MARCH 2008 MAY 2018

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Delegates visited Bukit Kasih, or Hill of Peace, a place where people of different religions can worship side-by-side.

By Paul Titus different life experiences can lead people nterreligious conflict, gender into different understandings of truth. injustice, spirituality in our “Young Asian Christians at the digitalized world, and human Assembly were not afraid to pose difficult trafficking were among the topics questions to the religious leaders,” Hui explored at the Asian Ecumenical Young says. Youth Assembly (AEYA) last month. One young Indian lady asked a Hindu Three young New Zealanders - leader about the caste system and human Rev Hui Young Han, Maumi Taukolo, inequality. A Pakistani theological student, and Piula Lasi - were among the 350 who lost his family members when radical Idelegates from throughout the Asia-Pacific Muslims bombed his church, questioned at the gathering, which was held at in the a Muslim leader about interreligious city of Manado, Indonesia. violence and terrorism. The Christian Conference of Asia An Australian of Indian descent asked organised AEYA under the theme 'Lord, the Buddhist monk and Taoist scholar Send Your Light and Truth to Lead Us'. how we can trust human qualities to It provided a platform for young Asian achieve ultimate salvation if we do not Maumi Taukolo performs a dance at the Asian Ecumenical Youth Assembly. Christians to discuss problems they face admit the existence of a deity. in the fast-changing world. “In all these questions, I could sense second highest rate of HIV in the world, after the sinking of the Sewol Ferry, in Along with worship, Bible study and the pain and the hurt that the young Asians and it mainly affects young people. This which 300 children drowned. They discussions, AEYA had two interfaith have carried in their lives. I could also see subject is taboo in certain religions, but it protested against the overcrowding of the sessions. Prominent members of the that the different religious leaders have cannot be swept under the rug and ignored unseaworthy vessel, and the indifference Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Taoist faced similar pain on their own journeys,” because we are losing many youth to the religions engaged with the young Hui Young says. disease,” Maumi says. of the ruling authorities to the tragic loss Christians to discuss light and truth in “A one-day dialogue will not resolve “There is a lack of health care in other of life. pluralistic Asia. our conflicts, but it was a significant step countries, and I am grateful that New “Christian youth of different Hui Young Han for the young Asian leaders towards a Zealand has a foundation that supports denominations united in this movement.” Hui Young is presbyter at Morrinsville common longing for healing, spirituality, victims of AIDS and works to prevent She was also struck by the poignancy Methodist Church. Originally from South peace and human dignity in our world.” transmission.” of individual faith stories people shared. Korea, she says it was interesting to see Maumi Taukolo Maumi says another highlight for her how Maumi is a member of Wesley was a presentation by Kim Minji, a woman These included a Sri Lankan brother who Broadway, Palmerston North. She attended theologian from South Korea, who spoke lost five members of his family in a group session on HIV and Aids at AEYA. about the Candlelight Struggle. the civil wars. INSIDE “The Asia-Pacific region has the “This involved rallies by young people See Page 14

EASTER ON THE BEACH – PAGE 2 FAREWELL WOODVILLE UNION – PAGE 10

RURAL CHURCHES – PAGE 3 2 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2018 NEWS Lotofale'ia's Easter at the beach By Cory Miller On Easter Saturday Aucklanders walking along the shores of Long Bay would have spotted a large circle of people kneeling in prayer. The not- so-ordinary sight was members of the Lotofale'ia Mangere Tongan Church marking the end of a day of worship at the North Shore beach. Their prayers took place around a symbolic sand sculpture, with the late summer breeze gently blowing as waves crashed into the bay. Lotofale'ia minister Rev Goll Manukia says it was the Members of the congregation gathered at Long Bay to worship on the Saturday before Easter. first time the congregation has marked Easter week with a the past, Lotofale'ia has ended members of the congregation and explained what we were day at the beach, and it the week with a 'camp' on went to spend the day at Long doing at the beach.” became a way for them to church premises. Bay. Afterwards Goll says the share the Christian message This Easter week was A number of activities church members made a big New ward for with others. conducted under a theme were held at the beach - bible prayer circle around one of “It was about taking 'Holy Spirit renew us in the study, Easter discussions and the art pieces and knelt to Helena Goldie Hospital worship outside the four walls death and resurrection of a creative arts session drawing pray. of the church into the Christ'. on the natural environment to He says afterwards they Methodist Church of NZ president Rev community. It was a chance The Monday was marked create an art piece. decided to leave the artwork Prince Devanandan attended the opening of a to enjoy the environment and with some family time at the Goll says they made for others to enjoy, before the new ward at Helena Goldie Hospital at Munda the scenery.” church, on Tuesday fellowship sculptures out of sand and on New Georgia, Solomon Islands last month. Initially Gol wanted to do was shared with those not other objects at the beach and waves eventually came and washed it away. The new isolation ward will keep patients a full weekend camp, but this well-known in the parish, on discussed how it represented suffering from pneumonia and malaria separate did not fit within the Wednesday there was the Easter. “We left a few pieces of art on the sand for people to from other patients. congregation's budget. The usual service, and on “Every group explained Pitt Street Methodist Trust donated $40,000 beach day was the perfect Thursday bible studies, what it means to them and walk by and have a good look compromise. followed by a prayer chain what Easter means and we at. Even though it was our to the cost of the new toward and thee members Holy Week is a big one overnight. just left it there. People own programme, we like that of the Pitt Street congregation - Ronnie Matafeo for the Tongan Methodist On Good Friday a service walked by looking at the art we were taking it away from and David and Barbara Davies - accompanied Church which tends to mark was held to mark the work. Members of the the church and bringing it out Prince to attend the opening. each day in a special way. In beginning of camp, before congregation talked with them there into the community.”

CARING FOR OUR PEOPLE Got an asbestos management plan? By Trudy Downes Health and Safety Survey Malo e lelei. Talofa lava. Bula vinak. By now, your parish or rohe should Greetings. Tena koutou, tena koutou, have received a request to complete a tena tatou katoa. Health & Safety Baseline Survey. I Health and safety coordinator here, strongly encourage you to respond by 30 for The Methodist Church of New June to help direct our Church's efforts. Zealand Te Hahi Weteriana. This survey is for all parishes I am pleased to report that I have received the first asbestos management (Methodist and Uniting) and all rohe. plan and it goes something like this: When it comes to health and safety, ideally 'The Property Committee figures we all parishes and rohe should have in place only have one property, the parsonage, easy, repeatable, common sense processes with asbestos and we know where it is to prevent foreseeable issues in our and how to handle it. (They don't so they buildings and grounds. leave it to contractors). The other Knowing where we are now with buildings are new (2016), or newish (2001.)' regards to basic health and safety will I am sure that the property committee help us plan as a Church, what we need member was pulling my leg, however the to do to positively move towards this core essence of the plan is all in place (if ideal. a little light). It: This survey is about setting the 1) Identifies the risk and where it is. Soon churches will need to create a plan to document and manage asbestos on their properties. Photo by Harald Weber. baseline of where we are now, and it seeks Asbestos is only at the parsonage and opinions on the challenges we face and the other buildings fall outside of the the plan is the state of the asbestos. Is it materials as if they contain asbestos. where we can best direct our Connexional affected time period. contained with paint or behind another • Leave all surfaces and building 2) Controls the risk. Do not touch the effort. asbestos unless you are a qualified layer of material? Is it in a stable condition materials alone until they have been Please contact me if your parish or contractor. (not broken, or slowly breaking down assessed further. rohe requires an email copy of this survey, 3) Evaluates the risk. The blanket into a dusty surface)? • Undertake assessment before you do or if you have any questions. If you are one of the many who does any building work. approach of 'do not touch it unless you All results will come to are a qualified contractor' makes the not have an asbestos management plan, • Carry out in-depth assessments do not fret. Keep it simple. The plan immediately if the building materials [email protected] and risk quite minimal. will be shared back to you after they have 4) Reviews the risk. Well, this bit isn't doesn't have to be elaborate when you look broken or unsound. written into this particular management are starting out. • Communicate this plan with staff, been sorted. plan, but asbestos plans should be If you do not yet know what does or tenants and contractors. You can reach me on 03 366 6049 ext reviewed every five years as a does not contain asbestos within your • Review your plan whenever tenants 823, 027 457 4196 or maximum time period. buildings: change, building works are planned, [email protected]. The missing piece of information from • Treat all surfaces and building or in five years' time at a maximum. Nga mihi mahana ki a koutou. TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2018 3 NEWS Rural churches give voice to the voiceless By David Hill service to play,” Jerry says. Speaking at the sixth Prasad Rao is a bishop in International Rural Churches Rayalaseema Diocese for the Association (IRCA) conference Uniting Church of South India, at Lincoln University last month, IRCA chairman Jerry which has 40 million members Marshall said churches around and is India's second largest the world have an important Christian church. Despite its size, role to play in providing a voice it is just four percent of the for rural communities. population. “We help support each other “I am really pleased to be because rural work can be quite here in New Zealand because it lonely. We share resources and we try to be a voice for the is a beautiful country, but it is voiceless. very cold,” Prasad says. “Often rural people get Rural communities in India drowned out by strong urban face similar challenges to New voices and we can stand up some Zealand, like climate change and of the rural issues around the water issues. But most of the land world.” is owned by a few wealthy The IRCA conference was held in the Southern Hemisphere people, while most rural families for the first time in the During the IRCA conference delegates visited rural churches in Canterbury. provide labour for low wages. organisation's 25-year history. It ministers to serve multiple churches are the only group often the first to respond. “In rural communities in had the biggest attendance yet, congregations at once. remaining when other services “The churches out there India, people's lives depend upon with around 100 people from “Ministers increasingly have left. This gives them an straight away provide food and agriculture and upon the person New Zealand, Australia, the operate in oversight roles. One important role to play in bringing support for those affected. It is for whom they are working.” South Pacific, North America, minister might support eight people together. interesting in today's world, even India's caste or class system Asia, Africa and Europe. churches in the United Kingdom In countries like South Sudan with the role of faith being Jerry says rural church but in Malawi a minister can churches play a role in mediating diminished, people still want makes it difficult for people to communities around the world support around 50 churches, between warring tribes and in a somewhere to place their flowers support each other and “work for face similar challenges including visiting one church a week.” crisis such as a major fire or or to acknowledge a tragic event, the common benefit” like in New resourcing, which forces In many rural communities, earthquake, rural churches are so churches have an important Zealand. Pacific IRCA delegates find common ground PAC Distribution By David Hill Group Four South Pacific delegates - three Fijian youth leaders and a Tahitian minister were able to attend the International Rural Churches Association (IRCA) conference thanks to a grant from the New Zealand Methodist Church. Share your dream or story Pacific Conference of Grant requests close on 30 June 2018 Churches general secretary Rev Francois Pihaatae, of Tahiti, led See http://pac.methodist.org.nz the delegation. or email “We didn't know about IRCA Wendy Keir [email protected] before I received the call from chairman Jerry Marshall. He said he had funding and invited us to attend,” Francois says. “It has been wonderful to South Pacific delegates to IRCA were from left, Gloria Naduva, discover IRCA and to learn what Rev Francois Pihaatae, Talisa Whippy and Manasa Vatanitawake. is happening in rural Tuvalu and Kiribati, may have change in a country ravaged by METHODIST CHURCH communities elsewhere in the to relocate if sea levels continue cyclones and military coups. OF NEW ZEALAND world.” to rise. “The young generation wants Francois says most South South Pacific countries are to create a bridge between the Pacific churches work in rural looking to New Zealand and older people and the government, and remote communities, “so we Australia to help find a way so we are trying to be united Lectionary 2018/2019 didn't have any difficulty fitting forward, he says. again.” in”. New Zealand and Fiji are Young Fijian Christians Orders for the new Lectionary are due by The main issue for South taking in small numbers of volunteer in orphanages, visit Friday 22 June 2018. Pacific churches is climate climate refugees, but he has prisoners, and assist the elderly. Orders received by the due date are at no charge. After change and sea level rise, he says. concerns with the term 'refugee'. Catholic youth recently raised that date the cost is $2 each. “Climate change is a reality “We are talking about people $22,000 from small, rural for the South Pacific, particularly displaced by climate change. communities to support families The order form can be downloaded from with low-lying islands and Refugees are people fleeing from in Tonga in the wake of Cyclone www.methodist.org.nz/faith_and_order/lectionary atolls.” violence or war. We don't want Gita. Orders are to be posted to PO Box 931, He says two villages in Fiji to move, but we may not have a Fijian farming includes Christchurch 8140 or emailed to have already been relocated due choice.” dairying, cattle, root crops, [email protected] to sea level rise and there are Delegate Gloria Naduva says poultry and watermelon and fears entire nations, including young Fijians are standing up for mango fruits. 4 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2018 OPINION Humanity's threat to God's creation To the editor, planet. This being the case, any call to stand I was intrigued by the letter to the editor in with those who oppose exploration for more oil April's Touchstone titled 'Church should not be should be actively supported by Christians. politicised'. The letter claims that "Oil is essential for This was written as a response to the Public the survival and success of our economy." This Issue Coordinator appealing to Church members is essentially a claim that the survival of our to support her opposition to oil exploration. The economy is of greater concern than the survival claim was made that this "is not a public issue of life on Earth and I cannot accept that. that is relevant to the Christian Church in New If life on Earth is threatened by our economy, Zealand". From my perspective, any of mankind's then we need to reconstruct the basis on which actions that serve to destroy the created order our economy functions. It was made by man must be curtailed by all who wish to honour the and can be changed by man. commitment to love God and neighbour alike. Man did not create the environment in which It is a recognised fact that if the known life thrives and neither did man create life. The reserves of fossil fuels were to be extracted and preservation of our environment and of life itself used as they are at present, it would have a is clearly a Christian responsibility. catastrophic effect on life on this our home Brian Kendrick, Nelson Let me tell you a story... To the editor, with people who are not familiar with them) I have a 5.0m x 5.0m garden plot at the which is sweeping the world today. I felt led to community garden in Papatoetoe. About 80 write Ashok a note, in which I told him that percent of the other plot holders are Indian from Jesus taught that the second most important Fiji or India. commandment was to love your neighbour and A very important part of our time at the how Jesus then told the story of the Good garden is the morning tea, when we have a Samaritan. chance to sit together and chat. I have become I told Ashok the story in my own words. A friends with a man called Ashok, who is the man was travelling on a road in Israel and was By Jan Fogg manager of a local pizza shop. robbed and almost killed. A Samaritan, an enemy We recently had a very rainy morning, when of the Jews, helped him a lot. He put him on his not much gardening was being done. It was a animal, tended to his wounds, and took him to time to chat together. a hotel where he paid the innkeeper to look after Saying please, but I asked Ashok how things were going at his him for a night. work. He told me how a huge number of his Who was the neighbour to the injured man? especially thank you customers use the 'f...' word. They do so if pizzas “I suppose the man who showed mercy.” are delivered late or early, or the pizzas are cold The message for Ashok was that if he could As young people we were taught health and immunity against disease, because people pick them up too late. I understand the considerable stress his customers how important it is to say 'please' and reduces stress-building emotions sympathised with him. were under and the reasons for that stress, it and 'thank you'. After a while, I such as resentment, frustration and Ahok is subjected to a lot of the 'f...' word. might help him to be patient with them. guess, we figured out that those regret. Depression is lower and My comment was that when people swear like Of course, before we can story the Scriptures, magic words helped us get the things resilience is higher. we wanted. Being thankful gives people a that, it is a sign that they are under stress. we have to have established a friendship first! There is a lot in the Bible about longer, healthier and happier life. Who The following day, by chance, I was reading There is power in the Gospel stories. the importance of giving thanks. Most would have thought? about 'Bible storying' (or sharing Bible stories Geoffrey Stubbs, Papatoetoe of the Psalms - the prayer-book of the Some people seem by nature to people of Israel - begin or end or are be optimistic, whilst others tend to be filled right through with thanks. But pessimistic. It we fall into the American evangelicals echo dark past there is even more to it than this. pessimistic group, it does not mean To the editor The Nazis persecuted the Jews. The It is not the word itself that is so we are beaten from the start. I wish to comment on the excellent thought- American evangelicals are anti-Muslim and do important, as one's attitude behind it, Neither do we help matters when provoking article in the March Touchstone by not challenge Trump's anti-Mexican rhetoric. the attitude of true thankfulness. Some we try to destroy these negative of you will have heard of the study of characteristics. In doing so, we are Andrew Doubleday. Andrew eludes to the Sikh people have been murdered because they a group of 700 nuns in USA, which prone to slip into self-hatred and so similarities to the German church under Hitler wear turbans and far-right Americans think they came out in 2000. Researchers looking destroy the good we have as well. and the American Evangelical Church under are Muslims. at ageing and Alzheimer's disease It is a bit like the parable of the Trump. Unfortunately he is correct. The Americans are of course, not as far along followed the course of the nuns' lives wheat and the weeds, where we are This year I read the biography of Dietrich the road as the Nazis were, but I can't help for 60 years. encouraged to grow the wheat to Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas (Bonhoeffer: Pastor, thinking that if the whole American church stood They were able to access written maturity, and then deal with the weeds. Martyr, Prophet, Spy). Bonhoeffer stood up to up and said no to Trump's racism and no to the life stories including the reasons these It is better to slowly build up the the Nazis but the Church did not; it supported persecution of homosexuals and LGQTG people, sisters entered the convent when they positive by consciously finding the the Nazis. Trump would be stopped in his tracks. were 20 or 30 years old. The lifestyles good to be thankful for. Bonhoeffer started the Confessing Church All this is relevant to the New Zealand they followed were very similar to This is a habit building exercise. but even they capitulated. Even Martin church. Unfortunately some in the New Zealand one another, of course, which reduced Perhaps as we become older and our Niemoller, who wrote the famous statement Church are contaminated by the American the number of future variables in the bodies do not work the way the 'First they came for the socialists...', did nothing disease. There is a lot of anti-LGQTG and anti- study. Commonwealth Games athletes' Their health was assessed each bodies do, we find it easy to find initially, although he later opposed the Nazis Muslim rhetoric in parts of the Church. year. Degrees of positive emotions of things to complain about. and was sent to prison. Anti-gay Christians try to justify their stance contentment, gratitude, happiness, The other choice we have, There were chances at international as Biblical despite the fact Jesus does not love and hope coded from the sisters' however, is to consciously look for ecumenical meetings before the war when the mention homosexuality once. early writings enabled researchers to the good in each day. The interesting German church could have asked for help, but I think that as Christians we need to stand identify four groups. The group with thing is that the more we look for they did nothing. If he had lacked the support up for LGQTG people and also Muslims who the highest expression of positive good, the more good there is to be of the Church, perhaps Hitler could have been are unfortunately targeted even in our country. emotions was found to live on average found! defeated in Germany. Fortunately this prejudice is not mainstream in 7-10 years longer than the lowest As children our minds are taught American evangelical churches, like German New Zealand but we do not want to let it grow group. to say 'thank you'. But as older people churches during Nazi times, are strongly opposed in the church and be used in the future by a Further studies have since shown hopefully our hearts have learned from to homosexual people. Homosexuals under Nazi Trump-like figure to gain power. that developing an attitude of gratitude love to truly be thankful. Have a happy Germany were sent to the gas chambers. Dawn Trenbeth, Papatoetoe has many effects. It improves physical day.

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]@paradise.net.nz Email [email protected]@xtra.co.nz [email protected] [email protected] Printer The Ashburton Guardian Opinions in Touchstone do not necessarily reflect Production Julian Doesburg [email protected] 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 2018 5 OPINION

FROM THE PRESIDENT AND THE VICE PRESIDENT We share the Good News Have you heard the latest news? We express our gratitude to Paul for Viv joined the Melville congregation Chances are that you are less than 24 all he has contributed to our life in Te Hahi for the 150th Anniversary of the Hamilton hours away from a newspaper, TV update and wish him well in his life beyond Methodist Trust, which started in 1868 or on-line newsfeed to find out what's Touchstone. with the gift of half a 'town plot'. Through happening 'out there'. Last month we celebrated Easter in careful and visionary management, this The media inform, educate, shock and our home congregations and we have been immunise us, in turn, by putting their spin attending meetings and preparing for gift has generated many thousands of on stories. The press provides us with commitments ahead. Prince had a quiet dollars for the benefit of people in the accounts of events and with personal time after Easter as a week-long meeting church and local community. highlights and tragedies from our own with church presidents and moderators We are witnesses to the good that has backyards or the other side of the globe. across the Tasman was postponed. President Vice President been achieved through one person's vision Prince Devandan Viv Whimster While their exposure of unethical This meant he was able to address and generosity. behaviour and corrupt practice sometimes some pastoral matters and attend the church for people without a roof over their heads. As Christians, as Methodists, as Easter seems to set society's moral standards, leaders meeting with the Prime Minister Providing temporary accommodation people, we have good news! After good journalists can also increase our in Parliament. Those discussions focussed means additional cost to the government. Pentecost, those first followers of Jesus understanding, and offer different on housing the homeless, child poverty The Prime Minister told the church leaders perspectives to broaden our horizons. It is and the impact of climate change in the that while it is expensive, we must help became fearless witnesses of his risen life, often bad news, with added sensation and Pacific. It was encouraging to note that people to be warm during winter. facing up to political and religious power drama, that sells a newspaper. However, parliamentarians and church leaders are Addressing child poverty includes the and expressing the compassion of God in there is also a lot of good news around. pretty much on the same page on these need to house families. Methodist Missions practical, caring ways. This month we pay tribute to Paul Titus issues. are doing their best to help. When is it They knew they were moored to Christ who resigns as editor of Touchstone. Paul Two days after the meeting, the Prime more important to build more houses than and courageously moved into mission. and his capable team have kept us in touch Minister announced the government's construct church buildings or repair those Have we been witnesses to lives changed, with each other across the Connexion and policy to halt future deep-sea oil and gas that are half a century or so old? to hope in places of despair, to grace and beyond. Through stories about parish life, exploration. Those of us who have worked Prince attended the opening ceremony reports from those who have attended towards collecting signatures to ask the of Te Taha M_ori's Whakatuora Housing reconciliation where there has been overseas conferences, articles that confront government to take this action must project in Mangere, where five new houses division? If so, then we have good news our pre-suppositions, personal perspectives continue to work to mitigate climate have been made available to deserving to share! and reviews, we have been informed, change. families. Christ's call to receive the stranger May you know Christ's risen presence challenged and encouraged. The approach of winter is bad news is fulfilled in this action by the church. as we continue through this Easter season!

Poet’s Corner Flowers with a Heart What it means to be Methodist… Part IV Togetherness By 'Osaiasi K. Fatai By Kathryn Walters “I have come that you may have Flowers have a heart The sixth Methodist social life, and have it abundantly,” John By 'Osaiasi K. Fatai What's in the heart matters principle is the fair use of power, For it attracts the insects 10:10. That can pollinate other flowers technology and strength. This “Judge not, that you be not judged. A pearl in life is togetherness And begin a new life, another flower. includes: For with the judgment you pronounce It feeds the soul 1) Fair global trade that protects local you will be judged, and with the economies, cultures and livelihoods. measure you use it will be measured to Becoming alive with relatedness Flowers have a centre That gives off lovely fragrance 2) Technology that preserves rather you,” Matthew 7:1-2. It heals the spirit That gives a message of beauty than endangers creation and human “One of them was an expert in the And survives when it is in coldness. And attractiveness to people nearby. life. Jewish Law. So he tried to test Jesus 3) We decry military and economic by asking, 'Teacher, what is the most forces that threaten human existence. A diamond in life is connectedness You are like a flower with a heart important commandment in the Law?' And a flower with a centre 4) Dialogue for peace and justice Jesus answered: 'Love the Lord your It grows the soul You attract people to see your beauty among the world's populations, God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Letting it bear fruits of happiness And you bless the lives of people you religions and nations. This is the first and most important It makes the spirit smile know. During the large protests of the 20th commandment. The second most century, the Methodist Church stood at Letting it prosper in times of bondedness. important commandment is like this You are like a plant that flowers in spring the 'coal face of change' ready to one. And it is, Love others as much as times support. Where have our voices gone? you love yourself. All the Law of Moses A sapphire in life is joining with others And flowers in times of summer I wonder if we have become complacent and the Books of the Prophets are based It refreshes the soul But it's not just that and perhaps not a little lazy finding it on these two commandments',” For you also give off lovely fragrance far easier to click 'like' on a Facebook Giving it much needed food to bear fruit Matthew 22:35-40. In times of challenges and difficulties page rather than propel ourselves off These are just a few of the Scriptures It energizes the spirit You also flower in times of deep winter. our couches and onto to the streets like that reveal the teachings and good news so many of our fellow New Zealanders Giving it opportunities to revitalize. of Christ. (This poem was inspired by the Christians before us. The Social Principles of the all over the world whose lives shine That said, there are plenty of You... who do not have this pearl in life brightly despite the challenges they face examples of Methodists protesting Methodist Church can help us put the You... who do not have this diamond in life in life.) today's issues to challenge and inspire teachings and good news of Christ into us - such as child poverty, social practice. They can help us live out those You... who do not have this sapphire in life core gospel values, be agents of Take a step... one at a time services, health care, the Living Wage, An end to oil slavery water quality and education. Often this transformation in our community, and Take a pace... one at a time goes unreported because the numbers allow God's Spirit to transform us. To the editor, The conclusion of the Social Take a walk... one at a time It is an interesting coincidence that Craig of protestors are relatively small by comparison to days gone past. Principles says this: “Together we as For there is life in togetherness Rickit's letter 'Church should not be politicised', individual Christians and churches There is delight in connectedness published in your April 2018 edition, is printed How might we live in ways to stand up and be a strong voice for a just and make the commitment to live out these There is happiness in bondedness on the page that follows an article entitled Social Principles and core values, and 'Activists keep spotlight on Canterbury rivers'. fair use of power and resources? We For this diamond is treasure to share Craig states, "Oil is essential for the survival might feel a bit like Isaiah (40:3). “A invite members of our church, in This pearl is wealth to distribute and success of our economy." I am sure an voice cries out in the desert: 'Clear a partnership with fellow Christians and communities of faith to do the same. This sapphire in life is fortune to spread ancient Roman would have said the same about way for the Lord. Make a straight slavery, but now we know better. Similarly, we highway in the wilderness for our God'.” We make this commitment together as Yes...it is yours to own are beginning to know better about oil. But should that silence our voices? members of Christ's body, led by the Yes...it is yours to keep If our church ignores "political and economic At the end of the day, the voice of One Spirit, trusting in the God who Yes...it is yours to possess issues" such as climate change which is already hope, the voice of gospel grace, love makes all things new.” resulting in a rise in sea level, we will find our and justice needs to be heard. May you be the change the world You...yes it is yours. preachers working from boats and mountains. Principal VII desperately needs in the place where I know Jesus did this but He did so for different Our seventh and last principle you live. May you be the blessing that (This poem was motivated by John Wesley, reasons. undergirds the previous six. It is simply God is calling you to be. May you who once said: "Do not allow yourself one Poverty and homelessness could also be expressed thus: The Gospel of our Lord empower and equip people to live a life considered political and economic issues, but with joy, peace, love and hope and may thought of separating from your brothers Jesus Christ contains the message that should the church ignore them? will promote the regeneration of society. you find your own joy, peace, love and and sisters, whether their opinions agree It is all very well concentrating on saving Gospel literally means 'good news'. hope. with yours or not.") souls, but souls need bodies to inhabit, and The Good News is the teaching and Rev Kathryn Walters is bodies need a place to live. revelation of Christ, particularly in the superintendent of the Central South John Northcott, Warkworth first four books of the New Testament. Island Synod. 6 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2018 NEWS AND VIEWS Israel Folau's hell HONES T TO GOD By Ian Harris By Jione Havea debate is that no one bothers to Could this mean that they will not Israel Folau's anti-gay belief check the basis for Israel's charge. inherit earth (as the kingdom of Idea, energy, power has set off a debate among some He justifies his wanting to send God) and so may end up in heaven? New Zealand is not Time and effort, passion and political and religious leaders, gay people to hell on the basis of These questions show that these backward in staging festivals sweat, false starts and endless former and current rugby players, 1 Cor 6:9-10. two verses are not as simple as academics and people of good will For anyone who is interested, Israel reads them. of the arts. This year's schedule revisions are needed to translate in Aotearoa New Zealand and please read this text, and you will If you read 1 Cor 6:9-10 again, includes festivals in Auckland, the idea into the appropriate Australia. find that it does not say anything in the context of 1 Cor 6:1-11, you Hamilton, Wellington, Nelson outward form. Energy flows The debate circles around about anyone going to hell. Rather, will see that the concern of the and Dunedin. back and forth within the writer freedom of religious belief, these two verses list those who will larger passage is about disputes From music and dance to between the idea and its freedom of speech, the courage to not inherit the kingdom of God. that end up in court. That context drama, the visual arts and expression. resist the establishment (Rugby This list includes “men who have makes sense of why slanderers contemporary literature, they Yet it is the originating idea Australia) and whether Israel is a sex with men”, but it does not say (which has to do with defamation, present a dazzling that controls the role model, an evangelical that they will go to hell. rather than falsehood) will not display of human choice of episodes Christian and the pride of Pasifika Let me be clear: not inheriting inherit the kingdom of God. creativity, all up or phrases or people. the kingdom of God does not mean In light of the larger context of Israel dances to the tunes of the that the people on the list will go 1 Cor 6:1-11, therefore, Israel has front and personal. brush-strokes to conservatives, and gives his to hell. The domains of life are used the media like a court to Most of those make them tattooed body to their agendas and more than two: kingdom of God slander his gay brothers. who attend conform to the endorsements. He even threatens versus hell. There is also the Israel's courage to speak his performances are pattern of the to walk away from rugby union, domain of earth. 1 Cor 6:9-10 could faith has hurt gay people, many of likely to enjoy and whole work. and he is talented and privileged thus mean that the people on the whom are Christians and of evaluate them on Beyond that enough that he can find a contract list will live longer on earth. Pasifika heritage. For me, 'religious that basis alone. It double process is in the other codes. He will succeed This suggestion is undermined freedom' and 'freedom of speech' is possible, Ian Harris a third and vital because he is a good player, and by the Lord's Prayer, which links do not give Israel, or any other however, to add another level element, the work's power to he has many fans. the kingdom of God with earth: Christian, the license to to the experience by seeing communicate to others. That I will not be surprised if at that “Let your kingdom come on earth misinterpret biblical texts or to events through the lens of the point he will claim that God as it is in heaven.” Could the slander against brother or sister. can be known only in the rewarded him for his courage to kingdom of God in 1 Cor 6:9-10 Jione Havea is Research Christian doctrine that reading/hearing/viewing of the shout (in the media) that gay people also be a reference to earth? Fellow in Religious Studies, at humankind is created in the finished piece, and it hinges will go to hell. What does this mean for the Trinity Methodist Theological image of God. In fact, the idea largely on the talent of the What annoys me about the people listed in 1 Cor 6:9-10? College, Auckland. of God as creator and creativity performers and the in the arts are more closely responsiveness of the audience intertwined than many people itself. Asian Christians have long histories, realise. In one festival in “God created man in his Wellington, for example, uncertain futures own image,” says Genesis, “in audiences experienced the By Hilaire Campbell own Reformations and dating from the 1st century, the image of God he created creative power of Bach's St John Half the world's Christians Enlightenments. And there too beginning we now know, with the him; male and female he created Passion or Britten's Noye's live in Asia and half of more than 2000 languages are Apostles and the early Church of them.” And the Hebrew word Fludde. Ideally, their experience Christianity's history has taken spoken. the East . The modern 'missionary for image means just that, a of such works would have place there, People outside and movement' is therefore only a later likeness. rounded out the composers' idea something that is even inside 'Asia' often phase in that long story. The declaration in Genesis and the creative activity that lie not well known in say that Christianity is John believes that the issues is not, of course, a scientific behind them, and fulfilled the the West. western and doesn't facing Christianity in China, of statement of origins. It expresses works in the consciousness of This is the belong in Asia countries, religious freedom for minorities, a relationship between God (or those who heard them. view of scholar yet its history there is inter-faith encounter and social Godness) and human beings. At While each of these three Rev Dr John ancient, its founder was justice, apply to all Asian countries. the very least, it says that England, who has Asian as are its As in other countries like Pakistan, elements can be considered humanity is capable of separately, the idea on its own worked closely foundation books. Vietnam or Malaysia, these issues reflecting this God/Godness. with Asian churches of Asia spread are sometimes sharper in China. is not the work, nor is the Usually the relationship is activity of the composers and churches and the through the many silk But 'open' or public churches expressed as one between ecumenical routes across a vast have proliferated in China since performers that bring it to John England. creator and creatures, the one movement there region, encountering the Cultural Revolution ended fruition, nor its power to who initiates and those who owe since the 1970s. John says the state and exchanging with other religious (1976), attended by 'members', communicate. The dynamic their being to that act of of Christianity in the region is traditions such as Buddhism, adherents and 'seekers'. Although interaction of all three is needed creation. On the one hand is complex because it is so diverse Judaism and Hinduism along the subject to surveillance they are able to fully realise the work. divine power and will, on the within dozens of rich cultures and way. Although always a minority to continue most normal activities, In other words, there is a other, the duty to comply. societies. in their land many Asian churches including that of theological trinity to be discerned in the For people who think of It is said that there is no such pre-date any European churches, education in over 20 seminaries. creative act. Sayers says the God as a being with an thing as 'Asia' because it comprises being active in ten countries east There are also house or remarkable thing is that this so many countries - from India to of Persia by the 8th century. existence independent of 'underground churches', which are trinity mirrors in human Korea to Indonesia - each with its Christianity in China, as also not state sanctioned, for both humanity, this lies at the heart experience what the early own rich history and culture, its in India, has a history therefore Catholics and Protestants. Catholic of their faith. members here do not accept There is another way to church sought to express locally elected Bishops, while approach the metaphor, through the Christian Trinity of many Protestant members do however, and that is the way of Father (idea), Son (activity or not accept The 'Three-Self creativity. It builds on the idea energy expressing the idea) and Methodist Trust Association Patriotic Movement'. that if God is portrayed as Holy Spirit (communicative John says the Chinese creator, and humanity is created power). government's Religious in God's image, then one of the A common mistake is to Affairs Bureau has become essential ways people reflect take each element of this Trinity DISTRIBUTION RATES TO 31 MARCH 2018 more accepting of all faiths Godness is when they in turn on its own (or to use the more except those practices which are creative, even in quite usual word “person”, which it deems to be superstitious. humble ways. originally meant an actor's Provincial administrations Many years ago detective mask, or role) and add them up 3 Months 12 Month Average differ greatly however as do fiction writer Dorothy Sayers to make three Gods instead of the memberships of both one. Another trap is to make the Income Fund 5.45% 5.44% 'open' and 'house' churches teased out the human creative ideas so convoluted that Growth and Income Fund 3.94% 4.37% which sometimes overlap. process in a way that brought Almost every Asian out remarkable parallels with ordinary mortals give up on Income Distributions for the December quarter $3,252,158 country says it provides the Christian understanding of them. freedom for Christians and God as creator. But as a symbol of the Investment is only available to Methodist Church groups members of other religious She says any artistic work dynamic unity of idea, energy minority groups to worship, begins with someone's creative and power, this Trinity can be Contact email: [email protected] publish, witness or protest at idea. The writer or artist seen as both central to human injustice. This is not so in envisages the completed work, experience and a window into Established for the secure and socially responsible recent history however, so that in a sense the end is in Godness - and nowhere so except in the cases of Japan, the beginning. But at this stage clearly as in a festival of the investment of the Church's funds South Korea and Taiwan. there is nothing to show. arts. TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2018 7 NEWS AND VIEWS

PUBLIC ISSUES NETWORK By Betsan Martin, Public Issues co-ordinator Financing the Garden of Eden The churches welcome the agreements such as the Paris towards a creation-centred Some corporates are already We need corporations to shift government's work to cut child Agreement and the Sustainable worldview. This perspective sees shifting their mindset towards from short-term financial gain in poverty, increase wages, build Development Goals. humans as part of the whole sustainability. They are offering the interests of shareholders, to houses, plant trees, and make Between now and August we community of life on our to be accountable for the way long-term sustainability and policies and investments aimed want to hear what members of common home. they use of resources and they pollution averse benefits. This at helping the climate. the church have to say about The science of earth systems are aiming for long-term can be done by reducing poverty, The churches are involved in climate justice. can give us a view of creation financial, environmental and cleaning up rivers, careful many of these efforts. Several Some change will come at over millions of epochs. The social returns. stewardship of land, and lowering churches, including the Methodist the policy level. On the horizon stable climate of the past 10,000 The Methodist Church takes greenhouse gas emissions. Church of NZ, are reducing is the Zero Carbon Act due later years, the Holocene, has provided the performance of corporates on Churches have a strong investments in fossil fuel and this year. Churches can bring a the conditions for human-kind to these grounds into account in its interest in mission and climate coal. Some have divested fully. justice perspective to the issue of evolve and expand. We could responsible investment policy. justice. Because of our histories The Anglicans are setting up lowering fossil fuel emissions. think of this as a 'Garden of Eden' For example, corporates that use in ethical investing, churches can a carbon offset scheme for church In March, the Prime Minister period because we have had a child labour and exploitative make an important contribution travel. They are dedicating the announced there will be no new stable climate with only a 2 employment are excluded. Fossil proceeds to Pacific climate work. fossil fuel exploration. Many degree temperature range. This fuel investments are excluded as to toward integrated climate We can develop resources and church people took part in the means a 2-4 degree rise is very far as it is possible to screen these finance. activities to teach children, and campaign to achieve this. significant and could destabilise out (though this can be difficult). Responsible church engage young people, and In April the Swedish scientist the earth. Companies depend upon investment currently has a strengthen theological education Johan Rockstrom was here. Johan Finance is critical. The broader social and environmental priority on financial return to on these topics. and others have developed the Ministry for Environment has structures and services for their support mission. At the same time A Public Issues group has notion of planetary boundaries released a report on climate survival. At the same time, many we need to be part of the change prepared a draft climate justice that mark the safe operating finance. In a nutshell, it says the of the global community's towards investment for climate policy for the Methodist Church. spaces for human activity. He way we invest money is pressing issues can only be justice with a focus on building We want it to have relevant says to operate safely will require important for economic addressed with contributions pollution-free and socially-fair actions that link us to the major a massive shift in mindset stewardship. from companies. communities. G'day and good luck Methodist Publishing By Paul Titus because those who opposed the move made The May 2018 issue of Touchstone is space for it to advance. Board farewells Paul Titus my last as editor. I say this with both regret This issue has been the most vexed We are a people of stories. The Bible delight and pleasure to work with. and relief. during my time as editor. New Zealand and is full of stories of faith, failings, Totally reliable and dependable, Paul I served as a reporter for Touchstone the world have moved a long way toward success and failure. They are the stories made being a Board member easy. From when it was established in 2001 and became equality over the past decade, but it is still of ordinary people, prophets and kings. the perspective of the Church we are editor in 2003. Seventeen years is virtually a sensitive topic for the Church, as These stories help shape us and inform thanking a friend who has built and our faith. a generation that Touchstone has been a evidenced by this very issue of Touchstone, nurtured relationships with us, and We continue to tell the stories of the part of my life and that I have been invited which carries three stories on the topic, month by month became part of our impact of Jesus, of seeking to discern lives. into the lives of Methodist and Uniting rohe including Jione Havea's comments on Israel and live out love. Since 2003, Paul Titus The Publishing Board, on behalf of and congregations throughout the Folau. has been instrumental in helping the the Church, wishes Paul well for his Connexion. Touchstone is a national paper so I have Methodist Church explore its faith and future. The Church will have the tell its stories. It has been a privilege to share the stories tried not to be a one-eyed Cantabrian. This opportunity to formally thank Paul Month by month Paul has engaged of the people called Methodist in Aotearoa. has not always been easy given the trauma during Conference in Christchurch on in conversation seeking insight into what They are the stories of efforts large and that the region has been through as a result Saturday September 30th. is happening in our lives so that stories small to expand and share the Good News of the earthquakes. can be told and retold to inform and The Methodist Publishing Board is of the Bible through reflection, fellowship, I do regret I have not been able to travel strengthen us. in the process of appointing an Editor community service and activism. more as editor, for as the Maori saying It has not been his role to please of Touchstone and Communications They include stories of celebration and 'kanohi ki te kanohi' goes, it is when we everyone, or reflect certain points of Officer. It is hoped to confirm an accomplishment as well as sadness and loss. meet face-to-face that we get down to brass view, but to let members of the Church, appointment in early May. Touchstone has also covered many tacks and get to the real story. in all our diversity, have a voice. This This will mean that Touchstone will controversies - e.g., euthanasia, legalisation Touchstone is a team effort. I want to is a task and role that Paul has fulfilled not be printed in June. The publication of the July issue may be dependent on of prostitution, same-sex marriage, and free acknowledge the crew of writers, artists, with distinction. From the perspective of the the amount of notice the new editor has trade - in which good people have stood on and proof readers plus our graphic designer Publishing Board, Paul has been a to give to their current employer. the opposite sides of difficult issues. Julian Doesburg and advertising manager I acknowledge those who have had the Pieter van den Berg. courage to share their views in public on I should note that they and I have been these and other issues. Thanks to everyone paid for our work in Touchstone, and we Touchstone will soon have a new editor who has written a letter to the editor. should acknowledge those who have As the official photographer, I have had contributed their thoughts and creative the best seat in the house at Methodist energy voluntarily. They include Jim Stuart, Conference as presidential teams took office, Doreen Lennox, Rosalie Sugrue, Jan Fogg, SEE YOU new presbyters and deacons were ordained, Dianna Roberts, Andrew Doubleday and and faithful servants of the church retired. the presbyters and lay preachers who have IN A MONTH As a delegate to Conference, I have sat contributed to our Reflection column. through some sessions of tedious but It is also important to thank the liaison OR TWO. necessary business, but I have also been people who have organised and edited the present when the Methodist Church has Pacific language pages over the years. Most made momentous decisions. have been presbyters who did this work on These include the 2003 Memorandum top of their other pastoral duties. of Understanding that allowed the ordination Finally, I acknowledge the Methodist of gay and lesbian ministers. It was a Publishing Board which provided guidance decision filled with grace both because it and support but also a free hand for me to During the transition there will be no June issue allowed people who have long-been pursue the stories of the church, wherever and possibly no July issue. Thanks for your patience. excluded to serve and share their gifts and they led. 8 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2018 NEWS & VIEWS

NOLA STUART Love in the wind REFLECTS ON PENTECOST I remember the church bells ringing readings leading to Pentecost Sunday. journey towards Pentecost. Jesus taught that you can't love God all through Balclutha, heralding the end Recently I read 'A Higher Calling' by The imagery helps us understand that, and not strive to love others. What we do of World War II. I was seven years old. Adam Makos, a story of two WWII pilots as branches, we are all family and friends for 'the least of these' links us inextricably I recall the excitement, the celebration who 'met' mid-air over the coast of France. connected to the source of life, (John 15: with God. and joy. The shops were shut by lunch- One was an American nursing his damaged 9-17). “I tell you to love each other, as I have time and people were making plans for aircraft, and other was a German flying in The lectionary takes us on a journey loved you and the best way we can show welcoming men and women home, to finish the job. of teaching and practice, reminding us that we love someone is to lay down our tempered by sadness that others would Miraculously, Stigler, the German, was God's love and teaching becomes part of life for them (John 15:12-13).” never return. moved instead to fly alongside the other our DNA. As Stigler came alongside the American Many asked, 'Was it worth it?' pilot, allowing him to escape the German Grounded in Christ the vine, the love bomber, he saw through the gaps in the In a year when we mark the 100th 'flak-wall' which would have surely brought of God runs like sap through us, the fuselage the dead and gravely wounded, and a courageous man determined to get anniversary of the end of World War I, a them down in the North Sea. branches, producing fruits of love. his men home. similar question was asked of the student The book caused me to think deeply God's love leads the way to courage, He had taken a great risk of being court- body at our local college's recent ANZAC about 'being called' - called to serve King to kindness, to generosity, to collaboration martialled to help the bomber escape. He Remembrance service. and country, called to serve a dictator, and and love. We discover joy in doing the longed to know if it was it worth it. You A good question, but as the stories of called to serve Christ. right thing and responding to the decide. courage, sacrifice and resilience of local The lectionary readings for May offer promptings of the Holy Spirit. Footnote: 46 years later the two men men and women who served overseas were opportunities to reflect, explore, and be Sacrificial love and compassionate love met and CBS billed the story as a tale of told, there was no doubt students challenged in our call to be the people of were present that day in the clouds over redemption. recognised the high price paid for our God. the North Sea. Stigler was a practising Nola Stuart is a member of the Riverton freedom. Beginning at John 15 with a familiar Catholic. He had rosary beads in his jacket Union Parish, Southland and on the This service caused me to reflect on metaphor of the grapevine, the readings pocket. Could we say love motivated this executive committee of the NZ Lay the 'light' of Easter and the lectionary ooze love. It is a great starting point as we random act of kindness? Preachers Association.

FROM WHERE I S IT Why the Methodist Church? By Andrew Doubleday In 1938 William Sangster Methodism has to offer to the have changed little, but how they We too need to rediscover the published a little book entitled contemporary world? And is the responded to them was radically mission imperative to be 'Methodism Can Be Born contemporary world interested? transformed. This tells us that the concerned for souls. Parts of our Again'. What is sufficiently compelling inner life is the primary focus for church do effectively and we see In the face of ongoing decline, about our lives that others, not change. the results in their growth, both it was a plea to the British of our tribe, will want to join? Even with the worthy goals in number and effectiveness. Methodist Church to consider its My conviction is that unless of improving circumstances It matters not what else we trajectory, and to once again make we put God at the centre - the through championing social do, what worthy projects we the main thing the main thing, God we meet in Jesus Christ - justice and getting our hands dirty commit ourselves to. If we fail that is to rediscover the essential we are toast. Except for Pasifika, in making a practical difference, to locate the centre that is only graces that Methodism offers and Andrew Doubleday we have no future. We will fade while we ignore the call to life- found in Jesus Christ, we cease for which it deserves a place in as a mostly uninteresting relic of changing, heart-strangely- to be the church. We will die as the world. challenges that face us in order a past era which effectively warming encounters with the a rather sad footnote in the history After a two-year hiatus, this to seize hold of the opportunities morphed into a rather low-energy living Christ, we have missed our of Aotearoa. Methodist Conference meets in that may be presenting social club with little of central call as the church. My hope and prayer is that at a new pattern of biennial themselves. Wonderful. transformative value. Dr Martin Lloyd Jones was a Conference we will face seriously gatherings. Our incoming Notwithstanding our current The vitality of early physician who wanted to make a the crisis in which we find Presidential Team is boldly Mission statement, one of the Methodism was found in changed real difference in people's lives. ourselves. Rather than seek inviting the church to depart from challenges we face is defining lives. People in desperate He saw that only through Jesus solutions in further structural the age-old practice of picking who we are and, most situations were brought from Christ was life-giving changes we must turn toward the over the bones of the past two significantly, what gospel we death, darkness, and despair, into transformation possible. He left God whose name we claim in years. present to the world. life, light, and hope. being a doctor of bodies to take repentance and yearn for a fresh Instead, we will focus on the What are the distinctives that Their circumstances may up caring for souls. start.

Adrian Skelton UCANZ has a moving experience UCANZ executive officer Having shifted house only late have been elevated to the third storey last year, I was aware of the effort of the Anglican Centre, near the but also the emotions involved in Cathedral, and we have morning tea moving from one place to another. with the erudite and jovial crew of Now the UCANZ Office has shifted the Wellington Diocese. from one side of Wellington to the It has been a good move, other - from the cosmopolitan occasioned by the need for earthquake 'culture' of Courtney Place to the strengthening of our old premises. It precinct of Parliament. is ironic that we are now in an even As for effort, we had the older building (see picture) which professional efficiency of the removal was originally the gift of a grateful firm Crown. Crown often carries out nation to the widow of Prime Minister contracts under the Cooperative Seddon. Ventures Removal Scheme, which But it is the people who make the covers the removal costs of incoming difference. To have sympathetic ministers for CVs who are members. people around you - and we have - is UCANZ's new home at the Anglican Centre in Thorndon. This professionals' effort was surely more important than the colour supplemented by many days of discoveries, such as photographs, and everything? Phones? Power? of the wallpaper or the number of preparation by administrative assistant sobering moments including a five Photocopier? Then the square metres occupied. Robyn Daniels and myself. One year strategy document from earlier reconnections... we had no Internet For those who need to know, our element in this was doing 'triage' on this century, that now reads like for a day. (Did you miss us?). new address is 18 Eccleston Hill, the filing system: some to archives, ancient history. Such is the pace of The biggest change is the people Thorndon, Wellington. The postal much retained for continuing access, change in the Church. around us. No longer do we rub address is PO Box 12 046, Wellington a fair amount for file 13. Emotions around the move shoulders with Kiwi Financial and 6144 and the UCANZ direct dial is There were also occasional happy include anxiety. Have we remembered the Kakapo Ink tattoo parlour. We 04 471 8593. Trinity Methodist Theological College Essays explore future of theology in Aotearoa

In 2019, Trinity College celebrates its Jione explains that one of the aims of the a big difference between theory and practice 90th anniversary and to help mark the volume is to explore how we can do theological because churches in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji are occasion the College is sponsoring a volume studies in a way that is appropriate for Aotearoa very traditional,” Jione says. of essays on the future of theology and New Zealand and the Pacific. In addition to One of the themes explored in the volume theological education in Aotearoa New attention to tangata whenua matters, it has a is doing theology in cultures with strong oral Zealand. focus on how migrants do theology in Aotearoa. The working title for this book is 'Thresholds “Pakeha brought the Gospel and theology traditions. Rev Keita Hotere's article asks how of Theology', and it is co-edited by members of here, and in some ways they have not let go theology can be better developed and taught in the Trinity College staff: Jione Havea, Nasili of it. Often the theology written here is traditional a way that suits oral cultures. Vaka'uta and Emily Colgan. in the Western sense. What would it mean to In early April, 12 of the contributors to the The volume is an ecumenical effort and construct and teach theology for a bi-cultural volume held a symposium in which they shared along with contributions from Methodists, it will and multi-cultural Aotearoa? their works in progress. This allowed them to include articles by Anglican, Presbyterian and “Pasifika migrants who have come to Jione Havea. get constructive criticism and pick up themes Catholic scholars. Aotearoa hold onto their missionary theology. theological education. that their colleagues are working on. Maori and women are well-represented It is only with the second and third generations “The majority of theologians trained in the among the authors. Nine of the 15 contributors of Pacific Islanders who are raised in Aotearoa Islands over the past decade work with post- The editors intend to have the volume are women and five of the women authors are that ideas become more flexible.” colonial ideas but they have difficulty embodying published in time for the Trinity College Maori. The volume explores not just theology but those ideas when they enter ministry. There is anniversary. Welcome sign for Trinity College's first deaf student Johanna Brens (QSM) is a first year student in the Certificate in Lay Preaching course at Trinity College. She is the first deaf student to attend the College. Here is her story in her own words. Kia ora and hi folks, I am Johanna and I am a member of New Zealand's deaf community. As a pre-schooler I had moderate to severe hearing impairment and at times I was fully deaf due to severe ear infections. I grew up attending mainstream schools with periodic assessments at the Kelston School for the Deaf (as it was known back then). Nowadays, I have profound deafness in one ear and severe-to- profound deafness in the other. I gain some benefit from powerful digital hearing aids. I grew up attending Anglican and Baptist Sunday schools and Johanna Brens with Johanna Brens and Marco with other members of the Trinity College's 2018 student body. became a Christian in my early hearing dog Marco. teens at a community church. I was studying to be ordained. Sandra from Methodist ministers, Auckland lecturer Rev Mary Caygill and other students who started the block baptised at the age of 15 and have retired from ministry last year, but Methodist synod superintendent staff have prepared the way for me course 'Exploring the Bible', which fellowshipped mainly at Baptist before she did she encouraged Rev Marilyn Welch and Rev Chris to attend Trinity College. included amazing lunches and churches. I occasionally attended several members of the Fellowship Harris of the Anglican Diocese of Nicola has helped with funding morning and afternoon teas. St Giles Presbyterian Church where to help lead our worship services. Auckland. applications to pay for NZ Sign We have received caring there was a small group of deaf Recently four of us completed lay A few years ago our Deaf Language interpreters who are hospitality, resources and support people and a lady by the name of ministry training to administer the Fellowship officially became known familiar with church signs. from staff and students and have a Helen who signed the songs and communion sacraments. as a Local Ecumenical Project and Trinity College and John Kinder wonderful resource in the student services. Since I was young I wanted to came under the umbrella of Uniting Library staff and students have all centre which is close to the College. Whilst I was a student in work with Deaf people and be a Congregations of Aotearoa New been very welcoming and We appreciate the warm, Christchurch I attended Spreydon nurse or occupational therapist. I Zealand. accommodating toward my hearing welcoming, community atmosphere Baptist Church where Margaret never envisioned becoming involved New Zealand has a relatively dog Marco and me. In February, and thank Emily for her interactive signed the services and songs for in church leadership until Sandra small deaf community. Our Sandra, Marco, my interpreter and and challenging lectures. a small group of deaf people. encouraged me. My confidence in committee and fellowship are keen I attended my interview with Nicola Thank you to Trinity College, the Whilst on placement in my ability to help lead worship has to encourage more people to attend and Dr Emily Colgan. A few days Smethurst Trust Fund, New Zealand Auckland, I met Rev Edna Garner grown in recent years. our services and social activities later I went through orientation and Ministry with Deaf Trust, and who encouraged me to attend the Over the years our Deaf with God's leading and direction. the Service of Beginnings at the Auckland Deaf Christian Fellowship Auckland Deaf Christian Fellowship. Fellowship has received pastoral I applied for lay ministry training College, where I had the assistance for funds to meet the cost of That was more than 28 years ago. oversight from the Anglican and at Trinity College in December 2017. of two New Zealand Sign language interpreters during my training. Later Sandra Gibbons started Methodist churches in Auckland. Sandra, Marilyn, Trinity College interpreters. Without this I would not be able to leading our services while she was The majority of support has come academic registrar Nicola Grundy, In early March I was one of 16 take up this opportunity. 10 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2018 AROUND THE CONNEXION

Chester Borrows - Politician and preacher By Paul Titus something they should hear. neo-liberal, free market party A lay preacher and former And while Chester says we and basically defecated all over minister in the National Party- have to support the unemployed its social conscience. That was led government says the Gospels and disadvantaged, he also thinks a big catalyst for me to join the should challenge us to think people must take responsibility National Party,” Chester says. seriously about our lives and for their own lives. Therefore, he “Richard Prebble did away how we can become salt and supports policies that are not with the work-for-the-dole PEP light in our communities. popular with the centre-left, such scheme. Under PEP, the Chester Borrows represented as 'work for the dole' and unemployed were busy all day the electorate of Whanganui for military-style camps for troubled and too tired to cause trouble at four terms, 2005-2017. After the young people. night. It also kept them work 2011 election, Chester was Chester says he takes his faith ready, which they are not if they appointed Minister outside seriously. He is an elder and lay sit on their bums all day watching television. Crime blew out of Cabinet for Courts and Associate preacher at St John's Presbyterian Chester Borrows and wife Ella during a recent visit to Alberta, Canada. Minister for Justice and Associate Church in Hawera and a civil proportion after that.” Minister for Social Development. marriage celebrant. Chester says, as someone agencies did not implement it. addressed by following Christ After the 2014 election he His experience in the church from the social sector, he was a “The problem is that and how to we can apply the New became the Deputy Speaker of is an ecumenical one. He grew rarity in the National Party. politicians and officials are Testament and the parables in the House, and in the 2018 New up in a family that belonged to “Most members of the party isolated and do not deal with today's context. Year Honours he was made a the Associated Churches of Christ were business people, farmers or families or people on the front “It is refreshing to be in companion of the Queen's but attended Stoke Methodist professionals. I felt like a fish line - teachers, police or health church and be challenged about Service Order for services as a Church because he felt more out of water and mostly just professionals. your Christian walk and how you Member of Parliament. comfortable there and that is listened for the first few years. “When I went to Parliament, can make it stronger. The Gospel Chester is something of a where most of his mates went. When I did speak out about my I expected people would work can get people to climb out of contrarian. He says former Prime He taught Sunday School life experience I was well together to solve real problems their boxes and see what is Minister John Key called him while he trained as a police cadet. received, however.” but often politicians won't happening in the world,” he says. National's 'lefty' because he He served in the police for 25 While he was a minister, support a good idea if it comes These days Chester works in retained his concerns for social years with postings in Nelson, Chester did a lot of work to from another party.” the community helping NGOs issues from his former time as a Wellington and Auckland before reform the youth justice system. Chester says his congregation with strategic planning. He is member of the Labour Party. he was appointed the sole charge “We developed the Youth in Hawera has 100 worshippers also a motivational speaker and Despite the tag, John Key officer in Patea. Crime Action Plan that would including a large group of adults gives after dinner speeches as encouraged him to share his “I was in the Labour Party have had input from 10 different in their 30s, 40s and 50s. well as public talks on justice views with his colleagues until 1987. When Rogernomics government agencies. It was well His sermons tend to focus on issues. He also paints landscapes because he thought it was came along, Labour became a received but the government how social issues can be as an income-generating hobby. Woodville Union Parish sings its final hymn By Paul Titus our financial reserves,” Leone says. After more than 140 years, the “We were sharing our minister, Manawatu town of Woodville no Rev Brenda Marshall, with St longer has a worshipping Paul's Church in Pahiatua, and Methodist congregation. when she retired at the beginning St James Union Parish of the year, we decided to dissolve Woodville held its final service on the parish.” Sunday 15th April. The Methodist- Leone says most members of Presbyterian Uniting Parish was the congregation will now worship formed in 1974, nearly 100 years at Holy Trinity Anglican Church after the first Methodist in Woodville. congregation was established in In 1876, a group of Methodist the town. settlers in the district began to meet St James Parish treasurer in a local home and established Woodville Union Parish held its closing service on April 15th. Leone Compton says the the Methodist Church of dissolution was a sad but still Woodville. In 1883, a Church was church on a different uplifting occasion. Several constructed on the present site and location in 1910. members of the Parish were this was replaced in 1957 by the When the Cooperating descendants of the men and current brick building. Venture was formed in 1974, women who established the In 1885, a group of the combined parish retained Church 140 years ago. Presbyterians met together for the Methodist church and “The congregation had become services in the local school and in hall buildings and too small and too elderly to 1888 constructed their first church, Presbyterian manse and sold continue, and we were eating into which was replaced by a new the other properties. During the 44 years of union, Woodville Union CENTENNIAL Parish has provided Sunday school, youth ST JAMES CHURCH groups, Bible in Schools, a food bank, Leone Compton (left), Jim Worboys and the other members of the Woodville congregation. PAEKAKARIKI annual picnics, and cooking sessions. was parish steward. Brenda Marshall, Barbara and 8-10 JUNE 2018 The women of the Parish Jim and another parishioner, Robert Allan, David Harding, and have run Women's Jean McKinlay, were on the St Malcolm and Helen Wall. Come and share this wonderful time with us! Fellowship and Friendly James Parish Council since its Leone says the final service Circle, and the parishioners inception in 1974. Jean and her was touching. Highlights were the Rejoice in praise and worship at the Centennial Thanksgiving Service. have participated in local sister, Kath Bly, are great lovely singing and inspirational Share in the Celebration Concert with Stephen Bell-Booth. radio programmes, ANZAC granddaughters of John Lloyd, message from Wendy Browse historical displays in the Church Hall. services, and combined who presented a large bible to the Thornburrow, who spoke on church services. Methodist Church in 1887. With Exodus and the need to remember Enjoy Quiet Times & Reflections in The Little Room. Chair of the Parish the closure of the Union Parish, the past with gratitude and to Partake of delicious food and good company. Council, Jim Worboys, is the bible has been returned to them. embrace the new with excitement, For details of when-&-where, visit www.kapitiunitingparish.org.nz the great-grandson of the “Over the years the Woodville first resident minister at the Church has had great service from trust and hope. We're looking forward to welcoming you! Woodville Methodist its ministers and I have been The St James church building, Church, Rev JW Worboys. blessed to have known them,” Jim hall and land will be sold with We're gathering memories of the Church. If you have old photographs or Jim's grandfather, SE says. returns divided between the reminiscences you'd like to share we'd be delighted to receive them. Worboys, served many Former ministers and their Methodist and Presbyterian Please send them to: years as senior circuit partners who attended the closing Churches as per the partnership Pauline Smith, PO Box 86, Paekakariki, 5258; [email protected] steward, and Jim's father service were Wendy Thornburrow, agreement. TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2018 11 AROUND THE CONNEXION Kiwi reaches top gear of Inner Wheel By Sophie Parish internationally,” Methodist lay Joanne says. preacher Joanne One of Joanne's Gaudin will soon be roles on the a director on the international board international board of will be to help move the service the organisation into organisation, Inner the technological age Wheel. and make it more Inner Wheel is one attractive to younger of the world's largest women. women's voluntary “Businesses and organisations. It has a Joanne Gaudin. organisations around 100,000 strong membership across the world are changing their business 100 countries. Wives of Rotary models. We want women looking for members founded Inner Wheel in an organisation that gives back to Manchester, UK in 1923. them and helps them grow their skills Rev Augusten Subhan (standing) with members of the Kaitaia congregation at their Lake Ngatu picnic. It is an organisation of and for in leadership. We want our members women dedicated to building lasting to become life-long learners,” she friendships on the value of service. says. Kaitaia church makes difficult transition Women volunteer their time and IWNZ has recently partnered up On Sunday 22 April, Kaitaia Union Parish Presbyterian to Methodist oversight, the Parish services, fundraise, and help women with Look Good/Feel Better held a worship service and picnic at Lake considered ending its union agreement because and children lead better lives. organisation, which supports women Ngatu, near Ninety Mile Beach. it was concerned about the Methodist Church's Inner Wheel New Zealand undergoing treatment for cancer. Parish steward Olwyn Ramsey says the stance on same-sex marriage and on gays and (IWNZ) has 50 clubs with some 1400 “We are excited about this weather was perfect and the sky was ablaze lesbian people in ministry. members and last year volunteered opportunity to work alongside Look with light and warmth. The Methodist Church's Northland Area more than 35,000 hours of service to Good/Feel Better and assist these “The water in the lake was quite rough from superintendent Rowan Smiley had six meetings their communities. strong women on their journey. Our the stiff breeze but the sound of the lapping with members of the Parish to work through Joanne has been a member for 15 members help as makeup artists and water and the cabbage trees swaying in the the Methodist appointment process, which years and will join Inner Wheel's make morning tea. wind was pleasant. matches ministers with a congregation. international board in July. “It is rewarding to be part of the “About 30 people were present with picnic “The Kaitaia congregation has a “My journey began in the 1970s support team but the funny thing is baskets and primus for the always popular cup conservative theology and they wanted to when my mother was involved with of tea. Even the guitar wasn't left behind.” maintain that,” Rowan says. Inner Wheel and my father was a that you get more back than you give. The hearts that are touched the most Olwyn says the Parish's new presbyter Rev “We explained that our appointment process Rotarian in Napier. I would often go Augusten Subhan told the picnicers that 'Jesus is one of sensitivity and prayerful consideration. with my mother to Inner Wheel are our own.” Joanne and her husband Jim are is around, walking the lake', which set the We do not want to appoint a presbyter to a groups as a young girl. atmosphere for the day. parish where it is not safe for that person or “When my husband and I moved active lay preachers in the Napier Methodist Church. They also work “We were surrounded by God's magnificent for the parish.” back to Napier 15 years ago, I became creation. Augusten's message to us that morning Originally from India, Augusten has an a member, partly because I knew how with the homeless and last year organised the Napier Community was from Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus. evangelical background and was a good match inviting and caring the people were As we sang hymns, you could hear them for the congregation. He joined the Kaitaia at the Ahuriri Club.” Christmas. “If you would like to fulfil the echoing round the surrounding hills and across congregation in February and says he is She recently attended the 17th the water.” enjoying getting to know the people. triennial Inner Wheel convention, Wesley Creed of serving wherever you can, when you can, to all that Then there was food, of course. This was “It is a congregation of good Christian which took place in Melbourne in followed by musical chairs and a game of people who listen closely to the Bible,” he says. April. It attracted 1400 members and you can , think about joining Inner badminton. Augusten says the Kaitaia Union Parish is included workshops on encouraging Wheel. We only meet once a month younger women to join. and the minimum age to join is 18.” “We were surprised to learn that our new very active in the community. It has a large “We want to develop leadership Joanne encourages women who pastor is a volleyball player. We were youth group that often joins with youth groups opportunities for our members and would like to join to look up Inner entertained amid much hilarity,” Olwyn says. from other churches in the community. support them so they can stand up Wheel in their local area or visit the Augusten is the first Methodist appointment The Parish also provides a free community and run things here in NZ and IWNZ website or Facebook page. to the Kaitaia Union Parish for 20 years. meal every Monday. It funds the meal and When the time came to switch from parishioners prepare the food. Social work not for the faint-hearted By Carol Barron, Methodist Alliance national coordinator She has mild mental health issues and a history of drug people's capacity so they can address their own needs. They The Methodist Alliance put in a submission to the and alcohol use. Sienna lost her tenancy when the landlord respect the inherent dignity and worth of a person. They Social Services & Community Select Committee on the terminated her lease and moved his family in. treat people respectfully and are mindful of individual Child Poverty Reduction Bill. The purpose of the Bill Sienna lived in her car for four months before moving differences and cultural and ethnic diversity. aligns with our vision for a just society in which all people into transitional housing. She now gets her full entitlement If you want to find out more about how you can support can flourish. from Work & Income. Her son is enrolled in a school. To the work the Methodist Alliance or your local mission does, The Bill is a significant advance and we hope it will provide consistency in his education, Sienna has kept her provide more opportunities for the government and our son enrolled in his school on the other please feel free to contact me, or your local mission. member organisations to work together to reduce the effects side of town. She spends $50 a week in on poverty of children. petrol to take him to school. The housing shortage and homelessness are consistent After this and other expenses, Sienna themes reported by members of the Methodist Alliance. has $55 a week for groceries for her and We recently met with Associate Minister for Housing and her son. She asked Work & Income for Urban Development Jenny Salesa to discuss the housing additional support but was declined. She options and services Methodist Alliance members provide. uses food parcels occasionally to top up elp families live better lives Many of the housing services come with support from the cupboards and occasionally her HEvery child has a right to a good start in life. Everybody skilled professional staff. Some are social workers, and it parents give her meat. is said that 'social work is not for the faint hearted'. Without this support she is not sure has dignity and worth in the sight of God. This is especially true in our uncertain times. There is how they would eat. Costs like school Every day Methodist missions and parishes work with a lack of services for prevention and early intervention and uniforms, stationery, car registration and individuals, families, children, and older people who need a rising threshold of eligibility for access to services. insurance are hard to budget for. support. Social workers are not in it for the income; they are in Social workers work with people Your donation or bequest can help make a lasting it for the outcome. A truly great social worker is hard to others have given up on to restore their difference to people in need throughout New Zealand. find, difficult to part with and impossible to forget. People self-confidence. Every day, social You can make a donation to your local parish, one of the Missions, understand what doctors and police do, but few people workers are faced with the inequalities or the Methodist Alliance. Please contact Carol Barron for more information on: understand what social workers do. inherent in society, unequal power, Sienna is an example of the people social workers stand stigma, violence, abuse, neglect, grief 03 375 0512 • 027 561 9164 beside. Sienna is a 45-year old single mum with an eight- and loss. Yet they work with hope and [email protected] METHODIST PO Box 5416, Papanui, Christchurch 8542 year old son. She is a domestic violence survivor, and her a sincere belief that people can change. ALLIANCE AOTEAROA methodist.org.nz/social_services NGA PURAPURA WETERIANA former partner and father of her child is now in prison. Social workers seek to enhance 12 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2018 CWS Pacific churches face big challenges The control of the ocean surrounding increasing. In 2016, the Maohi Protestant New Caledonia and French Polynesia Church, of which Francois is a minister, are not something the government wants took France to the International Criminal to lose, he says. Court over the harm caused by 30 years The nuclear issue is the most of nuclear testing. important says Francois. Test site Francois issued an open invitation to Moruroa Atoll is cracking and will the General Assembly which will be held produce a 20-metre tsunami carrying at the Free Wesleyan Church in Manukau large quantities of nuclear waste when it collapses. He noted France has an starting October 26. evacuation plan for the 50-60 soldiers When Francois finishes his term at on the island but not for the 300 people the end of the year, he will return to Maohi who live on Tureia Atoll a few kilometres Nui to continue the work of Moruroa e away. Tatou and work with others on the case. Growing numbers of babies are born He expressed thanks to CWS for many Francois Pihaatae (centre) with CWS's Trish Murray (left) and Pauline McKay. with deformities and cancer levels are years of partnership and the annual grant. In April, general secretary of the especially for West Papua. Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) PCC successfully lobbied for Rev Francois Pihaatae met with recognition by the Melanesian Spearhead Christian World Service to discuss recent Group where it now has associate work. membership along with Indonesia. It has Over the last nine years PCC has facilitated discussions between four West brought together people from across the Papuan groups to form the United region to focus on renewal, governance, Liberation Movement for West Papua. and moral and social justice. Using the Using links with the World Council framework of exile, Francois has of Churches and United Nations, PCC encouraged the churches to hear God's continues to raise awareness of the plight call for freedom. of West Papua. Two West Papuan “One of my priorities has been to Churches are members of PCC. revive the ecumenical spirit in our Francois says the people of Kanaky churches. It has been dormant,” he says. (New Caledonia) face a referendum later PCC has taken a lead on a number of this year. Like West Papua, migration is regional issues, notably climate change, changing the demographics and, he says, Join Operation refugee to support Syrian and Palestinian refugees nuclear contamination, ending violence even if the indigenous Kanaks vote for against women by training male independence in November, France won't advocates, and self-determination allow independence. Be part of the refugee lifeline Christian World Service has CWS national director Pauline launched Operation Refugee 2018, a McKay says support for Operation five-day challenge to live on the same Refugee is growing as people realise food as in a refugee emergency food they can do something a little different parcel. to help Syrians. This year's challenge runs June 16- “Last year participants raised 20. Operation Refugee Lite is a two-day $61,000. Donations were matched by version designed for students. the New Zealand Government. CWS is fundraising to support the “Mothers of young children were Department of Service to Palestinian delighted to receive emergency food Refugees in Jordan and Lebanon with supplies, good quality winter clothing whom it has worked since 1949. DSPR for their infants, training in setting up a has been providing emergency food and small business and free medical care. clothing, education, medical care and Students could have extra tuition and education to refugees from Syria since opportunities for sports and cultural the conflict began seven years ago. events,” Pauline says. Funds are raised on line and in More than 5.6 million people have person. Last year the Methodist team topped the team section. Organiser fled Syria and are sheltering in CWS's David Lawson is challenging neighbouring countries including Jordan them to do much more. and Lebanon. A further 6.1 million are Once a participant has raised $87 - displaced inside Syria. Of the 1.7 million enough to pay for a good quality food school-aged children, 43 percent are not parcel in Jordan for a family of six - in school. CWS will send a food box containing Parishes are also encouraged to lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, fish support Syrian refugees on Refugee (which can be traded if participants are Sunday, 26 June. Worship resources for vegan or vegetarian), flour, vegetable Refugee Sunday will be available mid- oil and salt. To save costs participants May. supply their own rice. Participants earn More information is available at the fresh vegetables and other ingredients website: cwsoperationrefugee.nz or by meeting fundraising goals. contact David Lawson or 021 671 430. Christianity in Asia From Page 6 “In all other countries there are in Living Theology in Asia (1981), Hidden varying frequency physical attacks, History of Christianity in Asia (1996), imprisonments, abductions or even the co-edited volume Doing Theology killings,” John says. with Asian Resources (1993) and - with Yet he believes Asian churches can his late wife Rita -- Ministering Asian teach New Zealand churches much about Faith and Wisdom - A Manual for concern for human community. Their Theological Librarians. concern for social justice and peace, and In 2016 John donated a collection their respect for land are central to their of 8,000 works on Asian theology, practice. The Christian Conference of history, religion and culture that he and Asia, works closely alongside them in Rita collected to the Hewitson Library, these concerns. Knox College at the University of Otago. Apart from the three volumes of the Each year a series of public lectures on Research Guide to Asian Christian Christianity in Asia is held at the College Theologies (2001-2004) which John to highlight the Rita Mayne England edited, his published books include Asian Studies Collection. TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2018 13

Colourful question, no easy answers By Filo Tu-Faleupolu typical stories, lessons and memory verses So, what is Sinoti Samoa doing? The Methodist Church of NZ has been we hear is that that our parents traversed What is so important for Pacific standing on the edge of an important the great Pacific Ocean to forge a future for people that they hold themselves apart question. Generations of church members our families. And believe me, it's true! from this topic? have considered this question from a safe It is very hard to find anyone with Pacific The workshop focused on three distance. descent in New Zealand who does not have areas I call culture, spirituality and Whether we will answer the question or links to their motherland. What those who life experience. It provided a safe find a solution is still to be determined. The made the journey did not expect, however, space for the Wellington District to conversations we have had and the was that the Land of the Long White Cloud engage with facilitators on these three conversations we will have seem to be our would challenge their way of life. areas. greatest barrier. Traditions and customs carry both Those leading the discussions

Sinoti Samoa recently took to the road, blessings and hindrances. The challenge provided ample content on Samoan Photo by Benson Kua via Wikimedia Commons working its way around the Samoan Synod facing the generations born in New Zealand culture, spirituality and theology and Sinoti Samoa is seeking young people's comments to deliberate upon and hopefully clarify the compared with the generations of parents invited questions and comments from on gay and lesbian leadership in the Church. . vexing question: What is the feeling of born in the Islands has not been easy. Take participants. Tauiwi on gay and lesbian leadership within it from a second-generation male caught It was refreshing to hear the struggles thoughts and feelings. the Church? between the beauties of my descent, and the of those trying to form opinions, together The holistic engagement ensured that This is a taboo topic amongst many challenges of adapting to the land I call with the firmness of those who were all generations were able to share their Pacific cultures, so it surprised me that Sinoti home. challenged because of what they saw as perspectives. The young people took to the Samoa took the initiative to put it out there New Zealand has been a leader in matters threats to their traditional upbringing and stage and spoke openly and honestly. in the District Synods as a workshop. relating to same-sex marriage and equality. understanding of what it means to be The challenge for all our young people Equally important was the emphasis on The Methodist Church has also been at the Samoan. - and the rest of the church - is to further having young people involved in the forefront in controversial spiritual matters. Most fascinating of all was the fact that discuss and engage as much as we can, until discussions. However, our Pacific members have also we were having this conversation. together we can reach a unanimous decision Samoan and other Pacific cultures carry remained firm on the principle that we would The workshop would not have been that allows us to be children of God despite some very challenging traditions and support the church moving forward under complete without the words of young people. all our differences. customs that are contrary to how young a Memorandum of Understanding. The 'life experience' section open a space What was the question again? people like to live life here in Aotearoa. The for fathers, mothers and youth to share their

WELCOME TO KIDZ KORNA MAY 2018! Have you noticed that the days Special donkey for are becoming cooler and Palm Sunday action shorter, and the leaves on many For the Fijian congregation of Hamilton East Methodist Palm Sunday trees are changing colour and Parish the 2018 Palm Sunday theme 'Let the Children The children at Upper Riccarton Methodist Church had lots of fun falling to the ground? Live'. creating a Palm Sunday donkey from cardboard cartons. I like to walk through the fallen The kidz celebrated the occasion with action songs and A member of the congregation, Bob Brown, collected most of the leaves and feel the crunching memory verses that told the story of the special day. boxes used to make the donkey. The boxes Bob collects have also They performed these for the congregation. beneath my feet! been used to make robots and other creations at the church and a local pre-school. When you read this we will have The kidz at Hamilton East performed action celebrated Anzac Day and many songs for the congregation on Palm Sunday. of you will have celebrated Faka Me. I would love some pictures that show us what you did on these special occasions. This month the children from Upper Riccarton and Hamilton East children share how they

celebrated Palm Sunday. Bob Brown (seated) collected the cartons that the Upper Riccarton kidz turned into a donkey for Palm Sunday. For your Bookshelf The ACROSS Tiny Seed 5 Autumn weather is this. AUTUMN 6 The last month of autumn in NZ. 7 Used to clean up the leaves. CROSSWORD By Eric Carle 8 They fall from the trees. 9 When crops are gathered in. Aladdin Picture Books, 36 pages. DOWN This is a beautiful book that is illustrated using collages to tell 1 They ripen and are ready to pick. an exciting nature story. Wild autumn winds (a bit like those we have 2 Some leaves re this colour. been having recently) scatter the flower seeds carrying them far and wide. 3 This is cooler in autumn. 4 These fall from All sorts of things happen to the seeds. Some get eaten and some are oak trees. trampled on until only one is left to grow. Written more than 40 years ago this still remains a wonderful story.

What are the kids Kidz Korna wants to hear from you so we can share your stories. Send stories and photos in your church up to? of your activities to Doreen Lennox at [email protected] or to [email protected] 14 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2018 REVIEWS

ON S CREEN A Film Review by Steve Taylor

This year 'Mary Magdalene' the Jesus on the journey toward Jerusalem. The only blemish is an ending which movie was my Maundy Thursday Women are portrayed as leaders, seems to draw from the Gnostic 'Gospel religious experience. It provides rich learners, baptisers and blessers. The of Mary'. The Gospel of Mary was Gospel reflection, whether watched scene in which Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor) discovered in Egypt in 1896. It was not pre- or post-Easter. follows Mary (Rooney Mara) down a made public until 1955. The most The reputation of Mary Magdalene long mountain track to a well, all the complete text still misses ten pages, was ruined by Pope Gregory, who in while protesting that he understands including a section from after the 591 preached a sermon (Homily 33) Jesus' (Joaquin Phoenix) commands Resurrection in which Mary moves from that wrongly called her a prostitute. better than she does, is a moment that sharing her first-hand experience of Sadly he never bothered to correct his will find many a woman nodding in error. sympathy. Jesus to an ecstatic vision. Mary Magdalene, the second most The teaching of Jesus in relation to This missing section seems to mentioned woman in the Gospels, forgiveness is sensitively applied in resource the movie Mary Magdalene. became tarred by the church with a relation to women's experience of rape The result is a blurring of lived label neither deserved nor Biblical. In and gender violence. Mary's intuition experience and ecstatic vision and a the Gospel, Mary is introduced in Luke becomes a source of revelation, weakening of the claims for historical 8:2, named alongside Joanna and honouring different ways of knowing accuracy so carefully built in the pre- Susanna as one who journeys with that are essential in Christian crucifixion narrations of first century Jesus. discipleship. In other words, the movie Roman economic exploitation. In Luke 7:37, an unnamed woman celebrates what women bring to the Despite this post-Resurrection who “lived a sinful life” anoints Jesus. mission of God. wobble, this film is a rich embrace of Quite how an unnamed sinful woman Jesus movies are difficult to direct, Jesus as justice-seeking activist and became, in the homily of Pope given the ending is so well-known. contemplative seeker. This is an Easter Gregory, a named prostitute named Director Garth Davis animates a Jesus worth following, whether 1st Mary has never been made clear. Nor predictable plot by a powerful portrayal century peasant or 21st century #metoo why it took the Catholic Church over of the first century Roman rule. 1500 years to clarify a Papal mistake. A sequence of economic injustices activist. Nevertheless, on 3 June, 2016, the is artfully woven into the life histories Rev Dr Steve Taylor is principal of Catholic Church finally relented. Pope that shape the call of disciples. Knox Centre for Ministry and Francis gave Mary a feast day to Thankfully, and unlike 'The Last Leadership, Dunedin. He is the author honour her witness as the first to give Temptation', the movie avoids any of Built for Change (Mediacom: 2016) MARY testimony to the Risen Jesus. sexualisation of the relationship between and writes widely in areas of theology MAGDALENE This film is an imaginative Mary and Jesus. The result is a and popular culture at response. It locates Mary alongside dignifying both of love and gender. emergentkiwi.org.nz. PAUL AND HIS WORDS Young The Apostle Paul didn't write all the words dispatched in his name and the editor Paul didn't write all the words dispatched in his newspapers. But it is through Pauline inspiration that the good news of The Church, and our church, has been presented with dedication Asian and flair. Thanks Paul. (These texts come from various Bible translations) Christians From Page 1

Back in New Zealand, Maumi feels there is a need to address urgent social issues among youth in Aotearoa, especially mental health and the high rate of suicide. She would like to see churches holding workshops on depression, anxiety, and wellbeing. Piula Lasi Piula is a youth leader at Waterview Methodist Church and works with IDEA Services, which supports people with intellectual disabilities. She says she enjoyed the fellowship as well as the discussions she shared with other delegates at the Assembly. “A recurring theme of AEYA was unity in diversity. It was amazing to see the massive range of cultures present and how we can bring our diverse issues and hardships together to God through fellowship and praise.” Among the issues Piula grappled with at AEYA were gender injustice and education vs

consumerism. bless; heart, ministry building; helper, spirit, perseverance, weep, proclaimed, burdens, doing, Christ doing, burdens, proclaimed, weep, perseverance, spirit, helper, building; ministry heart, bless;

ANSWERS: thanks, hold, kindness, vain, know, affection, sinned, strengthens; hoped, conformed; hospitality, ceasing, encourage, ceasing, hospitality, conformed; hoped, strengthens; sinned, affection, know, vain, kindness, hold, thanks, ANSWERS: © RMS Bible Challenge Bible “Regarding gender injustice I shared that our current Prime Minister is a woman and pregnant. Some people had a hard time believing that,” she says. Piula facilitated the session on education. Delegates discussed the problems caused by education that focuses on consumerism and the intense pressure students are under to do well. This can cause personal damage to them and harm to family relations. She was also one of eight singers who took part in the 'As the Deer' project at AEYA. They created a YouTube video in which they each sing a verse of the popular hymn in their own language. TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2018 15 REVIEWS Colour Purple confronts racism and violence in NZ By Cory Miller relevance in New Zealand society. and racism, and identity which were A musical filled with soulful tunes The musical shares Celie Harris' huge issues in that time. But more that tackle hefty issues of racism, life story, and tells how she, like many importantly they are still so important violence and discrimination is set to other Black women of her time, were now, especially in New Zealand. hit an Auckland stage in May. at the mercy of discrimination, bigotry “We strongly believe [like Taika The Colour Purple, the musical and abuse. Waititi] that so many people still suffer adaptation of a book of the same name, It flies through 40 years of her life from the same hardships that Celie faces is told largely through the voice of the with a mixture of soulful jazz-gospel in the show. There is a strong message lead character, Celie Harris, an African- choirs, sultry blues, and traditional of standing up to abuse and stopping American woman living in the southern musical theatre ballads, intertwined the cycle with the support of friends United States in the early 1900s. with sassy harmonies. and family saying 'hell no' to the The musical, staged by Bravi Musical theatre director Jack discrimination.” He hopes audiences will leave Theatre Company, will open its four- Barnard says there are few shows that moved by the performance of the cast. day season on May 9 at Selwyn Theatre, can reduce him to tears - The Colour He wants audiences to leave feeling in Kohimarama, Auckland. Playing the Purple is one of them. joyous at the triumph of Celie's life and lead role of Celie Harris is performing “There are even fewer that have the fact that she did not let hardship arts graduate, Munashe Tapfuya, 24. earned multiple standing ovations define her. Heading the creative team and the during a performance, and this without The Colour Purple was produced 18-member cast are two first-time a doubt was worthy of both.” on Broadway at the Broadway Theatre, directors Jarrod Brown, 25, and Jack While the musical is set in the early by Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders, Roy Bernard, 23, who formed the amateur 20th century in rural Georgia, USA, Furman and Quincy Jones. The music theatre company late last year. director Jarrod Brown says its themes and lyrics are by Brenda Russell, Allee The Colour Purple is an ambitious have relevance to current events in New Willis, and Stephen Bray. show, for a fledgling company, but the Zealand. Tickets for the Auckland creative team felt it was a powerful “It deals heavily on themes of performance are available through story with themes that still hold domestic abuse, sexual abuse, bigotry iticket.co.nz.

By Jenny Chamberlain Constant Radical - The life and times of Sue Bradford 2017, Fraser Books, 388 pages Reviewer: John Meredith As Jenny Chamberlain opposition. After 23 months, in She played a key role in establish Auckland Action Against recognises, the 'anti-smacking May 2007 the bill was passed into organising the national March Poverty, completed a PhD in social law' is a pejorative term that will law with 113 MPs voting in favour Against Unemployment in 1988 policy, and has worked to promote probably always be linked with and only 8 opposing. and was taken seriously by education through the think tank the name of former MP, Sue Jenny Chamberlain pays newspaper journalists who wanted Economic and Social Research Bradford. tribute to Sue who achieved comment on unemployment issues. Aotearoa. Correctly named 'The Abolition something few MPs have ever In her 10 years as a Member With 47 chapters a reader of of Force as a Justification for Child achieved in the balloting and of Parliament Sue was instrumental Constant Radical could easily be Discipline Amendment to the passing of three private member's in formulating Green Party policies overwhelmed with detail. bills in one parliamentary term. Crimes Act' the bill was drawn relating to income support, Nevertheless, from these pages In addition to the child from Parliament's private housing, community development, Sue Bradford emerges as a person members’ ballot box. discipline bill two other of Sue's accident compensation, industrial passionately concerned for justice Sue was clear it was not her bills were drawn; one to abolish relations, employment and mental and a fair deal for all. intention to impose penalties on youth rates of pay for 16 and 17 health. She also worked to parents exercising physical year old workers, and another to minimise harm caused by She continues to use every restraint of their children, but to extend the time mothers could gambling machines. chance she has to speak for those counteract the idea that corporal keep their babies with them and In all of these areas she brought who have no voice. Her honesty punishment was an acceptable breast feed in prison. Both of these Prior to entering parliament as her extensive experience and and willingness to face opposition form of discipline. She drew on bills were passed into law. a Green Party list member in 1999, knowledge to the task of bringing and personal discomfort for the links between physical Surveying her life as an Sue was actively involved with the real change for those who had sake of others has brought lasting punishment, domestic violence and advocate for those unable to speak Auckland Unemployed Workers' suffered most. Her particular benefit for people who have often child abuse, and even death by for themselves even when this has Rights Centre and was elected outreach was to community groups been overlooked. maltreatment. brought her into conflict, Jenny national coordinator of Te Roopu and unions. The story of this life-long Public debate on the bill sees Sue as a champion for social Rawakore supporting unemployed After her parliamentary career social justice champion deserves provoked both support and justice. people and beneficiaries. ended in 2009, Sue helped to be told.

By Hilary Smith Grief's Shadowed Path - Poems of Loss and Healing 2017, EV Books, 83 pages Reviewer: Lynne Frith The grey bleakness and all the close and loving relationship these poems work best as reflective postscript so that I could come layered shadows of the front cover between father and daughter. pieces, to be read silently. fresh to the poems without being photograph are an indication of There is tenderness, regret, For the most part they lack the told what to expect. the layers of experience, emotion remembering, questioning and rhythm and internal rhyme that By the same token, the and memory that have given rise confusion. All are threads with give vitality to spoken word or postscript, could have been a richly to this collection of poems. which many readers will identify. performance poetry. This might painted scene setter at the The lighter shades and flowing In 'that passing moment' Hilary determine how these poems might beginning and would have invited lines of the back cover illustration captures the anguish of having be used in a public setting such as me into a particular world and symbolise the hope that emerges kept vigil, leaving for a brief while, a retreat or a liturgy. enhanced the reading and reflective even from the stark realities of and being 'two minutes too late'. The photographs add visual experience that the book offers. grief. Then there is the sudden shift interest to the book, but the poems That aside, these poems are It takes courage for a writer to in the need 'to do' exactly as the they accompany would stand well both the unique experience of the present her intensely personal title suggests - the suddenness of alone. writer and a reflection of the reflections about grief and loss. the shift from death and sorrow to I was slightly puzzled that four commonalities that are to be found Hilary Smith has with courage and the practicalities of arrangements. the poems were identified as 'Signs' on the pathways of grief and loss generosity offered her poems in There are the 'nadir' voices of and wondered if that is an allusion and healing. the hope that they will resonate loneliness and desperation that so to some mystical experience, or a EV Books is a relatively new with others in their own journey often descends upon the grieving. we find healing and blessing. way of including some poems that collaborative publisher located in of grief, loss, and healing. We are taken through the first Reading poetry is both visual might not otherwise quite fit in the the Hawkes Bay. They have In these poems the rawness and anniversary and the second, with (how it looks on the page) and collection. worked thoughtfully and disruption of grief are threaded tender memories from childhood auditory (how it sounds when I would have preferred the sensitively with Hilary to bring with love - the love of place, love and other times, until the final spoken). My sense on reading and foreword and introduction to this collection of poems to a wider of friends and family, and most of poem 'fragments of light' where re-reading this collection is that become after words and a audience. 16 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2018 NOW AND THEN

FROM THE ARCHIVES By Jo Smith, Archivist, Methodist Church of New Zealand Archives Methodist Children's Homes in New Zealand

Discussions within the Wesleyan Church Primary School. about the need to establish Methodist In 1960 'Homeleigh' was adopted as the children's homes began in the 1890s. name for the Home. The property was Throughout New Zealand, there was a subdivided in 1972 and seven sections sold. shortage of places to accommodate children The staff house at 31 Kiwi Street was completed who were orphaned or needed to be cared for. in 1975. While initially many of the children were from The Home was closed December 1978 but Methodist families, this changed over time and the property and buildings were not sold until all denominations were cared for in the Homes. 1987. In 191,2 the Wesleyan Conference set up When the Wesley Children's Home in a committee to canvas for funds for a home. Auckland was opened, the New Zealand Soon after this, AC Caughey and his sister WH government was also running an industrial Smith of Auckland made the gift of a property home in Mt Albert called the Children's Home. in Mt Albert in memory of their mother. To avoid confusion, the Methodist Home was This 18-room residence, called Wesley called 'The Methodist Orphanage, Mt Albert'. House, opened at Christmas 1913. Four months Six children were in residence on opening day later the South Island Children's Home opened 20 December 1913. on a five-acre site in Papanui, Christchurch. In 1929 the name was changed to the The Masterton Children's Home opened in Dinnertime at the South Island Children's Home with Sister Rona Collins supervising. Auckland Methodist Children's Homes and 1920. Orphanage, Mt Albert and Epsom. The name In 1914, the South Island Orphanage was built by RC Jamieson. badly damaged by an arson attack. In 1996 the change reflected the need to care for more than Committee purchased a building on the corner The Great Depression delayed the erection buildings were demolished. This enabled the of Harewood Road and Chapel Street for of the building and it was not until 9 November Wesley Retirement village to be built on the orphans. £2,750. The house had 14 rooms and was 1934 that it opened. It was built in the Art Deco site in 1996. The foundation stone was laid for a new redesigned by local architect R Lovell-Smith style. The Masterton Children's Home was building in Mt Roskill on 14 April 1954. so 30 children could be accommodated. Children in the Home usually attended established by the Wellington Methodist Wesleydale was chosen as the name for the Sister Mabel Morley was appointed Sister- Sunday school at Papanui Methodist Church. Charitable and Educational Endowments Trust. new Home. In 1956 all the children were moved in-Charge, and Sister Dora Cherrie her assistant. Unlike other children's homes in Christchurch In 1917 the Trust purchased nearly acres in to Wesleydale, which was divided into boys The Home opened on 25 April 1914 with six it was extremely uncommon for adoptions to Masterton's Herbert Street. Building was and girls sections. children already in residence. take place. The aim was to care for the children delayed until after World War I, and the contract In 1974 the Board discussed the future of By 30 June there were 12 children in until they were old enough to support was not let until 1920 to CE Daniel Ltd for the Wesleydale and in 1975 the Ministry of Social residence. The building was extended in 1916 themselves. first of the buildings. Welfare leased the building to serve as a home to accommodate 56 children. In 1925 a new On 31 October 1978, the Christchurch In 1921, the first six children were admitted for special training of boys. wing was added, and then in 1930, a separate Methodist Central Mission took over to the Home and a Ladies Committee appointed On 25 June 1976 the final meeting of the bungalow built to accommodate eight boys. In management of the Home and the philosophy to “assist the furnishing of the Home”. Auckland Methodist Children's Home Board the 1930s up to 72 children were cared for at about care of children moved away from In 1925 sewage was connected to the Home was held. All properties were transferred to the facility. children living in institutional homes, to living and electric lighting installed. Forty children the Auckland Methodist Central Mission. It was clear the current premises were too in foster homes. were in residence. A fact sheet on Methodist Children's Homes small, so land was purchased opposite on On 28 August 1987 the Home in Harewood There were usually 20-30 children in the is available on the archives section of the Harewood Road. The building was a purpose- Road closed. The building was re-opened as Home in the 1930s. This number increased to Methodist Church of NZ website. It includes designed children's home drawn up by The Sandcastle, the Child and Family Service 30-40 in the 1950s and declined to only 19 in information on records we hold and how to architects FT Lucas and W Melville Lawry. It Centre in 1991 but just one year later was the the 1970s. Children usually attended Masterton access them.

Unsung Methodists ISABEL SINCLAIR - 1868 - 1922 By Donald Phillipps A PIONEER IN SELF-IMPROVEMENT This story is written to celebrate must have been enormously Isabel went overseas in 1917, the 150th anniversary of the birth of demanding for father John, and as again to Chicago, where she honed a New Zealand-born deaconess. soon as this daughter finished her her financial organisational skills, Though she was not the first (though schooling she would have been and put them into practice at nearly) and was not all that well- looking for employment. Settlement House in New York, known (she died relatively young, in All that is said about her at this and then at Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Sydney), her career suggests someone time is that Isabel was in 'business' With that background and with an unusually strong sense of in Dunedin. The term is interesting experience she was appointed vocation, and a commitment to what - it doesn't sound like domestic work Financial Secretary of the Sydney today we refer to as up-skilling. - and her later career strongly suggests YWCA, but sadly she died within It seems all of a piece with her an independent and even ambitious a month of her arrival, on May 8th family background. If the story told young woman. 1922. The Sydney newspapers were here is somewhat conjectural, the Later events, too, point to her Isabel Sinclair (centre right in dark blouse) with stalwarts of the First full of regret for her loss, and there excuse is that those early deaconesses ability with figures, and it is more Methodist Church in Dunedin. was a fine character tribute published and sisters didn't always leave records. than likely that she was employed congregation was happy with her States for a year and more, in the New Zealand Methodist Isabel (christened Isabella) was in, say, an accounting position; work, Isabel must have felt the need undertaking a 'post-graduate' course Times. born to John Sinclair, a native of certainly one that required financial for vocational training, and maybe in general social work, probably with In these days of subsidised the Island of Islay, who came to skills. a proper recognition of her status. an administrative emphasis. programmes and exceptionally Otago in 1863. He was employed Despite her Scottish background To this end she left for England The Chicago School of Civics demanding financial accountability, as a shepherd in the South Otago she became involved in the life of where she spent four years, initially and Philanthropy was flourishing at the changing nature of Isabel hill-country. the Trinity Methodist congregation at the training centre of the Wesleyan that time, and that was a possible Sinclair's involvement in Christian While at Hillend (north of in Dunedin. From 1896 till 1900 Deaconess Order under Dr location for Isabel's training. When social work seems almost prophetic. Balclutha) John had met Janet she was one of its two 'sisters', Stephenson, and then, for two more she came back to New Zealand in The farmer's daughter from Christie, and subsequent to their offering practical Christian years, in several English circuits. 1914, she managed the day-to-day Hillend was way ahead of her time. marriage he himself became a farmer philanthropy on a thoroughly non- This was to be a sort of pattern. affairs of the South Island She was as much a pioneer, in her in that area. The couple had 16 denominational basis. There was a period of concentrated Orphanage at Papanui for two years, particular field of activity, as was her children, of whom Isabel was the This meant nursing the sick, work in a circuit, Taranaki Street and then for a year travelled the south father, who broke in new land for second (she had an older sister), and procuring work and accommodation, (1904-1910) followed by the Brisbane of the country speaking about her his sheep. Her self-improvement therein lies an assumption. supplying clothing, and visiting the Central Mission (1910-1912). She work, encouraging interest in the must have cost a good deal, but that The support of so large a family needy. By then, though the then took herself off to the United Orphanage, and raising funds. was her choice TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2018 17 THE VOICE OF SINOTI SAMOA

ULUAI FONOTAGA OFISA FOU O LE MAFUTAGA TAMAITAI O LE SINOTI SAMOA Na usuia le fonotaga a le Mafutaga Atua I le vaofilifili o mafutaga taitasi. Na Tamaitai I le Aso Faraile 20 I le AsoSa 20 fili mo le faamoemoe e tasi, Ia avea I tatou Aperila 2018 I Willow Park Christian ma taitai e atagia ai le sini o lenei afiafi,” Campsite. O se mafutaga manaia ma le Le Atua o le Filemu, Faaauupegaina I matou matagofie lenei mafutaga. Na tatalaina le I lou suafa, ia avea ai I matou ma Avefeau Mafutaga e sui o le Komiti Faafoe a o lou Filemu. Ua ia te outou le Faatuatuaga, Aukilani ma Manukau. Ua ia te outou le Faamoemoega, Ua ia te O le feau folafolaina o lea sauniga lotu outou le Talitonuga o mafutaga taitasi. na saunia lea e le tamaitai failauga ia Saili E mana'omia e mafutaga lou agavaa. E Ioapo. O le autu o le Mafutaga: 'Le Atua o mana'omia e mafutaga lou tomai, E le Filemu, avea I matou ma Avefeau o lou manaomia e mafutaga lou malosi, E Filemu'. manaomia e mafutaga lou faamaoni. Le O se lauga na luitauina ai Taitai uma o faamaoni lea na tatalo ai Tavita ia Isaraelu Mafutaga taitasi na auai ae tainane foi o ina ua tulai mai e fai ma taitai, Fai mai a tupulaga tamaitai na observe I lenei ia, “Ou te fia vaai I e o faamaoni I le nuu, mafutaga. O le Aoga Tusi Paia na gafa lea matou te nonofo ma a'u. O le ua savali I ma le faletua ia Rosa Faafuata. le ala ua sili ona lelei, O ia lava lea e auauna Na valaau faaaloalo I tamaitai tupulaga mai ia te a'u. o Maureen Faasipa, Ti'afelelea'i Carinnya Avea oe ma taitai e le fefe I le mea moni. Feaunati ma Sina-i-Faleu Pupulu o e na Avea oe ma taitai e le paie ma fiugofie, malaga i nuu mamao e fai ma sui o le Avea oe ma taitai e loto maualalo. Avea oe Ekalesia I nisi o Misiona na faatinoina ai o se taitai e tutusa le silasila ma le vaai I ma ni fonotaga faale Tupulaga e saunoa e Sinoti Women's Fellowship leaders who attended the meeting. tagata uma o le mafutaga, a'o se taitai e tusa o a latou faiga malaga ma ni aoaoga faalologo I finagalo o le mafutaga ae le o na latou maua mai ai aua le lumanai o le faia o lona lava loto. tupulaga o le Sinoti ma le Ekalesia Metotisi Aua ne'i avea oe ma ti'a e fiu e lia'i e Niu Sila. le lele, ae afai fo'i e lele e le lele mamao. Na auai foi I lenei mafutaga le Peresetene Ae ia taunu'u ia te oe ma a'u le upu e fai I Aoao o le NZMWF le faletua ia Diane lea lava ta'aloga “o le tia e le fuatia”. O le Claughton, ma na saunoa foi e uiga I lona uiga o lea fuaitau, o le ti'a ua mamao lana tofi ma lana nofoaiga ma se silasila mamao lele, ua le mafai e isi ti'a ona ausia lona lele I le Mafutaga a le NZMWF mo le lumanai. malie. Tele ni mataupu na silasila iai le O foliga na o Iesu Keriso, le ti'a a le fonotaga, ma faia iai ni faaiuga aua le manuia Atua na fa'alele mai i le lalolagi. O Ia lava o le Mafutaga Tamaitai o le Sinoti Samoa. o le ti'a e le fuatia, aua e mamao lana tofa, O le uluai fonotaga foi lenei a le faletua ia e utaga loloto, e loloto, lautele ma maualuga Leotele Aumua ma lona ofisa ina ua maea lona alofa ma lona fa'amaoni. ona faapaiaina o latou tofi I lena tausaga Le ti'a a le Atua na taumafai le tagata ua tuanai atu. e sosofa i korokota, peita'i o le aso tolu na Na molimauina lava le auai o le agaga toe lele malie ai le Ti'a a le Atua mai le o le Atua I le afioga I le Taitai fono e tusa Tupulaga tamaitai (youth) who attended the meeting as observers. tu'ugamau. Avea lea e fai ma malosiaga o o le faafoeina o le fonotaga. Malo faafetai ni ti'a o le ta-ga'ti'a a le Mafutaga ua vaivai, I lau afioga I le Peresetene Leotele Aumua PEACE. se toe palaai. ua tausolomuli. Taula'i lau silasila i le Ti'a mo le taitaiina o le fonotaga ae tainane foi Ua mua mua le aso e pei o le upu ia Aisea? Aua ua vaai tino ma le loto Lele Malie a le Atua o Iesu Keriso lea o le o nisi o faamoemoega o le mafutaga ua Tualemoso. A'o le fau gagana I le tuavao talitonu, ua toe Soifua Manumalo mai le Mua e le Fuatia. tuanai atu. fai mai, “O lupe ia sa vao eseese, a ua fuifui Alii o le Filemu mai le Oti ma le Tuugamau. Ae aua foi nei galo ia te outou, O le a E leai lava se galuega e asa foi ma ni faatasi.” Ae alaga le tama Eperu fai mai, “E Fai mai ua liliu tagata e toatele. Ua osaosa iai le “Maatui”, O le a iai le “Maagao”, O ona faaletonu, peitai ua vaaia pea le aao ! Se mea ina a lelei o uso ae faatasia”. le loto faatuatua ma le loto talitonu I tagata le a iai le “Maa Faalavea-aao”. E iai faafitauli taitaiina o le faamoemoe e le agaga o le Ua faapena le aso lenei ma lona uiga. ina ua salamo ma faaolaina e ala I faiva o le galuega, o le a fai ma faalavelave I le Atua. E momoli ai le viiga ma le faafetai I Aua o lele ua poto moli I le futiafu e tasi. alofi lima o le au-aposetolo. galuega I lea aso ma lea taimi. Ae mafai le Atua ona o lona fesoasoani mai na ala ai A'o le fesili, O ai ea na ia faia?.. Ae a ea le Ae Talofa I galuega lelei a le au- ona tatou manumaloina nei faafitauli uma, ona maea mea uma I le manuia. Matai'sau o le lagi ma le lalolagi. Lele ua aposetolo. Ua moni a le gagana ua tatou ina ua faaauupegaina I tatou I le Suafa o le Faaaupegaina pea lau afioga I le to pule I lenei aso. masani ai, “Soo se mea e iai le fanau a le Atua o le Filemu. Peresetene ma lou ofisa I le mau e tele mai Le mafutaga a tamaitai o le Sinoti Atua, e filo ai foi ma le alii o le lalolagi e Taitai o mafutaga uma ma sui o tupulaga le Atua, aua outou tiute ma faiva alofi lima Samoa, o maia sei tatou faapea faatasi a'e, taumafai e lepeti ma faaleaga. Le loto I lenei aso. Tatou o atu I luma o le Atua I o loo totoe o le nei tausaga. (Lauga Failauga faapei o le tatou sini I lenei aso,.. Le Atua mata'ua ma le loto tetee o le au tusiupu ma talotaloga ma faatoga ma tatou faapea atu… Saili Ioapo I le afiafi o le Aso Faraile na o le Filemu, faaauupegaina I matou I lou le au faitaulaga sili. “LE ATUA O LE FILEMU, tatalaina ai le Mafutaga.) Suafa, ia avea ai I matou ma ave feau o lou Tagata tau- tu-tu I o latou lava talitonuga, FAAAUUPEGAINA I MATOU I LOU TUSI FAITAU: Galuega 4:5 -12 Filemu. ma ua pu mo'omo'o ai la latou vaai atu I le SUAFA, IA AVEA AI I MATOU MA AFE- Sini o le Mafutaga: “Le Atua o le Filemu, E iai le taaloga e masani ai toeaiina o le Keriso Toe Tu, le Alii o le Filemu. Ae faafetai FEAU O LOU FILEMU. avea I matou ma ave feau o lou Filemu”. atunuu, o le ta-ga-ti'a. Ua seasea a toe faia a ia Peteru ma le au-aposetolo, aua ua le Lau afioga I le Peresetene ma le laulau- A'o le Sini o le aso I le Tusi Faitau aso I nei aso. Fai mai a oo ina fili ti'a, e saili I avea le tau faamata'u mai o le falepuipui ma a fono, le mamalu ma le paia I usufono o ……”O le Suafa o le Leoleomamoe Sili, e le vao laau pito sili ona lelei, ona aumai lea upu faifai e fai ma pa pupuni o le faailoa mafutaga taitasi aemaise o sui tupulaga mafai ai ona laasia mea faigata.” Ona fa'ifa'i ua sae ma faala. A uma ona faala ua mago atu o le Atua o le Filemu. talavou, ia manuia lo tatou faamoemoe I mai lea ma suni e le failauga I lenei afiafi lelei ona aumai laia ua suni ma sauni ai mo Aisea? Aua o tagata ua faaauupegaina I lenei weekend. se sini e ala ai sana faamalosi e faapea. le tautiaga. Fai mai e iloa a le ti'a lele malie le Suafa o Iesu Keriso le Nasareta. O le ala To maia I lagi le poto ma le atamai, a'o LE ATUA O LE FILEMU, e fifimalie. lena o le lele malie o la latou ti'a sa fa'alele se finagalo paia, e faagaganaina ai finagalo FAAAUUPEGAINA I MATOU I LOU Ae a le au aposetolo I le lesoni na o tatou i le vateatea o agaga. O ti'a ua mae'a ona taitasi e poupou ai le galuega a le mafutaga SUAFA, IA AVEA AI I MATOU MA AVE faitauina mai le Feagaiga Fou. O ti'a na fa'alala ma saunia lelei e le Agaga Paia o le a tamaitai o le Sinoti. FEAU O LOU FILEMU…THE GOD OF filiina e le Atua. A lele ua aga atu I tiute ma Atua. A lele ua lele malie ai. Ia manuia le Fonotaga I lenei tausaga I PEACE, ARMING US IN THY NAME, faiva alofi lima masani o le tala'I ma Taitai o mafutaga taitasi ma sui tupulaga lona Amataina seia oo I lona Faaiuina. WILL MAKE US MESSENGERS OF THY faamalolo I e mamai. Ua leai se fefe, leai talavou, o i tatou o ti'a na filiina mai e le Amene.

Lay preacher Saili Ioapo preached a sermon MWF President Diane Claughton receiving gifts President of Sinoti Women's at the opening of the gathering. from the Sinoti Women's Fellowship Fellowship Leotele Aumua. 18 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2018

NAI LALAKAI MAI NA WASEWASE KO VITI KEI ROTUMA E NIUSILADI

NA KEBA NI MATAVEITOKANI Ni WASEWASE, MAI CHRISTCHURCH 2018 Na nodra Keba na mataveitokani taro kina. E vakatoka oqo na kenai ena loma ni Wasewase e laki qaravi rogorogo - Domodra o ira na Luveda ki Christchurch ena mua ni macawa 1. A cava na ibalebale ni BULA? mai na 13th kina 15th ni vula sa oti. 2. Sa vakaevei tiko na ituvaki se irairai E ratou veiqaravi kina na ni "Bula" oqo ena loma ni vavakoso Tabacakacaka ni Ceva na Valenilotu lotu e NZ vakabibi vei ira na mai Moraia. E vakasakiti nodra sa sota Cauravou kei na Gone.Yalewa? yani na lima na Tabacakacaka ena 3. A cava me vakayacori me qaravi yakavi ni Siga Vakaraubuka. Sa totoka kina na na leqa ka sotavi tiko ena na nodra kalavata keina kedra rairai o gauna oqo? ira na luveda. Era basika talega yani o Sa qai soli na gauna me ra veiwasei ira nai tubutubu ena nodra veitokoni. kina vakailawalawa. Era sega ni wasei E nodra vulagi dokai na Qase Levu vaka-Tabacakacaka baleta me rawa ni Vakacegu e laki qaravi edua na vuli rogo na domodra yadudua. Keitou qai lekaleka ka kena ulutaga tiko “Na biuta vata na nodra vakanananu me Bula”. E sema vata tiko ena vakasama rawa ni da kila vakamatata na cava levu ni Lotu levu e Niu Siladi na NZ edau vakalatilati ena nodra via toso na Methodist Church “Let the Children luveda ena I soqosoqo Lotu. Live”. Sa veisoliyaki vei ira nai Talatala E vakabibitaka tiko na Qase Levu keina Qase ni Lotu nai Domodra o ira Vakacegu, ena noda sema vinaka na na Luveda, me rawa ni sara tekivu noda bula, noda kilai keda vinaka ki cakacaka kina. vua na Kalou keina veika bula talega. Sa totoka na nodra meke keina E laveta cake kina edua na noda raici vakalasalasa, ia e qai vakacavari edua keda vakamatua, matavuvale, Lotu keina tau soli, era soqona rawa e veiwekani keina Soqosoqo Lotu. $4,015. Sa qai mai tinia na Lotu na E tolu na ulutaga e vakarautaka na Qase Levu Vakacegu ena dua na masu Qase, ia sa vakagolei talega me saumi kei masu ni veivakalougataki.

NA I VAKAVUVULI NI LOTU WESELE (Vakarautaka ko Rev Dr IS Tuwere) Ni dikevi na Lotu Wesele ena iloilo ni me vakaraitaka edua na nona vakabauta ena (O for a heart to praise my God) keda: - Social Holiness, Sanctification. tukutuku raraba ni Lotu Vakarisito e nona bula, nona itovo se ivakarau, na nona Me soli mada mai vei au 5. Na i ka lima sa ikoya na nona vuravura, sa rawa me laurai kina e vitu qarava na nona cakacaka ena veisiga. Na kena yalo ga vakabibitaka na Lotu Wesele na na ka lelevu ka vakabibitaka, ka kilai tani Na ka oqori e dau vakatoka ko Jone Meu sa rokova na Kalou veivakatisaipelitaki se veivakalotutaki. Me talega kina. Wesele ena vosa vaka-Peritania me Ka marau tu vua. vakadewataki yani me kilai ni tukutuku 1. Na imatai na nona ciqoma me nona “experimental religion” se na lotu ka tovolei 3. Na ikatolu sa ikoya na kena bibi na vinaka se kosipeli i Jisu Karisito, me kila vakabauta na veika lelevu kece sara ka koto me laurai ena noda bula sara ga ena veisiga. Yalo Tabu. Na Yalo ni Kalou ka dau kilai ko vuravura taucoko, vakabibi sara na nona ena Vakabauta (historic creeds) ni lotu Laurai na kena itovo, kena ivakarau, kei na ni vaka na “cagi”. E liwa ki na vanua ka loloma levu na Kalou kei na nona lewa Vakarisito, ka dikevi vinaka, vakadonui ena kena cakacaka. lewa kei na gauna ka digitaka. E sega ni dodonu. “Sa noqu tabacakacaka ko vuravura yabaki 381 AD (Nicene-Constantinople 2. Na kena ikarua. E taura talega na lewa ni tamata. Ia, na Yalo Tabu sa sega ni taucoko” edua na vosa kilai levu nei Joni Creed). Na Vakabauta oqo sa tu ena noda Lotu Wesele me vakabibitaka na ka e raica tu duadua vakataki koya. Sa vakabibitaka Wesele (The world is my parish). iVola ni Sere, ka tusanaki koto kina na nona me uto ni lotu Vakarisito. Oqori na nona na Lotu Wesele ni Yalo Tabu oqo e lewe ni 6. Ka Ono, Na nodra kauwaitaki ena ivalavala na Kalou eda qarava: Tamana, veikilai vakavoleka sara edua vata kei na Vuvale lewe tolu Va-Kalou. Na nona nodra bula vakayago kei na bula vakayalo Luvena, kei na Yalo Tabu kei na nodratou nona Turaga ko Jisu Karisito, o koya ga ka cakacaka sa laurai ni tara cake kina nai ko ira era dravudravua, na vakaloloma ka dui cakacaka. Ka vakakina na lotu, na vakabulai koya ka sereki koya mai na nona vavakoso taucoko ka sega ni vakarusa se dau biu tu ga e muri. vakabokoci ni valavala ca kei na bula tawa vakabobulataki. Na veivakabulai kei na vakacacana. Sa dau veivakadodonutaki ka 7. Ka Vitu, Na kena tekivutaki se buli mudu. veisereki oqo e dodonu me moica ka veivakasavasavataki ena loma ni vale. edua na ivakarau ni veiqaravi vakalotu ka E sega walega ni vakabauta na Vakatusa veisautaka na nona ivakarau ni bula edua 4. Na kena ka Va, Kena sasagataki tikoga raici ni tautauvata vinaka kina na bibi ni oqo. E taura talega na Lotu Wesele me ka na tamata vakabauta. vakamalua ena yalo e gadreva dina sara me nodra veiqaravi nai Talatala kei na nodra na bibi na Vakabauta ka dodonu me matata vei Na veikilai vakavoleka oqo kei Jisu na vakadaberi na noda bula vata kei Karisito lewe ni lotu. Rawa me raici oqo ena nodrau ira na lewena. Sa sega kina ni vakadinadina Turaga e basika vakawasoma ena qaqa ni (Kalatia 2:20) ena noda bula vaka itikotiko. itutu na iTalatala kei na Tuirara ena loma ni walega ni nona lotu edua kei na nona caka sere nodrau na veitacini ko Jone kei Jalesi Me ka tabu ka savasava na noda bula vata Lotu Wesele. E duidui na nodrau dui tavi, loloma. Na Vakabauta oqo sa Wesele. Kena ivakaraitaki (Sere 179 - MHB vakataki keda na tamata, kei na noda bula ia e tautauvata vinaka na kedrau bibi ena vakataucokotaka na Cakacaka. E dodonu 550). vata kei na veika buli ka tu vakavolivoliti loma ni lotu. TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2018 19

Fakataha Vahefonua Ki he Kolokakala By 'Ikilifi Pope toki kau atu ki ai mo e talitali foki. 'I he Kapau 'e ngaue'aki 'a e founga ko 'enií Christchurch ai pe foki mo eni. Fakataha Vahefonua Christchurch 'osi ange ko iaá na'e fa'a fu'u mafasia 'e lava lelei pe 'a e fakataha Vahefonua 'o 'I he feohi 'o e ngaahi potungaue Ko e Motolo Ke Ngaue'aki 'aupito 'a e ngaahi siasi 'oku fa'a fai ki ai takai ki he ngaahi feitu'u 'oku te'eki a'u ki talavou na'e taki mai ai 'a e potungaue 'a 'Oku 'i ai 'a e fiefia makehe 'i he 'a e fakatahaá. ai 'a e fakatahaá 'o hange ko Gisborne pea Kosipeli 'a ia ko Christchurch ia. Na'e kau faifekau sea 'o e Vahefonua, Tevita Finau Ka 'i he founga ko 'eni na'e mo Dunedin foki. mai ki ai mo e potungaue talavou 'a koe'uhií ko e mahino 'oku lava 'o ngaue fakahoko'aki 'a e Vahefonua ko 'eni toko Mafana lahi e feohi'anga pea mo e Dunedin mo Omaru 'a ia na'e taki mai 'a 'a e founga ko 'enií, ko e tapuaki ia 'o e 'osií, na'e taki taha fua pe 'e he ngaahi e sekelitali 'o e potungauee, 'Olivia Lihau ki'i mavahe mai ko eni ki Christchurch. potu siasií 'a e nofo'anga mo e fakamole toe tapuki foki mo e hoa 'enau faifekau, Maomi Pole. Na'a ne toe pehé foki ko e founga eni 'e 'o 'enau kau fakafofongaá. Na'e lava lelei Makatu'unga 'i he fiefia 'o e feohi'anga Na'e faakfiefia foki ko e kau mai 'a ala lava ai ke takai 'a e fakataha Vahefonua pe 'o nofo fakataha 'a e kau fakafofonga pea mo e polokalama 'a e ngaahi Gisborne pea mo Blenheim. Na'e lava ki he ngaahi vahe 'i tu'a 'Aokalani 'a e pea ma'ama'a foki mo hono tokanga'i potungaue talavou na'e fakaafea ai 'e he heni ke mahino 'a e fiefia 'o e feohi pea 'oku nau tokosi'i angeé. kinautolu. palesiteni fili, Setaita Kinahoi Veikune mo e maheni 'a e to'utupu 'o e siasií. Ko e taha foki 'o e ngaahi me'a na'e Na'e faka'ofo'ofa pea hulu 'a e ngaahi kinautolu ['a e ngaahi potungaue talavou Na'e 'i ai foki 'a e tokanga 'a e faifekau fa'a anga maheni'aki 'e he Vahefonua ko talitali ia na'e fai 'e he faifekau, Moi kau 'o e Saute mo Gisborne] ke nau kau mai sea, Tevita Finau ke fokotu'utu'u ha ngaahi hono teuteu 'o e ngaahi mohenga ki he fonoanga, setuata, Tevita Nai pea mo e ki he konifelenisi 'a e siasií 'a ia 'oku kaveinga ngaue ki he to'utupu 'o e kau fakataha 'a e 'oku nau folau atuú pea kainga lotu foki. 'amanaki ke fakahoko 'i Sepitema ki Vahefonua 'i he kaha'uú.

Ko e Potungaue Talavou mo Finemui 'a Christchurch lolotonga 'a e polokalama 'o e to'uutpu 'i he Vahefonua. Ko e potungaue talavou 'a Gisborne lolotonga 'a 'enau faka'ali'ali 'enau item 'i he polokalama 'a e to'utupu.

Ko e potungaue talavou 'a Oamaru lolotonga e polokalama 'a e Ko e potungaue talavou mo e lautohi faka-Sapate 'a Dunedin lolotonga to'utupu. Na'a nau fiefia 'aupito 'i he kau mai ki he Vahefonua. e praise and worship 'o e 'aho Sapate.

Ko e kau finemui eni mei he Potungaue Talavou 'a Kosipeli mei Christchurch. Na'e fakamanafa 'a e 'ikai ke nau too 'i ha polokalama ka ko 'ene 'osi pee kuo nau hangatonu kotoa ki peito Ko e kau fakafofonga mei he potungaue talavou 'a Epsom na'a nau lava mai ki he Vahefonua. 'o tokoni ki he teuteu e talitali 'o e Vahefonua. 20 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2018

FAKALOTOFALE’IA Kaveinga: “Ko e lava'anga 'o e fatongia ko e lotu, tui mo e ngaue” By Rev Moi Kaufononga Potu Folofola: Sione 15: 12 “Ko eni ia 'a e tu'utu'uni a'aku, lava'aki pee ia 'a e “ LOTU, TUI, MO Ako Ma'olunga 'o Tonga 'a ia 'oku 'iloa fanauu ki he kaha'uu. Na'a nau kau he Ke mou fe'ofa'aki, 'o hange ko e 'ofa E NGAUE”. Ko e moto ia mo e ko e 'Ki he lelei taha'. Ko e motoo 'oku feinga ki he ngauee pea fakafeta'i na'a ne u fai kiate kimoutolu” fakakaukau na'e uki'aki 'a e ngaue ni. taufau ki ai 'a e ngaue kotoa pea mo e kau kau fakataha 'i he fiefia mo e Ko e taha e fiefia mo e mAfana 'i 'Oku lahi foki 'a e ngaahi moto kuo tui 'a e komuitií pee ko e kulupu ko ma'alali e ngaue lahi kuo lavaá. he Vahefonua na'e fakahoko 'i he Kolo 'iloa 'i hotau ki'i fonuaa 'o hange ko e ia. Na'e pehee 'a e fakakaukau na'e Ko e faka'osi 'o e fakahoha'aa, ko e potu folofola 'oku ou faka'amu ke Kakalaá ko e lava ke faka'ilonga'i ai 'Otua mo Tonga ko hoku tofi'a', 'a ia tataki'aki 'a e ngaue ko 'eni pea faka'ilonga'i 'i he fakalotofale'ia ko mo e ngAue na'a mau fakahoko he ko e moto ia 'a e fonuaa. Ko e lea 'iloa fakafiefia ko 'emau mamata ki hono 'enii ko e folofola ko ia 'a Sisu, “Ko langa homau holoó pea fakalelei'i mo foki 'e taha 'a e 'Tonga mo'unga ki he olaá. eni ia 'a e tu'utu'uni a'aku, ke mou e falelotu na'e lavea he mofuikeé. loto', 'a ia ko e moto ia 'o e kolisi ko Ka 'oku mau fiefia fakataha ai mo fe'ofa'aki, 'o hange ko e 'ofa ne u fai Kapau 'e fehu'ia pe na'e anga fefe Tupou. Pea 'ikai ko ia pee ka ko e 'emau fanauu pea pehee ki he ngaahi kiate kimoutolu”. 'Oku ou fie fakamalo 'ene lava 'a e ngaue 'i ha ki'i kainga 'Mate ma'a Tonga ko e moto ia 'a e famili kotoa 'o e siasii. Ko e ngaue heni ki he kainga lotu pea mo honau lotu tokosi'i pehe ni hange ko kolisi Tongaa'. koktoa ko 'enií 'oku taumu'a ia ko e ngaahi familií e'uhi ko e tali angi kotoa kimautoluu, pea ko e tali ki aii na'e 'Oku toe 'iloa foki mo e moto 'a e koloa pea mo e hoko atu ki he 'emau pe 'o lava ai 'a e fakataha Vahefonua.

Ko e potungaue talavou lolotonga 'enau faka'ali'ali 'a 'enau hiva fakataataa. Ko e potungaue talavou 'a Christchurch ko e koloa mahu'inga ia mo e kaha'u 'o e Siasi. Fakahoko Toe Fili Fo'ou Ngaahi Lakanga Vahefonua Re-election for Vahefonua Tonga officials By 'Ikilifi Pope tu'utu'uni ko iaá. ko e ngaahi faka'uhinga/ ngaahi poini Na'e faka'osi'aki 'a 'ene Ko e taha 'i he ngaahi me'a 'i he Na'e tu'utu'uni ai foki 'e he fakatahaá 'oku 'uhinga kehe pe fakatupu puputu'u fakama'opo'opo 'a 'ene pehee 'oku ne fakataha Vahefonua ko 'eni 'i Christchurch ke fokotu'u ha komiti fili ke nau (confusing and contradictory statements) tali lelei 'a e kole fakamolemole 'a e 'oku matu'aki mahu'inga ke mahino ki he tokangaekina 'a e ngaahi fokotu'u pe ki he fakataha'angaa pea na'e 'ikai ke faifekauseaá, ka 'oku 'ikai ke ne tali 'a kakai 'o e Siasií ko e tu'utu'uni ke toe kau kanititeiti 'e 'omai mei he ngaahi totonu ke ne ngaue'aki lolotonga 'a e fili 'ene fakafisií ka ne kei hoko atu pe 'i fakahoko 'o e fili e ngaahi lakanga 'o e potu siasií. Ko e komitii 'oku kau ki ai 'o e ngaahi lakanga 'o e Vahefonua 'i he hono lakangaá. Na'e tali lelei 'e he Vahefonuaá. 'a e kau faifekau 'e 3 pea mo e kau 2017. faifekausea 'a e fakama'opo'opo 'a e Ko e fili ko 'enií 'e fakahoko ia he malanga 'e 3. Na'e hoko atu ai pe 'a e faifekau seaá sekelitalií pea na'a ne toe loto lelei ke ne hoko atu pe 'i hono lakangaá. fakataha Vahefonua 'o Siulaií. Ko e Pea ko e komiti eni: (convenor) Rev 'i he'ene leaá ki ha'ane kole ke malolo 'I he taimi na'e fakahoko ai 'a e ngaahi lakanga 'e toe filií 'e kau atu ki Epeli Taungapeau (Waitemata DHB pe fakafisi mei hono lakanga faifekau tu'utu'unii na'e pasipasi le'o lahi 'aupito ai mo e faifekau sea, sekelitali pea mo Chaplain), Rev Kalolo Fihaki (Auckalnd seaá 'o makatu'unga 'i he me'a ko 'eni 'a e fakatahaá 'o fakaha'i 'a 'enau loto e tauhi pa'anga foki. Manukau), Rev Simote Taunga (Wesley na'e hoko. lelei ki he fai tu'utu'uni kuo fakahoko 'e 'Oku makatu'unga 'a e tu'utu'uni ko Wellington Parish), Mr Temisi Taufa 'I ha fakama'opo'opo 'a e sekelitali he faifekausea. 'enií ko e 'ikai ke fakahoko totonu 'a e (Auckland Manukau Parish), Dr Fisi'ihoi lahi, David Bush na'a ne pehe ai 'oku Ko ia 'e kei hoko atu pe 'a Tevita ngaahi tu'utu'uni ki he founga fili 'o e Mone (Auckland Manukau Parish), Mr ne fakamalo lahi pea mo faka'apa'apa'ia Finau 'i hono lakanga ko e faifekausea ngaahi lakanga e sinoti pe vahefonuaá Mafua Lolohea (Auckland Manukau 'a e tali lelei 'e he faifekauseá, Tevita ia 'o e Vahefonuaa 'o hange ko e ki he ngaahi potu siasií mo e ngaahi Parish). Finau ke fakahoko 'a e fale'i mo e tu'utu'uni 'a e Konifelenisi 'o a'u ki he peulisií 'o hangee ko ia kuo tu'utu'uni 'e Na'e fakahoko foki ai mo e kole tu'utu'uni 'a e Komiti Fale'i (Committee 'aho 31 'o Sanuali 2019. he tohi laoó. Na'e lava mai foki 'a e fakamolemole mei he faifekau seaá, of Advice) ke fai ha kole fakamolemole Ko e fili ko 'eni 'o e ngaahi lakanga sekelitali 'o e Siasi Metotisi, Rev David Tevita Finau ki he fakataha Vahefonuaá ki he Vahefonuaá. Pea ne fakahoko ai 'o e Vahefonua 'i Siulai 'e toe kei 'ataa Bush pea mo e fakafofonga lao, Ruby 'o makatu'unga 'i he tu'utu'uni 'a e Komiti ha kole fakamolemole fakamafana mei pe foki hono hingoaá ke fokotu'u pe ke Schaumkel 'o fakama'ala'ala 'a e Fale'i (Committee of Advice) koe'uhií hono laumalie ki he fakataha'angaá. kanititeiti ki he lakanga faifekauseaá.