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Bush Telegraph November 2005
News
Assembly Office update
Welcome to this latest update about the activities of the Assembly service team.
<typohead type="4">Charities Act </typohead>
This legislation came into effect in April 2005, but authorities are still working through the mechanics of how the Act will be administered.
One of the most significant implications of the Act for parishes is that charitable entities must be registered or risk losing their tax-exempt status.
Actual registration is expected to begin mid-way through 2006, although it is likely that organisations will have until at least April 2007 to register before their tax status is affected.
A working party between the Church and the Church Property Trustees will look at the Act and implications for parishes. At this stage, it is recommended parishes wait on information from the working party before making any decisions about registration.
In the meantime, those who want more information should visit the Charities Commission website at www.charities.govt.nz or call Assembly Office for a copy of A Guide to the Charities Act, which provides useful background information.
<typohead type="4">Staff changes </typohead>
You will have heard of Neville Emslie’s resignation as principal of the School of Ministry . Neville was farewelled on Monday 17 October.
Council of Assembly has confirmed Kevin Ward as acting principal in the meantime. We are presently considering options for the period of Kevin’s study leave from late January to 9 May 2006 .
The Financial Services team is facing further changes. We welcome Belinda Tomlinson, who started last week as the new accountant and Paula Rae finishes with us at the end of November to complete some overseas travel.
We are also moving toward concluding Andrew Jackson’s involvement with us towards the end of November, although, for a period, he will continue in a monitoring and overseeing role.
<typohead type="4">School of Ministry review </typohead>
The School of Ministry Review Group met in Dunedin 14-15 October.
The review team includes Rev Chris Elliot (Timaru), Rev John Daniel , Peter Winder (Council of Assembly and convener of Equipping the Leadership Policy Group), Rev Dr Murray Rae ( Dunedin ) and Mr Eion Powell (Administration and Finance Policy Group).
<typohead type="4">National services review </typohead>
The review of national services, undertaken as a result of feedback from Focus on the Future, is underway. Andrew Jackson is leading the review, and he is eliciting comments from the various Service Team Leaders in the formulation of a report to the next Council of Assembly.
<typohead type="4">Assembly Office accommodation </typohead>
We are looking for suitable accommodation for the Wellington Assembly Office and have looked at three potential properties. We are exploring others using the criteria we’ve developed. Interestingly we’ve learned that accommodation in surrounding suburbs offers no real financial benefit. We’ve identified advantages in having some proximity to the central business district.
<typohead type="4">Next Council of Assembly meeting </typohead>
The Council of Assembly is meeting in Dunedin 18-20 November, assisted by the Synod of Otago and Southland. It will be an opportunity for Council to familiarise itself with the various Assembly activities undertaken in Dunedin .
<typohead type="4">AES away </typohead>
I will was away from 23 to 30 October at a meeting of General Secretaries of Churches that belong to the Council for World Mission. This meeting is held every three years and enables us to strengthen our connection with CWM and its various departments, and with the 31 partner churches.
<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
Global Mission Office update
Andrew writes –
Recently I had to transfer funds to Myanmar . It is not necessary to provide all the detail here - suffice it to say that it isn’t easy. Often referred to as the “second most oppressive military regime in the world” (second only to North Korea ), the citizens of Myanmar have it tough. The funds had been provided by the National Executive of the APW for the purchase of bicycles so that ministers of the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar can get about a lot easier and more swiftly. Think about that one for a moment. How many congregations in New Zealand would have a bicycle as a top ministry priority?
Why don’t you consider this and/or some of the other gift ideas listed below? Why don’t you make a special collection in your congregation or tithe on your annual church income and make a difference somewhere else as well as in your local community. Of this you can be sure, no matter how difficult, we will get the funds you entrust to us to the designated recipient. We take no administration fee and send 100 percent of all the funds received to our friends overseas.
<typohead type="4">AIDS in the Pacific</typohead>
I was invited to attend the first of a series of worldwide launches by UNICEF aimed at highlighting the plight of children in the midst of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It isn’t a pretty picture and the situation in the Pacific is deteriorating daily. It is now highly likely that the first people group to be lost entirely to AIDS will be in the Pacific. This is due to the relatively small populations and difficulty with getting education to far-flung communities. Somehow the virus seems to be able to transcend these barriers with ease. Papua New Guinea (and West Papua ) is the Pacific epicentre. CWM has provided funding for a pilot education project to be established by the United Church in PNG. Unfortunately it is going to take far more than that.
Lori writes -
<typohead type="4">Our Christmas wish list </typohead>
We hope you will consider pledging a gift of love this Christmas season and support one of our people and/or programmes that reach out to those “on the margins”. So, as you prepare your holiday programmes and end of year gatherings we hope you will advertise in support of something from our gift list.
<typolist>
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 – Part-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
Hewitson library
The Library recently received two significant donations: one of hymns from Shirley Murray and the other of organ music from Ross Matthews. Shirley Murray offered a collection of hymnals to the library earlier in the year and we readily accepted all of them. They are being processed and will begin to appear in the New Acquisitions Lists early in the New Year.
Peter Matthews, a former organist at Knox Church, Dunedin presented the Library with Roy Spackman's collection of organ music - Roy was also a former Knox Church organist. This collection is also being worked on and will become available from early next year.
Has anyone got a spare copy of Allan Davidson and Peter Lineham Transplanted Christianity: Documents Illustrating Aspects of New Zealand Church History, 3rd edition, 1995? Our last copy of this 3rd edition is now beyond repair and we need to find a repalcement copy. If you can help then please contact the library at hewitson(at)xtra.co.nz
Noticeboard
CASI (Churches’ Agency on Social Issues)
<typohead type="4">Website </typohead>
With hit rates ranging between 60,000 and 90,000 each month over the past year, CASI’s website is becoming better known – even if some people at the CCANZ Final Forum called it “the churches’ best-kept secret”. Part of our appeal seems to be the range of material in a single site – the one-stop-shop approach – which owes a great deal to the work by Richard Davis (now in Dunedin) who put the whole thing together and set up a huge range of links.
Our appeal also seems to lie in efforts to be topical and to update regularly. We can see spikes in hit rates when new sections consolidating our material on current issues are placed… such as when new legislation is introduced to Parliament or an issue hits the headlines (eg. foreshore and seabed). We heard recently of a person who came from Auckland to a Wellington forum simply by finding the details in our website “coming events” section.
So it’s worth listing your church/social issues event with us if you feel it has more than local interest. Send details to casi(at)casi.org.nz and the information goes out both through our moderated list pq-announce and our web Coming Events page (www.casi.org.nz).
It’s worth visiting us at least weekly – you’re likely to find something new. We’re also very happy to respond to queries for follow-up information.
<typohead type="4">Nuclear-free should stay - we owe it to our Pacific neighbours and our children, say Waiheke Churches </typohead>
The Waiheke Combined Churches' Council considers that New Zealand 's Nuclear-free legislation is important to the South Pacific in particular, and to the world in general, and must be the concern of all people.
It is now well known that the use of nuclear technology for weapons and also for generating power has in the past and may continue into the future to punish children, including those unborn at the time of its use.
The waste from nuclear power plants is dangerous in itself. It has been used to make weapons involving depleted uranium (DU). Radiation from such weapons that have been used by the US/UK in Iraq has resulted in awful birth defects among Iraqi children. Children born to those who have been close to test or conflict zones or power plants that have leaked have been denied their birthright to be born healthy.
We owe it to our small neighbouring Island nations as well as to our own youth to maintain our nuclear-free legislation and the continuance of the South Pacific Nuclear-free Zone.
This does not preclude using nuclear power plants for generating electricity if and when technology is improved.
The Waiheke Combined Churches' Council represents the following Churches on Waiheke Island; AOG, Anglican/Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Quakers. The Resolution was passed at a Meeting of Leaders on Waiheke Island on Wednesday 10 August 2005, after discussion with congregations.
<typohead type="4">Study investigates workers’ wages </typohead>
New Zealanders’ pay packets have risen over the past year but those on the lowest wages are still lagging behind, according to a new report produced by Victoria University ’s Industrial Relations Centre.
Employment Agreements: Bargaining Trends & Employment Law Update 2004/2005 found that New Zealand workers’ pay rose by an average 2.8 percent in the year to June 2005. This is the largest pay increase for workers on collective agreements for the past 14 years, with a yearly average of just 2.2 percent.
Professor of human resource management and industrial relations George Lafferty says the period 2000-2005 has seen more rapid wages growth than during the previous five years.
“However, increases are modest considering historically low unemployment, high economic growth and greater demand for skilled labour. And, not all New Zealand workers are enjoying better pay.”
For workers on the lowest wages contained in collective agreements, there was an average increase of just $12 per week (2.5 per cent) for the year to June 2005 – and of just more than $10 per year for the last 14 years.
Professor Lafferty says there are industries where the lowest wage has increased by less than $1 each year for the past 14 years. And more than 300 collective agreements contain wage rates that do not meet the new legal minimum of $9.50 per hour.
And there was reason to be concerned about New Zealanders’ savings for retirement.
“There is a low rate of superannuation arrangements, with 57 per cent of workers covered by collective employment agreements having no superannuation provision,” he said.
Only 12 per cent of the private sector employers made contributions to workers’ super schemes, and these payments ranged from $1.20 to $89 per week.
Christian World Service
<typohead type="4">CWS Christmas video/DVD </typohead>
An 8-minute video spot on the theme “Save the Earth, Save its People” is now available. It explores the connections between the environment and overcoming poverty and can be used to help promote the Christmas Gift Appeal. Contact CWS for more information: Ph 0800 74 73 72 or email cws(at)cws.org.nz
Christmas Gift Appeal resources are still available. If you have not yet sent in your order but please contact CWS as soon as possible. If you would like someone from CWS to speak in your parish, please contact Mary Cavanagh (mary.cavanagh(at)cws.org.nz or phone 03 366 9274).
<typohead type="4">Latest World Watch magazine out now! </typohead>
Thumbs up for Green Fingers!, World Watch #51 and Leader’s Kit are now available. The magazine is for young people aged 7-12 and is focusing on CWS partner CEPAD, in Nicaragua . It explores life for Nicaraguan children and how planting seedlings is helping to stop deforestation. In addition to the usual stories, puzzles, and games, this issue features the winning drawings in the Better World Competition, a special event to mark the 50th issue of World Watch. Thanks to everyone who contributed. Everyone who entered got to enjoy some fair trade chocolate. If you don’t already receive World Watch, it is a fantastic colour magazine produced by CWS for children. It is available free of charge from youth(at)cws.org.nz or phone Liz Whitehead on (03) 366 9274.
<typohead type="4">Emergency appeals </typohead>
CWS thanks everyone for their support of recent emergency appeals. In a first, CWS accepted donations to help Church World Service, our US partner, provide assistance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the widespread devastation it brought, particularly to low-income families. Over $4000 has been sent and will help towards providing food, shelter, blankets and other aid.
The South Asia Earthquake Appeal has reached over $25,000 and donations continue to come in. Help is still urgently needed. Already, CWS partners have provided tents, blankets, food, household goods and medical care for those affected in Pakistan and India . Over 2 million people have been left homeless, many in remote mountain areas with winter fast approaching. As immediate needs are meet, CWS partners are moving towards providing housing kits, trauma counselling and other longer term assistance. It is thought it will take a decade or more for the region to recover. See www.cws.org.nz for regular updates on the situation. You can donate online, by phone (0800 74 73 72) or send a cheque to CWS, PO Box 22652 , Christchurch.
<typohead type="4">Excellent Christmas gift idea </typohead>
Don’t forget to order the 2006 CWS Calendar. It celebrates people around the world taking action against poverty and is full of colourful, hopeful images. Only $10 - available now. Order from CWS www.cws.org.nz or phone 0800 71 73 72. Check out the CWS website for a preview.
<typohead type="4">Fun-run for Timor </typohead>
CWS thanks all those Christchurch parishes that supported the Run for Timor (15 October). Jointly organised by church harrier clubs, the event was a great success. People could choose to run 8km or run/walk 4km. All operating costs were donated so the entry fees will go directly to CWS projects in East Timor . Over $2000 was raised. Special prizes went to Geoff King, Knox Presbyterian minister, as the first ordained clergy to finish the 8km run, and to Lindsay Day, St Mark’s Presbyterian , first ordained competitor to finish the 4 km walk. See www.cws.org.nz for photos from the day. If you are interested in supporting a fun-run or other special events for CWS projects in your area, contact Mary Cavanagh (mary.cavanagh(at)cws.org.nz or phone 03 366 9274).
Introduction workgroup
The process for connecting graduating ordinands with boards of nomination is continuing. However, for a variety of reasons at this time only one ordinand is well on the way toward a Call. A second is preparing for a first conversation with a board.
This leaves two ordinands looking for conversations with boards of nomination. Their preferences are for the greater Auckland region . However, do not let this stop you from testing their sense of Call by offering your parish profile to the workgroup.
Geoffrey Skilton
Convener
Ph. 03 4535357 email: geoffrey.skilton(at)paradise.net.nz
Presbyterian schools on Praise Be
The Praise Be television programme will play an episode that will feature music from Christian schools, including Lindisfarne and Iona Presbyterian Schools. Footage is being filmed in early November and the episode is scheduled to play on TV1 at 9:00am on Sunday 13 November.
Summer School in Wanaka, 15 - 20 January 2006
The Upper Clutha parish's Aspiring Faith Community is running its third Summer School on the topic of: Fundamentalism: its many faces.
For further details, either contact Neal and Alison on 03 443 1044, email brown.hawea(at)actrix.co.nz or check out this page for more information.
What is FOCal?
It’s a new political discussion group for those who feel uneasy about the association of Christianity with right-wing views. Check it out at www.focal.org.nz
Resources
New preaching kit
The preaching kit covering 9 October to 20 November is now online here. The new lectionary year starts on 27 November you can download the calendar here.
Hewitson Library: September acquisitions list
<typohead type="4">Philosophy of Religion </typohead>
HART, David. The beauty of the infinite : the aesthetics of Christian truth. Grand Rapids, MI : W B Eerdmans, 2003.
Class: PAN Har
PREDICTING religion : Christian, secular, and alternative futures / edited by Grace Davie, Linda Woodhead, and Paul Heelas. Aldershot, Hants, UK : Ashgate Publications, 2002.
Class: PAQ Pre
<typohead type="4">History of Religion </typohead>
WAR and peace in world religions / edited by Perry Schmidt-Leukel. London : SCM, 2004.
Class: PDA War
MACCULLOCH, J A. The religion of the ancient Celts. London : Constable, 1991.
Class: PDK Mac
<typohead type="4">Judaism </typohead>
MASON, Steve. Flavius Josephus on the Pharisees: a composition-critical study. Boston : Brill Academic, 2001
Class: PGH Mas
<typohead type="4">Bible </typohead>
THE WESTMINISTER theological wordbook of the Bible/edited by Donald E Gowan. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003.
Class: PH1 Wes
McKINLAY, Judith E. Reframing her: biblical women in postcolonial focus. Sheffield, UK: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2004.
Class: PHU McK
<typohead type="4">Old Testament </typohead>
DOUGLAS, Mary. Leviticus as literature. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 1999.
Class: PIT 8 Dou
I CHRONICLES 1-9 : a new translation with introduction and commentary . New York, NY : Doubleday, 2004.
Class: PIT 24 Bib Kno
<typohead type="4">New Testament </typohead>
BAUCKHAM, Richard. Gospel women : studies of the named women in the gospels. Grand Rapids, MI: W B Eerdmans, 2002.
Class: PJT 78 Bau
<typohead type="4">Christian Theology </typohead>
BEGBIE, Jeremy. Theology, music and time. Cambridge, UK : Cambridge University Press, 2000.
Class: PKW Beg
<typohead type="4">Theology, Society & Science </typohead>
PUBLIC theology for the 21st century: essays in honour of Duncan B Forrester / edited by William F Storrar and Andrew R Morton; foreword by Professor Raymond Plant. London: T & T Clark, 2004.
PLO Pub
<typohead type="4">Ethics </typohead>
INNES, Robert. After Alder Hey: trust and mistrust in contemporary healthcare. Cambridge, UK: Grove Books, 2005.
Class: PN7 Gro E137
<typohead type="4">Church History </typohead>
FIELD, David P. Rigide Calvinisme in a softer dresse: the moderate Presbyterianism of John Howe 1630-1705. England: Rutherford House, 2004.
Class: PO4 Fie
<typohead type="4">Christian Missions </typohead>
ROXBOROGH, John. Missionary congregation, leadership & liminality. Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press, 1997.
Class: PRH Rox
<typohead type="4">Ecumenical </typohead>
A HISTORY of the ecumenical movement / edited by Ruth Rouse and Stephen Charles Neill. 4th ed. Geneva : World Council of Churches, 1993-2004.
Class: PS3 H
<typohead type="4">Pastoral Theology </typohead>
AVIS, Paul D L. A ministry shaped by mission. New York, NY: T & T Clark International, 2005.
Class: PU Avi
DOOD, Brian J. Empowered church leadership: ministry in the spirit according to Paul. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003.
Class: PU Dod
OSWALD, Roy M. New beginnings: a pastorate start up workbook. Washington, DC: Alban Institute, 1989.
Class: PU Osw
STURT, John. Mentoring for marriage : a resource manual for pastors, counsellors and couples / John and Agnes Sturt. Auckland, NZ : Daystar Books, 2004.
Class: PUJ Stu
RE/CONSTRUCTING “the adolescent”: sign, symbol, and body / edited by Jennifer A Vadeboncoeur & Lisa Patel Stevens. New York: NY : Peter Lang, 2005.
Class: PUM Rec
<typohead type="4">Homiletics </typohead>
CHAPELL, Bryan. Christ-centered preaching: redeeming the expository sermon. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2005.
Class: PVA Cha
A READER on preaching: making connections / edited by David Day, Jeff Astley, Leslie J Francis. Aldershot, Hants, UK: Ashgate Publications. 2005.
Class: Pva Rea Religious Education
HIV/AIDS and the curriculum: methods of integrating HIV/AIDS in theological programmes/ edited by Musa W Dube. Geneva : WCC Publications, 2003
Class: PXA HIV
Contact the Hewitson Library at hewitson(at)xtra.co.nz
Church Register
The Church Register lists additions to, deletions from, and changes in status on the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand Ministerial Roll as advised by Presbytery Clerks as at 1 November 2005 Please amend the roll in your yearbook accordingly. |
<typohead type="4">Ordinations & Inductions: </typohead>
<typolist>
Rev Andrew Scott, inducted, Kaikorai Presbyterian Church, Dunedin , 8 September 2005.
Rev Henry (Enere) Wichman, inducted, Newton Pacific Islanders, Auckland , 8 September 2005.
Rev Dr Sarah Mitchell, inducted, Knox Church , Dunedin , 29 September 2005.
</typolist>
<typohead type="4">Changes in Status: </typohead>
<typolist>
Rev Eric Mattock, Lodged Certificate, Presbytery of Christchurch, transferred to Lodged Certificate, Presbytery of Ashburton, 8 February 2005.
Rev Dr Simon Rae, Minister Emeritus, Presbytery of Southland, transferred to Minister Emeritus, Presbytery of Dunedin, 31 July 2005.
Rev Barry Tetley, Glendowie, Presbytery of Auckland, inducted to St James’ Uniting Church , Northland Uniting Church Council, 31 July 2005.
Rev Winston Baker, Maheno-Otepopo, North Otago, transferred to interim Army Chaplaincy position, Burnham Military Camp, Christchurch Presbytery, 11 February 2005.
Rev Wilson Orange, Minister of Glenfield Presbyterian Church, transferred to Morrinsville – Knox Presbyterian Church, 27 January 2005.
Rev Ken Wall, Minister Gisborne Presbyterian Church, transferred to Presbyterian Parish of St Mark’s and St Andrew’s, Palmerston North, 30 January 2005.
Rev Scott Wishart, Minister St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Rotorua, position concluded on 10 February 2005.
Mr Bruce Fraser, Lay Appointee Stirling/Kaitangata/Lovells Flat Presbyterian Church, position concluded 26 June 2005.
Rev Elizabeth (Libby) Smith, Minister Kurow Parish, term extended to 21 May 2008.
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<typohead type="4">Short term appointments: </typohead>
<typolist>
The Rev D Jack, Crowhurst, East Sussex , UK , to Stated Supply, Orakei Presbyterian Church, 1 September 2005.
</typolist>
<typohead type="4">Changes in appointment: </typohead>
<typolist>
Mr Warren Howes (Baptist) began term as Lay Appointee South Kaipara Presbyterian Church, 10 March 2005.
Mr Newton Wills (Apostolic) began term as Lay Appointee Clutha Valley Presbyterian Church, 7 June 2005.
</typolist>
<typohead type="4">Retirements: </typohead>
<typolist>
Rev Leslie (Robert) McPhail, Hospital Chaplain, Nelson-Marlborough Presbytery, to Minister Emeritus, 30 June 2005.
Rev John Peill, Minister Hutt City Uniting Congregations, retired 1 July 2005.
</typolist>
<typohead type="4">Resignations: </typohead>
<typolist>
Rev Mary Huie-Jolly, resigned from the School of Ministry , 31 July 2005 . Transferred to Lodged Certificate, Dunedin Presbytery.
</typolist>
<typohead type="4">Deaths: </typohead>
<typolist>
The Rev Hieke (Dick) Tupe, Amorangi Minister, Putauaki Maori Pastorate, on 18 January 2005.
The Rev James (Jim) Moore , Minister Emeritus, Dunedin , on 3 October 2005.
</typolist>
<typohead type="3">Parish register</typohead>
Changes in PCANZ Parish Roll as advised by Presbytery Clerks as at 1 November 2005
<typohead type="4">South Auckland Presbytery </typohead>
The Parish of Drury Presbyterian Church (formerly part of First, Papakura) was officially constituted as a new and separate parish within the Presbytery of South Auckland on 3 July 2005.
Ministerial vacancies
Click here to see the full table of vacancies