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 Conference Update ........................................ 5 News from Around the Connexion .......... 6 Public Issues Network ...................................... 9 Job Vacancies ................................................... 10 Methodist Mission & Ecumenical ............. 11 Ecumenical News & Views ........................ 13

Amendments to the Yearbook ................. 17

CCOONNTTEENNTTSS

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

JJuunnee 22001144

Official Communications

A Message from the President and Vice President

Greetings from the Presidential Team… Greetings to all. We have now definitely entered into the season of winter and for most of the southern parts of the country, very cold indeed. Looks really lovely on TV. All that snow, children enjoying time off from school, making snowmen and having lots of fun. Visit to Christchurch’s red zone The Presidential Team recently visited New Brighton Union Church, Linwood Avenue Union Church and Wainoni Methodist Church. It was an opportunity to meet with parishioners worshipping and living in the area and to get a view of the issues surrounding post-earthquake and flooding in the area. It was a huge wake-up call to view the present situation and to listen to the concerns residents have, waiting their turn for repairs to start let alone completed. Some of these folk have been on a priority waiting list for repairs almost 3 years now. If ever you need to witness or experience patience along with huge bouts of frustration, join the folk of Christchurch East. We were encouraged by the work being done by groups of people ably led by Rev Mark Gibson and their efforts to improve the living conditions and the surrounding area of the East. Well done. New Zealand Christian Churches Social Services Rex recently attended a meeting of Church Leaders and Advisors with the Prime Minister John Key and Deputy Prime Minister Bill English. The matters for discussion were: Is there still a need for this group to continue meeting with the PM and Deputy PM? – the simple answer was “Yes”. Other matters discussed was inequality, social and emergency housing. Generally speaking, these meetings with our Church Advisors, the PM and Deputy PM are valuable in terms of clarifying and understanding each other’s positions and determining possible solutions. Visit to Waikato Waiariki Synod Vice President Jan travelled to Tauranga, Te Awamutu and Hamilton for Wesley Day weekend. Like other visits to parishes it is a privilege to sit down and talk with retired members of the church and friends from the past and share memories. Being Wesley weekend hearty Methodist singing was evident at Wesley Tauranga on Sunday morning and again at the Synod Service at Te Awamutu in the evening. Methodist City Action is located in the inner city of Hamilton and provides services to those in need through direct provision of services, and by working collaboratively with other organisations. They value a social development model of programme and service delivery. A group of Koreans were very busy in the kitchen preparing the lunch for those requiring a warm and nourishing midday meal when Jan visited. Tamahere Eventide Home and Retirement Village was a lovely setting to gather for lunch with the Hamilton Supernumeraries and their spouses. Tamahere provides a quality caring service for older people in a Christian environment. They are in the process of adding new Villas and have plans for major upgrading. In closing a quote from The Wesley Day hymn by Jan Chamberlain: We thank you, God, that we can learn Such lessons from your saints now past. That we can know a faith, a hope, A love that all our lives will last. We ask you, God, in these our prayers: May all our days be lived like theirs.

Rex and Jan June 2014 2 e-messenger

A Message from the Acting General Secretary

From Susan’s Desk... Come, Holy Spirit! Renew the Whole Creation! In 1991 I was privileged as a student to attend a workshop on ecumenism held in conjunction with the World Council of Churches 7th General Assembly in Canberra. The highlight of that event for me was daily worship and Bible study in the outdoor worship tent. I had never before experienced such a gathering of people from all over the world. Thousands came from East and West, from North and South to worship, to share their stories, to debate, to struggle with issues of peace and justice, to protest and to pray the Assembly theme: “Come, Holy Spirit! Renew the Whole Creation!” I came away inspired by the colour, diversity, hopefulness and pain of the body of Christ. It was the first time I truly understood that the Church was so much larger than I had ever imagined. I saw with my own eyes the wideness of God’s family drawn together by the Spirit in the common search for justice, freedom, healing and unity. In this season of Pentecost we continue to be challenged to look beyond ourselves and our own concerns. Methodist Conference 2013 asked that Synods be responsible for ensuring training in parishes and congregations to raise awareness of family violence and abuse. Last weekend Opeta Amani from Sinoti Samoa led a workshop on family violence for members of the Waikato-Waiariki Synod. Opeta reminded us of New Zealand’s appalling family violence statistics. The “Family Violence: It’s Not OK” campaign notes that 58% of all reported violent crime in New Zealand is family violence. On average 14 women, 7 men and 8 children are killed by a member of their family every year. Police attend a family violence situation every 6 minutes but estimate that only 20% of incidents are reported. Yet family violence is not only physical. It also includes psychological abuse (threats, put downs, stalking and controlling behaviour), sexual abuse (unwanted touching, forced sexual activity and rape) and neglect (not providing food, shelter, clothing, medical attention or affection). For Synod members an essential learning of the workshop was that family violence knows no distinctions. It takes place in every kind of home: rich and poor; Pasifika, European and Maori; the well-educated and the uneducated; gay and straight; church and non-church. Family violence affects people in all of our congregations. That means we all have a part to play in recognising the signs of violence, offering support and keeping each other safe. I warmly commend the value of holding such a workshop in your Synod or parish. We found it extremely valuable and it was another way of committing ourselves to the Church’s 10 Year Mission Priority “Let the children live”. Come, Holy Spirit! Renew the Whole Creation! Grace and peace

Susan

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REMEMBER In your Prayers

It is with sadness that we inform the Connexion of the death of Phyllis (Phyl) Hilder on 11 May 2014. Phyllis was in her 92nd year and was the wife of the late Rev Basil Hilder, who was a Methodist minister of long standing. Phyllis's funeral was held on Saturday 17 May at St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Gisborne. We extend our sympathy and care to Phyllis's family. Messages may be sent C/- Karen Neumegen, 43 Einstein Street, Gisborne 4010.

It is with sadness that I advise the Connexion of the death of Sybil Christian, wife of the Rev. Owen Christian. Sybil died in Christchurch on 25th May 2014 in her 96th year. Sybil's funeral was held at St.Andrew's Anglican Church, Redcliffs on Saturday 31st May. Messages can be sent to Mary Christian, 28 Colenso Street, Sumner, Christchurch 8081.

It is with sadness we inform the Connexion that Diane Gilkison died peacefully on June 2nd 2014. Diane was the mother of Rev Anna Gilkison, Presbyter at Johnsonville Uniting Parish, and wife of the late Rev Norman Gilkison. Loved mother of Jenny, Anna, Tim and Peter (dec). Grandmother of Rebecca, Ben and Michael; Emma, Rachel, Tim and Laura, Luke and Ella, Hamish, Olive rand Charlotte. Great grandmother of Tui, Ida, Luke and Marlene. Diane lived happily at home until her last day. Diane's funeral service was held in Khandallah Presbyterian church on Friday 6 June 2014 and was followed by a private cremation. Messages c/- Lychgate, 7 Johnsonville Road, Johnsonville, Wellington or on line www.lychgate,co.nz We extend our sympathy and care to Anna and family.

It is with sadness we inform the Connexion that Bedh Mati died on June 2nd, 2014 after being ill for some time. Bedh Mati was the sister/sister-in-law of Kamla and Suresh Chandra, Presbyter at Upper Hutt Uniting Parish. Bedh Mati's funeral service was held at the family home followed by a burial at Nasinu cemetery in Fiji. We extend our sympathy and care to Kamla and Suresh and their family. Messages can be sent to Suresh and Kamla Chandra, 11 Redwood Street, Elderslea, Upper Hutt 5018 or email Su Chan [suchan93@yahoo.com]. We express our sympathy and care to each of these families as they grieve and lovingly

remember.

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Conference Update

Please note that more detailed information will be placed on the Methodist website, sent out via eMessenger and published in the eMessenger Newsletter as it becomes available.

METHODIST CONFERENCE 2014 15 – 19 November

Hamilton

Planning continues to progress well for Conference in November this year.

This update contains information on some accommodation available in Hamilton at locations that would be appropriate for the conference. Special rates have been negotiated as you will see from the information below. More accommodation options will be advised as it becomes available. ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS FOR CONFERENCE 2014 PLEASE NOTE: Rates are subject to availability and therefore are not guaranteed at the time of booking. When you are booking please let the hotel know you are booking for the ‘Methodist Church Conference’. Novotel Tainui Hamilton $159 room only $179 bed & breakfast for 1 guest $199 bed & breakfast for 2 guests Ibis Tainui Hamilton $109 room only $129 bed & breakfast for 1 guest $149 bed & breakfast for 2 guests FURTHER NOTES:

When making your travel arrangements, while Conference does not begin until Saturday the Wesley Historical Society Dinner and meeting is on the Friday evening. Members of the Stationing Committee and Tauiwi Strategy will also meet on Friday. There will be a Conference Dinner on Saturday evening. The Te Taha Maori and Tauiwi meetings on Sunday morning are open to any members of Te Taha Maori or Tauiwi. These meetings are for information sharing and discussion.

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Connexional News

‘Let the Children Live’

Are you aware of a city or district council which has a child-centred focus to its planning?

If so please send me any contact details or other relevant information

During the 2013 local government elections many candidates for Palmerston North City Council were approached, at a 'Meet the Candidates' Expo, by a member of the Palmerston North 'Let the Children Live' group. We wanted candidates’ views on the needs of the City’s children and what Council was doing or should be doing to meet those needs.

The actual question was ‘What do you see as the needs of children in the City, the issues facing (them), and what will you do to assist children?’ We used the responses received from those who were later elected to compile a list of the issues raised and actions to meet these needs. These were presented to the Council as a submission to the draft annual plan 2014-2015. We used the words of those who had been elected, reminding them of what they had said and requesting that this material be used in planning with children in mind.

The submission received a friendly reception. We were then asked if we knew of any local body councils that have a child-centred focus to their planning. We made a commitment to make enquiries and get back to PNCC. We believe this is important before directions are determined in the next Long Term Plan cycle.

Please send information to either: Email: jillwhite@inspire.net.nz or to: Palmerston North Parish, Box 1887, Palmerston North 4440

With thanks, Jill White on behalf of ‘Let the Children Live’ Palmerston North Deacon’s Convocation On the first weekend in May, 12 deacons and supporters gathered for Convocation at Houchen House in Hamilton. We came from a wide geographical area, Whangarei, Auckland, Christchurch, New Plymouth and the Bay of Plenty and Waikato area. It was beneficial to get together to provide support for each other, and share stories of our ministries, as well as fellowship and the business of the Diaconate Task Group. The Houchen House facility was a great place to have some refreshment and relaxation. Highlights were a visit to Tamahere Eventide Rest Home and Village where we saw the work of this amazing facility as well as heard about forward development plans. On the Saturday evening we had invited members of the Hamilton East Youth group to share with us, and we were all very blessed by their musical presentations. It was good to worship together at Melville Methodist church, and we thank them and Rev’s Lois & Edwin Clarke for the hospitality provided.

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60 Years of Methodism in Otumoetai

St Stephens of the Tauranga Parish is holding a special service to commemorate 60 years of Methodism in Otumoetai

on Sunday 29 June 2014

at 9:30am followed by morning tea

ST STEPHENS METHODIST CHURCH 15 Brookfield Terrace, Otumoetai

Ph: Geoff 07 5793637 gep@kinect.co.nz

PAC Distribution Group Applications 2014

PAC funding applications are due at the Connexional Office no later than 30 June 2014

For full application details and a copy of the PAC Distribution Cover Sheet see the Methodist Church website: http://www.methodist.org.nz/organisations/pac_distribution_group. If you require further information or assistance in making your request, please contact the General Secretary, Rev David Bush, ph (03) 366 6049 ext 824 or email davidb@methodist.org.nz. Please mail completed documents to PAC Distribution Group, P O Box 931, Christchurch 8140 or email to wendyk@methodist.org.nz.

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Media and Communication Endowment Fund 2014

Media & Communication Endowment Fund applications are due to the Convenor no later than 30 June 2014

PLEASE NOTE: Media & Communication Endowment Fund is a subsidiary of PAC. Use this fund if your application is for media or communication equipment, e.g. sound systems, data projectors, publishing costs for media etc. (For all other applications please refer to PAC Distribution Group information above) An Application Form and information leaflet are available on the Methodist website http://www.methodist.org.nz/organisations/media___communication_endowment_fund

Applications should be addressed to: The Convenor, Trish Moseley

PAC Media and Communications Fund, PO Box 125 194, St Heliers, Auckland 1740 Ph: (09) 575 2236, Email: pmoseley@paradise.net.nz

Please note: no late applications will be accepted for either fund

NOTE: if you are having trouble downloading the forms you may need to turn off your

‘pop-up blocker’ The James and Martha Trounson Benevolent Trust Fund

The Trustees of this fund are happy to accept applications at any time

to assist members who are experiencing hardship. Hardship can occur at any time so no set dates are advertised

The fund is available members in all Parishes with a Methodist component

Applications are not able to be made by individuals.

Grants may only be applied for members by Presbyters or Deacons or by the parish lay leader when no ordained person has been stationed.

Grants are limited to $500 in any 12 month period

For further information contact the Convener

Mary West 07 850 5711 or email maryw@west.net.nz

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Methodist Public Issues Network News

June 2014 NZ Government Budget 2014 The PIN Summary and Analysis of the budget is atwww.methodist.org.nz/public_questions_network/index>

The real priority for NZ budget 2014 is best seen in the biggest spending of $708 million for government/ industry partnerships. Investment in Agribusiness supported by Free trade (TPPA), Irrigation, Food Safety and some business tax deductions show that social spending sweeteners are smaller players. Additional military spending is on a par with the $500 million package for children and whānau/ families spread over 4 years. There is no investment in solving child poverty.

PIN put out a media release approved by John Roberts and President Rex.

NZCCSS hosted a weebix and milk breakfast with Ministers Bill English and Paula Bennett.

Recognizable friends, colleagues and politicians

Election 2014! It Takes a Child to Raise a Country PIN is working with an NGO coalition of organizations for children (Tick for Kids). A Comms professional proposed the above tag line – which everyone likes. The coalition, including PIN, is preparing a toolkit for the elections. The toolkit includes information on poverty, questions for political candidates, templates for media statements, ideas for using social media. I will circulate this as soon as it is in its final form.

Note- Children’s Commission Research Brief on legislation to reduce child poverty and a paper by John Hancock on lessons for NZ from UK child poverty legislation

PIN is working with NGO’s working on environment and developing an election focus based on values. Topics include Freshwater, Climate Change, Oceans, Mining and RMA.

Housing is leaping to the forefront of as an election issue – with Social Housing as a critical issue.

RMA and Māori Party The Māori Party have acted as kaitiaki of the RMA – along with United Future, by not supporting the changes to the RMA on the grounds that changes would undermine the environmental sustainability. Provisions for kaitiakitanga, stewardship, natural character and landscape would have to give way to faster consents for development. Amending the RMA is likely to be an election platform for the National Party.

Inequality Links for inequality: www.closertogether.org.nz and Facebook www.facebook.com/closertogethernz .: The Nation with Max Rashbrooke and others; and Wilkinson and Pickett Sir Douglas Robb Lectures. Living Wage Wellington Living Wage is focussing on Wellington City Council commitment to pay a Living Wage to contracted employees, and developing a strategy for Porirua.

Max Rashbrooke author of Inequality

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Job Vacancies

Trinity Methodist Theological College - Principal The College is seeking a person (lay or ordained) to fill the role of Principal from the 1st February 2015.

Trinity Methodist Theological College is the tertiary education provider in the Methodist Church of New Zealand, Te Hāhi Weteriana o Aotearoa. We are a multi-ethnic Church which lives out its mission and ministry within a bicultural partnership and context.

This position is key to the future direction of ordained and lay leadership within the Church. It is a dynamic role requiring visionary leadership matched with the ability to initiate and deliver relevant education, training and development programmes in a climate of continuous improvement. The Principal we are seeking should be a competent educator and theologian with empathy for the Wesleyan tradition of Christian life and witness and with demonstrated leadership in a dynamic and changing environment.

For a copy of the job description and College Strategic Plan, please email admin@tcol.ac.nz by Friday 18 July 2014.

Applications close on 31 July 2014 Lower North Island District Superintendent The Lower North Island District Superintendent's position will be vacant as from 31st January 2015. This is a part-time team position. The Synod executive is seeking applications from persons interested.

A description of the position can be obtained by emailing the Synod Secretary - Jenny Olsson at jennyolsson@clear.net.nz

Applications close on the 30 June 2014 with the Synod Secretary

Jenny Olsson, Lower North Island Synod Secretary Christian Conference of Asia – General Secretary Applications are invited from individuals from member churches of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) for the position of General Secretary of the CCA. The position is open to both lay and ordained, men and women.

This is a senior position, involving international ecumenical leadership for the churches in Asia. It has the expectation of appropriate qualifications and experience. The location is in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with extensive international travel.

Details of the Position Description, including Selection Criteria and Terms and Conditions, can be obtained from Rev. Prince Devanandan, Moderator of the Search Committee:

Rev. Prince Devanandan Mission and Ecumenical, Methodist Church of New Zealand, Private Bag 11 903, Ellerslie, Auckland, Aotearoa NZ Email: princed@methodist.org.nz

Closing date for receipt of applications: 31 October 2014 Rev. Prince Devanandan, Moderator, Search Committee

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Methodist Mission & Ecumenical Newsletter June 2014

CHURCH COUNCILS REFLECT ON THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTIAN UNITY IN A TIME OF CHANGE In her opening address to a world conference on the affect of ecumenical councils on the search for justice, peace and unity, the moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee called for an openness to change in an era of encounter with “different types of cultures and religions”. “The structures of the churches can either inhibit or enhance the spirit of the ecumenical movement”, said Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, during the opening speech of a Nairobi consultation being promoted by the WCC and the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) for Regional Ecumenical Organizations (REOs) and National Councils of Churches (NCCs). The second consultation on “Conciliar Ecumenism” is took place in the capital of Kenya between 2 and 7 June. These groups first met in Beirut, Lebanon, in February 2012. Conciliar ecumenism is a term used to describe the quest for Christian unity as practised by formal councils and conferences of churches. Sharing theological reflections on the identity of councils, WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit emphasized on the second day of the event the importance of the “Unity Statement” adopted by the WCC 10th Assembly. He also affirmed the consensus method used by WCC governing bodies as a crucial element for conciliar ecumenism. “The future of the ecumenical movement cannot be understood outside the history of the movement and the context. We need to see our context differently, taking into account that today we have different types of cultures and religions”, Dr. Abuom said. The first days of the consultation in Nairobi were permeated with sharing how the councils have been working together with their members and looking for a community known for its unity. “Ecumenical councils need to be custodians of the call for unity and to be counsellors to each other, despite of the issues that sometimes divide their positions”, said Dr Abuom. “We need to build an ecumenism from below, an inclusive ecumenism, a framework where we harvest the wisdom from everywhere (east, south, north and west). This connection with the grassroots will help us to revitalize the role of the councils”, she concluded. Information available at http://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/church-councils-reflect-on-the-spirit-of-christian-unity-in-a-time-of-change

YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR MISSION AND ECUMENICAL to REACH THE GOAL

The Mission and Ecumenical SEA AMBULANCE FUND reached the target of NZ $ 42,000.

Our regular supporters and some new ones have contributed generously to collect the funds to upgrade the sea ambulance facility at the Helena Goldie Hospital in Munda, Solomon Islands. While we thank all of them we say special thanks to the entire Women’s Fellowships who continue to support the work of Mission and Ecumenical in Solomon Islands. In addition two of the donors contributed significant amounts that added up to more than 50% of the fund. We at Mission and Ecumenical thank and praise God for making it possible to be a blessing to the people in the Solomon Islands. We continue to count on your part in the future as well. Ecology, theology and justice in practice

A seminar under the theme of Ecologoy, theology and justice in practice will take place from 23 – 27 June 2014 at the Ecumenical Institute Bossey, Switzerland.

This seminar will make the link between ecology, theology and justice visible, and draw attention to the potential for churches to develop viable, applied ethical responses and alternatives to the menace to nature from within their traditions. At the same time the seminar will provide insights into eco-theological discourses which emphasize the necessity of processes of mutual critique between ecology and theology in order to promote the common aim of a sustainable world for tomorrow.

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Rev. Mark Gibson, Peter Lane and Liliuokahlani Teofilo wiil represent the Methodist Church of New Zealand at this seminar. We look forward to hear from their experience. The seminar is organized by the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey in collaboration with the WCC progamme on Ecological Justice and Climate Change and co-sponsored by the European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN), the National Council of Churches of India (NCCI), the Pacific Conference of Churches and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) of Cameroon. More information available at:

http://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/events/green-churches-ecology-theology-and-justice-in-practice

Central Committee meeting – World Council of Churches

A new Central Committee was elected by the WCC 10th Assembly in Busan from among its delegates in November 2013. It serves as the chief governing body of the WCC until the next assembly, meeting every 2 years. It is responsible for carrying out the policies adopted by the Assembly, reviewing and supervising WCC programmes and the budget of the Council. The new central committee is due to meet from 2 to 8 July 2014 in Geneva, Switzerland. Most Rev. Ray Coster, moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand will represent the member churches of Aotearoa until the next General Assembly in 2020. We assure our prayers and best wishes as he travels to attend the Central Committee meeting.

YOUTH IN ASIA TRAINING FOR RELIGIOUS AMITY –YATRA FROM 8 TO 21 JUNE 2014 IN SIAM REAP, CAMBODIA

YATRA 2014 has been met with broad interest. Christians from Asia who are between 20 and 35 years old were invited to apply. Michael Lemanu from Papatotoe Wesley Church and Nancy ‘Amelia Taktaka from Hamilton East Methodist Parish have left for Siam Reap, Cambodia to attend the training programme. They will attend the full programme and will return home after 21 June 2014.

The 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches held in Busan, South Korea called the churches to embark on “a pilgrimage of justice and peace”. Recognizing the need for such a pilgrimage to have an inter-religious dimension, as well as an inter-generational one (particularly with a focus on young people), the WCC programme on Inter-religious Dialogue and Cooperation is initiating the Youth in Asia Training for Religious Amity (YATRA).

This training course will enable young Christian leaders from Asian churches to contribute towards

the building up of just, harmonious and peaceable communities by equipping them for ministries of justice and peace from an inter-religious perspective. The choice of name, YATRA (which is a common term for pilgrimage in many Indo-Asian religions and languages), is intended to reflect the idea of pilgrimage.

Yatra will bring together young men and women who are in positions of leadership within their respective churches. More information available at

http://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/events/youth-in-asia-training-for-religious-amity

‘Significant steps’ needed to progress Anglican-Methodist Covenant

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, together with the President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, have issued a joint statement to their Churches on 22 May 2014.

The Most Revd Justin Welby, the Most Revd John Sentamu, the Revd Ruth Gee and Dr Daleep Mukarji have issued the statement in response to a report that will be debated by the Methodist Conference and General Synod this year in UK.

The report, entitled The Challenge of the Covenant, recommends that both Churches take action to enhance unity between them, with the work being fully embedded in Church structures. The report also encourages the Church of England to address the question of interchangeability of ordained ministries between the two Churches, and the Methodist Church to consider the possibility of a form of episcopal ministry (such as a ‘president bishop’).

The statement from the Archbishops and Methodist Presidency welcomes the report, stating that: “The time has now come for our churches to take further, significant steps to achieve that level of reconciliation between us and partnership in the gospel that will enhance our mission together in local communities and our shared witness to the whole of society.” Read the report of the Joint Implementation Commission from

http://www.methodistconference.org.uk/media/223578/conf-2014-21-the-challenge-of-the-covenant.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Methodist+Church+&utm_campaign=4168954_305+NR+JIC+Statement&utm_content=JICReport&dm_i=BVI,2HCSA,6MZO7J,918GL,1

METHODIST MISSION AND ECUMENICAL

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

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

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ECUMENICAL

News & Views THE GATHERING! Resourcing for Local Shared Ministry and Lay Ministry Teams

10 – 12 July 2014 Wairarapa College, Masterton

Local Shared Ministry Teams

Lay Ministry Teams Resource Leaders Parish Members

Enablers

From Union

Methodist Presbyterian

Co-operating Ventures Please see attachment to this newsletter for more information and a registration form. Christian World Service Refugee Sunday

Syrian refugees lining up for relief supplies in Yarmouk camp. Photo credit: UNRWA CWS is asking churches to pray for refugees and displaced people. CWS is preparing worship and PowerPoint resources for Refugee Sunday on 23 June available by 10 June. For the second year, CWS is focusing on the plight of Syrian refugees with the theme, “In the Day of My Trouble I call on You”. The resources feature the work of CWS partner, the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees and stories from Jordan and Lebanon. They also include material from South Sudan where more than one million people have displaced. In addition, CWS asks you to support the refugees by holding a special appeal or fundraising effort.

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South Sudan Photo” ACT/P Jeffrey A fragile ceasefire provides some hope for South Sudan, the world’s newest country. Fierce fighting has rocked the country since December 2013, displacing nearly one million people. A new agreement for a “month of tranquillity” was signed between President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar on May 10 in Addis Ababa. It will allow vital aid supplies to get through to at least some people. The UN is reporting 4 million South

Sudanese will need of food over the next three months and has begun air operations. The lack of infrastructure makes delivery expensive. CWS partner, the Maridi Service Agency is asking for assistance as the town responds to an influx of over 7,400 displaced people. Maridi, Western Equatoria, is far from the conflict in the east but one of the safer areas. Church leaders are directly involved in negotiations and are praying that some of the underlying tensions might be addressed in current negotiations. Please continue to pray for a resolution that will mean a better government for the people and hope for people who have suffered so much. CWS Update Each month CWS sends out CWS Update for churches and supporters. It includes information from partner groups, perspectives on development and new resources. It is a useful guide for prayer and also a means to find out what else is happening in the world. You can subscribe by writing to Emma. Spiritual Growth Ministries

Spiritual Direction Formation

Do people approach you to talk about their spiritual life? Would you like to train as a Spiritual Director?

Spiritual Growth Ministries offers a well-regarded and comprehensive two year,

part-time programme, designed to inspire and form you as an effective Spiritual Director.

The programme includes:

• study of the theology and practices of Christian Spiritual Direction

• deepening spiritual formation • regular workshops conducted by

experienced practitioners • supervised one-to-one spiritual

direction practice

(Applications for 2015/16 due by 20th September 2014) For all enquiries please contact: Barbara McMillan sgmtp@xtra.co.nz or visit our website: http//www.sgm.org.nz

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Rubble to Resurrection

Announcing the release of Rubble to Resurrection * 2 years of research * 95 church surveys and 50 interviews completed. * Real stories of ordinary church folk responding in the Canterbury Quakes Rubble to Resurrection is a unique account of the churches’ response to the disastrous Christchurch earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 and contains many previously untold stories. The quakes were among the largest natural disasters in New Zealand history. How did the churches themselves fare? How did the ordinary folk in the pews reach out to their suffering neighbours? With a few exceptions, the incredible efforts of Christians and congregations were generally passed over by the secular press, but Christchurch author Melissa Parsons was determined to set the record straight. She surveyed over 220 local churches and interviewed more than fifty local Cantabrians to get their personal stories. This combined account contains representation from 17 denominations, 9 independent fellowships and 6 different ethnic communities, and also includes mention of the faith-based

NGO's in the city. “I hope these stories will encourage both the churches and the wider community,” Melissa wrote in her introduction, “and I pray they might serve as a guide and inspiration to churches facing similar challenges in the future.” Renowned US Christian Author, Philip Yancey says: “So many times in the wake of suffering, the Christian Church – the body of Christ - faithfully responds with comfort and practical help. I saw that in person in Christchurch the year after the quake, and thank Melissa Parsons for honouring those who responded in the footsteps of the One for whom the city was named.” Former NZ Baptist Union President, Murray Robertson says:

“A dramatic account of the Canterbury earthquakes, with inspirational snapshots.” Rubble to Resurrection was launched in Christchurch on May 24th, to an enthusiastic response, and is soon to go to a second print run. The book is available through bookshops and libraries around the country on request, or direct from the publisher for $28.99 (plus $5 freight) from DayStar Books, PO Box 65275, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 9754 or email info@daystarbooks.org

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Volunteering Canterbury

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June Amendments

To the Yearbook

1992 2010 Peterson, Brian C [M] 027 285 8728 10 Rochfort Street [H] 06 856 8638 Otane 4202 [Em] b_peterson@xtra.co.nz 1992 2007 Peterson, Marion J [M] 027 3735 144 10 Rochfort Street [H] 06 856 8638 Otane 4202 [Em] marionjp@xtra.co.nz 2013 1 Solomon, Abhishek [M] 021 647 164 2140 46 Motiti Street [O] 09 425 8660 Warkworth 0910 [Em} solomonabhi@gmail.com 1987 12 Clover, Gary A M [H][O][F] 03 547 7322 7015 11 Griffith Street [M] 021 256 6965 Richmond 7020 [Em] gsclover@xtra.co.nz 1955 1988 Goreham, Norman J [M] 021 1309 507 96 Hamurana Road [Em] norman.goreham@gmail.com

Omokoroa 3114, Western Bay of Plenty LIAISON PERSONS Tamaki Gillian Laird 73 Opaheke Road, Opaheke, Papakura 2113 [Em] glaird22@gmail.com [H] 09 298 7596 [M] 021 211 8326 If you have any amendments or updates to the yearbook please feel free to email Wendy at wendyk@methodist.org.nz with the updates and they can be published here for the information of the Connexion.

Names & Addresses (Pg 22)

Te Taha Maori (Pg 12)

June 2014 17 e-messenger