Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

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Update

<typohead type="3">Service Team changes</typohead>

Following Assembly’s decision, the regional Mission Resource Team Co-Director positions have been disestablished. Simon McLeay, Prue Neild and John Daniel are completing tasks and assisting with the transition to a new way of working. Please note, as in the past, questions relating to ministry administration – police checks, changes of status, personnel work group applications etc – need to be addressed to Assembly Office.

The National Mission Enabler position has been advertised, and interviews are about to take place.

The Ecumenical Relations position, held by Chris Nichol, has also been disestablished. Chris will be finishing his time with us at the end of January. Andrew Bell in the Global Mission Office will now undertake much of the ecumenical relations work.

Consultation with staff about the Administration function (which will now incorporate work previously undertaken by the Mission Resource Team Wellington) is being undertaken.

The position of Communications Advisor has been advertised to assist the Manager Jose Reader. The new Finance Team is now in place, led by Andrew Jackson, Assistant to the AES (Finance).

<typohead type="3">Niue</typohead>

There was extensive media coverage of recent political discussions about the future of Niue. Three of our ministers and many of our elders participated in the New Zealand delegation. Think of Niue and our contribution to its future, as it continues to rebuild after the cyclone. Welcome to church newcomers

The importance of welcoming newcomers was highlighted to me during a recent parish visit.

Leaving worship a person was identified as a visitor. Ushered back into morning tea, he was engaged in friendly conversation, and his name and address were taken. There were many points of contact – a member of the congregation had worked in his distant country, and remarkably they had a common acquaintance there. When someone visits him within a couple of days, another contact will be made. Then he will tell his friends. And so it grows.

<typohead type="3">General Assembly minutes</typohead>

Minutes from General Assembly are expected to be approved by Council of Assembly in late November, and will be posted on the Presbyterian website as soon as they are available. Congratulations

To Waiareka-Weston parish and their minister Nancy Parker for organising a weekend conference for small and rural parishes – great initiative.

<typohead type="3">Book of Order Help desk</typohead>

Heather McKenzie, Otago and Southland Synod Clerk, can be turned to for help understanding and interpreting the Book of Order. Heather can be contacted by phoning 03 477 7365 or by e-mail at synod.otago.southland@xtra.co.nz

E noho ra

Auld Lang Syne Club Wound Up

The Auld Lang Syne Club, which has existed to foster fellowship and support further education and training of ministers, has been wound up.

Funds from the Club have been transferred to the School of Ministry, and the School is investing these in a Post-graduate Scholarship - Auld Lang Syne.

It will apply the interest earned on this to the award of a scholarship to either a graduate of the School of Ministry who intends to continue with post-graduate study, or to a minister who applies for assistance to pursue post-graduate studies.

News from Introductions Work Group

The Introductions Work Group wishes to pass on a sincere thank you to Boards of Nomination that provided parish profiles to place before graduating ordinands. The five ordinands who have remained available to the Work Group for introducing are working toward calls.

In 2005 a similar number of Ordinands will seek introductions to Boards of Nomination. Therefore, it is likely that one round of introductions will occur, and a timeline for 2005 will be available in February. At this point parish profiles from Boards of Nomination will probably be required by the end of July.

Geoffrey Skilton (Convener)