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Update

Kiribati

A recent visit to Kiribati for the Council for World Mission Pacific Region Meeting highlighted for me the difficult circumstances in which people live in the Pacific. From a distance photos of waving palms beside blue seas make island existence seem idyllic but closer inspection changes the view. Kiribati has a population of over 80,000 - 36,000 on the main island of Tarawa. All these islands are coral atolls, no part of which is more than 10 feet above sea level. Food is not varied because of the adverse growing conditions. Pollution is obvious - there are no sewerage or waste management processes. Diabetes and other health problems are endemic. AIDS is increasing. Despite our care three members of our delegation came back with salmonella. The Kiribati Protestant Church is one of our closest Pacific neighbours and people from that Church within New Zealand are part of our congregations.

Grace Presbyterian Church

An update to the information already distributed about this new and separate denomination. A further meeting with representatives of Grace Presbyterian Church is being held 9 May 2003. The purpose is to continue to address confusion about the similarity of name between the new denomination and that of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Appeal to General Assembly

Earlier this year Presbyteries/UDCs, Sessions/Parish Councils were advised of a Human Rights Commission mediation concerning a decision of the National Assessment Work Group not to assess an applicant for the ministry. The decision followed advice of the Book of Order and Judicial Reference Group concerning the Church's policy regarding homosexuality. At its last meeting the Council of Assembly received appeals from the student concerned and the Presbytery of Wellington and has referred them to a Judicial Commission. The Commission is made up of Sir Duncan McMullin (convener) a retired judge of the Court of Appeal and a Presbyterian, Rev. Chris Elliot, Ms Sandra Alofivae, Mr Arthur Budd, and Mr Jeremy Brook, with Mr Frazer Barton as advisor as to process. We will advise you of the outcomes of the Commissions work.

ACNielsen

Many parishes and other bodies have been making extensive use of the results of the ACNielsen research. If you or your parish have not accessed the resources I encourage you to contact the Communications Team.

Year Book and Book of Order

The Year Book has been distributed. If you have not received a copy please contact Hazel Smith in our office at hazels(at)presbyterian.org.nz. Further copies may be purchased for $12.00 plus 90cents postage.

The updated Book of Order was published in February. It is available on the Presbyterian Website at www.presbyterian.org.nz. Hard copies are available from the Assembly Office at a cost of $25.00 including postage.

From the Introduction Workgroup

Many thanks to the Boards of Nomination and their Nominators who have forwarded Profiles to the Introduction Workgroup.

The Ordinands whom we are seeking to place are Howard Carter, George Kopa, Craig Millar, Steve Millward, Roy Pearson, Cameron Sinclair, and Carol Thorley (who may be doing post-graduate work in 2004).

These followers of Jesus offer to the church a rich diversity of backgrounds, theological perspectives, interests, hopes for the church and confidence that God has called them to ordained ministry.

Please pray for the work of the Introduction Workgroup, Ordinands and Boards of Nomination who together are seeking to confirm the call of God.

For more information contact Geoffrey Skilton email geoffrey.skilton(at)paradise.net.nz

Ecumenical Events

CWM Pacific Regional Consultation

The Pacific Region of the Council for World Mission met in consultation in Kiribati in April. Our Church was represented by Kerry Enright, Don Ikitoelagi, Libby Smith and Chris Nichol.

The key item of business was the formal establishment of structures to enable NZ$2.6 million to be disbursed from CWM in London for regional empowerment in the Pacific.

The consultation decided to make a total of $500,000 available to churches in the region to develop their communications infrastructure. Other primary mission focuses include:

Developing a Pacific Voice to help other parts of the world understand issues that challenge the Pacific such as dumping of toxic waste, climate change and asylum seekers.

Coordinating greater understanding of new religious movements in the Pacific and the challenges they pose to the established churches

Promoting the voice and participation of young people in the churches.

Raising awareness about HIV/AIDS in the Pacific and promoting a pastoral response to those who suffer from the disease.

The Region's programmes are facilitated through its newly appointed Regional Secretary, the Rev'd. Siaosi Salesulu who is based in Apia.

For more information contact Chris Nichol
chrisn(at)presbyterian.org.nz.

What's New on the Web

Ministry Resources

A complete Lectionary resource for the period ending the week before Pentecost, can be found on the Resources page.

Preaching resources and prayer kits developed by the Mission Resource Team in the future will be made available on the website.

Book Reviews

'Studying the Historical Jesus; a Guide to Sources and Methods' by Darrell L Bock, reviewed by Ron Mills is at:

More new reviews are expected soon as we follow up on several overdue reviews.