Anyone with a lively interest in the Church's future direction is warmly invited to the Tutahi Tatou regional meetings that will take place throughout the country in September 03.

"Tutahi Tatou - let us stand together - is a way for the Council of Assembly to share key thinking about direction for the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand," says Council of Assembly Convenor, Shirley Fergusson. (The Council is the group that governs the church, in-between Assemblies)

"And most importantly it's a way for the Council and its policy groups to listen to what people in congregations and presbyteries are saying - the face to face dialogue is a great opportunity for the Church to go forward together.

"Our work is geared towards helping to build congregations, so it's essential to talk about what will make a difference in local and regional communities. Our shared sense of our future Church will arise from this work.

"We hope that anyone who thinks or cares about what faith and ministry will be like in 10 or 20 years, will come," Shirley says.

The information that comes out of the sessions will feed directly into the policy directions that go to next year's General Assembly, says Deputy Convenor, Helen Bichan.

The Tutahi Tatou sessions are an extension of the well-regarded dialogue groups at Assembly, she says. "The dialogue groups give people a real opportunity to talk through new directions and policies. They have a big influence on the final shape of decisions at Assembly.

"Tutahi Tatou is really part of that process," Helen says.

Like the 2001 event, the Tutahi Tatou one-day meetings will be held in centrally located regions throughout the country with local facilitators. "We'd love to see as many people as possible coming, it's a wonderful opportunity for learning, exchange of views and networking," Helen says.

Watch the August issue of sPanz and the monthly Bush Telegraph newsletter for more information about the content, location and times of the Tutahi Tatou meetings.

To register for the Bush Telegraph newsletter online contact Kirsten Dale, Communications Co-ordinator, email kirstend@presbyterian.org.nz

or visit: www.presbyterian.org.nz/newsevents/bt.php Under the Council of Assembly are five policy groups that relate directly to important parts of congregational life. They are:

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Equipping the Leadership ­ training lay and ordained ministers

Overseas Mission and Partnerships ­ relationships with the wider church

Resourcing for Mission ­ vision of the church in 10 years

Connecting with Society ­ developing in-depth relationships with society

Administration and Finance ­ resourcing all the above nationally, regionally and locally.

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