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"Signposts for the Future"

Allan Paulin, Co-director for the Mission Resource Team in the Southern South Island, has written a study called "Signposts for the Future - Understanding Current Trends that Will Shape the Future of the Church" which is an excellent resource for church leaders as they plan their future.

The study is available on the website.

If you do not have access to the Internet a paper copy can be obtained from Kirsten Dale at the Assembly Office, PO Box 9049, Wellington ph (04) 381 8292 fax (04) 801 6001 email kirstend(at)pcanz.org.nz

Allan Paulin can also be contacted for further information or clarification ph:(03) 477 7948 email: apaulin(at)clear.net.nz.

Auckland Presbytery's New Structure

"Let's only have 3 full meetings of Presbytery in 2002". So began Auckland Presbytery's bold leap into a new structure last year.

As a new MRT Co-Director I was excited to hear the widespread desire to renew the life of our largest presbytery. In fact the motion which gave broad powers to the committees and authority to the executive to refresh the life of the Presbytery was passed unanimously.

So where's it all going? That's one of the exciting parts - no one is quite sure of the future yet, but people are willing to think differently. The plenary meetings are intended to be about inspiration and vision, Jane Prichard the New Moderator is determined to help focus the Presbytery on the mission before them. The Presbytery will also meet in regions, with time to hear about what's happening in the parishes of the region, with some business and a missional focus each meeting. Finally Presbytery powers have been given to committees where much of the day to day administration will be handled by smaller groups and where by good communication, trust will be fostered.

It might all sound quite ambitious, but to this observer at least it feels like the Spirit is moving the Church. One way of describing the changes might be to think of the Presbytery meeting in different modes, Vision-mode and Business-mode. In fact the Moderator observed that for the first meeting where there was a dinner provided by Somervell there were 20 more people at dinner than Presbytery, perhaps there's a third mode, Hospitality-mode! David Clark the convener of the executive observed "It's like climbing off a train in a new city and not being quite sure what you'll find, but knowing it will be exciting."

Simon McLeay MRT Northern.

What's New on the Web

<typolist>

Directory for Worship
The standard for worship in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Signposts for the Future
A study by Allan Paulin about the postmodern context for mission today.

Search Box
A search box has been added to menus on the site to make searching the site easier

</typolist>

 

Census Figures

The results of the 2001 Census show the following changes in religious affiliation since the last Census in 1996.

Presbyterian - In 1996 there were 470,442 Presbyterians which decreased to 431,547 in 2001. (Note: this number includes those who identified themselves as 'Reformed', 'Congregational', "Cook Island Congregational', or 'Samoan Congregational'. The figures without these two groups were 458,289 in 1996 and 417,453 in 2001)

Anglican - In 1996 there were 631,764 Anglicans which decreased to 584,793 in 2001.

Catholic - In 1996 there were 473,112 Catholics which increased to 486,012 in 2001

Methodist - In 1996 there were 121,650 Methodists which decreased to 120,705 in 2001

The number of people identifying as having no religion increased from 867,264 in 1996 to 1,028,052 in 2001

Assembly

You will be aware that the General Assembly is being held at St Patrick's College, Silverstream, Wellington from 22 to 27 September.

Information and forms have been sent to Presbyteries and UDCs to enable them to appoint Commissioners to the General Assembly. Presbyteries/UDCs will decide which parishes will have minister representatives and which will have elder representatives. The list of ministerial representatives will be finalised by 31 May and elder representatives by 22 June 2002. After Kerry Enright has receive the names and contact details for Commissioners information packs including registration and air booking information will be sent out. In mid May it will be possible to Register on the internet.

Closing Date for Registrations will be 9 August 2002.

Presbyteries should be actively seeking Youth Delegates to go to Assembly. The Youth Delegates will need to be aware that there will be a pre-Assembly gathering for them at the Assembly venue from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 September. The purpose of the pre-Assembly youth gathering is to build the delegates into a team and to introduce them to the culture of Assembly and the issues to be debated. It will also be a great way for them to get to know each other.

Parishes are also reminded that organisers of the Childrens Programme are looking for 24 children between the ages of to attend a 'live-in' programme at Assembly.

Any child between the ages of 8 - 14 years is welcome to apply by writing to the incoming moderator about why they would like to come to Assembly. These letters should be sent to Rev. Michael Thawley, 58 Dyers Pass Road, Cashmere, Christchurch by Friday 14 June 2002.

For further enquiries about the Childrens Programme contact:

Mary Peterson, National Co-ordinator Children and Families, 45 Motuhoa Rd, Tairua Ph (07) 864 8817 Email mjpetersen@xtra.co.nz

Or

Rev. Clare Lind, 93 Tauhinu Road, Miramar, Wellington Ph (04) 970 0693 Email clare.lind(at)xtra.co.nz

Letters to Support Hospital Chaplaincy

You may have become aware through media reports recently, that the Government is not willing to increase the amount of financial support offered to Hospital Chaplaincy Services, to maintain the 50/50 cost share basis that has applied since 1975. As a result of the Minister of Health's decision not to support the chaplaincy service at the previous levels, as "it is not a priority", a number of the 66 full-time hospital chaplaincy positions across the country are now under threat.

If you wish to support the Hospital Chaplains, an effective way to do this is for people who have received support form the hospital chaplaincy service as a patient, friend, or family member to write to the Minister of Health, Annette King to tell her of your experience and the importance to you at the time, of the chaplaincy service You are invited to write to Annette King, Minister of Health, Parliament Buildings, Wellington (no stamp required) expressing your support and experience of the service. Remember it is election year.

You may want to pass this on to your congregations

(This was adapted from a notice in the Sunday Bulletin of the Hutt City United Parish)