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Bush Telegraph October 2005

News

Assembly Office update

Welcome to this latest update about the activities of the Assembly service team.

<typohead type="4">School of Ministry principal resigns </typohead>

I am sorry to advise that the Rev. Neville Emslie has submitted his resignation as principal of the School of Ministry. I have accepted it with regret. Neville has resigned for personal reasons and the resignation is effective immediately.

Neville has been principal of the School of Ministry since August 2001. He has been an extremely effective principal who has developed and raised the profile of the School, provided capable leadership, attracted good colleagues, related well to students and the wider Church community, and helped resource congregations and presbyteries. He has been a valued member of the Service Team, a reasoned contributor to national discussions and an engaging communicator of the Church's mission. He will be greatly missed.

Neville will be thanked and farewelled on a suitable occasion later this year.

The Rev Kevin Ward, deputy principal, will be acting principal in the meantime. Kevin has been acting principal on several occasions.

<typohead type="4">General Assembly accounts and results 2004/05 </typohead>

The General Assembly financial accounts were signed off by the auditors on 20 September. Getting these accounts ready for consideration by Administration and Finance and the Council has involved a disciplined effort by the Assembly Office Finance Team.

The quality of the accounts was such that the audit process was smooth and timely, and audit fees are 50 percent less than last year.

An information pack including the accounts and supplementary information can be viewed on our website. It was also posted to the treasurers of all parishes, presbyteries and union district councils.

<typohead type="4">Update from the Stipend Review Task Group </typohead>

The Stipend Review Task Group is continuing its very important work looking at the overall remuneration package for ministers. Click here to read an update on their progress.

<typohead type="4">Legislative compliance </typohead>

Fiona Stenhouse, the Church’s human resources manager expects to visit 10 presbyteries between now and the end of December to introduce a legislative compliance tool to help parishes meet their legal obligations across a range of areas.

The tool is expected to be available in early 2006, and more information will be available closer to that time.

<typohead type="4">Review of General Assembly services </typohead>

The terms of reference for the review of national services has been confirmed and preliminary work on the review has begun. This review is one of the actions arising from Focus on the Future consultation. Council also asked that a review of the School of Ministry be undertaken and terms of reference for this review are also complete and work is expected to begin on this shortly.

<typohead type="4">Barrier Act </typohead>

Following the 2004 General Assembly, two issues were passed to presbyteries and union district councils for consideration under the Barrier Act: (i) rule relating to sexual relationships outside marriage, and (ii) rule regarding administering baptism.

The Barrier Act (Appendix A-3 in the Book of Order and regulations 374-379) is a provision that enables presbyteries/union district councils to consider a proposal before the General Assembly decides whether to pass it as a binding rule of the Church. The question asked in each case is whether the presbytery/union district council approves of the proposal.

With regard to the proposal relating to sexual relationships outside marriage, 12 presbyteries/union district councils approved this proposal, 10 disapproved, and a further union district council decided not to vote on the matter.

With regard to the proposal about commissioned elders administering baptism, 19 presbyteries/union district councils approved of the proposal and one disapproved. A further three did not submit a vote on the matter.

These results will be reported to the next General Assembly. As a majority approved the proposals, the next Assembly has the discretion to consider whether to enact them. If the next Assembly does not enact a proposal, it lapses.

Please note that it is the Church’s policy that the Moderator of the General Assembly acts as spokesperson on behalf of the Church .

<typohead type="4">Staff changes at Assembly Office </typohead>

I’m happy to welcome Juliette Bowater to the Assembly Office team. Juliette’s time will be shared between providing administrative support for me in my role as Assembly executive secretary, and she will also be undertaking human resource administrative duties such as police checks, Best Travel Fund queries, ministers' information forms and changes to the ministerial roll.

Trina Lake has also joined us this month. Trina will fill the receptionist role that was made vacant when Miriama Pritchard left us last month.

<typohead type="4">Assembly staff remuneration policy</typohead>

From time to time I'm asked about the Assembly's remuneration policy for employees. It has not changed for many years.

Ministers who work for the Assembly are paid stipend-related remuneration, with some variation.

Some Assembly positions are of a nature that we need to attract people with particular professional skills. These have related to Finance, Human Resource, Education, or Communication functions.

In order to appoint capable people to these positions we have paid according to what is paid in similar organisations, and we tend to pay within the lowest quarter of the market salary range. The same approach applies to some people we appoint for shorter term projects. Low unemployment makes attracting people to certain positions a real challenge.

Several people work for us at rates less than they would gain elsewhere because they support our goals and values and wish to contribute to our life and mission. As in other organisations, performance is also a factor in determining salary.

There are variations according to circumstance and the Church's need, with a constant eye on the Church's ability to pay.

<typohead type="4">Spanz </typohead>

The latest issue of Spanz is in parishes now. If you parish hasn’t received its copies or you would like to receive the magazine, please email us at spanz(at)presbyterian.org.nz. The next issue is due in parishes in mid-December.

<typohead type="4">Monthly mailing </typohead>

Parishes are no longer being deluged with reams of paper every month. Instead, information is being sent electronically where possible.

Analysis of the information on our email database shows we do not have email addresses for every parish. To make sure you obtain information from Council of Assembly and its committees, notices from the Assembly executive secretary and other important information, please ensure that we hold an email contact address for your parish. Contact us at assemblyoffice(at)presbyterian.org.nz for more information.

<typohead type="4">Book of Order advice </typohead>

Heather McKenzie, Clerk of the Synod of Otago and Southland, is available to provide advice regarding the Book of Order and Presbyterian procedures and practices.

She may be contacted at 0800 76 2222 or synod.otago.southland(at)xtra.co.nz

Kerry Enright
Assembly Executive Secretary

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Global Mission Office update

Andrew writes –

<typohead type="4">‘I love it when a plan comes together’ </typohead>

As most people know, the 2002 Assembly declared that the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu (PCV) would be our primary mission relationship. This was not meant to make other relationships secondary, but to emphasize that after over 140 years of mission friendship, we were not about to give up. To cut a long story short, the GMO and PCV agreed that the provision of a project officer from New Zealand would be the best expression of our friendship.

At the beginning of 2003, Rev Roy Pearson was appointed as the first “global missioner – Vanuatu ” signalling the start of this new era in our friendship. Well, the two years have flashed past and the large number of good news stories as a result of Roy and Anna Pearson’s hard work is very pleasing indeed. Numerous groups and individuals have visited during this time and achieved some magnificent results. Needless to say, the recent PCV Assembly reappointed Roy for a further two years even though he was only offering to stay for one!

<typohead type="4">Making something good even better </typohead>

From the outset, it became clear that Roy could not do it all alone. The most obvious solution was to fund a second staff member but that was definitely beyond our means. Early on I had contacted Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA), who informed me that they did not fund staff for church organisations. However we kept in contact with VSA and Roy was able to meet up with their officials on two occasions.

Enter Rob and Barbara Meier from Christchurch . Rob and Barbara are well known to VSA as they have served as volunteers in the past. To cut another long story short, it was a match made in heaven and VSA have agreed to fully sponsor the Meiers as the second project officer team in Vanuatu with the specific task of developing the income-generation and skill-training workshops at Ebule and Port Vila. Hearing of the Meiers’ intentions, the parish councils of St Andrew’s, St Martins and St Marks, Christchurch , all pledged support to help fund the project costs

<typohead type="4">One project building upon another </typohead>

The story gets better. In May 2005, Ken Linscott and Max Muldrew from Timaru spent a month in Port Vila building the new workshop and setting up the lathes and other machinery they had collected in New Zealand and shipped to Port Vila. The result is that Rob and Barbara will be able to get underway far quicker because of this preparatory work.

This proves yet again that the greatest progress is achieved when we are able to work collaboratively and to timetable successive visits to ensure that one group builds on where the previous group finished off. This means that we get things completed quicker and don’t make the same mistakes twice.

<typohead type="4">Zambia calls </typohead>

When I explained the concept of a project officer to the Synod Executive of the Uniting Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa, Zambia Synod, they became very animated and were very keen to pursue the idea further. Since then I have even had an application from a potential couple. The problem is that we have not been able to secure funding as yet.

But maybe you would like to test your call; to serve in Zambia ? Rev Henry Mbambo from Garden Presbyterian Church in Lusaka has written asking if there is a minister who would like to participate in a clergy exchange with him through CWM. If you are interested, please contact the GMO.

<typohead type="4">Floods in Louisiana </typohead>

In response to my email expressing our concern for the residents of southern Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I received the following email from Marion McClure, who is the Director of the Worldwide Ministries Division of the Presbyterian Church USA.

‘… down the line in the longer term, we could also collaborate in assisting people from churches around the world in helping out (e.g. work teams on repair and reconstruction). This would build relationship and help Americans learn about mission from a new angle. It would also show the public here a very different attitude about our human need and human family. So... if you and your colleagues feel so moved and called in the coming year or two to consider this, let us know! ‘

I have already had contact from one of our congregations wanting to help out. Are there any others?

Lori writes

<typohead type="4">Is it too soon to talk about Christmas and raising funds for a special need? </typohead>

No doubt many of you will soon be preparing your Christmas programmes, advertising for volunteers for the Christmas Carol Choir, or planning the Christmas pageant with the Sunday school. In your planning, you may like to consider pledging a gift of love this Christmas season and to support one of our people or programmes on the margins. Here are the 12 that top our gift list.

GO Global – support one of our youth volunteers working overseas.

Bush Missioner Programme - link yourself with a ni-Vanuatu island community.

Fiji - Rev Sethy Regenvanu is serving as the minister of St Andrews , Suva . Support one of their new programmes.

Pacific Theological College – p art-sponsor a theological student - current recipient Rev Dickson Banibani.

AIDS Initiatives – support one of our HIV/AIDS initiatives in the Pacific or Southern Africa

Micro-Enterprise Projects, Zambia – provide the funds to start a church-based initiative. $1000 is all we need.

Project Officer – support Roy Pearson, our Global Missioner, Vanuatu .

Onesua Presbyterian College Library - assist with a donation for textbooks, library books and computer software.

Disaster Relief Fund – your gift today will enable us to help when disaster strikes tomorrow – any size donation gratefully received.

Thailand Prison Ministry - support the outstanding work of Kathryn McDaniel , our Global Missioner, in Chiang Mai by contributing towards the costs of stationery, postage, food, toiletries, and warm blankets for prisoners as well as Kathryn’s travel costs within Chiang Mai.

David Livingstone Memorial Youth Centre - sponsor the purchase of a TV so the youth of the centre can watch the sport they so love.

Solomon Islands - support a medical and/or educational programme of the United Church in the Solomon Islands (UCSI).

</typolist>

Information for these projects or any of our other projects is available by making contact with the GMO – globalmission(at)xtra.co.nz

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Update from the Stipend Review Task Group

While you may not have heard from us for a while, our task group has been busy. The purpose of the stipend review group is to take a strategic look at the overall remuneration package (not just stipend) and make recommendations to Council of Assembly based on our findings.

Task group members have been busy considering the results of a survey, which was sent to all parish ministers. Of the 320 surveys sent out, 202 replies were received (63 percent), which was very pleasing.

We’ve completed a detailed analysis of the replies and comments, but have more work to do, such as making comparisons with other organisations, before we release further information.

Before we began, we were aware that there was dissatisfaction in some quarters with the whole remuneration package paid to ministers. However, we were surprised at the extent of the dissatisfaction expressed in so many areas of remuneration and reimbursements by such a large number of ministers. It’s clear that many are not happy with their situation and feel that they are trapped in an organisation that cannot afford to pay them more. In some cases, they need more to survive, or more to be able make reasonable savings for retirement and/or housing.

We note that a number of our ministers are awaiting our report with great interest. Some feel that the Church has had task groups before and nothing has really changed. We feel we owe a duty to the Church to tell the ministers’ stories as we see it and make recommendations accordingly, even though these may have far reaching financial implications.

We hope to make recommendations to either the November 2005 or first 2006 meeting of Council of Assembly. Information from the review will be published widely when it is available, so keep an eye out on this and other Church publications for further updates.

Neil Sinclair – Convener Stipend Review Task Group

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Parish websites project

The first parish, St Johns Bucklands Beach, has completed their initial training session and their website is now online at www.stjohnsbb.org.nz. There is a list of 10 different areas (including colours and images) in which parishes make decisions so that we can give your site a unique look and feel.

For more information, contact webmaster@presbyterian.org.nz

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Noticeboard

Rural ministry

The national ecumenical rural church newsletter "Rural Network News" is available at www.schoolofministry.ac.nz/RuralMinistry/ or contact Robyn McPhail 48 Cannon Drive Kerikeri 0470 if you wish to receive hard copy.

Rural Ministry news and information, national and international, can be found at www.ccanz.net.nz/rural/ or www.presbyterian.org.nz/2848.0.html.

Of special note is the LIFE GIVING AGRICULTURE Message and Summary Report, outlining the affirmations and recommendations of a multi-denomination Forum held in Wonju, South Korea in April this year. Go to www.ccanz.net.nz/rural/ and click on LGA Official Report and LGA Final Message, or contact Robyn McPhail (address above) for hard copy

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Christian World Service

<typohead type="4">World Food Day Sunday 16 October</typohead>

CWS has prepared worship materials to mark UN World Food Day. You can download them from www.cws.org.nz or contact the CWS Office (03) 366 9274

<typohead type="4">CWS Christmas Gift Appeal Resources</typohead>

Resource kits have been sent to all churches for the 2005 Christmas Gift Appeal. This year’s theme is "Save the Earth, Saves its Peoples" and features partner stories of people working on environmentally sustainable development. Orders for resources including appeal envelopes, service sheets, candles and the PowerPoint presentation are due on October 11. Contact CWS for more information: Ph 0800 74 73 72 or email cws(at)cws.org.nz

<typohead type="4">2006 Calendar</typohead>

Beautiful photos of CWS partners around the world, celebrating people taking action against poverty. A great Christmas gift. Only $10 – Available now. Order from CWS www.cws.org.nz or phone 0800 71 73 72

<typohead type="4">Visit of Sarath Fernando</typohead>

CWS is pleased to be hosting a visit from the inspirational leader of MONLAR in Sri Lanka. Sarath Fernando has worked for decades to create people’s movements promoting food security and organic farming, and taking action against global economic policies that threaten the livelihoods and homes of poor Sri Lankans. He also mobilised relief aid following the Boxing Day tsunami and is campaigning for justice for tsunami victims. Sarath will be speaking at public meetings in Christchurch (8 October, 7pm at Knox Bealey Ave) and Auckland (9 October, 7.30pm Takapuna Methodist Church). Please RSVP to CWS: cws(at)cws.org.nz or phone 080074 73 72. Sarath is also due to appear on Chris Laidlaw’s Sunday programme, on Radio New Zealand on Sunday 9 October.

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Resources

New lectionary calendar

Following the lectionary means much of the Bible is read aloud in church over a three-year period. You can download the lectionary calendar for 2005/2006 here. The new lectionary year starts on 27 November and is Year B – Mark.

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