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.