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Update

In the neighbourhood

St John's-in-the-city Wellington recognises Victoria University is a focus of its mission. Just up the road thousands come to study. Part of mission is extending knowledge of Christian thinking. So St John's is contributing $200,000 over three years to a new senior lectureship in Christian theology, a joint project with Victoria University. Such influence has immeasurable effect as people at a crucial stage of their development are exposed to Christian thought.

And beyond

Congregations active in local mission are generally directly involved in global mission initiatives. The outward momentum propels beyond the local. As a sample I have heard of three parishes which have teams travelling to Thailand - St Lukes' Remuera, Knox Lower Hutt, and East Taieri Dunedin.
Our Global Mission Secretary, Andrew Bell, is a superb communicator. His work aims to put local and regional groups in touch with overseas contexts. Andrew is in regular contact with partners in places as diverse as Vanuatu, Palestine, Zambia, and Taiwan. Our church has partnerships built over generations and we are building new ones. Our hope is that every congregation sees itself partnering overseas. Andrew is doing a great job in raising awareness and welcomes contact - see later in Bush Telegraph. He would welcome hearing what you are doing.

Pacific Islanders Synod Conference

The annual meeting of the Pacific Islanders Synod is being held at Newton Pacific Islanders Church, Auckland 11 and 12 July. All Pacific ethnic groups are represented - Samoan, Cook Island, Niuean, Tuvaluan/Tokelauan and English-speaking groups. The conference aims at mutual encouragement and resourcing, identifying joint initiatives.

Forum of Cooperative Ventures

The same weekend representatives from cooperative ventures meet for the biennial forum in Karori, Wellington. Among other things the Forum is considering a change of name and a new process of ministerial appointment. About a quarter of our congregations are in cooperative ventures.

Presbyterian Church Schools Conference

The annual conference involving Board chairs, members, principals, and chaplains is at St Kentigern's Auckland 7/8 August. It's an opportunity for people to resource each other, reorient to the direction of the Presbyterian Church and to further develop the special character of Presbyterian Schools.

Uniting Church in Australia

At the time you read this our Moderator Michael Thawley is representing us at the UCA Assembly in Melbourne. The Assembly attracts representatives from over 30 partner churches so it is an opportunity to learn what is happening world-wide. For this Assembly recommendations from agencies number only 14, a small number compared with previous Assemblies. We will be looking at how they did it.

Professional Liability Insurance

The Church has professional liability insurance for matters which could lead to the award of damages. The insurance only covers those items about which the insurer has been notified at the earliest possible opportunity. That means that as soon as I receive notice of anything which might lead to a complaint I immediately advise our brokers. In the next week or so every Presbytery Clerk and UDC Secretary will receive a form developed by our brokers asking them to confirm they have advised me of every such complaint. It means parishes need to tell the Clerk or Secretary of every possible complaint.

Computers

Our office is presently installing a new system. We have a person in our office guiding the project and it is progressing well. Those responsible for oversight are carefully monitoring the achievement of key milestones and cost. The installation of this system is part of our planning towards Financial Services in particular providing a good service to parishes and individuals.

Mission Resource Team Northern South Island

The Selection Panel continues its work. It is expected the position will not be able to be filled until January 2004. In the mean time the Mission Resource Team is ensuring help is provided by other means.

Local life

I am very fortunate many people tell me news of congregational life. Much of it is good news. In three recent instances elders spoke of life during a 'vacancy', time before another minister is called.

In one rural parish an elder has taken major responsibility for coordinating parish worship and is seeing people offer to help and more people willing to participate.

In another rural parish a Sunday School and Youth Group have started.

In an Auckland parish attendance at a more contemporary service continues to grow and 44 of their young people attended the Capital Teen Convention in Wellington.

These parishes are using the transition time to continue building the congregation's life.

Thank you

 

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a Mission Resource Team Co-Director developed a clearer focus for their mission;

the School of Ministry received a graduate minister;

the Assembly Executive Secretary been helped to deal with a stifling conflict;

the Moderator gained greater hope for local mission;

the Youth Co-Director found their youth worker networked with others;

the Children and Young Families Coordinator found their Childrens Work beginning to develop new impetus;

the Ecumenical Relations Secretary linked with the Council for World Mission;

Financial Services received payment for the funeral of a loved one;

Global Mission developed a relationship with an overseas partner.

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This is a very very small part of what your giving provides. Thank you.

News

Tutahi Tatou - Let's Stand Together

Dates and venues for Tutahi Tatou have now been finalised. A letter to parish and presbytery clerks inviting interested people to register for the September event will be issued this month.

Tutahi Tatou is a series of regional seminars run by the Council of Assembly. It's an excellent opportunity hear about proposed initiatives from the policy groups and to discuss items and give feedback. The feedback will shape the policy initiatives taken to next year's Assembly and is an extension of the Assembly dialogue group process. The Council warmly welcomes anyone who is interested in the future of faith and ministry and would enjoy the opportunity to have input and network with others.

 

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Christchurch, St Mark's Avonhead Upper Riccarton - Sat, Sept 13

Auckland, Forrest Hill Presbyterian Church - Sat, Sept 13 Dunedin,

East Taieri Presbyterian Church - Sat, Sept 20 Rotorua,

St Andrews Presbyterian Church - Sat, Sept 20 Palmerston North,

St David's Presbyterian Church - Sat, Sept 27

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For people unable to travel there will be an opportunity to receive information through the web site.
Please look out for the letter to clerks and start thinking about who would like to attend. The Council welcomes groups from parishes or presbyteries.

ICHC new email addresses

Because of the changeover to a new computer system at the Assembly Office the Interchurch Commission for Hospital Chaplaincy (ICHC) has new email addresses.

The new address for Ron Malpass the Executive Officer for ICHC is CEO(at)ichc.org.nz and for emails to the ICHC Administrator, Margaret Pointon the new address is admin(at)ichc.org.nz.