MARCH 2008 MAY 2012

RiverRiver ofof LifeLife flowsflows strongerstronger asas networksnetworks growgrow

Caring for creation In this edition Touchstone examines environmental issues and the role church people are playing By Paul Titus practical environmental issues and the inspire and unify the people of in protecting the environment. A focus on eco spirituality and politics spirituality of creation. Recent outings Christchurch.” We have a discussion on pending is creating a new type of ministry that include walks along the length of Seven people walked the entire 28 changes to mining laws, an article moves out of the pews and into the Christchurch's two urban rivers, the kilometre length of the Avon, and about on efforts to halt 'fracking', community and on-line social networks. Opawaho/Heathcote and the Otakaro/Avon. 20 walked from the bridge at South and stories on the environmental Rev Mark Gibson is three quarter time Mark says River of Life is keen to both Brighton to the Bridge of Remembrance group River of Life. minister at New Brighton Union Church advocate and care for local waterways. He in the central city. See Pages 10 & 11 and quarter time with River of Life, a and some other members of the group have “It was sobering to walk through Red Methodist initiative that seeks to create an joined efforts to establish the city-to-sea Zone in the eastern part of the city because alternative faith community focused on Avon-Otakaro River Park in the areas along we travelled at a pace where we could care of our natural environment. the river that have been zoned 'red' and really see the destruction that has taken length of the river were generously hosted The masthead of River of Life's deemed uninhabitable after the earthquakes. place. When we got to the CBD we had to by the couple whose property in Avonhead newsletter 'Confluence' identifies the group “Our river walks are one way we are make a detour around the cordon. is traditionally seen as the source of the as a “braided network” and trying to be aware of what is happening in “Walking the length of the river gave transformational adventure that is open to the natural world around us. Six people me the impression that we really live in Avon but we were dismayed to see that people of all faiths and none. joined our walk along the length of the two distinct cities. Not only is there much the river no longer begins there. Because Formed a year ago, River of Life has Heathcote, and nearly 50 took part in our more destruction in the eastern half of the water tables have dropped, water is now two meetings a month and has held a walk along the Avon. city, once we crossed through Hagley Park pumped from a deep well into the riverbed. number of events to raise awareness about “The walks convinced me that the Avon into the western half, it was much harder River, and not the Christchurch Cathedral, to do the journey because all the land along Basically, the Avon River is on life is the spiritual heart of our city. The river the Avon is private property. support.” INSIDE and the land along it have the potential to “Those of us who walked the entire See Page 10

COPTIC HOSPITALITY - PAGE 3 HUNGER GAMES REVIEWED - PAGE 14

KING TUPOU V REMEMBERED - PAGE 3 2 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2012 NEWS Food in fellowship - Manurewa practices kitchen theology By Cory Miller community. John says being there to bless the like a bit of drama to heighten the Food is the way to a person's heart - Vaitu'ulala says the kitchen was more premises was a privilege. He says every part excitement. Three days out from the opening, or in the case of the Manurewa Methodist than 30 years old and certainly due for a of the kitchen plays a role in the church so the contractors were still working full-steam Church - the way to its community. makeover. he blessed not just the kitchen but the fridge, ahead. In just one week, the church gutted and The kitchen opens onto the church hall the stove, the cupboards even the crockery. “Fingers were crossed,” says Margaret. rebuilt its kitchen - creating a revamped on one side and the lounge on the other. It In his talk he referred to 'kitchen “It was a bit of déjà vu from the days when focal point for the wider Manurewa is well utilised by both church and the wider theology'. He says fellowship is central to community - somewhere that is more than community. church and at the centre of fellowship is the Manurewa church was built. At 11pm, just a place for providing food. Robin's wife, Margaret says that in any often the kitchen. “My prayers reminded us the night before its opening, final touches Parishioner Robin Ziegler says the given Sunday up to 1,000 people go through to feed people's mind, body and spirit.” were still being applied.” church's mission is to “seek to be empowered the facilities. During the week 120 different The opening was a day full of festivities, Vaitu'ulala has bigger plans for the new by the Holy Spirit to act and engage in community groups utilise the church. “They with the blessing followed by the sharing kitchen. sharing the love of God with the all really enjoy and make use of the kitchen,” of food and celebrations through song and “We want to take it to the next stage of community”. she says. “The facilities are licensed to hold dance. John even took on the challenge of hospitality by responding to the needs of The new kitchen will be central to that, 250 people but can hold more if need be.” leading the dancing. the community,” he says. “We want to live “Anything we do, the kitchen is the main The Manurewa Parish's revamped Margaret says basically the kitchen was up to the name of our church site, The Corner focus and at the forefront of getting to know kitchen was blessed by Methodist President, gutted and everything replaced. The newly people,” Robin says. Reverend John Roberts, on the 21st of April. blessed kitchen has a new commercial of Hope. The idea for a revamped kitchen came The renovation was made possible thanks dishwasher, commercial chiller, two new “We want to use our kitchen for the from minister, Rev Vaitu'ulala Ngahe, who to the Community Charitable Trust, which microwaves and new water heaters. practical side of hope and provide for the has a passion for bringing the church into provided $50,000 for the refit. Like all good projects, there's nothing hungry by providing breakfast or lunch.”

And the ‘winner’ is… Rio Tinto Alcan scoops Roger Award

By Hilaire Campbell On 20th April the 2011 annual Roger Awards for the worst transnational corporations operating in NZ were announced at a function at the Knox Presbyterian Church Hall in Christchurch. Accompanied by 'apocalyptic' music and a drum roll, chief judge University of Auckland lecturer Joce Jesson declared Rio Tinto Alcan NZ the winner. Described as a recidivist corporate offender, Rio Tinto Alcan (formerly Comalco) was chosen for lobbying governments over several years to secure excessive allocations of free emissions units under the Emissions Trading Scheme while presenting an environmentally friendly face. Westpac came second equal with Oceania and Sajo Oyang Corporation. Westpac was Manurewa Methodists will use their rennovated chosen for its aggressive profiteering strategy kitchen to reach out to the community. at the expense of bank staff and borrowers; Sajo Oyang for its abuse, mistreatment and exploitation of its fishing boat crews, and Oceania for exploiting its minimum wage rest home workers, some of whom arrived to collect the award on their employers' behalf. Telecom Murray Horton came fifth, and is one of several companies CAFCA has established a watch list for the regularly nominated for the award. future - Crafar Farms, Pike River Coal, anything The government won the Accomplice Award to do with fracking, oil, and insurance companies. because in the organisers' opinion while “It would be nice if we didn't need the awards supporting big business, it has forgotten the but with NZ fast becoming a branch economy, checks and balances that are necessary to benefit they are more relevant than ever. In church the general population. language it's called speaking truth to power.” The Roger Awards are organized by the Former Methodist president Rev Brian Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa (CAFCA) and GATT Watchdog. Companies Turner has judged the Roger Awards several nominated to receive the Roger Award have to times. He says, although it's voluntary, many be at least 25 percent foreign owned and have professionals are involved, and nominees have a record of economic dominance, political to make a good case for a company to be interference, or negative affects on people and considered, otherwise they could be sued. "   # $! %    & the environment. “The purpose of the awards is to highlight %% %   '(& CAFCA organizer Murray Horton says the the need for greater justice in trade, and he says     %       ! awards owe their existence to Roger Douglas, media interest is rising, not least because some       who started promoting transnationals in NZ in companies have tried to dissuade organizations the 1980s. from nominating them. They don't want publicity    !"# “Now they're here to stay. They are mostly because they've got something to hide,” Brian           ! Australian and American companies, who like says. the low wages in New Zealand.”           “We live in a globalized economy but so  Murray says rural land takeovers, such as Crafar farms attract most publicity but the many transnationals are not accountable to takeover by other Chinese companies of PGG ordinary peoples' needs. They're driven by Wrightson is more sinister. “The way foreign maximum profit, maximum exploitation.” investment policies are going, we will end up From a gospel perspective Brian says he tenants in our own land, and tenants can be supports CAFCA because it supports the poor evicted. and needy, not the rich and greedy. TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2012 3 NEWS Memorial services mark Tongan king's passing Tongan congregations around New he initiated. Zealand took part in ecumenical “Three days before being crowned commemoration services for King Siaosi King Tupou V in 2006, he announced that (George) Tupou V, who died on March he would relinquish most of the power 18th. Services were held in in Auckland, that came with being king, leaving the Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin prime minister to take charge of day-to- on March 25th. day affairs in Tonga. As king he would The largest was in Auckland and was be guided by his prime ministers jointly organized by Vahefonua Tonga, recommendations on most matters. The (the Tongan synod of the Methodist Church King also sold off many of his business of NZ) and Siasi Uesiliana Tau'ataina 'O interests and announced there would be Tonga (the Free Wesleyan Church of parliamentary reform and elections. In Tonga). doing this he was seeking to meet the Vahefonua Tonga's Edwin Talakai democratic aspirations of many of his helped organize the service. He says more people,” John said in his talk. than 1500 mourners attended. In Christchurch the commemoration “The Free Wesleyan Church in service was held at the marae at Mangere where the service was held holds Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of 1500 people but it could not fit all the Technology. people who attended. Many listened from Along with members of the Tongan outside in the church car park. congregations from several denominations, it was attended by local MPs. The Vahefonua superintendent Rev Setaita The memorial service for King Tupou V in Christchurch. Kinahoi Veikune and Free Wesleyan gathering was welcomed by Hana O'Regan Church of Tonga superintendent in NZ of Ngai Tahu and during the service Rev Lopini Filise led the service. condolences were offered by “All five had choirs who sang and each known as Tupou VI. The King's nephew Fatafehi Sione Ika representatives of the city's Samoan, had a speaker who paid tribute to the King. Siosifa based his reflection during the Niuean and Tokelaun communities. Even though Tupou V was not really a Mafana and other dignitaries attended. service on Psalm 72 which asks God to President Rev John Roberts represented In Dunedin the service was held at the church person, he was a very generous the Methodist Church of NZ. Dunedin South Methodist Church. King becuase of the political changes he endow kings with justice so they can Edwin says 14 choirs from different Dunedin Methodist Parish superintendent made and this was reflected in the defend the needy. churches all had their turn to pay their Rev Siosifa Pole chaired the committee comments from the speakers during the “We pray that Tupou VI do well in his that organised the service. evening.” respects with their hymns. new role and continue the reforms that his In his address to the service John Siosifa says five different Tongan The service also prayed for the expressed his condolences and praised churches were represented at the event and incoming King, the deceased King's brother started for the benefit of Tonga,” King Tupou V for the democratic reforms each of them contributed to the service. younger brother, Tupouto'a Lavaka, now he says. Sharing the bread of Coptic Orthodox hospitality By Diana Roberts back to Mark the Evangelist. English, not the Arabic or Coptic familiar guidance in finding his successor. A loaf of bread is beside me on the desk The church space has been converted to this people in their motherland of Egypt. John and I learned more of the election where I'm sitting at the computer. It's the from an old warehouse into a place of beauty (There are services in those languages at of a new Patriarch as we talked with Father size and shape of a lawnmower wheel. and mystery, radiant with the light that pours other times.) Together we repeat the Lord's Bishoy, his wife and a senior Deacon over At the hub of the lightly browned, gently through stained glass windows created Prayer and the Creed. lunch. The Holy Synod sets in place the puffed circle of white bread is a deeply by a woman member of the We hear the words of Scripture; process of finding a successor, and after impressed stamp, with an outer border of congregation. Portraits of Holy John reads from Colossians. We words and an inner ring of small crosses Ones look down on us; the share the peace with each several months the names of the final three surrounding a square embossed with a sanctuary is softly luminous other, enter into the candidates are put into an altar ballot. In central Coptic cross. It's a loaf of with candlelight and sacrament of Holy absolute humility and faith in God, the Holy Communion bread that I received today, 1 billowing clouds of incense; Communion, and together Synod asks a blindfolded young boy to take April 2012, at the Coptic Orthodox Church and the white-robed priest pray for the world and its one paper from the ballot; the name on the of St Mark, in Beach Haven, Auckland. and assistants move with people. These are at the paper is that of the new Patriarch. President John and I were invited to grace and reverence through centre of Christian life and “Pray for us”, requested Father Bishoy. worship with the congregation as a response the complex pattern of the faith. We are branches of the We do; and we ask that other Methodists service. True Vine. to the letter of condolence John had sent on pray with us for God's wisdom for the Coptic the death of His Holiness Pope Shenouda Leader and people chant in turn; At the close of the liturgy the Orthodox Church at this time of transition, III, the Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox there is no music except the music of the children came forward to be fed with bread Church. The priest, Father Bishoy, and his words, with cymbal and triangle at the from loaves like the one I was given. It was and for God's blessing of encouragement people, were moved by this expression of climax of the liturgy. All is very different time for news and notices, and requests for and strength for Coptic Christians in Egypt. care from the Methodist Church of Aotearoa from our usual Sunday church service, but prayer - prayers for the persecuted Coptic Remember the Coptic Orthodox NZ. For nearly three hours we shared in the we feel part of this worshipping community. Christians in turbulent and troubled Egypt, congregations in Dunedin, Christchurch, ancient liturgy of a church whose roots reach It helps us greatly that this service is in for the late Pope Shenouda III, and for Wellington and Auckland.

SING A NEW ZEALAND SONG!

Results to 31 March 2012 Hope is our Song 6 Mths to 12 Mths to Book | 158 NZ hymns, songs and carols 31.03.12 31.03.12 CD | 27 NZ songs recorded by Viva Voce, Auckland Income Fund A 6.19% 6.36% Details of these and other publications Income Fund B 6.17% 5.90% and to order visit our website Growth and Income Fund 4.33% 4.45% www.hymns.org.nz Income Distributions for the quarter totalled $2,981,205 or post to New Zealand Hymnbook Trust PO Box 4142, Palmerston North 4442 4 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2012 OPINION Coventry and Christchurch To the editor, happened there. I wish to support the wonderful vision for a Rosalie's vision is relevant at this Easter tide, as future of the Christchurch Cathedral Rosalie Sugrue it evokes new birth, new hope and a new life. What clearly and expertly described in the April she has described would only be possible if the new Touchstone. building was a truly ecumenical endeavour together Rosalie mentioned the creative vision church with civic and wide public support. and civic leaders had when they rebuilt Coventry While this could take some time to accomplish, Cathedral. I have visited Coventry Cathedral on two occasions. The first was in 1959 when the new it is worth starting. Let's hope the vision can be cathedral was under construction, and again in 2000 picked up by the Bishop and the Cathedral's immediately after visiting Dresden. management board. How can the vision be more I am also a Cantabrian by birth and education, widely disseminated? Perhaps a group of keen and I have links to the Cathedral's organists so I Christchurch people is needed to foster this. have a great affinity for the building and what Brian Ellis, North Shore, Auckland Cathedral caution To the editor, people who realise the importance of God being Rosalie Sugrue states in her letter in the April represented in a city that bears the name of God's Touchstone that thousands of people love the son. We are told in the Scriptures that every need Christchurch Cathedral as a landmark but do not should be taken by faith to God through Jesus the attach any spiritual love for it as a building built to Christ. witness to a God who gave himself for our salvation. From my understanding of the Scriptures and I agree. God's attitude toward other beliefs that don't include It is plainly visible to observers and also complete loyalty to Him, we would be walking on prophesised in Scripture. The Scriptures plainly state dangerous ground if, as Rosalie suggests, we that in the latter days the love of many will grow welcome non-Christian faiths (except for Israel's, cold towards God and the Church will suffer also. Jesus being a Jew) to inhabit a Christian sanctuary. It would be fabulous if the Cathedral could be God says in the first two Commandments that restored, even if the stonework were to be cut down to a veneer. The issue whether it is rebuilt or replaced he will not accept any representation of other gods is that it should still be presented as a place to the before him or even the suggestion of such a thing. glory of God. Remember, the sins of the father will be passed It is a sad fact that most people only want the on to every generation up to the third and fourth building to be something nice to look at but apparently generations of those who have so little love for him. miss completely the fact that is it's a place where, Please rethink our loyalty to God and to our FromFrom thethe backyardbackyard with others, we can worship the God who created future generations. Do we really want to place such us. a burden up them even before they are born? I don't know how the building can be restored (This is an edited version of a longer letter). Loving our neighbours within the capabilities of the congregation and other AK Nielsen, Lower Hutt Gillian Watkin Our local newspaper likes large, now or move beyond our own tight Pressures on earth and us dramatic headlines. Recently it ran circle but often when we are in the To the editor, Is the demographic change towards increasingly a series of articles about the high midst of utter crisis and chaos there The news item said within 15 years the Earth urbanised population centres forcing change towards burglary rate across Hawkes' Bay will be populated by more than six billion people in is no fear, action simply takes over. a theology of a single tiered worldview and the and how the Police have difficulty urban environments. demise of the multilevel (dualistic) worldviews? I was concerned about these This statistic means less than a third of humanity What are the adjustment pressures on us, and our catching offenders. expressed fears so I decided to see if will live in rural areas where they can be in touch earth, at present? In what direction are they pointing? Not long after I read this, a woman a Neighbourhood Watch network with mother earth. The implications of this are not To me the single-tiered spirituality that Jesus came to our door to tell me there had would work. Although only the geographical change and its ecological represented, that seems to have so greatly offended been a break-in down the road and I Neighbourhood Watch has changed effects but also in the political and religious the Jewish leaders, was right all along. really should buy one of their superior worldviews of humanity. coats through the years, it was Will we see the demise of nationalism and the Jesus said, 'Our Parent and he were one. When alarms. I am sure she had the best neighbourhood support and now in ancient drive to form empires? Are we seeing the we have really seen our humanity, we have seen intentions but both the newspapers what 'parents' us.' (adaptation mine). Was it then and our city is officially the community return of the city-state? articles and the saleswoman's actions safety programme. It has picked up Are regional political unions an intermediary is it now the spirituality that is relevant? created fear. These points seem to me to make the obsession civil defence practices developed by stage in the formation of a single world state, of a We and our neighbours are not single worldview? Is that state going to tolerate of religious institutions with structure irrelevant. communities in Christchurch. variety in worldviews as we are lead to believe by They have missed the 'action' in adaptation and reckless people. We take what actions Our first meeting was held in the inter-faith committees organised by the Auckland process that is racing ahead of them. we can to do the right thing and keep park at the end of the road. Twenty- City Council? Bruce Tasker, Mt Albert temptation away from opportunists one people attended. The community but pockets of fear do remain. constable was in attendance, her How do I know? A neighbour All in good time energy and knowledge encouraged called one day. They are a family of people to connect and bridge gaps. To the editor, Many families and individuals in Christchurch new immigrants and they very worried One of the perceived threats In response to Rosalie Sugrue's letter in the April have been dislocated. They have moved to other because they are away from home edition of Touchstone, as someone who lives in parts of the city or the country, taking social issues people in this street have is of the Christchurch and worships with the Durham Street each day. They could not afford to be with them into communities not fully prepared or burgled, so could we watch their house large number of strangers who walk Parish at St Stephens, Russley, I would like to suggest able to address them. This is happening in Hornby, please? through the street. Her advice was that it is too early to be making decisions regarding for example. Others remain in areas where basic simple and profound. When you see the future of any church in the CBD, Cathedral or infrastructure remains fragile and services normally Yet another neighbour announced otherwise. someone, wave or say hullo. Those taken for granted still in a state of disrepair. For that they were going away on holiday There are all sorts of issues to be worked through, who were up to no good would example, New Brighton School does not yet have a and wanted to set up quite elaborate such as the geotechnical situation, the on-going probably move on knowing they have connection to the sewerage system. plans for the safety of their house. seismic activity, and insurance issues, let alone the Because we have a flexible life style been seen. possible shape of the church in the future. While I These bigger issues must be addressed and worked through before things like historic buildings, we have been able to help by keeping Readers in rural areas would be can agree that it does not hurt to dream, and to dream well used to greeting strangers but large, I think it would be appropriate to wait until 'national icons' and the 'branding' of the new watch to the best of our abilities. geotechnical and insurance issues have been fully Christchurch, for goodness' sake. That's my two It's a long time since I came across city folk are more reticent, probably addressed by the appropriate bodies. Then it would cents worth. 1 John 4: verse 18 which in part says because they are confronted with so be the time to get input from the wider community. Valerie Marshall, Christchurch “There is no fear in love; for fear has many more strangers each day. So to do with punishment.” This stuck some of us started being consistent, with me and I came to appreciate that and what a difference it makes. Now CORRECTION where there is fear it is a thinking of I get lots of waves and smiles in return. In the review of 'When a City Falls' published in the February 2012 edition of Touchstone, future events with trepidation, perhaps It is not necessary to take bad news we incorrectly identified the producer of the film as Neil Graham. In fact Gerard Smyth was remembering past events with anxiety, as the given. It really is gospel good not only the producer but also the writer, cameraman, interviewer and director of the film. or even being prejudiced about others news to get to know your neighbour Neil Graham provided funding for the film. Our apologies to Gerard. not like us. It is not easy to live in the and smile.

Postal PO Box 931 Editor Paul Titus Advertising Pieter van den Berg Circulation Karen Isaacs Christchurch Phone (03) 381 6912 Phone (03) 310 7781, Fax (03) 310 7782 Phone (03) 381-4315 Fax (03) 366-6009 Mobile (021) 655 092 Email [email protected] [email protected]@xtra.co.nz E-mail [email protected] Printer The Ashburton Guardian Opinions in Touchstone do not necessarily reflect Production Julian Doesburg Ad Deadline 15th of the month preceeding publication the offical views of the Methodist Church of NZ. Publisher The Methodist Publishing Company Letters Deadline 15th of the month preceeding publication Subscription Changes 10th of the month preceeding publication TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2012 5 OPINION

CONVERS ATION WITH THE CONNEXION

A reflection by Finding God in your place President Rev John Roberts Christian community can witness to the fact own it legally. your soul, more than anything you could The theme of that roots and place are important to human John Bluck says this is not only a spiritual imagine or desire” he says. the Methodist existence. For him the Bible and the Christian issue, it is also an ecclesiastical issue, a church “Around the corner and across the road, Conference 2011 was 'Our Place - God's tradition hold within them the resources for a matter, and that we've got some homework to somewhere near you, there is a small and Place'. It was about connecting with a rediscovery of place. He writes, “The Bible do in revaluing place. ordinary place, waiting for you to rediscover theology of place. affirms the importance of place in God's “A strong theology of incarnation ought it and value it and relish it as a meeting place Many of us have various links to place, dealings with humanity. Place is where God to help us revalue places as venues of God's with God who walks ahead of us and waits for maybe more than one place. The questions I and the world meet.” ever changing and renewing activity and grace” us to catch up.” raised during Conference were: What is God Sister of Mercy Elizabeth Julian works says John Bluck. He goes on to say “The saying to us in each place? How can we with the Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New biblical understanding of place is that it is Small and local - that's what Roskill South experience God in each place? What happens Zealand and lives in Newtown, Wellington. always relational, never only about turf, never in Auckland did on 24 March this year for when we think about God in our place? She says, some theologians suggest that helping only about one people, and always somehow Neighbours Day. Posters appeared in local I've been looking again at the richness of people rebuild connections to 'place' may be about God.” shops advertising 'Molly Green Community developing a theology of place, and there are one of the most crucial elements of ministry So where to start in developing a theology Day: My place, our place, your place.' some signposts to help us. Others have written in the 21st century. of place? On the day the local MPs, Neighbourhood about the importance of place in theology and Elizabeth reminds us that the Irish speak Elizabeth Julian says ”When we Watch, Community Board, Housing NZ, St spirituality. Some note that many people have of 'thin places', where the boundary between consciously attend to place, that is when we John Ambulance, the Salvation Army, and experienced a loss of place. heaven and earth is so permeable God is use each of our senses to notice every ethnic councils had set up the venue. There Think of refugees displaced by armed somehow able to seep through. One finds God dimension of the place, then we become aware was a bouncy castle, face-painting, and fund conflict and natural disasters; people forced to more easily in these places. She cites the ladder of its spiritual potential, as a place where the raising food stalls. The place was buzzing, and move on when there's a big event such as the stretching between heaven and earth in Jacob's divine shines through.” people talked to each other. It was the first Rugby World Cup; people whose homes are dream (Gen 28:10-22) as an example of a thin If the Christian community focuses on taken for motorways or parks; the hundreds of place, and then says everywhere can be a thin place in general, John Inge says, we cannot time we'd done this - but not the last. Christchurch people who are seeking a new place no matter how unlikely it may seem. only provide nourishment to a community but So go to it. Start small and local. Observe place. We live in a highly mobile society where Retired Anglican Bishop John Bluck lives we can become agents of prophetic action in and attend to what is going on in your place people seem to be constantly on the move, in Pakiri, north of Auckland. He writes of the that community. and find where God is at work there. Join with moving around without putting down roots in power of place and the importance of having John Bluck tells us that the best way is to others and join with God in discovering an any place. a place to stand, a turangawaewae, a place to start very small, very local. This will bring “awesome place” (Gen 28:17). 'My place, your Bishop of Worcester John Inge says, the claim as our own, to belong in, even if we don't “endless sources of renewal and delight for place, our place - God's place.' Ten Commandments The crucified God is forBy Revthe Norman business Brookes often world than not the 'less' falls familiar with the Ten right Byhere Freddy De in Alwis our midsttake responsibility for their forced migration? The Occupy Movement most heavily on those who are Commandments. It seems to The dominant view in many receiving no longer occupies the Aotea perceived to be at the bottom me that boards of directors and Before I came to New Zealand I had concourse by Auckland's of the heap but others pay the CEOs need a Ten the opportunity to visit some refugee countries is that migrants come because they Town Hall but recent price. Commandments of their own. camps in Sri Lanka. Thousands of Tamil want to enjoy the privileges of affluent headlines remind us why the I am not arguing against So, let me end with 10 families still languish in these camps. countries. This pre-conceived notion carries movement came into being. paying more to those who have 'commandments' that if taken prejudice and resentment against the stranger. Its seed was the inordinate put in years at university, or War and violence have taken away what seriously could bring us back Often, the migrant is also a person of greed evident in the Wall who have greater skills, or who to some kind of sanity: they had to call theirs. I saw in their faces the Streets of this world, greed can take on greater 1. Let there be no pain and sense of being abandoned. My different colour, culture and class. Therefore, that has clearly not left New responsibilities. But what has executive pay rises that are experience made me realize the contemporary the discrimination and rejection of the migrants Zealand unscathed. happened in our society is far above the rate of inflation. are also rooted in issues of race and class from just that. It is completely meaning of the cross, and the brokenness of Consider the headline in 2. Let there be no prejudice combined with fear. the NZ Herald: 'Combined pay over the top. bonuses that are not a people created in God's image. tops $5.5m for bosses of four Let the Prime Minister's In that sense the cross that is central to the If churches in receiving countries are to recompense for exceptional comprehend the issues facing migrants at a energy firms'. Four people, salary be our guideline. No one service and results. Christian faith is not a past incident but an each earning over a million occupies a more responsible 3. Let there be no ever present reality. The image of the crucified deeper level, then they have to listen to the dollars a year! Each one position in this country than critical voices in sending countries and the received a rise of more than 11 the Prime Minister, whose salaries grossly in excess of God is right here in our midst. In the Sri percent whereas the average salary is less than $400,000 a the level of that paid out to the Lankan context the crucified God is re- churches. Churches in sending countries must wage increase in NZ in 2010 year, and who is under constant country's Prime Minister. tell their stories of suffering and crucifixion. 4. Let there be no incarnated within the Tamil victims. was 1.7 percent. media scrutiny. For this reason We who claim to be the Church, the Body Most of the sending countries have stories This headline was and because he or she is boards of directors who are unwilling to keep executive of Christ, are called by God and set apart by of colonization, divide and rule polices, and symptomatic of a number of elected, the Prime Minister is the plunder of their cultures, religions, and others in the Herald during the more accountable than any salaries under control. God to accompany these people by being and last 12 months. Examples: other CEO in the country. 5. Let there be no chief identifying with them. This is the call to be in resources for more than 500 hundred years. April 30, 2011 'More $5 While the PM's salary is executives who are unwilling mission and the true meaning of being Church. With neo-colonialism and the rise of to live within these parameters. million men as earnings climb' well above the average wage I'm happy to hear about the work some globalization, collaboration takes place led a story about the CEOs of of $54,000, it is a mere pittance 6. Let there be no between the rich and powerful minorities in Westpac, Nuplex Industries, when compared with what executive severance packages European churches do for those who have Telecom and Fonterra, each some CEOs in this country greater than the limit imposed come to their countries looking for security, sending nations with the rich and powerful in with a salary of more than $5 receive. This demonstrates the by three months' salary. employment and a better life. powerful nations. Those who oppose these million per annum. October 26 grossly excessive nature of the 7. Let there be no tax We generally lump these vulnerable people alliances are seen as enemies of the state, 2011 'SkyCity presses on with annual payments to many loopholes for anyone, in into the category of 'migrant' but we should communists or terrorists. fee raise vote' explained that CEOs. particular for those earning By being labeled in this way, those who the directors' fee pool grew Who is at fault here? over $100,000 a year. note that 60 percent of them are forced from $1m to $1.5m. February Principally it is the boards of 8. Let there be no tax migrants. They have fled their homes to escape oppose exploitation and plunder of resources 27, 2012 'NZ tax on rich directors and the shareholders funded advances to public hunger, malnutrition, violence, sexual may be killed, imprisoned or driven from their among the lowest in the world' who support them. Directors companies that are not exploitation or human rights violations. They countries. They are often the ones who end shows the other side of the who permit such excessive prepared to work within these leave their families, friends and their own up at the borders of the rich and powerful equation and contrasts with the salaries should be called to limitations. UK where high earners face a account by shareholders for it countries not because they are eager to but nations, and we call them migrants. 9. Let there be no Some churches in receiving countries see 50 percent tax rate on their seems far too many have been contracts that overrule because the conditions that prevail in their income. seduced by such oft quoted conscience. countries force them to flee. the migrant in their midst as an opportunity This is not simply slogans as 'if you pay peanuts 10. Let there be no The borders of safe, affluent countries are to evangelize or to proselytize. But this is a scandalous, it points to you get monkeys'. This is secret deals; let transparency misunderstanding of mission and evangelism. systemic evil. nonsense. often closed to these people. Even if they rule the day. manage to enter these countries, they may end Rather than trying to evangelize the other in Any business, be it an There are people in our The World Economic energy company, a bank, a society who aspire to up spending long years in prison or refugee your midst, is it possible to recognize the telco, or whatever, has only so challenges, who rise to Forum in Davos, Switzerland, suggested that severe income camps where living conditions are inhumane. broken and wounded Christ in migrants? The much money to go around. The responsibilities, and who get The cries of these people who languish in issue is to witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ earning power of a company far more satisfaction in disparity is the biggest risk is circumscribed by its delivering excellence than they facing the world. It is time to camps resemble the cry of the psalmist: “How by being a community who accompanies the customer base. That base do in the extensive nature of face up to it here in New long, O Lord? Wilt thou forget me for ever? victim and advocates their just cause to the provides the cake and that cake their pay packet. Many people Zealand. How long wilt thou hide any face from me? powers of domination. Someone once said is divided to pay all who work respect their fellows, live How long must I bear pain in my soul, and Remember, migrants have many gifts and for the company from chief ethical lives, and are not driven 'economic recovery requires a have sorrow in my soul,” (Psalm 13:1; 35:17). cultures to share. In 2008 alone Australia executive to the lowliest staff to obtain the highest possible moral recovery it is a spiritual member, not forgetting the financial reward for themselves crisis'. If that is right, if this is One has to acknowledge and commend earned almost $4 billion dollars from the shareholders. at the expense of others. Let a spiritual crisis then as the ministry of European churches to migrants migrants. When the chief executive the directors seek them out, Christians we need to at their borders. It is a caring, healing ministry Churches can prophecize to the nations to receives a huge salary and and, if they don't, let challenge this evil in our midst. of being a Good Samaritan. Yet it is also view migrant with a humane spirit to heal and bonuses then others in the shareholders call the directors A version of this opinion company's workforce receive to account. piece originally appeared in important to engage with members of these reconcile individuals, communities and nations. correspondingly less. More As Christians we are all the NZ Herald. churches in a deeper dialogue about why Rev Freddy de Alwis is minister at the migrants leave their countries and who should Methodist Church's Howick Pakuranga Parish. 6 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2012 HONES T TO GOD By Ian Harris NEWS AND VIEWS An oasis for the rich or the People's God of cancer Republic of Christchurch? English Bishop John Yet even in them, John By Mary Richardson Corporation favoured elitist luxury development over Robinson once shocked people Robinson insists, we may Last month the Government announced the affordable housing and created friction between the establishment of the Christchurch Central old Docklands inhabitants and the new arrivals. attending the funeral of a 16- experience God. There can be Development Unit. This Unit will now lead the rebuild Homelessness reportedly increased more than 300 year-old Yorkshire girl who victory through the way the of central Christchurch. In launching the Unit, percent during the development (compared to a 74 had died of sufferers and those Minister Gerry Brownlee acknowledged the percent rise in inner London) and unemployment rose cancer when he around them “extensive and democratic exercise”, which produced to twice the average - with any new jobs largely filled told them: “God respond. the Central City Plan and “the thousands of by people travelling from outside the area. The is to be found in Call it a victory Canterbury people who gave their time, ideas and Docklands has some of the most striking examples commitment to the plan”. of disparities in Britain. the cancer as of the human spirit However, this new Unit signals an end to any Reports on the Lower Manhattan Development much as in the if you wish - the democratic process and our vision of a better city. Corporation indicate that inequitable distribution of sunset.” human is the only Our time was wasted. resources benefited the redevelopment of large Anyone who vehicle for what The Christchurch Central Development Unit's businesses, prominent firms, and luxury housing. is suffering from has been website identifies that it will be basing its approach Those most in need - low and moderate income earners cancer, or who Ian Harris traditionally on international examples of redevelopment and and the unemployed or underemployed - were rejuvenation, namely Solidere - Beirut Central District; neglected. The Corporation was given the power to has watched desperately as a identified as divine. What London Docklands Development Corporation and make decisions with “minimum democratic oversight loved child or parent, relative matters is the victory. Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. and with maximum legal circumvention.” The initial or friend has slowly succumbed As John Robinson says of All three of these developments are notable for LMDC board was dominated by a group of to the disease, will recoil at the cancer and calamity, “Love is creating striking disparities, gentrification and capital businessmen and chaired by the ex-director of thought. It seems to suggest there to be met, responded to accumulation by a few. Rich national and international Goldman-Sachs. investors dominated development and created what We deserve better! This is not what the people of that God, who is supposed to and created through them and has been called 'a pervasive politics of exclusion'. All Christchurch have asked for. be good, is the cause of their out of them. Literally three developments have been criticized for their lack We want a city where all people matter, including suffering and grief. everything can be taken up and of transparency and accountability to the public. those who lack economic resources. A city where The idea that God causes or transformed rather than allowed Solidere, for example, created an oasis for the small business can flourish and where there is a focus allows cancer is not surprising. to build up into dark patches of privileged which had little relationship to its context. on community concerns about jobs and housing. We For many people it is the loveless resentment and It generated profits for elites with scant regard to the want citizen participation in the planning and running public interest or the primary stakeholders: the people of our city and our communities. flipside of the church's senseless futility. This is the of Beirut. We will not prosper long if our city favours only insistence that God is all- saving grace: God is not outside Instead of returning the displaced to their homes, the prosperous. The success of our economy has powerful, which carries the evil any more than he is outside Solidere contributed to the displacement of the original always depended not just on the size of our GDP but implication that if God wanted anything else... The promise is inhabitants of the city centre. Middle-class residents on the reach of our prosperity and on our ability to to protect a person from cancer that he will be in all, as love." were excluded; marginal groups disempowered, and extend opportunity to everyone, not out of charity but decision-making powers rested with rich investors. because it is the surest route to our common good. or prevent it from developing, Anyone looking for Solidere became a gleaming centre surrounded by We want a city where the ideals of equality can he would have. It is the transcendence need seek no neglected slums. Outside the ultramodern downtown become a reality and everyone can live with dignity unspoken assumption behind further. Transcendence does not core much of Beirut lacked basic infrastructure, and respect - a city that reflects the values, care and the questions: “Why me? What require a supernatural world, including electricity and public transport, and many commitment of ordinary New Zealanders. has she done to deserve this?” volumes of metaphysical buildings remained unrepaired. Mary Richardson is the Executive Director of the Their sense of speculation and an army of Similarly, the London Docklands Development Christchurch Methodist Mission. bewilderment and betrayal is learned interpreters. It is understandable. However, the experienced wherever love is idea of God's supposed allowed to get the upper hand. Awareness comes first almightiness is not at all useful It may not cure the cancer but By Mark Gibson up their on-farm effluent management practices we in circumstances such as this. it heals inwardly. I believe many of the problems we face as a won't really know if this is the case unless we have It leads to the irrefutable Mother Teresa showed that society are due not to apathy, as some claim, but a a close relationship with a river that flows through a lack of awareness. dairying district. There is no substitute for talking to proposition, based on the in her care for the poor dying The consumerist culture we inhabit conditions us those who know from personal experience what is evidence of evil, calamity and in the streets of Calcutta. An to switch off from reality. We are constantly trained going on, or actually finding out for ourselves. disease all around us, that if Australian father, Sandy to embrace one-off experiences but not to look for It is not difficult to find seriously polluted God is almighty he/she cannot MacGregor, showed it when he connections or understand what is going on in the big waterways in Canterbury, or to notice just how little be good, and if he is good he reached the point where he picture. flow many of them have. cannot be almighty. He cannot could meet the drug-crazed Awareness is fundamental to changing the way If you really want to know what is happening with things are, so those opposed to change invest much be both at once. schizophrenic who in 1987 shot the Rakaia river talk to the people who live at the It is necessary to move right dead his three daughters and in undermining our ability to be fully aware or dividing mouth. They will tell of how the lack of flow is those who are aware from those who are not. affecting the coastline. away from views that assume say: “I unconditionally forgive The climate change debate is an example of this. Hydraulic fracking is the corporate rape of the God is a being with an you.” In less dramatic ways it The people who are most aware of what is going on land and water-systems to extract carbon-based fuels. independent existence in some happens day in, day out in every are those who live on small coral islands, river deltas, To practice it requires a high-level of denial about the supernatural world of his own, community. or the Arctic ice cap but they lack the means to tell impact, and this is only possible because those who calling the shots and For traditional Christians, their story. Therefore the ordinary people in do it are dissociated from the natural world. They intervening at will to decide that is God at work. Others, Christchurch or Mendoza or Houston seldom get to have no sense of close relationship with it so are cut- hear it. who will die of cancer and who shying away from supernatural off from the sheer violence of what they are doing. will be spared. projections, may prefer to see Our media would rather tell us the story of a The way to counter this dissociation and violence celebrity marriage break-up than the story of an Inuit is to be better connected ourselves. It is seek to reduce Such an idea was light years it as evidence of Godness in a family having to change their traditional way of life our own detachment from creation and increase our away from John Robinson's secular world. Still others may to survive. direct awareness and experience. mind when he spoke at that affirm it as a triumph of the We are discouraged from hearing these stories, so funeral in Yorkshire, as he made human spirit, without any when we have our own experiences of unprecedented Better connected, we will be stronger to bring wild weather, we don't make the connections or join about the change and healing that is needed. clear at the time. He did not religious reference at all. the dots. We are simply left with the sense that we There are many, myself included, who believe we mean that God was in the Whichever, the attitude and the were unlucky to cop a big storm. live in apocalyptic times in terms of the human war cancer by sending it or action matter more than the I doubt very much whether any serious thought is on nature. We need to be alert and deepen our intending it - any more than interpretation and the labels. going into the connection between the floods in Nelson awareness. Such awareness comes not just from reading articles on the Internet but by increasing the one could say that God intended There is no question where and Australia earlier this year, and the killer tornadoes or “allowed” people to die in wholeness and inner healing in the midwest of the States, and the severe drought depth and breadth of our own direct experience. in Portugal. The crises in all these places are seen as Fostering greater awareness requires a spiritual recent road crashes, drownings, lie, whatever the outcome of isolated and unfortunate. commitment, and such disciplined practice was taught or the Christchurch earthquake. the cancer. All of this is accentuated because our Western, by Jesus and other spiritual teachers and traditions. That, he says, would make of In 1983, two years after urbanized way of life cuts us off from the natural We cannot simply leave it to scientists to tell us God a very devil. speaking at the funeral of that world. We are vulnerable to manipulation and oil what is going on because this makes us lazy and What he meant was that Yorkshire girl, John Robinson dependent. We need to take greater responsibility for company propaganda because our personal first-hand cancer is part of the stuff of life. was himself diagnosed as our own awareness and become better informed experience of natural habitats is minimal. There is no grand purpose or having an inoperable cancer. It For example, the fracking issue has fallen into a through our own senses. Jesus often encouraged people confusing debate about science. It is critical that we to use their ears and eyes. It is always a good place intention in its ravages. Like took him beyond the theory; hear directly from communities who have been badly to start! earthquakes, tsunamis and but his last writings make it affected by this brutal method of extracting oil and This essay originally appeared in the River of unforeseen personal tragedies, clear that for him, too, God was gas. Life's 'Confluence' newsletter. To receive Confluence, it strikes apparently at random. to be found in the cancer. If the dairy industry tells us that they have cleaned email [email protected]. TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2012 7 NEWS AND VIEWS

GREG HUGHS ON REFLECTS Perseverance and Pentecost ON JOHN 15 Our lectionary readings for May are fruit (good outcomes) either, unless we other as I have loved you. You did not things he did. full of encouragement to persevere. In stay joined spiritually to Jesus. choose me; I chose you and sent you out Jesus reassures us that he will send the John 15 we are exhorted by the author An emerging Trinitarian theology can to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will Holy Spirit, Te Wairua Tapu, who will to stay connected with Jesus, to remain be discerned in John's gospel and in the last. So I command you to love each other.” show us what is true. The Holy Spirit will in relationship with him, and not to give book of Acts. The author of John's gospel In the end, the Christian life is all about be sent to guide us into the full truth. On up. affirms that Jesus Christ is the source of experiencing God's love, loving God back, Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the This teaching acknowledges the reality our Christian capacity to love and care for and drawing on God's love to enable us bestowal of the Holy Spirit and the birth of one temptation we constantly face as others. In John 15: 9-17 Jesus declares to keep on loving each other, to keep on of the Christian Church. Christians, which is to lose our connection that he has loved us just as strongly and caring for creation and to keep on working As we move towards the celebration with the One who nurtures, guides, effectively as his father has loved him, for peace and justice. of Pentecost this year, may we remain empowers and protects us. with the same divine quality of care that Another way of describing this John 15: 1-8 presents us with vine and inspires, guides and enables love to be put 'spiritual enabling' is to use overtly spiritual connected to Jesus, and become more open branches imagery. Jesus is like a vine, and into action. language. In John 15: 26-27 Jesus shares to the influence of God and the power of we can think of ourselves as being like Jesus encourages us to continue to be with us that he will send us the spirit “who God's loving spirit. May we persevere in branches connected to him. If we stay obedient to him, to continue to love, to comes from the Father and shows what is goodness for, as John writes, followers of joined to Jesus, he will stay joined to us. keep on loving just as his father keeps on true.” The Spirit, Jesus tells us, will help Jesus are people who have been chosen, Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless loving him. Jesus declares “So remain us. Then we will be empowered to tell and sent out with the capacity to produce it is joined to the vine, we cannot produce faithful to my love for you. Love each others about Jesus and to do the sort of fruit, the kind of fruit that will last.

CONNECTIONS

Time for a good dose of old time Methodism By Jim Stuart Recently an people. Methodists gathered clothes for because they do not care to know; they people called Methodists to address the article in the the poor, they established orphanages and keep out the way of knowing it; and then poverty of their time. However, the task Christchurch Press schools, set up free medical clinics and plead their voluntary ignorance as an facing us today is how to incorporate these reported that the shared their resources. In the cold and excuse for their hardness of heart.” same principles into the life of the Church, 'growth industry' damp English winters, it was not Wesley developed principles and a stand alongside the poor and break down of New Zealand is uncommon to encounter Methodists programme that enabled Methodist the social and political policies that poverty. According standing on the street corners of cities and societies to address poverty. Compassion continue to make and keep people poor. to social scientist, villages literally begging for the poor! was at the heart his mission. His motto Wesley reminds us that as Jesus “went Prof Darrin Hodgetts, poverty in New The Church cannot afford to remain was: Put yourself in the place of every about doing good, so too, Christians are Zealand is growing at three times the silent and acquiescent any longer. At stake poor person and deal with him/her as you called to tread in Jesus' footsteps”. To Organisation for Economic Cooperation is not only its future as a relevant institution would God should deal with you. which he adds the timely observation, “A and Development (OECD) average. He in New Zealand society but also, more To do this the people called Methodists Christian feeds the hungry, clothes the points out that the OECD is pretty importantly, the integrity of its Christian were first, expected to help each other; conservative! From being one of the most witness in an increasingly divided and second, to include everyone from the top naked, helps the fatherless and stranger, equitable societies in the world, in terms alienated society. to the bottom of the economic scale; third visits the sick and those in prison and of income distribution, New Zealand is Wesley once observed, “One great to be responsible for assisting anyone in gives all his goods to feed the poor,” rapidly becoming one of the worst. reason why the rich in general have so need, and fourth to remember that the (Letters Vol VI:292). The Methodist Church has for the most little sympathy for the poor is, because primary goal of the people called The growing gap between rich and part remained quiet about this. But poverty they so seldom visit them. Hence it is, Methodists was to live out the life of Christ poor is a call to action for Christians cannot be addressed by silence. One of that, according to the common observation, in their communities. concerned to make real the love of God. the hallmarks of early Methodism was its one part of the world does not know what Community, inclusion, responsibility, It is time for a good dose of old time commitment to and its work with poor others suffer. Many of them do not know, compassion - these principles enabled the Methodism!

Many ways to work together By Lyndsay Jacobs, Standing Committee. Many local churches are facing the proceeds from the sale of these achieved without forming a national Uniting Congregations financial pressure these days. The properties could be used to build one cooperating parish. Partner churches (UCANZ) office of the partner cost of full time ministry and new safe and insurable building that (Anglican, Christian, Congregational churches for help. Executive officer dramatic rises in insurance costs are several local churches can share. Union, Methodist and Presbyterian) two items in particular putting There is no need to form a single can draw up a shared ministry Rev Peter MacKenzie, pressure on budgets. Many churches cooperating parish to achieve this agreement to meet local needs. ([email protected]) can share are also facing (or trying hard to goal (though There are examples with you and help you to avoid) major costs in bringing their you may wish many other develop an answer for your situation. to). A joint variations of buildings up to code. You may have an active Joint Following the Canterbury use (or shared cooperation earthquakes we are recognising that ownership) too. For Regional Committee that could even if local authorities are not agreement for example provide guidance. demanding improvements, we face a the new covenants can Of course we should not be moral challenge if we invite people building can be drawn up working together just because we be drawn up. for one into potentially dangerous buildings. can't afford to maintain our Within denominations some local A new denomination churches are merging but that is not building can to look after independence or because our possible when congregations are be built to all members congregations are growing smaller. isolated. It often makes more sense - meet the contemporary needs of of partner churches in an area. Let's recognise that we are called especially in this post-denominational churches that are often very different Agreements can go beyond partner through our common allegiance to from those built in the past. churches. age - to share with neighbouring Jesus Christ to understand that we churches. A joint use agreement could be There are Cooperative Ventures For example, neighbouring drawn up also for more than one local throughout New Zealand. If you feel are his One Body in this world today. churches can agree to share buildings. church to use an existing building. that cooperation may be a pragmatic We preach a message of reconciliation If buildings are too costly to upgrade, Sharing ministry can also be way forward in your area, ask the and we must practise what we preach. Trinity College Council Dr David Bell Dr David

Max Thomson Excellence in governance Dr Arapera Ngaha Eleni Drodrolagi Meeting international standards Education for theology by design Nicola Grundy David McGeorge David Dr Susan Thompson Dr Susan Integrity, commitment and vision Trends in Higher Education I recently attended the Higher Education Its use of both open-source software and Is Aflame, remain constant. Trinity College Summit and Expo in Auckland. This is the proprietary solutions is second to none. Council’s investment into the new Maori second time I have been able to attend this Studies programme, the Spirituality Centre important meeting. There were keynote A few may want to question this direction, at Wellspring and its associated courses, and speeches from the Minister and Ministry but the fact of the matter is that any institution the designed-for-Pasifika papers, has given of Education, the Universities, Polytechnics that doesn’t make full use of what is now a rich return. There has been a revival of and Private Training Establishments, PTEs. the norm in internationalised education, is interest in doing theology in a Methodist irrelevant and useless to its students. mode, across the whole church. This has Colin Dawson, Chief Executive Officer, been made possible by some very hard Otago Innovation, asked us, “Try to imagine In reality, the lay education programme of work, very long term planning, along with 5 years from now: Trinity College, located in Wellington 2006- commitment to change and up-skill, on the t
Connectivity is changing everything 8, had already begun to explore blended part of staff and students who love learning. t
Confluences, integration of technology learning options. Today, what Trinity t
Think deeply about solutions College has become in terms of IT is no Trinity College remains the smallest funded t
Try to anticipate more or less than what any tertiary provider PTE in New Zealand. That will not change. t
Be agnostic regarding sources of has had to become. But with the renewal of lay education solutions through LiMS, the scale of opportunity is t
Integrate existing and new” Any adult learner who has experienced much more tangible. The future of Trinity contemporary teaching and learning will College to 2020 looks even more exciting, Sound advice, indeed. One key feature that not, in all likelihood, ever contemplate a from every perspective. Learning through has characterised Trinity College since 2009 return to the past. We now live and learn and Trinity College programmes will help has been serious time and human resource work in a connected world. It is an abiding resource the Connexion at every level into investment in IT. This has enabled a ‘best change, yet the values of Trinity College, the foreseeable future. practice’ blended learning system to emerge. summed up by its motto, Where The Spirit David Bell, Principal The NEW Lead Worship One LW101 is the most popular Trinity College course, and is now in its seventh year. It has been completely revised and integrated with tcol classrooms for 2012. This means Lead Worship One is taught as a blended learning programme with a local tutor and has online resourcing for wider forum discussion and assignment follow-up. Trinity College Council is pleased to be able to announce the official launch of the Alumni The new topics are: Association. The inaugural members are 1. Introduction the 2012 graduates, and during the month 2. Leadership and worship of May, all former graduates recorded in the 3. Theology, language, images of God 2011 Conference minutes will be contacted 4. Prayers in worship Which Book? regarding membership. 5. Music in worship 6. Creative worship Too many choices? Membership is optional, of course, and free. There are distinct advantages in belonging, 7. Young people at worship Too much reading to do? Too little time? not the least being access into both tcol 8. Pastoral care and worship classrooms and Mahara for social networking. An annual Alumni magazine will also be a Yet, yet still wanting to Many people who complete Lead Worship One find that it is as far as feature of interest, along with Which Book, the they want to go. Some others, however, want to move on to become keep up with reading, re- flecting, reviewing, thinking, tcol book club. registered lay preachers, and beyond, right up to the point of candidating discussing, debating and for ministry. All the Lead Worship courses therefore have credit points working through webinars Normally, Alumni groups are fund-raisers within the Licentiate of Ministry Studies, LiMS. to keep up with some of the for their institutions. This function has, latest titles in theology? however, been specifically allocated to the A co-requisite Intensive to complete the Worship Leader’s Certificate is If you are an alumni or twin organisation, Friends of Trinity College. SD103, The spirituality of a worship leader and preacher. This one day enrolled in any tcol unit, you Alumni may choose to also belong to the Intensive can also be taken as a single course, or be a stepping-stone into can join the online bookclub Friends. Friends of Trinity College has an open other spirituality courses run from Wellspring-at-Waiake. with its dedicated online membership. Its focus is on planned giving, forums. fund raising and bequests. Like the Alumni Association it has access to tcol classrooms You can go on to be registered with the New Zealand Lay Preachers Keep up with the play. Association, NZLPA by following though with two more papers in a Keep reading. and Mahara. Interested in joining the Friends of Trinity College? Go to second year of study. Anyone who decides to candidate for ministry will Keep learning. www.tcol.ac.nz Join Which Book? normally have been registered with NZLPA. tcoltrinity methodist theological college online Te ha o te hihi karoa!

Block courses, November 2011 Congratulations! Graduates 2012 Dale David Diploma in Practical Theology, NZQA level 6. t
Suresh Chandra t
Nehilofi E-Moala-Aholelei t
Sunia Haunga Hosea Makeleta t
David Palelei t
Dale Peach (in absentia) t
Makeleta Tuuhoko

Nehilofi Sunia Trinity Methodist Theological College Licentiate in Ministry Studies t
Suresh Chandra t
Hosea Tupou

Suresh Tevita Trinity Methodist Theological College Certificate Programme Trinity College Operational Scale t
Tevita Finau The scale and operational size of Trinity normalization of outcomes, is, however, a candidates and very significant numbers of College may surprise some people who major undertaking. Programme content is lay students. Currently there are 276 users haven’t been following its activities in the continuously monitored and improved. in tcol, enrolled in around 450 papers. recent times. Altogether this represents some 50 FTEs, The integration of cloud computing systems but the TEC funds only 5 places. The actual With the exceptional uptake into the LiMS to include Wisenet, Mahara, Moodle and FTE numbers will rise during the remainder programme, over the last three years, Connect has resulted in an online resourcing of the year. Various Intensives will come on Trinity College now operates with a climate environment which provides a rich blended stream. Note: the educational demographics of confidence. To maintain quality, and learning experience for full-time ministry will be published for August Synods. 10 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2012 CARING FOR CREATION Networking builds wakas for River of Life Mark Gibson says his work with River of networking on-line or through these activities. Life has prompted him to become an avid Often I have heard of them or they have heard networker both in the community and through of me before we have met. I have even social media such as Facebook. connected to people who are prominent in eco “I am constantly sharing ideas and meeting theology overseas. people. These initiatives have brought some “It feels like River of Life and the Avon church people out into the community, and River Park have created a whole new vice versa, individuals working with the Avon congregation. We don't sit down and do the River Park project have heard about River of conventional Methodist thing but there is Life and now receive our newsletter. genuine spirituality in the work we are doing. “We promote our events on-line through “Our community has been through real cyberspace, and then we connect up with trauma and there are plenty of divisions. But people when we get together outside of when we address the issues of the river people cyberspace. I have met a number of movers light up. It is very exciting. We are generating and shakers in the ecological movement by real spiritual heat.”

Methodist President John Roberts signs the Avon River Park petition during a pastoral visit to New Brighton Union parish in November 2011. Wave of support buoys proposal for Avon River Park One of the most inspiring visions favour remediation of red zone land River of Life members setting out to walk the Avon-Otakaro River. to emerge from the mud and rubble for future subdivision and housing to of the Christchurch earthquakes is a gain an economic return for the publically owned park that stretches government. from the city to the sea along the “We realise he and the government banks of the Avon-Otakaro River. are still up to their eyeballs in delicate Leave a It a vision that has popular support insurance negotiations. We just among the city's residents and has also continue building community been endorsed by some pillars of the momentum for the park and will be Lasting establishment. building a strong case to show that the Petitions with nearly 19,000 economic, ecological, social and signatures calling for the creation of spiritual value of the park will be Legacy the park were set to be brought to considerable. Out east we see this Wellington and presented on the steps vision as central to our recovery and of Parliament on May 1st. “The greatest use of life is to spend it resurrection. The Methodist ecological initiative “New groups are joining us all the for something that will outlast it.” River of Life is a founding member time. The Lower Avon Heritage Group William James of the Avon-Otakaro Network (AvON) has signed on and wants to see a that is pushing for the residential red heritage trail along the river. They are zone lands to be made into an now compiling an asset register to ecological and recreational reserve. inform the Canterbury Earthquake • A bequest to the Methodist Mission Aoteoroa AvON says it wants to turn the Recovery Authority about what things is an investment in the future. tragedy of the earthquakes into an need to be preserved when the land is opportunity, the polluted river into a cleared. • A bequest enables the Methodist Mission, in vibrant waterway, and exhaustion and “Sporting groups are also catching partnership with your legacy, to provide despair into hope and inspiration. the vision. Rowers want to see a venue opportunities for change and social justice River of Life's Rev Mark Gibson where major regattas could be held, within our community. is AvON co-chair and he says the Avon River Park proposal is constantly and the river park would be the ideal • A bequest in conjunction with the Methodist evolving. Seeding money from place to hold the Christchurch Marathon.” Mission ensures that the tradition, integrity, Methodist Church's President’s Mark is one of the organisers of security and practical strengths of the Earthquake Fund helped get the network off the ground and now more the petition to create the park. Before Methodist Movement will work in conjunction organisations and individuals are going to Wellington the bound petitions with your gift and your memory. endorsing its vision and signing its will be blessed at Shag Rock by charter. Christchurch City councillors Rev Glenn Livingstone and Rev Peter To ensure your legacy lasts longer The charter says AvON will work with iwi to ensure cultural values are Beck. It will then travel by various than footprints in the sand, contact; included in the development of the means (including the Methodist Michael Greer river park, and development of the Harriers) along the Avon River and 12A Stuart Street park will create a corridor of out to Christchurch airport. Levin 5510 indigenous habitat along the river and Christchurch East MP Lianne Phone 06 368 0386 • Mobile 021 632 716 estuary to enhance water quality and Dalziel will sponsor the petition in biodiversity. Parliament. She and Christchurch [email protected] Mark says Earthquake Recovery Green MP Eugene Sage will receive Minister Gerry Brownlee seems to the petitions on the steps of Parliament. TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2012 11 CARING FOR CREATION Biblical values spur anti 'fracking' initiative A former pastor economic benefits. taken a page from the playbook of the anti- minority it is a threat to humanity and the played an instrumental Energy companies nuclear movement and are pushing to start environment because they will exploit every role in getting have been carrying out a popular groundswell starting with local last bit of nature to maintain their Christchurch City exploratory fracking in communities. advantage.” Council to pass a motion Taranaki for the past Motions to first place a moratorium on Paul says fracking technology has been declaring the city a decade. The Taranaki fracking and ban it entirely in Christchurch around for decades but only in the last fracking-free zone. Regional Council has originated with the Spreydon-Heathcote decade have the economics of it stacked Fracking, or hydraulic released reports saying Community Board. The community board up. Recently a new way of fracking has fracturing, is a the practice does not member who introduced the proposals was been developed in which wells are dug controversial mining contaminate Paul McMahon. horizontally. Horizontal fracking is more technique used to extract groundwater or create Paul is a former pastor at Opawa Baptist effective but has more potential to pollute natural methane gas from seismic activity. Church and he says his environmental groundwater. coal and shale seams. To Some states - e.g., concerns are the product of his Biblical Other district councils in Canterbury collect the gas millions of France, Bulgaria and understanding of creation. have now also taken steps to freeze or ban litres of water mixed with New South Wales - “My Christian vision links justice to sand and chemicals are have banned fracking beauty. Nature is beautiful in and of itself, fracking. Kaikoura District Council has pumped down a well. and opposition to it is not by virtue of what we can extract from followed Christchurch's lead and declared This fluid moves through Paul McMahon. growing around New it,” Paul says. itself fracking-free. tiny fissures in the rock, fracturing it open. Zealand. On April 12th, Christchurch “Because we are made in God's image, The Waimakariri and Hurunui District Gas is released as result and it is collected declared itself the country's first fracking- humans have a responsibility to cultivate Councils have imposed a moratorium on back up the well. free area. and act as stewards of creation. This does fracking. Like other territorial bodies, they Those opposed to fracking say the toxic While the move is largely symbolic, not mean we should exploit it. The greatest are waiting to see the results of an official chemicals use to release the gas can infiltrate Christchurch city limits do encompass the sin is greed because it is idolatry, the worship investigation by the Parliamentary aquifers either during the process or after whole of Banks Peninsula, and the motion of things. Commissioner for the Environment on the it has been extracted and stored. Fracking that put the ban in place also requires the 'If we believe Jesus died to take away practice. is also associated with an increase in Council to call on other local authorities sin, we have to recognise the danger of Commissioner for the Environment Dr earthquake activity. and regional councils to declare their areas greed and the concentration of wealth and Jan Wright says she and her staff are now Proponents of the practice downplay its fracking-free. power in the hands of a small minority of investigating fracking and intend to table a environmental impact and stress its Those who want to ban fracking have people. When wealth is controlled by a report to Parliament by the end of the year. Can we mine and Technology up-grade

By Betsan Martin, Public Questions co-ordinator for altar bread bakery Publicmind Questions hascreation? been currently excluded under the Things parishes For around 30 years communion maintain supplies to existing having discussions on Crown Minerals Act. Possible hosts have been manufactured by customers, it has been necessary to environmental and changes include greater access can do: people with an intellectual disability import hosts in the interim. community wellbeing. One of to minerals and greater power • Check at your Local or in a partnership between St Vincent This led to redundancies amongst the topics we have looked at to the Minister so Parliament Regional Council to see if de Paul Society Wellington and IDEA staff who were primarily involved is mining policy. would not have to be consulted there are plans for prospecting, services (formerly IHC). with sorting the hosts. Seven staff will high impact exploration Hosts were made for the Society continue to produce the large hosts. As the government and the on changes to regulations. by two Sisters, who were keen to work At a special morning tea to mark nation discuss changes in Environmental interests have (which could mean a road or motorway) or mining in your in the community, and so an their contribution to the altar bread mining policy, we as the not been included in the terms region. arrangement was made between the department, John presented the five Church must keep in mind our of the review. • Get involved with Christian Society and IHC. From the original departing staff with a certificate of mission to care for the integrity A new act will provide team Paul Heyes appreciation. envionmental stewardship. of creation. regulations for New Zealand's and Victor Wilson “All the staff You can contact A Rocha in It is important to keep in Exclusive Economic Zone are still working loved working at Aotearoa. A Rocha is a mind that safeguarding the (which extends up to 200 in the altar bread St Vincent de worldwide Christian wellsprings of life in the land nautical miles), our continental department. Paul's. They were Conservation and ecology The current proud to have a and sea does not mean no use. shelf, and seabed mining. network. There are A Rocha altar bread baking job and worked Our guiding principles should Conservation groups such as groups in Auckland, Waikato, and cutting hard. The team be to respect nature's ecology, World Wildlife Fund for Palmerston North, Wellington, machines have was like a second honour God the creator and Nature, and Forest and Bird Christchurch and Dunedin, and reached the end family. Each day the spiritual power of nature, say the review has not paid they have a small office in of their the latest sports remember our dependence on adequate attention to Hamilton. Email productive lives, news and TV forcing changes John Rossbotham (left) presents a certificate soaps would be nature's provision, and ensure protecting the environment and [email protected] or of appreciation to Brian Rogers who is leaving that damage done while marine life from events such to the workforce. the altar bread manufacturing operation. reviewed. Each visit www.arocha.org/nz-en. St Vincent de one of them made extracting resources is oil spills in the review. • Sign up for EcoLink, the remedied. International companies Paul manager John Rossbotham says their own mark, and will be sadly newsletter of Environment and the machines are more than 40 years The tension between Rio Tinto and Newmont missed,” says Vona Edwards, who Conservation Organizations old. “We have kept them going with resource extraction to maintain (Waihi Gold), and the Coal supervises the altar bread staff. (ECO). ECO is an umbrella, Kiwi ingenuity but they are now at John says once the new equipment economic growth and the need Association of NZ have made and EcoLink has excellent the end of their productive lives.” is fully operational, production will to adjust to an economy of submissions in favour of articles on environmental The Society is determined to increase. “We will seek to extend our stewardship is right before us opening up land. Waihi Gold issues and policy continue this special work and new customer base with the new improved in the issue of mining policies. was granted a prospecting developments in Aotearoa NZ machinery has been ordered from hosts, and as this happens, we expect Minerals, gas and petroleum license in January 2012 for and internationally. The March Italy, at a cost of $150,000. The new to be able to take on additional staff,” are part of nature's wellsprings, 222sq km of land in the issue featured news on machines will not be fully commissioned until early 2013 so to he says. yet our use of them can pollute Coromandel. Antarctica and mining. See land and waterways, and is a The objective for www.eco.org.nz. major cause of climate change. reviewing the Crown Minerals • Watch out for public As the Government seeks Act is to make business and meetings on fracking, an St Vincent de Paul Society Wellington Area A cup of water given in my name - The hand of Christ blesses the cup to grow the economy and investment attractive. Investors environmentally harmful The hand of love offers the cup - The hand of suffering receives the cup reduce our debt there is a push want to make all Crown land, method of gas extraction. The People Helping People for opening up land and ocean including Conservation film 'Gaslands' describes for oil and mineral exploration. land,available for mining. fracking. Our altar bread operation is a special work of the Society. This year a massive 40,000 sq The Minister of • Join Climate Justice, a The breads are baked and packaged with love by persons km of seafloor and land have Conservation can refuse with an intellectual disability who are employed by the collective committed to Society. been opened up for exploration approval for mining that advancing social and and prospecting. impacts on land and vegetation ecological justice with groups Contact us to order regular or one off supplies

Government is conducting with conservation values. in many parts of Aotearoa. See Ozanam House 207 Riddiford Street, Newtown P O Box 7319 Wellington 6242 New Zealand a review with an eye towards Industry wants this power www.climatejusticeaotearoa Phone 04-389 7122 FAX 04-389 7129 [email protected] www.vinnies-wellington.org.nz Charities Commission registration CC36604 opening up land and sea removed. .org. 12 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2012 NEWS Tongan women eye new economic opportunities Christian World Service says work done registered women's groups in the outer for home visits, and the developing water and to engage women's groups in by the Ama Takiloa Village Women's islands, plus three new ones in Tongatapu. traditional sites as tourist attractions. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Development network will help Tongan It aims to provide Tongan solutions to There are two other key areas of (DRRM). people in many ways. issues people face, particularly in rural areas. emphasis in the programme based on The DRRM emphasis comes from a The network gets support from CWS Many in the outer islands struggle with discussions between Ama Takiloa members realisation that climate change and natural and next year it will receive added support access to the main markets in Tongatapu, and CWS. They are to improve health disasters impact particularly hard on women as the joint special project for Methodist and throughout Tonga, many live in low through access to good quality drinking and children. and Presbyterian women. standard housing. The programme aims to improve health Nearly a quarter of the population lives and increase food security, self-sufficiency below the poverty line and this means limited and incomes by strengthening Ama Takiloa access to potable water and related health in Tongatapu and the four outer island groups problems. of 'Eua, Ha'apai, Vava'u ad Niuas. People rely heavily on their self- It will do this by providing training and sufficiency in food production, and sell support groups to Ama Takiloa groups on surplus goods and services to earn cash sanitation, and water supply, family nutrition, income for extra purchases, including power and organic vegetable gardening. and water. Other initiatives include home based Many families rely on remittances from piggery and poultry, income generation, family members living abroad and this can budgeting, small business development, cause inequality and dependence in some credit unions and building on traditional communities. skills in making tapa and fine mats. Youth employment is also a concern and Getting prepared to face environmental the programme has been designed to include disaster will also be part the programmes. young people in activities and training The collective end result of the wherever possible. programmes is planned to be better living Ama Takiloa has been crafted to build conditions in traditional Tongan villages. It skills and create opportunities to take part can also help prepare people to manage in monetary economic activity. small scale tourism if they wish to do so. This includes better ways to market The Ama Takiloa network is run by the goods and engage with the growing tourism Tonga Development Trust and includes 236 market. This can include families returning Traditional gardens could be put to new uses in the Ama Takiloa development project. Fair Trade makes a real difference

Christian World Service is inviting farmers with a fair return for growing you to support this year's Fair Trade coffee and other foods that we eat is Fortnight from May 5th to 20th. Fair what fair trade seeks to guarantee. Trade Fortnight is a celebration of Shoppers have become increasingly shopping to make a difference. aware of the ethical dimension in the There is a growing awareness of the choices they make. difference that shopping fair trade can For many decades Trade Aid has make for vulnerable farmers and their built a market for goods that pay a fair families. Events are planned throughout price without exploitation. In recent the country, in local Trade Aid shops years the Fairtrade label has come into and through the general media to prominence as a guarantee to consumers highlight the that the goods that benefits of fair carry it are trade. More independently All children products are checked against available as the international are born with market continues standards to show to expand. they are fair. It sits hopes and Churches are alongside 16 other encouraged to host labels available in dreams. A Fair Cuppa after Australia and New By leaving a CWS you can help keep worship services, Zealand and is now legacy to s alive. and other recognised by 57 their hope resources are percent of New available from Zealanders. Return the coupon or contact CWS for more information on how to include Christian World Service in your will. CWS. Last year New Zealand sales were Name CWS jointly runs a Fair Trade over $36 million retail an increase of Church scheme with Trade Aid. The over 100 percent. CWS is one of three Address Fortnight is a reminder that Every members of Fairtrade Australia New Choice Matters - every time you City Postcode Zealand, the organisation responsible purchase a fair trade product at least Tel Email for the Fairtrade label. one of the 1.2 million producers will Further information, resources and Christian World Service receive more money plus the fair trade PO Box 22652, Christchurch 8142 premium which is used for community ideas are available from CWS, PO Box PH 0800 74 73 72, [email protected] Christian World Service is the development, justice agreed improvements. 22652, Christchurch 8140 or For more information see www.cws.org.nz & aid programme of New Zealand Churches. The challenge to provide small www.cws.org.nz. TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2012 13 REVIEWS

Creating Mandalas By Suzanne Fincher 2010 (expanded edition), Shambhala Publications, 207 pages - For Insight, Healing and Self Expression Reviewer: Alison Molineux Suzanne Fincher is a Jungian human fascination with the circle.” Carl pointed stars etc. psychotherapist and artist. This is the latest Jung saw the mandala as a representation A whole chapter is devoted to the significance of colours, of several books she has written on of the Self “the wholeness of personality, numbers, and particular common forms such as spirals, mandalas. As a long-time fan of using which if all goes well is harmonious.” triangles, and flowers. For each colour, number or form she drawing as a form of prayer, and a more Fincher suggests that, from her and offers a wide range of interpretations from a variety of recent convert to mandalas, I have certainly her clients' experience, the best time to cultures and traditions. At the same time she also encourages found them to be useful for insight, healing draw mandalas is when all is not going us to go with our own gut feeling about what they might and self-expression, as her subtitle suggests. well and we are far from harmonious. mean. For those of us who rely on words as a Drawing or colouring a mandala frees our I found the wide range of interpretation helpful when means of self-expression - and sometimes feelings and thoughts from our internal I got stuck, for the surprise of some interpretations meant self-concealment - drawing mandalas is a censor and allows them to become visible they snuck past my internal “censor” as I read, for example, wonderful way to still the dominant voice and accessible. that lots of orange in a mandala might suggest a hostile and listen to the 'still small voice' within. It The chapter I found most helpful was doesn't matter if, like me, you are no artist called “The great round of mandala forms” attitude to authority! Food for thought indeed. as it is not about perfection or even beauty and explored how our drawings express I read this book at a fairly busy “crossroads” time in but honest self-expression. where we are at present in “the dynamic my life and putting its suggestions into practice offered a This guide is a great primer on how to draw and interpret relationship between the Self and the ego that displays a spacious and welcome respite from over-thinking things. our own mandalas. Fincher is in no way dogmatic but offers natural rhythm of alternation and separation”. At times she I am reminded of the Psalmist speaking of prayer in a breadth of possibilities for how we might create them and says our mandalas reflect a serene “at-oneness” at other perhaps a similar time “You gave me room when I was in discover their multiple meanings. times there are obvious signs of an internal battle - “the distress” (Ps 4) and ending “I will lie down and sleep in She begins with some history. Humans, it seems, have dragon fight”, as this stage is aptly called. peace”. This book has proved a great adjunct to my own always drawn circles. “A Tibetan monk takes brush in hand She advises the drawer to take time to name our creation, prayer life and I recommend it as both an antidote the to begin his morning meditation: painting a traditional to identify where it fits in the “round” and also to pay busyness of life and a way for us to make room to hear circular design, A German nun experiences a vision of God attention to the colours we have used and the numbers that some of the voices from within we have been ignoring. as a fiery wheel. Each is participating in the compelling appear e.g. three branches, or five-petalled flowers, seven Review copy courtesy of Epworth Books.

By John Coats 2009, Free Press, 237 pages. Original Sinners - A New Interpretation of Genesis Reviewer: John Meredith This is a fascinating book. The author make-up and a propensity for wickedness with us throughout life. It's just the way we are. sees the stories of the first humans in the because of the disobedience of Adam and The narrator of Genesis simply tells the story. It is we Garden of Eden, Noah and the patriarchs Eve in the garden of Eden. This is often who have overlaid it with images of guilt. Later interpreters of Israel as reflecting the experience of known as The Fall. seized on the image of Eve as one who was weak and led being human. He invites readers to see In Coats' view this is “a malignant idea the man astray. This has affected attitudes to women, while themselves in these ancient characters. about human nature that has survived to In itself, this is not a new approach but shape the nature of Christianity, fuel its sexuality and sin have remained linked for centuries. the author paints vivid, imaginative pictures, darkness and colour Western civilisation's Coats writes that throughout Genesis neither God nor challenges assumptions, and draws upon his idea of itself and the world for the next human can make the other act against their will. God doesn't own experience as he unfolds the relevance 1600 years.” It has certainly created an stop Adam and Eve from eating the fruit, while none of the of the stories. industry for the church in offering human actors ever succeeds in using God to achieve their It is worth having a closer look at how absolution. own ends. Coats approaches the story of Adam and Eve. The disobedience Adam and Eve This book may easily be read from beginning to end, First, he stresses their equality as persons, displayed when they ignored God's but may also be dipped into. It covers much more than the drawing upon words used in the Hebrew text instruction not to eat the fruit of a particular Adam and Eve story and confronts readers repeatedly with and putting paid to the idea that the woman tree in the garden has been attributed to was created as helper to the man. Any idea that the text pride, arrogance or inertia, all of which have then been the exploits of characters in which we see ourselves. The supports male precedence is the product of interpretation claimed as the foundation of sin. For Coats, the story simply book is arranged in four parts with many headings that by generations of men. reflects something all of us know, that sometimes we could convey obvious content to those familiar with the Genesis He goes on to explore the doctrine of original sin, the choose to say 'No' but don't because we don't want to. stories. It's worth reading. idea that all human beings have inherited a defect in their Children know about this, and it is something that stays Review copy courtesy of Epworth Books.

Singing the Sacred By William L. Wallace 2011, World Library Publications, 36 hymns - Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs Vol. 1 Reviewed by Terry Wall The publication of Singing the Sacred hymns and songs is to say that they One hymn explores our economic crisis and asks, “Then in North America is cause for celebration. represent the wisdom of a prophetic mystic how should Christians view their wealth / And what does Bill Wallace has been writing hymns for 40 who is able to discern the presence of God God condemn? / 'Both poverty and wealth,' says God / 'Will years and has contributed marvelously to in the daily mysteries that confront us. chant Earth's requiem.'” the renewal of worship in New Zealand The hymns are prophetic in that they There are hymns and songs for the festivals of the Methodism and beyond. Here in this volume call for the church to be more aware of liturgical year. Bill locates the central element in incarnation we have the mature insight and justice and peace issues. They recognise and the cross, resurrection and Pentecost and heightens our accomplishment of this gifted poet and that, at their deepest, all the issues we awareness of how it is transforming in our context. Always theologian. encounter are spiritual in that they have there is an awareness of the mystery revealed in Jesus, Over the years Bill has held that the to do with our way of being and acting beckoning and befriending. Many hymns call for sharpest challenge that the church faces in in the world. this secular social setting is to develop a As a prophetic mystic Bill is not afraid contemplative stillness in which spiritual discoveries are spirituality that will allow us to engage with to write and sing of God employing fresh made and healing experienced. the grace of God. The spirituality proposed images, often in lyrical terms. At times These hymns will stretch the church. It is my hope that in these hymns will not require us to escape he invites us to risk letting go of all images. we will grow into singing them in the future. They enrich from this world but calls us to enter authentically into the One of the fundamental questions these hymns pose is, our understanding and our offering of heart and mind and heart of our experience. what should we be singing about in worship? Here we find soul. Throughout there is a constant expression of praise As I read the hymns that Bill offers to the wider church, references to the cosmos and the atoms that make up life. combined with the spirit of wonder, gratitude and service. some familiar but many new, I came to see that he has been There are hymns that probe environmental responsibility Here are the contours of a compelling spirituality for on a journey of discovery. The best way to describe these and others that engage with personal suffering. our future. 14 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2012 REVIEWS

ON S CREEN A film review by Steve Taylor

provoke discussion around how to buried in Easter. Love liberates, questions understand that central Christian symbol, the values, attitudes, paradigms that shape the cross. one's world. In the willingness, even unto The Hunger Games is built on death, to live differently, we find another substitution and the willingness for some world of possibility. The HUNGERto die for the peace of all.Games On screen it Rev Dr Steve Taylor is director of beggars belief. What sort of society would Missiology, Uniting College, Adelaide. sacrifice an innocent few for the sake of He writes widely in areas of mission and The Hunger Games is a deeply in an ending twisted enough to ensure many? On screen we are faced with the popular culture, including regularly at disturbing movie. The camera opens on suspense despite the seemingly inevitable moral repugnancy that is substitutionary www.emergentkiwi.org.nz. a bleak future, a life of subsistent, Hollywood style good girl wins. atonement. subservience in slavery to a wealthy Technically, the film earns four stars. Is innocent death really the best, the empire. It is well directed by Gary Ross. The acting only way that God could conceive to deal Annually, as some sort of depraved is tight, the musical score fitting, and the with human rebellion? Thankfully, even atonement ritual, 24 children are chosen scenes are a dramatic contrast of high- the quickest flick through history is a by random ballot, to fight for life in a tech beauty, subsistence squalor and bush- reminder that substitution is only one of televised death match. Roman gladiatorial leaved prison. Conceptually, the a number of understandings of the cross style human-tertainment is repulsive dimensions of reality TV ensure this sci- held by the church. Others include enough applied to adults but to conceive fi future feels uncomfortably close to Anselm's satisfaction, Gustaf Aulen's of it for children takes a particular chilling home, while the giving of gifts by a Christ the Victor, and Abelard's moral imagination. watching TV audience evokes complex theory of atonement. The film is based on a teenage novel levels of participation in us, the watching Intriguingly, the actions of Katniss written by American television writer and film audience. provide further ways to frame novelist Suzanne Collins. The transition So what sort of role model is Katniss atonement. In a scene of tender drama, from page to screen suffers from the Everdeen? First, she is a woman. In a film Katniss loving lays white flowers on common problem, of how to express in a industry dominated by the macho and the chest of Rue, one of her dying visual medium complex written internal male, it is pleasing to watch a quick-witted competitors in the hunger games. monologue. woman emerge a star. Second, Katniss Unknown to Katniss, her care for The result is a beginning too long, embodies care and character, a willingness another, an enemy made friend, followed by a middle too short, shorn of unto “death-do-us-part,” to seek another sparks a riot among the watching. the internal dialogue that makes heroine world of possibility. Love liberates, releases a repressed Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) So what sort of mirror is the film for communal desire for freedom. intriguing. Some redemption is provided, a watching church? It should certainly This surely is the possibility WHITE SUNDAY White Sunday is a special day for the Pacific Island Communities. It is traditional for everyone to wear white clothes to church on this day. Children and youth take pride in looking their best for this is the day they lead the service, contributing to the worship with songs, dances, plays and scripture verses, learned at Sunday School or through church youth activities. Parents and elders show pride in their young people by providing a feast after the service. In European custom 'Whit (white) Sunday' was celebrated at Pentecost. There were congregational street marches and people wore white in remembrance of their baptism. White Sunday: Tongan 'Faka-Me' - First Sunday in May; Samoan 'White Sunday' - Second Sunday October. In this Bible Challenge, the first 11 clues contain the word 'white'.

Rev Ikilifi Water safety message - look

silly,One Sunday be in safeMarch, the members of the Onehunga Coordinating Parish knew that Rev Ikilifi Pope was up to something. Before the service he stood in the foyer of the church accompanied by a uniformed Coastguard official, and an ACC Injury Prevention officer. When the service started, Ikilifi moved into the Church behind the Sacred Scriptures. From the back, it looked like any normal Sunday Service. He was dressed in his clerical alb and stole. However, when he turned around to greet the congregation,

they could see he was wearing a life jacket

Esau, Samson, Hoglah; Prisca, Hebrew, Jacob, Paul, Samuel, Esther. Samuel, Paul, Jacob, Hebrew, Prisca, Hoglah; Samson, Esau, over his stole.

Bible Challenge Bible

White Sunday and Young People: Wash, teeth, dazzling, tombs, throne; horses, cloud, sins, fields, black, any; Isaac, Cain, Davi Cain, Isaac, any; black, fields, sins, cloud, horses, throne; tombs, dazzling, teeth, Wash, People: Young and Sunday White d; Eutychus, Joseph, Eutychus, d; © RMS With his sermon he asked the congregation whether he looked stupid with his life jacket. The question was greeted with laughter and giggling. Ikilifi repeated the question, “How do I look?” It was the young people who spoke up. “Yes, you look stupid,” they said. To that he explained the reason for wearing a lifejacket over his robes. “Four months ago” he explained, “four Tongan men drowned because they were on boats without wearing lifejacket. “If you think I look stupid, that is okay. I would prefer to look stupid and be alive so I can be a father to my children rather than to look good and be drowned, leaving my children without a father, and my mother without a son.” TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2012 15 REVIEWS Ngani is making a mark in League By Josh Robertson making the trip up to in an age grade Toyota Cup competition for the last two For those who don't know, the NYC Auckland from Manawatu representative rugby years in a row and competition within the Toyota Cup is the name of the National for the game. league game a couple of squad is tough. Despite having just returned Rugby League Under 20's rugby league Born and bred in years ago. from a knee reconstruction, Ngani hopes to competition which runs concurrently with Palmerston North, Ngani Taking up the contract cement a regular starting spot in the midfield the main NRL competition. The U20 teams was first selected in the has meant a move to for the remainder of the season with Junior play the curtain raiser games to their senior Palmerston North Boys Auckland for Ngani which Kiwis selection later this year another counterparts. Warriors and Kiwi players High First XV as a 4th hasn't been without its realistic goal. Kevin Locke, Russell Packer and Shaun form (Year 10) student in challenges. His ultimate goal is to make the senior 2008. Since then he went “Auckland's a big place Johnson are just a few of the players to Warriors squad one day and join the likes have graduated from the Junior Warriors on to play for the and is a lot busier than of fellow Tongan players Manu Vatuvei and in recent years. Hurricanes Schools and Palmy, I'm getting used to Another talented player who hopes to New Zealand Secondary it but it's hard being away Konrad Hurrell, who Ngani classes as role follow the same path is Ngani Laumape Schools rugby union from family, friends and models. (19) from the Palmerston North Tongan teams. In April Ngani Laumape had his church,” Ngani says. He When I asked Ngani what advice he Methodist Parish. Ngani made his debut for While his future looked debut game with the Junior currently lives with would give to other young people trying to the Junior Warriors in their Round 7 win bright in the 15-man code, Warriors rugby league team. relatives in Auckland and achieve their goals, he said “work hard, over the South Sydney Rabbitohs on April he also played rugby league having been is studying towards a Bachelor of Sports listen to your parents, go to church and don't 15th. It was a special occasion celebrated influenced by older brothers who played Science while juggling four training sessions go changing - always be yourself”. by the whole family with parents Sofilisi league. His talent was quickly identified by a week and travel to Australia every other Sound advice from a very talented young and Vesenia Taukolo and Ngani's five rugby league scouts with the Warriors, who weekend with the Junior Warriors squad. man. We wish you all the best Ngani - God siblings (four brothers and one sister) all offered him a contract after seeing him play The Junior Warriors have won the NYC bless. Poppies for

This month we look back at an event that has love people, whatever church they go to, we happened and forward to a celebration to come. would grow up in a loving world and not fight each When you read this we will have celebrated Anzac other. We made poppies to remember the Day, remembering the soldiers who gave their Australian, New Zealand and Turkish soldiers livesAnzac at Gallipoli and Day in other battles in which New who died at Anzac Cove.” Zealand soldiers have fought. Later, in May, we will celebrate Pentecost, the Some of the children at St John's, Hamilton East birthday of our church. I'd really like to hear how wrote this with their Sunday school teacher Jane you celebrate Pentecost. Send me a photo and a Napper. short story of what you did so it can be shared by everyone who reads Kidz Korna. “At church on Sunday, we learned about butterflies and how one flap of a butterfly's wing Doreen Children at Hamilton East Methodist Church made poppies for Anzac Day can change things. A loving hug today can have a E-mail me: [email protected] to remember soldiers who have died. lasting effect. Then we talked about how, if we For the PENTECOST WORDSEARCH

LEBookshelf QUESNOY The story of the town New Zealand saved Author: Glen Harper. Illustrator: Jenny Cooper Published by Puffin This book is told in the first person by a young girl who lived in the small town of Quesnoy in northern France. It tells the story of how the German army arrived at the beginning of the war and were still there four years later. The war was coming to an end and soldiers were coming to free the people. The people were afraid that their town would be destroyed in the fighting. However, New Zealand soldiers arrived and the very clever way that they saved the town became history. Can you find these words in the Pentecost Wordsearch? What I particularly liked about the story was that very small children are able to understand what BIRTHDAY, CHURCH, DAY, DISCIPLES, FIRE, FLAMES, GATHERED, happened by just looking at the illustrations. For older GOD, JESUS, LANGUAGE, LOVE, NOISE, PENTECOST, PRAYER, children there is background information and a map at the end STRANGE, STRONG WIND, TONGUES. of the book. 16 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2012 NOW AND THEN Putaruru celebrates century Early Fijian translation of of service and cooperation The Co-operating New Testament republished Methodist/Anglican Parish Church The earliest translation of the used and adopting a more literal of St Paul in Putaruru, South New Testament in the Fijian method of translation. language, published on the island of This 'London Edition', completed Waikato, will hold a celebratory Viwa in 1847, will be republished in in 1858, was considered unsatisfactory service at 10:00am on Sunday June Fiji next month. by senior missionaries and Fijian 24th. Wesleyan missionary Rev John converts. Some corrections and The Parish rejoices for three Hunt, who was in Fiji from 1839 to alterations were then made by Calvert things: its annual Patronal Festival; 1848, prepared the original translation, in an edition published in 1866. working directly from Greek into In 1902, another revision was 35 years of Methodist-Anglican Fijian. Hunt was helped by missionary prepared for the Bible Society by cooperation in the Parish, and the colleagues, with first-generation Fijian retired Qase Levu Frederick Langham. 100 years of Methodist worship and converts providing linguistic Some 70 years later, the Bible Society work in the district. assistance. in the South Pacific commissioned The Methodist presence in Three early Fijian another New Testament Methodists are known revision that largely Putaruru began in the late 1890s to have given accepted the 1902 New through home missioners from the considerable help to Testament and is the upper Thames Circuit, based in Te Hunt: Ratu Ravisa version used in today's Aroha. Travelling by horseback they Saint Pauls Co-operating Parish in Putaruru is getting ready to celebrate. (Ilaitia Varani), Adi churches. Thus the brought worship services to isolated Litia Vatea, and Noa Fijian New Testament Koroivugona. The has undergone many people on a monthly basis, often the local chemist as there was no Arapuni on the Waikato River, nine latter, after a period of changes from the gathering in private homes. parsonage. His stipend was £150 per miles west of Putaruru. Heavy theological training, original language and By 1910, Methodist ministers year. Later ministers included Rev machinery was brought to Putaruru made the most style used by John stationed at Mamaku were holding Colin Scrimgeour, who became by rail and then transported to the significant contribution. Hunt. two Sunday services a month at known as 'Uncle Scrim'. site. Better roads had to be Hunt said of Noa: The re-publication “He understands so of the John Hunt New Putaruru. Local preacher Percy In 1924 St John's Church in constructed, and this brought much of the general 19th century missionary Testament, under the Rushton was also on the preaching Putaruru was granted independent employment. The churches were meaning of Scripture John Hunt wrote the first guidance of church plan, travelling from Morrinsville. status and the first married minister, actively caring for people with that his assistance in the Fijian translation of the New historian Dr Andrew Testament. In 1910 a layman, Mr Allan, gave Rev C Brown was appointed. Seven worship services, Sunday schools, work of translating is Thornley, is taken a quarter acre of land for a Methodist small isolated settlements were Boys' Brigade, youth clubs, and other very valuable.” Noa's Fijian associates directly from the copy held in the referred to him as 'the salt of the Mitchell Library, Sydney. Church in Putaruru. It was not built served with worship services held in activities. language' and 'a master of words'. Andrew says he is motivated “not until 1919 due to World War I. local schools or homes. Putaruru Christians have always Hunt spared no pains to secure for by an endeavour to replace the more Meanwhile, services were held in a The Gospel was also taken to enjoyed a spirit of cooperation, and the people of Fiji 'the pure precious recent editions but by the desire to town hall shared by Christians of local Maori. Deaconess Sister we will celebrate on this on 24 June and incorruptible word of the Living make available to modern readers of many denominations. The names of Nicholls and Sister Rita Snowden as we remember those who have gone God,' and his translation was described Fijian the particular idiomatic as 'a most excellent version.' He used many leaders are recorded, and their were frequent visitors, staying with before us. Waikato/Wairiki Synod language and beauty of Hunt's original descendants still live in the district. local families and carrying out regular superintendent Rev Susan Thompson the Bau dialect in his translation as it New Testament.” The publication date was more generally known throughout of 13 June 2012 is exactly 200 years Building the little St John's worship in two local pa. will lead our worship. Records and Fiji. since the birth of John Hunt; hence Methodist Church was accomplished Farming prospered once the lack photos will be on display, and we One thousand copies of Hunt's in a day. It was a community effort, of cobalt in the local soil had been will share a meal. translation were printed at Viwa. Very his New Testament also few of those original copies remain. commemorates the years of significant and a big day's work for the men, understood. During the depression To attend or get more information John Hunt died in 1848 and in the service that he and his wife Hannah who were given teas and lunches by of 1920s and 1930s the government contact: years that followed many corrections gave to Fiji. a supporting team of ladies. This sent men to plant pine trees, and a Mary Rose and alterations were made to his Andrew engaged the assistance of building is still present and still being whole new industry came into being. 2/15 Matai Crescent Tauga Vulaono as editor, and many translation. James Calvert went to used as a church! In 1923 the contracts were let for Putaruru 3411 England in 1855 and worked on a new Fijian ministers and lay people have version of the New Testament with provided commentaries on words of The first resident minister was construction of the first government Phone: 07-883-8769 the British and Foreign Bible Society, particular interest in this New Rev Walter Parker, who boarded with hydroelectric power station at [email protected] changing many words that Hunt had Testament. Kiwis helped lay foundation for noted Chinese Christian college METHODIS T ARCHIVES By Yvonne Wilkie

Church archives give us a glimpse of acceptance of the initial application enabled the continuing story of Christian witness the school to proceed to its final stage locally, nationally and world-wide. We which entailed enlarging the library and believe that by retaining and maintaining adding a new classroom. archival documents, the gospel message Funding problems once again loomed continues to be told and this was brought and threatened official registration. The home recently with a request from the Alumni came to the rescue and raised $20 Christian Church of China's (CCC) Heep 000. Unfortunately the rules changed, and Woh College in Hong Kong. full Government registration was denied Heep Woh College is celebrating its due to the religious status of the school. centennial during 2012, and staff were seeking information about its early This knockback did not deter them from beginnings. Its history is fascinating and their goal of creating a Christian Girls' confirms that the NZ Presbyterian Church's School with highest of educational work in Canton, South China from 1901 standards. to 1951 continues to bear fruit today. The Japanese invasion overtook the In an article for a Chinese publication implementation of any future building in 1947, a writer notes “The School has plans and Union Normal eventually been able to produce a distinct type of transferred its work to Macau in late 1937. personality. Some people may say Hip From then until the end of the war, the roll Woh is too religious, but fortunately it is rose to 940. Entrance to the Union Normal School for Women (renamed Heep Woh College), 1947. not too old fashioned. It really is under the By 1947 a branch of the school fine influence of the spirit of Christ. Its run by the American Presbyterian Church. premises. remained in Macau and the badly damaged motto is 'To serve, not to be served'…” These beginning years were difficult due The new school at Sai Cheun, Canton buildings at Sai Cheun had been repaired This writer gives a glowing write-up to poor accommodation and seesawing boosted the status of the Union Normal and the main school re-established along and makes mention of the Hancock- funding but the dedication of the first School and opened opportunities for with a new kindergarten in Hong Kong. Lowrey Foundation building used for the teachers provided a solid base for the school training at all levels of education. Through The euphoria of liberation did not last, Primary programme, funded by the NZ to develop. the energy of Annie Hancock, more land however, and in 1950 the School in Canton Presbyterian Church and named after one By the end of 1920 Annie Hancock and buildings were acquired and a primary was closed and in time transferred to Hong of the first teachers. was able to report that despite closures, school was established so trainee teachers Annie Hancock joined the Canton flooding and other disturbances a further could gain practical experience. Kong. Villages Mission in 1912. She was seven teachers had graduated bringing the Although space remained an issue for One of the last reports presented to the seconded onto the school staff when in overall total to 21. the school, by 1928 there were 207 pupils NZ Presbyterian Church noted, “The Home 1916 the various missions in Canton saw After painting a very grim picture of and trainees enrolled. They were taught Church will rejoice to know the Union the need to have a teacher training school the school's facilities and buildings and by 14 teachers, 11 of whom were Chinese. Normal School has become the foremost for women. the poor health and energy levels of many This growth and recognition of the Christian Girls' School in Canton…the This led to the formation of the Union students due to “old and mouldy buildings”, quality of schooling enabled the Board of influence spreads and Christ's kingdom is Normal School for Women. It absorbed she wrote that they had raised sufficient Directors to apply to the Government for being built in the hearts and minds of the the Fulton Kindergarten Normal that was funds to buy three acres of land for new registration. In 1932 the Government's youth of China.” Nai Lalakai TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2012 17 NAI LALAKAI MAI NA WASEWASE KO VITI KEI ROTUMA E NIUSILADI A SA LAU NA MATADRAU (Na Vaqa Vakayalo ka vakarautaka ko Rev. Dr. Ilaitia S. Tuwere). Ni Sa Bula Vinaka Na vakavinavinaka ena ivola ni Same na Turaga. Ena tikina e 24 ni talanoa me kila na nodrau i Vola Tabu (vs. 25) Sa tu Noa'ia 'e Mauri 30 kei na italanoa ena Luke 24: 13-35 baleta nai lakolako oqo ki Emeo e kaya, mai kea (Vola Tabu) na itukuuku ka Eda veikidavaki tale ena mai na iVola Tabu sa dau vakayagataki “eratou sa kunea ni sa lala nai bulubulu, yalataki me nona na Mesaia. Ni sa yaca talei ni noda turaga o ena vuqa na valenilotu ni Lotu Wesele e ia eratou sa sega ni raici koya”. Na gaunisala ki na iukuuku vakaiserau ka Jisu Karisito. Sa nuitaki ni vuravura, ena kena lesuvi na Siga Tabu ivakadinadina kaukauwa ni sa tucake tale vakarautaka oqo na Kalou, na rarawa, ko ni marautaka tiko na ni Tu Cake Tale mai na Mate. Ena loma ko Jisu sa ikoya na nona rairai vei ira eso yaluma kei na mate. (vs. 26). Na yaluma veika sa dau vakarautaki ni yabaki vakalotu eda donuya tiko, eda me vakataki rau na lewe rua oqo. Na lala kei na mate oqo sa ikoya na buca ni valu tiko yani. vakamuria tiko kina na ni ibulubulu vakataki dina ka vala kina ko Koya ena vukuda. nona rairai na Karisito koya a sega ni Kevaka me vakamalumalumutaka na Karisito ka tu cake tale oqo.. Na vulagi vei ira eso ni oti na nona vakasama me ciqomi vuravura ka vakalesuya vua na Kalou, sa ka yaco me veiqaravi e loma ni vale ka tucake tale mai na mate. vakarawarawa. Na ka sega ni rua na kena sala. Sa duabulu ga, dovia vei rau na madrai. Oti sa qai takali Edua vei ira na oqo rau a rairai o ya na sala ki na Kauveilatai. Na i Vola tale vakasauri mai na matadrau. Na itukutuku oqori na nona veitalanotaka e Tabu taucoko e dusia koto na sala oqo. Karisito oqo ka tu cake tale mai na mate rairai vei rau na lewe gaunisala lewe rua oqo. Karua, sa lau na matadrau ni sa “taura na ena sega ni rawa me taukeni se tarovi rawa rua ena sala ki Emeo. Sa rawa me ka ga vaka- madrai ko koya, lotutaka, dovia, ka solia Sa rawa ga me 'taukeni' ni sa yaco ko Edua vei rau ko vakasama se balolo ni vei rau”. Ni sa lau oti na matadrau sa Koya me vulagi dokai ni noda dui Kaliopasa na yacana. vakanananu. Na nona “takali ko koya mai na matadrau”. Rau sa lomanivale, ni noda dui bula, me dolava Na kena ikarua e sega sega ni raici rawa sara qai veivosaki vakai rau ka kaya, “sa sega na matada meda raici Koya, rogoci Koya ni tukuni na yacana. na Turaga ena Nona li ni katakata sara na yalodaru ni datou sa Oqo edua nai talanoa Ilaitia Tuwere tucake tale mai na Mate veivosaki ena gaunisala, ni sa rawa ka solia vei keda na Nona vakacegu vakaciriloloma. E sega walega ni na ka oqori a vakayavalati rau sara vakamacalataka talega vei kedaru nai Vola se na veivakalougatataki. vakaciriloloma, e titobu talega. E dua vakalevu. Rau sega ni yalo vakacegu kina. Tabu ko koya?” Ena tiki ni yakavi ga ko ya, erau lesu nai talanoa ka veivakayaloqaqataki ka Kainaki ni rau rairai rarawa vakalevu, Meda nanuma vinaka na veika e vica tale kina ki Jerusalemi ka rauta ni vitu na vakadeitaka vei keda na nona sa bula ka sega ni rau tu vakarau me rau wasea oqo: Kevaka e sega ni se “lau” se dolavi maile na kena yawa. Rau sega ni vakila tiko na Kalou ka tiko vata kei keda. na nodrau loma leqa oqori kei na dua tale na matada, ia eda se tiko ga ena butobuto. na yawa ni gaunisala mai Emeo ki Na Tucake tale mai na Mate i Karisito na vulagi. Ka rau kurabui ni o koya na Ia, ni tadola na matada, eda sa kalawa yani Jeruisalemi. Rau lako ka rau vakasinaiti sa uto, ka sega ni vakacalai rawa, ni vulagi ka mai tomani rau oqo e sega ni se ki na itekitekivu ni bula ka vakatokai na ena marau kei na vakacegu. Sa saumi na Kosipeli se i Tukutuku Vinaka. Kevaka a rogoca na ka levu ka yaco. E rua na ka “bula tawa mudu.” Sa rawata duadua ga nodrau vakatarotaro tiko ena gaunisala. rau loma leqa kina. Dua, na nodra sega ni me solia vei keda na Karisito ka tu cake sega ni tucake tale na Turaga, ia sa na Rau sa tekivu vakila ni rau gole oqo ki ciqomi Jisu o ira na nodrau iliuliu vakalotu tale oqo mai na mate. Na bibi ni tudei na vosa i Paula na i Apositolo: “sa Jeruisalemi, e dina ga ni sa bogi na vanua, sega ni yaga na nomudou vakabauta, sa me sai Koya nai Nuinui nei Isireli, ka ra “veitalanoa e gaunisala” sa dusia na bibi na ibalebale ni bula ka kilai ni “bula tawa tu ga vei kemudou edaidai na nomudou soli Koya yani vei ira nai Liuliu ni ni noda bula kei na noda cakacaka ena mudu”.Ena sega ni vakadrukai rawa kina ivalavala ca.” (I Kor. 15:17). Matanitu vaka-Roma me'ra vakota ki na veisiga. Na duidui ni tamata eda sotava na Karisito kei na nona sala sa dusia vei Ia ni sa tu cake ka sega ni valuti rawa Kauveilatai. ira ena veisiga ka veitalanoa se veimaliwai keda ko Koya meda muri kina. na nona qaqa na Turaga mai na Mate kei Rua, na Kalou o koya rau kila ka kei ira. Na kena bibi na cakacaka kecega na kena batigaga, sa yaco kina na Mate, vakabauta ni tu vata kei Jisu na Luvena se cakacaka mai valenivolavola, se mai sa ikoya na iotioti ni meca kaukauwa, me ena gauna taucoko ni nona cakacaka e na wavu, se teitei kei na qoli se cakacaka sa katuba ga ki na bula vou tawa mudu vuravura, ka cakava kina na cakacaka cava ga. Na veivanua oqori sa rawa me Yabaki dua na vata kei na Kalou. Sa qaqa na Kalou ka mana e vuqa na Kalou oqo a sega ni vanua talega ni noda 'sota' kei na Turaga itikotiko ni lotu mai vakadrukai na ca. Sa vukica na butobuto vakayacora edua na ka me tarovi kina na ka tu cake tale oqo mai na mate. Hauraki me rarama me vaka na nona vakayacora nona gole yani na Turaga ki na Kauveilatai. Na dovi madrai e muria yani na “lau” ena nona bulia na vuravura. Sa nona tale Na ka oqo e rau vakataroga vakalevu ena se dola ni mata. Na lutu ni yakavi se na E ra gole yani kina soqo ni lotu ni nodrau lako tiko oqo ki Emeo. Kevaka e kala ni siga sa vaka me tukuna tiko ni kala vakananumi ni yabaki dua ni tikotiko ni na Kalou na itinitini ni Vosa ni Veigauna Lotu mai Hauraki o ira nai vavakoso ka kaya tale kina me vaka mai liu, sa raica sa tu cake dina, ena sega beka ni rairai vei sobu na siga ni noda bula se volekati keda mai Khyber Pass kei na vica na mata na Kalou na ka e bulia ka kaya, “sa vinaka iratou na nona tisaipeli? Eke sa curu kina mai na butobuto butobuto cava ga ena mai nai vavakoso mai Mt Roskill kei na ko Jisu ena nodrau veitalanoa. noda bula eda sota kaya tiko, ena rawa vavakoso ni Rotuma. A laki vakayacori sara.” na veiqaravivakavanua, ka dua na magiti Na ibulubulu lala vakataki koya e sega E vica na ka ka basika ni curu ko Jisu me cabe cake tale na siga oqori ni da tu levu eratou vakarautaka na itaukei ni ena nodrau veitalanoa. Matai, rau sega ni vata, bula vata ka cakacaka vata kei na sebera ni qai vakayacori na ni iotioti ni vakadinadina ni sa tu cake tale veivakamarautaki. Keba cokovata ni Tabacakacaka ko Viti e Okaladi kei na Tabacakacaka Waikato/Waiariki A laki vakayacori e dua na na keba cokovata ni Tabacakacaka ko Viti e Okaladi kei na Tabacakacaka Waikato/Waiariki mai na Papamoa Christian Camp, Tauranga. E totoka sara na veimaliwai, kei na vuli mai vua na turaga na i talatala (Rev Dr Ilaitia Tuwere). Vakayacori tale na nodra porokaramu na mataveitokani ka vaka kina na nodra na lalai. E ra sa qai cokovata kei iratou na Rotuma ena bogi ni vakatasuasua ena Vakarauwai. 18 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2012 THE VOICE OF SINOTI SAMOA

Koneseti a Tupulaga Manukau & Aukilani Tusia: Talatonu Auva’a fa’aevagelia na saunia e isi tupulaga O vaega o le a auai i le EXPO o ni sui Centre i Papatoetoe, i le alofa o le Atua. O le sa’iliga tupe lenei sa fa’atautaia talavou. vaega mai Iunivesite ma Polytechs eseese, Ia fa’amanuia le Atua i le Afioga le e tupulaga, sa fa’aigoaina o le “Benefit Sa vala’aulia foi le kulupu fa’afiafia a fa’atasi ma ni lala o galuega fa’apei o Sea, Susuga i le aufaigaluega ma o latou Concert”. Ma o le Aso To’ona’i, aso 31 ali’i talavou, o le “Dee-licious dance crew” leoleo, foma’i, faia’oga ma nisi fale faletua ma ali’i, le paia o le Sinoti Samoa, Mati 2012, sa fa’atautaia ai lea sa’iliga sa faia ai le latou sao mo lea po. Na auai faigaluega. aiga, uo ma e masani, ma o e uma na tupe, na auai Itumalo e lua mai Aukilani fo’i le “Church Boiz” ma faia fo’i ni la O le aso 19 Me 2012 e fa’ataunu’u ai ma Manukau. pesepesega. le EXPO o tupulaga talavou a le Sinoti lagolagoina lenei fa’amoemoe. Fa’afetai, E to‘asefulu vaega Tupulaga Talavou O le ulufale i le Benefit Concert sa Samoa i le Allan Brewster Recreation fa’afetai, fa’afetai tele lava. na fa’afiafia ma auai i lenei aso: tu’u lava i le mana’oga o le tagata, ae sa Birkenhead, Waitakere, Oratia, Ponsonby, amata mai lalo i le ta’i $1/$2 (gold coin Panmure, Otara, Manurewa, Mangere East, donation). Mangere Central, ma Papatoetoe. O le tupe na mauaina i le faitoto’a e Sa faia lenei fa’afiafiaga i le Hall a $792.80, ae o le tupe aofa’i sa mauaina i Metotia Fou i Papatoetoe. Sa saunia e lea po e $10,002.20. Lagona le fiafia o le tupulaga talavou ta’ito’atasi a latou aitema afioga a le Sea ia Tovia Aumua i le lagolago e lua, fa’atasi ai ma le latou Siva Samoa. o aulotu ta’itasi aemaise uo ma e masani Na matagofie lava sauniga a vaega ta’itasi. i lena po. O le tele o taleni na fa’aalia i lenei O le ala o lenei sa’iliga tupe, ina ia afiafi e tupulaga uma, fa’apei o le siva a fesoasoani i le fa’amoemoe a Tupulaga o Michael Jackson na saunia e Oratia, pese lo o tapena, o le Educational Expedition Aferika na faia e Panmure ma Otara, (EXPO). O lenei expo o se auala e fa’apea fo’i pesepesega sa faia e Mangere fesoasoani i tupulaga talavou, matua ma East ma Ponsonby. E le gata i lea, sa aiga, mo se aga’i i luma o le olaga ina ia matagofie fo’i le po i sasa, ma’ulu’ulu ma maua so latou lumana’i manuia. Komiti o tapenaga o le Koneseti.

TOMANATUGA Itulau a Tamaiti FAAMATAUPU SILISILI Tusia: Rev Suiva’aia Te’o Tusia: Rev Utumau'u Pupulu E faatalofa atu ia te outou le fanau I lenei foi le tiga. “…… ia outou savavali ia soifua faatuatua o le tagata ua lomiga a le tatou Leo o le Malamalama. Ua tuanai Ona ia toe taumafai atu lea, ae ua fa’apena foi tusa ma le valaau ua valaauina e le Atua, ona ua le atu taimi sa malolo ai mai tuuaga o aoga, o le nei ona toe u e le akarava. Ua iloa e le toeaina ua fula valaauina ai outou” (Efeso o gatasi ma ana amioga. O le ua toe amata a’oa’oga o lenei tausaga, ia malo lava ane lona lima, ma ua mumu lava. Ua taumafai pea 4:1-6) valaauina, o le meatotino lea i O le valaau, ia tatou le onosa’i, malo foi le tauivi I lena tausaga ua tuanai le toeaina matua, ma taumafai pea, ua toetoe lava ina le loto o le tagata, i lo laa va savavali, ia tusa ma lo tatou atu. Ou te manatu na iai nisi o outou na pau atu ai ma ia I le vaitafe. A’o faia lenei galuega ma le Atua, a'o lana valaauina. O lona uiga, afai ua faamanuiaina mai suega ma ua suia foi a outou e le toeaina matua, ae ui mai ona autafa nisi alii ma savali/amioga, e laugaina atu valaauina i tatou taitoatasi e le lena valaauina i le lalolagi. aoga aua ua fou le tausaga, po ua sii foi I luga lau ua latou vaai mai I le toeaina matua, ua toeititi lava Atua, mo lona Finagalo, e ao O le valaau, ia outou vasega ua e iai nei. Viia le Atua I lona agalelei aua pau atu I lalo I le vaitafe, a ua iloa foi lona lima ua foi la ona o tatou savavali e savavali….. o lona uiga e le o sa fesoasoani lava le Atua ia te outou ia outou aoga. matua fula lava ona o le u a le akarava ao lae tau tago tusa ma le Finagalo o le Atua se valaauina e faamoemoe i le Ae alo maia o le a fai atu le tatou tala. O le tala atu pea e sefe mai le akarava. Ua fai atu nei alii I le mo i tatou. O le savali ma le lelei ma le suamalie o upu, a'o amata foi o lenei tausaga fou. O lea ua tatou iai I le toeaina: “Matua e valea tele, o le a lau mea e maua valaauina e ao ona fili faatasi. le valaauina, ina ia o tatou vaitau o le Leniti, toeititi lava tatou aulia atu le Eseta, ai I le sefeina mai o lena akarava, tuu ai pea pau le Ia outou savavali i le loto savavali, galulue, molimau ma o le taimi taua ma le faapitoa e faamanatu ai le maliu mea lena e maua o le ‘ai o lou lima, ua matou vaai maualalo ma le agamalu, ola ai, i aso uma o lo tatou ola. ma le toetu manumalo o lo tatou Alii o Iesu Keriso, atu I lou tigaina I le u a le akarava”. onosa'i ma le fefaapalepale, ia E le naa o upu e faatinoina ai o le na faia le faaolataga mo i tatou. Fai mai le toeaina matua I alii nei: ‘vaai outou e loto gatasitasi i la le agaga, ia le taliaina o le valaau, a'o le O le tatou tala la tamaiti e faapea lona ulutala: O le faapea a taufe’ai le akarava ona le faia ai lea o la’u tasi le loto ma le faamoemoe, ola faapaiaina mai luitau o le le Toeaina Matua ma le Akarava The Old Man galuega o le alofa I le akarava ma sefe mai nei pau aua e tasi le faamoemoe ma le olaga, ina ia tatou tumau ai pea and the Scorpion. Ua e vaai i le manu lea o le atu ma pe ai I le loloto o le vaitafe’. Ua tatou iloa o faatuatuaga, na valaauina ai i lo tatou valaauina. akarava? Ia lelei atonu ua vaai iai nisi, ao nisi foi e le akarava o le manu taufe’ai, ae le avea lona taufe’ai outou. E le tioa Iesu, na alu lava O le faamoemoe ia savali lei vaai iai. Ao lenei manu e ese le faaeteete gata pe ma ala e le faataunuuina ai lo’u foi natura o le alofa’. ma le lee gagana i le satauro. le tagata kerisiano i ala o le a latalata iai le tagata, aua o le manu e taufe’ai. Vaai Tamaiti o le tatou tala lena, o le mea tonu lava Aua le'i manatu o ia ua lava le amiotonu, ma le soifua outou I le ata lena o le akarava. lenei na faia e le Atua mo I tatou. Tiga ona tatou le lelei o ana lauga ma ana a'oa'ga Faapea le tala na savalivali atu le toeaina matua usita’i ma fai mea sese I luma o le Atua, ae na alofa tausaafia, ina ia le fano lo latou soifua faale-agaga, ona o le e tali ai i lona valaauina mai e aga’i atu I lona aiga I le isi aso, na ui atu I tafatafa mai lava le Atua ia I tatou, ma aapa mai ona aao alofa malosi o le lalolagi, ae ia avea lona Tamaa, ae sa ia nanau lava o le vaitafe. Na ia vaai a ua tatafe lava le vai, ona ia e ala mai lona Alo pele o Iesu e laveaina I tatou mai o latou ola ma fu'a tauave o le i le satauro, aua ua ia mautinoa, vaaia lea o le la’au ua pau atu lona lala I luga o le le loloto o le agasala semanu a tatou oti ai. Finagalo o le Atua. o le atoaga lea o lona vai. Na ia tutu ma vaavaai atu pea iai, ona ia iloa lea O lea ua tatou aga atu nei I le vaitau o le Eseta, O le faamoemoe ma le ute valaauina, i le tapenaina o le o le akarava o loo I luga o le lala lenei o le la’au ua tatou te faamanatu ai le alofa lena o le Atua na ala o le taualaga a le Aposetolo ia faaolataga mo le lalolagi. toetoe lava motu ese atu ma le la’au. mai ia Iesu. Tatou manatunatu I lona maliu ma lona Efeso, ina ia lalago faatasi le O le tagata ua uma ona Ona taumafai loa lea o le toeaina matua e aapa toetu manumalo mai le oti ma le tuugamau, ina ia valaauina o le Ekalesia i Efeso, valaauina e le Atua. O le atu lona lima e sefeina mai le akarava lenei. Ua ia aua nei fano se tasi o I tatou a ia tatou maua uma le ma lo latou ola auauna i le faamoemoe ia avea lo tatou soso atu ma pipii atu I le la’au ae taumafai e toso mai ola e faavavau. Atua. O le tagata ua valaauina savavali i le valaau ua lona lala lea ua toeititi lava motu ese atu. Ua ia aapa Ia manuia outou le fanau. Faamanuia atu le Eseta e le Atua, e ao ona mulimuli i valaauina ai i tatou, e fai ma atu e sefe mai le akarava ae u lona lima e le manu ia te outou. ala o Keriso, o lee na valaauina to'omaga i taimi e luitauina ai fe’ai. Ua me’i le lima o le toeaina matua ua lagona Until then take care, and God bless you all. o ia. O le faamoemoe ina ia lo tatou faatuatua. aua ne'i mata'uleagaina le Amene TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2012 19

VAHEFONUAPukolea TONGA ‘O AOTEAROA KO SIOPAU MO E FAKATAHA VAHEFONUA EPELELI 2012

Na’e kamata ‘a e Fakataha Vahefonua ‘i he ‘aho ki he Vahefonua Tonga. Ua: ne ha mai mei he kau lea ‘a Foeata Tu’ipulotu mei he Tikoni ‘Ahi’ahi ki he Faifekau Tu’apulelulu 12 ‘Epeleli, ‘aki ‘a e Vahefonua ‘a e kau ‘o e Polotu Fakafe’iloaki, kuo kehe eni ‘a e ngaahi ‘Ahi’ahi. faifekau mo hono ngaahi ouau na’e fakahoko ki he Fakataha Faka-Vahefonua:- kuo tau fakataha mai eni 3. Ko e Patiseti ‘o e Me’aofa Levi ‘a e ngaahi Falelotu Tokaima’ananga, Otara. Ko e Kaveinga ‘o e ketau lahilahi lotu pe mo popou ki he ‘etau Mo’ui Faka- Fai’angalotu mo e ngaahi Vahenga Ngaue ki he Vahefonua ngaahi ako mo e ngaahi vahevahe fakalaumalie ko e Laumalie kae tukutuku atu ‘a e omi ketau fakake mo ki he ta’u 2012/2013 ko e $171,740. Tu’utu’uni: Tali “Feohi Faka-Tautehina” pea fakamamafa’i ai ‘a e tauhi fakafekiki. Tootoo atu mo e kau hiva mo e tangata tahiva ‘e he Fakataha ‘o e molumalu ‘o e fatongia mo e sino ‘o e faifekau, ‘i ‘a Uesile Metotisi mei Uelingatoni. Kai mu’a ke ‘ofa ‘a 4. Ke tali ‘a e Patiseti ‘o e ta’u 2012/2013 ‘o hange he lea, to’onga mo’ui mo e teunga - he ‘oku kehekehe e Vahefonua ‘o ‘ai hano ki’i pale ki he’ene haka malie, ko ia na’e tufaki ki he Fakataha pea ‘e ‘oatu hono tatau ‘a e tauhi teunga faka-Tonga mei he tauhi teunga faka- kae tuku pe ‘a e fakahoko hiva ia ki he tafa’aki. ke paaki fakataha mo e Miniti. Papalangi, pea ke ‘oua na’a tukia ‘a e fanga sipi ‘oku Ko e ‘Aho Tokonaki: ne lava ai hono tapuaki’i kae fai honau tauhi koe’uhi ko e ‘ikai tauhi ‘a e molumalu faka’ataa ke fakatau atu, ‘a e ongo tohi fo’ou ke tokoni Ko e ngaahi ’uuni me’a kehe ’o e Fakataha Vahefonua ‘o e to’onga mo’ui mo e teunga. ki he kau ako Lotukalafi, ko e fa’u ‘e Faifekau Dr Nasili Kakato ’oku ha atu he ngaahi Miniti ’o e Fakataha kuo Toki kamata ‘a e ngaahi ouau ‘o e Vahefonua Kakato Vaka’uta, ko e (i) Tu’a-wise: Rethinking Bibilical ’osu tufaki atu pepa mo e ’i he e-meili. ‘i he ‘aho Falaite ki Lotofale’ia he taimi 9 pongipongi Interpretations in Oceania, mo e (ii) Talanoa Rhythms: ‘Aho Sapate: Ne kamata’aki ‘a e lotu hengihengi ‘aki ‘a e ‘aukai mo e lotu hu pea toki hoko atu ki he Voices from Polynesia. Ko e Sea ‘i he ouau tapuaki ko pea mo e Fakalotofale’ia ‘o tali ki he malanga he 12 ngaahi felingiaki faka-laumalie ‘aupito ‘a e kau Setuata: eni ko Faifekau Alipate ‘Uhila. Pea ko e Taupo’ou ko ho’ata. Na’e tataki ‘a e ouau malanga ‘e he Faifekau Sea ko e konga ua ia ‘o e ako ‘a e kau Faifekau, kau Setuata Professor Elaine Wainwright, ko e Palofesa Pule ‘o e ‘o e Vahefonua’, pea toki tokoni ki ai mo e kau Faifekau mo e kau taki ‘o e Vahefonua ko e kanoni ki hono konga ‘Apiako Ako Faka-Teolosia ‘a e ‘Univesiti ‘Aokalani ‘Ahi’ahi. Me’a fakafiefia ko e me’a ‘i he katoanga’ ‘a ‘uluaki na’e fakahoko ‘i he Kemi Kumi Ivi ‘i he matatahi na’a ne fai hono tapuaki’i ‘o e ongoi tohi ni, Lava ai foki e tamasi’i ko Sione Ikamafana Tuita ‘one foaki ‘a e pale Muriwai ‘i he mahina Sanuali 2012. Kaveinga’aki pea mo ‘ene lea fakalotolahi ki he kau ngaue ‘a e Vahefonua ki he Lautohi Faka-Sapate. Fakataha hoko i ‘aho 26-29 ‘a e “Feohi Fakatautehina” pe hili mo e ngaahi ako mo e kau ako Teolosia mo e Lotukalafi. Na’a ne toe tali ‘o Siulai 2012 ki Aokalani pe. kehekehe kau ai ‘a e ako fakahoko ‘a e ongo Sakalameniti lelei foki kene foaki ‘a e ngaahi Setifikeiti Faka-mo’oni Ko e ‘uuni ongoongo ‘a Siopau. ‘Ofa lahi atu. Toputapu ‘a e ‘Eiki, pea toki hoko ki he polotu Ako kiate kinautolu na’a nau lava’i lelei e Ako Lotukalafi fakafe’iloaki ‘i he ‘osi ‘a e houa ‘ilo efiafi. Toki mahino ‘o e ta’u 2011. Ko e fakafiefia atu ‘a hono talaki ko e ki he kau fakataha ‘a e ongo me’a fungani fakafiefia ‘e kapiteni ‘i he to’u ako ko eni ko e tangata’eiki Setuata ua: ‘uluaki: kuo hoko mai ‘a e ’epoki fo’ou ki he founga ‘o Huli Ma’oni’oni, Tongo Vaiangina. Malo e ako pea talitali me’a ‘ilo ‘o e Vahefonua – ‘ikai toe fai ‘a e have fakatauange ke ‘aonga ki he fakahoko ‘a e Misiona ‘a puaka tunu mo e kai pola ka kuo hokosia mai ‘a e kuonga Sisu Kalaisi ‘oku tau ‘ahi’ahi ni. ‘o e “poulu” mo e laise. Ma’a Atu Mo’oni kae na’e Hili eni pea toki hoko atu ‘a e Fakataha Vahefonua ongona ‘a e lea ‘a Havea Langoaia mei Pamesitoni Kakato. Ko e ngaahi me’a lalahi eni na’e fokotu’u mai Noofu, “Ko e ‘ai e laise he ko ‘etau ha’u mei Siaina”. pea tali ‘i he Fakataha Vahefonua Kakato: Kae kehe, ne fiefia ‘a e Setuata Lahi ‘o e Vahefonua ko 1. Fokotu‘u ke kau ki he Faka‘eke‘eke Faka- e lelei ‘a e founga poulu fo’ou ki he mo’ui fakasino ‘o Kanititeiti Ako Faifekau 2012 e kau fakataha kae ‘amu atu ‘a e fakamo’ui ki he ngaahi i. Sione Pi‘ei (Lotofale’ia) peesi pa’anga ‘a e Vahenga Ngaue ‘Aokalani/Manukau. ii. Falanisesi Hafoka (Glen Innes) Pehee leva ‘e he taki ‘Aokalani ‘e taha: ‘E toe vave ange ii. Malakai ’Ofanoa (Henderson) Ko e kau hiva ‘a Lotu Hufia mo ‘enau fu’u faihiva Kalolo Akoteu (‘i loto) hono totongi ‘a e me’a’ofa levi ‘a ‘Aokalani/Manukau 2. Fale’i ‘e he Vahefonua ‘a e Kau Faifekau ke liliu pea mo hono ongo nima, ongo Setuata Siosaia Alatini mo Eke ‘o e Fala-‘0-Ata.

Professor Elaine Wainwright mo e foaki ‘o e Setifikeiti ki he taha kuo Ko e kapiteni fakalukufua ‘o e ako – Tongo Vaiangina ‘I he Sione 1:1-2:2 Faifekau Tevita Finau. paasi he lotu kalafi – Setuata ‘o Upper Hutt, Sione Na’a Sina. ma’u ‘ene setifikeiti.

Ngaue 4:32-35 Faifekau Nehilofi ‘E- Moala Aholelei Sione 20:19-31 Faifekau Hingano Ha’unga. ‘Eiki Sione Ikamafana mo e foaki pale ki he ongo ikuna lavame’a {Leone Manumu’a – Tokaima’ananga mo Lesieli Samiu – Moia Mei He Eiki’. 20 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2012

VAHEFONUAPukolea TONGA ‘O AOTEAROA KO E FAKALOTOFALE’IA KO E KAVEINGA 'O E MAHINA: KE MA'ONI'ONI HAOHAOA HOTAU LOTO FOLOFOLA: MATIU 5:8; Monu'ia aa ka ko kinautolu 'oku ma'a honau loto: he te nau mamata ki he 'Otua. Fakatapu ki he Tolu Taha‘i ‘Otua, ka ‘i ai. Tolu: Ke fakahaa ‘Otua ‘aki hono mata kehe, ka ‘oku faingata‘a ke te lama kita, ko e ‘Otua Lahi ‘oku ‘o‘ona ‘a e Siasi ‘oku ‘a e kehekehe ‘o e tui matelie he ‘ene mamata he ‘oku te fakatonuhia ma‘u pe ‘e te tau ngaue ai. Fakatapu kia hou‘eiki, fakaetangata ‘a e kau he talatala‘amoa na‘e fehalaaki. faka‘apa‘apa atu ki he Faifekau Sea ‘o e Falesi, mo e tui faka- vela. Ko ‘etau lau Kau Kalisitiane, kapau ‘oku tau fie Vahefonua Tonga O Aotearoa, pea ki he Kalisitiane. Fa: Ko e folofola ‘o e ngaahi uike mamata ki he ‘Otua pea tau ‘ai ke ngaahi famili kotoa pe ‘i he ngaahi Siasi ngaahi tapuaki ko ‘eni kuo hili na‘e fakama‘oni‘oni haohaoa hotau loto. ‘o e Vahefonua, pea ‘oku ou kole atu ke ‘oku nau fakahaa ko e fakamahino ai ‘e he Ko e founga ‘o e ‘ai ke ma‘oni‘oni u fakamalumalu ai kae ‘ataa kiate kita ke folofola na‘e fai ‘e he ‘Otua kia Mosese ke ne haohaoa hoto loto, ko ‘ete lama hoto loto fakahoko atu ‘a ‘etau Fakalotofale‘ia ‘o e ‘Otua mei he Fuakava fehu‘i ki mamani pe kuo he taimi kotoa. Ko e himi ‘o e mahina ni mahina fo‘ou ni. Motu‘a ko hono toki ‘i ai hano tatau ‘o e me‘a ke tokoni ki hono tafi ke ma‘a hoto loto, Hangee ko ia kuo u lave atu ki ai ‘i fakakakato ‘eni ‘i he Vaikoloa Kilikiti ko ia, ha taha ne mamata ke tau hiva ma‘u pe ai, ko e: he‘etau ngaahi kaveinga kuo tau lakai mai Pule‘anga Fo‘ou ko ‘eni kuo fokotu‘u ‘e ki he ‘Otua kae kei mo‘ui pe. Ko e fofonga he halafononga ‘o e ta‘u ni, kuo aoao ‘e Sisu. Ko e ngaahi monu‘ia ko ‘eni ‘oku ‘oku tau mamata ‘aki ki he ‘Otua ko hotau Himi 587 he ma‘oni‘oni ‘etau me’a kotoa pe, koe‘uhi ‘ikai ko e (multiple choice) to‘o pe ‘a e loto. Ko ia ka ‘uli hotau loto pea mahino ‘E ‘e ‘a e loto ‘o e tangata, ko hai ‘e lava ke fakataumu‘a taha pe ‘etau fononga ke tapuaki ‘oku ke fie ma‘u pea tuku hono he‘ikai lava ke tau mamata ki he ‘Otua. ke ‘ilo‘i tau a‘usia ha to‘onga mo‘ui ‘oku fakahoifua toe. Ka ko e me‘a na‘e faka‘amu ki ai ‘a Ko ia ko e mahina fo‘ou ko ‘eni ‘oku Taupotu ‘i he me‘a kaakaa, pea hilioo pe ki he ‘Otua, hei‘ilo ‘e toka mai ai ‘ene Sisu ‘i he‘ene malanga ko e ngaahi tapuaki ou fokotu‘u atu ha ngaue ke tau fai. Kapau hono kovi ‘alo‘ofa kiate kitautolu he ‘aho kotoa. ko ‘eni ke hoko ko e koloa kanokato ia he ‘e ‘i ai ha me‘a ke tau tokanga lahi ki ai Ko e mahina fo‘ou ko ‘eni mo hono hofangahau ‘a e Kalisitane. he mahina ko Me, pea ‘ai mu‘a ke fika Ko hai ‘e ‘ilo ‘ene hee? Puli ‘a kita ‘ia Kaveinga kuo fakama‘u ia ki he folofola Ko ‘etau kaveinga ‘o e mahina ni fo‘ou ‘uluaki atu ki ai ‘a ho LOTO mo hoku kita, na‘e to mei he fofonga ‘o e ‘Eiki ‘i he‘ene ni ‘oku ne to‘o mai pe ‘a e Tapuaki pe LOTO. ‘Oku ‘omi ‘e he Poto ‘a e folofola Lau ‘oku ‘ikai ha‘ate mele, ha pe ki langi malanga he mo‘unga, ‘a ia ko e mo‘unga Monuu‘ia hono ono—(Matiu.5:8) ki ai—Palovepi.4:23—‘I he me‘a kotoa ko e kilia na‘e ofi ki Kapaneume, ka na‘e ‘ikai Monuu‘ia aa ka ko kinautolu ‘oku ma‘a ‘oku ke tauhi, mu‘omu‘a ‘a e lama ‘o fakamahino ‘e he Kosipeli pe ko fe ‘a e honau loto. Pe ‘oku monuu‘ia aa ka ko ho loto. He ‘oku founga mei ai ‘a e Na’a ‘oku ai ha me’a ta‘ehaa, ha hia ‘omi mo‘unga ko ia. Ko e malanga ko ‘eni na‘e kinautolu ‘oku ma‘oni‘oni haohaoa honau ngaahi me‘a ‘oku ‘asi ‘i he mo‘ui. Ko e mala ai ‘i ai ‘a e ngaahi Tapuaki pe Monu‘ia ai loto, Ko honau Tapuaki “Te nau mamata taimi lahi ‘oku te nofo kita ‘o lama atu ‘a To’o ‘a e ‘u‘ufi, ‘ai ke e‘a mahino hono ‘e hongofulu (Matiu 5:3-12). Ko e ngaahi ki he ‘Otua”. me‘a, mo me‘a. He ko e lau ia ‘a ‘Isope anga fai tapuaki ko ia na‘e ‘i ai hono ngaahi Kapau ‘oku ‘uli mo felefele hotau loto he ‘ene Fepale “Ki he tangata mo ‘ene halafononga ‘e fa: ‘uluaki: Ko e ngaahi he‘ikai lava ke tau mamata ki he ‘Otua. kato fononga” Ko e tangata fononga na‘a “Ofa ke tokoni mai Laumalie tu‘utu‘uni faka‘ulungaanga ke ‘ulungaanga Kuo lave ki ai ‘a Sisu ‘ia Matiu.15:10- ne tauloto ha kato ‘e ua, ko e taha i mu‘a, Ma‘oni‘oni ki he ngaahi feinga ‘aki ‘e he kau ako pea mo kitautolu foki 20—‘Oku ‘ikai ‘uli ‘a e tangata he me‘a mo e taha ‘i mui. fakafo‘ituitui te tau fai he mahina ko ‘eni: ‘o e ‘aho ni he‘etau feohi mo hotau kaungaa ‘oku hu mai mei tu‘a, ka ‘oku ‘uli ‘a e Ko e kato ‘i mu‘a na‘a ne fa‘o ai ‘a e kehe ke tau lava ai ‘o mamata ki he ‘Eiki fononga ‘i he tui. Ua: Ke fakahaa ‘a e tangata he me‘a ‘oku hu mai mei hono mele ‘o e kakai kehe, Ko e kato ‘i mui ko He kau ka sioa ‘a hono fofonga te u toki kehekehe ‘o e Pule‘anga ‘o Hevani, ko e loto. ‘Oku ‘ikai te tau lava ke tau mamata hono mele ‘o‘ona. Ko e kato ‘i mu‘a na‘e lata ai au. ‘I he huafa ‘o e Tamai mo e koloa faka‘itaniti ia ‘oku ta’engata, mo e ki he ‘Otua ‘aki hotau mata fakamatelie, tomu‘a fonu, kae ‘ikai ha me‘a ia he kato ‘Alo mo e Laumalie Ma‘oni‘oni. ‘Emeni mamani matelie fakangatangata ‘oku tau ngata pe ‘ia Mosese na‘a ne mamata ki he ‘i mui. ‘Oku faingofua ke te lama ha taha Faifekau Vaikoloa Kilikiti PIOKALAFI 'O 'ENE 'AFIO KO KINGI SIAOSI TUPOU V TU'I 'OFEINA ‘O E ‘OTU TONGA (KO E KONGA ‘ULUAKI) 'I he Sapate, 'aho 18 'o Ma'asi, 2012 na'e fakangeingei makehe. Na'e 'i ai 'a hono Faleua, Talafale, pea mo e ngaahi to'utangata 'o e Tamaha. 'ene hoko ki he Taloni, 'o pehe. "'Oku 'ikai ke pulonga 'a Tonga, 'i he to 'a e La'a ko si'otau ko e Ha’a Talafale, 'a ia ko hono 'ulu ko e Ko e fakahifo tama 'a e Tu’i Ha’atakalaua ko 'iai ha tokotaha 'i Tonga 'oku tu'a. He ko e si'otau Tu'i 'Ofeina, 'a 'Ene 'Afio ko Kingi Siaosi Tu’ipelehake. Pea ko hono ngeia na'e e'a ia 'i he Mo’ungamotu’a pea mo e Tu’i Kanokupolu ko tokotaha kotoa pe, 'oku malava ke fakatotolo 'a Tupou V. Pea toutounoa mo toumoloto 'a e Sila Ouau Taumafa Kava 'o e Tu'i Tonga, 'a e Ngata. 'I he taimi tatau, 'oku 'i ai pe pea mo 'ene hono tupu'anga 'o a'u ki he Tu'i mo e Hou'eiki. Faka-Tu'i 'i he Taua 'o Kanokupolu, kae'uma'a fulitaunga, 'a ia ko hono kava, 'oku 'ikai ke ui, felave'i ta'ata'a ofi pea mo e Tu’i Niua, Tu’i Ka ko 'ete to'onga mo hoto 'ulungaanga, 'oku 'a e fuka fakafonua 'o e Pule'anga Faka-Tu'i 'o kae molumalu fakalongolongo pe 'a hono fakatau. Vava’u, Tu’i Ha’apai, kae'uma'a 'a e hou'eiki 'o ne tala 'a hoto tu'a". Tonga, 'i he puli 'o 'ikai ke toe 'i hotau lotolotonga, Pea kapau foki 'oku 'i ai ha tuofefine 'o e Tu’i Niuatoputapu mo ‘Eua. 'Io, 'oku 'ikai ha ofo ai, Pea ko e tupu'anga mo e fa'unga 'eni 'oku 'a e tumutumu 'o si'etau koloa mahu'inga taha, Tonga, 'oku toe ma'olunga hake hono 'eiki 'o'ona, he 'oku tala pea ngali mo e ngaahi ta'anga, 'upe tukufakaholo mai ai 'a e tu'unga ma'olunga ko e Kie Hingoa. pea ka toe 'i ai mo hano 'alo fefine 'o'ona, 'e 'ai mo e langi 'o Tonga talu mei hono fakahifo, ko fakafonua pea mo e mafai ko ia 'o e Hau e Fonua, leva ki he ki'i ta'ahine ko ia, 'a e fakangeingei 'Ene 'Afio ko Kingi Siaosi Tupou V, ko e Kalauni kae'uma'a 'a e uho 'o e faka'apa'apa pea mo e 'ofa Ko e Fetaiaki 'a e 'Otu Laine Toputapu, taupotu taha, ko e Tamaha. Siueli ia 'o e Pule'anga Faka-Tu'i 'o Tonga. 'a e kakai mo e fonua ki honau Hau, pea mo e Sinoeme'a, 'i he kuonga 'o e Tu’i Tonga hono uouongataha mo ma'uma'uluta fakatalutalu 'a e 'ia Kingi Siaosi Tupou V kakai 'o e Pule'anga Faka-Tu'i 'o Tonga. Ko e 24, 'a Kau'ulufonuafekai, na'a ne fakakaukau ke Ko e Hau 'o e Pule'anga 'o Tonga, ‘a ia Ko e 'Otu Laine Toputapu 'o Tonga 'oku kau mahu'inga 'o e makatu'unga kilukilua ko ia 'o e ne ma'u pe 'a e Naaunau Faka-e-'Otua 'o e Tu'i ia 'i he ngaahi Ha'a Tu'i kilukilua mo tu'uloa 'o ko hono makatu'unga ko e Fekau'aki 'a felave'i 'a e nofo 'a kainga, pea mo e 'uhinga 'o Tonga, ka ne momoi atu 'a e mafai pule ki ha mamani. Ko e 'uluaki Tu’i Tonga, 'a 'Aho'eitu, e nofo-'a-kainga e Hau 'o Tonga, ko hono sila'i pea fakama'u 'a e Ha'a Tu'i fo'ou, ko e Tu’i Ha’atakalaua, pea ne ko e fakahifo tama ia 'a e 'Otua ko Tangaloa Ko e makatu'unga 'o e Pule'anga Faka-Tu'i fakahokohoko tonu 'o e Hau 'o e Fonua, pea mo 'Eitumatupu’a, pea mo e ta'ahine 'eiki ko fakanofo leva 'a hono tehina ko Mo'ungamotu’a, 'o Tonga, ko e fekau'aki ta'ata'a 'a e nofo-'a- e poupou koia 'a hono kakai, ki he kuonga 'o 'ene Va’epopua. 'I he 'ene pehe, ko e fa'unga 'o e Ha'a ko hono fuofua Tu'i. kainga. Talu mei ono'aho kilukilua, ko hono pule. Tu'i Tonga na'e faka-e-'Otua, pea ko honau ngaahi 'I he kamata'anga 'o e Senituli 17, na'e fa'unga ko e felave'i 'a e Ngaahi Ha'a, 'a ia 'oku Ko e tu'utai 'o e tupu'anga 'o 'Ene 'Afio ko sino mo honau ngaahi ouau na'e toputapu, pea fakakaukau ‘a e Tu’iha’atakalaua ko lava ai ke fakatotolo 'e he kotoa 'o e kakai 'o Kingi Siaosi Tupou V, mei he kotoa 'o e Ha'a na'e hanga 'e honau kakai 'o faka'apa'apa'i mo Mo’ungatonga ke ne ma'u pe 'a e Naaunau Faka- Tonga, 'a honau tupu'anga. Pea ko kinautolu na'a Tu'i pea mo e Hou'eiki 'o Tonga, kuo ne faiteunga tauhi kinautolu 'o hange ko ha 'Otua. 'I he taimi e-'Otua 'o e Tu'i Tonga mo e Tu'iha'atakalaua, nau fakatahataha mei ono'aho kilukilua ke lalanga 'aki 'Ene 'Afio, 'a e tumutumu 'o e fakahokohoko tatau, ko kinautolu na'a nau toe faalute ‘a e aoniu pea ne fokotu'u leva mo e Ha'a Tu'i Kanokupolu, mo fatu 'a e fonua pea mo e pule'anga 'o Tonga. totonu kae'uma'a 'a e ngaahi ngafa 'o e Hau 'o 'o e mafai faka-Tu'i, makatu'unga 'i he tu'utai mo 'o fakanofo 'a hono 'alo ko Ngata ko e 'uluaki Pea ko honau 'ulu, 'a ia 'oku taku ko e Hau, na'a Tonga. Ko e 'uhinga ia 'oku lau'aitu pea 'utu'utufia e laatai 'a honau tupu'anga, koia ai ko honau Tu’i Kanokupolu. ne hoko ko e Tu'i 'o e Pule'anga 'oku fakava'e ai 'a e kakai 'o e 'otu Tonga, he 'oku 'ikai ngata laangilangi mo honau mafai, na'e ta'efa'alaua pea Ko e tukufakaholo 'o 'Ene 'Afio ko Kingi 'aki 'a e felave'i 'o e ta'ata'a 'i he nofo-'a-kainga. pe ko honau Tu'i tofu pe taha ia, ka ko e tumutumu 'ikai ala fakatataua. Siaosi Tupou V, ko e fakahokohoko tonu ia mei Tala pea ngali mo e to folofola 'a Kingi Siaosi pea mo e taipe ia 'o e uouongataha 'a e fonua. Ko e Tu’i Tonga na'e 'i ai 'a hono ngaahi he Tu’i Tonga ko ‘Aho’eitu, pehe ki he Ha'a Tupou V he'ene ha'ele ki Ha'apai 'i he hili pe 'a (Toki hoko atu he mahina kaha’u)