May 2006

Assembly Office update

Kia ora

Twenty one weeks to Assembly

Preparation is well underway for Assembly at St Kentigern College, Pakuranga, Auckland from Thursday 28 September to Monday 2 October 2006.

Visit by General Secretary Council for World Mission

The Rev. Dr Des van de Water from CWM is visiting our Church 8 to 11 May to learn of our life, discuss our relationship with CWM and how we can further build on that. Des was formerly the General Secretary of the Congregational Church in Southern Africa.

Solomon Islands unrest

A message of support for the United Church of the Solomon Islands was sent on behalf of our Church, and they sent us back the following response:

Thank you very much for your email. It is good to know that as members of the body of Christ, the Church of God , our brothers and sisters from PCANZ are standing with us in these trying times that our nation has gone through. Thank you very much for your prayers and the comforting message received. I've shared your message with my leaders of the Church here in Honiara and on there behalf I would like to register our gratitude to you and your church for your prayers. After the arrival of military personals from Australia and additional police from New Zealand and Fiji , things have calmed down here in Honiara . However, everyone's on the alert as a motion of no confidence will be moved against the new Prime Minister coming Wednesday. We don’t know what will happen after this.

Please continue to remember us in your prayers.

Human Resource Manager

Marilla Hood as HR Manager begins on 1 May 2006. Marilla comes to us from a position of HR Advisor with NZAid, the government’s aid organisation. One of Marilla’s early objectives will be to take further the ministerial appraisal process being piloted in some presbyteries.

Service Team update

The team is comprised of the employees of the General Assembly. Some of their work includes:

Jose Reader and Amanda Wells, our communications team, are leading media workshops around the country, helping people engage with the opportunities the media offers. These are funded by a grant from the Council for World Mission. Jose and Amanda are running more than 20 workshops for over 100 people, from North Shore to Mataura.

Brendan Sweeney as finance manager is consulting with budget managers in preparation of the Assembly’s operating budget for the year commencing 1 July 2006 . Brendan has also been steadily improving the Assembly financial reporting, including developing reports for the Council for World Mission on funds received for specific projects.

Andrew Bell as Global Mission Enabler reports developments with the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu, our longstanding partner. These include the extension of the term of Roy Pearson in their Assembly Office, Jon Parkes to Talua, a training school, and visits by congregations on work programmes to Vanuatu congregations.

John Roxborogh at the School of Ministry reports there are 18 nationally ordained ministers in training, including three by distance. As well, there are people involved in training as locally ordained ministers and in local ministry teams. Kevin Ward ran the Boston marathon, coming about midway through the field and returns mid-May. Twenty people from the Cook Islands community in our Church visited the School in the week before Easter. The School is publicising scholarships for ministers. There are presently 10 applicants for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament to be considered by the National Assessment Work Group at the assessment weekend in August, a number similar to the 11 considered last year.

John Daniel as National Mission Enabler reports enthusiasm for the help provided through the Kids Friendly team, led by Jill Kayser. National youth ministry is now being led by four young people with specific responsibilities. Student.soul, the ministry among Otago University students, is being considered for other tertiary locations.

Yvonne Wilkie reports Archives has received a large amount of new material following the shift of the Assembly Office to new offices and because regional repositories are no longer willing to hold material. Work on cataloguing our significant photograph archive is continuing.

Book of Order Rewrite

The Rewrite Task Group held a consultation with presbytery representatives recently and found the contributions people made extremely helpful. The Task Group is taking up those suggestions in finalising the draft new Book of Order for Assembly’s consideration.

E noho ra,

Kerry

General Assembly 2006

More about the theme for GA06

Christ-centered, community-facing is the theme for GA06, decided by Moderator-designate the Rev Pamela Tankersley.

It has its basis in Jeremiah’s letter to exiles in Babylon. Jeremiah writes, “But seek the shalom of the place (city) where I have sent you into exile and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its shalom you will find your shalom… For surely I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans for your shalom and not for harm, to give you a future with hope” (Jeremiah 29:7 & 11).

Community-building has been a theme of Pamela’s ministry for many years, and she believes it is one of the Assembly’s tasks to build capacity and understanding among the wider church about Christ’s call to work beyond our congregations.

“It’s about joining the Christ who is already out there working in the community,” explains Pamela. “It’s about saying that with God’s amazing grace, we can have the confidence to impact this world with compassion, justice and hope.”

To help congregations and presbyteries engage with the theme and to explore what it means for them in their context, Pamela will be sending out a Bible study before Assembly. Out of this discussion, each congregation will be asked to create a poster for their commissioner to bring for display at the GA06 venue.

Pamela believes that the theme presents the Church with an opportunity to celebrate the effective mission partnerships already happening in the community, and also invites the identification of new mission opportunities.

She says that engaging with our communities is especially important for the Presbyterian Church today, and that for too long we have responded to our particular stresses by becoming more inwardly focused.

“When we in the church stand opposite each other, our differences are accentuated and often resolution is difficult. Yet when we stand side-by-side facing and serving the community with Christ, the differences matter less.”

Registration

Some presbyteries may have already started the process of selecting commissioners, but if you haven’t, now is the time to start thinking about this, because for the first time this year, a discount will apply for early registrations. All presbyteries and union district councils will shortly receive a letter inviting them to begin the process of appointing commissioners.

As in previous years, registration will occur via the church’s website at www.presbyterian.org.nz/ga06. Registrations will open in late May.

Commissioners who register early will receive a discount off the registration fee for GA06 (the amount of which has yet to be set), and it is likely that the fee will be significantly higher than in previous years due to the decision to make General Assembly gatherings self-funding.

Only a portion of the costs to run the last Assembly in 2004 were covered by income from registration fees; the remaining costs were covered from the General Assembly operating budget.

In line with the 2004 General Assembly’s resolution that General Assembly operate within a balanced budget, this year’s registration fee will be adjusted to reflect the actual cost of running the Assembly gathering.

The business work group, local arrangements committee and others are looking at ways to reduce the costs of the GA06 meeting, such as more cost-effective arrangements for travel, catering and accommodation, so that the registration fee can be kept at the lowest possible level.

Pre-Assembly consultation

Planning is underway regarding how engagement about the School of Ministry review, the General Assembly meeting review and direction and vision for the church will be undertaken. For more information about when and how the wider church will have an opportunity to comment and provide feedback on these important matters, keep an eye on the General Assembly pages of the website.

Stipend Review

You will shortly receive information about the stipend review, which is a comprehensive report that investigates the issues around ministerial remuneration. Feedback received will help shape the final report that is issued to GA06.

Assembly Assessment

A comprehensive paper regarding the review of the Assembly Assessment framework has also been circulated recently. Feedback received from the wider church will help shape the final report that is presented to General Assembly for consideration. To have your say, please contribute your comments to the Assembly Executive Secretary by 15 June 2006 .

Book of Order

See this page for more information.

Global Mission Office update

Khandallah Presbyterian Church felt moved to support a ministry student from the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar. Rev Lal Chhandama is studying at Trinity Theological College in Singapore. They raised $1771.60. Lal’s gratitude was overwhelming as he explained that some of the funds would go to fund the medical care for his sick son back in Myanmar.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you for your generousity to me and my family. When I see you are so good to me I realize that God is working and with me everywhere I go. I am now about to be able to pay my debts

Rev Jim Symons, a minister on exchange from the US called Presbyterians together to arrange a ‘Save Darfur – Interfaith Vigil and Walk to Stop Genocide” in Wellington on 30 April.

A couple from Tauranga responded to the story about bread ovens for Vanuatu in last month’s Bush Telegraph and sent $2000.00.

The generator for Ebule Rural Training Centre sponsored by some of the ‘Saints’ in Christchurch - St Mark’s, St Martin’s, St James and St Andrew’s - has arrived in Vanuatu.

A new office printer/copier/ scanner jointly sponsored by St Heliers and the GMO has been installed at the PCV office.

These are just some of the ‘good news’ stories from April 2006. One month of faithful giving by Kiwi Presbyterians has changed the lives of countless individuals. The month of May has only just begun… maybe it is your turn to repond to one of these new challenges.

Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day

Enable an island church community to fish for food and earn income by providing a ferry service. Seven meter fibreglass ‘long boats’ designed for Vanuatu’s coastal waters and manufactured in Vanuatu have become available. They come equipped with fishing gear and can be used as a fishing boat in the morning and evening and a ferry during the day. If the 25hp outboard breaks down, it can be sent by ferry to Port Vila for repair which is easier than getting a mechanic to a vehicle on a remote island. They are designed to carry up to 20 people at a time. The cost to purchase a new boat, engine, fishing lines and reels is NZ$13,000. Give a person a fishing rod and you feed them for a lifetime.

Garden Presbyterian Community School – Zambia

The church and community of Garden Presbyterian Church in Lusaka, after years of planning and praying, have established a community school. This school caters for children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by the HIV/AIDS epidemic that is devastating Africa. Their aim is to provide them with loving care and basic education. However, the community itself is struggling to survive the ravages of poverty and the disease and so do not have the means to run the school effectively without financial assistance from outside. They are seeking partnership with individuals, churches and charitable organizations that have the welfare of children and their education at heart. This is a different form of child sponsorship as your gift will help fund teacher salaries, classroom resources and building extension costs.

Contact the GMO for more information on these new initiatives and more.

Noticeboard

Assembly Office has moved

Our new street address is:
Level 1, Terralink House, 275-283 Cuba Street, Wellington

Our postal address and telephone numbers remain unchanged:
Postal address: PO Box 9049, Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
Main phone number: (04) 801 6000
Fax number: (04) 801 6001

Introduction work group

The Workgroup had five Parish Profiles to work with in the first round of Introductions. Each Profile has been offered to one or more Graduating Ordinands to discern if a sense of Call for exploration exists.

Boards of Nomination are asked to consider making their Profiles available for the second round of Introductions which is scheduled for June 28. Profiles for the second round should be with me by 21 June.

It is very helpful if Boards can provide a print version of the Parish Profile for handing to Ordinands; and an attachment copy minus pictures and brochures in Word or Rich Text Format for circulation within the Workgroup.

Boards that are wondering if there are Ordinands available for Call, or want to make their Profile available outside the second round should contact the Convener.

Geoffrey Skilton
Convener
03 453 5357
geoffrey.skilton(at)paradise.net.nz

Christian World Service

Absent from School?

Every day 115 million children worldwide don’t go to school. The latest issue of CWS youth topics, available now, explores issues around education and what needs to be done to get more children into school. Copies of this free poster resource, designed for use in schools or with youth groups, are available from CWS. Contact youth(at)cws.org.nz or write to PO Box 22652 , Christchurch.

A Fair Cuppa

Join churches around the country in holding a fair trade morning tea after services on Sunday 14 May. As part of Fair Trade Fortnight (29 April –14 May), CWS is encouraging churches to sample fair trade tea, coffee and chocolate and share the fair trade message. Fair trade guarantees poor producers a fair price as well as investing in the community and promoting environmentally sustainable agriculture.

CWS has worship materials as well as other resources and free samples to help you plan the day. See www.cws.org.nz, ph 03 366 9274 or contact gillian.southey(at)cws.org.nz

East Africa Appeal: Help us avert the worst

The World Food Programme is warning of absolutely catastrophic consequences if aid does not get to countries like Kenya and Ethiopia quickly. People are dying of hunger and thirst after the total failure of last year’s rains. Livestock has been lost and many families have had to resort to selling what few productive assets they have left just to survive .

To try and prevent further suffering, CWS is supporting an appeal by ACT International (Action by Churches Together) to provide water and food for communities in urgent need. In the most extreme situations water has to be supplied by tankers; in others, new water collection and storage facilities are desperately needed. Replacement seeds, tools and livestock are also being provided in preparation for when the next rains come.

You can help prevent today’s vulnerable communities becoming tomorrow’s victims. Please support this action to prevent a major catastrophe. Contact CWS: PO Box 22652 Christchurch , phone 0800 74 73 72 or donate online: www.cws.org.nz  

Human Rights Film Festival

CWS is pleased to be supporting the second annual Human Rights Film Festival, May 2006. With a programme that includes the inspirational Breaking Bows and Arrows: Search for Reconciliation and Forgiveness, the frightening no holds barred documentary about California’s reproduction dream world Frozen Angels, and the true account of an Indian family who would rather drown than allow the destruction of their land, home and culture in Drowned Out, this year’s Film Festival promises to both educational and inspirational. It features documentaries, features, animations and shorts and will be screening in:

• Wellington, Paramount Theatre, 3-10 May
• Auckland, Academy Theatre, 11-18 May
• Christchurch, Regent Theatre, 17-21 May

See www.humanrightsfilmfest.net.nz for more details.

Resources

Hewitson Library: February 2006 acquisitions list

If you would like to borrow any of these books then please email the library with the details and we will post them to you. A copy of our Postal Policy can be found on our website www.schoolofministry.ac.nz/library

Reference

The NEW Zealand roll of honour : New Zealanders who have served their country in peace and war : 150 years, 1845-1995 / [edited by] Alister Taylor. Auckland , N.Z. : Alister Taylor , Roll of Honour Publications, 1998.
Class: Ref OC9

New History of Religion & Comparative Study of Religions

MOORE, Albert C. Freedom, religion & spirit. [ Dunedin , N.Z. : U3A Dunedin Charitable Trust, 2004]
Class: PDA Moo

New Testament

CROSSAN, John Dominic. The historical Jesus : the life of a Mediterranean Jewish peasant. Edinburgh : T & T Clark, c1991.
Class: PJJ Cro

SMITH, James A. Marks of an apostle : deconstruction, Philippians, and problematizing Pauline theology. Atlanta : Society of Biblical Literature, 2005. Class: PJL Smi

BECK, Robert R. Nonviolent story : narrative conflict resolution in the Gospel of Mark / Robert R. Beck ; [foreword by Ched Myers]. Maryknoll, N.Y : Orbis Books, c1996.
Class: PJT 81 Bec

VANIER, Jean. Drawn into the mystery of Jesus through the Gospel of John / Jean Vanier. New York : Paulist Press, c2004.
Class: PJT 85 Van

Theology, Science & Society

GREY, Mary C. Prophecy and mysticism : the heart of the postmodern church. Edinburgh : T&T Clark, 1997.
Class: PLP Gre

Ethics

FORSTER, Greg. The moral vision of the letter to the Hebrews. Cambridge : Grove, 2005.
Class: PN7 Gro E.138

Cyberspace - cyberethics - cybertheology / edited by Erik Borgman, Stephan van Erp and Hille Haker. London : SCM Press, c2005.
Class: PNN Cyb

DOMMEN, Edward. How just is the market economy? Geneva , Switzerland : WCC Publications, 2003.
Class: PNN Dom

THOMSON, John B. Church on edge? : practicing ministry today England : Darton, Longman and Todd, c2004.
Class: PNN Tho

Denominations

HILL, Harold Ivor Winston. The Salvation Army officer : a case study in clericalisation : a thesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies, 2004.
Class: PPS Hil

Church Government

A fearful symmetry? : the complementarity of men and women in ministry / A.M. Allchin [et al.]. London : SPCK, 1992.
Class: PTB Fea

Pastoral Theology

SISK, Ronald D. The competent pastor : skills and self-knowledge for serving well. Herndon , Va. : Alban Institute, 2005.
Class: PU Sis

Christian Worship

METHODIST Church of New Zealand Family worship : orders of service for the worship of the church / Methodist Church of New Zealand. Wellington [N.Z.] : Dept. of Christian Education, Methodist Church of N.Z., [1963?]
Class: PWA Met

DAY, Juliette. Proclus on baptism in Constantinople . Norwich : SCM-Canterbury Press, 2005.
Class: PWA8 Alc 59

MYERS, Gilly. How to-- lead evensong. Cambridge , England : Grove Books, 2005
Class: PWA8 Gro W.183.

CELEBRATION. Book 2, Advent to Epiphany including Christmas / edited by Derek Wensley and Brian Frost. London : Stainer and Bell , 1970.
Class: PWB Cel

Hymn Books and Sacred Music

27 20th century hymns : new words, new music / by members of the 20th Century Church Light Music Group. London : Weinberger, c1965.
Class: PWG 27

CELTIC and contemporary Celtic songs. [ Chicago , Ill. ] : GIA Publications, c1989.
Class: PWG Cel

FAITH, folk & nativity; a new collection of songs. Great Yarmouth , Norfolk , Galliard; New York, Galaxy Music Corp. [1969]
Class: PWG Fai

FAITH, folk & clarity : a collection of folk songs / edited by Peter Smith. London : Galliard, 1967.
Class: PWG Fai

Halle , halle : We sing the world round : songs from the world church for children, youth, and congregation / compiled and written by C. Michael Hawn. Garland , Tex. : Choristers Guild : Dayton , Ohio : Distributed by the Lorenz Corp.,c1999.
Class: PWG Hal

Notes and hymns for the Ecumenical Youth Conference, Palmerston North, N.Z., 1956-57. Christchurch , N.Z. : Published for the Youth Committee of the National Council of Churches in N.Z. by the Presbyterian Bookroom, 1956.
Class: PWG Hym

Jesus Christ the life of the world : a hymn book = Je´sus-Christ, vie du monde : livre de cantiques. Geneva : World Council of Churches c1987.
Class: PWG Jes

KAAN, Fred. Pilgrim praise. Hymns by Fred Kaan. Foreword by Albert H. van den Heuval. Norfolk , Eng. : Galliard, c1972.
Class: PWG K

MORNING worship II. { Chicago , Ill. ] : GIA Publications, [1989].
Class: PWG Mor

Songs for the seventies : a collection of contemporary hymns. London : Galliard ; New York : Galaxy Music, c1972.
Class: PWG Son

WORLD church songs. [ Chicago , Ill. ] : GIA Publications, [1989]
Class: PWG Wor

Religious Education

The JOHN McGlashan College magazine. [ Dunedin , N.Z.] : John McGlashan College Annual. Library has: Dec 1975--Dec 1976.
Class: PX8 Joh

Christian Life

RUDDLE, William. Henri Nouwen : wounded healer. Cambridge : Grove Books, 2005.
Class: PY8 Gro S.93

ADAM, David. Passing the test : a Lent course to help us discover our abilities and the God-given powers that are ours. Stowmarket [ England ] : Kevin Mayhew, 2004.
Class: PYD Ada

From nomads to pilgrims : stories from practicing congregations / edited by Diana Butler Bass and Joseph Stewart-Sicking. Herndon , VA : Alban Institute, 2006
Class: PYF Fro

JONES, Jeffrey D. Travelling together : a guide for disciple-forming congregations / Jeffrey D. Jones. Herndon , Va. : Alban Institute, c2005.
Class: PYG Jon

ROBINSON, Martin. Invading secular space : strategies for tomorrow’s Church. London : Monarch Books. 2003.
Class: PYG Rob

Spirit abroad : a second selection of New Zealand spiritual verse / edited by Paul Morris, Harry Ricketts & Mike Grimshaw. Auckland , N.Z. : Godwit, 2004
Class: PYN Spi

Paterson Collection

ADORNO, Theodor W. Minima moralia : reflections from damaged life / Theodor Adorno ; translated from the German by E.F.N. Jephcott. London : Verso, 1978.
Class: AE Ado

ROBERTS, John H. Alternative vision = he moemoea ano : from fiscal envelope to constitutional change : the significance of the Hirangi hui. Wellington [N.Z.] : Joint Public Questions Committee of the Methodist Church of New Zealand and Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, 1996.
Class: RDU Rob

FOLEY, John Miles. The theory of oral composition : history and methodology Bloomington : Indiana University Press, c1988.
Class: YAF Fol

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 25 April 2006.

Deaths:

Rev Ratu Lewis, Te Aka Puaho, died in Hamilton on 2 March 2006.

Ministerial vacancies

Click here to see the full table of vacancies

Highlighted vacancies