Moderator's Arrangements Task Team

Terms of Reference

To determine, co-ordinate and supervise, in consultation with the Moderator, the Moderator’s itinerary, and to make arrangements for other engagements as may be requested during his/her term of office.

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1. Our Task Team has been privileged to work alongside the Moderator the Rt Rev Michael Thawley prior to and during the two years of his Moderatorial term. As part of the Team, a small support group helpfully acted as a sounding board especially during the earlier stages. Michael’s background of knowledge of the Church has made the task easier. Nevertheless, being Moderator is a huge undertaking, requiring commitment, understanding, initiative, considerable ability, and the personal touch, which Michael has demonstrated so ably and willingly. In all he has had the backing of Dorothy who has accompanied him during most of the itinerating, and whose support, observance, listening and sharing has made the task an invaluable team effort.

2. The acceptance and willingness to share their minister by the Cashmere Hills Parish has been admirable. The Parish enjoyed the experience of having an Assistant Minister in the Rev Caleb Hardie whose contribution to the life of the Parish has been outstanding. The Presbyterian Church funded 80% of his stipend, enabling the Parish to just manage financially. The Moderator’s time commitment while away and at home is an almost full time undertaking so 100% of stipend would be a more realistic proportion, as the Parish has also to find all additional expenses.

3. The Moderator at home as well as away spent considerable time in phone calls and administration. The sheer writing of letters is a large undertaking, and the provision of at least a dictaphone or even better, a voice-activated laptop computer would be a great advantage and relief. We ask the Administration & Finance Policy Group to give this serious consideration.

4. Our initial task regarding itineraries was to approach Presbyteries and UDC’s to appoint a Co-ordinator to make the necessary arrangements. We are grateful to Co-ordinators who put enthusiasm and energy into organising opportunities, enabling the Moderator to be seen and heard and consulted.

5. Visits were made to Dunedin, Clutha, Hawkes Bay, Westland-Buller Union, Wellington, Ashburton, Gisborne, Waikato, South Auckland, North Shore, Nelson-Marlborough, Southland, Mataura, Central Otago, Wanganui, Wairarapa UDC, and Taranaki, in that order. On the visit to Wanganui, with a brief sortie into Manawatu, Michael was able to visit the areas devastated by flooding, and to present over $2,600 donated by the Church at large for the two Presbyteries to distribute.

6. Inevitably, there were many other engagements Michael attended. Nine parishes celebrating significant events and anniversaries were included. He also attended a Church Schools Conference and met with Hospital and Defence Chaplains. Included also were the Te Aka Puaho Whanau Camp, Presbyterian Support in most areas, the APW Triennial Conference and their extraordinary National Business Meeting, and a Global Mission Conference.

7. Overseas, Michael attended the General Assembly of the Uniting Church of Australia in Melbourne, and their Synods' Moderators' Retreat. Plus the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu, which was the occasion also to recognise the 50th Anniversary of Onesua High School, (where Dorothy served as a volunteer teacher in the 1960s). Further, he acted as a Resource Person for the Reformed Church of America on Consensus Decision Making, in New York.

8. As the face of the Church in the community, Michael attended several Mayoral Receptions, and was interviewed by local newspapers and radio stations. He visited Church and State schools, Paremoremo Maximum Security Prison, the Devonport Naval Base, and was present at the Boys' Brigade National Council as its Vice-Patron. Michael was in delegations from the Heads of Churches in several approaches to Government and political parties especially over critical issues raised by the NZ Council for Christian Social Services. He also enjoyed working alongside our National Service Team leaders.

9. Time had to be inserted for special issues that arose, one of which resulted in "Committed Conversations" for parishes to engage in.

10. Amidst all the busyness, the chief role of the Moderator was in a pastoral capacity. Ministers and lay people shared their concerns and needs personally or by letter, while parishes expressed concern about finances and young people

11. In Forums people wanted to know what other parishes were doing, and Michael was able to share exciting happenings, where parishes explored the needs of their community and how to meet them, or teamed up with Presbyterian Support in joint endeavours.

12. Church owes a great debt of gratitude to Michael and Dorothy for their faithful service, their encouragement and able linking of the national church with the local people who operate at the coal face of mission, education, worship and service.

Ivan & Cecile Pierce
Co-Convenors

Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

Moderator's Arrangements Task Team

Terms of Reference