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From the Moderator
A few days ago "The Press" featured a very graphic picture of a runaway truck that had gone through the middle of an historic church in Australia. It was noted that when the truck was pulled out the church collapsed. For some church members that's what it feels like being the church - that from "outside" there have been runaway forces that have ripped the centre out of the church.
It's too easy, in bewilderment, to blame others for what is being experienced in some places. This instinct to respond to adversity with blame is a characteristic of our time. It need not be so for us. One of the characteristics of healthy congregations is responding to adversity with courage, imagination and the faith that God can do with us things that are beyond our wildest dreams.
Recently I was made aware again that we do not "transfer" members very well, that we lose a lot of members when they move. So I have been asking a few ministers about what, if anything do they do. Only one minister said he did anything. Those I talked to had no idea if members who had moved out of their area had ever connected with a church. They also reported that they had received new members, but it had depended on the new family taking the initiative to connect in their new place. I have a dream that we will "commission"/farewell people in an hospitable way; that families/people leaving one faith community will be given a letter of commendation they can take with them and they are asked if the minister/Session/ Parish Council of a congregation near to their new home may be advised. It is a simple thing to do - but it shows the care we have for our members and our wider Church family.
"The Incredible Journey"
It's not often one is offered a resource for children (8-10 yrs) that is both fun and educational. Last month the Governor General, Dame Silvia Cartwright launched "The Incredible Journey" for the Conference of Churches in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is a board game with a strong New Zealand flavour, which offers opportunities for the players to learn how to deal with conflict without violence, how to build relationships, and how to resolves everyday situations in a positive, peaceful way. The game is being distributed to schools, and it can also be purchased from CCANZ, PO Box 22-652, Christchurch, for $25. This is a unique resource for the Church to offer children in an increasingly violent world that seeks revenge rather than peaceful resolution. It is a significant contribution to the Decade to Overcome Violence.
Iraq
There was a lot of publicity about some of the statements released before and during the war in Iraq. We cannot leave it there. Last month I wrote to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Phil Goff, expressing concern about the impact of the war on children and families, and urging the Government to ensure the well-being of vulnerable citizens in the reconstruction of Iraq, giving due regard to the Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Convention (which relates to the protection of victims in international armed conflicts). One specific matter we asked to be addressed was the clearing of land mines.
A copy of the letter and Mr Goff's reply can be found on the Moderators page on the website, or contact Kirsten Dale (04) 381 8292, email kirstend(at)presbyterian.org.nz for a paper copy. One interesting part was the news that the Government is looking "at making a civilian contribution to the reconstruction of Iraq. One such area is agriculture, where we have decided to contribute NZ$1 million to rehabilitate the Iraqi Agriculture Ministry building in Baghdad. We will also offer scholarships and custom-made agriculture training courses in New Zealand."
Michael Thawley