MARCH 2008 MAY 2018 KiwisKiwis joinjoin huihui ofof youngyoung AsianAsian ChristiansChristians Delegates visited Bukit Kasih, or Hill of Peace, a place where people of different religions can worship side-by-side. By Paul Titus different life experiences can lead people nterreligious conflict, gender into different understandings of truth. injustice, spirituality in our “Young Asian Christians at the digitalized world, and human Assembly were not afraid to pose difficult trafficking were among the topics questions to the religious leaders,” Hui explored at the Asian Ecumenical Young says. Youth Assembly (AEYA) last month. One young Indian lady asked a Hindu Three young New Zealanders - leader about the caste system and human Rev Hui Young Han, Maumi Taukolo, inequality. A Pakistani theological student, and Piula Lasi - were among the 350 who lost his family members when radical Idelegates from throughout the Asia-Pacific Muslims bombed his church, questioned at the gathering, which was held at in the a Muslim leader about interreligious city of Manado, Indonesia. violence and terrorism. The Christian Conference of Asia An Australian of Indian descent asked organised AEYA under the theme 'Lord, the Buddhist monk and Taoist scholar Send Your Light and Truth to Lead Us'. how we can trust human qualities to It provided a platform for young Asian achieve ultimate salvation if we do not Maumi Taukolo performs a dance at the Asian Ecumenical Youth Assembly. Christians to discuss problems they face admit the existence of a deity. in the fast-changing world. “In all these questions, I could sense second highest rate of HIV in the world, after the sinking of the Sewol Ferry, in Along with worship, Bible study and the pain and the hurt that the young Asians and it mainly affects young people. This which 300 children drowned. They discussions, AEYA had two interfaith have carried in their lives. I could also see subject is taboo in certain religions, but it protested against the overcrowding of the sessions. Prominent members of the that the different religious leaders have cannot be swept under the rug and ignored unseaworthy vessel, and the indifference Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Taoist faced similar pain on their own journeys,” because we are losing many youth to the religions engaged with the young Hui Young says. disease,” Maumi says. of the ruling authorities to the tragic loss Christians to discuss light and truth in “A one-day dialogue will not resolve “There is a lack of health care in other of life. pluralistic Asia. our conflicts, but it was a significant step countries, and I am grateful that New “Christian youth of different Hui Young Han for the young Asian leaders towards a Zealand has a foundation that supports denominations united in this movement.” Hui Young is presbyter at Morrinsville common longing for healing, spirituality, victims of AIDS and works to prevent She was also struck by the poignancy Methodist Church. Originally from South peace and human dignity in our world.” transmission.” of individual faith stories people shared. Korea, she says it was interesting to see Maumi Taukolo Maumi says another highlight for her how Maumi is a member of Wesley was a presentation by Kim Minji, a woman These included a Sri Lankan brother who Broadway, Palmerston North. She attended theologian from South Korea, who spoke lost five members of his family in a group session on HIV and Aids at AEYA. about the Candlelight Struggle. the civil wars. INSIDE “The Asia-Pacific region has the “This involved rallies by young people See Page 14 EASTER ON THE BEACH – PAGE 2 FAREWELL WOODVILLE UNION – PAGE 10 RURAL CHURCHES – PAGE 3 2 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2018 NEWS Lotofale'ia's Easter at the beach By Cory Miller On Easter Saturday Aucklanders walking along the shores of Long Bay would have spotted a large circle of people kneeling in prayer. The not- so-ordinary sight was members of the Lotofale'ia Mangere Tongan Church marking the end of a day of worship at the North Shore beach. Their prayers took place around a symbolic sand sculpture, with the late summer breeze gently blowing as waves crashed into the bay. Lotofale'ia minister Rev Goll Manukia says it was the Members of the congregation gathered at Long Bay to worship on the Saturday before Easter. first time the congregation has marked Easter week with a the past, Lotofale'ia has ended members of the congregation and explained what we were day at the beach, and it the week with a 'camp' on went to spend the day at Long doing at the beach.” became a way for them to church premises. Bay. Afterwards Goll says the share the Christian message This Easter week was A number of activities church members made a big New ward for with others. conducted under a theme were held at the beach - bible prayer circle around one of “It was about taking 'Holy Spirit renew us in the study, Easter discussions and the art pieces and knelt to Helena Goldie Hospital worship outside the four walls death and resurrection of a creative arts session drawing pray. of the church into the Christ'. on the natural environment to He says afterwards they Methodist Church of NZ president Rev community. It was a chance The Monday was marked create an art piece. decided to leave the artwork Prince Devanandan attended the opening of a to enjoy the environment and with some family time at the Goll says they made for others to enjoy, before the new ward at Helena Goldie Hospital at Munda the scenery.” church, on Tuesday fellowship sculptures out of sand and on New Georgia, Solomon Islands last month. Initially Gol wanted to do was shared with those not other objects at the beach and waves eventually came and washed it away. The new isolation ward will keep patients a full weekend camp, but this well-known in the parish, on discussed how it represented suffering from pneumonia and malaria separate did not fit within the Wednesday there was the Easter. “We left a few pieces of art on the sand for people to from other patients. congregation's budget. The usual service, and on “Every group explained Pitt Street Methodist Trust donated $40,000 beach day was the perfect Thursday bible studies, what it means to them and walk by and have a good look compromise. followed by a prayer chain what Easter means and we at. Even though it was our to the cost of the new toward and thee members Holy Week is a big one overnight. just left it there. People own programme, we like that of the Pitt Street congregation - Ronnie Matafeo for the Tongan Methodist On Good Friday a service walked by looking at the art we were taking it away from and David and Barbara Davies - accompanied Church which tends to mark was held to mark the work. Members of the the church and bringing it out Prince to attend the opening. each day in a special way. In beginning of camp, before congregation talked with them there into the community.” CARING FOR OUR PEOPLE Got an asbestos management plan? By Trudy Downes Health and Safety Survey Malo e lelei. Talofa lava. Bula vinak. By now, your parish or rohe should Greetings. Tena koutou, tena koutou, have received a request to complete a tena tatou katoa. Health & Safety Baseline Survey. I Health and safety coordinator here, strongly encourage you to respond by 30 for The Methodist Church of New June to help direct our Church's efforts. Zealand Te Hahi Weteriana. This survey is for all parishes I am pleased to report that I have received the first asbestos management (Methodist and Uniting) and all rohe. plan and it goes something like this: When it comes to health and safety, ideally 'The Property Committee figures we all parishes and rohe should have in place only have one property, the parsonage, easy, repeatable, common sense processes with asbestos and we know where it is to prevent foreseeable issues in our and how to handle it. (They don't so they buildings and grounds. leave it to contractors). The other Knowing where we are now with buildings are new (2016), or newish (2001.)' regards to basic health and safety will I am sure that the property committee help us plan as a Church, what we need member was pulling my leg, however the to do to positively move towards this core essence of the plan is all in place (if ideal. a little light). It: This survey is about setting the 1) Identifies the risk and where it is. Soon churches will need to create a plan to document and manage asbestos on their properties. Photo by Harald Weber. baseline of where we are now, and it seeks Asbestos is only at the parsonage and opinions on the challenges we face and the other buildings fall outside of the the plan is the state of the asbestos. Is it materials as if they contain asbestos. where we can best direct our Connexional affected time period. contained with paint or behind another • Leave all surfaces and building 2) Controls the risk. Do not touch the effort. asbestos unless you are a qualified layer of material? Is it in a stable condition materials alone until they have been Please contact me if your parish or contractor. (not broken, or slowly breaking down assessed further. rohe requires an email copy of this survey, 3) Evaluates the risk. The blanket into a dusty surface)? • Undertake assessment before you do or if you have any questions. If you are one of the many who does any building work.