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Update

Rite

In January I experienced the extra mile in a way that startled with its risk. It happened at the end of Owen Baragwanath's funeral. As the hearse moved on to one of Auckland's busiest streets, Khyber Pass, and as buses and cars hurtled past, a frock-coated funeral director slowly walked in front of the hearse, in the outside lane, for about a hundred metres to the first intersection, then stepped aside and stood on the middle line as the hearse moved through the intersection. I don't want to be mawkish but that act, involving some danger, enticed the tears. It spoke of reverence and dignity beyond what we often experience even at funerals. Part of what we do and who we are as a Church is ritualising, finding the extra mile, appropriate, occasionally startling, and dignified, in different settings.

Discussion

The Council of Assembly has distributed for feedback a questionnaire about single assessment. It was sent to every Session/Parish Council, Presbytery and UDC. Responses are due by 14 March 2003.

Also papers were sent last year about other issues and Barrier Act matters arising from the 2002 Assembly.

Presbyteries

Council is arranging meetings of representatives of Presbyteries and UDCs in March and April as part of the Strengthening Presbyteries initiatives.

New Appointment

The Council of Assembly has appointed Rev. John Daniel as Mission Resource Team Co-Director Southern South Island, replacing Allan Paulin. John will begin work almost immediately. He is a recent graduate of the School of Ministry in Dunedin and has both management qualifications and a Masters in Theology. John was born in India and baptised into the United Church of South India. He arrived in New Zealand at age 16 and describes himself as "passionately kiwi". He worked in the Fisher and Paykel Group of Companies in human resource positions including roles as Training and Development Manager at Group Head Office and Personnel Manager.

John has also served in a variety of roles in community and sports organisations and been involved with leading creative events in partnership with the community. His ministry experience began in Auckland in the Clevedon parish under Mark Chapman where he helped establish the Kawa Kawa Bay Presbyterian Church. In his time in Dunedin John has worked as supply pastor at Roslyn Presbyterian Church and Intern Chaplain at the Psychiatric Day Hospital in Dunedin.

As advised last month, Rev. Kevin Ward began as lecturer at the School of Ministry on 20 January.

Book of Order

An amended Book of Order is presently being published. The Book of Order will be available on the website in two formats in the next couple of weeks.

The easiest format to use will be a web page that allows you to search for and display individual sections on screen. Searching the book is the recommended way to view a particular section. If you want to save the whole Book of Order onto your computer there will also be a PDF file of the entire document, this will take a little while to download but will contain every page of the book. You can print out from either the web page or the PDF. If your Internet access is slow or unreliable there will be copies of the PDF version available on Compact Disc for $10.

We are publishing 200 hard copies. These will be available at the cost of $25 (including postage) from the Assembly Office.

Connecting with Families Research

Last year ACNielsen conducted in depth qualitative research for the Presbyterian Church. The aim of the research was to identify opportunities for the Church to connect with families not currently involved with Church, and to identify any shifts in approach or practice needed to do this. Some of the findings are previewed in the February 2003 issue of sPanz . The information will be of real interest to parishes who want to reach out to new people in their community or to those involved in children and families ministry.

The research report and associated resource material is freely available to any parishes who request it. You will receive two copies of the report (one unbound for photocopying), an introductory video suitable for use with a parish group and a discussion guide written by Kevin Ward of the School of Ministry.

For an information pack please contact Kirsten Dale in the Communications Unit: ph 04 3818292, kirstend(at)presbyterian.org.nz, Presbyterian Office, P O Box 9049, Wellington.

Police Checks

In accordance with a decision of the General Assembly 2002 it is a mandatory requirement for all Sessions/Parish Councils to arrange for a police check to be done on any lay person they are proposing to appoint to a position which has pastoral responsibilities.

This requirement has been adopted because it will help to minimise the likelihood of putting at risk the more vulnerable members of society by appointing a person who is unsuitable for such a position.

The process is quite straight forward but it needs to be operated in a way which ensure that our internal church processes are applied with integrity and with appropriate regard for people's privacy.

Applications for a police check to be done will need to be processed through the Assembly Office. Information packs will be sent to all Presbytery Clerks before the end of February and are available to parishes on request, from the Assembly Office.

The information will also be available on the website soon.

Any queries can be directed to Prue Neild pruen(at)presbyterian.org.nz or Jan Jonesjanj(at)presbyterian.org.nz Ph 04 801 6000

Free Resources

That got your attention didn't it. Now that you're with me, can you do me a favour? Go have a scout through your office, put a notice in the church bulletin and put it on the grapevine to look for those books you took out of the National Youth Ministry Library ages ago and send them back home to Wellington. (You'll know they're not yours cos they'll have our stamp on them.)

We've got a missing book list longer than your lower limbs that goes back to when I was at school (and I'm not that young). Many of the books that are missing are out of print now so we can't replace them but they're still being requested because they've got good stuff in them (which is why you've probably still got them...)

Go on, make our day. Seek out those books and once you find them, send them to:
Youth Ministry Library, PO Box 9049, Wellington

All those who make returns will receive a lollipop for their efforts.

Mo Mansill

Assembly Office Staff

- If you ring the National Youth Ministry Office over the next twelve months, you may get a different voice from Mo Mansill answering your call. Jo Ryan has landed at HQ and will be working with Mo in her office this year. Her time will be spent working on national, regional, and local projects. Jo finished 7th form last year and has taken out a year to work before she heads down to Dunedin to study next year. She has been involved in youth leadership for a number of years at her local church, Knox Lower Hutt and with Wellington YFC. She has also been actively involved in the Wellington regional Presbyterian network and has worked for World Vision. Jo has already proven to be a real blessing to have on the team, and her presence and input will increase the amount of dreams that can be turned into reality this year in the youth ministry office.

She says: 'Having survived my first week, I'm just starting to get my head around what an amazing year this is going to be. There is so much to learn, and so much to dream and plan and think about. I look forward to meeting new people, learning as much as I can, and above all, being able to make a contribution to youth ministry in New Zealand. It is also with great anticipation that I look forward to competing for the Youth Ministry Office 'Employee of the Month' award. Mo has been the champion for 5 consecutive months, and I welcome this new challenge...'

- Communications Advisor and Webmaster Richard Davis is in the USA until August on a Fellowship with the Kettering Foundation.

In his absence Stephen (Stevo) O'Rourke will be acting webmaster with oversight of the website and high level website work. He will be responsible for several projects including a communications review of the website to guide future developments.

Stevo has a background of working for both corporate and not for profit organisations. He worked for a management consultancy firm and on community development projects in the UK and has been involved in youth and disability projects in both voluntary and paid capacity. Most recently he worked for Outward Bound as Manager for Special Needs and now has a small business consultancy with a focus on internet strategy and functional website design.
Kirsten Dale will be looking after the lower level website work such as email list and site maintenance - if you have pages or updates for the site contact Kirsten in the first instance kirstend(at)presbyterian.org.nz.

Ecumenical Documents Available

 

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"Crossing Ten Seas" contains 14 studies from around the world related to the theme "That All May Have Life In Fullness". Each includes a story, looks to the Bible for meaning, asks questions and offers a prayer. The studies have been prepared for the lead up to the World Alliance of Reformed Churches Assembly in Ghana in 2004.

"Christian Education Outlines" have also been prepared for the lead up to the World Alliance of Reformed Churches Assembly. This is a resource set based on life-related issues facing the World Alliance family of churches today.

"Rural Network News #22" is the newsletter of the Rural ministry network sharing ideas for good rural ministry.

"Taiwan Church News, September - October 2002 and November - December 2002". A wide ranging digest of church news from Taiwan.

"CCA News December 2002" contains some helpful articles on Christianity and other faiths from an Asian perspective.

Three magazines from "DAGA (Documentation for Action Groups in Asia)" which, as its name suggests, offer documents relating to what is happening at grassroots level in various parts of Asia. September's issue focuses on Kashmir, October's on China and the WTO and December's on Globalisation.

WCC News Dec 2002, Issue 10

Amity Newsletter 61/2 (The Amity Foundation was created at the initiative of Chinese Christian for the purpose of promoting health, education and welfare in the People's Republic of Chine)

WARC Update Vol 12 No 2 & 3

Reformed World, Vol 52, No 3 The PCK Newsletter No 16, December 2002

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Anyone interested in a copy of any of these papers please contact: Chris Nichol chrisn(at)presbyterian.org.nz Ecumenical Relations Secretary, PO Box 9049, Wellington

CWS Cyclone Recovery Appeal

On Dec 28/29 Cyclone Zoe hit Tikopia and Anuta in the eastern Solomon Islands. Winds of over km ph caused widespread damage. Christian World Service has been seeking accurate information on the extent of the damage and local needs. After consultation with the Anglican Mission Board and updates from our partners, Christian World Service is launching an Appeal to assist the post-cyclone reconstruction. Assistance will be provided principally through the Church of Melanesia to which the majority of people of Tikopia and Anuta belong.

The Church of Melanesia reports that houses and community buildings have been destroyed and the water supply system on Tikopia damaged. The communities need food, bedding, local building materials such as sago palm leaves and household items such as cooking utensils and gardening tools. Some relief supplies have arrived but there are concerns that the Solomon Islands after four years of civil war does not have the capacity to support longer term rebuilding needs.

The challenge now is to rebuild the islands without creating dependency on outside assistance for future needs. The local people have demonstrated their ability to survive a cyclone and live self-sufficiently and this will be supported by the appeal. Funds raised that exceeds the needs of Tikopia and Anuta will be used to support Community Projects throughout the Solomon Islands.

Donations to this appeal may be made by post to CWS, PO Box 22 652, Christchurch, or by phoning 0800 74 73 72 for credit card donations.

Decade to Overcome Violence

National Programme Coordinator Appointed

The Conference of Churches in Aotearoa New Zealand has appointed Rev Robyn Cave as National Coordinator for the Decade to Overcome Violence. Her job will be to stimulate and coordinate ecumenical responses to the Decade to Overcome Violence in this country.

Website

The World Council of Churches has opened a new interactive version of it's website - "Decade to Overcome Violence(2001-2010): Churches seeking Reconciliation and Peace' website at http://www2.wcc-coe.org/dov

Resources from CWS

Christian World Service is continuing reflection on the various aspects of the theme of Decade to Overcome Violence which make for peace. One of our partners in the thick of the struggle is the New Sudan Council of Churches (NSCC). Its programmes to assist the people of Southern Sudan who are victims of war, and in particular its People-to-People Peace initiative, are bringing some hope to a seemingly hopeless situation. Its story is told in a new CWS video "Make Peace, the NSCC Serving all God's People", which will be available, along with relevant study material, from next month.

The absence of war does not necessarily mean peace and since the end of their ten-year civil war in 1989, the people of Nicaragua have been struggling for a life of peace with justice, free of the violence of poverty. "Making Change", the second new video, also available from March, introduces the economic aspect of the theme and in particular the consequences of unfair trading patterns. In Nicaragua's case the collapse of the raw coffee price has literally put thousands of families on the streets. "Making Change" examines the work of Christian World Service partner Cepad (Council of Evangelical Churches) as it helps provide alternative incomes for the people. This video is accompanied by studymaterial which marks the start of a CWS fair trade campaign. The resource is an aid to discussion and suggests positive action which all of us can take to support the struggle for a just and violence-free world.

To order this material contact CWS, giving you name, address and phone number and stating when you would like to borrow the videos.

Christian World Service PO Box 22-652,
Christchurch, ph: 03 366 9274,
cws(at)cws.org.nz

Disability and Spirituality Conference

Through the Whirlwind: Te Puta I Te Tai-awhiowhio is a national conference to explore the issues of Disability, Spirituality and Faith that is to be held at the Brentwood Hotel in Wellington 1st-4th May 2003.

 

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To enable people with disabilities, and others, to explore the connections between disability, spirituality and faith To enhance the relationship and understanding within and between the disability and faith communities.

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The Conference will attract people from a range of disability and faith/spirituality backgrounds.

Publicity has been widely circulated over the past year and those interested in workshop/paper or poster presentations are now asked to contact us with more detailed information.

This is an exciting opportunity for those who live with the issues of disability and faith to share the benefits of their personal reflection and/or study. We are especially keen to find creative ways for this to happen.

Topics that are to be explored at conference: Pastoral Care, Justice, Mental Health, Creative Rites, Bioethics, Variety of Faith Perspectives, Networks & Resourcing, Grief, Family Relationships, Care-giving, Tensions, Theology,
For Registration Information Contact: Vicki Terrell vterrell(at)actrix.gen.nz ph/fax: 04-934-3792

or,

The Programme Group, DSF Conference C/o The Anglican Centre, PO Box12-046, Wellington.

"Intelligent Design" Conference

Focus on the Family NZ is running a conference on "Intelligent Design Theory" on Wednesday and Thursday 12-13 March, 2003 at Greenlane Christian Centre, 15 Marewa Road, Greenlane Auckland - 7:30 to 9:30 pm.

This conference held over two evenings features four leading experts on Intelligent Design theory and is offered in the hope of giving Christian people the opportunity to understand all the current scientific evidence that points to design in the world's biological systems and which is suggestive of a Creator God.

There is a growing body of scientific evidence suggesting that far from being an accident of cosmic adventure, life on earth has been planned for and designed by an intelligent source.

This conference presents a rare opportunity to hear a leading expert from the USA, Dr William Dembski PhD, along with Australian Professor, Dr Andrew Ruys, Auckland University's Dr Neil Broome and Investigate Magazine's Ian Wishart.

Focus on the Family NZ is taken pre registrations for just $15 until Jan 25 and $20 thereafter. Ring 0800-200-362 today.

Molokai Film Release

The Film Molokai, portraying the life of the leper priest Father Damien of Molokai Hawaii will be released in theatres in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin on 20 February 2003.

Father Damien's life and death among the 'untouchable' on the lepers exiled to the island of Molokai focused world attention on the problem of leprosy and the plight of its victims. The film shows the story of one humble man with faith in God and himself, who faced huge challenges and made a difference in the lives of thousands of people.

College of Evangelism

The purpose of Alan Walker College of Evangelism in Australia is to explore and to teach the meaning and methods of evangelism and to train people from Australia, the Pacific Rima and surrounding countries to be effective. The college offer 'Christian Counselling', 'Leading with Vision' and 'Evangelism and Ministry' courses.

For more information contact Alan Walker College of Evangelism, 6 Linluden Place, Oatlands NSW, Australia 2117 Ph 0061 2 96300777 collegeofevangelism(at)bigpond.com.
http://www.users.bigpond.com/collegeofevangelism/

Bridge to Baghdad Concert

On Saturday 1 March the Quaker Community in Wellington are holding an evening of music and drama to raise money for medical supplies for Sinibad Clinic in Basrah in Iraq.

It will be held at the Wesley Methodist Church in Taranaki St at 7.30 pm.
Tickets are $10 and are available from the Real Earth Organic Cafe in Victoria St, Wellington or by contacting the Friends Centre (04) 385 4897.

Donations are welcome.