MARCH 2008 MAY 2010

CVs hot potato as partners explore new ways to cooperate By Paul Titus In an open letter, former president of the Methodist Church of NZ Rev Brian Turner has fired off a broadside, warning that some leaders of the partner churches are planning to dismantle or restrict Cooperative Ventures (CVs). Church leaders respond that their support for CVs has not diminished but in changing circumstances they must seek new, more flexible ways to engage with one another. Brian cites a number of moves he believes show that the Presbyterian, Methodist and Anglican Churches are distancing themselves from their ecumenical commitment to CVs and Uniting Congregations. These include the Presbyterian Church’s efforts to create super presbyteries that, he says, ignore ecumenical groupings; discussions between Anglican and Presbyterian leaders in South Canterbury to review and perhaps split up cooperating parishes; State integrated Christian schools promote critical thinking as well as Christian principles. and Methodist synod executives’ statements that they would not support the creation of more CVs. Brian writes that some denominational Christian education leaders say church growth is one reason they want to re-examine CVs. “They claim that CV’s do not grow as well as straight denominational parishes. If that is true, it’s probably thriving in Godzone because denominations do not invest as many resources in CVs as in straight denominational parishes. By Paul Titus Steiner. Wesley College is a state higher.” “Another major driver is that CVs tie The demand for primary and integrated school. The Ministry of Education secondary education with a Until recently, Mark Larson caps the number of students an up denominational property and finance. Christian character is on the was principal of Middleton integrated school can have so the Mark Larson Under the old model of CVs, yes, but upswing in New Zealand, and Grange Christian School in school must apply to have its newer models such as the Waimakariri Christian schools are expanding Christchurch. He now holds numbers increased. “There is growing recognition Shared Ministry in North Canterbury and and forming networks to meet leadership rolls in two Christian Vaughan Darby is the even in the state sector, of the Crossways Community Church in that demand. school trusts and the Christian executive director of the NZ importance of teaching values. Christchurch, are freer from such The NZ education system has Schools Network. Christian Proprietors Trust We promote Christian values and requirements. a unique provision for ‘state Middleton Grange was (NZCPT). This trust is the we involve parents. When parents Brian argues that the bottom line for integrated schools’ that has established in the 1960s by a non- proprietor of three integrated are involved students do better. the churches should not be self- created a space for Christian denominational group of schools in the greater Auckland “NCEA results show that preservation but the call of Jesus that His schools. Most state integrated evangelical Protestants. In the area: KingsWay School at students from integrated schools disciples be one, so that the world might schools are former private schools 1990s it struggled financially and Silverdale, Jireh Christian School perform disproportionally well. believe. (For the full text of Brian’s letter, that are now integrated into the it became an integrated school in at Waitakere, and KingsGate Some of our students enter see page 7.) state system. 1996. Primary School at Pukekohe. theological schools such as The Presbyterian Church’s executive While the buildings and Mark explains that by NZCPT schools too are based on Laidlaw College but most go on property of state integrated becoming integrated, Middleton an evangelical Protestant ethos. to the major universities – secretary Rev Martin Baker says he is schools remain privately owned, Grange and other Christian Vaughan says the integrated Auckland, Massey and mindful that many small congregations, the government funds their schools can provide an education school system saves the Crown Canterbury.” including CVs, face difficult issues but operating costs and teachers’ that is in reach of families who substantial money because it Mark says the Christian he does not share Brian’s concerns or salaries. The schools must could not send their children to a avoids the capital cost of owning element in the programme does anguish. maintain standards set by the private school. land and buildings. Therefore the not overwhelm the curriculum. “About one third of Presbyterian Ministry of Education and deliver “One tenet of our founders Ministry of Education is willing “Our approach to evolution congregations in NZ are involved in some the state curriculum but they was that attending Middleton to integrate schools and allow and creation, for example, we form of cooperative ministry and we are retain a degree of independence Grange should be affordable. The rolls to grow in regions where work hard to teach the science very keen to support them. We are not and can teach the curriculum from fees are $1100, which is about 10 there is high population growth. but we also expose the students blocking new CVs. For example, a new their own perspective. percent of those at a private Both Vaughan and Mark to the idea of creation. We point Presbyterian-Methodist CV was formed About 10 percent of Kiwi school,” he says. emphasise that Christian schools out evolution is a theory but we in Levin last year,” Martin says. students attend state integrated “When I became principal in provide high quality education do not push the religious views “However, we do not see structural schools. Some 75 to 80 percent 1999 we had long waiting lists. with a lot of input from parents. down their throats. We believe of these schools are Catholic. The We were turning away 100 “We believe parents are they have the dignity and the right integration as the simple answer to church others include a variety of families a year so we decided to responsible for their children’s to decide the issues for growth. We need to support growth and Christian schools as well as grow the school rolls. In 1999 our religious education and our role themselves.” mission, and to do this will require a alternative education providers roll was 1000. It is now 1300, and is to reinforce that worldview,” For more on Christian diversity of solutions based on local such as Montessori and Rudolph we have applied for it to go Vaughan says. education see Page 8. contexts. See Page 7 2 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2010 NEWS

School of theology to examine stirrers and shakers Mary’s Magnificat is the ecumenical church today. inspiration for this year’s Argula is not so well school of theology organised known. She lived at the time by the Lower North Island of the Reformation, and made Combined Synod. a courageous stand for The title of the school is Lutheran teachings. One ‘Magnifying Grace’, and it German theological professor, reflects the words “My soul upset by her words and magnifies the Lord, my spirit actions in the public arena, rejoices in God my Saviour”. likened her to a ‘shameless The school runs from whore’ and ‘female midday Thursday July 8th to desperado’. The relevance of midday Saturday July 10th. both figures for how 21st It is open to all churches and century Christians share and individuals who seek to live their faith will be Cartoon hits nerve as well as funnyunderstand bone their faith better, explored. and want inspiration and ideas With now over 450 songs Touchstone cartoonist Brendan Boughen, aka appreciate the theology behind it. Not so the person to take and share in their home published by the NZ ‘Jim’, found himself at the centre of controversy over who vandalised it. church community. Hymnbook Trust, Gillian and Easter when a billboard cartoon he prepared for “Our billboard shows Jesus before Easter. Some Keynote presenters will John have riches in music and Auckland’s St Mathew in the City Anglican Church Christians believe Jesus knew what was going to be Rev Jim Stuart, well- was first seized upon by the media and then defaced happen to him in advance but we disagree with that. known for his regular theology to share. Folk will by a disgruntled Christian. We see his crucifixion as an act of courage and a result Touchstone column, church be given opportunity to enjoy Last Christmas St Mathew in the City briefly of his fight against the religious and political injustices historian Peter Matheson, and some well known items and became a worldwide media sensation when it put up of his day.” Gillian and John Thornley learn more new hymns to take a billboard that depicted Joseph and Mary in bed with The person who defaced the billboard clearly from the NZ Hymnbook home. the caption: ‘Poor Joseph. God was a hard act to objected to this theology, Clay says, because they Trust. As in recent years, the follow’. wrote John 3:16 on it. This refers to the passage: For Jim and Peter reflect on School takes place at the Priest in charge at St Mathew, Rev Clay Nelson God so loved the world that he gave his one and only the lives of past Christian Wanganui Girls College, with says some billboards are also a hard act to follow but Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but stirrers and shakers. Jim live-in accommodation Brendan’s cartoon did an excellent job of posing fresh have eternal life. speaks on John Wesley and provided, and the excellent questions about Jesus is a humorous way. “The theology behind this is that Jesus fully knew Peter on Argula von food prepared by the college “We are trying to use our billboard to make religion what he was doing, and that he participating in a Grumback. The former is hostel staff. relevant. For too long the Church has answered sacrificial act by God to redeem humanity. We would well-known, and Jim Stuart’s For further information questions no one is asking. We want to address the consider this an act of divine child abuse,” Clay says. recent book The John Wesley contact Jenny Olsson, real issues people face and share with the community “Rather, we believe we need a more progressive Code, is a wonderful resource Secretary to the some new ways to understand Christianity,” Clay says. understanding of what Jesus was all about and we for church people seeking Synod, via email: He says while the media eagerly anticipated the need to make the changes he sought so the world can Wesley’s relevance to the [email protected] new billboard and put it in the spotlight, they did not be a more loving and peaceful place.” BULLETIN BOARDHow united are the churches 100Th Anniversary in Aotearoa New Zealand? Celebrations By Rodney Macann, National Leader, New Zealand It has continued and the experience of many would be Baptists that at a local level there are many joint initiatives with I read with some surprise the World Council of churches working very harmoniously on specific projects. Hamilton East Methodist Parish Churches report on Kiwi ecumenism in the April Also at a national and leadership level the situation is very TH TH Touchstone. healthy. 10 AND 11 JULY 2010 Firstly the report states that Douglas Chial and Tara There are excellent forums where the heads of churches Tautari met with representatives of the Baptists among meet to share with each other. My perspective is that these ST JOHN’S METHODIST CHURCH other churches. Because of the relatively short notice of meetings are characterized by a warmth, acceptance and the visit and the timing of their visit clashing with our appreciation of each other and what is taking place in our For further information and registration forms annual Baptist Assembly in Rangiora, we did not meet with respective churches. But it goes beyond that as in conjunction Contact: Doreen Lennox, Unit 4 St John’s Close them. with the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services 22 Wellington street, Hamilton 3216 Second they make some very strong statements about we have regular meetings with Government and at strategic Ph: (07) 856 9661 the supposed divisions between churches in New Zealand. times issue joint media statements. [email protected] or [email protected] For example, your article states: “there is a sense of sharp It is true that there may be some tension between liberals division between ‘ecumenical’ and ‘evangelical’ churches”. and conservatives but I suspect that is more confined to And “Douglas and Tara observe that divisions between what is happening within existing denominations. It would ‘ecumenicals’ and ‘evangelicals’ in NZ seem severe. also be true that with the demise of the liberal wings of the Primarily a conservative/liberal division, the division is church in New Zealand there has been a natural realignment exacerbated by unhelpful stereo-types. There seems to be GLEN EDEN METHODIST CHURCH of churches that would occupy historically orthodox not one ecumenical platform that offers real opportunities for more than superficial and strained relations between theological positions and this would now be where the real the two camps.” strength of the church is. As leader of one of the largest predominantly I am not aware of enmity towards the liberals from the Celebrating 100 years conservative churches in New Zealand who did not have conservative/orthodox church, more a sadness that large the opportunity to meet with them I would love to know parts of the church lost their way so badly with the result of worship in Glen Eden what shaped their observations. that they are small aging communities with few ‘spiritual On the same page of Touchstone, John Roberts children’. comments on the “ecumenical winter” that we have My experience, on assuming the leadership of the New apparently been living through and talks about the new Zealand Baptist churches three years ago, with regard to 12, 13 & 14 November 2010 initiative that he and Brian Turner have championed as the other New Zealand churches and their leaders has been helping us to enter an ecumenical spring. My experience wholly positive. The new initiative that John Roberts writes FOR ENQUIREIES is very different. of and is a part of is an addition to the good things that are PO Box 20 273 GLEN EDEN 0612 I remember the ‘bad old days’ when the divisions already happening and may have a useful contribution to E-mail [email protected] between the churches were very real. I also have vivid make, particularly in the important area of exploring memories of the thaw in relationships that took place theological frameworks for unity. Brenda Skinner (09) 8185520 through the 1970s with charismatic renewal impacting most In the meantime I look forward to continuing and Dave Wileman (09) 8183203 of the mainline churches and people discovering they had productive relationships with the churches of Aotearoa a new unity in the spirit. New Zealand. TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2010 3 NEWS Solomon Islands tour shines despite cyclone Methodist Church of NZ (MCNZ) vice building and declared it officially open. president Lana Lazarus says a Maori Feasting and singing then went on well into proverb sums up her recent visit to the the evening. Solomon Islands: He taonga rongonui te During the service the next morning, aroha ki te tangata – Goodwill towards John acknowledged the contribution the late others is a precious treasure. Gladys Larkin made to the centre. A former “The people we met were lovely, nursing sister and tutor at Helena Goldie hospitable, and very appreciative of the Hospital, Gladys left half her estate to the support from our church. They asked us to work of Mission and Ecumenical in the take their greetings to New Zealand Solomon Islands’ Roviana district. A Methodists and to thank them for their help,” substantial part of her bequest went into the Lana says. construction of the children and youth centre. Lana accompanied Methodist Mission Two days after the opening, Lana and and Ecumenical secretary Rev John Roberts John visited the Tabaka Rural Youth Training to the Solomon Islands March 13th to 21st. Centre on Banga Island. Both were MCNZ supports a number of UCSI moderator Rev David Havea accepts the keys to the Church's new national impressed with the range of activities children and youth centre. development projects through its partner students are engaged in under the leadership churches in Papua Guinea and the Solomon of principal Rev Wilson Agiri. These include Islands, and every year John visits one of carpentry, agriculture, mechanics, and life these countries to follow up on them. This skills. year Lana joined him because she is both Cyclone Ului brushed by the Solomon vice president and a member of the board Islands on March 15th. While it left the that oversees Mission and Ecumenical. nation largely unscathed, it did make for Their visit was timed to coincide with some fairly wild canoe rides as John and the opening of the Uniting Church of the Lana travelled to some of the stops on their Solomon Islands’ (UCSI) new national tour, including Sasamunga Hospital on children and youth centre at Kokeqolo, near remote Choiseul Island. The rough seas did Munda on the island of New Georgia. prevent them from making the trip to Vella During their stay John and Lana also Lavella Island to visit a UCSI copra project. visited other projects MCNZ sponsors on Lana says she quickly learned to be New Georgia, Banga and Choiseul Islands. This included the youth training centre at flexible in the Solomon Islands. “Things didn’t always happen when and Tabaka that a group of Kiwi church people Lana Lazaruswith UCSI Assembly staff. From left: moderator David Barakana Havea, George Alu, how they were scheduled. Our travel plans Eddie Pratt, John Sisiolo, Caleb Saiqoro), Lana, Eddie Kotomae, John Eto, Amon Bobai, general led by Rev Trevor Bennett helped build in secretary Isaac Dakei, and Frank Barikana. 1991-1992. were disrupted or delayed because the airline Lana and John’s first assignment was to suddenly cancelled flights and we were attend the day-long opening of the UCSI’s supposed to stay in the guest rooms at the new children and youth centre. The centre children and youth centre but the plumbing MCNZ projects in the Solomon Islands incorporates part of the old Jubilee church wasn’t quite finished. It was also necessary to be flexible and built in 1952. The centre has an office, Other Uniting Church of Solomon nurses, and has funded building projects kitchen, ablution facilities, and guest open because the theology of the UCSI is Islands initiatives that the Methodist at the hospital. accommodation. quite traditional and patriarchal. All but one Church of NZ supports include: Sasamunga Hospital, Choiseul Lana says very high percentage of UCSI of the Assembly staff are men. Timber dressing plant, Kokeqolo. Island. MCNZ has helped buy a boat members are children and young people, John was very good in including me. He UCSI owns a facility where local and outboard motor so staff can visit and this was very much in evidence at the made it clear that in the MCNZ, we work in builders would pay to have timber outlying health clinics. MCNZ has also partnership between men and women, young dressed. New machinery has been provided building materials, refrigerators opening of the centre. purchased, and the project now generates and a computer and future assistance The crowd was led to the new building and old, and lay and ordained.” 20% of the UCSI assembly office will underwrite construction of staff by a procession of Sunday school and Girls’ Lana says John is highly respected in the budget. houses and upgrades to the hospital’s Brigade members and other young people. Solomon Islands. She thinks this is because Helena Goldie Hospital, Kokeqolo. birthing room and laboratory. Lana and John then cut the ribbon and led he is honest and tells people when he doesn’t This is a 78 bed hospital with four Vella Lavella Centennial Agency’s everyone into the building. believe the MCNZ can help them. She and doctors and a dentist. MCNZ provides copra project. MCNZ aid has helped the salary for director of nursing Chris purchase a storage shed and a boat as John handed over the keys, and UCSI John are grateful for the generous hospitality Leve, contributes to the cost of relieving well as provide capital for the project. moderator Rev David Havea dedicated the they received during their visit.

Ecumenical Institute of Methodist Public Questions Network Distance Theological Studies (EIDTS) SOCIAL JUSTICE PRACTITIONER STUDY THEOLOGY OPPORTUNITY From your own home, in your own time. Courses in Biblical Studies, Theology, Church History, The Methodist Church of New Zealand is looking for a talented Ministry and Mission, Music and Worship, and World Religions. person to coordinate a nation-wide public questions network. This is a unique opportunity to support people at the grass roots RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL 2010 to contribute to social, environmental and economically just communities. INTRODUCTION TO PASTORAL THEOLOGY This person will bring a mix of skills in research, policy, political processes and communications with a passion to resource people Christchurch 6 - 8 July to engage in public questioning as one expression of an authentic Tutor: Rev Dr Mary Caygill spirituality. If this full time position, based in Wellington, sparks interest in you For further information and handbook contact: The Academic Registrar please contact Amy Scott [email protected] (phone 03 366 EIDTS, PO Box 12 286, CHRISTCHURCH 6049) to request more details. Freephone 0800 667 969 Applications close on 7 May 2010 Applications close 7th May 2010 [email protected] www.eidts.ac.nz 4 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2010 OPINION Spong’s views supported To the editor, to die a very clear exposition of the situation I was sorry to read such adverse criticism in today’s world, where we are saved from of John Spong’s latest book, Eternal Life (April early death by modern medical treatments, only Touchstone). to linger on in an increasingly worthless way. Having several scientists in the family who Having watched my husband slowly waste cannot accept traditional teaching, I welcome a liberal 21st century approach as it is inclusive away, blind, deaf, and suffering from of a different, more acceptable, point of view. Alzheimer’s, I can see no virtue in only Personally, as a member of Dignity NZ, I breathing, eating and sleeping. found his final chapter on the right to choose Hilda Bak, New Plymouth Next steps for Methodist-Anglican Covenant To the editor, presbyter be ordained jointly by the president I have waited in vain for signs of human and the Anglican bishops. out-working of the sacred Anglican-Methodist 5) That all admitted as probationers should Covenant entered into last year. So far the be ordained deacon in a similar manner. indications are that it has been lost in 6) That the conjunction of regional Anglican ‘ecumenical space’. and Methodist synods should be a priority. I dare to prayerfully propose the following 7) That the system of local ordained for action: ‘sacramentalists’ (after the Anglican pattern) 1) That the Methodist Church of NZ should should be introduced to aid parishes without a now be known as ‘the Methodist Church in connexion with the Anglican Church of NZ’. presbyter or likely to be without. 2) That the Methodist Church of NZ should 8) That zoning or juncture of support adopt episcopacy and a long-term president services be undertaken. should be consecrated bishop by the Anglican 9) That Methodists revisit John Wesley’s bishops. vision of a spearhead society within the 3) That the vice president be a senior layman Anglican Church to revise our mission. who should be chancellor of Conference and 10) That we heed the declared will of the its chair. Risen Christ to make real our covenant unity. 4) That all candidates for ordination as Laurie Barber, Invercargill From the backyard William Neil books sought Water, water everywhere? To the editor, of St Paul’, 1966; and ‘The Christian Faith in Gillian Watkin I seek two books written by UK author Art’ (with Eric Newton), 1966. Water is life, the most precious take the land to recover. of all the earth’s resources. It is no The ancient story of creation William Neil for an article on his life and I am happy to pay the standard price for wonder it is the primary symbol of reminds us in that in the beginning writings to be published in a future issue of the second-hand items. Please contact me at email: entry to the faith community at the wind from God swept over the magazine Music in the Air: They are: [email protected] or phone 06 356 9681. baptism. face of the waters (Gen1:2). The story ‘Apostle Extraordinary: The Life and Letters John Thornley, Palmerston North There is so much to say and to of the people of God starts and ends learn about water. I was reminded of with water in abundance. It is the this recently when we were faced continued promise of God. Refresh the message with an abundance of water. The How sad it is that it is not the To the editor, probably the sharpest current example. sprinkler had been accidentally left reality. The water of the Heretaunga Andre le Roux is to be congratulated on his It is small wonder then, that many people on for at least six hours. Plains where we live comes from an efforts to revive the church's life and witness. are leaving the Churches because they can no The citrus trees didn’t mind, and aquifer, an underground water supply, Good luck to him and those who take up his longer reconcile such Middle Ages thinking we said a little prayer of thanks that fed by the Ngaruroro River. We could we were not living in an area where draw water from a bore in our yard. cause. with our current understanding of the world water is metered. By morning the It is capped, and Council advise However, his efforts miss an important around us. The situation is not helped either by water had been absorbed into the us that resource consent is not question that is rarely if ever considered. Over the insistence of the more conservative (even ground. required to get it back in action. We the years, churches generally have concentrated fundamentalist) church members that the faith There is something mystical about choose not to do this thinking it is on the presentation of what is considered to be must adhere to unsupportable and obscure a place when the water is absorbed better to be party to a monitored 'the message'. The problem is that despite the doctrines and ideologies. in this way. Our home in the Hawkes communal supply. If you are on town heartfelt desire to believe the message is What is needed is not a new way of Bay is on a flood plain. When we supply water do you know the source unchanging – such is not the case. promoting an old message, but a new and fresh arrived a friendly neighbour greeted of your water? Do you know the The message is based largely on a message which truly meets the needs and us, and when he heard of our plans names of the rivers and dams the completely outdated understanding of the understandings of modern human beings. The to garden told us we had come to the water is drawn from? universe and how it works. The classical Biblical sad thing is that those who try to promote such right place. ‘Three foot down and The people of Israel and all desert view of a three-tier universe may have sufficed views are all too often reviled and dismissed there is old river bed,’ they said. people knew the importance of water 1,000 years ago but it is no longer valid. The in favour of old and comfortable thinking. Hence the good drainage. The river sources. The danger for us is that argument of 'creationism versus evolution' is Graham Weir, Lower Hutt changed course many, many years water has become just another ago. commodity. Water is a hot topic with droughts Water is life, clean water is health. Rap against poverty rapped in the north, pollution of rivers in the How can we share our abundance? To the editor, I believe this has been researched and found east, hydro dams being built in the If we have food we can give it away Regarding your piece ‘Childcare centre raps wanting compared to disposable napkins. I west, irrigation and allocation matters easily to food banks and to friends. against poverty’ in the April edition of noticed over the years that babies had less nappy under political scrutiny in the south. We can ship material goods to places Touchstone: I am alarmed at two of the rash from disposable napkins and had drier and I heard a Federated Farmers of need. suggestions that Rise Against Poverty (RAP) warmer beds. representative on the radio say that We are urged to save water but if has made. 2) That RAP would entertain the growing drought is more difficult than flood we do what happens? The effects 1) That mums should be encouraged to use of vegetables especially those that are eaten to cope with. With floods farmers seem so disconnected to daily life. reusable cloth napkins. As a retired Plunket uncooked, on verges anywhere near the watch the waters recede and have Water is a question, a challenge. We nurse, I doubt the wisdom of this. Cloth nappies discharges of the toxins from the fuel of passing hope of a cleanup but with a drought may need to revisit our old ways of require more resources in terms of water use, traffic. Food should be grown at a reasonable there is no way of knowing how long justice making, of sharing our wealth. washing powder, bleaches, plastic waterproof distance from roadsides. it will continue and how long it will How we do this is the question. pants and bedding, and possibly clothes driers. Shirley Grafton, Westport.

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] E-mail [email protected] Printer The Ashburton Guardian Opinions in Touchstone do not necessarily reflect Production Julian Doesburg Ad Deadline 15th of the month preceeding publication the offical views of the Methodist Church of NZ. Publisher The Methodist Publishing Company Letters Deadline 15th of the month preceeding publication Subscription Changes 10th of the month preceeding publication TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2010 5 NEWS AND VIEWS

VICE PRESIDENT’S COLUMN The lesson of our mothers By Lana Lazarus E nga Winiata.” up, they shared stories of my heritage and aim of Maori netball is to encourage Maori mana, e nga Alongside retired presbyters, Rua taught me to always remember that God whanau wellbeing using netball as the reo, e nga Rakena and Barbara Miller-Taylor, these is at the centre of my being. These stories vehicle. Its kaupapa (theme) is to convey rau rangatira two women had a great impact on my helped me to relate being a young Maori the wellbeing of whanau through holistic ma. Tena spiritual growth, within the Haahi, from woman. They also encouraged being open health. koutou katoa. an early age. They both had teaching to different theological positions, spiritual It also provides positive opportunity Tena hoki backgrounds and later on became part time awareness, and looking at the world from for young Maori girls and women to koutou me o educators/facilitators for what was then a holistic point of view. Caring, helping, participate in a sport they enjoy. It assists tatou tini Maori Division. They also became concern for people and creation, and being them identify where they come from and mate e influential lay leaders within the life of Te honest, welcoming and compassionate, provides role models being whanau by hingahinga mai nei runga i o tatou marae Taha Maori and the Church. were some of the important Christian bringing together young and old alike as maha o te motu. Waiho ratou kia tiraha Together they nurtured me through the principles ingrained in me. well as discern the meaning of being in mai ki roto i te rangimarie, waiho matou rangatahi and hui waahine (youth and The role of women in the context of relationship with God. What they learn is ki konei takatuu ai ki nga mahi. women) groups. They gave every Aotearoa has changed since the time of part of the teachings that I had. Na reira, ko ratou ki a ratou, ko tatou encouragement to study the stories of the my grandmother. The contribution of Personally, those who have inspired te hunga ora ki a tatou, tena tatou katoa. bible and to discover one’s own God women in the Church especially, continues my life are “like the light for the whole Recently, someone asked me if I could understandings. I was also given the to be significant. There are many tasks world. Making their light shine, so that remember what I did 10 years ago as the opportunity to represent Te Taha Maori and responsibilities that they carry out. others will see the good that is done and person was having difficulty recalling what on key boards and committees of the There are far more prospects available and will praise God in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14, they had done the week before. Much to church, to analyse situations carefully, to a lot more women are in leadership 5:16). They have cared for me spiritually, their surprise I answered, “Yes!” They speak out if necessary and to stand strong. positions. For instance, within Te Taha supported me in my endeavours, listened continued asking, “How come?” My Furthermore, there was opportunity to Maori, the current tumuaki and rohe liaison to my stories and offered their wisdom. response, “It was ten years ago when Te attend international church gatherings to positions belong to women. Mothers’ Day is coming up. My hope Taha Maori lost two significant women allow me to broaden my perspectives. Nowadays in the community, my is that God’s light will continue to shine about a couple of weeks apart, namely Beside their influence, there was also family and I are involved with Maori brightly on all mothers and mother figures Aunty Joy Rakena and Te Ruakawhena my mother and grandmother. As I grew netball in the North Harbour region. The – not only on their special day but always.

The peasants are revolting! SPY BASE TRIAL Will you join the revolution? With joy filled hearts Geraldine Coats, St Lukes Union The suggestion that we can all By Jim Consedine both necessary and our right to do so,” he said. Parish, Masterton happily divorce and go and live with It was a moment to savour. Two hours after The acquittal is a significant victory for In response to Brian Turner's our parents once again seems retiring, the jury in the trial of the three peacemakers and the power of non-violent direct letter ‘CVs Be Warned’ I would like ludicrous. The problem for CVs is that Ploughshares activists – Peter Murnane, action. This action is usually taken only when to suggest that the time is now right we are still tied to our parents through Adrian Leason, and Sam Land – who deflated all other avenues have failed. Such action is for Uniting Congregations to become the non-ownership our buildings. It is a dome at the US military spy base at Waihopai based on a love of neighbour, in this case a more pro-active about their future. time to claim our due in order to near Blenheim in April 2008, returned to a neighbour unknown but devastated by war. Having spent a great deal of my survive. packed courtroom. It took less than a minute More than 100 peacemakers, most actively church life in CVs, and the past 14 Wouldn't it be fair and right then to read their verdicts. Not guilty on all counts. Christian, gathered for two weeks to witness years serving as a minister in them, if the parent churches were gracious The applause was spontaneous, immediate the trial. It amounted to a confrontation between I'm feeling more than a little tired and enough to sign over what is rightfully and prolonged. It was renewed as the jurors the non-violent power of Christ and the violent worn. This weariness however comes ours, instead of holding on to it as part were dismissed and left the courtroom. They power of a government lock-stepping in tune not from serving the congregations but of their assets? If they did this we from the extra energy required to serve had played a critical part in this historic decision to the war plans of the US military and its allies. could all work alongside each other to acquit. In the history of New Zealand law, The corporate media reacted with surprise. the demands of sometimes two or three as equals and not as some being "parent" churches, as well. How am I there has never been a decision made that in Had they been present for the duration of the dependent on others. certain circumstances a higher moral law existed trial (only on-line Scoop and two documentary expected to serve God with all my I suggest: and should prevail over the prescribed legislation makers covered the trial fully) they would have heart soul, mind and strength and all 1. The Anglican, Christian of a nation. experienced little surprise. The evidence was these church denominations without Churches of NZ, Congregational, dying from exhaustion? Methodist, and Presbyterian Churches The jury accepted that these circumstances compelling. The Waihopai base is an integral At a Methodist Church synod sign over all church property which is prevailed when the three peacemakers damaged part of the US war machine and responsible for executive meeting last year we were vested in CVs and Union Parishes in the equipment and temporarily put the antennae the death of innocent civilians in foreign wars. discussing church property, and the New Zealand to UCANZ. out of action. The three follow a long tradition The presence of the Holy Spirit was palpable. complaint went up that when CVs 2. A Covenant of Cooperation be of Christian pacifism dating back to the earliest This court verdict was backed by prayer from want to sell church property or change signed between UCANZ and these days of the Church. religious communities, parishes and individuals it in some way, they often failed to churches to continue to share resources The jury had heard eight days of testimony across the country. Early morning and evening give proper notice to all ‘Parent in ministry and training. and legal argument. They reached their communal prayers and nightly Taize vigils were Bodies’ involved. This lack of 3. UCANZ be given the authority conclusion by accepting the defence claim that held outside the US Embassy and at a shrine to information from the CVs caused a lot to become the church of oversight for the action was taken to prevent further suffering peacemaking saints like Oscar Romero, Dietrich of hard work and frustration for the all ministers working in CVs. from wars involving the US. Bonhoffer, Phillip Berrigan and Franz Synod property committee. 4. The various congregations of The defence wanted to argue that the damage Jagerstatter. In court, kuia Aunty Raina Paniora When I suggested a way to solve done to property was small compared to ‘the faithfully prayed her rosary. A spirit of this problem would be for the parent UCANZ continue to pay a levy towards the costs of ministry training, greater good’ achieved by their action which community, peaceful co-operation, sharing, bodies to gift all the property tied up could save lives. This ‘necessity defence’ was song, humour, prayer and family, was built in CVs to UCANZ, I was laughed at. etc. to those who provide it. ruled out by the judge. around the trial. This is not a reflection on the workings 5. The primary responsibility for of the Methodist Synod. I'm sure the ministers and congregations in Union What was allowed was a defence from the Everyone noticed it, and many remarked response would have been the same Parishes is to UCANZ. It will pass on Crimes Act of ‘claim of right’ because the trio upon it. It was reflected in the help the local from the other churches' courts. Be to them any relevant information and believed sincerely they had the right to act as Marist priests gave in providing marae-style that as it may, I wasn't joking. provide representation at the various they did. The judge held they did not have that accommodation to about 40 travellers at A major issue in all union Church conferences and courts. right but agreed that there was evidence that Emmaus House near the Embassy. The negotiations is property. No one wants I am well aware that UCANZ did they believed they did. Hence the moral wonderful Urban Vision young people of to give up what they believe is not want to become another argument that followed and the need to show Wellington were everywhere, supporting the rightfully theirs. However, the big denomination but if it doesn't take on the state of mind of each defendant at the time trial and proving help to the community of the moral question is who truly owns the the mantle of one, then all will be lost of the action. willing. buildings where local congregations for the union movement in New Peter Murnane told the court in his testimony Catholic Workers and their friends and worship, and from whence they carry Zealand. that the trio felt strongly the spy bases enable families came to support three of their number out their mission? If any of the negotiating Churches activities that create unspeakable evil. These on trial. Some people came for an hour and I am well aware that legally these want to pick up their stumps and go include torture, the overthrow of legitimate stayed for a week. Collectively they formed a buildings are the property of the Parent home, now is the time to do it instead governments, war, the extraordinary renditioning community of the willing, peacemaking People Bodies, Is this just and fair for CVs? of slowly strangling us to death. of prisoners secretly from one country to another of God, witnessing in the central city, a stone’s All the CVs I've been associated with However, I believe that if they do so in order to torture them, and the widespread use throw from parliament, the centre of state power. came together in union in good faith without leaving their property interests of depleted uranium which has a destructive The jury had to be affected. Their verdict 40 or so years ago. Their marriages in the hands of the CVs, then they lifespan of millions of years. reflected that fact. were encouraged and celebrated by would be committing a great injustice. “In going into Waihopai, we wanted to Jim Consedine is a Christchurch priest and their parents. They have survived and Are you ready to come out and challenge these warfaring behaviours. We went former prison chaplain. He writes on social developed by taking the best of what fight for your rights? (non-violently there to prevent further mass murder. It was justice issues. they brought with them. of course!). Genesis and Science

There is a growing interest in Trinity College courses, says the Principal, Rev Dr David Bell. More people are becoming aware of the range and depth of papers offered. David will lead a tutors’ team in November to teach one of the great theological subjects, Genesis and Science. From the course notes David writes, “We are all time travellers. More than that, we are exquisite, living time machines, each of us. In our bodies and in our minds, we carry an extraordinary history. From the moment of conception until the moment of death, our human development unfolds as a pattern of evolution. Miracle upon miracle happens. “Part of our genetic code has time travelled billions of years since primitive life first appeared on earth. The 70 or 80 years of the individual human lifespan is miniscule by comparison. Yet human history can change through one unique life well-lived; even one unique moment can prove decisive, the single moment of action or insight. It is as if all life itself has concentrated upon this moment. Everything leads to the ‘now’ of decision, what de Chardin described as the Omega Point. It is not blind chance that guides life to it. “Scientifically speaking, however, it is hard to study and understand this psychological moment. A universal ‘now’ is elusive to catch. It may not exist at all. Albert Einstein called time itself a persistent and stubborn illusion. Why is that so? Whatever happened to ‘now’? “When we look up at the sky, the light from the sun is about 8 minutes old, light from the next closest star 4.3 years old, and the light from the closest galaxy to our Milky Way is already 2 million years old. What we experience as ‘now’ is mostly very old information. The night sky presents us with a breathtaking panorama of time. We can and do strangely experience in an instant the presence of time past. “Time is inextricably bound up with human perception. Genesis has much to say about this and so we begin the course there. Joan Miles, in ‘Adam and Eve’, well suggests that we are creatures of both light and dust. But the story doesn’t end with Biblical insights. There is much more to consider. Through God’s long processes of evolution, star dust and light beams have forged in us a capacity to reflect on the universe. And when that moral self-awareness clashes Joan Miles: Adam and Eve Miles:Joan Adam with the authorities of state, religion, and science, all hell breaks loose.” Walk Eden’s Paradise with Adam and Eve and Jahweh. Stand on trial with Galileo against the power of the Vatican. Voyage with Darwin into deep geological and biological time. Eavesdrop on the ghosts of Heisenberg and Bohr as physics melts materialism. Join TC304 at Trinity College for a week’s work that will awaken your imagination everyday. Class size strictly limited to 22 participants. Enrol now to ensure a place: $520. November 22-26.

Te ha o te hihi karoa! trinity ‘Oku malama ai ‘a e laumalie! Where the spirit is aflame! methodist theological college ‘O lo’o mumu ai le agaga’! TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2010 7 NEWS AND VIEWS Partners’ new arrangements CVs Be Warned! pose questions to CVs By Brian Turner, Waimakariri Shared Christian Unity. Ministry • In 2009 the NZ Anglican and From Page 1 themselves can act as a screen between the Cooperative Ventures be warned; some Methodist Churches signed a national “Concern arises when congregations partners and the CVs,” David says. denominational leaders are planning your covenant to work more closely together. decline and believe the only solution is to “The partners do care about what demise. Moves are afoot in some Churches • The official position of the New join with another denomination. We don’t happens in CVs, and we need to find ways to dismantle, restrict and prevent the Zealand Methodist Church is “To be cooperative ventures movement from Methodist is to be Ecumenical”. believe that is the solution. We believe we to help the partners engage with their CVs. further developing. Rumours of moves against CVs need to find more creative ways to move One proposal that has been floated is that Whilst nationally, Church leaders and surfaced in 2007-08. They included forward.” Uniting Congregations of Aotearoa NZ their reps are seriously negotiating a suggestions that Presbyterian and Methodist Martin disagrees with Brian that CVs (UCANZ) should play the key linking role national Churches Commission for Church leaders were planning to divvy up Christian Unity, some regional Church CVs between them! are under resourced. There is no policy to between the partners rather than the JRCs. leaders, in cahoots with national nods, are UCANZ convened a meeting with treat CVs differently, he says. In fact, they “This would mean the primary function working against CVs. Presbyterian and Methodist Church leaders. can draw on the resources of the different of a CV’s church of oversight would be to For example: As the then President of the NZ Methodist partner churches. keep the partners informed,” David says. 1. The Anglican Diocese of Church, I strongly reaffirmed the pro-union Christchurch has established a commission and pro-cooperation position of the “Many CVs are small, and small UCANZ executive officer Rev Peter to review the model of cooperating Methodist Church and publicised this congregations face critical issues in all MacKenzie echoes the sentiment that parishes. On 31 March the commission reaffirmation throughout the Church. This denominations. One solution is more greater flexibility is required as the partner met with national and regional Presbyterian remains the national position of the regional support networks that can help churches and CVs move into the future. Church leaders to review the cooperating Methodist Church. The Executive Secretary parishes of South Canterbury. One of the of the Presbyterian Church said that them find ways forward. Larger “In local communities there are a host options proposed was to share buildings Presbyterian Church growth was their presbyteries are one way that more of new cooperative initiatives that are not but split into separate denominational priority. resources can be made available to smaller based on traditional models. Some are parishes. Church growth is one of the reasons congregations,” Martin says. within denominations and some are 2. Already, the partnership between that some denominational leaders give for Methodists and Presbyterians in Geraldine wanting a re-examination of CVs. They Methodist general secretary Rev David between denominations,” Peter says. has been dissolved, and elsewhere in the claim that CVs do not grow as well as Bush too disagrees that the partner churches “CVs are diversifying and working with country Anglicans have withdrawn from straight denominational parishes. If that is are blocking new ecumenical endeavours churches outside the traditional some cooperating ventures and taken over true, it’s probably because denominations or withdrawing support from existing ones. partnerships. The partner churches have to others. do not invest as many resources in CVs as He cites the Waimakariri and be flexible enough to endorse these 3. The executive of the Methodist in straight denominational parishes. Central South Island Synod has gone on Another major driver is that CVs tie Crossways congregations as examples of relationships. record as not supporting the development up denominational property and finance. the new types of CVs that are emerging. “At the same time, the partners are of any more cooperative ventures, despite Under the old model of CVs yes, but newer “People are looking for ways to work moving away from the ‘one parish/one this policy never being debated or decided models such as the “Waimakariri Shared with other churches that are more flexible. minister’ model. This places new challenges by the Synod as a whole, and contravening Ministry” of North Canterbury and the present position of the New Zealand “Crossways” in Christchurch, are freer It is a sign of the times. The ecumenical on CVs and it is in their interest that the Methodist Church. from such requirements. vision of the 1970s is not the current vision partners explore new ways to cooperate.” 4. The restructuring task group of The bottom line is surely not self- that is driving them.” Peter says UCANZ must also become the New Zealand Methodist Church is preservation, but the call of Jesus that His A concern David has is the role played more flexible if it is to effectively support paying little or no attention to the fact that disciples be one, so that the world might approximately half of NZ Methodists are believe (John 17:20-23). by Joint Regional Committees (JRCs), the and encourage the partners to deal with in cooperative ventures. It’s not for our survival or self- regional ecumenical bodies that support CVs. He says UCANZ must continue to 5. The Presbyterian Church’s satisfaction that we are called to one-ness CVs and serve as forums for the partner ask the right questions and act as a blueprint for new super presbyteries, could but that the world might believe. The churches. He says the performance of JRCs facilitator to help the partners find solutions. ride rough-shod over Union District disunity of the Church is a disgrace and a Councils (UDC’s) and their equivalents in blot upon the Gospel of love and unity we is uneven across the country. In some To this end UCANZ is reviewing its Northland, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and purport to proclaim. regions they do not exist at all, in others guide to procedures. Peter says UCANZ the West Coast. Presbyterian parishes in So then, is cooperation and unity or they meddle in the affairs of the partner has given him a mandate to facilitate these areas are now required to give their competitive denominationalism to rule the churches. discussion at all levels – within UCANZ, primary loyalty to presbytery rather than day? We can’t have both, for as one wise- their ecumenical grouping. head has put it: “to not cooperate is in fact “At times the JRCs are at odds with JRCs, and parishes – on these issues. All this is hypocrisy at the highest level to compete”. where the partners are at and can become He understands Brian’s concerns but of Church governance when The blatant hypocrisy of Churches in the tail that wags the dog. The JRCs say sees the partner churches finding new ways • Representatives of the same purporting to be concerned about unity they would like to see the partners take a of cooperating rather than withdrawing Churches threatening CVs are negotiating nationally but acting against unity and greater interest in the CVs but the JRC from cooperation. a national Churches Commission for cooperation locally, needs to be challenged.

RESULTS TO MARCH 2010 Your bequest can Income Fund 7.6% A help ensure that the Income Fund 6.83% B important work of Growth and Income Fund 5.07% Presbyterian Support can continue to benefit families for Income Distributions for the quarter generations to come.

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Help make a difference by leaving a gift in your will 8 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2010 AROUND THE CONNEXION Unity strengthens Christian schools

NZ Christian schools have formed clusters and in Christchurch and this fits well with the policy of Through greater cooperation networks in order to share knowledge, boost one the National government, which is pro-parental choice. Christian schools can grow their another’s capacity, and make more credible cases “We believe there is a place for the proprietors of capacity and become more for government funding. Christian schools around the country to affiliate. professional not only in Many of the Christian schools in Christchurch Although they have different histories, their visions delivering education but also coordinate their efforts, for example, and the Christian are similar. in dealing with the Ministry. Schools Network (CSN) links them with other “By affiliating they can better develop curricula The Minister of Education is Christian schools in the South Island. based on their special character and gain traction with aware of this and is supportive CSN chief executive Mark Larson says Middleton the government. The government doesn’t want to see of our efforts.” Grange School stands at the centre of a cluster of the proliferation of little schools,” Mark says. schools in Christchurch. Middleton Grange is the NZCPT executive Vaughan Darby only one of them that offers classes from years agrees. He says the roll of the NZCPT 1 to 13. Its secondary school has more than 600 and the CST is to empower local students. people who want Christian Several Christian Year 1-10 education in their communities schools in the city – Aidanfield in but there is also a need to have Halswell, Hillview in Woolston, a wider vision so that and Emmanuel in Papanui – feed Christian schools can grow students to the Middleton Grange nationally. secondary school. “Small schools can These schools have ties with struggle to deliver Christian schools in Rangiora quality education and Asburton, and through the and survive CSN they have affiliation with financially. schools in Timaru, Dunedin, Nelson, and Blenheim. While some of these schools are small with 30 to 40 students, others have up to 200, and they are all growing. The story in Auckland is similar with the two primary schools in the NZ Christian Proprietors Trust feeding students into the secondary school at KingsWay. “We are looking at opportunities for new schools

Biblical principles Aidanfield School’s foundation Work underway on the growing by 25 to 30 individuals through buildings at Aidanfield Christian students a year.” His Holy Spirit. School in Halswell tells a vivid Aidanfield has The school links story. nearly 200 students these principles to the On one side of the campus a on its roll this year. curriculum by wing of the 1930s brick St John of It runs six combined reflecting New God orphanage that once housed classes (e.g. years Zealand’s cultural the school has recently been one and two, two and diversity, history, and demolished. On another part of the three etc.) and traditions, and by campus, the foundation is being intends to expand to creating a curriculum laid for a new library and science the point where it that is not sexist, block. will be able to have racist or This development is something a class at each year discriminatory. of a turnaround for the school, and level. “In teaching it illustrates how linking up with Mark says the math, for example, other schools can boost a smaller school’s Christian Mark Richardson our teaching rests on school’s capability. worldview is expressed in both the the Biblical principles of God’s Formally called the Canterbury way it teaches the NZ curriculum truth and order. Math doesn’t work Christian College, Aidanfield and the pastoral way it deals with unless there is a sense of pattern School integrated into the state its students. and rhythm, and we believe this sector in 1999. At that time it “Some of our students have comes from God, the creator of offered classes from years 1 to 13. faced bullying at other schools, and order,” Mark says. In 2006 the school was in trouble. their parents are very happy with Similar approaches are applied It had some negative reports from the caring approach we take. We to science, which is the effort to the Education Review Office, and are a real United Nations. Along explore and understand God’s its finances were not healthy. with Pakeha and Maori, our creation, and social science, where At that point the trust that owns students come from Africa, Asia, students are encouraged to develop Middleton Grange School invested Australia, the UK, the US, and the a sense of social responsibility as in the school, and Mark Richardson, Pacific Islands. being part of God’s creation. who was in senior leadership at “Our aim is not to indoctrinate Aidanfield School students are Middleton Grange, became its our students but to teach them to encouraged to explore their gifts, principal. be discerning thinkers. We start strengths, and talents and consider “We changed the name to with our Biblical principles and how they can apply them. Aidanfield to better reflect the link these to the principles of the Senior students take part in school’s location in Christchurch,” NZ curriculum.” community service. This has Mark says. “We also cut out the Foundation principles include: included painting graffiti off fences, senior years 11 to 13. We modified 1) that there is a personal creator cleaning up Halswell quarry, some other minor points and God; 2) that He reveals himself to packing at food banks, and doing improved financial management. mankind through creation, His Son, jobs around the school. Aidanfield School students are encouraged to explore “Now we have a number of new His Word, and through history; and For more information see their gifts, strengths, and talents. classrooms and our rolls are 3) He continues to work in www.aidanfield.school.nz. TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2010 9 AROUND THE CONNEXION Gardening yields new outlook on life

One of the first things Russell did when he by Anne and Wesley, has been “brilliant, really got his current state house was to mow over the supportive. It’s not so much the advice that she garden and turn it into a lawn, yet he now finds gives but that she gives me other ways of looking himself enjoying regular visits to Wesleyhaven at things. It’s really turned me around.” Village where he tends his own patch of vegetables Russell jokingly relates that when Anne first and finds solace. introduced to him the idea of gardening his approach “It’s so cool there. It’s a place to sit, a place was more like one of the Tui beer advertisements, where I can take time out, “Yeah Right”, he thought, listen to the tui and and promptly put the idea, woodpigeons. I’ve even got on the back burner. However to know some of the a persistent Anne arranged residents there. for a trip to the local plant From the mowing over shop, seedlings were a flower garden, to now purchased and things planting a garden and literally grew from there, to growing vegetables, there the point where he proudly seems to have been quite a relates, “I’ve even given change in Russell’s approach some of the lettuce I’ve to life. grown to my cousins.... ‘I Russell readily admits say hey bro, I grew this!’” Jennifer Plane Te Paa that ongoing battles with As Russell’s vegetable ACC over a 2008 leg injury supply improved so too has had left him frustrated, and his outlook on life. There are when ACC told him that still battles for him to face, Influential educator they had suspended all his however now he seems claims, this news combined better equipped to face them. with losing his home help He recently received a call critical, constructive entitlement left him at a very from his local MP Trevor low ebb. Mallard to attend a meeting By Cory Miller “Why would it be when there was Fortunately for Russell to discuss his ACC claims Dr Jennifer Plane Te Paa has been no inspirational role model for me to these same changes of and a long stalled hearing recognized as the 20th most influential aspire to?” she asks. circumstance led him to be regarding re-instatement is reassessed by the Nurse nearing culmination. Anglican on the planet, and she has “Why would any Maori woman do Maude organisation, who in ‘Hey bro, I grew this!’ When Wesley now received a distinguished alumni so, when there is the double and at times turn recommended regular Community Action recently award from the University of Auckland. triple whammy of racist, sexist and visits from Wesley Community Action’s community put the call out for the donation of a ‘freezer’ for The London Daily Telegraph has clerically structured oppression to worker, Anne Ross. It was from those humble the Wesley Community Foodbank at Porirua, it beginnings that there have been some recent positive was Russell who responded and donated his largely identified Jennifer as an influential voice overcome?” changes in Russell’s life. unused freezer. in Anglican liberal circles for her Even now she often has the At the stage when Anne entered his life, Russell Russell’s lounge proudly displays his National outspokenness in condemning repeating mantra “Why me” playing in by his own admission was prone to, “mope around Certificate in Mental Health Support, and it is his homophobia and for her active role in her head. a bit. The whole ACC thing mucked me around big time.” hope that he can re-enter the workforce as a mentor social justice. “It was Archbishop Desmond Tutu Since then Russell says the assistance provided to those worse off than himself. Early in March, Jennifer was one of who reminded me why, with his divine six high-achieving graduates who were sense of humour,” she says. recognised for contributions to their “You do believe in a God who sides chosen field, their community, and the with the least of us? Then why not nation. choose you, the complete antithesis of Alumni orator Brian Boyd says she Anglican theological leadership,” said Leave a is one of those extraordinary New Tutu. Zealanders who few other New “In these increasingly strange Zealanders know about. “She has had ecclesial times it is harder to stay single Lasting so many firsts that when the pope dies minded about theological education,” I expect her to be the first woman pope,” says Jennifer. he says. She observes that the global Legacy She is the first lay, indigenous and Anglican Church is at risk of being old- single woman ever appointed as the fashioned if it forgets to be human. head of an Anglican theological college. “I recall the awesome memory “The greatest use of life is to spend it Jennifer has worked as the ahorangi making it momentous to be alive at the for something that will outlast it.” (principal) of Te Rau Kahikatea at the turn of the century, when more than 200 William James College of St John the Evangelist in leaders emptied their purses to help Auckland for the past 15 years. alleviate human suffering,” she says. “In the beginning I found myself All manner of minority interests unexpectedly anointed to step out on a were being thought of in the spirit of • A bequest to the Methodist Mission Aoteoroa pioneering professional pathway fraught justice, in a caring open-minded, is an investment in the future. with risk and with profound openhearted concern for the minority • A bequest enables the Methodist Mission, in uncertainty,” she says. other, she says. Jennifer remains one of a handful But since 2001 and the growing partnership with your legacy, to provide of women who hold leadership positions unrest in the Middle East we are now opportunities for change and social justice within the Anglican Church. far from this time of hope, she believes. within our community. “There is still a dearth of women, Conservatives in the church have lay or ordained, holding key leadership become increasingly aggressive and • A bequest in conjunction with the Methodist roles across the Church,” she says. “For aim to undermine the ‘ungodly’ Mission ensures that the tradition, integrity, now I am one of those oddities, richly liberalism of the mainstream churches. security and practical strengths of the blessed by the deposit of faith first “These are the ones who have led Methodist Movement will work in conjunction received and then bestowed by my to indiscriminate inhuman behaviour with your gift and your memory. greatest of Maori grandparents here in and who refuse to dialogue. They want Aotearoa. to influence the public so that only “It is not just a job but a blessing,” certain genders, ethnicities and To ensure your legacy lasts longer she says. “It has also been challenging, sexualities are in control of the church.” overwhelming and at times uncertain. The situation is not hopeless says than footprints in the sand, contact; “In spite of my struggles I have Jenny, but it is serious. Ruth Bilverstone learnt to love St John’s and yearn for She says the Anglican Church is Convenor, Methodist Mission Aoteoroa its future progression as teacher, mentor ailing moderately. It is not incurable, it 23 Tarbottons Road, ASHBURTON, 7700. and leader.” just needs a course of anti-venom, and Phone: 03 307 1116 Jennifer says becoming the principal then a gentle reorientation back toward of an Anglican theological college was its prior call to love justice, show mercy, Email: [email protected] never in her wildest dreams. and walk ever more humbly with God. 10 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2010 NEWS AND VIEWS

What is the Spirit saying to the Church? This year the lectionary is leading reading from Acts 2. We will be experienced as the one who reminds us And hope does not disappoint us, us through the gospel of Luke but in reminded that the disciples were all of everything that Jesus taught (John because God has poured out his love May each of our Sunday readings is together in one place when a sound 15:26). The Holy Spirit sent by Jesus into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom from John’s gospel. “like the blowing of a violent wind was and is experienced as the Spirit of he has given us (Romans 5:3-4). This month we move towards a came from heaven and filled the whole Truth which guided the early Church, The Holy Spirit bestows upon us celebration of the day of Pentecost, on house. All of the disciples were filled and guides us into all truth (John 16:13). the capacity to endure suffering as well May 23rd. This is a day when the with the Holy Spirit and began to speak Each year at Conference the as the desire and the power, where Church internationally celebrates the in other tongues as the Spirit enabled Methodist Church of NZ, in all its possible, to overcome it. As Pentecost coming of the Holy Spirit, the ‘birthday’ them.” diversity, is challenged to respond approaches this year, may we as of the Christian Church. The book of Acts was written by seriously to the question ‘What is the individuals and as a Church, be open Often, on this same Sunday, the author of Luke’s gospel, but John’s Spirit saying to the Church?’ This to the loving and sustaining influence Methodist Churches will also celebrate gospel was written many years later. question is always asked in the context and guidance of te wairua tapu, the Aldersgate Day (May 24th), the day The early Church had 60 or so years to of a world and Church full of suffering. when John Wesley’s heart was reflect on the activity of the Holy Spirit One thing I believe the Spirit is Holy Spirit. May our hearts also be ‘strangely warmed’. Without this of God in their midst before the more continuing to say to us all is that we ‘strangely warmed’ so that we can both personal experience of God, Wesley overtly theological gospel of John can rejoice in our sufferings, whatever endure and help heal the sufferings all would not have been so powerfully emerged. they are. Those open to being influenced around us. motivated to share his faith so The author of John’s gospel knew by the Holy Spirit have a different Kia tau ki a tatou katoa, te atawhai persistently and effectively for the rest the impact of the Holy Spirit in the life perspective on suffering. Why? o to tatou Ariki o Ihu Karaiti, me te of his long and full life. of his community, and so can we! The Because suffering produces aroha o te Atua, me te

Greg Hughson reflects on Pentecost on reflects Hughson Greg On Pentecost Sunday this year we Holy Spirit sent by Jesus was perseverance, perseverance produces whiwhingatahitanga ki te Wairua Tapu, will once again hear the well known experienced, and continues to be character and character produces hope. ake, ake, ake. Amine.

LIBRARY OF FAITH What keeps us alive? By Jim Stuart

Last month we Frankl in the Nazi concentration camps, his so ridiculously naked life”. He concluded that the greatest threat to our celebrated Anzac first Theresienstadt, then Auschwitz and observed that the words of the German humanity is what he calls “the existential Day. For reasons finally Turkheim, near Dachau. philosopher Nietzsche came to mind, “He vacuum… a widespread modern I’ll never Over a period lasting from September who has a why to live can bear almost any phenomenon”. In other words, a loss of understand, war 1942 until April 1945 when the how.” the feeling that life is meaningful. continues to plague concentration camps were finally liberated, The book describes how the He calls this our Sunday neurosis, “the humankind Frankl’s wife was murdered at Bergen- concentration camp was organised to depression which afflicts people who revealing a dark Belsen, and his parents and brother were deprive a human being of the means of become aware of the lack of content in side of existence murdered in the gas chambers of life. What remained, Frankl writes, was their lives when the rush of the busy week that raises the deeper question of whether Auschwitz. His only consolation was that “the last of human freedoms – the ability is over”. there is an ultimate purpose in life at all. his sister escaped the horrors of the to choose one’s attitude in a given set of In our age of endless consumption, Human beings do things in war that Holocaust by emigrating to Australia. circumstances”. constant activity, and a vague discontent, they would never do in ordinary life. In The central theme in this moving He discovered, to his surprise, that the words of Frankl written during the spite of the ugliness of war, some people record of human suffering is the question amidst the hunger, humiliation, fear and darkest moment of his life are worth engage in the most extraordinary acts of of how Frankl could find a life worth anger at the injustice of it all, life was still writing on our hearts, “For the first time courage and compassion. living, having lost every possession, rendered liveable by deeply held visions in my life I saw the truth as it is set into A book that I treasure and that witnessing every value and moral principle of beloved persons, the essential truths of song by so many poets… the truth – that addresses the deep contradictions at the destroyed, enduring the pains of hunger, a deep faith, an abiding sense of humour love is the ultimate and the highest goal heart of humanity is the extraordinary the bitterness of cold winters and daily and the daily healing beauties of nature. to which one can aspire. Then I grasped record of one man’s struggle to survive threats of extermination. He survived, he says, by finding meaning the meaning of the greatest secret that the brutality of the Holocaust. The book, Frankl raises the eternal question of in the suffering. human poetry and human thought and Man’s Search for Meaning, chronicles the what a human being can do when he Reflecting back on his personal belief have to impart: the salvation of man experience of Austrian psychiatrist Viktor realised that, “he had nothing to lose except experience of the Holocaust, Frankl is through love and in love.”

ADJUSTMENT AND UNITY By Lyndsay Jacobs Recently I was pruning tress different church. Sometimes even many have gone. ‘Numbers’ are our denominational families, created and bushes, part of the seasonal surgery is vital. down. We struggle to find the in another time and another world, clean up. It was a misty morning Over the last 50 years the church strategy to provide a sense of local, as we seek to redefine ourselves. and I wrapped myself up to cope in New Zealand has been called to regional and national church. We are all New Zealanders and with the biting cold. make huge adjustments. In a • Ministry and leadership, which we are all church. If we were serious I had been working for about an radically different world, the place was formerly largely maintenance, about adjustment we’d start with our hour when the mist cleared and the of the church has changed must now be pioneering. Where once togetherness. Christ prayed earnestly sun came out. Off went the jersey dramatically as well. Confident, we maintained or replicated for that – so his message would be and I went inside to get a hat. I had influential churches that were congregations, we must now renew clearly understood and accepted. desperately needed that jersey but steaming towards unity were or create centres of Christian Talking about loving one God and then I was desperate to tear it off. confounded as more and more community. one ‘neighbour’hood, and practising many Gods and division, is Conditions had changed and I people chose to ignore them. • Cooperative Ventures (union hypocrisy. needed to change to carry on with How well are we adjusting? and cooperating parishes, shared Our togetherness is at the heart my task. Same task, different me. Despite the best efforts of many, we ministries, shared buildings, and of our message and it is also at the And yes, I certainly needed the need to admit, not very well. other ecumenical projects) were seen centre of our current reality. We are hat once the sun was out. I had a • The New Zealand community by many as early, visible signs of a in the same boat; always have been. melanoma removed from my face a knows less and less about church. welcome ecumenical tsunami. The We owe it to ourselves and our couple of years ago. I wouldn’t be We are challenged to start at a new urgent and passionate prayer of community to find simple, 21st gardening – nor doing anything else place in a new way. Our community Christ, on the evening before his century ways of being church – if I hadn’t dealt with that. Surgery needs the gospel more than ever but crucifixion, that his disciples would together in New Zealand. was life saving. what is the gospel for 21st century be one, that the world might believe, When you wrap up to go out in You can probably see where I Kiwis and how do we share it? looked like taking a giant step the cold, it is almost impossible to am going with this. The church has • Most congregations towards fulfilment. Now believe that an hour later you will a job to do. But it often needs to (‘denominational’ or ‘uniting’) are Cooperative Ventures are something be stripping off. Do you think, change to do its job. Same task, a shadow of their previous life, and of a challenge (even a problem) for maybe, the sun is coming out? TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2010 11 CWS Can Fiji’s future leaders build peace? Fiji’s young people have a just in the future. are always broke. “Most Indians I unique perspective on their The research brought Fijian and know won’t loan money or rent country’s ethnic and racial Indo-Fijian young people together property to Fijians but will do to tensions and a very positive role in workshops and focus groups Indians. They judge individual in making change, says a report looking at perceptions and Fijians based on stereotypes. Both from CWS partner, Ecumenical experiences of conflict and their Fijians and Indians need to relook Centre for Research, Education suggestions for peace building. at themselves and what they teach and Advocacy (ECREA). While initially participants thought their kids, to move away from this CWS’s Trish Murray has just both ethnic groups in Fiji live thinking.” returned from Fiji with a copy of peacefully together, once separated Religion is an area where young the ECREA report Culture, into ethnic groups the areas of people want to focus more on their Conflict: Implications for young tensions came out. similarities. “It has been interesting people in Fiji. ECREA’s youth Discrimination at school and in to learn today that Christians, peace programme was in part the workplace, unacknowledged Hindus and Muslims all have prompted by concerns about the racism and temple desecrations similar beliefs on forgiveness, Healing through play & songeffects of Fiji’s coup history. Nearly were the major issues. One Indo- mercy and resolving conflict. These half the population have no memory Fijian noted “we constantly hear are things we should be taught more Fun and games can help heal trauma and in Haiti demand of pre-coup Fiji and ECREA staff that this is not your country, which so we can respect other religions for both fun and healing is high. Christian World Service’s “cousin” via the ACT Alliance, were worried about what message makes me feel as if I am a refugee. too.” the Church of Sweden is specialising in providing what are armed takeovers of democratic Why are we still regarded as The young people see a future technically called psychosocial support sessions for Haitian governments was sending young refugees at the mercy of the Fijians when they can fuse their cultures children. people about ways to resolve when we have lived here for without losing their own unique Church of Sweden worker Mikael Wiking explained that conflict. generations?” traditions. They call for more what looks like child’s play can in fact be a profoundly Coups result from political and A Fijian boy had his eyes education in schools on each other’s therapeutic experience for children in trauma after catastrophes like the January 12 earthquake. ethnic tensions and they have opened to the hurt. “In school many religions, criminalisation of racial The psychosocial work in Haiti is highly varied in the themselves triggered further times when arguing with Indian slurs, formation of inter-ethnic numbers of children dealt with. In one setting nearly 2000 tensions and conflicts. These classmates, we shout at them to ‘go youth groups and opportunities for children benefit during weekdays from play sessions, toys include desecration of places of back to India’; but I never thought cross-cultural exchanges to deepen and daily art opportunities. worship, non-renewal of land leases it was racism. But now I realise it’s understanding. In March helping them get back to some sort of schooling and an increase in violent and wrong to say that.” CWS has been funding peace was also a priority. ACT Alliance staff were working on setting up 19 property crimes. ECREA’s research Indo Fijians noted the tendency camps and other aspects of the emergency schooling sites with uniforms and school supplies questions the role of young people to blame Fijians for racism, when ECREA programme so young for 10,600 students in the Leogane commune area. in these conflict processes and their they were just as much to blame people can begin their work to build potential as peace-builders now, not for using stereotypes, like Fijians peace between all Fijians. Foreign Affairs set to change overseas development funding By Pauline McKay, national director that the Minister was going to send a Christian World Service letter later. In an April 19th letter the Minister On Morning Report the Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully made comments about the way NZ writes that the government has decided International Aid and Development NZ Overseas Development Agency Agency’s funding schemes are (NZODA) funds should be focused on administered. The Minister said they are economic development in the Pacific administered by a committee of NGOs region and that current partnerships and there was a perception that those with NGOs are out of step with these not on the committee miss out on priorities. funding and there are some alleged To meet these priorities the Minister issues of fairness. asks officials to redesign arrangements The funds are administered by a for funding NZ development NGOs. He committee made up of elected envisages a fund, administered by representatives from NGOs on a officials, that prioritises support for the rotational basis and staff from NZAID. Pacific and South East Asia with the It is a peer review process and projects ability to support some projects else in are judged on whether they fit the the developing world. KOHA criteria and meet NZ Overseas He says he has asked officials to Development Agency guidelines. A look at arrangements for funding recent review by an independent All children responses to humanitarian emergencies. consultant found that this process was He wants funds to be more readily robust and fair, as have previous reviews. are born with available for NGOs to meet priority CWS has always found the process needs quickly and efficiently. He to be engaging and sometimes hopes and believes tender processes have wasted time and set back relief efforts. challenging but the scheme has provided the NGO sector with cohesion, strong dreams. Finally he says the looks forward to By leaving a sharing the new framework and plan to skills through training programmes, and ensured high standards of programme legacy to CWS you can help keep transition from the old system with the their hopes alive. NGO sector. delivery. His letter raises more questions than CWS is monitoring the situation provides answers. Some of you may carefully. We are very concerned at the Return the coupon or contact CWS for more information on how to include Christian World Service in your will. fact that there is very little time until the have heard me (and others) on Radio Name NZ’s Morning Report last month voicing end of the financial year on 30 June for this opinion and lamenting the fact that us to learn fully about the transition Address plans as mentioned in the letter. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade City Postcode (MFAT) staff no longer attend the This situation and its associated traditional MFAT/NGO meetings. uncertainties have major ramifications Tel Email At these meetings we could have put for CWS and its programme partners. questions to the officials regarding these We will keep you posted on all Christian World Service new arrangements. We only heard that developments and particularly when we PO Box 22652, Christchurch 8142 MFAT staff would not be attending the learn precisely what will replace the PH 0800 74 73 72, [email protected] Christian World Service is the development, justice For more information see www.cws.org.nz meeting shortly before it took place and funding schemes. & aid programme of New Zealand Churches. 12 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2010 REVIEWS

By John Bluck and Muru Walters Anglican Taonga, 2010, 40 pages The Lord’s Prayer Reviewer: Bella Ngaha This is a small volume but one that an exploration of this prayer. The book begins This book is a refreshing review of the prayer we take speaks volumes. It presents an opportunity with the acknowledgement of the Lord’s Prayer so much for granted. It allows those well-versed with it to to review, rethink and reconsider just what origins in Palestine and then seeks to revisit and reconsider how to understand and use it, privately, the most well-known of all Christian contextualise in an Aotearoa, and 21st century quietly, as well as in concert. prayers might mean to us today. context. For those not so familiar with this prayer, it offers The Lord’s Prayer was the only prayer The language and intent of the prayer is insights into understanding God, our universe and our place that Jesus taught his disciples to pray, an addressed through a line by line analysis in this world. It challenges the reader to celebrate God and indication perhaps of its worth. This volume revisiting the meaning of each expression from we are encouraged to use the prayer in different ways; to is offered not only as a refresher, but also the “old English” into today’s context. New say it alone quietly, to speak it aloud alone or with others, as a study resource and provides interesting and different ideas about the meanings implied to sing it, to chant it, to dance it even or to say it in Maori. questions for group discussions and and intended are aired. There is a section No matter how it is done we are encouraged to just DO analysis. dedicated to the Maori text of the Lord’s Prayer IT and to rejoice in how it makes us feel! This valuable The authors invite the readers, and and translations are offered that provide further resource will make you want to celebrate the Lord’s Prayer. especially people who are not very religious, to engage in perspectives for consideration. Review copy supplied by Epworth Books.

Christianity for the Rest of Us – By Diana Butler Bass 2006, HarperOne, 336 pages How the Neighbourhood Church is Transforming the Faith Reviewer: David Poultney Diana Butler Bass is an American the 1960s”. This community was apparently discernment, healing, contemplation, testimony, diversity, writer who has undertaken extensive study unchanging and the churches – including the justice, worship, reflection and beauty. These churches are on the life and health of mainstream Methodist parish she grew up in – were at the quite different from one another but all are nurtured by American Protestantism. This book is a centre of community life. Now rapid urban these qualities. result of her study. change has made the neighbourhood almost I particularly liked her analysis that the way to growth She begins by noting that mainstream unrecognisable. While her old church is still is through attentiveness to practices and attitudes at the Protestantism is meant to be dying, that hanging in there it is but a shadow of its former congregations and denominations which self. I suspect many of us would have a sense heart of Christianity. look upon themselves as progressive or of wistful recognition reading this story. Think of hospitality, which is so strong a feature in our liberal are perceived to be withering on the She acknowledges that society is in flux, church life. This is deeply rooted in the Christian tradition. vine. Sometimes we even internalise this what we call ‘post modernity’ makes clear Perhaps discernment (intentional listening to the prompting belief and are trapped in the inevitability allegiance difficult, and that this is a crisis for of the Spirit) and testimony (telling your story and accounting of decline. Growth is for conservative evangelical churches the mainstream churches. However, the examples she offers for your hope) might be disconcerting for some of us in the that offer the appeal of certainty and often package their of growing churches show it is possible to offer a meaningful mainstream but she gives cogent accounts of their power. message in a very savvy way. experience of community and that this leads to growth. I happily recommend this book to you. I have two small Butler Bass challenges this and offers us cogent proof The churches she studies include Episcopalian, Lutheran, ‘buts’ though. Firstly the book comes out of an American that there is nothing inevitable about decline. Methodist, Presbyterian, Congregationalist and Disciples She begins by noting the profound changes in society of Christ. In age at least one is very old, while another – a context which is more churched certainly than Pakeha that have been a challenge to mainstream churches. To Spanish language Episcopalian parish – is very recent. culture is. Also this is neither a magic bullet, nor a cure for make this point she takes us back to her childhood in She identifies 10 characteristics that are hallmarks of our decline. Rather it is a cogent argument that there is hope suburban Baltimore, which she calls “an urban village of successful mainline churches. They are hospitality, if we put our attentiveness and care into being church.

By Charlene Hosenfeld Eco-Faith - Creating and Sustaining Green Congregations 2009, Pilgrim Press, 195 pages Reviewer: Mark Gibson One of the most pressing areas for non-academic, clergy and lay people. ‘inconvenient truths’ for many of us is that meat eating is Christian mission today is the care of One new theological insight I gained was a major contributor to environmental problems. creation. in reference to the mandate God gives humanity Many Methodists do not realise that John Wesley was As a church it is one of our core in Genesis to have ‘dominion’ over the earth. a vegetarian. Is this something for us to wrestle with as we principles. But to what extent has it become This has often been interpreted as free license seek to live more lightly on the earth? Hosenfeld also an incarnational reality for congregations? to dominate. But apparently the Hebrew word outlines what a local foods event might look like. Such an Do we honour the earth community to means “higher on the root of a plant”, and so event would surely have all kinds of mission potential. which we belong as we ‘do’ church? Do most likely implies human dependency on Christmas has become the high-season of consumerism we preach good news to all of creation? everything that is under us. Without a healthy in Western societies such as ours, largely shadowing the Do we walk the eco-talk? planet we face oblivion. celebration of the birth of Christ. “I’m dreaming of a green In the US and the UK many local faith One frustration I found as a reader was the Christmas” is a thought-provoking section also. communities have begun to wrestle with strong American focus of the book. Many of A chapter that details six green initiatives taken by local these questions as they rise to the mission the practical suggestions are irrelevant to our churches is inspirational. Each story posed the question ‘If challenge of the degradation of God’s creation. In a pastoral context. Yet despite this there is enough of value to justify letter to their church in November 2009, the United Methodist picking it up. they can do it, why can’t we?’ I particularly enjoyed the bishops in the US began with the arresting statement: “God’s For example, the chapter on worship is very useful. It story of how the Society of Friends Centre in Philadelphia creation is in crisis”. They urged their church to practice includes all sorts of material on how we can green rites of was transformed from an old, ecologically wasteful building environmental holiness. They say that “we cannot help the passage ceremonies such as baptisms, weddings and funerals. into a state of the art eco-temple. The decision to preserve world until we change our way of being in it”. As a leader of children’s ministry in my own parish the old buildings instead of constructing new was an This book has emerged from this context. It is a there is an inspirational chapter on children’s activities with important first step. convincing call for transformed local churches, and a source some very exciting ideas about how to foster understanding If you want to sharpen and deepen the ecological mission of inspiring stories of congregations from around the US and care of the Earth with the youngest members of the of your local church, this book is a good resource. Indeed, who are changing their way of being in the world. congregation. its overriding impact on me was to strengthen my It is a unique coming together of ecological science, The same could be said for the section on ‘special determination to assist with the greening of congregations theology and research-based psychology. Yet it is a very projects’. Has your congregation ever thought of holding in Aotearoa. user-friendly and a practical guide for the academic and a meat-free event? Hosenfeld, suggests that one of the most Review copy supplied by Epworth Books. TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2010 13 REVIEWS

ON SCREEN A film review by Janet Chambers

Eleven year old ‘Boy’ (James scenery. Set in the early 1980s, the Clement and Bret McKenzie in live Rolleston) and his younger brother cinematography is exemplary and the comedy and as writer/director on episodes Rocky (Te Aho Eketone-Whitu) live in locations are spot on. The music is so of Flight of the Concords. Clement was an ‘interesting world’ of imagination much part of the movie that I didn’t notice one of the leads in Waititi’s Eagle vs and hanging around the village store. until the credits how many songs had Shark (2007). In Eagle Waititi was When Grandma’s peach-coloured old been used. The casting is brilliant, learning his trade as a director, while car putters off to a funeral, Dad (Taika particularly the two boys. waiting for a part for himself that was Waititi) blasts onto the scene in his In this coming of age movie Boy is more than the walk on comic relief. As V-8, with a couple of sidekicks, fresh forced to consider the meaning of words it turned out he had to create his own out of jail and looking for buried like ‘potential’ and ‘retrograde’. Rocky character. Boy takes a successful step for treasure. lives with guilt at his mother’s death in New Zealand filmmaking. Taika Waititi has created a Dickensian childbirth. The ending is abrupt, but Don’t watch this film if you are assemblage of memorable characters. makes sense, as the three boy-men meet offended by bad language, patchy Dad’s real name is Alamein, but he at the graveside. childrearing or the depiction of marijuana prefers to be addressed as Shogun. There Like many directors’ early features, use. I did wonder about the wisdom of are a great many interesting names in the this movie started life as a short film. the two mothers plus babies and a posse Waihau Bay community on the East Cape ‘Two Cars, One Night’ (2003) was – the sisters Dynasty, Dallas and - nominated for an Oscar in the shorts of small boys in the row in front of me. naturally - Falcon Crest, the much- category. The initial title for the full- But I have no doubt that those boys would admired Chardonnay and the benign length film was ‘Choice’ – as in the kids’ have understood the essence of the plot Weirdo on the beach. Also playing a key comment of appreciation. The script was and characters. Do see Boy if you are role is a magnificent goat. developed by Waititi at a Sundance prepared to be caught up in laughter and Waititi is writer, director and lead writers’ workshop in 2005. During lament together. actor. However, this is no self-indulgent, shooting the working title was Volcano. Janet Chambers lives in Christchurch slow compilation of a director’s favourite The vitality and exuberance of with her husband Stephen and two sons. sequences. The film rocks along at a fair performance is summed up by the not to Her most recent qualification was an old pace, resisting the temptations of a be missed post credits cast haka. Honours degree in Art Theory from the background of iconic New Zealand Waititi has worked with Jemaine University of Canterbury. MOTHERS IN THE BIBLE With Mother’s Day upon us it is timely to think about mothers in the Bible. There are not as many named as you may expect, particularly Worship as in the New Testament, where most named women have stories that do not revolve around giving birth to someone important. Except for the narrative tales of Genesis only a handful of named Hebrew women are mothers, apart that is, from the Queen Mothers. It was more important to know who the King’s mother was than to know the names of his wives. public art Most Queen Mothers are not given stories, so their names are not familiar to us. The most common female name in the OT is Maacah, used more than the popular NT name Mary. There are at least seven females named Maacah and only one has a story. A gathering intended to shift our understanding of church worship from primarily a static event led from the front, to an art form that is interactive and participatory will be held over Queen’s Birthday weekend (June 4-7) in Christchurch. The aim of the Just Worship is to enhance the types of worship people already practice. It will introduce participants to ways of creating sacred spaces outside of church buildings and encourage people to engage with God and the issues facing our world. Presenters will show participants what they have been doing with worship inside church buildings and in public spaces. These include Cheryl Lawrie, who works with the Uniting Church in Australia to connect spirituality with local culture and context, particularly with the unchurched. Cheryl curates ritual experiences and public installations that engage with everyday themes of life: bewilderment, fear, hope, and fragility. Her specialities are creating sacred spaces in basement carparks and prisons. She regularly writes on spirituality for the Melbourne Age, and blogs at www.holdthisspace.org.au. Presenter Marcus Curnow hangs out with the Melbourne ministry for the marginalised people Urban Seed. He also coordinates a network of communities committed to worship that sustains

mission. Maacah, Hannah, Jedidah; Eunice, Rahab, Lois, Jezebel, Herodias, Mary, Elizabeth, Naomi Elizabeth, Mary, Herodias, Jezebel, Lois, Rahab, Eunice, Jedidah; Hannah, Maacah, Dave White lives in Hamilton. His best work

Bible Challenge Bible Sarah; Hagar, Jochebed, Rachel, Asenath, Zipporah, Tamar, Eve; Leah, Bilhah, Zilpah, Rebekah, Answers: © RMS is inspired by the taniwhas of the Waikato River – slippery, magical, and mysterious. He installs large-scale, Easter Stations of the Cross in the Hamilton Gardens. Christchurch’s Peter and Joyce Majendie are well-known for their large-scale public sacred spaces and worship events at Christmas and Easter. Their Peace Labyrinth takes over Latimer Square for five days at Christmas. Just Worship will be coordinated by Rev Mark Pierson, who works for World Vision. The focus of Just Worship will be worship based on art installations. The venue is Oxford Terrace Baptist Church, in downtown Christchurch. Registration fee includes programme and meals but not accommodation. For more information email [email protected] or visit www.worldvision.org.nz/churchevents. 14 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2010 PapatPapatoetoeoetoe church walks the talk for Oxfam You could say Wesley four years ago. Andre is now Methodist Church Papatoetoe undergoing treatment for cancer puts their money where their feet and he was very much in the are when it comes to supporting thoughts of the Wesley Trailwalker Oxfam International. teams. Four teams of four people from The young people chose the Wesley Papatoetoe each raised name of their team ‘Healing Love’ thousands of dollars for the as a tribute to Andre. They say charity’s efforts to find solutions to poverty and injustice by taking Healing Love expresses their part in the Oxfam Trailwalker affection for him as a friend and challenge. To meet the challenge leader and their hope for his teams must walk 100km in 36 recovery. It also reflects his legacy hours or less. in getting the church involved with Wesley parish steward Peter the Oxfam trail walk. Lemanu says the four teams One sad note was that the represented a real cross section of leader of the women’s team Dawn the congregation. One team was Hughes had to miss the walk. made up of women, one was men, Dawn lost her brother and father, one was youth, and one was mixed and had to travel to South Africa couples. for their funerals. The teams created their own Team members were names. The women’s team called The Footprints team (in green tee shirts) crosses the finish line of the Oxfam Trailwalker challenge. Footprints: Dawn Hughes, LisaMcCaw Media themselves ‘Footprints’. The men Gunanayagam, Lynette Lemanu, called themselves ‘WFC’, which African. The youth team was two the distance in less than 30 hours. The teams took pledges and and Elaine Collins. WFC: Simon stand for Walkers for Christ. The Samoans and two Tongans, and It was a massive achievement.” held sausage sizzles and culture youth were called ‘Wesley Healing the men’s team was a South The 100km course is in the nights to raise money for Oxfam. Williams, Dale Walterhouse, Love’. And the mixed team was African, a Zimbabwean and an vicinity of Taupo. Teams have The Oxfam Trailwalker website Gonald Present and Abednico ‘Don’t Weight Up’. American. The mixed couples support crews that make sure they says Trailwalker 2010 has raised Malandu. Healing Love: Julianne “We are a real United Nations were all Pakeha. have the food and water they $730,000. Lauhingoa, Fano Asiata, Michael at Wesley and you could see that “Everyone was taken right out require. Peter says all Wesley Peter says former Wesley Walter Lemanu, and BeauAnne in the teams,” Peter says. “The of their comfort zones. They have teams stayed at a local marae near Papatoetoe minister Rev Andre Le Bates. Don’t Weight Up: Dawn women’s team had a Maori, a been training non-stop since Taupo, which made the event very Roux got the congregation Trenberth, Richard Trenberth, Samoan, an Indian, and a South November. All of the teams made enjoyable. involved in Oxfam Trailwalker Simon Kay and Janina Kay.

What are the kids are up to at your church? Take some photos, write a story and send them to Doreen Lennox Welcome to the May Kidz Korna lennox @xtra.co.nz WHAT’S COOKING? The children at St John’s heard that the school, learn more and get jobs when they ladies in the Women’s Fellowship were leave school. raising money for a special project. We How could we help? learned that the money they were raising was to help young people in Nicaragua and The ladies were fundraising on Sunday New Zealand. mornings by having special morning teas and people in the congregation were asked Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries to donate a gold coin. This was going to be in the world and many children do not get for six weeks. enough to eat and many do not finish primary school. The kids decided to help by doing some baking. We’ve just done this for the first The churches in Nicaragua have started a Sunday. It was fun. Some of the boys made programme to educate people so they can chocolate chippie biscuits and the girls and grow better crops, start small businesses, very small boys made pikelets. After and build a better future. morning tea there was not a single biscuit This means that the children will have or pikelet left. healthier food and the families can earn Next Sunday we’re going to help serve Anesu, Gary and Richard making biscuits. more money so the children can stay at morning tea. WORD SEARCH In the word search there are the names of 15 children and young people BOOK in the bible. When you have found them the remaining letters will tell you something that Jesus said. REVIEW Title: Where’s Koro’s Hat? The finished product! Abe • brothers • Cain Author: Kerehi Waiariki • children • daughter Illustrator: Brian Gunson David • Esau • Goliath Jacob • Jonathan Publisher: Huia Publishers Joseph • Josiah This is one in a series of books for Miriam • Samuel very young children. Koro wants to go Timothy fishing but cannot find his hat. All young children know that you must wear a hat if you’re going out in the EASTER QUIZ sun and Koro asks his family if they ANSWERS know where his hat is. 1. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary Koro has his bait for fishing, his fishing 2. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid.” line, kete, gumboots and knife but no 3. They ran to the disciples. hat - until his grandson comes to the 4. Jesus told his followers to go to rescue. Galilee. A good book to share aloud with small children. TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2010 15 NOW AND THEN Long life in ministry leaves a sweet taste Taihape. It didn’t last long, however, because the following year he was accepted to serve as a missionary in the Solomon Islands. He was married by that time, and he and his wife Gloria spent the next decade in the mission field. “There were a lot of remains of the war around the Solomon Islands at that time. I had the dubious privilege of escorting the last Japanese prisoner of war from Guadalcanal out of the Solomon Islands.” “We served at Teop for five years Kava featured in the ceremony that marked the turnover of St John‚s Bryndwr to and then at Vella Lavella for five years. the Fijian Methodist Moraia congregation. Trevor and Gloria Shepherd. I was stationed as a minister but the work included teaching, providing Much loved church Fijian During his long career in ministry medical aid, building, and helping the Rev Trevor Shepherd advised pastor teachers.” parishioners to mark anniversaries When the Shepherds returned to because he believes it is important for New Zealand in 1957, they had InMethodists’ a ceremony rich with tradition new and homedemonstrate the highest form of respect in Fijian us to celebrate. appointments at Oxford, Christchurch, symbolism, Christchurch’s Fijian Methodist society. “Tabua are always presented to very special It was appropriate then, that last Hamilton East, and Opotiki. Congregation entered its new home, the former guests. Kava too is very important. It represents month St John’s Methodist Church in His career included stints as a tour St John’s Methodist Church in Bryndwr. the hope relations between the people who drink Hamilton East whipped up a cake to guide. The departing congregation at St John’s handed kava together will never get dry and the spirit of celebrate the 70th anniversary of “In 1970 I led a tour group to over their church on April 1st, Maundy Thursday. the kava will be with them.” Trevor’s own entrance into full-time Oberammergau and another in 1980. At the beginning of the ceremony the Fijian After the presentations the guests and hosts service for the church. The tour went around the world and congregation’s presbyter Rev Peni Tikoinaka used joined in a Fijian meal and enjoyed entertainment Among the many accomplishments our stops included the Holy Land, a walking stick to knock on the door of the church presented by the young people of the Fijian and highlights of his career was a Rome, and New York. three times and the Fijian congregation was then congregation. decade spent in the Solomon Islands, “Visiting the Holy Land was very welcomed in by the St John’s congregation. Peni says he was delighted that the members two visits to the Holy Land, and an special. It is one thing to read about Peni called out: “Open to us the gates of of the out-going St John’s congregation stayed audience with Pope Paul VI. Galilee, Jerusalem and Jericho but righteousness, that we may enter through them and participated in the evening’s events. One April 6th, 1940 Trevor left the actually seeing them brought their and give thanks to God”. The new name Peni has given his congregation family farm at Port Albert, on the significance home. The St John’s congregation was waiting in the is the Moraia Fijian Church. Moraia (or Moriah) Kaipara Harbour to become a home “Some years before the 1970 trip I foyer and replied: “Enter God’s gates with is the name of the mountain where Abraham was missioner at Hikurangi. The Hikurangi had met the Catholic Church’s thanksgiving, and enter his courts with praise. prepared to sacrifice Isaac. Last year the young circuit had a central church and five ecumenical cardinal in Hamilton. He Give thanks to him and bless his name, come into people of the Fijian congregation presented a country churches, and this meant doing told me that if I ever came to Rome to his presence with singing.” moving drama about that event, and Peni says he three services on a Sunday plus Bible contact him. I did, and he arranged a Because it was Easter week, children led the chose the name to reflect their commitment and school…all on a stipend of £140 per meeting with the Pope. It was in St Fijian congregation into the church carrying fern enthusiasm. year. Peter’s Cathedral which was chocker fronds, symbolising the palms of Palm Sunday. Formally the Fijian congregation worshipped “After three years at Hikurangi I with people. We were one of only two After the church service a Fijian style ceremony at the Clarence Street Methodist Church in the went to Trinity College,” Trevor says. Protestant groups there but the Pope and feast took place in the church hall. Peni and Hornby-Riccarton Parish. They outgrew that “They were war years, and I was out came and met with us.” other leaders of the congregation presented a whale building though they will remain affiliated with of college as much as in. The students Another highlight of the trip was tooth (tabua) and kava to a delegation of Methodist the Hornyby-Riccarton Parish in their new home. were called into service at churches visiting a Negro Methodist Church in leaders. The members of the former St John’s congregation around Auckland, and I was at Harlem, New York. The leaders were general secretary Rev David now worship at the Papanui Methodist Church. Morrinsville, Ngaruawahia, and Te Trevor retired in 1981. Although Bush, district superintendent Rev Bruce Anderson, Peni wishes to extend his deep appreciation Awamutu. During vacation from he and Gloria retired to Tauranga, they Hornby Riccarton parish superintendent Rev Jill to Te Haahi Weteriana and to the St John’s college, I served at Helensville, Te moved to Tamahere Rest Home near van de Geer, and Christchurch North congregation. He realises it is not easy to leave Puke, and Ohura.” Hamilton two years ago. Each week superintendent Rev Saikolone Taufa. behind a place of worship that has been their home After he was ordained in 1946, they either attend services at the rest Peni explains that to present a tabua is to for many years. Trevor’s first appointment was at home or at St Johns in Hamilton East. Setting the record straight on Raithby Cemetery METHODIST ARCHIVES By Jo Smith

On a sunny afternoon in March, the engraved date on the stone could be read Christchurch Methodist Archives as a ‘5’, but is actually a ‘3’. One mystery volunteers are visiting the small Raithby solved and confirming that the earliest Methodist Cemetery at North Loburn in known burial as recorded on the headstones North Canterbury. The simple wooden is 1873. Raithby Church is long gone, shifted to the Journey’s End campsite in the 1970s. Other burials could have taken place Driving slowly along the gravel road, but because the burial register for this we spot a faded sign on a gate fronting a cemetery has not survived, the only record brown grassy paddock. It reads ‘Raithby of who was buried there is the information Methodist Cemetery 1866’. There are a written on the headstones. We know from few big trees in the paddock, and the odd the plot plan that 17 plots were sold but headstone pushing through the long grass. only 11 headstones exist today. Cemetery In the more recent history of the regulations stated that to erect a headstone Raithby Cemetery, it was sold to a private company who wanted to have eco burials or memorial, a plot needed to be purchased. there. However New Zealand legislation So it is possible there are unmarked burials does not permit private cemeteries, and Archives volunteers check out the headstones at within the cemetery in the other sold plots. according to the Waimakariri District Raithby Methodist Cemetery, North Loburn. The plot plan records the names of Council website the land the cemetery is written on it. This plan is the only Our Archives group spreads out and those who purchased grave sites. These on now belongs to the government. contemporary surviving record relating to examines the cemetery carefully. We include some of the early Canterbury Some of the headstones are damaged burials in this cemetery. We want to see compare the position of the graves against emigrants who were involved with Raithby but they are all readable, which is necessary how the plan matches up to the headstones. the plot plan and struggle to read the Church and who had settled nearby. This for the purpose of our visit. The original Furthermore, a list made in the 1980s lettering on some of the more worn ink and watercolour plot plan for Raithby of those buried there, records the earliest headstones. country church was the result of the Cemetery is held in the Methodist Archives burial as taking place in 1875. Other When we find the headstone for Barker, enthusiasm of a small group of local as part of the Parish Archives Collection, information gives the date as 1873. Could tucked away in a far corner, we can see settlers: the Pattrick, Free, Hodgson, with the names of the plot purchasers we solve this date discrepancy? how the date difference has happened. The Philpott and Howard families. 16 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2010

VAHEFONUAPukolea TONGA ‘O AOTEAROA Hiki Faifekau Kepu Moa ki Kosipeli Ko e me‘a fakafiefia foki ‘a e lava Tonga Gisborne hili ia ‘ene Faifekau lelei hono fakataapui ‘o Faifekau Kepu Pule ai ‘i he ta‘u ‘e 4. Ko ia na‘e muimui Moa ki he‘ene potungaue fo‘ou ko e folau atu ‘a e Setuata Lahi, Matangi Faifekau Pule ‘i he Siasi Kosipeli ‘i Fonua, Tokoni Setuata, Pauli Ma‘afu Christchurch ‘i he ‘aho Sapate 21 pea mo e ni‘ihi kehe mei Gisborne kenau Ma‘asi 2010. kau hono momoi ‘a e Faifekau Kepu Ko e Malangaa na‘e fakahoko ia ‘e Moa ki he Peulisi Kosipeli. Na‘e pehee Ko e Faifekau Kepu Moa mo hona hoa Maa‘imoa ‘oku na tu‘ulutui lolotonga ‘a e lotu Fakataapui ‘e he he Palesiteni Malolo, Faifekau Toketa ‘e Pauli Ma‘afu, “na‘e faingata‘a ‘enau Faifekau Sea Vahefonua, Faifekau Setaita K Veikune mo Faifekau Jill van de Geer Jill van de Geer, pea ne toe tokoni foki maavae mo ‘enau Faifekau mo ki he Faifekau Sea ‘o e Vahefonua Tonga Maa‘imoa pea na‘e fai ‘enau katoanga O Aotearoa, Faifekau Setaita Kinahoi fakamavae tu‘o tolu. Kaneongo ia ko e Veikune, ki he fahoko ‘o e ouau me‘a fakafiefia mo fakamaafana mo‘oni Fakataapui. Na‘e lava atu ki he ngaahi ‘enau mamata ki he tali fiefia ‘e he ouauu ‘a e Palesiteni Malolo Faifekau Faifekauu ‘a e ui ‘a e ‘Eiki mo e Siasi, Norman West mo hono hoa Glenda, Sue neongo ‘ene hoko ‘i he taimi kehe mei Spindler, ko e Kaunga Sea Sinoti Motu he taimi Fehikitaki maheni ‘a e Saute Lotoloto ka ko e Tokoni Palesiteni Konifelenisi”. Na‘e toe tala foki ‘e Jill Fili ki he ta‘u 2010/2011, Faifekau Mark van de Geer ko e taimi na‘e fai ai ‘a e Gibson ko e Faifekau Pule Peulisi fetu‘utaki fakavavevave po‘uli kia Kepu Christchurch Saute, Faifekau ‘Aho, ko fekau‘aki mo e fehikitaki ki e Faifekau Pule ‘o e Siasi ‘o Tonga, Christchurch na‘e ‘ikai ke ‘i Gisborne Faifekau Saikolone Taufa, Faifekau ‘a Maa‘imoa ia ka na‘e tali lelei pe ‘e Ko e hoa ‘o e Faifekau, Maa‘imoa Moa, lolotonga ‘ene lau ‘a e Kosipeli ‘o e Malangaa. ‘Oku haa mei Inoke Siulangapo mo hono hoa Tafa, Kepu ia ‘a e ui kuo fai ange ki ai. Ko e mui ‘a e kau Faifekau Mark Gibson, ‘Aho, Saikolane Taufa mo Kepu Moa. pea mo e kau ‘a‘ahi mei he ngaahi siasi taimi koee na‘e toki tala ai kia Maa‘imoa kehekehe ‘i Nu‘u Sila ni. Na‘e lava mai na‘e pehee ‘e Maa‘imoa ia tene muimui foki mo e Kau Hiva ‘a e to‘utupu ‘a e fiefia pe ki he ui ‘a e ‘Eiki hi he Kau Fisi mei he Siasi Hala Durham ‘o Faifekau. nau fahoko ‘a e hiva Fakavaha‘a Lesoni Hili ‘a e malangaa mo e ngaahi mo nau toe hiva foki lolotonga ‘a e ‘ilo popoaki talamonuu, na‘e fai ‘a e talitali talitali. ki he holo ‘o e Siasi pea fakahoko ai ‘a Ko kau Faifekau Fehikitaki ‘e toko e ngaahi lea fakamaafana mo malie. 4 ‘oku nau ma‘u potungaue ‘i he Fakamalo atu ki he Setuata Kosipeli, Vahefonua Tonga ‘a ia ko Faifekau Faitangane Tu‘ipulotu mo e Kainga Setaita Kinahoi Veikune, Faifekau Lotu. Tau Fakafeta‘ia ai pe ‘a e Huafa Vaikoloa Kilikiti, Faifekau Kilifi ‘o Sisu Kalaisi pea hangee ko e toe Heimuli pea mo Faifekau Kepu Moa. fakalotolahi mai ‘e he Faifekau Setaita Pea ko e hiki eni ‘a Kepu Moa ki he K Veikune – “Taalunga mo ‘Ene Kelesi” Ko e Setuata Lahi Faitangane Tu‘ipulotu mo e To‘utupu Peulisi Kosipeli ‘i hono foaki ‘a e ngaahi me‘angaue faka-Faifekau ki he Faifekau Kepu Moa lolotonga ‘a e ouoau malanga Fakataapui. Peulisi Kosipeli Tonga mei he Peulisi ‘oku tau ‘i he tu‘unga ‘oku tau ‘i ai ni”.

FAKALOTOFALE‘IA Ko e Kaveinga ‘o e Fuakava pe Aleapau. Pea Ka e fakafeta‘i kuo toe mahina - “Ko e ko e laumalie totonu leva ‘o ‘omi ‘a hotau Kaveinga he Fetauhi‘aki e Kovinanite ko ia ko e mahina ko eni ke toe fai ai Fakakovinanite mo Sisu” Fetauhi‘aki – pea ‘oua na‘a ha huke mo toe hunuaki ‘a ‘Alaa si‘oku kaunga maumau‘i. Pea ka ‘etau ngaahi mo‘ui ngaue ‘i he ‘Eiki, ‘oku tau maumau‘i leva ‘e ha taha ‘a fakalaumalie. Pea ‘oku fakafeta‘i ki hotau ‘Otua e Kovinanite mo e Fuakava matu‘aki mahu‘inga ‘aupito he‘ene foaki mai ‘a e mo e Aleapau kuo fai, pea ketau Fetauhi‘aki kaveinga fisifisimu‘a ko eni, ‘oku ta‘e‘aonga leva ‘a e Fakakovinanite ‘a kitautolu ke tohoaki ‘aki ‘etau manatu Kovinanite na‘e fakahoko. mo Sisu. Hange ko ia ‘oku he mahina ko eni ki hotau ‘Oku fakamanatu mai ‘e talanoa ki ai ‘i he Sione 13: vaha‘angatae ketau fai “Ko he Palofita ko Selemaia ne fai ‘e Sisu ha Kovinanite faka‘osi mo ‘ene kau ako ‘o e Fetauhi‘aki 31:33 ‘a e Kovinanite ‘a makatu‘unga ‘i hono sino Fakakovinanite mo hotau Sihova mo ‘Isileli, ‘a ee na‘a mo hono ta‘ata‘a. Pea ‘oku ‘Eiki ko Sisu Kalaisi”. nau hanga (‘e ‘Isileli) ‘o kei ma‘oni‘oni mo haohaoa Ko ia ai ‘oku mahu‘inga maumau‘i. Ka ko Sihova ‘a e Aleapau mo e Fuakava Ko e Fefine Akonaki mei Niua, 'oku tau fie mo'ui he maama kaha'u, ‘aupito foki ketau eni tene toe fai mo ‘Isileli ko ia ne fai ‘e Sisu ma‘a ’Eua nofo 'i New Lynn ko ’Uheina tau tali 'Ene fakaafe he 'oku Ne kumi fakamahu‘inga‘i mo ngaue‘i ha Kovinanite Fo‘ou: “Teu tautoluu. Ko ia ko e Piutau, ko hono ta’u 104 eni. Na'aku kitaua 'oku hee”. Talamonu atu ki fakafo‘ituitui, fakafamili mo ‘ai ki loto ‘eku lao, ‘io, teu faingamalie eni he mahia ni 'a'ahi kiai he ta'u fo'ou 2010. 'Oku he'etau ngaue. Faka'apa'apa atu fakasiasi hotau ngafa mo tongi ia ki honau loto, pea ma‘a tautolu - ketau toe ne kei lava pe lau e lotu 'a 'Eiki Faifekau Kepu Moa. hotau ui ke fai he mahina teu nofo ko honau ‘Otua, fakafo‘ou ‘a ‘etau he'ema lotu. Ko 'ene Folofola Rev Kepu Moa visited Mrs ‘Uheina fo‘ou ko eni; ‘a e pau ketau pea tenau nofo ko hoku Fetauhi‘aki Fakakovinanite manako e Saame 23:1-6. He'ikai fai Piutau of the New Lynn Tongan toe fakafo‘ou ‘a ‘etau kakai”. ‘Oku tau ongo‘i mo Sisu. ‘Ofa atu mo e Lotu ha ofo ai he ko Sisu pe hotau Tauhi Congregation. ‘Uheina is originally Kovinanite Fetauhi‘aki mo halaia kotoa pe ‘i he‘etau ma‘u pe. Mo'onia. Himi Manako 567, '”Io ka from Niua, Eua and is 104 years of Sisu. ‘Oku tatau pe foki ‘a fa‘a maumau‘i ‘a ‘etau Faifekau Mosese fotu mai 'a Sisu ko ia pe masani, pea age. Her favourite Bible passage is e lea Kovinanite mo e lea Kovinanite pea mo e ‘Otua. Manukia. to'oa ai hotau loto”.Mo e 518. “'Io Psalm 23.