New Zealand voters, next to the cost-of-living crisis and inflation. Concern regarding law and order has crept up in response to alarm regarding increasing ram-raids on shops, dairies and restaurants.

The cost of living for the average household increased 7.7 percent in the 12 months to March 2023 and 8.2 percent in the 12 months to December 2022. Higher prices for rent, food, and power have impacted everyone. Households whose income comes from social support spend approximately a third of their income on rent.

“The wellbeing of the people is paramount”.

Talofa lava and warm greetings. I have had the privilege of serving on the NZMWF Executive alongside a fantastic team of strong Samoan Christian women who have embarked on a transformative two-year journey.

In the steep, perilous ravines that rise towards the mountains in Nepal, families live in extreme poverty. People with cataracts there face the double disadvantage of poverty and disability.

Meet Ebony my little black cat.

Christian World Service is grateful for donations of over $115,600 to the Pakistan Flood Appeal, launched one year ago. Funds were distributed to our partner Community World Service Asia (CWSA) for work in Sindh province.

People in the worst hit areas of Pakistan had little time to recover from last year’s record-breaking floods before the first rains in April.

Soon thousands of MCNZ archives will be available online for the first time.

JOHN DUMBELL-1830 – 1923

Lo’u agaga e, ia e fa’amanu atu ia Ieova, o mea uma fo’i o i totonu ia te a’u, ia fa’amanu i lona suafa paia.

Our topic for this year’s Father Sunday is: A HOLISTIC FAMILY KEEPS GOD’S COVENANT. - Na Vuvale Vakalou – E maroroa na nonai Yalayala.

Ne folau foki pea mo e Faifekau Sea, Faifekau Kalolo Fihaki, pea mo e sekelitali lahi ‘a e Vahefonua, Tau’ataina Tupou.