MARCH 2008 December 2014

A time to sow, a time to grow

The induction of the new presidential team of Rev Tovia Aumua and Dr Arapera Ngaha on the opening day of Conference. By Paul Titus ethodist Conference 2014 was from their families and churches. Four choirs Methodist Church of Samoa Rev Aisoli Tapa and strategies to grow our congregations. a time of celebration but also - Palangi, Samoan, Fijian, and a huge Iuli, and general secretary elect of the In her address Arapera noted it is now a time to take stock of the combined Tongan one accompanied by a Methodist Church of Fiji Rev Epinieri 30 years since the 1984 Conference when serious challenges facing the brass band - made the induction service a Vakadewavosa as well as Anglican bishop the Methodist Church of NZ embarked on Church in the 21st century. lively event. of Waikato Rev Dr Helen-Ann Hartley. its Bi-Cultural Journey to become more Hamilton was the host city The Methodist Church broke new ground Other people entering important positions equitable for Maori. She said there is still M at this latest Conference as it inducted its in the Church were incoming Trinity College work to do to further the bi-cultural nature for this year's Conference. The opening weekend's powhiri, tributes and induction first fully Pasifika presidential team, president principal Rev Dr Nasili Vaka'uta and new of the church and urged presbyters and and ordination services were held at the Rev Tovia Aumua from Sinoti Samoa and Tauiwi youth and children's co-ordinator laypeople to step out of their comfort zones massive Claudelands Arena. Later, delegates vice president Dr Arapera (Bella) Ngaha Michael Lemanu. and engage with Maori on Maori terms. gathered at the Waikato Institute of from Te Taha Maori. hile the mood was upbeat, The two evening speakers during Technology for three days of business. The Conference naturally had a Pacific Conference also had serious tones, Conference's business days also laid down The big venue was required for the flavour. A contingent of soga'imiti (men with Wand speakers laid out challenges challenges for Methodists. On Monday film opening ceremonies because the Methodist traditional Samoan tattoos) led Tovia and for the Church to take up in the maker Bryan Bruce discussed the themes of Church welcomed a group of 12 newly Arapera into the induction service, and the years ahead. his recent documentaries on child poverty ordained presbyters into its ranks along with Maori King Tuheitia Paki was the guest of In their addresses both Tovia and and growing inequality in New Zealand. a new deacon and four presbyters who came honour at the celebratory dinner that outgoing president Rev Nathan reminded us On Tuesday evening social worker Opeta into full connexion from other churches. followed. of the declining number of New Zealanders Amani addressed one of the themes of the Most of the new presbyters are from The Methodist Church of NZ's who identify as Christian and the effort Church's Let the Children Live initiative - Pasifika synods and they were accompanied increasingly close ties with other Methodist churches must make to be relevant in today's youth suicide. Opeta invited delegates to by large Churches in the Pacific were also evident. society. discuss the types of emotional pain and abuse groups of Formal guests to Conference included In line with the Conference theme of 'a that put young people in vulnerable places supporters president of Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga time to sow, a time to grow', Tovia said we and what we do to can do to prevent this. INSIDE Rev Dr Finau Ahio, president of the should not despair at this but develop a vision See Page 2

CONFERENCE COVERAGE – PAGES 2 & 3 CWS CHRISTMAS APPEAL – PAGES 10 & 11

CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS – PAGES 4 & 5 2 TOUCHSTONE • December 2014 NEWS

You don't have to sow alone - WCC PUBLIC ISSUES NETWORK As churches face ministry would often “We learn that so much more is the prospect of be challenging. Even possible in and for God's world mission in difficult as the gospel continues when we sow seeds together, when times, they should not to flourish today, many we share in common Christian forsake the churches are witness. I pray that the awareness ecumenical vision experiencing tighter of that ecumenical vision will stay and the gifts they can finances, decreasing with you in your conversations and both share and receive membership, and a less will offer you encouragement as from other Christians audible public voice, you seek life-giving ways ahead.” around the world. when the scale of Natasha was in New Zealand This was the human need in our and the Pacific for two weeks. She message World WCC programme communities can be Council of Churches executive overwhelming. met with the heads of other mainline (WCC) representative Natasha Klukach. “To sow and to Protestant church here and with leaders of the Pacific Conference Natasha Klukach took to Methodist grow is not about depending on our Liliuokahlani Teofilo addressing Conference about Green Churches. Conference 2014. own strengths and gifts alone but of Churches. Natasha brought greetings from understanding that when we open She said she was taken aback the leaders of the WCC, a fellowship ourselves to share our gifts and by the destruction she witnessed in Greening the Church at top that represents nearly 600 million receive those of others, who may Christchurch and she was impressed Christians around the world. act and pray in ways different from with Pacific churches' strong sense of Public Issues' agenda She said when Jesus sent out his ourselves, we become open to the of community and their outspoken disciples, he was clear that the transforming Spirit of God. stance on climate justice. By Betsan Martin, Public During Public Issues’ report Issue Co-ordinator to Conference NZ Council of Conference 2014 gave a Christian Social Services policy Conference time to sow, grow mandate for Public Issues to advisor Paul Barber spoke to From Page 1 The memorial said Conference's code.” continue helping Methodist and Conference about New Zealand's Arapera and Tovia say they were earlier resolutions that call for church Those who spoke against the Uniting Congregation work to inequality. He presented the very pleased at how smooth the buildings to be brought up to 67 memorial noted that Auckland does stop child poverty, reduce accompanying graph, which business sessions ran and that it was percent of the current seismic code have seismic faults and just because inequality, bring the Living outlines the growing inequality a relatively “boring” Conference with should be amended so that parishes it has not experienced a major Wage into effect, and to take that has arisen here since the no sharp controversies. in Auckland-Manukau come under earthquake during the era of European new steps to become a 'Green 1980s. “All the people who presented Auckland Council regulations settlement does not mean it will not Church'. In preparation for 2015 during the business sessions were regarding earthquake prone buildings. Conference received two in future. Public Issues has prepared a clear and concise and the process was Auckland Central Parish presbyter memorials to move toward The point was also made that the briefing to incoming ministers orderly and respectful. We are very Rev Lynne Frith supported the becoming a Green Church. Both on three areas: 1) child poverty grateful for the work the Hamilton memorial. Lynne says all parishes building codes already take into were inspired by people who had and inequality, 2) the organisers put into to making this a around the country should be able to account regional differences is attended the World Council of very efficient Conference,” they say. deal with their building under local environment with a focus on earthquake risk and are more stringent Churches (WCC) workshop on water, climate and the Resource A memorial from the Auckland, body regulations, which recognise in areas with greater risk. ecology, theology and justice in Manukau and Northland Synods on different levels of seismic risk. Management Act (RMA), and There was no consensus on the 2014. 3) education. seismic strengthening generated the “Churches face financial memorial so earlier Conference The first from the Central most debate. Their memorial stated implications and difficult decisions During Public Issues' decisions on seismic strengthening South Island Synod called on consultations with the Church that there are significant regional about what buildings to retain and the Methodist Church to differences in earthquake risk around strengthen. There is little public remain in place. The memorial was during 2014, it was apparent that disinvest from the fossil fuel New Zealand and based on historical money or Connexional resource for referred to Methodist Connexional one path toward further action experience the north faces relatively parishes to call on. Aligning with local Property Committee and the Board industry and invest in the fast- on climate justice is theological less risk than other parts of the body regulations would give us more of Administration, which will report growing green energy sector. education. Incoming Trinity country. time to bring our buildings up to back to the Church in 2015. The second was presented College principal Rev Dr Nasili by Peter Lane, who attended the Vaka'uta has set such a course WCC workshop. It requested by embarking on biblical that a number of key bodies in interpretation for Oceania the Methodist Church work to theology. Need a TREASURER develop an eco-theology and Healthy oceans are at the better care for creation. heart of local and global for your Church, Club Both of these memorials have been referred to Public sustainability, yet they are rising or Organisation? Issues and Investment Advisory and acidifying. Board who will report back to Care for creation and climate the Church next year. justice are as relevant to the The Gilmore Smith For further information contact:Liliuokahlani Teofilo also Methodist Church as they are to Colin on 03 454 5431 or attended the WCC workshop and wider society. Education for Memorial Scholarship she addressed Conference 2014. sustainability and stewardship [email protected] With Pacific Islands on the include a focus on the needs of The Wesley Historical Society (NZ) offers an frontlines of climate change the future generations, a capacity to annual scholarship of up to $1500 for post- message in our region is deal with complexity and especially strong - and the voice reference to a 'woven universe' graduate students undertaking historical of Pacific peoples is especially that recognises that humans and research related to Methodist history in New important. nature are inter-related. Free e-books In 2015 the Methodist The Maori provision of the Zealand and/or the South Pacific. Church has new opportunities New Zealand curriculum Te to move toward becoming a low Matauranga o Aotearoa allows Something carbon church. We will have for every school to develop a Application close on 31 March 2015. opportunities to collaborate with local curriculum that is Methodist Churches in the responsive to their issues. This For further details contact the Secretary: for everyone Pacific. enables a school or kura to join Mrs Margaret Ziegler, 6 Brouder Place, Hillside Park, Manuwera. It will also bring a time to with marae, hapu and local Auckland 2102. Email [email protected] www.ebook-linkup.info work with New Zealand groups to respond to local issues. organisations and with This could be a model for government to prepare for wider implementation and for COP21, the climate meeting in theological studies in the Church. Paris when all countries will be The course ahead for Public e at Touchstone wish asked to make their Issues is clearly set. We look W commitments to lowering forward to becoming 'Green to express our thanks to emissions. Church' with you. all the individuals, parishes and businesses who supported us in 2014. Merry Christmas Touchstone relies on the income it receives from and Happy New Year advertisers and donations from individuals and parishes. We also thank those who have written articles, letters to the editor, and reviews. The paper is livelier and more interesting because of your contributions. TOUCHSTONE • December 2014 3 NEWS Poverty is a moral issue By Paul Titus future.” Economic decisions are moral Some of the most sobering decisions, and New Zealand has lost material Bryan presented was on the its moral compass. deterioration of children's health since This was the message journalist the 1980s. This includes the rise of and documentary film maker Bryan skin infections, upper respiratory Bruce brought to Methodist disease, and rheumatic fever. Conference 2014. “These are diseases caused by Bryan urged Methodists to do poor housing and over-crowding. The what they can to bring about a more link between poverty and poor health caring and more cooperative New is well documented. Zealand. “We know that a person's health His popular television for life is largely established by the documentaries cover a range of topics time they are six years old, yet we from crime to natural history. Two are under spending on child health of the latest have explored the current by about 50 percent. malaise in New Zealand society. One “Fix the housing, put more nurses focused on child poverty, and the into schools, and have doctors visit other, entitled 'Mind the Gap', schools once a week. In the long term, examined the growing gap between we would recover the cost of Conference warmly thanked Andew Gamman rich and poor. prevention by saving on crisis cures.” for his work in Refresh Ministry. In his talk Bryan elaborated on Higher taxes, clamping down on them, making the point that economic Bryan Bruce told Conference New tax avoidance, and social investing Four tips to Zealand's economic theories should policies are the extension of moral not dictate our moral values. are some of the things we could do philosophies. He said that the serious to bring about a more equal become a more problems our country now faces are other nine people on stage shared the distribution of wealth in New Zealand, the outcome of the neo-liberal remaining 47 percent. Bryan told Conference. contemporary church philosophy “that the Labour Party The audience agreed this is not a He cited the ideas of Nobel Prize- While Methodist God wants for them by introduced in 1984 and the National fair distribution of wealth. winning economist Muhammad Conference is a time of means of group exercises Party put on steroids”. To provide a real life example of Yunus. In addition to microfinance celebration and new rather than monologues. A Neo-liberal economic policies poverty in Aotearoa, Bryan showed loans to small business people in beginnings, it is also a time line from the new U2 album include an unhindered free market, a video clip of Christchurch mother when people are farewelled says what most people think user pays, and the sell-off of state Tracey and her three children who Bangladesh, Muhammad creates assets. They were meant to increase were living in a tent because they had social businesses that create jobs for with sadness. about preaching: “It's hard the size of the economy, which would no other accommodation. people by not taking profits from This year one instance to listen while you preach.” allow wealth to trickle down to those Bryan said Tracey's situation poses them. of this was not the departure 3. Create community. at the bottom of society. a moral question: Does society have “Our morals are being dictated by of a person but the closing We need to listen to our Instead, the gap between the a duty of care for her and her children? an economic theory based on down a popular programme people, particularly the new 'haves' and the 'have nots' has “Tracey didn't have a partner when selfishness. We have to turn that - Refresh Ministry and its people. Give priority to the increased, as have child poverty and we made the film. I did not ask her around. Economic theory needs to '10 Minutes on a Tuesday' concerns of the group rather preventable infectious diseases. why because I did not care but some follow our moral values. weekly resource for worship than the concerns of us who To illustrate his point Bryan drew viewers did. They said she should not “We have to decide what kind of 10 people from the audience. He have kids if she could not afford them leaders. are clergy. selected one (who turned out to be and that babies are a life-style choice. society we want and then figure out Refresh Ministries did 4. Expect people to his sister-in-law, Christian World “My view is that we have to focus how to pay for it. The Methodist not have permanent funding experience God. Church life Service director Pauline McKay) to on the three children. They didn't get Church has a great role to play in and Methodist Mission should focus on encounter persuading society at large that it is represent the wealthiest 10 percent of to choose their parents or their Resourcing no longer has rather than programme. New Zealanders. She was allocated circumstances. In some sense they better for all of us if we share,” Bryan the funds to support Rev People are hungry for an 53 percent of the wealth while the are all of our children. They are our said. Andrew Gamman as its authentic experience of God coordinator. and they need to know that's Andrew addressed what the Methodist Church Conference highlights Conference about Refresh of New Zealand is about. Ministry and suggested a Andrew said 10 Minutes number of ways Churches on a Tuesday reached could develop contemporary people around the world worship styles. through the Internet. “Refresh Ministry was He thanked all the founded to help individuals, parishes and congregations better connect trusts who contributed with the 21st century secular financially to keep it Kiwi culture. I fear that we running for the last five may be actually going years, and he paid tribute to backwards in this regard the creative brilliance of the rather than forwards. late Andre la Roux, who “The danger is that, as began the Refresh Ministry fewer and fewer of us gather to help congregations inside church buildings, we connect with contemporary end up just talking to culture. ourselves. We don't hear The final instalments of A bumper crop of ordinands: (from left) Foeata Tu'ipulotu, Ruta Galo, Rupeni Balawa Delai, Andrea Williamson, Kalolo Fihaki, Tania Shackleton, President Tovia Aumua, 'Ilaisaane Langi, Abhishek Solomon, Vice President Arapera Ngaha, Kuli Fisi'iahi, Nehilofi E-Moala 'Aholelei, Sione Lea'aetoa, younger secular Kiwis and '10 Minutes on a Tuesday' Manoa Havea, and Neti Petaia. they don't hear us. The will be for Advent and Refresh Ministry has tried Christmas 2014. They will to address this situation,” focus on the Gospel Andrew told Conference. Bicentenary, the first He suggested four Christian service Rev practical steps that could Samuel Marsden led on help avert the crisis in Christmas Day 1814, and Palangi churches: his relationship with Chief 1. Communicate in Ruatara and the Maori of images. We need to think in Rangihoua, Bay of Islands. terms of YouTube rather All five years of '10 than printed words. Try to Minutes on a Tuesday' are think of the visual images archived on the Methodist that might communicate Church website. You can your theme. find the resource for a 2. Encourage lectionary reading using the participation. We need to Consultation on Church The presidential team (standing) address King Tuheitia Paki, seated third from right. help people to discover what Union number. 4 TOUCHSTONE • December 2014 OPINION Christians must draw on divine impulses To the editor, The Christian mission to bring justice and The letters of John Northcott and John peace to the world has enough struggles without Thornley in the October edition of Touchstone churches waging wars internally or against are helpful reminders of the importance of people of other faiths (or none). expressing Christianity to the community with These may end in victory, defeat or a truce humility, love and tolerance as well as resolve. but often exact a heavy price. Being human, Some years ago, I saw a street preacher in most of us have viewpoints, or personality or central Wellington antagonising pedestrians with physical flaws which are difficult or even a fiery call to repentance. They dismissed him offensive for others to deal with. But Christians with mockery and anger, which led to him yelling are called to draw on divine impulses. back at them and calling one passer-by a Our faith is about God's love triumphing “reprobate”. over adversity, challenge and human fallibility. Christianity seemed ill-served by this This message can be lost when Christians of exchange. I have since wondered whether whatever theology show that hatred is acceptable. intervening might have helped or whether neither This breeds a cycle of disillusionment, rejection preacher nor pedestrians were of a mind to listen. and alienation. Faithful people should be willing to speak In 1994, Archbishop Desmond Tutu was their minds even under challenge. But hearers criticised for leading Christian prayers with can 'switch off' when they are treated as unequal those of non-Christian faiths at Nelson Mandela's parts of God's creation or as sinful outsiders presidential inauguration in South Africa. He whose fallibilities are fair game for judgement while the church's insiders remain beyond responded that Jesus Christ was to him the full reproach. and final revelation of God and he had no need I nonetheless feel sympathy for that preacher. to “trample with muddied boots” on what others His faith had only given him an ability to be considered their holy ground. confrontational and to see others as inherently Perhaps he saw that church leaders or flawed or even evil. Perhaps he came from a members placing themselves or their institutions community where self-righteousness and anger on a pedestal can be brought to earth in a were common. community where tolerance of diversity is not He could not relate to others without only desirable, but essential. reflecting a cultural mix of defensiveness and Being Christian did not require Desmond FromFrom thethe backyardbackyard aggression. But any positive influences of his Tutu to hate or dismiss his neighbours but to background were also lost. How many inside love and accept them. However difficult this or outside the churches still feel injured through may be for each of us, it still seems to me to be similar encounters? Indeed, for some of us the the better example to follow. Visitors in the night impact is indelible. Jed Baker, Wellington Gillian Watkin We enjoyed the weekend dark. I don't suppose scones were on Everil Orr development not all roses gardening, going to church and the menu. To the editor, The proceeds from these sales may well be buying roses. Everywhere the shops What bothered me most were the The re-development of Everil Orr Village used for the benefit of the community, as stated have their Christmas feathers on. assumptions people made on who in Mt Albert, Auckland is not as straight forward in the article. At the same time, the occupants They glitter and show off like committed the crime. Saying “we as an article in November's Touchstone claims. of the present cottages as well as the Oceania peacocks. It is almost the time to don't know” didn't seem to quell the write a list of gifts for the people we Methodist Mission Northern, through its facilities now have to find alternative rental speculation. love. Thank God Christmas is coming. Airedale Property Trust, is currently the landlord accommodation in Auckland, where this is in of the 23 cottages at Everil Orr while the private We didn't really enjoy Monday as This experience is a reminder both of business Oceania Healthcare manages the rest very short supply. much. We had night visitors in the how fortunate I am and of the absolute home and hospital on the site. I count myself very fortunate that I am one garage. We were left with a bare shelf opposite life so many others live. It The 127 new independent living apartments of the three Everil Orr residents so far living in where the power tools had been and has reminded me of the hard work to be built will be available to older people on a unit in Aldersgate, another Methodist village an empty freezer. ahead to build community, the battle a license-to-occupy basis requiring considerable in Auckland, where I can rent. The police came two hours after to ease the fear of people who are capital assets, like most other retirement villages. Janice Anderson, Mt Eden the event and apologised for being different, the pain of no one caring, late. We said that we expected them and the chaos of assumptions. Appropriate neighbours the next day. We can donate to the food bank, “You must be from Auckland,” the Christmas appeal and to the To the editor, conditions formed themselves into a friendly said the fingerprint man. He was The September Touchstone featured an society of agricultural labourers. various present appeals. Do we do so incredibly helpful. It was a reminder to make ourselves feel satisfied? Do article on the new offices for the Methodist Under a long forgotten law they were that good things happen more often we know what happens to the Church's new Connexional offices, which will prosecuted, convicted and shipped out to than bad in the world where I live. donations we make? Or do we take be built in Langdons Road, Papanui, Australia as convicts. Widespread church and Having had my mind on the idea Christchurch. community protest back in England eventually of gifting, this help yourself system the easy option without knowing what I have since learnt that the re-built Canterbury led to their repatriation. was not quite what I had in mind. Just the receiver really wants? Think of the dualism of good and Trade Union Centre will also be in Langdons Here's hoping the close proximity of the new as the stores are full of temptation, bad. For some people, life, events and Rd and possibly next door. How appropriate! Connexional headquarters to the Canterbury our homes and properties are like shops to those who have no sense of behaviour are one or the other. Do Contemporary middle-class Methodism may Trade Union Centre in Papanui will foreshadow people still say to children that Santa be in danger of forgetting how closely entwined a renewed closeness of Methodism and trade boundary or personal respect. We are well and we are insured. won't come if they are bad? I hope early Methodism and trade unionism were. unionism throughout Aotearoa-NZ. not. There were many examples of this including With workers' rights under threat from further I was asked if I wondered why it was me. I said that I was very clear that But we life in a complex world, the Tolpuddle Martyrs. This was a group of 19th planned government legislation, that's surely a this was not about me. and every Christmas we are reminded century Wesleyan agricultural workers in Dorset Gospel priority. Our garden is glorious at the that the healing of the world comes who in search of fairer wages and working Brian Turner, North Canterbury moment - flowers in full bloom, fruit in the simplicity of the birth of a baby. setting, vegetables maturing, first It reminds us of angels, shepherds, Stash of (Alan) Brash strawberries picked and eaten. The and wise men but also of the To the editor, [email protected]. night visitors left our frozen fruit and complexity of power and corruption. They can be overcome not by The office manager of St Ninian's For the sum of $5 to cover postage we will vegies behind but they took the buttermilk. good triumphing over evil but by love Presbyterian Church, Christchurch has found a send you one. It was compiled in 1999, published box full of books by Alan Brash. I kept asking “Why take the triumphing over chaos, and by us If anyone would like a copy of his collected by Caxton Press. Hopefully folk will remember buttermilk?” It was probably because paying attention to the teachings of writings called Footsteps in the Sand, please let Alan, a giant of his time. it looked like a milk carton in the half the man that baby became. St Ninian's know. Phone 03 348 6418, or email Rob Ferguson, Christchurch

Postal PO Box 931 Editor Paul Titus Advertising Pieter van den Berg Circulation Karen Isaacs Christchurch Phone (03) 381 6912 Phone (03) 310 7781, Fax (03) 310 7782 Phone (03) 381-4315 Fax (03) 366-6009 Mobile (021) 655 092 Email [email protected] [email protected]@xtra.co.nz E-mail [email protected] Printer The Ashburton Guardian Opinions in Touchstone do not necessarily reflect Production Julian Doesburg [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 • December 2014 5 OPINION

CONVERSATION WITH THE CONNEXION

President Rev Tovia Aumua A time to sow, a time to growVice-President Dr Arapera Ngaha since the mid-1960s. From 1960 to 2000 goals and strategies to ensure growth. We Christians and as a church is to lead people attendance at weekly services was down must make sure these plans extend to find that life-transforming experience 10 percent. The Methodist Church has lost outwards into the local community to that brings them into the Family of Christ. 19,302 members over the last seven years, encourage and bring in new people. We We are not meant to fear change, but rather or an average of 2,757 people (or 2.36 need a co-ordinated Connexional approach we are meant to take risks, embrace it, and percent) per year. to this matter. even help to create it! Our church is gifted in many ways. Tovia Aumua Arapera Ngaha These statistics are not new to most of Change is inevitable. Our choice lies us. We see the decline in the parish pews We are multicultural and multilingual with in making changes that are positive, The year 2014 is significant in the every Sunday. great wealth in theological perspectives empowering and sustainable. history of Christianity in Aotearoa/New Our congregations are shrinking and and Biblical understandings. We are proud Our Bi-Cultural Journey continues, Zealand. It marks 200 years since the if we continue to follow the trend we may of our Bi-Cultural Journey, based on the and we must learn to be better at travelling first seed of the gospel was sown in the not survive the next 50 years as a viable covenant between Tangata Whenua and that journey. We must also seek to grow soil of Aotearoa, when Reverend Samuel institution. We must consider how we “do Tauiwi to which the church committed our church communities beyond our own Marsden preached the first Christian church” to keep us relevant for our itself at its 1983 Conference. safe walls of the Methodist Connexion Service at Oihi in the Bay of Islands on congregations. We believe there is no need to go and reach out into the community. Christmas Day 1814. elsewhere to find ways and ideas for We need to think and work differently, We join with the Christian community Time to hope, dream and vision growth. But we have to be brave and to utilise and share our resources, show what in New Zealand to celebrate and give What are we doing about this? What have passion, ambition and the willingness thanks for the God-given vision of the are our hopes and dreams for the Methodist to sow and grow. it means to be a Connexional Church, and gospel sown and grown in Aotearoa. We Church? What are our strategies for growth Let us not be complacent. Let us plan think beyond today. acknowledge those Pakeha missionaries in parishes, congregations and fellowships? for change that will help make our church What has worked for us in times gone and Maori leaders who mapped out steps We believe that it is time for our church grow, thrive and flourish. by may not work for our next generations, to achieve that vision of spreading the to seriously re-assess and re-evaluate where Church growth is not about competing so let us be alert to what will keep us gospel 'te rongopai' o Ihu Karaiti we are at. It is time to have a good look with the ministry down the street or with relevant in today's and tomorrow's society. throughout this land. at ourselves, see where our main focus other denominations. It is about how the Let us allow the Holy Spirit to continue This bicentenary year brings challenges and priorities are, and set clear goals and people in the church are disciplined and empowering the Church to grow through for the whole Christian community. We a vision of where we would like to be in used by God. witness and ministry. Let us remember face major challenges in terms of our the next 50 years. To grow, changes or life transformation that wherever a church is open to the power sustainability and relevance in today's There is an old saying: 'If you fail to must take place. Change can sometimes of the Holy Spirit, it is alive, vibrant and society, and indeed our survival into the plan, you plan to fail'. This is true in the be difficult. It may take us out of our will grow in faith, hope and witness. next century and beyond. world of business and is also true in church comfort zone but it is necessary. (This is an amended version of the The number of people involved in the organizations. Jesus has called the church to look and Presidential address presented to Methodist Christian church has declined considerably Some parts of the church have clear move forward. Our greatest task as Conference 2014.) Blenheim Methodists preparing for big year To the editor School and Bible Class Christmas star can still Next year the Blenheim members, an afternoon function Methodist Church celebrates 150 followed by a celebratory dinner, years since the opening of its and a commemorative service guide our troubled world By Bill Peddie first church in 1865. on Sunday morning. Commemorations will be If we want to preserve the We propose to have historical magic and wonder of the held during Palm Sunday displays and opportunities during weekend - Friday 27th, Saturday Christmas birth story perhaps we 28th and Sunday 29th March - the weekend. should not take it literally. at the Wesley Centre in Henry Further information will be Rather, we could admit that Street. released early next year. At this we all need our own star to help Events planned include a bus stage, both current and former us through blackness and tour to former church sites members are asked to note these uncertainty. This can help us around the district, an informal dates in their 2015 diaries. understand what it was the writers evening for former Sunday Dave Poswillo, Blenheim of the gospel accounts of Christmas were trying to tell us. We don't need deep Make love, not war in Iraq scholarship to suspect the To the editor, in the injury or death of any of historical accuracy of both Luke An open letter to the Foreign those people. and Matthew. Basic questions they Minister Murray McCully There are many ways in raise include: If Herod really did Dear Sir, which New Zealand could help massacre the infants why didn't It is with considerable alarm desperate folk, which would earn the contemporary historians not where we might expect the into a world that had dark that I note our government may and deserve the respect of people notice? star to lead. shadows, and that same world be considering assisting the everywhere. Or why does one of the two To some it is uncomfortable to continues to have dark shadows. American war efforts in the To support the American gospel writers say the parents fled remember Jesus was the baby of No doubt in a figurative sense, Middle East. with the baby Jesus to Egypt and the unmarried mother Mary. In The countries have never military adventure looks dubious the star of Bethlehem is still out to say the least and could end up stayed there until he had started that era, the law proscribed stoning there somewhere. But the attacked or offended New to grow up, while the other says for unwed mothers. Mary Zealand or New Zealanders in in disgrace for New Zealand with shepherds had to move from where the parents were still around a few apparently escaped that fate but they were to encounter the Baby. any way. I feel it would be hundreds injured or killed. days after the birth to present the she would not have escaped the morally wrong and inexcusable Remember Vietnam! baby to the Temple? stories and innuendo. The story goes on to say the wise for New Zealand to be involved Ernest Smith, Helensville On the other hand, as poetry, For all the Nativity's angels men also had to set out as best the word pictures they paint are and miraculous signs, we still find they could - and for them it was a Avoid the fate of the donut church wonderful. If we move beyond the the baby in the dirty straw of an difficult journey. To see it as a To the editor, empty in the middle. restraints of a literalistic Christmas animal feeding trough - an outsider charming tableau is to miss some Methodists are a 'Church' and If our power and status story, we can think beyond the surrounded by rat bag shepherds. parts that matter. as a church we are called to grow become our main focus, we will past to the possibilities of our To the extent that the shepherds If we believe the gospel still the mustard seed of faith in each find that we do not see the gift present. matter, the marginalised are still speaks to our time, we need to be human heart, starting with our of God in the 'other' and we find Even if we can't quite identify an essential part of the gospel. honest about where the light is still own. it easy to demean or put down the nature of the star metaphor or They should be part of our gospel. needed. If we were to see these As we grow in faith and the 'other'. reconcile details of the history, a While this might not be journeys merely as literal history grace towards holiness our view If we exploit our position in star does remain to guide us 2000 appropriate for the one who was - events that once happened and of God's world will change to any way by manipulation or by years later - and that star is the later celebrated in cathedrals with are now typically misremembered become more and more breeching physical or emotional adult the baby would become. impressive choirs and much fancy - we risk missing the relevance of In the popular version, the dress, it is certainly appropriate inclusive, more and more boundaries, we are diminishing the coming of Jesus for our own precious. Out of our growth, our call as a Church member. shepherds were first called by the for the man who took his message angel. In biblical times, shepherds to tax collectors, prostitutes, dark times. others will find support and As Methodists we are called For today relationships are still solace. to grow in grace towards were the lowest of the low, and heretical Samaritans and unclean this is appropriate when the adult lepers. broken, the spectres of hunger and If we neglect this call to 'holiness'. Do these words seem fear still loom, and the enrich our spiritual lives, we will strange or archaic? I hope not Jesus reached out to the Christmas is not just the tinsel, fairy lights and wonderful music. interdependence of humankind become what an old Methodist because they hold such beauty marginalised. The backwater of Galilee - Both Luke and Matthew remind and all life on the planet is more woman called a 'donut Church', for our lives. known for its trouble-makers - was us the infant baby Jesus was born critical than ever. social services on the outside and Anne Stephenson, Kapiti 6 TOUCHSTONE • December 2014 NEWS AND VIEWS Te Taenga mai o te Rongo Pai ki Aotearoa - The Coming of the Gospel to New Zealand HONEST TO GOD Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy - Kawea mai ki a koe te rongo pai o te hari nui By Te Aroha Rountree Aotearoa in the hope that a short The beginnings of the respite might alleviate his illness. Jesus' natural Wesleyan mission to Aotearoa After a six-week stay, Leigh were tumultuous. The eventual returned to New South Wales with success of the early missions can renewed vigour and a mind to be attributed to both a robust establish a Wesleyan mission birth Christmas is coming, the missionary vision and responsible, amongst Maori in Aotearoa. geese are getting fat... Well, conscientious Maori patronage. In January, 1822 Leigh in New Zealand perhaps not Wesleyan missionaries actively returned to Kaeo to begin what geese but there will be many sought to nurture their connections would be a short-lived mission a chook, turkey, and lamb and relationships with local Maori amongst the people of Ngati Uru. which, if they could read a for security and support. Leigh was there under uncertain calendar, would be feeling a Perhaps their approach and somewhat tentative patronage little apprehensive right now. foreshadowed the Bi-Cultural of the local chiefs Te Puhi and Te And after December 25 Journey that the Methodist Church Ara, both of whom were associated come the 12 days of Christmas of Aotearoa has undertaken over with the 'Boyd' incident in 1809. when, the carol tells us, there'll the past 30 years. Or perhaps it is The Wesleyan mission was be at least three surviving simply a natural progression of then re-planted in 1827-8 at French hens, together with six thinking and action for a Mangungu, Hokianga under the geese a-laying, 10 lords a- This was done to elevate Jesus covenanted people striving for auspices of Ngati Hao chief leaping, and so on. and Mary above any taint of justice and peace in Aotearoa. December of 1814, Christmas Day, Patuone. Patuone was later baptised That serves to remind us original sin (whereby Adam's The seed of the Gospel was Marsden's labours came to fruition and took the Christian name Eruera that some Eastern churches sinful state is presumed to pass carried to this land in the hands of and he stood on the shores of Oihi Maihi (Edward Marsh). So too was don't celebrate Christmas till to every new baby through the Rev Samuel Marsden of the Church Bay, Rangihoua, where he preached his brother Nene, known by his those 12 days have run their sex act). Such speculation is Missionary Society, who was the first Christian sermon to a course, on January 6. For not persuasive to the modern baptismal name Tamati Waaka convinced that Maori would largely Maori audience. others, that's the day of the mind. wholeheartedly welcome the The words 'Behold I bring you (Thomas Walker). epiphany or “showing”, when If a literal virgin birth is no Gospel of God. good tidings of great joy' rang out Missionaries such as Nathaniel the baby Jesus was presented longer convincing, two other Marsden had encountered amongst the people, who probably Turner, John Hobbs, William Woon to the magi, and so to people interpretations are open to us. Maori chief Te Pahi of Rangihoua responded with little and John White developed other than Jews. Neither need take anything in New South Wales. There he comprehension or praise. However, relationships with local Maori who Matthew and Luke both tell away from the faith affirmation planted the seed of a mission to Marsden's sermon signalled the offered security and stability for of Jesus' birth to a virgin. In a that Jesus is, in a unique and Aotearoa, New Zealand, in the point when the Gospel would begin the Wesleyan missions to Waima, previous column I described powerful sense, the human face mind and heart of Te Pahi. Marsden to take root in this whenua. how myth, Midrash and the of God. Pakanae and many other parts of religious climate of the strongly believed that Maori were Marsden essentially paved the Hokianga. First, Jesus could be the Mediterranean world helped son of Joseph in the full sense more amiable to Christianity than way for other missions to be The missionaries who presented other nations he had encountered. established including the first shape the way the gospels tell of the word. After Te Pahi's death, Marsden Wesleyan Missionary Society themselves to establish missions in their stories of Jesus' birth to a Against that is the New developed a relationship with his mission to Kaeo, Whangaroa in Kawhia, Waikato, Taranaki and virgin. Testament record that he was successor Ruatara, and over a five 1822. Samuel Leigh was part of later to the South Island all did so There's another aspect not the cause of Mary's year period he again came to an the Wesleyan mission in New South with the approach of the early worth exploring: Was it pregnancy. She was engaged understanding that a mission to Wales. He had been ill, and missionaries who sought a physically possible for Mary to him but they had not yet Aotearoa was imperative. In Marsden asked him to travel to relationship with local Maori. to bear a child without the aid “come together”. of a male's sperm? Being unmarried and That question needs to be pregnant to someone else was Will the future Methodist Church be Connexional? squarely addressed. For a serious matter, and Joseph obviously enough, Matthew would have been within his By Eric Laurenson cultural Church were reached just might see the increase in and Luke wrote without the Methodist Conference 2014 between Taha Maori and the then support that we so much wish for. rights to repudiate her. Instead, benefit of modern knowledge to avoid exposing her to shame has come and gone and we have Pakeha majority and how this had It's of interest to see a debate about reproductive biology. It had our annual celebration of not always been fully understood going on between United - or worse, risk having her put was not until 1826 that a to death by stoning - Joseph what it is to be Methodist in by later arrivals in the NZ church. Methodists in the US regarding the German-Estonian Aotearoa NZ. In the face of schism and place of gay people in the church. stood by her. embryologist, Karl Ernst von The other possibility is that It was pleasing to hear our changing demographics since that The idea of letting United Baer, established the startling the young Mary was violated Presidential team say in its address, time, we have become ultra- Methodist churches and regional fact that a woman actually or seduced by some unknown “We believe that it is time for our cautious in our dealing with conferences choose to depart from contributed something of her church to seriously re-assess and differences. It seems to me that our church law regarding own being to the process of person. Not surprisingly, many re-evaluate where we are at.” Both driving motivation has been to homosexuality is gaining support. conception, in the form of an Christians are repelled by the it and retiring President Rex preserve a sense of unity as But it's also seeing heated ovum. very thought of this. It flies in referred to the statistical decline in Methodists by soft-pedaling the the face of centuries of Methodist membership and called many differences that exist within opposition from those who say Till then the received 'local option' would violate wisdom was that a man's seed regarding Mary as the on the church to look at questions the church family. quintessence of purity, far Methodist connexionalism and was planted in a womb waiting of growth. Unfortunately, the differences beyond anything that the Bible merely shift longstanding conflict to accept it, much as a poppy It's a challenge that we all need are still there beneath the surface itself sets out. to take seriously but, of course, and I believe that the church is the to the local level. or petunia seed might be sown in a flower pot. The woman's From time to time in the answers to the challenge will vary weaker for not addressing them. 'A Way Forward' is a proposal gospels, however, there are from person to person. For some it Perhaps there are still vestiges of to let churches vote to depart from sole role was to bring the seed to fruition. hints that some of Jesus' will be a matter of affirming our that Pakeha mindset that believes the Book of Discipline by hosting contemporaries harboured traditional position but to state it that we can safely control the same-sex unions and welcoming Baer's discovery poses a double problem for a virgin doubts about his origins. One more forcefully or more widely. evolutionary processes of our gay pastors. The proposal also calls effect of the virgin birth stories Others will refer to the many church rather than take the risks for letting annual regional birth. Not only is the male contribution necessary for is to rebut such unsavoury insights that have been gained in associated with allowing free conferences decide to depart from rumours by giving Jesus an the area of theological thinking and movement of thought and feelings the Discipline by ordaining self- reproduction but if an ovum were somehow to develop unimpeachable pedigree, research and still others will talk to influence the direction in which avowed, practicing homosexuals. through the Holy Spirit no less. of the changing nature of society. spontaneously into an embryo, we are heading. It's a lively debate and it focuses Perhaps it takes an era like Whatever our words and actions A Church that allowed this sort only a female baby could attention on what we mean by our result. It requires a Y our own, where the stigma of with regard to the declining of freedom might look very hallowed Methodist numbers of people calling different from the church we know chromosome from the male illegitimacy has been removed connexionalism. We have to start sperm to conceive a boy. from children born out of themselves Methodist, society will today. People who are hanging in thinking whether 'connexionalism' finally respond positively to us simply because of their deep loyalty Literalists might argue that wedlock, for Christians to be means a centralised and controlling God can do anything, even able to contemplate that a when we listen to the actual needs to our Methodist heritage might view of what it means to be church of people and don't just trumpet well become active once more. change the laws of natural birth, not clearly what we might think they need. People who have felt or, alternatively, a mutual concern reproduction, or get an angel accounted for, detracts nothing As I looked around the unrecognised or unappreciated and respect for each other as we to supply a sperm substitute, from the character, meaning assembled gatherings during the because their thinking, their exercise the many threads of or cause the foetus to mutate and purpose of Jesus. Conference weekend and noted enthusiasm, even their ethnicity, thought and feeling we represent. from female to male. If his birth proved to be as how Pakeha members are now in doesn't fit with or is only tolerated Let's go for growth by all means Some Catholic theologians scandalous to the religiously a distinct minority it caused me to by mainstream Methodism might but let's do it in a spirit of openness have been so concerned to upright as his death on a remember the era when the Pakeha well bring new energy and insights and freedom. A freedom that will uphold Mary's virginity that criminal's cross but he still majority dominated the thoughts into the church that we love. It's a truly allow the spirit of God to they have argued that not only lived and died Godness, the and processes of the Church. I risky business allowing this sort of renew our Church. Such a living was Jesus conceived wonder of his life would be the remembered how the freedom because we don't know church will have no worries about miraculously but so was Mary. greater, not the less. understandings that formed our bi- what the outcome might be but it numbers. TOUCHSTONE • December 2014 7 NEWS AND VIEWS

CONNECTIONS By Robyn Daniels, UCANZ administrative A risky undertaking assistant. Earlier this control increasing month, I read a homeless disturbing article. populations, Ninety-year old passing such Seasons greetings from the Uniting Congregations' office Arnold Abbott and ordinances does During the year we in the reference material such as who may be involved, including two ministers from not address the office have been working to Procedures for Cooperative all our Partners and maybe the his local church root causes.” Just support parishes, Standing Ventures are accessible on our church down the road. were arrested for last week, Arnold Committee and Partners in the website www.ucanz.org.nz. As our family plans for feeding homeless and others served operation of their organisations. It has been a tradition in our Christmas so our local churches people in Fort a four course meal UCANZ executive officer Rev family that we don't talk about Lauderdale, on the beach while need to plan for not only Peter MacKenzie has been Christmas until after our Christmas but many other events Florida. police filmed and a crowd of travelling the country, providing daughter's birthday. She has now Arnold has been providing 100 mostly homeless people as well. workshops at Regional Forums had her birthday this year so we Standing Committee is free meals in a local park on and supporters cheered them and supporting parishes can safely plan for family Sundays since 1991. Fort on. planning the 2015 Forum 15-18 through difficult situations. Christmas celebrations. In fact October 2015 under the theme Lauderdale is just one of many The continuing saga of I have been in the office (weather permitting) we will be major cities in the United Arnold and his friends' 'Big Ideas for Smaller Churches'. working on the accounts, having a barbeque on the deck There will be negotiations with States now implementing determination to follow the processing statistics, writing at her home with extended family restrictions on feeding people teachings of Jesus and the St Mark's (part of Hutt City minutes and doing all the other and probably her husband doing Uniting Congregations) where in public places. city's defiance of basic human little things that make the office most of the cooking. According to Arnold, “one rights is a poignant reminder the Forum will be held. tick. There will, of course, be Some exciting workshops are of the police officers said, of the potency of the gospel At this time we we would negotiations about who makes 'Drop that plate right now', as message. As we prepare to like to thank all the secretaries, the dessert and other bits and being planned with the emphasis if I was carrying a weapon.” celebrate one of the most treasurers, Standing Committee pieces, what time we will eat, on smaller churches. People from In explaining himself to the important events in the members and Partner along with who would like to go the committee will be talking to officer, Arnold replied, “These Christian calendar, their story representatives for their work in to church with Granny and Opa? leaders from our Partners to work are the poorest of the poor. speaks to the core of our faith. out a programme so we can They have nothing. They don't supporting the smooth running Will we go to a Christmas Eve At Christmas we give of this office. Thank you to all service, a Christmas Day service, return to our parishes enthused even have a roof over their gifts, join together with family with new ideas and larger heads. How can you turn them those who made their Partner or both? and friends, and importantly, Support Fund and other As our children now have networks to work with together away?” share a common meal - in in future. Arnold and the ministers payments on time, and to those families of their own, to plan a church a piece of bread to eat who completed the dreaded successful Christmas, we now We wish you all a very happy are suing the city of Fort and wine to sip or at home a Christmas and look forward to Lauderdale. The local statistics in a timely manner. need to consider children, festive meal. The updated directory will grandchildren and in-law meeting some of you especially newspaper, The Sentinel Sun The simple act of sharing those who belong to smaller is supporting the actions of be Robyn's first job in 2015. families. food is at the heart of Remember if you need help or In the same way when our churches at “Big Ideas for city hall. In an editorial it Christmas. It is more than argues, “Whatever would like to discuss any issues local church is planning change Smaller Churches” Conference fancy presents, decorated trees Peter or Robyn are only an email we need to have good and UCANZ Biennial discourages feeding the and eating turkey, just as homeless on the streets is a away [email protected] and communications with everyone Forum 2015. positive thing for the city”. Christianity is more than The new law requires any adhering to the right doctrine group intending to feed and singing familiar hymns. homeless people to be at least Christmas celebrates the moment when God came 500 feet away from residential Everyone should have a decent properties and local food sites. among us, became one of us, The Sentinel Sun reports other in the person of a small, home at a price they can afford. major cities are considering vulnerable and hungry baby. Sara Miles in her A place to following Fort Lauderdale's Everyone needs to feel safe, loved course of action. provocative book Take This However, a recent high Bread: A Radical Conversion and cared for in their home. court ruled that the Fort observes Christmas is about Lauderdale law is “feeding the hungry, raising call Home A culture of service and a unconstitutional. Arnold and up those who are cast down, the ministers continue to and all things including our commitment to social justice is challenge the city's restriction own failures being made new.” at the heart of what it means to and plan to intensify their As the Bible says, she adds, efforts to feed the homeless. taste and see. be Methodist. They call the initiative Arnold's determination to 'Love Thy Neighbour' in feed hungry people is a Methodist social services live out memory of Arnold's late wife, challenge to all of us this Maureen. Undaunted the city Christmas. By supporting your this commitment through social continues to push ahead with Methodist Mission and the housing, residential aged care, its charges. The three men face Christian World Service a considerable fine and up to Christmas Appeal, you are housing advocacy and home- 60 days in jail. showing your love for your based support. Advocates for the neighbour. You might also like homeless have responded. to invite someone home for a “While cities are fighting to meal. A donation or bequest can help Methodist Mission Aotearoa make a lasting difference to New Zealand families.

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For more information contact the chairperson of Methodist Mission Aotearoa, Michael Greer 12A Stuart Street, Levin 5510 • P 06 368 0386 • 021 632 716 • E [email protected] tcol 2015 | where the spirit is aflame our heart-felt thanks to them.our heart-felt the College is indebted to them and we offer time and wisdom to mentor the students. And congregations and presbyters giving of their outside employment. at home, the College, placement, parish and All students have to balance their commitments who are holding down full time employment. time students;part and a number of students greatly. basis varies weekly We have full and placement. year Presbyters next year, and 13 continue in 3 have continued in lay ministries, 6 will be first Palelei this year; who died earlier and 1 Deacon. speaking, 9 Tongan, – David Samoan 3 Fijian,1 and Samoan. number in Fijian plus a fewer English-speaking and Tongan congregations, in the placement programme in a mix of enrolling into our courses. Mālō ‘aupito! scholarship by this exciting journey in biblical courses that we teach. So, come and experience (co-editors: Havea and Upolu Jione Vaai) Havea, and Nāsili Vaka’uta) (co-editors:Scriptures Mose Mailo, Jione (co-editors: and Nāsili Caroline Blyth Vaka’uta) following: and the following. Amongst those are the progress and they will be published next year from Oceania (Atlanta: SBL, 2014) Pearson, 2014) recent ones are: journals.and in peer-reviewed Two of the most in books, publications academic edited volumes, Studies.Asian Biblical of Literature of Biblical and Society the Society region gatherings, at international academic like is active in promoting perspectives from our Association. Studies Biblical Likewise, Trinity Samoa, Tonga, through the Oceania and Fiji studies conferences in biblical Auckland, active in organising and participating is very and Tonganlanguages. and face-to-face with some in Samoan, Fijian theology). These courses are delivered online Reading the Bible in Oceania and Moana Eco- the contexts of Aotearoa and Oceania (such as to fit with ones that are designed specifically courses (like Bible as Text Hebrew) and Biblical international publications. gatherings,academic and through regional and is manifested in our study programs, in been, and still is, an area of strength. That Parish Placements Biblical Studies @Trinity Rev Val The placement programme is dependent on Nicholls a placement on The time spent in the parish Of that 48, 21 are now stationed (8 English the past 3 years we have had 48 students Over Nasili Dr Rev Vaka’uta, Principal-Designate These for works will be used as textbooks Islanders Talk-Back to Cultures Silence That Voices from Oceania: Islands, Islanders and and the Bible:Art Perspectives from Oceania At present, there are book projects several in Bible, Borders, Belonging: Engaging Readings Global Perspectives on the Bible (New Jersey: emerged several of these gatherings Out our study programs,Outside the College In all our programs, we combined traditional studies at Biblical Trinity College has

Chaplain’s Report Probationers’ Programme the life of Trinity College. to each other.support reflect to date and offer on their journeys to shareand their experiences participants physically, mentally, and spiritually. emotionally pastoral issues and concerns. up and talk about any probationers to catch second year Probationers. keep in touch by phone or through emails. and live in Auckland. with students and probationers who are based of about 30 hours a month. and sometimes to families of students as well. in providing pastoral care to students and staff or administration of the College, but specialises pastoral care of students and staff. programmes. Discernment as well as those in the Ministry training accepted for ministry all candidates offered and available to probationers,was always order to ensure that, independent pastoral care students . health and life of on the spiritual report and assessments. the journey with through candidating, College, meet again with the colleagues they have shared for professional and a chance to development refreshment Easter, after the second retreat is to the College or Parish/report Synod. and encouragement. The mentor does not who will offer support in ministry experienced programme is assigned a mentor – someone presbyter to share. and parish the College. Cost then becomes a matter for outside the Parish completely and supervision programme is entitled to have their own private resources. Each Presbyter in the probationary and questions about ministry, and accessing their struggles for sharing as an opportunity is designed to be collegial,supervision as well face-to-face for the Auckland group. This with those stationed beyond Auckland, and put into their Mahara Portfolio online. Communion,Holy Bible Study. This work is a number of “firsts” – wedding, funeral, baptism, from Parisharising engagement; reflections on 2 years of probation; Incident reports Critical spread over the church services – 5 critiqued are the major festivals of services Critiqued second year Presbyters are doing in the Parish. designed to come out of the work the first and Rev role in important a very The Chaplain plays Misilei Misilei interesting times for These are always It is also a time to relax and recharge valuable times for me and These are very I organise annual retreats for the first and For the people who are out of Auckland, I I endeavour to meet and have a chat in person basis My work as Chaplain is on a part-time of the teaching staff The Chaplain is not part the in the The position supports Principal of all,First the role of Chaplain was created in As Trinity College Chaplain here is a brief There are two retreats each year – the first for Each presbyter in the probationary each of these Presbyters – online I supervise The College requirements for probation are Rev ValRev Nicholls better equipped for life’s remarkable pilgrimage. and to be enriched and many ways to contribute it.want to claim In mahara there are many ways quite specifically, there’s a place for you, if you in the mahara hub.for everyone That means, comment. It’s exciting to belong. There’s a place depth, and creativity, quality a hub of informed on-line environment of mahara is an evolving graduates,increasing numbers of lay and clergy Alumni Association project. its ever- With do it around the mahara hub, the long term and professional development.education We one another in the adventure of life-long of us, staff and students, learn how to support edition 44 at www.tcol.ac.nz Beyond studies, all fast changing world. different again and that is how it a must be in Studies, LiMS. But tomorrow’s College will be Licentiate in Ministry with its extraordinary we have thus far future-proofed the College the powerdiscovering of the new. Together encourages him to keep on church warmly College.Theological My hope is that the whole joy of being Principal in the vocation of Trinity day,new he will find moments of grace and express I cannot my thanks enough. any other factor, has changed everything. of support Te Taha Maori. This, more than has become without the guidance and strong and professional development. attainment focus on educational with a superb col contemporary well-run six years. You have helped to create a vibrant, who have tutored so many students over the last Misilei and all the scholar-presbyters Nasili Dr Rev Vaka’uta, Rev Val Nicholls, Rev initially, and then Max Thomson. to the two chairpersons, Gibson Catherine they have done and enabled. Especial thanks whole church be as proud can as I am of what level. provider education at the tertiary The governance for the College as a private Council who have provided safe and effective with a global perspective.contextual ministry communities of best practice doing local demonstrates the power of and relevance hundreds of pages in mahara. Your work recent years many of you have helped create to College life. so effectively contributed In the students in Trinity College who have Prospect Retrospect Retrospect and Prospect The 2015 prospectuscan be found in Ardet, As Dr Vaka’uta the challenges of a tackles  Today’s Trinity College would not be what it I am indebted to all the staff, Nicola Grundy, grateful to I am deeply Trinity College and foremost,First proud of all I am very lege for the church Rev Dr David Bell Dr Rev Enrol now | [email protected] or phone09521 2073

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Leadership Methodism Practical Systematic Preachers Worship Vocational Maori Theology Theology Leaders Studies tcol-mahara open badges 10 TOUCHSTONE • December 2014 “…He has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners” Isaiah 61:1b Build Hope for Tomorrow The last year has been a World War Two. The UN as they also responded to people affected difference. busy one for Christian World estimates 10.8 million Syrians by natural disaster, population growth, food In launching the 69th Christmas Appeal Service. The demand for are in need - over 3 million insecurity, water scarcity and violence. on the first Sunday of Advent, I am asking relief assistance reached have fled to Iraq, Jordan, Humanitarian needs are growing you to support the important work our staggering levels as war and Lebanon and Turkey. One exponentially and so must international partners do. Your gifts have helped plant natural disaster continue to quarter of the 4.5 million efforts to stop the violence that is gardens and supported small businesses. claim people's lives and people living in Lebanon are undermining development. With the They have funded campaigns to protect livelihoods. Years of effort refugees from Syria. endpoint of the Millennium Development fisherfolk and stop violence against women. and many resources have Reflecting on the situation, the Goals approaching next year, the United Your support has made a real difference been lost. It has been a UN High Commissioner for Nations is formulating a new roadmap with testing time for the Refugees, Antonio Guterres Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs and we are grateful for your help. We need Department of Service to Palestinian warned, “The world's humanitarian aim to 'Leave no one behind' and will be your gifts more than ever to help our Refugees who have continued to respond community has reached its limit and is no confirmed at the General Assembly in 2015. partners strengthen communities for the to the high demand for their services longer able to cope with a massive rise in Deciding on the right goals and finding future and respond to needs now. especially in Gaza, Jordan and Lebanon. the number of refugees being forced out of the necessary funding will be a challenge Please support this year's Christmas According to the United Nations, 51.2 their homes by global conflict”. Speaking in a more fragile world. A number of our Appeal, Build Hope for Tomorrow. million people were refugees or internally about the 'multiplication of conflicts', he partners are saying these goals need to focus Pauline McKay displaced in 2013, the highest number since said aid agencies were being overwhelmed on people in the global south to make a National Director u s ierra Leone/ P Ju S t s United Methodi Church members distribute food and safety messages in Ebola affected areas of Sierra Leone. Churches Vital Link in Campaign to Stop Ebola Bustling markets and busy towns are now infected or the body of the deceased. Changing silent in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. People traditional practices is one of the many challenges are deeply fearful as the Ebola virus continues to the people face in dealing with a virus that is as take its toll and families struggle to survive its harmful as a natural disaster. effects on local economies. ACT Alliance members run hospitals and For people quarantined by the death of a family medical clinics in the affected countries. The death ACT/P Jeffrey ACT members join the march into Tacloban in the member, food deliveries are vital to stop someone of Dr Martin Salia, the chief medical officer and Philippines demanding climate justice. breaking quarantine to secure the food they need only surgeon at the United Methodist Kissy Hospital to stay alive. Churches and ACT Alliance members in Sierra Leone was a sad loss. “We are trying to are part of this front line effort as well as helping come to terms with the reality of his death,” said After the Disaster some Ebola orphans. As important, is the education Bishop John K Yambasu. Dr Salia a Sierra Leone A year ago, news of the worst Many have blamed the increasing effort they are mounting to help people understand national had returned to Freetown in response to typhoon to make landfall resulted intensity of these natural disasters on the importance of avoiding contact with people a call from God. in a generous response to CWS's climate change. Sea levels were Philippines Typhoon Appeal earning rising already in Ha'apai making safe $100,000 in matching government water more precious. Crowded The Long Recovery funds. In January the Ha'apai coastal living conditions and high Lola from Lifuka Island (featured in this year's on replacement islands of Tonga were overwhelmed levels of pre-existing material poverty Christmas Appeal) was grateful her family survived houses has by Cyclone Ian. While many more made the Philippines city of Tacloban Cyclone Ian. Shocked by the storm she was at begun. people were affected in the particularly vulnerable. CWS first bewildered. What has Philippines, the devastation in both partners from Uganda to Tonga to Her husband made some repairs to their living kept Lola going countries was catastrophic. It is Nicaragua are facing growing room so the family could sleep in one bed which is the strength hard to forget the human toll - the challenges because of climate change. was surrounded by water whenever it rained. After she finds from loss of people, homes and Helping them adapt is one part of a few months she managed to secure a tent from other women in Ama Takiloa. livelihoods. All that many families the equation. The other is the need the army. Lola said with the shock it was hard to do anything for the first weeks. It was only when No matter what had worked hard for was gone in a for decisive action at the international she began working on the demonstration garden happens, the matter of hours. A year later many level. As a member of the ACT women know Lola finds strength to recover with other members of Ama Takiloa that she could after January cyclone. remain in tents and makeshift Alliance, CWS is part of the think ahead. Working together, the group found they are shelters, without land and resources campaign for climate justice. the energy they needed to clear and replant home stronger together. The skills they have learnt from to rebuild. It has been a tough year Working together to respond, we want gardens to feed their families. In September with the training programmes and from the hard school and help has come but not enough. to Build Hope for Tomorrow. drought and damaged water tanks, many in Ha'apai of disaster mean they will manage increasingly came perilously close to running out of water. Work difficult weather patterns - at least for now. TOUCHSTONE • December 2014 11 “…He has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners” Isaiah 61:1b 'I have been learning many things' Luis Robles from Nicaragua pump. featured in last year's Christmas “Before the training Appeal, Share Water, Share Life. programme, nobody took account He was the recipient of a shared of women. Only men had water pump and agricultural positions of leadership. But training organised by CEPAD, women have very good ideas, the Council of Protestant interesting ideas,” he told Trish. Churches in Nicaragua. When According to Luis, women are the International Programmes first ones to sign up for training Coordinator Trish Murray visited and he is hopeful that gender CEPAD in October, Luis walked training in the local school will down from his farm to meet her Luis attributes his farming make a difference long term. The on the roadside. success to help from CEPAD. training helped them survive Grateful for the progress his community in another devastating drought. On hearing how Malacatoya has made, he spoke very highly of badly the drought was affecting other CEPAD. Now growing 25 different crops using communities, they sent the water pump to another organic techniques and a rotation system, his life group of farmers facing starvation. “We could has improved. “I have been learning many manage without it,” said Luis. things,” he said. Confident the cooperative is strong, CEPAD CEPAD began by bringing interested members is winding up its work in Malacatoya and will from eight small communities together to decide begin the process with a new community. “We what they needed and form a cooperative. had a good time when CEPAD came to our CEPAD organised training on working community. Now we have different together and improved farming ideas which we learned from the techniques. They also provided programmes. We can go further in seeds, plants, trees and the water improving our lives,” said Luis. Making a List Sometimes there is nothing more baffling than being asked what you want for Christmas. Rather than risk that special person wasting money on something you don't want or need, why not suggest Jeannette teaches juniors in rural Haiti. “buying” Gifted. Choosing a piglet will mean CEPAD can give one to a Nicaraguan farmer for example. Put in your Christmas Gifted request confident that the pleasure will be doubled: once to you and again Schools bring richness to a family that needs it. Visit http://gift.org.nz/ or Raising a pig can provide valuable to Haitian children call Emma at 0800 74 73 72 for a catalogue. income to Nicaraguan families. Jeannette Saint-Louis (featured in achievement difficult. In Dauphine the appeal) teaches preschool in there is no government support for the Dauphine - a rural settlement high in school. When there is not enough Haiti's rugged hills. She has not money to pay the teachers' meagre finished her own schooling but with salaries, they work because they do not 69th Christmas Appeal eight years of primary education, she want to see the school stop. It brings is more qualified than most. Her “richness to the children” they say. dream is to train as a nurse and Gifts from last year's Christmas provide medical care to the community Appeal contributed to teacher salaries which has none. and equipment in four schools. With Dressed in pink but sometimes other funding, ICKL has purchased hungry the students are crammed into materials to run a cooperative bakery the crumbling classroom. School runs that will contribute to the school's from 8am until noon and costs $5.45 running costs. a year - there is no money for stationery With no local government the as like much of Haiti, the communities people of Dauphine have set up a HoPe it serves have little. Some drop out cooperative to run their affairs, FDDPA and if the family's fortune improves (the Force Defence for the they return. In the oldest class a twenty Development of Dauphine Peasants). year old is completing her studies. They store a seed “barrel”, aiming to Jeannette teaches the children to keep half for members to plant in the speak, read, sing and dance as well as next season, but sometimes they have their colours and numbers. Thanks to to sell the seeds for income. Long CWS partner, the Institut Culturel Karl term they want to set up a seed bank Lévêque she has now had some training. “I did not choose to be a to preserve traditional seeds. Women teacher, but I began to enjoy my make bags, shoes and bed mats to sell profession today. I had the opportunity and they fatten animals for sale by the to take more training to teach and group. encourage children to attend school,” ICKL lost its office building in the she said. 2010 earthquake, but it has continued Training teachers is a small but to operate as a truly Haitian organisation important part of helping communities working with a network of groups like determined to improve their lives. For FDDPA. Staff spend time in the subsistence farmers, educating their community, bringing people together children is the first priority. They would to determine their highest priorities and rather be a little hungry than deny their finding ways to make them happen. children the promise of an education. In a country where 37.9 % people According to the United Nations, cannot read or write, education is a Haiti is making good progress on the priority. Millennium Development Goals. ICKL staff are committed to this School enrolment rose from 47 per cent work, even when there is no money for donate today in 1993 to 88% in 2011. However, their wages. Like most Haitians, they according to the Ministry of Education are used to making do. It is a vision at least 85% of teachers are unqualified of a country free from the violence and christmasappeal.org.nz and many unpaid. There are few if any political turmoil that has plagued it for classroom supplies or books for much of its 210 year history that keeps MEMBER OF THE teaching, making academic them going 12 TOUCHSTONE • December 2014 CWS Kiwi offers Argentine kids food for thought By Sophie Parish for children facing hardship in South America. So he A young Kiwi entrepreneur's experience running travelled to Argentina and found a place where he could cafes is helping him improve the lives of kids in a tough start the program. neighbourhood in Argentina. Gonnet is a small community where 30 kids are now In 2012 New Zealand-born teacher turned café owner part of the 'Food for Thought' program. The Final Step Ben Whitaker decided to start a food, education and café provides funds for the program and as do donations hygiene program for a deprived community in Argentina. from New Zealand and Australia. Gonnet is a neighbourhood in La Plata, near Buenos Aires. Now Ben lives for 10 months of the year in Gonnet. Its slums are filled with children who often have only “We open the doors at 9:30 in the morning and have one parent and are likely to join criminal gangs. several volunteers. We plan the lesson of the day. Christina, “It's a horrible culture where men have children with who is 73 years old, is like the heart of our program and various partners and are not obligated to pay child support community.” Healthy food and good hygiene are on the menu at and often disappear,” says Ben. Each day includes a time to talk to the kids about their Food for Thought in Gonnet, Buenos Aires. Ben's grew up in Christian household in Central Otago. day and topics like conflict resolution. There are also not eat a lot of vegetables. Having a balanced diet maintains He helped his parents open a café and often donated his activities such as music, art, dance, and homework. Friday sanity and helps with the ups and downs of life. tip money to charities. is game day. “Through this program we are teaching these kids He went on to teach in London and found his passion Ben and the staff go out on what he calls “the walking leadership skills, and educating them on how to act, in education. During this time, he took part in a school bus”. They walk to visit parents and collect the 30 kids communicate and interact,” Ben says. program that provided breakfast to children from low- who take part in the program. The kids line up and wash He is passionate about the 'Food for Thought' program, income families. It made him realise the link between their hands before they sit down to their one healthy meal and continues to fund it through annual fundraisers in nutritious food and students' behaviour. of the day. After each meal the kids finish with oranges Melbourne and his parents' home town, Alexandra, NZ. Later, in 2009 Ben opened the café The Final Step in and clean their teeth. For more information or donate to Food for Thought Melbourne. It quickly became a popular spot. “Their typical diet consists of rice and pasta and lots visit www.social opportunitygroup.com or He wanted to use some of his profits to start a program of sugar, including coca cola and chewing gum. They do www.thefinalstep.com.au. New book takes wings By Sophie Parish flight to writes about Rev Vai Ngahe uses symbols of nature his ministry in to layout strategies for ministry in the today's Manurewa. He world in his new book, 'Weaving, Networking describes how it has and Taking Flight'. enabled him to see The book was launched in Manurewa life from a higher Methodist Church on Oct 25th. Those on hand and more spiritual for the event included local parishioners, perspective, and business owners, and MPs. how the In his book is Vai reflects on 10 years of placement of the church is ministry in Avondale and Manurewa and the optimal for reaching the community on many evolution of modern-day Methodism in the levels. community. He records his growth as a Photos and articles in the book illustrate minister and how each congregation has been his journey and the improvements made to transformed. the Avondale church building and the outreach Reflecting on his work in Avondale, he events organized at both churches to promote highlights the importance of weaving together the love of Jesus and John Wesley's message Some of the collaborators who made Singing the Sacred possible are (from left) Barbara a multi-cultural community to support Aspell-Wallace, Alan McKinnon, Barry Brinson, Paul Ellis, Bill Wallace, Elisabeth Alberts, members within the church and people in the to go out into the community. Wallace Woodley, Graham Hollobon, and Mary Edwards. community. He writes about the importance Vai offers concrete examples of how the of networking as a way to help transform church can thrive through the challenges and New volume sings the sacred lives. changes in an increasingly secular society. Vai uses the symbol of the bird taking Available now in Paperback and Ebook. Prolific Kiwi hymn writer Bill hymns, 48 children's songs and the Wallace recently unveiled his latest 25-page Sacred Energy Mass of the published work, the second volume Universe with music score, sound files Wesley Walkers say you're neverof Singing too the Sacred.old and power point images. The launch took place on Much of this material along with Following this we spent an enjoyable two November 9th at the transitional some of Bill's other works, 'Aotearoa hours at the Waiau Waterworks playing with all Anglican cathedral in Christchurch. Hymns' and 'The Mystery Telling' is the water controlled gadgets and reading all the notice boards. The new volume is published by also available to download from the We then went on to view the Waiau Falls US-based World Library Publications. Methodist Church of NZ website. and the stand of wonderful kauri trees on the Bill says his hymns are a product The Center for Progressive 309 Road. of teamwork and he was pleased some Christianity is in the process of placing Day three began with a picturesque walk of the main contributors were present on its website 266 pages of Bill's around the Long Bay peninsula and a climb up at the launch. sayings, prayers and poems. With the to the kauri plantation, followed by an hour During the event World Library exception of 'The Mystery Telling' all long visit to the Goldmine stamper battery. In the afternoon we travelled over to Publications music editor Tom of this material is available to Whangapoua Beach and eight of us waded Stickland gave thanks for Bill's efforts. download for free. across the estuary and scurried around the rocks “Bill has continued his mission in Bill says some of his material has to view New Chums Beach, supposedly the singing of a loving God, a caring God, been described as particularly suitable The youthful Wesley Walkers in action on the trail. most beautiful beach in New Zealand. On the a cosmic God in a universe we cannot for new emerging faith communities By Margaret Savage way back we were caught in a heavy shower completely understand in a distinctive but most of it is suitable for all types Every year a group of enthusiastic Wesley and arrived back at the cars dripping. prophet voice. of congregations. Walkers from Tauranga Methodist Church Day four. The really hard ones did another “It is difficult for me to winnow “The fact that my theology is takes off to explore a different venue. This walk which produced a few challenges such as year we chose Coromandel. a creek to cross and waist high grass and 600 favourite lines from Bill's verse, but widely inclusive is confirmed by the Our group of 13 ranged in age from a spritely steps. this stanza is near the top of the list: fact that my hymns having been 67 year-old to three men aged 86. All of us In the afternoon we all travelled up to 'Through your love this Earth included in a wide range of stayed at the Tui Lodge Backpackers in Colville, and stopped for a look at the Buddist becomes denominational hymn books, Coromandel. Centre and also the oldest house on the peninsula Our most sacred home, including a new authorised Catholic On our first day we were thrilled with our which looked as if it was about to be restored. So we sing your cosmic song: hymnbook in the USA.” ride on the Driving Creek Railway. The engineer As you can imagine everyone thoroughly Peace, salaam, shalom',” Tom said. Material on the website of the shared his love of the area and his knowledge enjoyed the trip and the company. of the trees and plants. An added bonus was But there was another treat in store when In addition to his printed Center for Progressive Christianity watching as he fed the resident tuis, ducks and our most capable manager, a former Girl Guide publications Bill has a range of can be found by following links from other birds in the large protected area. leader, told us the cost of all the food came to material on the website of the Center the 'Resources' icon at the top of the Day two was the major highlight with seven only $25 each! for Progressive Christianity. website. In the search window under of us climbing to the top of 500m-high Castle Roll on the next venture for the Wesley This includes more than 200 Resources screen enter 'Wallace'. Rock. Two men aged 86 made it to the top! Walkers. TOUCHSTONE • December 2014 13 Get busy with Let the Children Live! Christmas Kindness is a Let the Children Live project • Carol singing - Take your Sunday school along to a with the aim of showing some Christmas cheer to kids children's ward to sing Christmas Carols and spend in need among your parish or community. time together. What can you do? Take up a project or activity aimed • Be creative - Come up with your own amazing ideas at spreading Christmas cheer to children and young and projects. Anything that you can think of that would people. This could be for your own parish or a local benefit young people in need and spread Christmas children's group. cheer would be great! Be creative and involve your young people in the Share your stories of Christmas Cheer with us and process. let us know how your activity went. Photos would be Things you could do include: great too! • A present drop - Using ribbon/string, beads and others Hearing your stories will inspire and motivate all to stationery material, get your Sunday school to make spread the love of CHRIST in CHRISTmas. hand-made gifts. These could be bracelets, bookmarks, Send them to Michael Lemanu at games, or puzzles. Deliver these gifts to a children's [email protected] or catch hospital or group in the lead up to Christmas. Michael on 021 079 1593. • A Christmas party - Hold an end of year Christmas Also money is available for Methodist and Uniting party or BBQ for your Sunday school. You could also congregations to carry out Let the Children projects or rohe, contact details, minutes of a parish meeting open the event up to the local community, or you could throughout the year. approving the project, and details of the project and its encourage your children to invite friends, neighbours The money must be used for a project in New Zealand, budget. and relatives. and you must be prepared to write a report on it to publish Send your application to Let the Children Live - Parish • Parish presents - Appeal to your parish to donate in Touchstone or on the Methodist website. Initiatives Fund specific items to a local children's group or family. Grants are a maximum of $500. Be realistic about Mission Resourcing This could be anything from a pair of kid's jandals for what you can do but be prepared to take risks. Private Bag 11903 summer to contributing to local food parcel projects. Remember, no act of kindness is too big or too small. Ellerslie, Auckland 1542 • Partnership projects - Contact local groups that help Don't feel the need to do something beyond capabilities, Email: [email protected] children and families over Christmas and find ways but also don't be afraid to try something special! Committee meetings dates are 3rd June, 9th September, that your parish and young people can help. Applications should include the name of the parish and 2nd December.

WELCOME TO KIDZ KORNA DECEMBER 2014! When you read this, we will be in the second The children and families at St John's week of Advent, the time leading up to Methodist Church in Hamilton filled Samaritan Christmas and the birth of Jesus. Purse boxes with small gifts to be sent to It is an exciting time and most kids will be children overseas. We were also very lucky looking forward to presenting their Nativity to be given two sacks of soft toys which will plays to the grown-ups in church and thinking be given to newly arrived refugee children of the gifts they will receive on Christmas from Afghanistan. morning. I'm sure that some of you will be doing similar But this is a time when we all should think things and it would be great to hear how you about children who have very little, both in helped to make a child's Christmas a New Zealand and overseas. happy one. Sarah, Lucy and Thomas with their gift boxes for children at The Christmas. Birds of For your Bethlehem Bookshelf WORDFIND By Tomie de Paola 2012, Nancy Paulsen Books, 40 pages This is a Nativity story with a difference. It is told through the eyes of the birds outside Bethlehem. The narrative is simple and repetitive and the illustrations are colourful, which make it ideal for very young children. The birds realise that something unusual is happening when they see long lines of people going to Bethlehem. From there the story follows a familiar sequence of events with Mary and Joseph arriving, the angels appearing to the shepherds and the birth of Jesus. I really liked this book from the moment I first opened the pages. The idea of the birds with colours for names also makes this an ideal tool for teaching colours.

What are the kids in your church up to? Can you find all the words in the Wordsearch? There is one word that appears Kidz Korna wants to hear from you so we can share your stories. twice. What is it? Advent, angels, Bethlehem, camels, Christmas, coming, Send stories and photos of your activities to Doreen Lennox at fields, gifts, Herod, inn, Jesus, Joseph, Magi, Mary, Nazareth, peace, stable, [email protected] or to [email protected] star, sheep, shepherds. 14 TOUCHSTONE • December 2014 REVIEWS

ON SCREEN A Film Review by Steve Taylor

Interstellar is the mysterious Dr his life praying not my will but Mann, sent from earth to the yours be done. heavens in the hope of saving Such is the Interstellar Christ humanity. It provides a contrast of Christmas, revealing the love to the development in the New of God in every dimension, Testament of Jesus as the new 'Interstellar' starts off on Directed by Christopher Nolan, by Cooper's son, Tom (Timothy Adam, sent from heaven to earth, whether first or fifth, of human earth so that it can send us into the sights and sounds are simply Chalamet). It also makes cold the a new human through whom reality. space. stunning. The multiple film's other father and daughter humanity will be saved. Rev Dr Steve Taylor is Love is a fifth dimension that dimensions of space, digitally relationship, that between As 'Interstellar' unfolds, principal at the Uniting College can guide the human heart manipulated, become objects of Hathaway and Caine. Mann's character flaws place in for Leadership and Theology, through the final frontier. So stark and starlit beauty. The film seeks an intellectual stark relief the sacrificial life and Adelaide. He writes widely in suggests 'Interstellar', which The cast is similarly starry. It sophistication. Symbolic love of Christ. Dr Mann will end areas of theology and popular offers a visually stunning but includes Matthew McConaughey meanings abound. The space ship his life in selfish pursuit of his culture, including regularly at emotionally overbalanced as Cooper, Jessica Chastain as Cooper will pilot is named own ends. In contrast, Christ ends meditation on the perils of Murph (Cooper's adult daughter), Endurance. He will seek a Dr www.emergentkiwi.org.nz. climate change. Anne Hathaway as fellow Mann (Matt Damon), who has The film begins in rural astronaut Brand, and Michael gone before, and if found, might America. Cooper (Matthew Caine as Brand's scientist father. offer hope of a better place. The McConaughey), once an In order to enable an dialogue references Joseph astronaut, is now grounded. He emotional intensity through the Conrad's Heart of Darkness and farms an ever-decreasing crop of voids that are outer space, name drops Lazarus. The dust corn, bitten by blight, shredded Christopher Nolan uses the storms that blow through by dust. opening scenes to establish a Cooper's rural cornfields echo Facing starvation, the only depth of relationship between John Steinbeck's Oklahoma hope for earth becomes the father (Cooper) and his dustbowl. finding of another planet. Cooper adolescent daughter Murph Theologically, the move in is sent spaceward, the one pilot (McKenzie Foy). While this 'Interstellar' from earth to heaven able to guide earth's last hope provides emotional intensity, it invites some rich reflection on through a wormhole, in the search reduces the other characters to the opposite move in Christianity for a new earth. cardboard cutouts. from heaven to earth. This is great entertainment. This includes the role played A central character in MATTHEW'S GENEALOGY OF JESUS Taizé pilgrimage To Matthew Jewish symbolism was important. In his opening chapter he uses the holy numbers three and seven, to make a religious connection. He does this by itemizing 14 generations between the three most important events in Jewish history. in New Zealand Another striking feature of Matthew's genealogy is the inclusion of four strong women, all of whom displayed behaviour atypical of Jewish matrons. and Australia In 2015 the Taize Community is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its birth and it invites people to remember its founder, Brother Roger, 100 years after his birth and 10 years after his death. In August 1940, at the beginning of World War II, 25 year old Brother Roger arrived in the French village of Taize. There he began to lay the foundations of an ecumenical community that he hoped would be a parable of communion and reconciliation in the human family. Taize worship is based on meditative songs, readings, chants and prayers sung in different languages. It has a strong emphasis on young people. Brother Alois is Brother Roger's successor as prior of the Taize community. In 2011 Brother Alois inaugurated a new stage in Taize's pilgrimage of trust. He initiated a three-year time of searching called 'Towards a New Solidarity' to renew our commitment to human solidarity in the light of the Gospel. The initiative has held gatherings with young adults on every continent -in Africa in 2012, in Asia in 2013, and in the Americas in 2014. In February 2015, Brother Alois will make the final stage of this worldwide pilgrimage by travelling to Australia and New Zealand, together with brothers of the ecumenical community. The pilgrimage in Australia will begin and end with visits to indigenous communities and there will be a welcome service with local

communities when the brothers arrive in New

Answers: Abraham, Jacob, fourteen, Tamar, Rehoboam, Obed, with us, Bathsheba; Judah, Perez, Isaac, Ruth, Joseph; Genealogy, Jes Genealogy, Joseph; Ruth, Isaac, Perez, Judah, Bathsheba; us, with Obed, Rehoboam, Tamar, fourteen, Jacob, Abraham, Answers: se, Manasseh, Hezekiah, Rahab, Solomon, Boaz, Virgin, Mary Virgin, Boaz, Solomon, Rahab, Hezekiah, Manasseh, se,

Bible Challenge Bible © RMS Zealand. The gatherings are especially aimed at young adults aged 18 and 35 years old, though the worship sessions are open for all. Events in New Zealand will be held on Monday February 9th at Rangiatea, 7.00pm. It will include a powhiri and service in Rangiatea church in Otaki with the local communities. Tuesday February 10th in Wellington, 7:00pm workshop at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 8.30pm prayers at St Paul's Cathedral. Wednesday February 11th in Christchurch, 7:00pm workshop, followed by 8.30pm prayers in the Transitional Cathedral. Australian gatherings are on February 7th in Melbourne, February 8th in Brisbane, and February 13th in Adelaide. For more information about Taize, see www.taize.fr/en. TOUCHSTONE • December 2014 15 REVIEWS By Nancy Townley & Stephanie Davis Altars for Everyone - Worship Designs on Any Budget 2013, Abingdon Press, 192 pages Reviewer: Doreen Lennox In most churches the altar is the focal do we keep within budgetary restrictions? The remaining 13 chapters cover specific Sundays in the point of the worship area and it features a There is ample information on the basic Christian year starting with Advent and ending with Christ cross, a bible and sometimes a candle or items needed for displays including hints the King Sunday. Again there are detailed instructions as to flowers. on where to find the materials, and how how to create each altar. There are small black and white Have you often wanted to use your altar to keep within limited budget. Stephanie illustrations showing how the designs take shape. These to emphasise different times and festivals of Davis who created the worship settings could have been clearer and larger as some tend to be the Church year but have little or no funding, in this publication had no budget and used somewhat blurred. or feel you aren't creative and could use some mainly found or borrowed materials Reflecting on the many ideas there would seem to be fresh ideas? including items from the nativity costume possibilities for making some adaptions to suit individual What if the altar became an integral part box and plants borrowed from around the circumstances. For example, the potted palms, rubber trees of the service reflecting the readings and church. and pampas grass mentioned in several of the displays could message for the day? How can you persuade The first three chapters of the book be substituted with other greenery available here in New congregations to make changes to the way provide comprehensive details of how to Zealand. things have always been done? go about designing altars with details on Many of the designs appear to be too large for churches This book has a multitude of ideas as to how two churches accomplished this. As with limited space so would need to be modified. how to do all this, taking into consideration the availability this is an American publication, the theme was Thanksgiving. All in all I have found this to be an interesting, thought of space, and the time and number of people needed for a Each altar had a theme, and the authors provide the provoking and spiritually challenging publication. Challenging project. scripture readings that were used with it and a list of resources in that for those who use it, it may well take their For example, it poses the questions can one person do needed. While much of this appears to be rather complicated congregations out of their comfort zone and open up new the design or is a team needed? Who will be responsible for most of their ideas can be adapted and simplified. The horizons. the choreography? What materials will be needed? And how discussion plants ideas as to what alternatives we can use. Review copy courtesy Epworth Books. By Rhonda Pooley 2014, Even Before Publishing, 181 pages Cambodian Harvest Reviewer: Gary Clover In today's environment of many faiths all the while praying passionately for the Marion was raised a Christadelphian, schooled in a and of none, evangelism for many Western plight of land mine amputees. In 2000 Methodist Ladies College, and in adulthood became a Christians is increasingly problematic. during an encounter with God she received charismatic Baptist. This modern-day Gladys Aylward had How should we evangelise? Should we a vision of a factory to make confectionery only her passion for mission and a go-get-'em attitude going evangelise at all? If so, how should we seek from dried tropical fruit that was so detailed for her. converts with integrity and respect for others' that accurate architectural drawings were She had to overcome childhood illness and maternal religions and cultures and yet remain faithful later drafted from her description. to the Matthew 28 commandment? In late 2002, now aged 62, Marion abuse, marriage breakdown, a lack of business training, This book is the inspirational story of established the Cambodian Harvest Dried minimal financial backing, official corruption, hostile Marion Fromm who challenges all who think Fruit (CHDF) factory near Phnom Penh to bureaucracy, cultural prejudice against a foreigner and a they are too broken or too old to make an provide income, dignity, and hope to woman, and many personal shortcomings. impact for God in this world. Her story shows Cambodia's landmine survivors. Yet by 2014 Marion personally recruited and mentored us that evangelism lived as costly servanthood, Her ultimate aim was to win Christian 37 severely disabled landmine amputees (whom family and and practised with prayerful integrity, still converts and disciple a nation. With only other Cambodians viewed as cursed and refused to employ) brings life-changing conversions. the covering of prayer partners back in to run her factory. They did so according to her exacting Marion is one remarkable, doggedly South Australia and no established mission standards of business ethics, and at the same time they determined, and faith-filled Australian woman. In 1997, organization willing to back her, she set up her own discipled into existence a unique Cambodian Church. when 58 years old and newly abandoned by her husband of provocatively named 'Reverse the Curse' of landmines (RTC) All this took place in Hun Sen's post-Pol Pot Cambodia, 35 years, she first visited Cambodia on a short term mission Mission. with the Khmer Rouge civil war unfinished, and infrastructure under Asian Outreach. The first half of the book drags a little, as in great detail There Marion observed that amputee survivors of it relates how Marion was providentially moulded, chastened, and civil society in ruins. landmine explosions were discriminated against and disciplined and prepared for her life's mission. She could be Interspersed between each chapter are personal testimonies condemned to lives of dependency by their communities and imperious, dogmatic, and hard to work with. But press of a dozen CHDF factory employees on their journeys to the Cambodian government. Often their only way to support through to the latter half of the book and one is amply faith inspired by the warm, supportive Christian environment their families was by begging. She was appalled. rewarded and inspired by what this human dynamo achieved Marion maintained. Numerous photographs and a glossary Over the next four years Marion twice visited Cambodia, in Cambodia from 2002. complete this fascinating, must read, missionary biography.

Matter & What Matters By Lionel Sharman 2013, Steele Roberts, 116 pages - Some Science for the Religious and Some Religion for Scientists Reviewer: John Meredith When Charles Darwin published his certainty. The scientific enterprise is to God but just because this was the belief of biblical writers seminal work on evolution in 1859, the sceptical and subjects all theories to does not mean that such beliefs have factual basis. Bishop of Oxford mounted a spirited continuing investigation and debate. Sharman states that his own scientific understanding has opposition. The very suggestion that the Nothing can ever be taken for granted. sometimes been in conflict with church teaching but he material universe had come into being in For the scientist, all observable events believes that religion makes a major contribution to human any way other than created by God as have a cause, even if this cause is not life. described in the Bible was seen as an attack immediately known. Scientific theory is This cannot be confirmed by scientific investigation as on religion. always provisional as observation may it can neither be proved nor disproved experimentally. Yet There are still those who would share this show a previously accepted theory to be faith in God can point to the wonder and beauty of the world view. Others try to marry science and religion unsound or in need of modification. and open human lives to love. It is Sharman's view that by holding that, even if life as we know it Scientific investigation can find no unless space is made for worship there is the constant danger evolved over time, the whole process reflects evidence of a God who acts on the physical of life being overwhelmed by trivia and banality. the mind of a divine designer. This makes world. God can not, therefore, be used as This book first saw the light as the winner of an space for conventional religion but a divine an explanatory hypothesis or accepted as unpublished manuscript award. Using tight prose and his plan is not something that can be proved in a cause for anything that happens in the own poetry, Sharman states clearly his belief that matter is any scientific sense. natural world. Any God expected to cover not all that matters. Science and religion have long had an uneasy relationship. gaps in human knowledge will become increasingly redundant He shows that science and religion are both involved in Writing as a scientist who has a religious faith, Lionel as knowledge expands. the search for truth, but unless scientists and theologians are Sharman states that science is knowledge based on systematic While from a scientific viewpoint the natural world may open to new possibilities they will never know the excitement observation of natural events. Theory gathers observed have no objective meaning, Sharman accepts that human of discovery. This is a book that clarifies much muddled phenomena together and connects these observations. consciousness creates subjective meaning and ethical and thinking. In the world of science there is no such thing as absolute spiritual values. In the Bible, meaning and values are attributed Review copy courtesy Epworth Books. 16 TOUCHSTONE • December 2014 NOW AND THEN

Rev Vicki Terrell at the launch of Creating Welcoming Churches. Guide toPhoto make courtesy yourof Anglican Taonga.

church'Creating more Welcoming accessiblepeople to go deeper in making Churches' is a new handbook their church a place where all for churches to make their people are affirmed and have a Durham Street 150th a party to remember buildings user-friendly to people valued role in the body of Christ. of all disabilities. The final section contains local By Hilaire Campbell past present and future.” church's amalgamation with the It was launched at the Holy and international resources on Thanks to a superb team Music is a strong feature of the Methodist Central Mission were Trinity Cathedral, Parnell on Disability and Spirituality. effort, the Durham St Methodist church, and an augmented choir poignant reminders of its inner city October 30th. 'Creating Welcoming Church's 150th anniversary of 34, including past choir role. This is a practical guide on Churches' is produced by the celebrations were a great success. members and friends, sang at the Mary says throughout the how to make church Disability, Spirituality and Faith Up to 200 people enrolled for concert as well as the morning celebrations, there was a deep environments more accessible to Network Aotearoa New Zealand. various aspects of the celebrations service. sense of carrying on the work of held the weekend of October 25th- Wallace Woodley, the church's all people including people living The Network has strong links the church's forbears - those feisty with disability. Whether someone both in the church and the 26th. They included former organist and choir director for 47 ministers and church members years, composed a special early Methodists who built a big with a disability comes to church disability communities. church in the middle of an as a casual visitor or is part of Most people within the from the North Island and celebration anthem to a text by the regular congregation, the network have experience with Australia. Bill Wallace. It reflected on the Anglican settlement. environment there should be disability. They are passionately Ninety-nine year old Naylor part played over the last 150 years Wallace described the weekend welcoming. committed to making the church Hillary unveiled the by stones physically in the former as “a very successful, very happy The handbook begins with a a place where all people are commemorative plaque at a building, and the living ones that occasion tinged with nostalgia and basic theology that affirms all affirmed as having gifts to share moving ceremony on the site of remain. Wallace's daughters played sadness.” people are made in the image of because we are all made in the the demolished church. He also viola and cello in the anthem, and “We paid tribute to past God and all who follow Christ image of God. cut the cake at the anniversary participated in the concert. members and those who died when are active participants in the The book was made possible dinner. Members of the congregation the building collapsed. But it was Church, the body of Christ. through funding from the Joint A large crowd took part in the organized several events, including also a time of healing. It's lovely From this understanding Special Project Fund of the Sunday service of celebration and a central city bus tour and a Sunday to discover your friends from the flows the next section that gives Association of Presbyterian the festival concert at St Mark's lunch. They also printed past.” information, attitudes and actions Women and the Methodist Methodist Church in Somerfield. programmes, arranged flowers and that create environments which Women's Fellowship. Rev Dr Mary Caygill led the prepared the service. “So many Mary believes for the future enable all people to participate For more information, contact service and preached the sermon. people did so much,” says Wallace. cooperation with others is the key in church life. There are stories Rev Vicki Terrell, chairperson of She says this was a huge privilege. “We're very thankful.” to the church's redevelopment in of churches embracing the Disability, Spirituality and Faith “Many have been part of the A collection of historical items the central city. challenge of accessibility in Network Aotearoa New Zealand. congregation most of their active dating from 1864 was on display “We've got a church population different ways. Email [email protected] or lives. I was very conscious of that at St Mark's Church. Photos of the that's not institution oriented so The third section invites phone 027 304 3062. deep sense of continuity between Aldersgate complex and the anything is possible,” she says. Parades asserted the Christmas spirit METHODIST ARCHIVES By Helen Laurenson Santa Parades have been a feature of as “first in setting the example of the Spirit New Zealand's Christmases since early of Christmas”. A group of 250 children in the 20th century, as individual stores from the Presbyterian Boys' Home in rivalled each other in new and spectacular Onehunga, the Methodist Home in Epsom, ways to install Santa in his 'magic cave'. St Joseph's School and the Brett Memorial By the 1920s Santa's presence was a Home in Takapuna, the Salvation Army well established annual institution in the Grange Home, the Wesley Methodist toy section of New Zealand department Home, and the Leslie Presbyterian Home stores, such as Armstrong's in Christchurch. were all invited. Altogether there were Farmers' Santa Parades, so much a seven bus-loads of children from city feature of Christmas celebrations in orphanages. Auckland, are well documented in the In an organizational exercise, which comprehensive Farmers' Trading Company required much planning, the children were (FTC) Archive, held by the Auckland War to wear coloured discs which related to Memorial Museum Library. the coloured cards and 'Welcome to Santa' On Saturday 24 November, 1934 signs on their buses. They were given Farmers founder Robert Laidlaw staged whistles, hooters and paper hats, and, his first 'Grand Parade'. Early discussions following Santa's arrival at Farmers, each record how the Parade began to be shaped received a present worth about 2/-, followed into its familiar format. by afternoon tea in the dining room on the Will Santa's float stay at the beginning top floor. Post-War Santa arrives at Farmers in Auckland. A line of children, who had accompanied or take its place at the end like Macy's The elaborate instructions for those the parade in buses, is being ushered past the crowds and into the store. Santa float in New York? How many floats taking part in 1948, had pencilled Toy Department to welcome them, and Orphanage in Buckland Rd. Her letter, this year and what will they be? Will import comments to help with planning for the one on sixth floor to give the 'orphans' restrictions enable those large, papier- following year. In that year, an estimated together with the copy of a kind and their gifts before they had their tea in the mache carnival heads to be brought from crowd of 15,000 welcomed Santa to the appreciative reply from the Parade tearooms. Did any of the children spot the Britain at 37/6 each (less trade discount) Hobson Street store, and the next year's organiser, Mr Churchill, rests in the 'Santa - the sailor, clown, dame, yokel, and baby Parade was to be even bigger and the crowd duality? monkey with movable jaws? greater. Letters of thanks from the matrons of Parade' Folder in one of the 22 boxes of Such spectacles, however, were largely It was noted firmly that the handling all of the Children's Homes are still lodged archival material. replaced by military and naval parades of such a number of children presented in the Farmers' Archive. Among them, Pat Cooke, wherever you may be now- carefully hand written and well expressed, during the years of World War II. The first absolutely no problems especially if they that lovely and heart-warming Christmas post-war Farmers' Santa Parade took place used the basement entrance to the lift, was just one letter of thanks from among in 1948. rather than the Hobson Street one, and if all those children. It was from a young letter still remains more than 65 years later, The firm's managers saw themselves there were actually two Santas, one in the girl, Pat Cooke, of the Methodist Epsom a small treasure discovered in the Archives. TOUCHSTONE • December 2014 17

THE VOICE OF SINOTI SAMOA

O le Fa'amoemoe ua taunu'u o le La'au o le Ola lea - Konferenisi 2014 Ae oute lei asa ma utufia le vai na momo'o iai Na maea le sauniga lea ona sosoo lea ma le isi le Tuiatua i Mulinuu ma Sepolatae'emo, e muamua sauniga aua nisi o le Aufaigaluega ua malolo ona ou fa'apoipoi la'au tu i vanu I ou paia ma ou manumalo I lenei foi Koneferenisi, ma nisi o le a sa, le Sinoti Samoa, aua o lele ua papae ti'a i siitia atu I nisi itu o le lalolagi e galulue ai e le toe ulupaga, ua atoa foi ti'a o le tautiaga. A lulu la le galulue I Niu Sila nei. aveo ua sa le pisa, sa le pa'o, ae na ona pati ma Na faia le Taumafataga a le Koneferenisi I le popo. afiafi na MC ai Filo. Na saunoa ai le faifeau o Donald Ae ua avea lenei lomiga ma avanoa matagofie e Philips ma Tumuaki Diana aua ua 30 ai foi tausaga momoli atu ai le agaga o le fa'amalo ma le fa'afetai o le Malaga Aganuu Lua a le Ekalesia. Na auai le tele lava i le paia o le tatou Sinoti Samoa i lau susuga Tupu o Maori I lea foi faamoemoe. Na faafiafia foi i le Faatonu o Galuega a le Pasefika, lau susuga Aso le aufaipese a le susuga ia Iele I lea afiafi, faapea Samoa Saleupolu ma le faletua ia Vaotane, lau Afioga tamaitai pepese mai le Vaefonua Tonga. i le Peresetene o le Mafutaga Tamaitai o Niu Sila faletua Olive Tanielu, lau afioga i le Peresetene o le ASO SA Mafutaga Tamaitai o le Sinoti Samoa, faletua ia Rosa Na saunia le lotu taeao e le Mission Resourcing Faafuata, fofoga o le Sinoti Samoa, faletua ia Mataiva - susuga ia Aso ma Diana, ona sosoo lea ma fonotaga Robertson, teuoloa o le Sinoti, afioga Tuioti Lani a le Taha Maori ma Tauiwi. Tupu, susuga i Taitai Itumalo ma faletua, susuga i le I le fonotaga a Tauiwi - o nai mataupu nei na talanoaina mo so latou malamalama, ao lei faia le Aufaigaluega a le Sinoti Samoa faapea tama fanau Koneferenisi faatasi ma Taha Maori I le Aso Gafua: a le Sinoti o loo galulue i isi Sinoti a le Ekalesia, o 1. Na faailoa le Konevina fou o Michael faletua ma alii, Taitai o Tupulaga Filo ma Lynley, ae Lemanu e le susuga ia Aso. O Michael o le konevina tainane o le paia ma le mamalu o le Sinoti Samoa i fou lea o Galuega - Fanau & Tupulaga o le Ekalesia. ona tulaga faalupelupeina e tusa ai o tapenaga ma O le alii o Michael e lotu I Papatoetoe - na saunoa sauniuniga uma lava sa tatou feagai ai, aua le le alii faapea o Tupulaga o loo iai ni meaalofa se faamoemoe i le fa'auuina o se tasi o alo o le Sinoti tele lava…ae o loo iai foi ma le manao ise vafesootai Samoa, le susuga ia Tovia Aumua i le Tofi Peresetene ma le Atua. O le a se mea o tatou faia nei ina ia o le Ekalesia Metotisi Niu Sila, Te Hahi Weteriana mafai ai e tatou tupulaga ona maua lena va fesootai o Aotearoa. lelei ma le Atua? Ua tatou sauni ea e faia mea uma Ua fa'amalo le taupati, malo le tauasa. Ua o se lava e tatau mo tatou fanau aua le taitaiina o le ata lau togi na lagatila ae faapulou i le tualima. Malo Ekalesia I le lumanai? O le luitau lea na tuu e Michael fai le faiva, aua o lenei ua a'e ma le malo le I le Koneferenisi. fa'atamasoaliiga. Sa tapuai tuaa sinasina, o aiga ma 2. Human sexuality issue - o le mataupu lenei uo, ae tainane o le Sinoti Samoa ma noamanu i le na taatia mai lava I le Koneferenisi o le 2005 na Atua ina ia alofagia le faamoemoe o Tovia ma Leotele. fesili ai Maori e uiga I tagata 'GAY' e fai ma Taitai O lenei la ua tali mai le lagi. O le fetalaiga i Fogaa, o le Ekalesia, e lei taliina lava. O lea na maua le 'E ta tagata Leatiogie, ae patipati taoto ai le Fe'epo!' tupe e $6000 mai le PAC e faatupe ai ni fonotaga e O le viiga la e le faaititia ona fa'afoi atu i le Atua, talanoaina lenei mataupu. O lea la ua filifilia nisi e aua ua faia e le Atua mea sili mo le Sinoti Samoa. fai se discussion paper ona lafo mai lea I Sinoti e Faafetai tele le Atua, o lau pule ua malie o, ua malie talanoaina lenei mataupu. O tatou sui o loo I le nei faasao. komiti o Paulo ma Opeta. Ua uma foi ona momoli mai le faafetai tele ma 3. Marital status - tasi foi lenei mataupu na le faamalo a le Afioga i le Peresetene, susuga ia Tovia tau faamalamalamaina. O le marital status o se tasi ma le faletua ia Leotele ona o lenei gapatia o le Sinoti, ua ofo atu mole galuega faafaifeau. Na afua mai faatasi ai ma o la alofa'aga ma faamanuiaga, e tusa lenei mataupu I le Faith & Order komiti, lea la faapea ai ma mea uma lava na faia e le Sinoti Samoa e ua tele naunau manatu ma silafia I lenei mataupu. lagolagoina ai o la'ua faamoemoega. O le tatalo foi A ua filifili foi se working group e vaai iai ona aumai a le tatou Sinoti, i tuaa sinasina, paia o le Aufaigaluega, lea o se latou lipoti I le Koneferenisi o le 2015. mamalu i tapa'au ma aiga, o le faafaleupoluga, faletua 4. Failauga - o loo iai foi se lagona o kosi ma tausi, saoao, le malosi seia oo lava i tupulaga ma uma a failauga e tatau ona faia o se vaega o le Trinity fanau iti ia faapea foi ona faamanuia atu le Atua i le College - toe faia isi fetufaaiga I le fonotaga a failauga afioga i le Peresetene ma le faletua ma le tulai mai I le AsoSa. tofi o le taitaina o le Ekalesia mo le lua tausaga ua 5. Appointments o lay ministries - o le amataina. Ia faaaupegaina e le Mana o le Atua lana fautuaga a le loia ma le team o appointments a auauna aua le galuega ua feagai ai. Maua le soifua puletua I tofiga o le Ekalesia e tatau ona fai ni laulelei i le tino, le mafaufau ae faasilisili i le Agaga konekarate (employment contracts). ina ia sao ma uli ona faiva alofilima. Ia mamao ni 6. Sinoti Fiti - ua suia lo latou igoa mai le mala ma ni puapuaga, a ia sagai ane 'ai o le tai ma Wasewase kei Routuma o Niu se landi, I le Wasewase faatumuina lana utu i le tofa faale Atua. O mama na kei Routuma. Ua aveese le vaega mulimuli o lo latou Tovia ma Leotele, ia pouliuli oulua tino a ia igoa. malamalama oulua fofoga aua le Atua ma lana 7. Failautusi Aoao - na talanoa le failautusi Talalelei. e uiga I nisi o aulotu ua matua faaititia lava faapea O le Sini o le Koneferenisi: O LE TAIMI E - e le o le toatele e manaomia, ao le mataalia ma le LULUINA AI, MA LE TAIMI E TUPU AI (A Time fiafia e galulue mo le lumanai. (it's not about the to Sow; A Time to Grow). O le Sini lenei na taitaiina size, it's about energy and vision) na fesiligia e le ai mea uma lava o le Koneferenisi o lenei tausaga. isi faifeau le talafeaga o se fale tele e fai ai O saunoaga faalaeiau a le Peresetene ma le Sui Koneferenisi, ae toaititi tagata. Na tali le failautusi Peresetene, o faiga lotu ma tomanatuga, o aso taitasi aoao e fuafua lava I le aofai o loo manaomia e pei na faapea lava ona tapasaina e lenei Sini, na filifilia o le nei koneferenisi ona e 13 le aufaauu, ma aufaipese lava e le susuga ia Tovia ma Arapera. ma aiga o le a auai I le weekend. O le mea lea ua Na usuia le Koneferenisi a le Ekalesia i Hamilton hire ai le nofoaga tele lea, ao le vaiaso ua toaititi le i le aso 14-19 Novema 2014. O le Aso Faraile lava koneferenisi, ua vaai foi I se nofoaga talafeagai. Aua ia na feagai lea ma fonotaga a Komiti o le Tusi Tofiga e le ofi uma le toatele I se falesa o loo iai nei I faapea le Tauiwi Strategy. Ao le aso Toonai na nofoaga o loo fai iai tatou faamoemoe. amataina le Koneferenisi i le faafeiloai faaMaori o Faauuga faifeau 12 & Tiakono 1: Na matua le 'powhiri' e masani ai Koneferenisi i Tausaga taitasi. faatumulia le Aso Sa I aiga, uo ma Aufaipese faapea Na faia lea e le Sinoti a Waikato Waiariki. E le gata le Ekalesia I le faauuga o faifeau e toa 12 ma le ina faafeiloai ai le Koneferenisi ae manatua ai foi i tiakono toa 1, faapea foi ma nisi na toe faaulufale I latou uma ua fai i lagi le folauga mai le va o le isi le ekalesia ma nisi o faifeau mai isi Ekalesia o le a Koneferenisi ma le nei Koneferenisi. O le tasi na galulue I le tatou Ekalesia. O le tasi o faifeau na manatua ai o le susuga lea ia David Palelei, na auai faauuina o le susuga lea ia Neti Petaia ma le faletua atu le faletua o Faafe'ai ma o la alo faatasi ai ma le ia Moe, o loo galulue I la'ua I Christchurch. Na faia Tina malolo manumalo o Kueni ma nisi o le aiga alii. foi iai le upu faamanuia a le aufaigaluega ma usufono Na maea lea ona sosoo lea ma le Sauniga e ma ave iai le teutusi ona matou o ane ai lea e tali manatua ai I latou uma ua malilie o le Koneferenisi. le valaau faaaloalo a le Afioga I le Peresetene Tovia Ina ua ta le 2pm ona faia ai lea o le Sauniga o le Aumua ma le faletua faapea le Matagaluega I faauuga o le Peresetene ma le Sui Peresetene o le Panmure I le Aufaigaluega ma usufono uma o le Ekalesia, susuga ia Tovia ma Arapera. O se faauuga Koneferenisi I le faleaiga o Valentines i lea lava tumu ma matagofie lea aso. Na auai aiga o Tovia ma afiafi. Leotele, faapea foi aiga o Arapera e molimauina lenei aso taua ma le faapitoa mo i la'ua ma le Ekalesia. Na ASO GAFUA faia lea I le Claudelands Event Centre. Na pepese le Na tatalaina le fonotaga o le Aso Gafua I le aufaipese a le Sinoti Samoa na tapenaina lea e itumalo sauniga lotu na taitaiina e siapelini a Tovia ma o Aukilani ma Manukau i le taitaiina a le susuga i le Arapera. Na matou tutula'i e talia aloaia le Tusi faafeagaiga ia Ieremia Amani Amituanai ma le susuga Tofiga o le Tausaga Fou, faapea foi Galuega uma a ia Tui Penaia. le Council of Conference, ona sosoo lea ma le o I Na auai atu foi nisi o le tatou Sinoti mai isi Business komiti e talanoa ai lipoti mai komiti ma itumalo, pei o Hawkes Bay, New Plymouth, Gisborne boards eseese o le Ekalesia. ma Ueligitone. Na auai foi malo faaaloalogia mai isi Ina ua maea lea ona sosoo loa lea ma lipoti mai Koneferenisi pei o Samoa na afio mai le Peresetene Taha Maori faapea Tauiwi. Ma o lipoti a le Tauiwi susuga ia Aisoli Tapa Iuli, faapea le Peresetene o e lavea ai le lipoti mai le Mafutaga Tamaitai o le Tonga ma Fiti. Na iai foi faafeagaiga mai Ekalesia Ekalesia - na introduce ai e le Peresetene o le Agelikana, Perepereane ma le Katoliko Roma o Mafutaga Tamaitai ua mavae atu o Marie Smith le Waikato. faletua ia Olive o le Peresetene fou lea o le Mafutaga. 18 TOUCHSTONE • December 2014 Nai Lalakai NAI LALAKAI MAI NA WASEWASE KO VITI KEI ROTUMA E NIUSILADI Koniferedi ni Lotu Wesele e Niu Siladi: 15-19 Noveba 2014 - Ulutaga: “Na gauna ni teiteivaki, Na Gauna ni tubu"A time to sow, a time to grow Ena vula o Noveba a nai Talatala ni Wasewase, vakayacori mai na na veiwekani kei na lewe Hamilton Claudelands ni tabacakacaka e rua mai Event Centre na Okaladi me ra Koniferedi ni Lotu vakadinadinataka na Wesele e Niu Siladi ka gauna bibi oqo. Ena siga kena ulutaga na “Gauna Moniti ki na siga ni tatamusuki kei na Vukelulu, e siga ni soli teiteivaki”. A tekivu na tukutuku kei na boseka Koniferedi ena Siga ka vakayacori ena Vakarauwai ena dua na WINTEC: Tristram veikidavaki vakai taukei Street. “powhiri” kei na nodrau E ra vulagi dokai mai vakatikori na talega ena Koniferedi oqo Peresitedi vou ni Lotu na Vunivola Levu ni Lotu Wesele o Nai Talatala Wesele e Viti kei Rotuma Vukevuke ni Peresitedi Dr Arapera (Bella) Ngaha kei na Peresitedi E sa mai tabaki me sa i talatala yaco ni Lotu Wesele e Niu Siladi o Nai Tovia Aumua (Sinoti vou ni Lotu Wesle e Niu Siladi o Nai Talatala Tovia Aumua Talatala Rupeni Balawa. mai Viti o Nai Talatala Samoa) kei na nonai Vuniwai Epineri Vukevuke o Dr Arapera Ngaha (Te Taha Maori). Vakadewavosa. Era E rau sa mai cegu vakaraitaka nai Talatala talega kina o nai Talatala Qase ni Wasewase ni sa Rex Nathan kei Ms Jan dua na gauna vinaka vei Tasker ni oti e yabaki rua rau ni rawa ni ra laki sota ni veiliutaki. Ena ka veimaliwai kei Talatala Sigatabu, e mai tabaki Epineri ena vica na siga talega kina me sai talatala ni Koniferedi. ni Lotu Wesele e Niu Era vakaraitaka talega Siladi o Talatala Rupeni o nai Vakatawa ni Balawa. vavakoso mai Wellington Oqo ni oti e yabaki o Maikali Bulicakau ni rua ni nodra a vakatovolei laki vakadinadinataka na tiko mai kina me vaka ga rabailevu ni Wasewase ko na kenai vakarau. E tiko Vit kei Rotuma ena Ko ira na lewe ni tabacakacaka e rua mai Okaladi era tiko ena lotu Era vakaitavi tiko oqori na Vunivola levu ni Lotu Wesele e Viti kei ena Lotu bibi oqo ko ira Konferedi oqo. ni veitabaki vei Talatala Rupeni Balawa. Rotuma o Talatala Vuniwai Epineri Vakadewavosa.

THE VOICE OF SINOTI SAMOA

O le lipoti mai le Mission & Ecumenical na ta'ua ai lea mo le aufaigaluega aua le fausiaina o lauga ona ua e Diana aua o ia na alu I le fono a le World Council of leai se tupe, na faafetaia le na faafoeina lenei resosi Churches I Korea, le lelei tele o Filo na fai ma chief susuga I le faifeau o Andrew Gamman. steward a le World Council. Mai lena galuega na fai e Toe faailoa Michael Lemanu I le Koneferenisi faapea Filo na aloaia le tofia o ia e fai ma Failautusi Aoao mo foi le susuga ia Aso o le Faatonu o Galuega a le Pasefika Student Christian Movement of Aotearoa. Matagofie tele ua galue afa taimi nei na saunoa I le nei tofi ma lona le tulai mai o lenei alo o le tatou Sinoti I le nei tofiga. faaauauina I le lumanai. Mai le lipoti a le Kolisi Faafaifeau na faailoa aloaia Faia saunoaga a Malo mai fafo - Peresetene Tonga, ai foi le Pule fou ua iai nei o le susuga lea I le faifeau Samoa ma Fiti ma molimoli ane foi a latou meaalofa I Tonga o Rev Dr Nasili Vaka'uta. O Nasili sa faiaoga I le le Peresetene ma lona ofisa. Na molimauina le matagofie Kolisi ma o lea ua avea nei o ia ma Pule fou aua o lea o meaalofa na tauaaoina e le susuga ia Aisoli Tapa Iuli, foi ua retire mai le pule na iai. o le tanoa faiava, ma le fau ma le ipu. O le ulafala o le Lipoti mai le Kolisi I Uesile - o le a faia fale I le to'oto'o ma le fue. Ae maise o le sua faatamalii a le afioga nofoaga o loo iai nei le kolisi a le Ekalesia, o se peleni I le Peresetene, o le ie o le malo ma lana teutusi. Na a le city council o Manukau, ae o le a sii ese le kolisi I faamatalatalaina taitasi e le Peresetene o Aisoli uiga se isi nofoaga. Na faamavae foi le ekalesia I le susuga loloto faamataupu silisili o nei meaalofa uma I luma o I le faifeau Tonga o Sylvia na avea ma siapelini a le le Koneferenisi faatasi ai ma faamanuiaga mai le Ekalesia Kolisi mo le 9 tausaga, o lea siitia I Ausetalia le faifeau I Samoa aua le nofoaiga a Tovia ma Arapera. e alala ai. Faapea foi ona faafetai I le Pule o le Kolisi o O le afiafi ina ua maea le taumafataga na saunoa ai Ian Faulkner mo galuega uma aua o lea foi ua uma lona Opeta I le Koneferenisi e uiga I le mataupu o le Pule I turn e avea ai ma Pule o le Kolisi. le ola ma ona aafiaga. O le aso Gafua foi I le taimi o le taumafataga o le Tapunia aloaia foi le afiafi o le Aso lua I le faiga lotu aoauli na alo atu ai le tatou Sinoti Samoa I ana faaaloaloga na taitaia e le Sinoti Samoa, na tapenaina e le susuga ia foi e tusa o le pale mai o le susuga ia Tovia I le Tofi Paulo ma le Tupulaga mai Papatoetoe. Malo fai o le Peresetene o le Ekalesia. Na avea le fetalaiga ia Suefuaina faiva, faafetai tele lava le tapenaina lelei o tatou faiga Mulitalo o Birkenhead ma fofoga o le tatou Sinoti e lotu. momoli le saunoaga ma le fetalaiga faafetai ma faamanuia ae maise o la outou faaaloalo maualuga ia Tovia ma ASO LULU Arapera, o le ofisa o le Ekalesia, ae maise o malo O le toe aso lea o le koneferenisi. Na saunia le lotu faaaloalogia mai fafo na auai mai I le Koneferenisi o o le taeao e Taha Maori - na highlight foi nisi o le ekalesia lenei tausaga. Ia saga viia lava le Atua I taulaga osiosi ma tala o nisi na latou taumafai maia le ekalesia ma le ua outou gapatia ai ona o lona Suafa paia. uiga o le avea ma Metotisi. ASO LUA Na maea lea ona sosoo lea ma lipoti mai komiti o le Na amataina le aso lua I le lotu na taitaiina e le Sinoti Ekalesia faapea Elders o I latou ia e toafa, 2 Maori 2 mai Samoa. O le susuga ia Utumau'u ma nisi o tupulaga na Tauiwi e vaaia alumaga o fonotaga poo savalia polosese iai I le koneferenisi na latou tapenaina lenei lotu. Manaia faataatitia o fonotaga. ia o le tapenaga na faatatau lava I le Sini o le Koneferenisi: Sosoo lea ma lipoti na totoe ona faaiuina lea I le taimi e luluina ai, taimi e tupu ai. faafetai a Tovia ma Arapera I tagata uma lava ae maise Na faafofoga foi le koneferenisi I le tele o nisi lipoti o le Sauniga na tapunia aloaia ai le Koneferenisi o lenei mai komiti eseese I lenei foi aso ae maise o Mission a tausaga. le Ekalesia. E fa Mission o loo iai nei: o loo I Kalaiesetete, Koneferenisi o le 2015 o le a faia lea I le aso 14-18 Ueligitone, Aukilani ma Dunedin. Faailoa foi nisi o Novema I Blenheim I le motu I Saute. projects na faia na fesoasoani iai nei Mission pei o le Paia o le Sinoti Samoa, malo faafetai le onosa'i, galuega a Vaefonua Tonga ua ta'ua o le Matanikolo faafetai le tapuai ao alo faiva le Afioga I le Peresetene, housing project e 22 fale mo tagata e toatele o loo fausia susuga I le Faatonu, le Aufaigaluega ma usufono o le I Mangere. Faafetai foi le Koneferenisi ia Michael Greer Sinoti Samoa I le Koneferenisi o lenei Tausaga. O lenei mo lana auaunaga I le mission mo tausaga e tele. ua a'e manuia I fanua le faatautaiga. O le tatalo ia Na faafofoga I le saunoaga a Rex ma Jan e tusa o le manuteleina galuega o totoe o lenei tausaga, I le paia o 2 tausaga na la'ua tauaveina ai le tofiga o le Peresetene Matagaluega ma Aulotu a le Sinoti. Ia tatou maua faatasi ma le Sui Peresetene. O galuega uma na faia ma nofoaga foi se Kerisimasi manuia ma se Tausaga fou fiafia I le uma foi na malaga iai. alofa o le Atua. Lipoti mai le Mission Resourcing - ua le toe Alofa'aga ma Faamanuiaga, faaauauina le 10 Minute I aso Lua o se resosi aoga tele Suiva'aia Te'o TOUCHSTONE • December 2014 19

VAHEFONUAPukolea TONGA ‘O AOTEAROA 20 TOUCHSTONE • December 2014