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Update

The mission of Jesus Christ

How is our congregation participating in the mission of Jesus Christ in our world? How can we collaborate with what Christ is doing in our community? How is that mission shaping our life?

Since the 1990s reports and decisions of the General Assembly have highlighted these questions. 

The challenges of growth

In recent days people from congregations in growing areas have phoned asking about where to get resources to build or property to buy.They see thousands of people moving to live in their neighbourhood but they don't have the facilities to host them.  In some areas the need is urgent because the land is offered at a reduced price for a limited period.  The opportunity faces congregations and presbyteries because the Assembly does not have funds for this purpose.As a church we have enough resources, if we can get them to where they are needed.

National Church Leaders Group

Twice a year the Moderator and Assembly Executive Secretary meet for a day with other church leaders from the major Christian churches including Catholic and Pentecostal.  It's an informal meeting in which we talk about issues of common concern.  Items on this meeting's agenda include euthanasia, genetic modification, the Gambling Bill presently before parliament, and ecumenical developments.  Meetings are organised with government and political parties.  It is expected that later this year another meeting will be held with the Prime Minister and other cabinet ministers.

Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa

With support from the Council for World Mission a delegation is visiting the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa and attending its Assembly.  This Church has stated we are one of the four churches outside Southern Africa to which it looks as a close partner.  The situation in Zimbabwe and the AIDS epidemic threaten the wellbeing of many people and invite our solidarity.

Sexual Misconduct Complaints Seminars

The last Assembly revised the process for dealing with sexual misconduct complaints.  Seminars are being run in five centres around the country for people involved in managing the process.  For further details contact Sally Gatland at aes(at)pcanz.org.nz

Communications

Mary Macpherson, Communications Manager, has a passion for helping the Church communicate its message so people beyond the Church can hear and respond.  So she often asks difficult questions about exactly what people want to say, whether it is understandable, and whether the way they are saying it will enable them to be heard.  Mary organised the ACNielsen research which highlights some opportunities facing the church among parents with families.   She is strong on strategy because she sees communication as a continual process of engagement backed by good organisation.  Mary provides media advice to ministers and presbyteries where difficulties arise.  She edits sPanz and her team runs our website, Bush Telegraph and Candour.  She helps the Moderator with press releases.  She tries to find ways people in the Church can interact.  Mary is a valuable leader in the Service Team who continually reminds us how communication is core to who we are.

Kids Initiative in Auckland

Initiatives are now starting in Auckland following on from the AC Nielsen research.

See the Vacancies section on the last page of Bush Telegraph for an exciting opportunity for a 'Kids Friendly Initiator'.

Tutahi Tatou

Information is being sent to those who have registered for the upcoming Tutahi Tatou workshops, about Tutahi Tatou. The information is also available on the website.

Summer School Details

VISITING LECTURER:    Professor John Drane, Senior Lecturer in Practical Theology in the Department of Divinity at the University of Aberdeen and Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology, Fuller Seminary

John Drane is the author of 'What is the New Age Still Saying to the Church' and Biblical Faith and Cultural Change' and 'The McDonaldization of the Church:  Spirituality, Creativity, and the Future of the Church', as well as several other books about the Bible .

LOCATION:  Knox College, Arden Street, Dunedin.
DATES:  Monday, 12 January to Friday, 16 January 2004.
TOPIC:  Theological and Pastoral Perspectives on the Contemporary Family.
ENROLMENTS ARE LIMITED TO 40

This Summer School is being jointly offered by the School of Ministry and the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Otago.

The course is available as a School of Ministry post-graduate level paper especially suitable for ministers' continuing education and lay leaders, or as a Pastoral Theology 400 level paper for the Postgraduate Diploma in Ministry or the Master of Ministry degree through the University of Otago.

COST:  As a School of Ministry post-graduate level paper for continuing education the fee will be $500.

As a PGDipMin or MMin paper the fee will be approximately $800.
Further enquiries to the Registrar, School of Ministry, ph 03 473 6707, or  03 473 0109, Email registrar(at)knoxcollege.ac.nz

For PGDipMin and MMin enquiries contact Kate Wilson, 03 479 8901
Email kate.wilson(at)stonebow.otago.ac.nz

New Website Coming Soon

The Communications team is working hard at present redeveloping the Church's website. Following an extensive review of the website earlier in the year, a new site is being built. This is due to be launched next month. The new site will have all the old content you've come to love, plus added content and functionality to reach out to church members and wider society. Stay tuned.