Web Site Address: www.methodist.org.nz

“Our Church's Mission in Aotearoa New Zealand is to reflect and proclaim the transforming love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ and declared in the Scriptures. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to serve God in the world. The Treaty of Waitangi is the covenant establishing our nation on the basis of a power-sharing relationship, and will guide how we undertake mission”.

Official Communications ............................... 2

- A message from the President & Vice President - A message from the General Secretary

Remember in your Prayers ........................... 4 News from Around the Connexion .......... 6 Public Issues Network News ......................... 8 Job Vacancies ..................................................... 9 Methodist Mission & Ecumenical ............. 10 Ecumenical News & Views ........................ 14 Amendments to the Yearbook ................. 18

CCOONNTTEENNTTSS:: (Click on the links below to go to each section)

ee--MMeesssseennggeerr The Methodist Church of New Zealand ~ Te Hāhi Weteriana O Aotearoa

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February 2015 1 e-messenger

Official Communications

A Message from the President and Vice President

Greetings from the Presidential Team… We have had a busy time of it from Christmas up until now. We were very pleased and privileged to represent the Methodist Church at the opening of Rangihoua Park and the Oihi Bay celebratory Christmas Day Ecumenical Service. Most importantly we were deeply touched by the support from church members who made it there, a few even from South Canterbury.

Ratana Celebrations January saw us travel with members of Te Taha Maori to Ratana Pa, to celebrate with the Ratana Morehu (the Ratana faithful) their annual celebration of their founder’s birth date and when they renew their covenant. Ratana celebrations have come to the notice of mainstream New Zealand particularly because of the engagement of the country’s political leaders, who each year attend to explain to Maori just what their particular party has to offer Maori. This year was altered notably by King Tuheitia who invited leaders of the Iwi around the country to accompany him onto the marae, before the politicians arrived. In that way all the politicians came onto the marae together, regardless of their party affiliation, and were greeted by a united front of Ratana, Kingitanga, Iwi Leaders and Maori Church leaders.

What impressed us most was the large numbers of young people who came to enjoy the various activities laid on specifically for them. This was indeed a truly whanau oriented 3 day celebration.

Induction Services We have also been engaged in a number of Induction Services in the last few weeks. We attended Wesley College’s Service of Beginnings on January 30th where we welcomed the new Principal Steven Hargreaves and inducted Ali’tasi Salesa as Superintending Chaplain to the Wesley College Parish.

That same evening we inducted Sui’vaia Teo to the Superintendency of Sinoti Samoa. Two days later we then flew to Christchurch for the Induction of Kathryn Walters to the role of Superintendent, Central South Island, and on Sunday February 8th we inducted Tevita Finau to be the Superintendent, Vahefonua Tonga. We felt honoured to then dine with Her Majesty the Queen of Tonga.

It has been a busy month, but an extremely rewarding one as we have seen the people moving into these positions being well supported by their synods and parishes.

Mangungu and Waitangi This last week we accompanied members of Te Taha Maori and the Trinity College students to Mangungu in the Hokianga region, the second place where Te Tiriti was signed. This was also the signing where the largest number of chiefs signed on the 12th February 1840. The Governor General was unable to come to the celebrations on the 12th but made the point to come in on the 4th. He is the only Governor General to come to this site since 1840. He was welcomed by the locals and gifted copies of the Report on the Ngapuhi Claim, as well as a bound copy of the Hokianga Collective’s Claim to the Waitangi Tribunal.

We were both able to share in the Service with the Ratana Apotoro at the commencement of the day. We felt this was an excellent introduction for our students, to Maori strategizing, planning and discussions that go on outside of media reporting, and they were able to observe it all.

We stayed on to the Waitangi Day celebrations and with Tumuaki Diana Tana shared in the Ecumenical Service led by the Anglican Bishop for Tai Tokerau, Bishop Kito Pikahu. There was an overall sense of peace and enjoyment of the day and all it had to offer, and the only sense of disharmony that arose was a little debate amongst a select few, over Prime Minister Key’s proposal for a new flag!

Again we want to say how privileged we feel to be able to represent you all in these various forums.

God’s grace and peace be with you all!

Tovia and Bella February 2015 2 e-messenger

A Message from the General Secretary From David’s Desk... Could one word make a difference? A report of a recent research project suggests that it can. The experiment was designed to test the effect on effort and accuracy of working alone.

Participants initially met in small groups, then separated to work on difficult puzzles on their own. some were told they would be working ‘together’ on the task even though they would be in separate rooms and they would either write or receive assistance from another team member to help them solve the puzzle later on.

The others received no mention of being ‘together’ and they were told the assistance they would write or receive would come from the researchers.

In fact all participants were working alone. The only difference was the feeling that being told they were working ‘together’ might create.

The effects were profound. Participants in the ‘together’ category worked 48% longer, solved more problems correctly and had better recall of what they had seen. They also reported feeling less tired, and finding the puzzle more interesting.

The researchers conclude: the word ‘together’ is an important social clue to the brain. In and of itself, it seems to serve as a kind of relatedness reward, signalling that you belong, that you are connected, and that there are people you can trust working with you to the same goal.1

In our churches we talk a lot about community and relationship. We emphasise our connectedness to God and one another. The challenge is to continually think how can we work together. Clear processes, open consultation, vision which is shaped and shared in common, at the same time avoiding those actions which diminish trust and create distance between people.

Together we are in the process of making our communities strong and responsive to God’s love and grace and to the needs of our world.

The Conference Minutes and Yearbook will be sent out in the next week. This is a major piece of work in the early part of every year. It takes weeks to make changes to the database and to try and ensure the Yearbook is as accurate as possible. A major upgrade to our database software will hopefully make this easier in the future. In a couple of months it will be possible for parishes and boards to make updates as they occur during the year.

Connexional Office staff are still affected by the earthquake repairs. As I write 3 staff are in temporary accommodation and another is finally meeting with contractors to commence the repair process.

Other staff news - Rebecca Hitchcock’s baby Emma was born on 6 December 2014. Emma is now doing well after some complications at birth. Rebecca will now not return to work until April.

Sarah Andrews is back on maternity leave until June-July after helping out during December/January. We have employed a contract accountant Christine Chisholm to cover for Rebecca and Sarah.

I am delighted to report the safe arrival of our second granddaughter, Sadie Grace Bush, born in mid-January, seen here with big sister Harper.

Grace and peace

David

1 Cited in article on Harvard Business Review website by Heidi Grant Halverson.

February 2015 3 e-messenger

REMEMBER In your Prayers

On 16th of December Harry Lendrum passed away. Harry was 94. Harry was an active member of the Methodist church in Dargaville and before that the Methodist Church in Te Kopuru. Harry had a beef and sheep farm at Red Hill/ Te Kopuru. The lake that supplies the water to the Red Hill Methodist camp was on their farm and many campers walked over the farm to access the lake. Harry was one of the founding members of the Red Hill campsite, one of the original trustees of the camp. While at the farm he would look after the camp and with his wife Ella was the treasurer/secretary for the camp for many years. Harry has also been a parish delegate to the then Union District Council (later became CTN). At one time served as the president of UDC for a few years, at that time it was not normal for lay people to have such positions as there was plenty of ministers.

The funeral service for Harry was on Friday the 19 December at the Wesley Methodist Church, Dargaville. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family at this time. All communications to Hart Funerals, PO Box 306 Dargaville.

It is with sadness that we notify the death of John Sedgley Hickman who died on the 9th December aged 87 years. John was the Son of the Late Don J Hickman - Home Missionary and later Ordained as Presbyter.

John spent most of his career in the NZ Meteorological Service and became its Director in 1977 and retired from that position 11 years later. He has been an active member of the Methodist Church throughout his life and was very involved in Wesley Church in Wellington where he was appointed to the Wesley Church Trust in 1976 - 1995. He was a Parish Steward at Wesley from 1970-1982 and then remained on the Parish Executive. He was also a member of the Wesley Social Services Trust Board. John has had a distinguished career working with the wider National and International Community and was awarded the QSO for his Services.

A service to celebrate John's life was held at the Kapiti Uniting Church at Raumati Beach Friday 19 December. Messages may be sent to the Family at: PO Box 22-103, Khandallah, Wellington 6441.

It is with sadness that we advise the Connexion of the sudden death of Russell Pitt on Monday December 29th while holidaying in the South Island. Russell (with his guitar) was a well-known Lay Preacher across the Methodist and CV churches in Wellington, Kapiti and the Hutt Valley. He was Secretary of the NZ Lay Preachers Assn (NZLPA) when Wellington hosted the National Executive 2000 -2003. He had a long history of involvement with Bible Class and Boys Brigade in the Ngaio area.

Russell's funeral was held at the Ngaio Union Church, Cnr of Kenya Street & Crofton Road on Wednesday 7th January 2015. Messages can be left in Russell's tribute book at www.tributes.co.nz or posted c/- 4 Moorefield Road, Johsonville. Our thoughts and prayers go to his wife, Margaret and sons Andrew and David.

It is with sadness we inform you that Rev Jack Wright passed away on 1st January 2015, New Year's Day morning at the Somerset Resthome in Palmerston North.

His service was held at Wesley Broadway Methodist Church, 272 Broadway, Palmerston North on Tuesday 6th January. Messages of condolence can be sent to 7 Oriana Place, Highbury, Palmerston North 4412.

It is with sadness that we inform the Connexion that Rev Dr Lourdino Yuzon died in Hamilton on 2nd January 2015. He and his wife Mercia were on holiday in NZ with their daughter and son-in-law Mily and Simon Leadley. Lourdino worked for many years as Secretary for Mission and Evangelism with the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) and served as joint National Secretary of the NZ Council for Mission and Ecumenical Cooperation (COMEC) from 1991 to 1994. He was also the minister at Matamata Union Parish from 2006 to 2010.

His funeral was held at Chartwell Cooperating Church (St Alban's), Hamilton on Wednesday 7th January 2015 with the service conducted by Revs Ken Olsen and Susan Thompson. Messages can be sent to Simon and Mily at 35 Balfour Crescent, Riverlea, Hamilton 3216 or email smleadley@gmail.com February 2015 4 e-messenger

It is with deepest sadness that Te Taha Maori wish to inform you all that we lost Kristopher Wichman one of our youth leaders of Taranaki in a tragic accident on Friday January 2nd. Kris died rescuing his two daughters and a niece who had got caught in a rip off the coast of Patea. Kris was part of the Te Taha Maori team in Wellington, was an experienced surfer and had great respect for the sea, a young man devoted to and passionate about his whanau.

Kris lay in state at Pariroa Pa, Patea and was laid to rest on Tuesday 6th January, in the urupa at Pariroa. Messages can be sent to Syd Kershaw, 3 Elizabeth Street, Patea 4520 or email: sak.nz@ihug.co.nz.

On behalf of the family, I have been asked to advise you of the death on Friday evening, 9th January, 2015 of Rev Neville Thornicroft of Waipawa, Hawkes Bay. Nev was in his 92nd year.

The funeral was held in the United Church, Waipawa, on Wednesday 14th January. In a strange twist of fate he and Rosalie had lived for several years in the same house that had been the parsonage when they were there in the 1970's! Rosalie pre-deceased Neville in April of last year. We extend our sympathy to Neville's friends and family. Messages may be sent to 2 Melville Street, Waipawa 4210.

It is with sadness we advise the Connexion that Helen Powell, daughter of John and Diana Roberts died at Mary Potter Hospice, Wellington, on 26 January, following a long illness. Her funeral was held on Friday 30 January, at St Anne's Catholic Church, Newtown, Wellington. Messages may be sent to John and Diana at 8 Matenga Street, Waikanae 5036. We extend our sympathy to John and Diana and their extended family.

Message to the Connexion from John and Diana Roberts We have been "surprised by love". The flood of support following our daughter Helen's death on 26 January has touched our hearts and spirits. All through Helen's illness we and our immediate family have been strengthened by the care and the prayer of the Household of Faith. The death of our daughter is a great sadness. Knowing that we are in your thoughts and prayers comforts us. Grace and peace, John & Diana Roberts

It is with sadness that we advise the death of Frank Glen at his home in Cromwell on February 5th 2015. Frank trained at Trinity Methodist Theological College in Auckland from 1955 to1957. He then began a wide and varied lifetime of ministry. He served in Western Southland - at Otautau Methodist as a Probationer in 1958 and was the Industrial Chaplain at Manapouri Hydro Scheme (on behalf of NZ Council of Churches) from 1958 to 1962. He then served in Shirley, Christchurch, before working for the North West Inland Mission, Moree, NSW Australia, and then the Far West Inland Mission, Cobar, NSW, Australia.

Frank established the Flying Padre Patrol Inland Ministry. He also established an association between the Missionary Aviation Fellowship and the Uniting Church of NSW for the training of clergy as pilots. He served as Chaplain Royal Australian Air Force at Darwin, Point Cook, Wagga Wagga, Bankstown, Richmond and RAAF Williamstown. Upon returning to New Zealand he worked as a Probation Officer.

Frank transferred to the Presbyterian Church in the 1980s. He served as a Police Chaplain; Chaplain to Presbyterian Support and then accepted a call to Thames Union Parish. He retired from there, due to ill health, in 1991. He then completed a PhD in Religious Studies at the University of Waikato. Frank was the author of a number of books and a contributor to many journals and publications.

We give thanks for Frank's life and service and pray for Margret and their family and friends at this time. Frank's funeral will be at Cromwell Presbyterian Church at 2:00pm on Saturday 14 February. Messages can be sent to: Mrs Margret Glen, 62 Ortive St, Cromwell 9310.

We express our sympathy and care to these families as they grieve and lovingly remember

February 2015 5 e-messenger

Connexional News

2015 Travel and Study Guidelines and Application Form

Are YOU planning to study in 2015?

The Travel and Study grants committee remind you that all

applications must be received by the secretary by Sunday 15th February

Please ensure that all information is included and that the 3 references are attached

The application form is available on the Methodist website http://www.methodist.org.nz/organisations/travel_and_study_committee

or from the secretary

maryw@west.net.nz

NO LATE APPLICATIONS CAN BE CONSIDERED

but may be referred to the next meeting in 3 months’ time. Smethurst Trust Fund Grants 2015

A reminder to all who are intending to apply for a Smethurst Grant

All applications must be in to the Convenor by 20 March 2015

Please read the Information leaflet carefully and fill in all details on the 2015 Application Form

NO LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED

Presbyters! If you have students who you feel may qualify for a grant, please contact them as soon as possible

SMETHURST GRANTS COMMITTEE – SEEKING NOMINATIONS The four year term of Dianne Claughton and Catherine Dickie will end in June this year. All Districts are asked to prayerfully seek nominations for their replacement as two persons are required, one member from the South Island and one from the North Island.

Nominations must be received by the Committee by February 28th and must be accompanied by a profile written by the nominee

The new Committee member will be part of a vibrant team each of whom is dedicated to ensuring that the aims of the Smethurst Trust are upheld and for providing some assistance to women seeking to further their education. Please send nominations and profiles to: Catherine Dickie Convenor Smethurst Grants Committee 7 B Wilfred Street St. Andrews HAMILTON 3200 February 2015 6 e-messenger

News from the Methodist Archives DIGITISATION I am very excited to report that the digitisation of Methodist newspapers from 1870-1948 has been completed, and the electronic versions of them are available at http://kinderlibrary.outofprint.co.nz/.

The John Kinder Theological Library is hosting the site, which also includes Anglican Church newspapers and serials. This important achievement would not have been possible without Judith Bright, from the John Kinder Theological Library, and Rev Dr David Bell (during his previous position at Trinity Theological College). Jo Smith, Archivist Mission Resourcing – Lay Ministry Support Those of you attending Conference in Hamilton may recall the launch of a new initiative from Mission Resourcing called “Lay Ministry Support.” Our idea is to bring expertise and training to your parish, or a number of parishes combined, at no expense to you to deliver training in any aspect of mission.

Although we have our own list of topics we speculate might be requested we do not wish to impose our own agenda on you. So any parish inviting us to visit will suggest the topics most relevant to their situation.

We offer from a half day to a full weekend, to a single parish, several parishes combined or to a synod meeting. We do not have all the expertise ourselves, but we do think we can find that expertise somewhere across the church to meet your needs. We can send a team of 3 or 4 to each event, but our budget isn’t unlimited so we will have to make it a first come first served sort of allocation.

We can cover ministry, outreach, social justice, finance, theology, Methodism, property – you name it – we can probably find someone who has expertise to share. Please contact the Mission Resourcing office for further details (09) 525 4179.

Trevor Hoggard, Director, Mission Resourcing Small Pipe Organ Needs Home – from Broad Bay Methodist Church The Broad Bay Methodist Church on the Otago Peninsula near Dunedin has closed. We have a small pipe organ which is listed in the Gazetteer of New Zealand Pipe Organs: South Island. Details are on p.26 – “Methodist Broad Bay/Macandrew Bay, Positive Organ Co., rem. from Dunedin Methodist Primitive Dundas St. 1 m., 4 sp.st., 1c., tr.pn. Gt: 16(mel),8,8,8.” A small plaque on the organ says: “Positive Organ Co. (1922) Ltd, London W. 10, No. 1022.”

We are very keen to find a home for this organ which incidentally has not been played regularly for some time but is in reasonable condition. We will give the organ away to someone who is prepared to bear the cost of removing it from the church.

Dimensions: Height at highest point 2540mm Width 1500mm Depth (including keyboard) 1100mm Keyboard width (keys only) 830mm Wooden screen which projects from the left front of the organ 550mm beyond the edge of the keyboard. Organ has an electric bellows, also foot bellows and a knee bellow.

Seat: 640 wide, 550 high to top of seat, 970 high to top of back. Cushion 90mm high.

The organ was installed in the church (after removal from the Primitive Methodist Church in Dundas Street, Dunedin) by Tim Langley and his father.

Enquiries to Jenny Winter, Phone: 03 478 0491 Mobile: 021 168 9272, email: mcleanwinter@clear.net.nz

February 2015 7 e-messenger

VAHEFONUA EDUCATION AND TRAINING EXPO Lotofale’ia Church 34 Orly Rd, Mangere Friday 13th Feb. 2 – 5.30 pm Saturday 14th Feb 11 – 3pm

Notice Board

FOOD MATTERS TOUR 9/10 - Christchurch Talk Prof. Seralini, Prof. Huber 14/15 - Food Matters Conference Te Papa, Wellington International Speakers: Professor Seralini, Professor Huber, Dr. Shiva, Chef Douzelet 16/17 - Hawkes Bay Talk Prof. Seralini, Prof. Huber, Dr. Shiva, Chef Douzelet 18 Feb. Hamilton Te Ara Hou Village Auditorium. 100 Morrinsville Rd 2.15 pm. Contact anna@envirocentre.org.nz 19/20 - Auckland Talk Prof. Seralini, Dr. Shiva, Chef Douzelet

Methodist

Public Issues Network News February 2015

ISIL The horrendous beheadings, burning alive of a Jordanian pilot, the Charlie Hebno killings are of almost incomprehensible brutality. They echo human debasement and desperation which is not new, and which faith and spirituality seek to transcend. Yet now, as before they are done in the name of religious fervor. An interview http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/20166144

LIVING WAGE Wellington got off to a 2015 start with plans to keep up the action with Wellington City Council to follow through on their commitment to a Living Wage for directly employed staff and contract workers. We will submit on Living Wage for the Wellington Annual Plan

Living Wage Wellington Feb. 2015 HOUSING Housing is a number one issue for churches, government, local Councils and community organizations. The high cost of house ownership and rentals one of the main causes of poverty, so affordable housing is important for solving poverty.

Susan Thompson, with Methodist and other churches in Hamilton are fighting to save Hamilton City Council pensioner housing. The Council justifies selling because of the cost of upgrades. The Whakatane Council is doing the same as Hamilton. Wellington has a Social Housing Policy Review coming up in March. Christchurch City Council is improving the sustainability of their housing and security for tenants.

Prime Minister John Key and Minister Nick Smith both featured housing in their firs 2015 speeches. The government is working on a market solution to the shortage of housing. There are three Ministers with housing responsibilities: Paula Bennett for Social Housing, Bill English for Housing NZ, Nick Smith for Building and Housing, as well as Environment. This cross-over enabled Minister Smith to present the overhaul of the Resource Management Act as a solution to the housing crisis through removing barriers to consents. This suggests the interests of developers rather than affordable housing. The government proposal to sell out of State Housing is on the agenda for 2015. See http://communityhousing.org.nz/files/9314/2300/0878/29JanuaryNL.pdf

TARANAKI CLIMATE JUSTICE AND ECO HOST A GATHERING http://www.climatejusticetaranaki.info/

TIEKE A two-weekly environment newsletter: Email ECO with "subscribe Tieke" in the subject line Flash: Breakthrough in negotiations for Oceans protection: goo.gl/ruqGks

Trans Pacific Partnership - A few updates this month: Doctors without Borders U.S. Trade Deal Will Devastate Poor Peoples' Access to Medicines Australia law has implications for New Zealand laws: http://www.itsourfuture.org.nz/lessons-for-tppa/ Opposition to the EU-US Trade deal www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/02/syriza-official-vows-kill-eu-us-trade-deal-gift-all-european-people

Contact: betsan@publicquestions.org.nz

February 2015 8 e-messenger

Job Vacancies

Youth Worker – Wesley Methodist Church, Tauranga

20 hour/month position from March - Dec 2015 to run 3 after school/weekend social activities per term for Year 7 - 13 students at Wesley Methodist Church while present Youth Worker on maternity leave. To apply, please send CV and covering letter by 14 February 2015 to: Youth Position Wesley Methodist Church PO Box 2019 Tauranga 3140 More information and Job Description contact: Wesley Office 578-8493 or email: tauranga.methodist@xtra.co.nz

February 2015 9 e-messenger

Methodist Mission & Ecumenical Newsletter February 2015

A REPORT FROM HELENA GOLDIE HOSPITAL Solomon Islands A team of six travelled to the Western Province to repair the boat shed at Helena Goldie Hospital. Debbie Daley, Lesley Bath, John Kruger, Rod Armstrong, Terry Daley and Peter Collins. Barry Tennent was already there on another mission and helped us enormously organising equipment and he also organised the accommodation at the Hospital. We stayed in one of the Doctors houses that is not being used just now.

Debbie and Lesley did the cooking and washing for us as well as deliver 100 units for the “Days for Girls” program to Kokeqolo High School They also spent some time at the Children’s ward cheering up sick patients with reading books and drawings.

The boat shed is a timber building and it had chain wire around it that was badly rusted and falling off, this allowed access to the inside where fuel and equipment would be stolen as well as other items from time to time. The shed is 16 meters long and 9 meters wide. We striped the chain wire off and replaced it with weld mesh and screwed the mesh on using timber on the outside. Part of the attached shed also had some of the roof replaced. The four big gates where the boats come in were also repaired and made lockable. Before we could do much we had to remove about 10 cubic meters of sand and coral from the inside, this was done by shovel and wheel borrow, A BIG job in hot weather.

The tracks for the boat rollers were refitted so it’s much easier now to get the boats in and out of the shed. We hired four students from the Tabaka Rural Training School and taught them some skills in carpentry. We built a permanent seating along one side and constructed a Jetty.

There has never been a jetty there and all patients and people had to walk out into the water to board the boats. What joy that brought to the hospital!!. While we were there 3 patients were transferred from Helena Goldie Hospital to Gizo Hospital and they were

loaded into the boat from the jetty dry. The trip to Gizo takes about 2 to 3 hours, not nice when you are very ill.

The hospital will always be a struggle, but the staff is terrific and does a great job under the circumstances. There is no permanent Doctor there just now; they will have a Doctor from Gizo attend on a rotation. There are six Doctors in Gizo. Dr Graham & Jenny Longbottom have returned to England. What remarkable people they both are. While we were there they had 2 deaths, 3 transfers to Gizo and x number of babies born.

The Children’s Ward building is now being refurbished by Telekom. It is being relined inside and getting a new roof. It badly needs new beds and mattresses. The Priority for the hospital is a reliable vehicle; both vehicles there are in need of repairs. One new dual cab is required now. The floor of the main ward badly needs doing again. The water problem has been solved by a previous team, Great job… I need to thank some people for the success of the completed job; the team members, Debbie, Lesley, Rod, Peter and John.

Job complete

Repaired boat shed

This is now known as Dr. Jenny’s Jetty

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Special thanks to Barry for all his help. The four Tabaka Students Hospital staff, George, Danny, Manastis and especially Soraya. Without Soraya it would have been difficult to get done what we did. - PDG Terry Daley * * *

Light up the young lives - Tabaka Solar Power Fund

United Church of Solomon Islands established the Tabaka Rural Training Centre in 1992 to train the young school leavers in skills that will ensure employment for them in the public and private sector. The institute trains over 100 young men and women annually in various skills from outboard motor and generator repair to hospitality and tourism. The need to light up the main hall of the institute is felt for some time. Due to lack of power the young lives are in dark in the evening. A Solar Power Unit for the main hall will help the students to do studies and recreational activities in the evening. Please support this project with your donations to reach its target. * * *

VISIT TO THE VATICAN FOR THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY by Rev Tony Franklin-Ross

From September 2014 until January 2015 I have been undertaking post-graduate ecumenical studies, with 33 other international students, at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute near Geneva, Switzerland (part of the World Council of Churches and University of Geneva). A key component to the course includes study visits. The final study visit was to the Vatican and Rome near the end of January, which coincided with the northern-hemisphere observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This particular study visit is hosted by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity.

Tony Franklin –Ross meeting with Cardinal Koch

What was very clear from the outset was this was indeed a study visit, not a tourist visit. A large portion of the week was engaged in meetings with various Vatican entities. The key meeting I think was with the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity. The President of the Council, Cardinal Koch, reflected on marking 50 years since Vatican II and the key document on ecumenism; in particular the re-exploration of the rich opportunities that it affords, as well as the growth in dialogue in the intervening years. The Methodist-Catholic dialogue was specifically identified as a key dialogue in terms of bearing fruit.

Cardinal Koch asked if the emphasis on the body of Christ is still alive today: what has changed since 1964? He affirmed the need to keep alive the quest for the unity of the church with stubbornness; for the uniqueness of the one church in Christ cannot be given up. Indeed new stimulus has always been possible when there is sufficient urge to change our hearts and conversion to the passionate search for unity. This is not only requiring the conversion of others but one’s own conversion to recognise one’s own weaknesses. Koch affirmed that the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity is an important reflection of this: we cannot create the unity of the church, it can only be granted to us; and therefore we need to make room through prayer for the working of the Holy Spirit.

There’s more work to do – including replacing the sea ambulance

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Further meetings were held with other Pontifical Councils overseeing: interreligious dialogue, religious orders, migrants and itinerant people, and also justice and peace. These afforded many useful insights. We also visited the Vatican Radio, at which I was interviewed as part of their coverage of the Week of Prayer and the Bossey Visit.

In addition, we had the opportunity to visit two largely lay-led international religious communities that have arisen since Vatican II; that are also open to non-Catholic people being members. One was the Community of Sant’Egidio, founded by a group of students in the 1960’s; which embodies an engaged ministry with people on the margins of communities around the world, as well as a deep engagement with the goal of peace. The other was the Focolare movement which promotes the renewal of engaged spiritual Christianity that I sensed would resonate with that of John Wesley’s movement of the 18th century.

A highlight of the visit was our participation in two events. The first was to attend the weekly Wednesday public audience of Pope Francis. We were afforded special seating near the front of the 6,300 seat auditorium; and also beside the path the Pope takes to enter and exit the auditorium. It was amazing to see the popular charisma that Francis has with people, and to see the change in expression on his face from that of a formal speech to engaging people reaching out towards him as he passed by. And yes, I took the opportunity to shake Pope Francis’ hand as he walked past.

Rev. Tony Franklin-Ross with Rev. Tara Curlewis at the Church St. Paul Outside the Walls - Rome

On the concluding Sunday of our visit, we were taken to the Church of St Paul Outside the Walls, where the tomb of Saint Paul is located. This was for a special service of Evening Vespers to mark the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, with Pope Francis leading the service. This was certainly a gathering of the “who’s-who” of ecumenical relations in Rome, with many representatives of a huge diversity of churches. I had the opportunity to catch up with Most Rev Sir David Moxom (who is the Archbishop of Canterbury’s representative to the Holy See; Rev Tara

Curlewis (until recently the General Secretary of the Australian council of churches), and Rev Dr Tim Macquiban (Methodist representative to the Holy See, who succeeded Rev Dr. Trevor Hoggard).

This visit to Rome and particularly the Vatican was certainly one of study and learning. I have visited Rome many times before as a tourist. This visit afforded me a much greater insight and understanding of the Roman Catholic Church, and the Vatican’s commitment to ecumenism. During this week, I experienced Rome in a very different way. * * *

CURRENT DIALOGUE MAGAZINE ADDRESSES THORNY INTER-RELIGIOUS ISSUES

06 January 2015 The newly published issue of Current Dialogue is now available online. Along with key documents from the WCC 10th Assembly, the issue includes several strong pieces addressing some thorny issues in contemporary inter-religious encounter and dialogue, including the recent Malaysian prohibition of Christian use of the name Allah for God, the relationship of ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue, the particular difficulties in dialogue among the Abrahamic traditions, and the limits of dialogue itself.

The issue is sent to subscribers and is also available online at www.oikoumene.org/current-dialogue. Download your copy (pdf, 750 KB) http://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/current-dialogue-magazine-addresses-thorny-issues-in-contemporary-inter-religious-encounter

MISSION AND ECUMENICAL BOARD Methodist Church of New Zealand Te Haahi Weteriana o Aotearoa

Director: Rev. Prince Devanandan 409 Great South Road Private Bag 11 903 Ellerslie

Auckland 1542 Phone: 09-571 9142 Fax: 09-525 9346

E-mail: princed@methodist.org.nz

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Methodist Mission and Ecumenical

Annual Appeal 2015

Light up the young lives Tabaka Solar Power Fund

Tabaka Rural Training Institute Established in 1992 by the United Church of

Solomon Islands The institute trains over 100 young men and women in various skills from outboard motor and generator repair to hospitality and tourism.

The need to light up the main hall of the institute is felt for some time. Due to lack of power the young lives are in dark in the evening.

A Solar Power Unit for the main hall will help the students to do studies in the evening as well as provide light for recreational activities.

Methodist Mission and Ecumenical appeals to all to contribute to the

TABAKA SOLAR POWER FUND to raise in 2015

$ 40,000 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. [Matthew 5:15 NRSV]

With your contribution to the fund you can be a participant in this mission to light up lives.

Methodist Mission and Ecumenical is registered with the Charities Commission Registration Number CC51048. Receipts will be issued for tax rebate on the donation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL APPEAL 2015 – TABAKA SOLAR POWER FUND

Please send your donation by cheque in favour of Methodist Mission and Ecumenical Fund to: Rev Prince Devanandan Methodist Mission and Ecumenical Private Bag 11 903 Ellerslie Auckland 1542

You could also make your donation directly into BNZ Account No. 02-0800-0766004-03

Amount: $ ____________________

Name: _______________________________________

Address: _____________________________________

_______________________________________________

________________________________________________

Please remember to send this cover slip for a receipt when you make a deposit.

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ECUMENICAL

News & Views Christian World Service Christmas Appeal 2014 We are grateful to the many people who helped promote last year’s Christmas Appeal, Build Hope for Tomorrow. Your gifts will be used by our partners to help people out of poverty and injustice. You can still donate to this appeal. Please send contributions and details to CWS so that our team of volunteers can receipt them promptly. The remittance form is available at the bottom of this page.

World Day of Prayer The annual World Day of Prayer will be held on Friday, 6 March near you. Prayer will be held in more than 170 countries and in 1,000 languages. Worship material: Jesus said to them, “Do you know who I am?” has been prepared by lay women in the Bahamas. Organised by laywomen the international movement affirms “informed prayer and prayerful action are inseparable and both have an immeasurable influence in the world”. Find more from wdpnz@xtra.co.nz or church women in your community.

Ebola Rate Falling General Secretary of the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone, Ebun James-DeKam reports that daily rates of infection and death are falling. In Sierra Leone over 8,000 people have been infected and the confirmed death toll has reached 2,509. She writes, “Thank God for the faithfulness of all those staffing the treatment centres and continue to pray for all engaged in ending this struggle and the efforts made to save life.” Like Liberia the country has been devastated and many people have lost income as well as loved ones. A new video is available in support of the Ebola Response Appeal.

Syria Appeal With no sign of any breakthrough and few if any opportunities to earn money, Syrian refugees are more dependent on outside help than ever. The civil war has made refugees of more than 3.8 million people and affected 12 million more. International assistance is failing to meet their basic needs for food, shelter, healthcare and heating. Last month snowfalls caused further damage for these refugees in Lebanon and across the region. It is a situation not of their making and they have used all their resources to survive this far. CWS partner DSPR is working hard to do what they can in Jordan and Lebanon but they need more funds to meet the multiplying needs of the people. Please support the Syria Appeal.

Methodist – Catholic Hymn Exchange As mentioned at the last two Conferences, we are engaging in an act of Receptive Ecumenism with the Catholic Church to mark the continuing and deepening conversations and friendship between our two communions. We hope services will be arranged on or close to 17 May 2015. We invite all and any parish to take the initiative and contact your local Catholic Church to explore this proposal further. The initiative has been backed by both the Methodist Conference and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference. A leader’s pack containing the liturgy for the service and the hymns themselves are to be found at www.methodist.org.nz under the Faith & Order menu and at www.missionresourcing.org.nz under the Resources menu.

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100 Years Matamata Methodist Church Building - Matamata Union Parish

Matamata Union Parish

A special service of thanksgiving and celebration

will be held on

Sunday 15 March 2015 at 10:00am

in the Methodist Church Firth Tower Museum Reserve 266 Tower

Road, Matamata.

To register your interest, please forward your details (address, phone number and email) to: 100th Anniversary Celebrations Box 345, Matamata 3440 or preferably email leeanne@wilsonsand.co.nz Have you seen C.T. Pilgrim – the Hitch-Hiking Teddy Bear? C.T. Pilgrim the hitch-hiking teddy bear hasn’t been heard of since he visited Methodist Conference in

Hamilton

ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE WELCOME! C.T. set out from Waimate District Cooperating Venture in South Canterbury at Easter 2014 heading to the Christmas Day Bi-Centenary of the Gospel Celebrations at Oihi in the far north….. but he didn’t rendezvous with the friends who were to bring him back from Oihi and his last email to the parish was just before Methodist Conference. C.T. was travelling with a backpack of clothing, journals and

other bear essentials including his itinerary and details on how to phone home. If you know where he may have gone from Conference please email indrea@xtra.co.nz with clues. Thanks, Rev Indrea Alexander

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50 Years Wanganui’s Trinity Methodist Church Building

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Rotorua Centre for Clinical Pastoral Education Member of: NZ Association of Clinical Pastoral Education www.cpe-nz.org.nz

Rev Ray Bloomfield will be running an

18 week extended Clinical Pastoral Education course in 2015 commencing 14 July and finishing on 19 November

in Rotorua Clinical Pastoral Education is an action-reflection method of learning pastoral care under supervision which:

• integrates pastoral work and theology, with relevant medical, psychological and behavioural sciences • engages participants in reflection about what happens before their eyes • develops better pastoral relationships by bringing together personal experience, spirituality and

theology • is professional education for ministry, designed to establish and improve ministry practice

The goal of CPE is to assist participants, using an experiential learning approach, to begin (or enhance) the development of their personhood and the skills of pastoral care. This includes beginning to understand, or to consolidate and expand, the connections between their experiences in life, ministry, faith and theology. For further information contact Alison Lamberton, Administrator alison.lamberton@lakesdhb.govt.nz and she will forward the information to you. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to call Alison on (07) 349 7853.

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February Amendments

To the Yearbook

Birkenhead Samoan Parish: PO Box 34332, Birkenhead, Auckland 0746 Business Phone: (09) 483 5060 Samoan Ekalesia, Birkenhead Business Phone: (09) 483 5060 Church/Worship Centre eMail: suefuainam@xtra.co.nz

The 2015 Yearbook will be mailed out soon!

If you have any amendments or updates to the yearbook please feel free to email Wendy Keir at wendyk@methodist.org.nz with the updates and they can be published here for the information of the

Connexion.

Parish Listing (page 47)

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