INTENTIONALLY DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES
ANGLICANLIFE.ORG.NZ
24-7 PRAYER
DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH
ISSUE FORTY THREE
BRIDGING THE GENERATIONS
JOURNEY TO FAITH
AROUND ONE TABLE
AUG / SEP 2016
JESUS’ FISHERS GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES
I X
06.
10.
14.
22.
INTENTIONALLY DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES
24-7 PRAYER
BRIDGING THE GENERATIONS
JOURNEY TO FAITH
01. 02. 04. 13. 16.
FROM THE BISHOP: Go and Make Disciples THE BRIEF ARTICLE: The Mish THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: Jesus’ Fishers GLOBAL DISPATCH: In a Dry and Barren Land
18. 20. 24. 25.
CAPTURED CULTURE WORKPLACE: On Your Bike! PERSPECTIVE: Around One Table
AnglicanLife is published bi-monthly by the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch. Editor / Cathy Maslin/editor@anglicanlife.org.nz, Contributing Writers / Megan Blakie, the Rev’d Indrea Alexander, Contributors / +Victoria Matthews, the Rev’d Ron Hay, Mandy Caldwell Photography, the Rev’d Chris Spark, Regan Walton, Tyler Frew, Liz Fradd, the Rev’d Sampson Knight, the Rev’d Spanky Moore, Grace Le Heux, Advertising Enquiries / Ivan Hatherley – ihatherley@clear.net.nz, Editorial Enquiries / Cathy Maslin – editor@anglicanlife.org.nz, Design / www.baylymoore.com, Printed by / Toltech Print, Sustainability / AnglicanLife is printed on recycled paper using vegetable-based inks.
The Transitional Cathedral, Latimer Square
Further details at www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz | admin@christchurchcathedral.co.nz | (03) 3660046 ORGAN RECITAL BY JEREMY WOODSIDE, FORMER ORGAN SCHOLAR AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY SUN 31 JULY AT 2.00PM. TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM THE CATHEDRAL SHOP AND WEBSITE CEILIDH ~ A CATHEDRAL FUNDRAISER. NO IDEA WHAT THIS IS? COME ALONG AND FIND OUT. LIVE MUSIC AND SCOTTISH DANCING! FEATURING CHARLIE JEMMETT & THE INCREDIBLE CEILIDH BAND ALSO BUBBLES, CANAPES AND HAGGIS. TICKETS FROM THE CATHEDRAL (AND VIA OUR WEBSITE) THE CATHEDRAL IS ON FACEBOOK - JUST SEARCH FOR CHRISTCHURCH TRANSITIONAL CATHEDRAL TO GET THE LATEST NEWS OF WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE! SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS OF REGULAR SERVICES AND OTHER EVENTS COMING UP!
†
FROM THE BISHOP
GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES Words: Bishop Victoria Matthews
“ARE YOU A DISCIPLE WHO MAKES DISCIPLES? OR ARE YOU A PERSON OF PEACE (LUKE 10) WHO YEARNS FOR FURTHER HELP SO THAT YOU MIGHT BECOME A DISCIPLE WHO MAKES DISCIPLES?” Let me begin by saying again that I give thanks to God for the young leaders of this Diocese. They are an inspiration to people of all generations. Then, as a follow-up, let me ask what is at the heart of our young leaders’ growth? I believe the answer is discipleship. Beginning with 24-7 Workers (in schools); youth groups and Easter Camp; and followed by Mentoring, Deeper and The Kiln; and morphing into the Society of Salt and Light; The Thirsty Workers’ Guild, the Explorers’ Dinners with the Bishop and the “Unplugged” Silent Retreats, the Diocese of Christchurch, thanks to some amazingly creative initiatives, has recognised that the Gospel seeks to make disciples who make disciples. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 teaches: “You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.” Recently, as we were preparing for General Synod, I lamented that at the highest governance body of our church we were going to spend a great deal of time discussing what threatens to divide our church but hadn’t the courage to discern why our church is not growing. I suspect part of the answer as to why this was the case is the reluctance we have to make disciples carefully over time. We are too often in the business
of hatch, match and dispatch and frankly even that is seriously on the decline. Recently in another province of the Anglican Communion I met a woman who for the past year has met weekly with her mentor to learn more about God in Christ. She is a busy professional who was approached by a priest who said, ‘I think God is at work in your life and if you would allow me to meet with you regularly, I think you could be the sort of disciple of Christ who in turn could make more disciples by mentoring them. Are you interested?’ The answer was ‘yes’ and she spent two hours enthusiastically telling me all about what she had learned about God and how her relationship with God was flourishing. It was inspiring and deeply touching. Are you a disciple who makes disciples? Or are you a person of peace (Luke 10) who yearns for further help so that you might become a disciple who makes disciples? If the latter, is there a seasoned disciple who can help you grow into the disciple Jesus calls you to be? Wonderful discipleship formation is happening in our Diocese with young people who love the Lord Jesus. Maybe it is time for the other age groups to learn about discipleship also. +Victoria
1
THE BRIEF
PASS IT ON Recent research commissioned by the Bible Society has found a real hunger for the Bible amongst Christian youth, with 62% of Kiwi teenagers who read the Bible wishing they could read it more. Multiple demands on their time was noted by respondents as a common barrier to reading. Another key finding was 68% of all young Bible readers were taught to read the Bible by their parents, with one in five saying their grandparents were influential. Youth leaders, a Biblefocused church and school encouragement were also critical influences in passing on the Bible to the next generation. In response to the findings the Bible Society is continuing its “Pass it On” campaign. The campaign provides creative Bible resources to aid families and churches, and also aims to help others teach the 31% of young people surveyed who found the Bible overwhelming and confusing.
CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM ENGAGEMENT Words: Grace Le Heux, Anglican Advocacy
In an age of increasing terrorism are Christians and Muslims able to work alongside each other for peace and justice? Anglican Advocacy recently hosted Dave Andrews and Ibrahim Abdelhalim as they discussed this weighty question. In the Delta Trust Café, over 70 people gathered to listen to them talk, and to also weigh in on the conversation. Attendees came from both Christian and Muslim communities. Dave Andrews (TEAR Australia, Waiters Union, and author of ‘The Jihad of Jesus’) and Ibrahim Abdelhalim (Imam of Lincoln University Mosque and Canterbury Muslim Community Trust) discussed how Christians and Muslims must work cooperatively for the good of the places we inhabit. Learning to converse and better understand each other allows us to work on our commonalities and build bridges, meeting in the middle. 2
UPDATE: A WAY FORWARD In May General Synod, Te Hinota Whanui, decided to wait until 2018 to vote on a way forward regarding the blessing of same gender relationships. In the interim measures have been put in place to search for a structure that will satisfy people of differing convictions on the issue. Initially people are encouraged to continue informal discussions with formal suggestions of possible structural arrangements to be in the hands of the General Secretary, the Rev’d Michael Hughes, no later than 1 October 2016. Any possibilities need to be consistent with Anglican ecclesiology and Te Pouhere, the constitution of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia. Suggestions do not need to be formed in detail but can be “high level” suggestions. Most importantly, the Archbishops from each Tikanga called upon Anglican’s to be constant in prayer and discernment of the leading of God’s Holy Spirit in these matters.
THE BRIEF
CRACKDOWN ON THE CUBAN CHURCH CHRISTIAN SOLIDARITY WORLDWIDE
2015 saw an unprecedented level of threats to the Cuban Church. This year the intimidation has become even more brutal. 2000 Assemblies of God Churches have been deemed illegal, 15 Methodist Churches have been converted to permanent renters of the State and 3 provinces have had over a total of 100 churches demolished.  Pastors and members of the Apostolic Movement Churches (largely meeting in houses) have been subjected to imprisonment
and arrest. The Ladies in White, a group of Catholic woman, have taken to wearing white to Mass every Sunday and walking silently through their local streets as a sign of peace. For their actions they have been routinely arrested and beaten. As the focus of this years ecumenical World Day of Prayer, our Cuban brothers and sister in Christ remain in need of international support.
3
THE MISH Words: The Rev’d Sampson Knight with Megan Blakie Rain, hail or shine, five days a week, a team of cyclists with a heart to serve people in difficult circumstances meets at 7am in the Christchurch CBD. The cyclists call into several inner-city cafes to fill their backpacks with donated left-over food, which would otherwise be discarded, and pedal over to the City Mission night shelter in Hereford Street. “It’s great to be able to provide and bless these men [who stay in the shelter] with cafe-standard food for their lunch, rather than just bread,” says Nathan Bennett, a 35-year old care worker who is one of the regular cyclists. The outreach is dubbed simply “The Mish”, an abbreviated form of the word mission. 4
The initiative was originally launched ten years ago but had a hiatus after the 2011 earthquake. Nathan re-launched it four years ago with the help of Anglican Advocacy, the social justice unit of the Diocese. “I’ve always seen The Mish as something really worthwhile,” says Nathan. The City Mission’s manager of social services, Gray Crawford, agrees. He is grateful for the contribution of food, which is feeding an increasingly larger number of male clients. The City Mission’s new facilities and the instigation of a new day programme are contributing factors to the increase. As well as being lunch for night shelter visitors, the food is distributed to men who, for example, tend the City Mission’s vegetable garden or are there to learn
workplace computer skills. “The men are hugely appreciative of the food brought to them by the volunteers,” says Gray. “And our thanks, too, to the generous café staff who donate the food.” Over the months, “The Mish” cycling team has comprised a surfer from California, exchange students from Singapore and the US, an accountant, a nurse, a small business owner, a banker, local students, and an Anglican priest. As a Mish stalwart, Nathan is keen to hear from cyclists who are willing and able to brave Christchurch’s early morning climatic conditions. Route maps and details are at www.themish.org.nz A second pick-up run, through Merivale, Papanui and St Albans, started late last year.
Call for an appointment or email: operations@anglicanliving.org.nz Call for an appointment or email: operations@anglicanliving.org.nz 24 Dorset St - 03 977 2320 24 Dorset St - 03 977 2320
437 Armagh St - 03 982 2165 www.anglicanliving.org.nz
437 Armagh St - 03 982 2165
www.anglicanliving.org.nz
Aged Care | Among friends Aged Care | Among friends
FEATURE
INTENTIONALLY DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES Words:The Rev’d Indrea Alexander
6
FEATURE
“THEY LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER AND ARE GOOD AT SERVING. IT’S NOT AS INDIVIDUALISTIC AS AN ORDINARY FLATTING SITUATION. THEY REGULARLY EAT MEALS TOGETHER, PRAY TOGETHER, AND INVITE PEOPLE IN TOGETHER.”
At a time when individualism and social isolation are rife, Intentional Christian Communities are modelling a different way of living as God’s people. Diocesan Young Adults Ministry Developer the Rev’d Spanky Moore says young people are seeing the failings of individualism and are asking, “How can I be not just about me?” Intentional Christian Communities are growing where the members not only commit to sharing each other’s lives, but doing so with a common vision. In Sumner-Redcliffs, 13 young adults live in two flats with a shared commitment to their church, community and each other. In Avonhead, six young adults at Hawke House live out Christian Community and serve St Christopher’s Church. The SumnerRedcliffs venture is 18 months old and the Hawke House community is in its third year. Each has a different flavour.
BY THE SEA Sumner-Redcliffs Youth Pastor, Cam Haylock, took up his role two years ago and was asked to help bring to reality a vision for living in Community that had been planted before he arrived. He brought
first-hand experience to the task, “I’d been doing it overseas for two and a half years where I was in Australia, on the Sunshine Coast.” The “Sumner Anglican Community” includes workers and students. Cam is the eldest at 24 and the youngest is 18. Their two flats are three streets back from the beach and just a block away from the school where the church has gathered on Sundays since last year. They pray together at 6:30am on Wednesdays before work and at weekends the flatmates attend church together. “We have a relationship with God, a growing spirituality and are all empowering and encouraging each other,” Cam says. They understand community happens by serving one another some serve the church community, some serve the local community and some do both. One is a graphic designer who is designing T-shirts as part of a local push for a skate park. A commitment to young people is strong in both the Intentional Community and in their church. “I have been witnessing the amazing young adults within the church all building relationships with youth and inviting them into their life,” Cam says. “It can be as simple as going grocery shopping together.”
Enjoying their recent Akaroa retreat are the Hawke House community members (from left) Christiana, Jess, Olivia, Alister, Josh and Max.
7
FEATURE
“IT FLIES IN THE FACE OF A CULTURE WHICH SAYS, `I DID A BIT OF THAT WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, AND NOW I’M AN ACCOUNTANT’.” IN THE CITY At St Christopher’s Avonhead, Hawke House is the base for an Intentional Christian Community targeted at first year tertiary students coming from out of town. The initiative was launched in 2014 in response to the trend for young people to leave home and leave faith at the same time. The Rev’d Josh Taylor, then St Christopher’s Youth Pastor, took up the task of making it happen. “It was a model we’d seen in action at Oxford Terrace Baptist. They provided resources and were very helpful,” Josh said. But it wasn’t all roses. “There was quite a lot of conflict when we started and important learning about forgiveness and boundaries.” St Christopher’s current Young Adults Ministry leader Paul Holmes says the Hawke House community is working well. “It allows a group of Christian people to come together, be at university and maintain their faith in a Christian community…They look out for each other and are good at serving. It’s not as individualistic as an ordinary flatting situation. They regularly eat meals together, pray together, and invite people in together.” Hawke House has places for five community members and a live-in mentor. This year it has students from Nelson, Rangiora and Christchurch and a young adult who is working. The mentor is
provided with free accommodation and is responsible for oversight of community life and facilitating the resolution of conflict. This year’s mentor, Alister Nelson, arrived from Ireland in 2014, visited St Christopher’s, and was overwhelmed by the warm hospitality of the Hawke House Intentional Community. “It’s something I’d never experienced before, the idea of doing life together…I thought, `I’d like to be part of something like that’.” After a year as a resident he stepped into the role of mentor for 2016. He said each year’s residents determine the pattern of prayer and communal life. At the beginning of the year they go to Tekapo for a two day retreat and they recently had a winter retreat at Akaroa to refocus for the rest of the year. The Hawke House residents serve the church by involvement in St Christopher’s young adults “Wilderness Community” and youth group. Their home is a house of hospitality – not an open house, but a place of welcome for prayer and meals at regular times. Alister says, “Every night at dinner time we sit down and eat together and chat about how our day’s been. Every Tuesday night we have night prayers and invite young adults from St Christopher’s and others as well. It’s a highlight of my week.”
ADVERT For any of your personal print requirements we will advise you on the best type of printing for quality and value for money, digital or offset.
19/21 Gasson Street • PO Box 13-337, Christchurch, New Zealand Email print@toltechprint.co.nz • www.toltechprint.co.nz • Ph: (03) 379-7223 8
FEATURE
CALLED SOUTH Former South Canterbury Under-40s and Evangelism Enabler Ollie Alexander, 22, moved to Invercargill to train as a nurse, carrying a commitment to Intentional Community with him. His first year away from school included six months in Fiji as part of the Church Missionary Society’s first Haerenga internship. He travelled to Fiji with three other under-20s who committed to spend time each evening talking about the day and praying for each other. That rule of life, often supplemented by a pattern of daily prayer with Fijian locals, was the basis for “doing missional stuff together.” In Invercargill, his flatmates include Georgia Hollebon, a massage therapy student formerly from St Christopher’s Avonhead. She enjoyed a Christian flat in Christchurch, but is drawn to more intentional Christian community. Their model is up-in-out - a relationship with God, a commitment to life in community, and an intentional relationship with the wider community. They share night prayer together, pray about anything big that comes up, and encourage each other. They also have a commitment to sorting out conflict, exercising forgiveness “and not worrying too much whose turn it is to do the dishes.” They live in a social housing cul-de-sac. “When I was looking at flats it definitely felt like this is where God wanted me to be,” Ollie says. They are beginning to get to know their neighbours and they
spend time with the children who gather to cycle or play soccer in the street. Georgia says they share the love of God in the way they spend time and talk to them. This “hands-on type of Christianity” is different from just flatting and takes “a bit more time and energy and intentionality,” Ollie says. Georgia agrees. “It’s quite a hard thing to do, but it is worth doing to the best of our ability.”
NOT JUST FOR THE YOUNG The Rev’d Spanky Moore says Intentional Community by young adults is a bit of a challenge to the white middle class. “It flies in the face of a culture which says, `I did a bit of that when I was younger, and now I’m an accountant’.” He questions what it would take to “break out of the script life gives us” and sustain that intentionality across a life-time? For singles in their 40s and 50s to form community; for empty-nesters to open their homes to young people and share the gifts of their generation. “What would it mean, to all make space for each other?”
RECOMMENDED READING: Against the Tide, Toward the Kingdom by Justin and Jenny Duckworth The Irresistible Revolution: living as an ordinary radical by Shane Claiborne. 9
24-7 PRAYER “MY HOUSE WILL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS” – MARK 11:17 Words: Cathy Maslin
10 ©Winchester Diocese, UK
“AUTHENTIC MOVEMENTS ARE BUILT WHEN PEOPLE ARE DEDICATED TO FOLLOWING JESUS AND HAVE A LONG TERM VISION OF WHAT GOD CAN ACCOMPLISH.” 24-7 Prayer is an international, interdenominational movement of prayer, mission and justice working in more than half the nations of the earth. It began as a student led prayer meeting in England, 10 years after the founder Pete Grieg had a vision from God of young people spreading out in prayer across the nations. The concept of praying around the clock is not new, neither is the understanding of prayer as a way to bring forth and encounter God’s Kingdom on earth. 24-7 Prayer is a specific vehicle for today’s world helping to re-ignite a passion for prayer, to revive the church and rewire our culture. In response to the movement congregation members within existing church traditions have been setting up prayer rooms. Prayer rooms are creative spaces filled with any number of items to inspire - writing mediums such as white-boards and sticky notes, Bibles, world maps, sofa’s, quiet corners, and candles, you name it! People commit to come and pray in the rooms in one hour slots around the clock. For some churches this is a one off week long challenge to encourage intercessory prayer, for others it has found a permanent slot in their calendar becoming a part of the rhythm of church life. An expansion of prayer rooms has been prayer spaces in schools, opportunities for youth to go on team mission trips (combining prayer with social justice action in a local community), and nondenominational missional communities called Boiler Rooms. Boiler Room communities centre on prayer, hospitality and outreach. As a movement, 24-7 Prayer is producing fruit. Sandra, a member
© St Paul’s Cathedral, UK
Carols at Arthurs Pass Chapel Wednesday 14th December
Travel by luxury coach to Otira for morning tea followed a carol service in the Chapel.
$40pp return ADVERT
Mt Cook Luxury Coach Trip Saturday 3rd December $55pp return
Phone: 0800 446 886 ©24-7 Chelmsford Email: Reidtours@xtra.co.nz Web: www.Reidtours.com 11
of a 24-7 team, tells the story of a woman in a refugee camp in Europe who asked her for prayer. At the time the woman’s insistence and Sandra’s compassion for her situation (needing cancer treatment) out-weighed the risk of praying where prayer was forbidden. Returning two weeks later the woman she prayed for approached her. She had received a blood test result clear of any cancer. “I want to believe like you do,” she said as she took Sandra’s hands and pointed to the cross around her neck, “…I want to pray like you do…” Authentic movements are built when people are dedicated to following Jesus and have a long term vision of what God can accomplish. Pete Grieg himself notes, “Mountain-top experiences will never transform our characters without daily discipline, covenant community, and a set of personal values.” 24-7 Prayer acknowledges that outcomes such as the one experienced by Sandra are hard won by the willingness of individuals who commit together with others to praying and serving – maybe on a cold night, or having given up another engagement, or for a city in another corner of the world. It takes tenacity to continue to believe God answers prayers when at times it
appears our prayers are not answered. This year 24-7 Prayer was one of the partners joining with the Church of England in “Thy Kingdom Come”, a call to prayer and worship during Pentecost. People were asked to come together in seeking God’s help to deepen the faith of all Christians, and renew their confidence in sharing the gospel so more people will come to know Jesus. Locally St Barnabas caught the vision too and set up prayer pods on their church grounds for people to use during Pentecost. At the end of the week the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby wrote “… any movement of the Holy Spirit to draw increasing numbers to faith in Christ has always begun with prayer.” It remains a mystery as to how our prayers enable God in his work here on earth. Yet their effectiveness and power to do just this is visible today. The 24-7 movement prompts a re-examining of what part prayer is currently playing in our personal and corporate life. It moves us to remember how we as the church are God’s house, a house of prayer, called do to as Jesus does by interceding for all people. Prayer resources and information can be found at www.24-7prayer.com.
ADVERT
12
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS
JESUS’ FISHERS Words: The Rev’d Chris Spark, Assistant Minister at St Saviour’s and St Nicholas’
I don’t like fishing. As a child I had a go, mostly in the Kaiapoi River, and I didn’t catch much. I have noticed, however, a lot of people who really like fishing. It often seems to become a part of their identity – with all the photos of the big one they caught, and the stories of the even bigger one they didn’t. Jesus wasn’t a fisherman, yet some of his closest disciples were. For fishermen like them, fishing was more than a job – it was an identity. It was how you defined yourself – you were above all a fisher (to use a gender neutral term). It was your trade, your livelihood, your skill, and your community. This is why it is fascinating that when Jesus called his first disciples, he didn’t say he would make them “fish for people” (as many of our translations of Mark 1:17 now say), but rather he would make them “fishers of people”. The emphasis was on their identity as fishers, rather than simply on the activity of fishing. They were fishers of fish – this was how they thought of themselves; it was the basis for the stories they told. Jesus called them to follow him and in doing so gave them a new identity – providing a new way of thinking about their lives and giving them a new story to tell. They were now fishers of people, and a part of his crew. Identity formation is one of the most important aspects of
discipleship. How we see ourselves, who we say we are, how we act towards others – these things influence the whole shape of our lives. As Jesus’ disciples had in large part been shaped by their fishing community, now they were molded by their identity in Jesus – being taught and shown by him what it means to be on his crew. For instance, as James and John fought over who was the greatest in the kingdom, Jesus taught them service of others was the way for his people, and showed that, himself, unforgettably at the cross. So too for us, being shaped as disciples is largely about realising our identity is now solidly grounded in belonging to Jesus, and then working through the implications of that fact for every single area of our lives. So many of our problems come from our failure to keep our sights on this new identity – it is vital we remember who Jesus has made us. I still wouldn’t choose to fish. But one of Jesus’ fishers – that is who I am. For more on this whole subject, see the fascinating Thomas Burns Memorial Lectures 2014 given by Richard Bauckham at Otago University. Available here: http://www.otago.ac.nz/theology/news/ podcasts/ (especially lecture 4, given 19.8.2014) 13
BRIDGING THE GENERATIONS Words: Liz Fradd, Photos: Mandy Caldwell Photography
“… ONE OF THE SIGNS OF A GREAT SOCIETY IS THE DILIGENCE WITH WHICH IT PASSES CULTURE FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT. THIS CULTURE IS THE EMBODIMENT OF EVERYTHING THE PEOPLE OF THAT SOCIETY HOLD DEAR: ITS RELIGIOUS FAITH, ITS HEROES…” – WINSTON CHURCHILL 14
What do you get when you mix ten students from The Cathedral Grammar School with 24 residents from Bishopspark Retirement Village? An average age of 62 years, an awful lot of chatter, laughter, and an impressive number of cups of tea! Welcoming the girls from Year 7 to meet with us was a great start to getting to know them better, and a chance for all of us to gain an understanding of each other’s lives. Our joining together was initiated by the “Seniors’ Mitre Programme” at The Cathedral Grammar School. The aim of the programme is to help the girls develop leadership, service and personal skills. More opportunities to meet again are anticipated. The girls presented each of our guests with a beautiful hand-picked, hand-made button hole to complement their outfits. It was a great way to break the ice and get everyone chatting. It was a joy to overhear some of the conversations. Collette advised young Katie to “be herself, be kind and don’t be too sensitive” as she grows up. Pam urged the girls to “live life to the full” and Val’s pearl of wisdom was “always make sure you’re wearing clean knickers!” Watching the different generations of our Anglican family interacting with each other as the girls served High Tea was a highlight for many of our residents. Lovingly prepared by our volunteers and served in the daintiest china tea cups the High Tea stirred a number of memories for our residents. One lady recalled how her own mother would use the best china for their tea and she always had hoped to own the tea set herself one day, yet it was not to be. Most of us have happy memories in our own life history but what we sometimes forget is the bigger family we are part of. Our willingness to engage, encourage and share in our communities adds value to our lives now, creating memories for the future for all of us; old and young alike.
ADVERT
15
IN A DRY AND BARREN LAND Words by Liz who is from Christchurch and works as an Education Consultant for the Diocese of Hyderabad, Pakistan.
RECIPE FOR HOPELESSNESS
RECIPE FOR HOPE
Ingredients: Marginalisation Illiteracy Discrimination Minority status Inferiority complex Dependency Mix well and serve with powerlessness
Ingredients: Faith and nurture Education opportunities Financial and social skills Personal and community identity Vocational training Empowerment Mix well and serve with love
Aflatoun Training, senior students
16
Young Christian leaders are being raised up in rural Sindh, Pakistan despite and in the midst of many challenges. The Diocese of Hyderabad seeks to bring hope and changed lives through providing children with access to hostels through which the students access quality education, discipleship and life-skills training. The hostel students come from remote rural and desert areas, often from broken families and many with parents who work as bonded labourers in a feudal system. Over 30% of children in these areas never even have an opportunity to attend school. Through living in community the students learn many valuable skills to help them develop in faith, life and leadership. Asif (name changed) is a student at the Diocesan Home for Boys, Khipro (for students from grades 1-8). His story reflects the hope that the young people of this generation are becoming leaders and change agents in their families and communities. Asif ’s family comes from the Thar desert, a harsh environment. His family lives in a straw house. Asif ’s parents have not had opportunity for any formal education, his father works as a day labourer to try to support his wife and their seven children. Work is not always available and sometimes they have to migrate to look for work. In the villages there are no shops or other facilities.
GLOBAL DISPATCH
Khipro Home students facilitating group activities on DRR in village
Khipro Hostel Christmas 2015
“THROUGH LIVING IN COMMUNITY THE STUDENTS LEARN MANY VALUABLE SKILLS TO HELP THEM DEVELOP IN FAITH, LIFE AND LEADERSHIP.”
Asif would be working in the fields with his father if he had not been able to get admission to the Diocesan Home for Boys. His closest school is 30km from his home. Asif has been learning about financial skills through the Aflatoun social and financial education programme. Through this he came to realise that his family does have resources, but not the planning skills to utilise what they have. Asif says, “I was determined to make changes at home by starting a small business when I was home for the winter holidays. I started a small shop in partnership with my mother which now helps all our family members. My mother can run this easily from her house and we earned more than my father’s income.” How is this possible? From the Aflatoun training Asif learnt concepts of how to make a small business. His mother was able to access a small grant from a government scheme for marginalized
women. From this money they bought basic food items like sugar, tea leaves and biscuits and kept them in a locked metal trunk in their house. Women and children from the local community then come to the house to buy from this shop. The villagers are happy to be able to purchase these items so close to home. His parents are both very glad of the extra income so that they are better able to provide the basics for their children. Now that Asif has returned to school his mother is continuing running the shop. Asif, through what he has learnt while living in Khipro Home, has been able to be a change agent in his family’s life. The above recipe for hope holds true for the many students who have an opportunity to live in the Diocesan hostels, as seen in the life of Asif . Many church and community leaders have been raised up through these hostels, being change agents in their families, churches and communities. 17
CAPTURED
“HAVING FRIENDS FROM OTHER CHURCHES HAS GIVEN ME A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE MANY WAYS OF SEEING GOD. FOR ME BEING CHRISTIAN IS NOT ABOUT DENOMINATIONS IT IS ABOUT KNOWING JESUS AND ALLOWING HIM TO LEAD OUR HEARTS.” Susanna Blogg
Constructors of the art installation at Caroline Bay, Timaru, are from left Ollie Alexander, Susanna Blogg, and Peter Leonard.
18
19
CULTURE
GOD IS WHERE THE PAIN IS RESPONSES TO THE CANTERBURY QUAKES BY CHRISTCHURCH COMMUNITY RESPONSE (CCR) AND ST CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH Words: Bishop Victoria Matthews The book God Is Where the Pain Is tells the story of Christchurch Community Response (CCR) and the power of the Holy Spirit actively transforming lives in our midst since the first earthquake in 2010. St Ambrose, Aranui, St Christopher’s, Avonhead, and Church of the Saviour, Blockhouse Bay in Auckland, in response to the leading of the Spirit began assisting people with minor repairs and personal needs. Early on this was not remarkable. Everyone was involved and reaching out. But what was to become CCR did not stop when the tremors and aftershocks became less frequent. The volunteers continued. 65,000 door-knocking/visits to homes across the city have been accomplished at the time of writing. There are many heroes in this saga but I do wish to mention Janette Sprott who took over the leadership of CCR from the Rev Bob Henderson. Neither Bob nor Janette enjoy, let alone seek, the spotlight but they both have served sacrificially to God’s great glory. Copies are available for $25 through St Christopher’s (admin@stchristophers.org.nz)
WHO MADE MY CLOTHES? Words: Megan Blakie
20
THE IRRESISTIBLE REVOLUTION LIVING AS AN ORDINARY RADICAL BY SHANE CLAIBORNE Words: Cathy Maslin A good question to ponder before reading this book is, “Does following Jesus influence the way I do life?” The Irresistible Revolution takes the theory out of theology and shows what it looks like in practice. Shane Claiborne has worked alongside Mother Theresa, been taken to court for eating, sleeping and sharing communion with the homeless, and lives as part of a faith community called the “Simple Way”. In the sharing of these and other accounts of his life story, Shane offers a glimpse of how irresistible the love of Jesus can be. Reading this book you will also encounter imaginative, risky, and creative ways of sharing the gospel. One such account, under the title of “Holy Mischief,” involved a $10 000 donation being tipped out in coins in front of the Stock Exchange on Wall Street. A generic invitation was given for people to come and receive or give. A hard-to-ignore message about the Christian concept of Jubilee. The Irresistible Revolution is easy to read and challenging to digest.
Are you curious about who made your clothes? Not just the name of the faceless brand whose label adorns your chest or neckline, but the actual men and women who cut the material and stitched the seams? Now you can - well, you can at least try - thanks to Fashion Revolution (www. fashionrevolution.org). It came into existence after the Bangladeshi clothing factory disaster of 2013, when 1134 people died in a factory fire. Research indicates that only about half of the biggest fashion brands know what factories their products are made in. Founder and Director, Orsola de Castro, wants a clothing industry that values people, the environment, creativity and profits “in equal measure.” She has been spearheading a sustainable fashion industry since the 1990s. Using Twitter, Fashion Revolution wants consumers to ask clothing companies who cut and sewed their clothes and under what conditions the clothing was made. With the hashtag #whomademyclothes the charity hopes to increase transparency in the fashion industry through consumer pressure. Join the revolution!
CULTURE
THE PLACE TO VISIT CASTLE HILL BASIN Words and Photos: The Rev’d Ron Hay The setting for Aslan’s camp and the final battle scene in the movie The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Castle Hill is a montane basin, cradled between the Torlesse and Craigieburn ranges about an hour’s drive from Christchurch. It boasts: • Several 2000 metre peaks and four ski-fields • A 400 metre-long, water sculpted cave that is easy to access and great fun to travel through • Walking and biking tracks across an undulating landscape of tussock and native beech forest • Excellent trout fishing in lakes and mountain streams • Massive limestone boulder fields unique in New Zealand
View over Castle Hill Basin
There is refreshment and recreation for those who come to visit. Some Christchurch parishes have had a staff retreat, a men’s or women’s weekend, or a youth group trip to this part of the world. One parish staff team bonded more closely on their underground passage through Cave Stream cavern. Last January, another staff team had a three-day retreat here and unwound playing hide-and-seek among the limestone boulders! Each morning, I’m struck afresh by the glory of God’s creation spread around me in this alpine amphitheatre. In the human construct of the city it’s easy to forget the true Creator, but here the changing landscapes and skyscapes speak eloquently of the One who dwells in holy calm, undying freshness. The Castle Hill Basin has been a place of inspiration for me as I’ve moved from parish ministry to a writing vocation. The apostle Paul wrote that “God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made” (Romans 1: 20). In the middle of the Castle Hill Basin I couldn’t agree more. Location: The basin straddles the Christchurch-Arthur’s Pass highway between Lakes Lyndon and Pearson and centres on the small village of Castle Hill. Distance: It is an easy day return trip from Christchurch, while people travelling from the West Coast, South Canterbury and North Canterbury will need to allow for a one way travelling time of 2-3 hours. Accommodation, Maps and Activities: See the website www.castlehill.net.nz or contact the Information Centre on 03 3189211 The Rev’d Ron Hay was vicar of Temuka and Sumner-Redcliffs parishes and is author of Finding the Forgotten God: Credible Faith for a Secular Age.
Inside Cave Stream
21
DIALOGUE
JOURNEY TO FAITH Tyler Frew (14) talks with Cathy Maslin about his faith and thoughts about church. Photo: Regan Walton
Tyler (left) and Taine, St Peter’s Anglican Church, Temuka
“IF YOU ARE TRYING TO FIGURE THINGS OUT, IT IS NOT A QUESTION YOU CAN ASK IN A CLASS AT SCHOOL.” 22
DIALOGUE
How did your faith journey begin? “My sister was going to go with a friend to Easter camp in 2014 but it was rained out. The next year I saw the promo’s for the camp on-line and thought it sounded like fun and decided I might try it. What hit me the most was the speakers at the camp who told stories about when they first met God. It got me interested.” Do you think it easy or difficult for young people to get to know Jesus and understand Christianity? “I think it is difficult as other kids dis you. If you are trying to figure things out, it is not a question you can ask in a class at school. Most kids think going to church is sitting listening to someone talk about God for an hour with no participation from them. They think it is about following rules and being told what not to do; that it is about spoiling their fun.” How have people in the community helped you come to your own conclusion about who Jesus is and what he did? “By talking with people and through friendships. I talked to my Mum, [Rev’d] Michelle and Gord; and my friendship with Regan [a young adult] has very much helped me understand things. The discussions at youth group with our leader Wendy have also been helpful. I have found it handy being in groups when others ask questions I’m not confident enough to ask.” What does following Jesus mean to you now? “Some people say he was no more than a prophet. I reckon he changes the way I am as a person. I remember when I was with a kid I knew who did something stupid – shoplifting. Now I am more aware of the things other kids and I do; I wonder what Jesus would think of it. I know following Jesus can be heaps of fun and it isn’t about rules. It is about how he wants what is best for us. “He [Jesus] is also like a helping hand for me, he is real and here now to help me.”
You were baptised on the 10 January 2016 with your friend Taine. What did the day mean for you? “It was really important. My Grandparents came down from Taupo for it and gave me a 1950’s Hymn Book, a Bible that Grandad had growing up, and a Prayer Book. Mum got me this cool cross from Venice. My friend Taine’s family came to support him as well. “I was really worried about talking in front of people because this is something I don’t like doing. But I did it anyway because I was convinced being baptised was what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to let my friend down either!” What do you think would help make it easier for young people to get involved with church? “I try and highlight bits about church to help it sound better than what they think. I tell them about the good songs. I have shown my friends Easter camp promo’s as well and they were keen to go. “I like traditional church services but not all people do. I wonder if it would be good to have two services, one traditional and a modern service for others. I have been told if a service becomes less traditional people will leave but if it stays the same other people won’t come. “Also I have not had this experience but others in my youth group have said they are scared about doing something wrong if they go to church. They hadn’t been to church before so didn’t know what do and when some did go they were told off. It would help if people understood how hard going to a church can be for young people.” Do you have a vision for where your faith may lead you? “I have thought about being a 24-7 youth worker in a school when I am older.” What would your advice be to other young people who are interested in finding out about Jesus? “Keep going along and exploring. It is worth it! You will meet some good friends along the way as well.”
When did you decide to be baptised and why? “I talked it over after going to a conference in Timaru called “Fearless” in 2015. Mum explained to me about how she had chosen to leave it up to me to decide whether to be baptised. “I was thinking about how it was good being involved in all this church stuff but I was at a point where I felt like I needed to fully decide this path was for me. I am still not clear about everything to do with baptism but I think it does something special.”
23
WORKPLACE
ON YOUR BIKE! FROM THE EDITOR: RECENTLY I ASKED A NEWLY REGISTERED NURSE ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF MAINTAINING FAITH WHILE TRANSITIONING FROM STUDY TO WORK, AND WHAT SHAPE FAITH TOOK FOR HER IN THE WORKPLACE. SHE GRADUATED A YEAR AND A HALF AGO AND HAS SINCE BEEN WORKING AT CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL. THIS WAS HER RESPONSE: The concept of faith at work is actually a very tricky question to answer. For me, nursing in particular sounds like your ideal Christian job. What good Christian doesn’t want to care for people? That was certainly the logic I used when picking this career. I’m not alone in that thinking either. Most of my colleagues would say they picked nursing to help others too, even though they aren’t Christian. Fairly soon into my job, however, I felt disillusioned by the constant time constraints. The caring moments of my day can be few and fleeting. Caring as a profession gives a whole new definition to the idea of tough love. An example of a fairly common day for me is finding myself caring for a little old lady crying into her cornflakes, yet being torn, as I haven’t enough time to tend to all her needs, as two other patients are waiting to go to the toilet, and they can’t get there without me. And there is also another person I need to attend to. I need to use my nursing skills to assess this person and determine if their situation is critical in order to advocate for them. Not having the time to love fully is tough. Needless to say, I often have moments of challenge in my day. At the same time, I truly believe Christ doesn’t call us to live comfortable 24
lives. Work is called work for a reason because it is hard work. God needs workers. So one piece of advice for someone starting out in a new career is to develop stamina in your job by finding ways in which you can draw on God for strength. My bike rides are really important to me as they give me a chance to pray as I travel to and from work. The idea to use my biking time to pray first came to me as I was preparing to do a talk for a Christian group called the “Thirsty Workers’ Guild”. Mostly my prayers on my way to work are that God might give me strength to provide the best care I can for my patients. As I return home from work I pray for the individual patients I’ve cared for and left behind at the end of the shift. I also give thanks for things I am grateful for in that shift; even the horrible shifts. The practice of gratefulness helps prevent me from becoming disillusioned by time constraints and enables me to be thankful for those small moments of caring in my day I am able to give. I also actively search for God in amongst the chaos. In doing these things I’ve developed the stamina to help me keep going to work; and doing so with a willing attitude I pray God can use.
PERSPECTIVE
AROUND ONE TABLE Words: The Rev’d Spanky Moore
A friend of mine, Andy Jones, recently posted this message on Facebook: “Last night I was at a house church meeting with some Christians who work among the poor and intellectually disabled. We had a meal and I sat next to a lady who was disabled in that way; lovely lady but lacking in social graces due to her disability. She was also a noisy eater and normally I would not want to sit next to someone who spills food out of their mouth when I am trying to enjoy my meal. But it was a God-meal, a love feast, and not just an excuse for food. So I sat there and ate next to her, sensing the pleasure of God and enjoying the lesson on ecclesiology. Then she said in her broken and saliva-filled speech, ‘Can I put my chicken bones on your plate?’ And I somehow said yes, and then there was a constant stream of bones piling up on one side of my plate, coming directly from her mouth, while I ate from the pile of food on the other side of the plate. Not a pretty experience. Not the way I was expecting to enjoy the meal, but an enjoyable meal nonetheless; because it was with my family.” For me that story perfectly sums up the radical hospitality and radical awkwardness that only a Christian community can boast of. Jesus himself spent most of his ministry life leading a small group,
and Christianity was never intended to be a solo sport. So when church groups embody the good news of Jesus with passion, they really can be a profound and powerful witness to a world stuck in an individualistic rut. But what does a great Christian community look like? Let me give you five simple ingredients: 1) Eat together 2) Play together 3) Pray together 4) Do mission together and 5) Share your resources together. Do those and you’ll be well on your way! Right now Canterbury needs Christian communities that live out these five signs more than ever. Increasingly our towns and suburbs are packed with lonely, isolated and hopeless individuals. Our old people are under-valued, and our young people are overstimulated. Millennials cry out for deep, authentic expressions of community. But where will they find them? My hunch is that one of the best ways our parishes can be good news to those around us is to become living examples of people doing a gospel-shaped life together. So the next time the person by you asks, “Can I put my chicken bones on your plate?” What will you say?
25
Bell, lamB & TroTTer FUNERAL DIRECTORS
Owned and operated by Canterbury families since 1872
Andrew, Suzanne and Ian Bell
When the need arises...let our family care for yours. 03 389 7999 or 0800 80 40 30 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. www.belllambtrotter.co.nz Anglican Life Ad - December 2014.indd 1
17/11/2014 7:18:47 p.m.