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From the Moderator
Of all the seasons of the Christian year I have always found Easter to be the most demanding, especially in an emotional way. Too often I have heaved a sigh of relief on Easter Sunday night! I suspect I am not alone in that experience.
If we stop and think about it though, our ministries and our living as servant mission leaders is sustained by the presence of the risen Christ, and Easter is being lived out in our ministries all the time. Last week I was totally drained after a particularly long and demanding interview, a little “crucifixion” experience. But when I got home, there were messages from two people who knew about the interview, voices of the risen Christ and resurrection!
A challenge for us all is to live out Easter in our relationships and Church life. Easter is not over for another year, it has just begun!
Last month I was invited to participate in the annual retreat of Synod Moderators of the Uniting Church in Australia, hosted by the President, Dean Drayton. We were able to share the deep concerns that our churches have in common. One very significant moment was when we were talking about how different it might be for all of us if, instead of naming the sins of which others should repent, we began by asking of ourselves “What must I repent of?”
Tonight I have attended the farewell for Jill Hawkey, following her service as Director of Christian World Service for over ten years. Under Jill’s leadership CWS has developed into a strong ecumenical aid agency that, without the funding for public advertising, serves the needs of world-wide partners and the churches in New Zealand with faithful responsiveness. I was privileged to be able to thank Jill for her service on behalf of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. The new Director of CWS is Jonathan Fletcher.
Commited Conversations
I am receiving letters of interest in setting up groups. It is encouraging to hear that in some places neighbouring congregations are joining together so that a wider range of perspectives is available in each group. That openness is an openness to the leading of God’s Spirit.
A booklet of guidelines and suggestions for Moderators of groups is in the final stages of preparation, and this will be sent to all group moderators I know about. I expect a new batch of Occasional Papers to be ready soon to be sent to group moderators too, as resources that might be helpful.
If you are setting up a group – please let me know, and advise me of the moderator’s name, address and email so he/she can receive the resources that are being prepared.
In their Easter message, the World Council of Churches, reminds the world-wide Church:
“Christ’s resurrection is a new exodus, liberation for those who are oppressed, comfort for the persecuted, plenitude for the deprived, exaltation for the humiliated, hope for the despairing.
The women disciples show us the way: they dare where the apostles fear; they act courageously when the apostles are paralysed by their doubts; they wipe their tears and go to proclaim the good news to the world.
Christ is risen! May the light of the resurrection shime before us all.
Christ is risen! May the joy of the resurrection fill our lives.
Christ is risen! May the common celebration of the resurrection renew our commitment to the unity of the Body of Christ, the Church.”