From the Moderator
Ray
From the Assembly Executive Secretary
Dear Friends and Colleagues
Few events remind me more of the close and vital links we share with our Pacific islands neighbours than April’s Council of World Mission meeting of the nine member churches from the Pacific region.
CWM’s pacific regional secretary, the Rev Fei Taule'ale'ausumai, organised this year’s event. The assembly had as its two focal points, global warming and the challenge of engaging with the relationship between some cultural and traditional values and the justification of oppression and violence, especially against women and children.
Events like this also remind me of the great diversity of environmental and social contexts of our Pacific neighbours. For example, Tuvalu, whose main island is at times now almost awash with salt water, Nauru which is now one of the most unhealthy places on earth to live as a result of phosphate mining, Papua New Guinea with its eight million strong population and enormous mineral wealth, and American Samoa who send many of their young people to train as soldiers to support the American military effort.
Along with the joy and hospitality and depth of culture and faith which our Pacific neighbours bless us with, there are very significant challenges we need to share as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Assembly Week
Assembly Week is going to be a time for everyone in our church to learn, grow and celebrate our Church’s life and mission. Please come and join us from 4-7 October in Auckland (a special ministers’ training day is on 3 October). Information details can be found here.
Church directory
The Church Directory has now been published, and replaces the former Yearbook. Unlike the Yearbook, which was produced annually, the Directory will source its data from the Church’s national database and will be updated regularly.
To maintain privacy, the Directory must be accessed using a username and password which was sent to parish clerks, presbyteries and synods last week.
The Directory is an interactive pdf which means it is easily searchable and more easily updatable than the previous Yearbook. It can be printed from the website or downloaded and saved to your computer, phone or tablet. We encourage you to use the Directory in pdf format on your device so that you can regularly download the most up-to-date version. Contact Sandra on 04 801 6000 or Sandra@presbyterian.org.nz to request a printed copy of the Directory.
We ask for your support to keep the Directory current by letting us know about changes. Details of who to contact to update listings in the Directory can be found here.
Consultation with presbyteries
In 2012 the Assembly decided that presbyteries should be consulted about matters being discussed at the General Assembly.
Last month the reports and proposals that are currently available were sent to all presbyteries, the Pacific Islands Synod and Te Aka Puaho. They will use this information to provide some feedback about the content of these reports and the priority the Church should give them in terms of the Assembly’s agenda.
These groups will be able to provide feedback to the Assembly Business Workgroup at the presbytery leaders and administrators meeting on Wednesday 11 June in Auckland.
Voting for the Moderator-elect, 2016: Stage 2 – deadline 15 May 2014
In the second stage in the election process, each presbytery, Synod and Te Aka Puaho should send one name from the list they have received to the Convenor of the Nominating Committee, the Rev Mary Jane Konings, 347 Wai iti Road, Timaru 7910 or by email: mary-jane@timarupres.org.nz
Please note that the presbyteries eligible to nominate a person, are those presbyteries and UDCs that existed at the conclusion of our last General Assembly in October 2012.
Risk management, ethics and leadership workshops
To retain a status of good standing, it is a requirement that every minister must attend one of these workshops once every three years. These workshops are provided on an “as needed” basis (usually for a minimum of ten people). If you are due to attend a workshop, please contact your presbytery clerk.
Thanks again for your prayers and your support of the people and work of the Assembly office.
Martin
Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership
Knox Centre Music Scholarships 2014
Each year, the Knox Centre offers six music scholarships to encourage and equip young musicians and vocalists in the conduct of public worship. Each scholarship consists of an expenses-paid two-day workshop on music and worship at the Knox Centre, plus a cash grant. Applicants must be under 30 years of age. The next music and worship workshops will be held on Thursday 4, and Friday 5 December, to coincide with the Samstock music festival, which runs from the evening of Friday, 5 December until midday on Sunday, 7 December.
Applications for the above scholarships will close on 30 June 2014. Enquiries can be directed to the Principal of the Knox Centre. To apply for the scholarships, write a letter of application to the Principal detailing the nature of your involvement in music and worship, and include with your letter a reference from your Minister.
Catherine van Dorp
Registrar, Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership
Presbyterian Youth
Training
I’m feeling really encouraged at the moment with our churches' view towards training. Last month I was leading a Going Deeper training event in Wellington, where nearly every church in Wellington with a youth ministry sent at least one youth leader. Two weeks ago, I was in Gore where 45 youth leaders from around Southern Presbytery came together for training, and this month I will be in Auckland with Northern Presbytery churches running Going Deeper again. I think what encourages me the most is that each of these presbyteries requested the training to happen rather than simply agreeing to it.
Easter camps
PYM worked in partnership with the Bible Society to give every person who attended a PYM Easter camp a copy of the Gospel of Mark. We have had really positive feedback from this project.
Connect 2014
Information is on the PYM website about our flagship training conference of the year, Connect. We are stoked to announce the innovative and inspirational keynote speakers for year: Steve Graham who was previously the Dean at Laidlaw College, Jude Simpson from PSN Family Works, Mike Dodge our Christchurch regional coordinator and Gary Mauga, minister at St.Andrew’s in Henderson. More about Connect
National Youth Gathering
As part of Assembly Week, PYM will be hosting a National Youth Gathering for young people aged 15+. After the four-day gathering, we want young people to go home knowing that "they can do mission" - that they can contribute to society. Cost is $99, and more about what we’ll be doing and enrolment can be found on the National Youth Gathering page of the Assembly Week website.
National Events
May is quite a busy month in the youth scene. There is Youth Week, the anti-bullying day Pink Shirt Day and World Vision’s 40 Hour Famine.
Sustainable Practice 4 of 7
- We will give at least one full day of rest per week.
- We believe that taking regular time off helps maintain our youth worker’s passion and energy for his or her work with young people.
- We promise to actively encourage our youth worker to take at least one day away from their role each week to do something different.
Gordon Fitch
National Youth Co-ordinator
Global Mission
At the time of writing I am travelling to Taiwan to prepare for this year’s Training in Mission (TIM) programme. In September we will host 12 young adults from CWM’s member churches, including countries as diverse as Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar, Bangladesh and Kiribati. The Rev Sharon Ensor has been appointed as part-time coordinator for this year’s programme and has joined me on the Global Mission staff until the end of the year.
There are no New Zealanders on this year’s programme, but applications for next year are invited from Presbyterian Church members who are aged between 18-30. The programme will be held in Taiwan, Kiribati and New Zealand and is fully funded by CWM. This would suit someone on a gap year, or who wants to take a stimulating and challenging year out to learn about the wider work of the Church and explore a sense of call to mission. For more information, check out the Training in Mission on the CWM website.
CWM also host short-term programme for theology students and ministers, which are well worth checking out for those looking for a cross-cultural faith experience – see CWM Face-to-face programme.
It has been good to see some new additions to the Members in Mission link on the Global Mission website. Go to Members in Mission and if your congregation supports a mission project that could be added to the information on the site, you can easily upload it on the embedded form.
In April I arranged for a retired accountant to visit Talua College in Vanuatu to assist with their financial administration. Bernie Townsend from Waikanae spent just under two weeks there with the current bursar and administration staff and made a good impression. Similar opportunities are available for volunteers to share their skills and experience with our mission partners in a range of different areas. We also have a full-time, two-year vacancy for an English teacher at Talua starting in early 2015. Please let me know if this is something that interests you.
This year Assembly Week in October includes the opportunity to take part in a number of streams that are taking place alongside the General Assembly business. This will include some of our international guests and various people involved in and supporting Presbyterian Church Global Mission. If you would like to be a part of the Global Mission stream, go to the Assembly Week website and register.
As always, if you are interested in learning more about Global Mission or would like to invite me to speak at your church, please contact me, phil@presbyterian.org.nz.
Phil King
Global Mission Co-ordinator
Kids Friendly
We’re Here to Serve You
It was wonderful to be invited to share at the Central Gathering in Palmerston North recently. I was a keynote speaker and facilitated two workshops. There was an enthusiastic response from the 150 participants at this “gathering”.
An elder told his church’s children’s leader that after hearing stories of how (and why) churches are opening their doors to children it was as if the scales fell from his eyes! “Now I know why we invest so much in children’s ministry,” he said. Hallelujah.
It’s wonderful to get positive feedback and know that people are still catching the Kids Friendly vision. However I still meet people at these events who have never heard of Kids Friendly and/or aren’t aware that Cheryl and I are here to resource them in their ministry regardless of whether they want to work to become a “Kids Friendly” church or not.
I think we and our communications department have done a great job in promoting Kids Friendly, so why is it that some are not aware of what is available to them?
I recently had an email from a volunteer children’s leader who said she heard about Kids Friendly from David Goodwin who was sharing the findings of his thesis. David quoted me and our work in his book “Lost in Transition”. This volunteer asked if she could receive my resource emails even if her church didn’t feel ready to become “Kids Friendly”.
Another volunteer emailed me recently to say she had discovered the Kids Friendly website by accident: “I just found your Kids Friendly website. I’m a mum and a children’s church leader at a Presbyterian church. I'm so saddened by the number of young people leaving our church and the way children are so often bored. It's the cry of my heart to understand new ways of making our church kids friendly and for children to feel like they belong to the church. I’m really interested in what you have to say.”
Ministers please can you help us by reminding your children’s leaders that the Kids Friendly coaches are here to encourage, resource, equip and inspire them in their ministry. Of course we’d like every church to review their ministry with children and become “Kids Friendly”, but that is not a condition for accessing advice and resources from us. We want every person ministering to and with children to receive Kids Friendly resource emails and to know that we are here to serve them. Together we can make a difference!
Jill Kayser
National Kids Friendly Coach
Presbyterian Research Centre
Today we are delighted to welcome Eva Garbutt as Archivist at the Presbyterian Research Centre. I have asked Eva to write a few words by way of introduction:
“After spending the two and a half years as archivist at the North Otago Museum (since October 2013 the Waitaki District Archive), a local government and community Archive in Oamaru, I am delighted to launch into my role at the Presbyterian Research Centre (Archives) to provide care and access to the valuable records in its care.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Oamaru, where I immersed myself into the history of this community and have enjoyed sharing this with the researchers who have visited the Archive, including genealogists, students and local history buffs. I equally look forward to working with members of the church and researchers in this new position.
Being a Dunedin-ite for most of my life it is great to be back in this vibrant city. My two boys – 7 and 9 years old – are also excited to be ‘back home’ with family and friends nearby and with a range of museums, parks and activities at their doorstep. The slightly colder Dunedin weather will be something to get acclimatised to! Yes, it is noticeably warmer an hour and a half ‘up the road’ in Oamaru!”
Eva’s email is eva.garbutt@knoxcollege.ac.nz She, Andrew Smith and Myke Tymons look forward to helping you with your enquiries.
Anne Jackman – Director
Presbyterian Research Centre
Presbyterian Women
Lafulafu Vanila Ekenasio
National Convenor
CWS Notices
Solomon Islands Flood Appeal
Flash flooding caused extensive damage to Honiara and the Guadacanal province in early April. Local churches are providing assistance. Three congregations of the United Church are cooking the evening meal and holding prayers in three of Honiara’s evacuation centres. Others are helping with the clean-up and rebuilding of home gardens. CWS is asking for prayers and support for the Solomon Island Flood Appeal. More information and an appeal flier can be downloaded here. Donations can be sent to CWS, PO Box 22652, Christchurch 8140 or made on line or by direct debit here.
Mother’s Day
There are lots of ways to give thanks for our mothers. One of the best is to give her a gift that helps another mother give her family something they need. Giving seeds or education or better health from Gifted gives a mother that chance to help her family. You can order an e-card to save postage.
Fair Trade Fortnight
CWS invites you to join the nationwide celebration of all things fair trade from 3-18 May. Traditionally churches have shown their support by hosting A Fair Cuppa after morning services – sharing fair trade tea, coffee and maybe some fair trade treats. Others have had worship café-style, enjoying the informality while learning what a difference fair trade makes. CWS promotes the fair trade brand and goods sourced from Trade Aid. More information, worship and other resources are available.
Receipts in the Mail
CWS has sent out all receipts for the tax year ending 31 March. If yours has not arrived or is mislaid, please contact us for a replacement. Tax credits can be claimed on an IR526 form. Please consider giving yours to CWS so we can help more people in need.
Notices
Opening of new St Andrew’s Centre, Wellington
Seven years ago a massive project started to re-create St Andrew’s on The Terrace as a vibrant spiritual, intellectual and cultural hub in Wellington. The restoration is complete and the new St Andrew’s Centre for arts, music, meetings and events will be opened with a church service at 10am Sunday 4 May followed by a dedication ceremony at 11.30am and lunch. If you would like to attend, please let David Medland know for catering purposes. email: office@standrews.org.nz or ph 04 472 9211.
Wellington “Reaching my Community” Workshop
Reaching Churches Volunteering in Communities (CViC) is running a "Reaching my Community" workshop in Lower Hutt, Wellington on Sat, 10 May. Check out more details about the training at their website: http://cvic.org.nz/?sid=5783
Hosted Tour to Israel
If you have always wanted to go to Israel but never got round to it, this could be your opportunity! Rev Andrew Norton is leading a 12-day tour of Israel 1-12 August 2014. Full itinerary and cost can be obtained from Andrew on 021 224 3554 or andrew.norton@stcolumba.org.nz
Wellington StarJam volunteers needed
StarJam empowers young people with disabilities through performance workshops here in Wellington. We are on the lookout for some wonderful volunteers to assist with our singing and dancing workshops which take place on a Thursday evening from 6.30pm-8pm at Whitireia’s Porirua Campus. For more info email wellington@starjam.org
Jobs needed for clients of rehab clinic
A group of volunteers linked to a long established drug and alcohol rehabilitation trust in Auckland, is endeavouring to place in employment, residents, who have successfully completed their recovery programmes.
We are appealing to tolerant business owners to find just one opening and to pledge support. Anything from clerical to manual would be welcomed. We will provide wrap-around assistance with travel etc.
If you think you can help us, could you contact Michael Corry, Wings Trust, phone 021 622 120.
Anniversary for St James Presbyterian Church Bulls
St James is hosting a 140th anniversary celebration and service of thanksgiving on Sunday 4 May at 2pm. For more details contact Roz Grant on 06 327 3861 or tullochgorum@xtra.co.nz
Cushions and tea towels for sale
St Margaret's Silverstream has produced some beautiful cushions and tea towels as a fundraiser. For more info or to order, contact Pat Lerwill on patricial@clear.net.nz
South Island Ministry Conference
Registrations for the South Island Ministry Conference close on Tuesday, 6 May, so if you’ve already registered that’s great. If you haven’t yet registered and are intending to, please register online at www.etchurch.co.nz.
Christian books for young Kiwis
The Folded Page provides Christian reading for the young New Zealanders. Check out the books on offer at www.thefoldedpage.co.nz
Preaching that transforms seminar
Carey Baptist College is hosting a one-day seminar with Dr Robert Smith Jr on Saturday, 10 May from 9:30am-3:30pm (Auckland). Cost is $10.00 (including lunch). Space is limited, so it is recommended you register as soon as possible. Register and pay online at www.carey.ac.nz.
Whakatane Presbyterian 100 year anniversary
The parish would like to invite interested people to join their 100th anniversary celebrations on 24th – 26th October 2014. For more info call 07 3084268 or email whakapres@xtra.co.nz
National Volunteer Week
On 15-21 June, celebrations and events are being held across the country to recognise the invaluable contribution made by volunteers in Aotearoa. To find out more, or for ideas about how to celebrate see http://www.volunteeringnz.org.nz/
Book for sale
Grant us your peace by David R Grant is available for $20 + postage. The book includes prayers from all of the three year Lectionary Psalms. Email dramgrant@paradise.net.nz or phone the author on 09-425-6788.
Ecumenical formation opportunities at Bossey
During 2014 the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey will be holding a number of seminars raising awareness on issues related to women’s concerns, justice and peace, ecology and Christian theology, interfaith relations and migrant churches.
The seminars, held at different times throughout the year, are open to international participants representing a wide spectrum of confessional, cultural and regional backgrounds. Each seminar will be limited to 30 participants.
Application forms are now available online. The deadline for applications is three months before the start of each seminar. Partial scholarships will be available for qualifying candidates.
Download 2014 schedule of seminars and application form
Colin Gibson 2014 Hymns Tour
This year These Hills Workshops are taking Colin Gibson to the eastern side of the middle North Island, with events in Auckland (3rd and 4th May), Tokoroa (4th May), Opotiki (5th May), and Thames (11th May). For cost, registration and other details visit http://thesehillsworkshops.wordpress.com/workshops/
Presbyterian Investment Fund
The Church Property Trustees advise that the interest rate paid on Presbyterian Investment Fund deposits remains at 5.0 percent per annum. This rate became effective from 1 February 2012. The Fund is open to parishes, but not to individuals. For further information, email the Trustees’ Executive Officer, Kos van Lier.
Glen Innis Vacancies
For vacancies during May and June check out the Glen Innis section of our website.
Church Directory
The Church Directory, which replaces the annual yearbook, is now available. For reasons of privacy, the Directory may only be accessed using a username and password which has been sent out in April to parish clerks, presbyteries, synods and others. More about the Church Directory
Church Register
Licensings
Rev Andrew Callander, Taranaki Presbytery, to Licentiate 8 December 2013.
Rev Murray Shallard, Southern Presbytery, to Licentiate 5 December 2013.
Receptions to the Roll
Rev Andrew Callander, Taranaki Presbytery, received 8 December 2013.
Rev Murray Shallard, Southern Presbytery, received 5 December 2013.
Ordination and Inductions
Rev Mario Weyers, minister St Andrew’s Te Puke, Kaimai Presbytery, 3 April 2014.
Rev Chungman Cho, minister non-PCANZ appointed to Korean Presbyterian Church of Auckland, Northern Presbytery
Rev Andrew Callander, minister St James Presbyterian Parish New Plymouth, Taranaki Presbytery, 8 December 2013.
Rev Murray Shallard, minister St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Gore, Southern Presbytery 3 February 2013.
Rev Anne Stewart, minister St Stephens Bryndwr, The Village Church, Christchurch Presbytery, 2 December 2013.
Rev Martin Stewart, minister St Stephens Bryndwr, The Village Church, Christchurch Presbytery, 2 December 2013.
Rev Kerry Enright, other recognised ministry, Wellington Presbytery to minister Knox Dunedin Parish, Southern Presbytery, 1 May 2014.
Changes in Status
Rev Yvonne Smith, chaplain Rangi Ruru College, Christchurch Presbytery to member Southern Presbytery.
Rev Diane Gilliam Weeks, minister Upper Clutha Presbyterian Parish, the Southern Presbytery to Minister Emeritus, Wellington Presbytery, 13 May 2014.
Rev John Cromarty, minister Stated Supply St David’s Invercargill to minister 75 percent St David’s Invercargill, Southern Presbytery.
Rev Kerry Enright, other recognised ministry, Wellington Presbytery to minister Knox Dunedin Parish Southern Presbytery, 1 May 2014.
Rev Les Gosling, minister Albury Pleasant Point reduced from full-time to 66 percent part-time, South Canterbury Presbytery, 1 February 2014.
Rev Mary Huie-Jolly, Lodged certificate, to other recognised ministry, Southern Presbytery 21 January 2013.
Transfers
Rev Reg Weeks, The Southern Presbytery, minister emeritus, to Wellington Presbytery 13 May 2014.
Changes in Co-Operative Venture Ministries
Rev Rachel Judge has completed her appointment at Hinds Co-operating Parish.
Rev Alison Molineux, Methodist minister has been appointed to Taupo Co_operating Parish, Kaimai Presbytery, 6 February 2014.
Short-Term Appointments
Rev Evan Stenlake, Uniting Church of Australia, stated supply Trinity Temuka Parish, South Canterbury Presbytery, 1 February 2014.
Rev Ian Hanley, Anglican minister, stated supply St Clare’s Dinsdale Hamilton, Kaimai Presbytery, 9 March 2014.
Lay Appointments
Mrs Jeanette Vink, Raglan Union, re-appointed 1 May 2013.
Mr Joe Beattie has ended his position at Turangi Co-Operative Parish, Kaimai Presbytery, 31 December 2014.
Retirements
Rev Hariata Haumate, Wellington Maori Pastorate, Wellington Presbytery to minister emeritus, 20 February 2014.
Rev Erana Manihera, Amorangi minister, to Amorangi emeritus, 13 February 2014.
Rev Hamueva Rangiahua, Amorangi minister to Amorangi emeritus, 5 December 2013.
Rev Apelu Tielu, minister Non–PCANZ Uniting Church of Australia, Papakura to minister emeritus 30 January 2014.
Removals from Roll
Rev Paora Paatu Hunia, Amorangi minister removed from the roll of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa NZ section 15.27 (o) of the Book of Order 2006.
Rev Tarei Charles Te Moni, minister Te Aka Puaho, removed from the roll of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa NZ (section 15.27 (o) of the Book of Order 2006.
Resignations
Rev Stephen Lindsay, other recognised ministry resigned on 6 March 2014.
Parish Register
Kiwi Church, new parish, Christchurch Presbytery,11 February 2014.
The Village Presbyterian Church, Christchurch Presbytery, 2 December 2013.
Events
Check out our listing of national and regional events.
Jobs
Check out our jobs vacancies page and the ministerial vacancies table.