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No greater love than this?
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The Episcopal Commission's work is coming to an end and we will soon have a report and recommendation to consider as a Diocese. The Commission has worked across the Diocese this year to try and determine what our reality is and what our options might be with respect to another bishop in the Diocese. As part of their research, they invited each archdeaconry to engage in a process of reflection and future-thinking. The last exercise included the challenge to describe what the Diocese would need to do to serve the mission of God effectively over the next 5, 10, 20 years... (To get a sense of what the Waikato Archdeaconry thought would make the difference you can see this short article: http://waikatoanglican.org.nz/latest-news/the-mission-of-god-in-our-diocese-will-be-shaped-by.)
Many groups began by identifying the major challenges facing churches: diminishing congregations, growing compliance issues, seismic reports, societal change (pluralism, individualism, consumerism), ageing volunteer base and palliative care of ministry units, the need to evangelise and remediate the public perception of Christians, etc. Some went on to make recommendations about how we might respond to these challenges; two simple solutions stood out:
- We must pray and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen: we must all be evangelists;
- We must be serious about collaboration, rationalization and amalgamation.
When asked who was willing to amalgamate the room went strangely quiet.
True change can only take place when we work together as the body of Christ to realise the kingdom of God. We know that as Christians it is our duty to take up the cross and follow Christ. We know that "there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." We know we must be willing to change in order to respond to the challenges we have identified together.
You are the local experts - so continue to work with the Holy Spirit to determine how you can evangelize and what opportunities there are to collaborate, rationalise and amalgamate. If you need help, you only have to ask.
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On Thursday 20th June Mary Maxwell was awarded the accolade of being the Waikato Volunteer of the Year for 2019 by Volunteering Waikato.
She was nominated by English Language Partners Waikato. Their citation is as follows – “More than 60 hours a month is spent by Mary preparing, teaching, visiting and helping to solve problems. She empathises strongly with the people she helps and loves to see them grow into confident members of the local community.”
In addition to her work with a range of new New Zealanders, she works as a Vocational Deacon at St Matthew’s Morrinsville where on top of being a member of the ministry team she leads the Junior Youth Group and is a leader of the Music and Rhythm group for pre-schoolers.
Her already busy life is also about to significantly increase further – as she supports her husband, Peter, who is about to become Rotary International’s District Governor for the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay and Northern Taranaki.
(Peter Maxwell)
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"ONE OF GOD'S FAITHFUL SERVANTS"
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“You are one of God’s faithful servants”, was the last sentence in a letter of recognition to John Wiltshire, who has retired from the Waikato Diocesan Trust Board after many years of service. From being a key part of Chapel services at his school, Kings College, to sitting on the Boards of local Anglican schools, as well as the Trust Board, John’s life has shown a real commitment to the Anglican church.
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An afternoon tea was held to celebrate John's ministry during which the Bishop presented him with a letter of recognition. It was a lovely occasion and were delighted that his wife Jan Wiltshire was able to share in it.
We thank John for his commitment and wish he and Jan well in their life’s journey.
(Jill Schumacher)
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For the past three years our Diocese has shared a discernment weekend with Auckland and Waiapu at Vaughan Park. This year we invited 5 people from our Diocese to be assessed (alongside 4 from Auckland and 2 from Waiapu). We are delighted to announce that all our candidates had their call to ordained ministry affirmed (one stipendiary, four self-supporting). They now enter a period of formation and reflection that prepares them for the "Readiness for Ordination Interviews" taking place in October. Please pray for the candidates, their mentors, and communities.
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The Concordia Underwriting Agency has released this short set of recommendations concerning church security. We urge you to read it and raise any appropriate issues with your Vestry and Wardens.
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TELL YOUR STORY
The Diocese is full of Good News stories like the ones above. We want to celebrate all that is happening in the life of the Diocese and we rely on each Parish or Ministry Unit taking the time to share what is going on in their community. If you want to share what's happening in your space please email stephen@wtanglican.nz
- Please remember to make hard copies of Connected available to those who don't have a computer. A copy on the notice board at church is a start ...
- Please encourage people who do have a computer to sign up for this newsletter.
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TE HUINGA | CLERGY CONFERENCE
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Registrations for the conference have now closed and the schedule is up on the website ( diotraining.com/gathering). 130 people are attending this three-day exploration of resilience in ministry which also celebrates 25 years of collaboration with Te Manawa o te Wheke: kororia ki te Atua! Glory be to God!
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TARANAKI RETREAT 2019
Registrations for the SGM Retreat led by Phil Dyer are now open. The retreat runs from Sep 30 to Oct 4 at St Mary's Diocesan School for Girls, Stratford. For more information and to register please contact Heather Lofthouse: heather1349@gmail.com - Text or phone: 021617894.
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MOTION 7 ROADSHOW
The Motion 7 Roadshow is intended to explain the effects of General Synod’s response to the question of same-gender relationship blessing. It is a 90-120 minute presentation and includes the opportunity for participants to provide their feedback to help the Bishop understand what their views are.
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ANGLO-CATHOLIC HUI
Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 August
Wellington, $60 (to cover meals)
Guest Speaker: +Stephen Cottrell
- Millennials and Sacraments
- Inter-faith relations
- Suzanne Aubert - NZ saint in waiting
- Music as an expression of the human spirit
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Children and Youth worker
St Aidan’s Anglican Church, Claudelands
Do you have a strong Christian faith with an ability to speak about Jesus in a warm and inviting manner? Do you have effective ministry experience with children/young people? Do you have an understanding of and commitment to fostering the local Anglican ethos and bi-cultural partnership? If so, then you could be the person we are looking for to support and aid the development of children and youth ministry within the parish of St Aidan, Claudelands, Hamilton.
St Aidan’s Anglican Church is seeking a motivated, enthusiastic Children and Youth Worker for 8 hours a week.
Ideally:
- You will be a good communicator, able to develop and build positive supportive relationship with young people and their families.
- You will have effective ministry experience with children/young people.
- You will be creative and able to develop and maintain an effective Sunday morning children’s ministry programme.
For a full job description, please email staidanshamilton@gmail.com
Please then email your CV with a covering letter to Peter at staidanshamilton@gmail.com by 5pm Friday 12th July 2019
https://staidanshamilton.wixsite.com/church
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Diocesan Prayers
- That God calls Deans to our Cathedrals in Taranaki and Waikato
- All ministry units in an interregnum
- All our volunteers
- The staff at Trust Management Limited (our Diocesan Accountants)
- The Episcopal Commission (as it prepares its final report to Bishop Philip)
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