NB. This is archived material from Assembly 2004

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<typohead type="1">Appendix 2: The Conference of Churches in Aotearoa New Zealand</typohead>

<typohead type="3">1. Introduction</typohead>

1.1 CCANZ’s 2003 Annual Forum was a pivota l event. For many Presbyterian and Uniting Congregations CCANZ has not been a major player in their ecumenical life for some time. The Forum had the courage and confidence to face up to this reality. In doing so it took a posit ive step in the direction of change.

<typohead type="3">2. A New Ecumenical Face</typohead>

2.1 The Forum’s major decision was a response to the call from the Presbyterian Church and others for a more theologically, culturally and denominationally representative ecumenical organisation.

2.2 The Forum recognised that the ecumenical agenda is more diverse than simply the existence of an ecumenical organisation. It recognised that any ecumenical organisation exists not for self-perpetuation but to serve God’s ecumenical will. It believed that the task of any future ecumenical organisation in New Zealand should be to ensure that support and, where necessary, structure, will help enable the following ecumenical tasks, among others, to be undertaken:

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Aid and Development through Christian World Service

The Decade to Overcome Violence programme

Provision of an ecumenical table where all who are willing to come are welcome

Brokering of international ecumenical relationships

Brokering of local ecumenical relationships

Support for ecumenical initiatives (including hospital and tertiary chaplaincy etc.)

Support for new ecumenical initiatives

An ecumenical approach to evangelism

Ecumenical theological reflection

Commitment to justice and peace

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2.3 The Forum recognised that CCANZ is no longer able to engage enough churches in such a way as to enable them to respond to these challenges.

2.4 As a result the forum committed itself to a two-year process.

2.5 In the first year it will invite an independent group to work with any and all

interested in establishing a new expression of ecumenism in New Zealand. The group needs to be independent because potential ecumenical participants must not feel the new expression is merely a re-invention of CCANZ.

2.6 On the basis of the decisions of this in dependent steering group, the second year will be dedicated to winding down and disestablishing CCANZ to give room to the new organisation.

2.7 These decisions were not easy. They were risky and difficult for the forum. But the meeting relied on its confidence that new life emerges when we are willing to let go of the old.

2.8 Since the Forum the Presidium has made concerted efforts to communicate with various stakeholders to ensure a fair and reasonable representation of people with the appropriate background and process skills to enable the steering group to move forward. So far the following people have been identified:

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Mrs Pat Belgrave (Wellington, Roman Catholic) has been nominated by the Catholic Commission for Ecumenism

Rev. Graeme Nicholas (Christchurch, Anglican) has been nominated by the 5 Negotiating Churches

Rev. Bob Scott (Auckland, Anglican) has been nominated by CCANZ

Vision Network NZ is sending Glyn Carpenter and Bruce Patrick to the first meeting and they will be asked to nominate one to the group.

Rev. Paul Monash (Anglican Diocesan Youth facilitator and Malaysian Indian)

and Mrs Dadai Norman (Roman Catholic, Auckland Filipino Chapalaincy) have been nominated as Asian participants.

Rev. Fei Taule’ale’ausumai (Presbyterian, Auckland) and one other (Methodist, Tongan, Youth) have been nominated as Pacific participants.

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<typohead type="3">3. The Decade to Overcome Violence (DOVe)</typohead>

3.1 One issue that has received considerable reflection by the Executive has been what the implications of this new direction are for the DOV e programme. There is a danger that DOVe’s identity has become so inextricably linked with that of CCANZ that, any lessening of commitment to CCANZ (as the current ecumenical vehicle) will represent, by implication, a lessening of commitment to DOVe. The Executive is concerned that this should not happen and suggests that DOVe needs in some way to be proactively protected.

3.2 Accordingly, the Executive believes it is important for DOVe to be established in its own right as soon as possible, independent of CCANZ, and therefore better able to be adopted by any subsequent ecumenical venture. The Executive has recommended the establishment of a Christchurch-based ecumenical Reference Group in order to provide adequate ecumenical oversight and support for the project and, any staff the project may from time to time employ.

3.3 While some seeding funding may be able to be committed from CCANZ reserves, ultimately the ongoing viability of DOVe ( from both a financial and practical point of view) will be dependent upon the denominations, parishes, communities and individuals who choose to support it.

3.4 DOVe’s Coordinator, Robyn Cave, has developed some wonderful resources for the DOVe programme. A DOVe kit is be ing prepared for 1200 ministry units and includes posters, Decade to Overcome Violence suggestions, ideas, activities, promotional cards, and introduction to the Website that has links to the WCC DoVe study series "Why Violence? Why Not Peace? ", Liturgical Resources, a Violence Free Charter and other resources. The Kereru Kit is an adventure in itself, with CD and stories and instructions for sending the Kereru "flying" around the country.

3 .5 There have been in-depth discussions with Wellington and Christchurch Playback Theatre Companies and there is hope that there will be a DoVe pilot using this medium in the North Island later in the year.

3.6 For more information go to the CCA NZ – DOVe website www.ccanz.net.nz/dov.

 

Chris Nichol
Ecumenical Relations Secretary