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Update
<typohead type=3>Bible</typohead>
A friend encouraged me to subscribe to the Upper Room daily devotional by e-mail. At www.upperroom.org/devotional/email/ you can arrange for a reading and devotional comment to be automatically sent each day. Turning on my office computer which brings up my e-mails is one of the first things I do at work, so the reading helps me begin the day.
This morning the reading was Exodus 17:3-7 – the story of how the people thirsting for water complained to Moses. God told him to go ahead of the people, take some of the elders, and take in his hand "the staff with which you struck the Nile". I thought about that staff. What a reminder it must have been of rescue and hope and of how God opened a way through.
I have heard many ministers and elders talking about the struggle to thrive amid complaint. What helps me at such times are tangible reminders of stories of people who responsibly kept moving forward. In centre place on my office wall is a framed photo of St Paul’s Wanganui. Its there because I feel that congregation moved from letting complaint reign to letting vision direct and elders lead. The photo is my "staff" – a tangible sign of God’s action. I wonder what yours is.
<typohead type=3>Presbytery/Union District Council visits</typohead>
As reported in the last Update, I met presbytery and udc mission and ministry committees at the end of last year. One persistent theme was the desire and need for presbyteries and union district councils to make a positive difference to their congregations. Presbyteries and udcs generally wanted to do more than be reactive and keep the wheels turning. As reported last month Ashburton has initiated different models of ministry. Auckland has developed a strategic plan. Wairarapa is looking at proposals for encouraging new forms of church to develop. Waikato is taking initiatives in planning, elder training and performance appraisals. Many presbyteries and udcs are looking for a wider vision to inform them and their congregations.
<typohead type=3>Mary Macpherson resigns as Manager of Communications</typohead>
Mary has taken up a position with the Land Transport Safety Authority and will finish with us around 18 February. Mary has been with us for three and a half years. In that time she has played a significant role in managing:
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our communications and other strategies
positive relationships with key media
a new website
church consultation processes
the development of sPanz
We will miss her contribution and we wish her well.
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An Acting Manager is likely to be appointed. A process has commenced towards appointing a new Manager. If you know of anyone you believe might be suitable for the position please encourage them to make contact with me to obtain further information.
Richard Davis continues as Communications Advisor and Kirsten Dale as Communications Coordinator.
<typohead type=3>Human Rights</typohead>
Prior to Christmas we received advice of two complaints lodged with the Human Rights Commission. The complainants believed the compulsory retirement regulation in the Book of Order (regulation 194) breached the provisions about age discrimination in the Human Rights Act. Representatives of the Church met with the complainants in mediation under the auspices of the Commission. New Zealand churches have consistently maintained that the employment definition in the Act does not include ministers of word and sacrament. The Commission has not reached a view about that matter.
Without stepping back from that view, it was agreed that the Equipping the Leadership Policy Group would look at whether the Church should continue to have a compulsory retirement age for ministers. The Council of Assembly was asked to place before the Assembly the issue of the Church’s relationship with the Human Rights Act. Please note that the Church is bound to apply the regulations as they stand.
<typohead type=3>Judicial processes</typohead>
Recent cases have heightened interest in the Church’s judicial processes. Here is a snapshot of what the Assembly is presently dealing with (and this is a typical sample):
· A Judicial Commission is considering an appeal against a presbytery decision to dissolve the pastoral tie between a minister and a parish.
· A petition to the General Assembly relating to a parish visitation is likely to be referred to mediation.
· As part of action in the District Court to enforce an order made by an Assembly Judicial Commission, the Church has offered to enter into mediation and is awaiting a response.
· The Church is processing a sexual misconduct complaint under the processes adopted by the last Assembly.
<typohead type=3>Assembly 2004</typohead>
The Assembly is due to meet at St Andrew’s Christchurch from 2 p.m. Sunday 19 September to midday Friday 24 September.
<typohead type=3>Council of Assembly and Policy Groups</typohead>
Please remember in your prayers the work of Assembly bodies towards the Assembly meeting. The Council has its first meeting for the year on 20/21 March and Policy Groups are meeting prior to that to begin formulating recommendations and reports to the Assembly. The budget process for the year is also underway.
At its last meeting in 2003 Council adopted Directions 2003-2006, a statement of priorities and strategies for the next three years. You can find it on the website in the ‘Who we Are’ section under ‘Church Organisation’
www.presbyterian.org.nz/10.0.html
<typohead type=3>New Youth Intern</typohead>
Monica Yeoman is the new youth intern working in the national youth ministry office with Mo Mansill for 2004. Monica has just completed 7th form at Queens High School, Dunedin. She grew up in the Mosgiel Presbyterian Church and is new to Wellington. Monica is excited about what this year holds and is loving living in Wellington.
<typohead type=3>Youth Co-ordinator visit</typohead>
Mo Mansill is developing her programme for the year. If you wish her to visit your region or undertake leadership training please contact her at mo.mansill@presbyterian.org.nz
<typohead type=3>Book of Order Rewrite – provide feedback</typohead>
Some of the biggest changes to be made to the basic documents of the Presbyterian Church are being proposed to this coming Assembly. They include a completely new Book of Order, the book which contains all the regulations of the Church. The new book is not amending the existing book. It is a completely new book, the first such rewrite since the Church first had a book of order in the 1870s.
Because it is a completely new book, we need to have as much comment and consideration of it before its final draft. I encourage you to visit it on the website and to provide comment. There is a limited time for you to do so. This project is so large that it will be very difficult to deal with large numbers of amendments at Assembly so we must get it as right as we can prior to it going to Assembly. Make comment at www.presbyterian.org.nz You will need to contact the webmaster Richard Davis at richardd@presbyterian.org.nz for a password and login before you will be able to open the Book of Order Rewrite pages on the website.
<typohead type=3>Niue</typohead>
At the time of Cyclone Heta three of our ministers and a youth group were in Niue. They returned safely bringing more news of the devastation. The Moderator communicated with both the Premier of Niue and the President of Ekalesia Niue our Church's solidarity with and prayers for the people and country. Since then we have received a letter from the Church in Niue advising us that their church offices and one of the church buildings were washed away. An appeal has been initiated through Christian World Service which you are encouraged to promote and support. As communicated by the General Secretary "Please remember us in your prayers as we, a small nation, try to rebuild our lives."
<typohead type=3>World Alliance of Reformed Churches General Council Meeting</typohead>
The World Alliance is the international body of reformed churches including Presbyterian churches. Its General Council meets every seven years and comprises representatives from every member church. The next Council meeting is 30 July to 13 August in Accra Ghana. Our representatives at the next Council meeting are Kerry Enright, Marcelle Orange, and Fakaofo Kaio and others will be attending as observers. Studies have been produced for churches to discuss before the Council meeting. If you would like a copy of these please contact me. If you wish to know more about the World Alliance or to get worship and study resources towards the General Council visit their website at www.warc.ch.
We have been advised by the Alliance that a leading Reformed theologian Jan Lochman died early this year. Prof. Lochman was a great speaker and writer. I heard him speak at Princeton on the theme "Zeal for Truth, and Tolerance". His book on the Apostles’ Creed The Faith We Confess, is an excellent and preachable work.
<typohead type=3>Mission agents</typohead>
The work the Council, Policy Groups, and various Task Groups are undertaking aim to help the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, embedded in the New Zealand context, be an effective mission agent of the good news of Jesus Christ. May God sustain and encourage us on that journey.
Noho mai ra
CWS Appeal for Niue
The Presbyterian Church in Aotearoa New Zealand has a close relationship with the Ekalesia Niue and the Rt Rev Michael Thawley has asked CWS to launch an ecumenical appeal to respond to the Church’s needs following the destruction wrought on Niue by Cyclone Heta. While it is still too early to know exactly what assistance the Ekalesia Niue and wider community will need, it is important that we show our solidarity and concern for the people of Niue at this time.
Donations can be made to;
Christian World Service
Freepost 130 Christian World Service,
PO Box 22652
Christchurch
Or by Credit Card on their website
www.cws.org.nz
Or by phone
Ph. (03) 366 9274 or 0800 74 73 72.
Note: Christian World Service have also launched an Appeal for the victims of the earthquake in Bam. Iran see the noticeboard section on page 23.
Day of Prayer for Niue
On Sunday 22 February, parishes are invited to join the Pacific Island Presbyterian Churches, Niue in a Day of Prayer for the victims of Cyclone Heta in Niue.
Special offering proceeds from the Niuean Presbyterian Churches will go towards rebuilding the Niue Ekalasia.
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nnect 04
connect 04 (the annual Pressie youth leaders conference) will be happening on JULY 2 - 4 2004 @ WELLINGTON.
Those of you who were there last year - and those of you who read about it in Fuel and Spanz - will know that last year's Connect was a fantastic opportunity for people to be inspired, challenged, refreshed and connected with other youth leaders around the country who know and understand the joys and challenges of working with young people. We look forward to creating that space and that vibe again for youth leaders at Connect 04.
In previous years we have held Connect in September, but have shifted it this year in response to youth leaders saying they wanted it earlier in the year, as well as not wanting to clash with General Assembly which is being held this year in September.
More info will follow in the next issue of Fuel and will be posted on the Presbyterian youth web page: www.presbyterian.org.nz/youth
Any questions, be in touch.
Blessings,
Mo Mansill
PO Box 9049
Wellington
Ph (04) 381 8299 Mob: 021 905 552
mo.mansilll@presbyterian.org.nz
Ordinands Available in 2004
10 Exciting, Experienced, Expectant ordinands available for call or appointment in 2004.
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Phil and Shona Bettany
Iain Dickso
Noel Khohar
Hana Popea-Mauigoa
Andrew Scott
Holo Tafea
Robert Taylor
Carol Thorley
Michael Uttley
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NOMINATORS - the Introduction Workgroup will be following a similar timetable to that used last year. Boards of Nomination which wish to have a parish profile placed before one of our talented, trained and life experienced Ordinands in the first round of discernment need to have a Profile to the Convener by 1 May.
PARISH PROFILE - If possible please send a: print copy with photographs, CD’s, video etc., by regular mail; AND a version by email attachment minus the photographs etc. This makes it easy to circulate copies of your Profile among the Workgroup.
KEY DATES
Round 1
1 May Parish Profiles to Introduction Workgroup
19 May Workgroup meets to discern possible matchings
Ordinands offered Profile to consider
26 July Un-matched profiles returned
Round 2
13 August Parish Profiles to Introduction Workgroup
18 August Workgroup meets to discern possible matchings
Ordinands offered Profile to consider
22 October Un-matched profiles returned
We ask that
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All contact with the Workgroup is through the Convener.
Nominators and Boards of Nomination refrain from making private arrangements with Ordinands.
While a profile is with the Introduction Workgroup the Boards of Nomination does not place the profile before an Ordained Ministers.
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The Convener, Rev. Geoffrey Skilton
24 Picardy Street
DUNEDIN.
Ph. 03 453 5357
geoffrey.skilton(at)paradise.net.nz
sPanz Invoices
Due to a bug in the new accounting software, the invoices for sPanz magazine subscriptions, due in December last year, have not been sent out yet.
The new system calculates GST on the sPanz invoices incorrectly at the moment and we have not been able to get it fixed yet due to the absence of the consultant from the company that provided the new software.
We apologise for the delay and will get the invoices out as soon as the problem has been fixed.