From the Moderator

Committed Conversations

To date I know of 40 congregations who are planning committed conversations either with neighbouring congregations or on their own. I am continuing to receive information about new groups. Because there is a wide spectrum of congregations taking part it is becoming clear that enough people will be engaging in the conversations to offer the possibility of discerning a way forward that takes account of different views and convictions.

The conversations will take place over the next two months, and during July those who have engaged in the conversations will have opportunities to share their insights with Council of Assembly members and myself in face-to-face meetings.

Visiting Flooded Areas

In April Dorothy and I visited the Wanganui and Manawatu areas. We were able to meet with a lot of people who had been seriously affected by the February floods. In doing so we were able to share the concern of the wider Church.

The scale of the devastation is almost beyond imagining. It will take years to restore the land and communities in some areas, and, even now, hundreds of families are still unable to return to their homes. Both the resilience and vulnerability of the people were very marked, as was the pastoral care being offered by congregations. We were privileged to hear the stories of many who had suffered so much loss, and to sit with them for a short time in the name of the Church.

In the course of our visit I was able to share some gifts that had been given by congregations and members of the wider Church family, including a gift of $2,655, being donations that had been sent to the Assembly Office. This money will be administered by the two presbyteries and will meet some of the personal needs that are becoming apparent.

APW - A new way of working

At the beginning of May the Association of Presbyterian Women held an Extraordinary National Business Meeting to consider recommendations of their Consultative Group on the future structure for women’s work and witness in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. The Core Group, convened by Nan Burgess, had, for a year, been consulting with Presbyterials and women’s groups, a process of listening and learning.

The meeting was attended by representatives of nearly every region in the country. In an atmosphere of openness the 100 or so members who were present agreed by consensus to a series of changes that will begin a time of “growing into change”. The emphasis is on the creation of an effective network of women and women’s groups in the Church.

In brief, parishes will be asked to identify Parish Liaison People; regions or Presbyterials to identify two regional coordinators in each; and, at a national level, the APW National Executive is now replaced by a team of national conveners living in different parts of NZ, and a policy and administration group. Each of the conveners will work with a small team.

This is an exciting development. A new way of working will develop. Parish, regional and national people will be engaged in a constant two-way communication network, to facilitate the mission of women in the Church.

Any Committed Conversations near you?

Only if I know of groups can they receive:

Guidelines for Moderators

updates and Occasional Papers

an invitation to share insights into discussions on a way forward.

</typolist>

So, please let me know about conversations planned or started using the blue form or emailing moderator(at)presbyterian.org.nz

Michael Thawley's signature

Michael Thawley

» Back to Bush Telegraph