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Seeding a new Church
In February 2001 Wellington Presbytery inaugurated a project with seeding money from the Council for World Mission and the St Johns in the City Outreach Fund. The proposal was to provide opportunity for Cook Islanders in the area to worship and to exercise and receive ministry through their own language and culture. Presbytery also approved the three Pacific Island parishes participating in the project to direct their mission and ministry contributions into the project.
Rev Toko Ine, a Cook Island minister, was appointed and his work is now at the exciting stage of being ready to plant a new congregation of Cook Islands people. The hope is that the new congregation will continue to grow, as Cook Islands people who are not currently part of the church are attracted to sharing their life as a faith community who have tasted the good news of Jesus Christ.
Those who have chosen to stay with their present congregations will give their blessing to those who seek to establish the new faith community. Those who have chosen to move respect the decision of those who will remain behind.
The Rev Toko Ine’s ministry has made a difference in many areas:
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The workload of the other ministers has been shared
He has special abilities in working with Cook Islands culture and language which has been especially important in preaching and teaching
New people are attending the Cook Islands language services that are followed by Uapou Fellowship
There has been a strong upsurge in young people in all three of the existing Pacific Islanders churches
Special Cook Islands religious and cultural events have been celebrated
There has been a strong emphasis on Bible study for Cook Islanders in their own language
There has been a strong teaching ministry using contemporary teaching methods
Significant attention has been given to strategic planning
Work with young people has led to the development of a critical mass that has built confidence and strong involvement in regional and national mapu
Women and mothers are coming together through language use
Teaching and use of lay preachers now involves up to 50 people
Leadership retreats are held each year
Visiting speakers from New Zealand and overseas have been brought in to build a range of skills.
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As the group becomes a new ministry it will need new buildings and will face other challenges, but with God’s help the new congregation is confident that it can be a sign to Cook Islands people throughout the greater Wellington region of a community enriching the lives of its members in the service of others.
APW’s mission
Nan Burgess writes about the exciting new changes in the structure of APW which are the culmination of much thought, planning and prayer.
"The restructuring of the Association of Presbyterian Women is an important process of ongoing consultation, listening and reflection. Present, throughout is the strongly-expressed intention of moving closer to more effective expression of the aim of APW "to unite all women in prayer, study, fellowship and service..."
The restructuring addresses issues of aging and lessened interest in holding offices. It offers a more effective system of two-way communication so all parishes can have access to information and activities, whether there is an APW group in the parish or not. To this end the appointment by every parish of a parish coordinator is vital. This person will receive news and be expected to ensure that such news is made available to everyone in the parish. This person will also be in contact with her regional coordinator so parish concerns and achievements have a direct flow to others.
The principal communication vehicles will be the quarterly issue of Harvest Field and the monthly newsletter entitled Gleanings. Subscription cost is $10 a year for the two. It is payable to the National Treasurer, Diane Croft - listed in Harvest Field. For the restructuring to be ongoing in its effectiveness, parishes need to be participants. Will you become involved in this expression of mission? "
Special days for worship
3 October World Communion Sunday
We emphasise locally the worldwide oneness of God's people as they gather around the
Lord's table and we also share in remembrance of World Missions
Reading suggested:
Jeremiah1:4-10, Psalm 96, 1 Peter 2:4-10, Matthew 4:18-22
10 October Lotu Tamaiti (White Sunday)
Special Sunday for Samoan children and youth.
19-26 October Week of Prayer for World Peace
Look at the faith communities in your area and see what can be arranged together to work for world peace. Remember peace begins with us - God’s peace.
24 October Industrial Sunday
Talk with a local Workplace Support person and listen to their stories.
Materials are available from your nearest Workplace Support Office.
Resources for Worship and Study Preaching Notes and Prayers Kits
Preaching Kit 8 – Pentecost 19 - Reign of Christ for 10 October – 21 November has been written by the Rev Dr Bob Eyles and is now available both in printed form ($4 plus postage ) and on the web page.
As with all the preaching notes, which cover every Sunday and special day of the Church year, these are based on the 3 year Common Lectionary readings. They are suitable for both lay and ordained preachers or can be used by groups either preparing worship or wanting to do some Bible study.
The notes contain exegetical material on each of the lectionary readings, and preaching suggestions. These and other lectionary resources are available on our web page www.presbyterian.org.nz in the “Find a Resource” section.
We have a wide range of authors lined up for the new lectionary year and if you are interested in receiving the kits as they are produced in print form please pre-order by sending $40 which includes GST and postage. Writers include Revs Mark Chapman, Mua Strickson-Pua, Roger Wiig, Pamela Tankersley, Martin Stewart, Judy Bedford, John Currie and Frank Glen and Graham Millar.
<typohead type="3">Christmas and Advent Resources</typohead>
As usual we will have a variety of resources available for the season. Resources will be available both in printed copy and on the website.
Already available is a series of 4 studies by Rev Doug Rogers - A Present for Christmas-Reflections on Famous Christmas Stories - $4 plus postage. The stories used are A Christmas Carol, The Gift of the Magi, The Grinch who Stole Christmas and The Story of the Other Wise Man with each related to Bible stories and reflections.
The Very Rev John Murray is writing a series of studies using New Zealand music, prayers and study questions. These will be available by the end of September also for $4.
A resource kit with a wide range of resources for worship, drama and creative special occasions is available. The resources have been used by a wide range of parishes and have worked well so are being shared more widely. The kit is $9 plus postage.
If you are seeking a resource for a particular occasion please feel free to ask. Verity Doak is in the office on Tuesdays and can help – phone 04 381 8294 or email verityd@presbyterian.org.nz
Order Form – September 2004(Please add postage to all items purchased – 90 cents for 4 items, $1.80 for 5 items plus)
Name _______________________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________________ Send to: Courses and Resources, Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa NZ, PO Box 9049 , Wellington Ph: 04 801 6000 Fax: 04 801 6001 Email: hazels@presbyterian.org.nz (Please make cheques payable to Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand .) |