YOUTH & CHRISTMAS
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ANGLICANLIFE.ORG.NZ
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DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH
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ISSUE 57
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DEC 2018 / JAN 2019
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06. GIVING SMILES THIS CHRISTMAS
01. 02. 03. 06. 08. 11. 16. 18.
11. AN OLD RUGGED CHURCH
FROM THE BISHOP-ELECT: Megalomaniacs and mistletoe IN BRIEF: Christians seeking a united voice IN BRIEF: Join the Lifeline this Christmas Giving Smiles this Christmas My song is love unknown An old rugged church Discipling our youth #4 All Souls’ Renaissance
19. UNWRAPPING FAKE NEWS THIS CHRISTMAS
19. 22. 24. 26. 27. 32. 33.
33. SPROUTING YOUNG LEADERS
FEATURE: Unwrapping fake news this Christmas DIALOGUE: Matt and his mission WORKPLACE: What’s new in children’s ministry? GLOBAL DISPATCH: Battle-ready youth warrior steps up HARAKEKE: Advent activities ARTS: Preparing your heart for Christmas; Music for reconcilliation THEOLOGICAL THOUGHT: Sprouting young leaders
AnglicanLife is published bi-monthly by the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch. Editor: Jo Bean: editor@anglicanlife.org.nz. Contributing Writers: Rev’d Sue Baldwin, Jo Bean, Bishop-elect Peter Carrell, Rev’d Lucy Flatt, Rev’d Herles-Mooar, Dean Lawrence Kimberley, Tessa Laing, Cathy Maslin, Rev’d Joshua Moore, Sammy Mould, Phil Parkes, Ross Seagar, Gillian Southey, Brian Turner. Editorial and Advertising Enquiries: Jo Bean: editor@anglicanlife.org.nz, Printed by: Toltech Print, Print Sustainability: AnglicanLife is printed on recycled paper using vegetable-based inks. ISSN 2253-1653 (print), ISSN 2537-849X (online) Cover image: God’s Grand Plan © Leisa Jamieson
Christmas at The Transitional Cathedral, Latimer Square
Full details of all services at www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz | admin@christchurchcathedral.co.nz | (03) 3660046 Wednesday 19 December: 12.30pm Choristers Carol Recital Friday 21 December 3:00pm The Children’s Nativity Service with Animals Sunday 23 December: 7:30pm Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols with music by the Cathedral Choir Monday 24 December ~The Eve and Vigil of Christmas 6:00pm Christmas Carol Recital by the Cathedral Choir Recital 10:15pm Carol Singing by candlelight 11:00pm The Midnight Mass Tuesday 25 December ~ Christmas Day 8:00am Holy Eucharist with Carols 10:00am Festival Eucharist Music: The Cathedral Choir 5:00pm Festal Evensong Music: The Gentlemen of the Cathedral Choir
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FROM THE BISHOP -ELECT
MEGALOMANIACS AND MISTLETOE Dear friends in Christ, Megalomaniacal tyrants have not held back in 2018. Murders, cover ups, outright lies have been reported widely. One or two megalomaniacs, it is true, have not been party to murder but they have shared their bloodthirsty colleagues’ penchant for #fakenews. The shared fear of all such tyrants is that a rival might threaten their grasp of power (if not their greedily accumulated money stashed in secret bank accounts). Herod the Great would be right at home in today’s world! In a small territory beset by various powers, from the Roman imperial power granting him delegated authority to the powerful influence on faithful Jews exercised by leading religious groups such as the Pharisees and the Sadducees, Herod perhaps had more reason than a Putin or a Mohammed bin Salman to feel insecure. When he heard of a baby being born in Bethlehem who might just be the Messiah (i.e. the true, divinely appointed King of Israel), his fears went into overdrive. That baby was of no interest to Rome at that point in time. So Herod was reacting to the possibility that a baby born to be king might excite faithful Jews in ways disruptive to his own kingship’s shaky hold on popular support.
Matthew’s Gospel chapter 2 tells the story of that royal reaction: infants are slaughtered in an attempt to eradicate the baby king. This is a very dark shadow over the Christmas narrative, commemorated on 28 December each year. And the shadow remains over us. Infants are still being killed in Syria, Yemen and other places where political insecurity has spawned vicious wars. But when Herod’s infanticide squad went to work, God’s plan was not defeated. Jesus was saved from Herodian wrath, escaping to Egypt. Darkness – as John writes in the opening statement of his Gospel – could not overcome the light. Our Christmas faith is a robust faith. It looks the thugs of this world in the eye and says they will not have the last word on the course of history. Our faith is in the Light of the World who has come into our world. Christmas is joyful good news, not because all is sweetness and tinsel, but because in the midst of even life’s darkest reality, we believe God’s Light came to us and has never left us.
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IN BRIEF
CHRISTIANS SEEKING A UNITED VOICE THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES TURNS SEVENTY
WORDS: Brian Turner of EcuAction In August this year the World Council of Churches (WCC) celebrated their 70th anniversary. So what is the WCC? Founded seventy years ago, it’s an ecumenical organisation who “confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the scriptures, and therefore seek to fulfil together their common calling to the glory of the one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” It’s a body that strives for visible unity in the faith “so that the world may believe”. “Think Big” as Muldoon would say. Previously of Knox College, former Dean of ChristChurch Cathedral, Bishop John Bluck was on the WCC for ten years. At the anniversary, while celebrating the achievements made, he cautioned that striving for true ecumenical experience was an ongoing challenge. “It’s never been more relevant than now. Anchoring the ecumenical experience here in Aotearoa New Zealand is still an ongoing dream. Various bodies, like the Conference of Churches in Aotearoa New Zealand made some real progress in the past. And although a plan for union in the
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seventies didn’t eventuate, we must continue to strive for Christian Churches to present a united front to the global society in which we now live. Despite all that, there are still signs of real collaboration at a local church level. The interfaith movement promises real gains, as does the current trend towards eco-theology.” Interestingly, in September this year, Pope Francis visited the World Council headquarters in Geneva and spoke of his concern about racism. He said the Christian churches have a moral responsibility to demonstrate the love of Christ as we are all members of the same human family. The Pope called on all Christians to contribute to building a society founded on the values of the sacredness and dignity of all human life. This is an inspiring glimmer of hope that new headway can be made to unite the Christian voice, to bear witness, so that all may see God and believe.
World Council of Churches SEEING GOD'S IMAGE IN ALL HUMAN BEINGS:
COMMITMENT TO UNITY:
founded by 147 member churches in 1948, more than 200 have joined since then.
THEOLOGICAL CONVERGENCE:
through multilateral dialogue we’re now closer in understanding Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, communion as churches called to live in and for the world.
CARE FOR CREATION:
WCC has midwifed the concept of sustainable communities in the 1970s, advocated for climate justice since 1992.
INTERFAITH DIALOGUE
involving leaders from all world religions and especially youth from Abrahamic religions.
SHARING SPIRITUAL RICHES IN SONG AND PRAYER, especially through the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.
WCC fosters exchange of ideas and synergies between the human rights movement and the churches.
OVERCOMING RACISM:
in focus since WCC´s creation, highly visible in the struggle against apartheid, our work to end racism continues.
CHURCHES' COMMITMENTS TO CHILDREN:
already more than 100 partners committed on child protection and participation, intergenerational climate justice.
WCC HUMAN RIGHTS RESOURCES OFFICE FOR LATIN AMERICA
(1976-92): helped churches in 18 military dictatorships stand by the victims.
www.oikoumene.org/wcc70
Read about some of the achievements of the Council in their 70 years. Logo and infographic c/o WCC
IN BRIEF
JOIN THE LIFELINE THIS CHRISTMAS KEEPING WOMEN AND CHILDREN SAFE AND FED THIS CHRISTMAS
WORDS: Gillian Southey, Christian World Service
For more than 70 years Christian World Service has been working to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, and respect the dignity of all. In each Christmas appeal, the money raised goes to five different partner organisations. One of these partners is EKTA, who work in India. They invite you to ‘Be the Lifeline’ for young men and women seeking gender justice in south India. The appeal is an opportunity to put into practice our concern for others by supporting people determined to make real change in the world. CWS partners with EKTA in India to help their young people to address issues of gender justice. Every year they run workshops for college students that include a gender/safety audit of a particular public facility.
Holy Spirit thians with 1 Corin Through Lent
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NEW FOR LENT
2019
For the last five years, the students have been working on a bus shelter in Periya (in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, south India). The students observe and speak to passengers transiting through the bus shelter, analyse the data, develop recommendations, and devise an action plan.
The children’s office at the bus shelter. Photo credit: c/o EKTA
HOLY SPIRIT:
THROUGH LENT WITH 1 CORINTHIANS By Kelvin Wright and Peter Carrell Order this Lenten Group Study Book for 2019 now! $8.50 per copy ($7 if ordered before 31 December 2018). Plus P&P.
and Kelvin Wright
Peter Carrell
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Order online at: www.theologyhouse.ac.nz or phone 03 341 3399
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IN BRIEF
“BY GIVING TO THE CHRISTMAS APPEAL YOU ARE ONE OF THE LINKS IN THE CHAIN OF JUSTICE LIFELINE MAKING THESE GOALS A REALITY” GILLIAN SOUTHEY In five years, they have achieved cleaner facilities, increased police presence, a streetlight at night, and this year they have established a special shelter for children on their own to help prevent child trafficking. Discrimination based on gender begins before birth in India where girl babies are more likely to be aborted. As girls grow up they continue to face discrimination, doing more work, missing school, and watching their brothers eat better food. In Tamil Nadu, families are encouraged to send their young girls to work in various industries with the enticement of getting money for their dowry at the end of it. However, the schemes are exploitative and much injustice takes place. But thanks to the skills young people learn from EKTA, youths themselves are actively campaigning against such
practises and educating families to improve gender equality in homes and communities. This directly aligns with one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) developed by the United Nations. In 2015 the UN committed us all to actively working to ensure no one is left behind. This year’s CWS Christmas Appeal encourages people to support CWS and their partners to contribute to the SDGs. By giving to the Christmas appeal you are one of the links in the chain of justice lifeline making these goals a reality. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus with family and friends, let’s consciously bring to mind those in our global society who need the hope of good food, clean water safety, peace and justice.
Visit our website www.cws.org.nz where you can find out about the other partners CWS is collaborating with this Christmas. Or you can donate at www.christmasappeal.org.nz Young and old, men and women, gather for the annual ‘One Billion Rising’ event in Madurai, India. CWS partners with locals to end violence against girls and women. Donations to the Christmas Appeal contribute to this work. Photo credit: c/o EKTA
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e h t Be
DONATE TODAY christmasappeal.org.nz
GIVING SMILES THIS CHRISTMAS WORDS: Jo Bean PHOTOS: c/o World Vision NZ What do you give someone that’s got everything this Christmas? You give them a smile – that’s what. How do you remind loved-ones that it’s not about gift getting? You give them a smile – that’s how. Who of us wants to focus on the greatest gift of all, rather than a gift list? I do, so I’m giving “Smiles gifts” this Christmas. 6
Enter World Vision’s new Smiles gift catalogue… The thing I love about this concept is that it’s visual, it’s simple and you can see at a glance how your “gift” is going to help. The other thing I like is there is so much to choose from, other than just getting the proverbial goat, you can send a child to school, help a family feed themselves or help a woman start up a business to help support her family…
and much more. There is also a great range of choices for those people where Christmas is a tight time – “Smiles gifts” go from as low as $8 (less than 2 cups of coffee)… Curious? Go to World Vision’s website and have a browse – the engaging faces (assuming they’re a result of a gift) works wonders on the soul – and the fact you are contributing to another person’s, family’s, community’s well-being and sustainability – Quick! Where’s the chequebook? (Oops! I’ve just shown my age) I mean – where’s the link to the online payment portal? One favourite of mine is the frog gift… but you can’t be squeamish – they “farm” frogs for food. The one that best matches me and my coffee addiction, is the gift of coffee beans. Another that catches my notice is the girls’ hygiene kit (I’m sure I don’t need to explain that but we can all imagine the immense difference this could make).
Or if you’re feeling as if you really need to make a difference, you can buy a “Smiles gift” to train a teacher… now that seems like a smart idea. Ok – so all humour aside, how do we know this works? That World Vision doesn’t go and buy a frog here in NZ and post it overseas? No – the SPCA might have something to say about that. Instead, the money raised from the purchase of Smiles gifts is pooled into the relevant sectors of World Vision’s work, so you can be assured that families and communities are receiving exactly what they need most to survive. This way your gift is making the most difference it can. And if they do what they say, (and we know they do – World Vision has been around a long time and has a fantastic reputation): Their expert staff are there on the ground providing life-saving aid in emergencies, building sustainable, thriving communities, and advocating for local and global political change to help millions of the world’s most vulnerable children and their families. What’s left to be said? Go to www.worldvision.org.nz/ smiles and pick a “Smiles gift”. You can buy it for yourself or for a friend, and you’ll get a beautifully designed card of your choice, which you can wrap, too. The challenge is: Don’t be self-focussed this Christmas-time – but think of the lost, the lonely, those who continually go hungry, those who are sick in a world without clean water let alone medicine, the oppressed of all races and genders – and give a gift of a “Smile” this Christmas. 7
MY SONG IS LOVE UNKNOWN WORDS: Lawrence Kimberley PHOTOS: c/o The Cathedral Choristers
Evangelism is telling people about the gospel of Christ. Singing about God’s love for all people is also evangelism. The Cathedral Choristers have been proclaiming God’s love for over 130 years, and recently they took this message to Sydney and Japan.
The Cathedral Choristers are an enthusiastic bunch of boys who love “bursting into jubilant song”. The Cathedral Choristers singing at Christ Church St Laurence Church, Sydney.
The music, resonant with beauty, in itself one of God’s more readily accessible love languages, was offered in a range of venues both spiritual and secular. They sang in St Mary’s and St Andrew’s Cathedrals and in the parish church of Christ Church St Laurence in Sydney. In Japan they visited Yokohama Jogakuin Secondary School, St Alban’s Anglican-Episcopal Church and Rikkyo University in Tokyo, and in Kyoto they sang in St Agnes International Church (the Cathedral for the Diocese of Kyoto). 8
Missional aspects of the tour aside, the tour also provided engaging educational opportunities. Experiencing one of the world’s oldest but less-known cultures was a highlight for the choristers (bearing in mind Japan has only been open to the west since the 1850s). Included in this article are several photos of learning opportunities for the choristers. Visiting a contrasting global community also strengthens relationships with Christians in other parts of the world, both within the Anglican Communion and ecumenically.
DID YOU KNOW… The Cathedral Choristers are the only professional boys’ choir in New Zealand, and only one of two in the Southern Hemisphere? The boys range from eight to 13 and are all pupils of The Cathedral Grammar School. They spend 16 hours each week training as well as keeping up with their other school activities. They also sing at a variety of special and/or civic events. Interested? Go to www.christchurchcathedralchoir.com/contact-us and let them know.
The Cathedral Choristers outside the entrance to the Nijo-jo Castle, Kyoto. This was built by the Shoguns, military dictators who ruled Japan for over 200 years from 1603–1868.
Visiting a UNESCO World Heritage site in Kyoto: The Golden Pavilion. This is an exact replica of the original building of 1393 that was destroyed a number of times. And yes, the gold leaf finish is indeed real gold!
At the Miraikan Technology Museum, Tokyo, where they met ASIMO, the humanoid robot, and rode personal mobility devices called UNI-CUBs.
At the National Maritime Museum, Sydney, on-board the patrol boat HMAS Advance.
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Yokohama School pupils and our choristers – a genuine learning connection.
The Cathedral Choristers’ connection with Yokohama High, also a faith-based Christian school, is at least 25 years strong. Every year, whole classes of students from Japan visit the Transitional Cathedral and their choir also sings. So it was great to be able to reciprocate those visits, and sing in Yokohama School, strengthening the bond, and sharing our love of music and the gospel. The Transitional Cathedral has another special connection with the people of Japan due to the CTV
tragedy and the earthquake memorial close to the cathedral site. The celebration of the Cathedral community each week also recognises the inspiring Japanese architect, Shigeru Ban, who, in the spirit of global solidarity, designed the Transitional Cathedral for Christchurch. It is with thanksgiving in our hearts that through the Choristers the Cathedral has been able to give back to the people of Japan. Praise God.
The Transitional Cathedral, Latimer Square
Further details at www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz | admin@christchurchcathedral.co.nz | (03) 3660046
DO YOU KNOW A BOY WHO LOVES TO SING? The Choristers of the Cathedral Choir, recently returned from their successful tour to Sydney and Japan, are looking for new members! The Cathedral’s Director of Music John Linker is always happy to answer any questions prospective boys and their parents and can be reached on 021 105 0961 or e-mail dom@christchurchcathedral.co.nz
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AN OLD RUGGED CHURCH
What Parish am I…? • My current church was built in 1885 and consecrated in April 1891 • My church interior has kauri paneling • Bishops Selwyn and Julius both visited my lands a number of times • The steam ship Kahu regularly brought people and goods to my lands • I have had multiple links to various sister parishes such as Kumara on the West Coast, Lyttelton and Heathcote-Riccarton in Canterbury. • My land has a long-standing reputation for peace and pacifism (over 600 years) • Visitors to my lands can see rock drawings (petroglyphs) and tree carvings (dendoglyphs) • In trees on my land you might see my own special Black Robins and if you’re extremely lucky, along my southern coast, you may spot a very rare Taiko (magenta petrel) • Our community has its own time zone! And I am the first church in our diocese, and in fact the whole world, to see the sun rise • My church is named after St Augustine
• This is what I look like… Outside and inside my church…. I hope you have guessed it by now. Either way, read on to hear about Rural Life Missioner and Archdeacon Susan Baldwin, and Shirley Lindsay, a resident of this parish, talk about their time in this wild, wonderful and remote place…
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Beauty, simplicity and isolation all rolled into one: the view from the plane when arriving at the Chatham Islands.
OUR WILD AND WONDERFUL CHATHAM ISLANDS’ PARISH WORDS: Sue Baldwin and Shirley Lindsay PHOTOS: c/o Sue Baldwin
Susan’s Story: At the same time that New Zealand was in darkness and anticipating the lunar eclipse early on the morning of 15 September, I was watching the sunlight catch the tops of the sand dunes as I stood at the kitchen window of the vicarage in Te One on Rekohu, the Chatham Islands.
Sunlight catching the tops of the sand dunes.
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The view out the vicarage kitchen in Te One on Rekohu, the Chatham Islands.
I was there for my second visit to the parish in my role as Archdeacon for the Chatham Islands. The Islands, its people and history are all fascinating and my visits there include holding services, pastoral visitation, and listening to a great many stories about living on the island. The islands are equal parts slice of paradise and a very challenging place to live and work. So how did the Chatham Islands come to be part of our Diocese? Well it all started in 1840, when some Lutheran missionaries (from Germany) arrived in Akaroa, and finding a wellestablished Christian presence there already, travelled on to the Chatham Islands on Bishop Selwyn’s advice. They established two missionary settlements and one of their early buildings still survives: The Stone Cottage at the foot of the Mt Maunganui volcano. The Lutherans may have planted the seeds of the gospel but the churches that remain today are the Anglican and Roman Catholic parishes. One Anglican vicar, the Rev’d Rewai Preece, served faithfully on the islands for 27 years.
The historic Stone Cottage, an early Lutheran missionary house at the foot of the extinct volcano Mt Maunganui.
Jumping back to present day Chatham Islands’ church, vicar-less since 2015, how do they keep going with only a few visits each year from myself or the Bishop? They become inventive and creative – and make the most of what they have. The vicarage that sits next to the church has become a community hub. On Mondays, the front room, with the sun streaming in, is the scene of an art class. Then there are the seniors who come to play cards and share a meal. Visiting physiotherapists and naturopaths also use the building for short stays and a local massage therapist holds sessions there as well. On Sundays when there is worship at the church, the front room becomes the parish hall where they share lunch.
Although it is an Anglican church, there will often be local residents and visiting guests representing a variety of Christian denominations at the service on a Sunday.
An old whaling station and German missionary settlement since destroyed by a tsunami that hit the island (following an earthquake in Chile) in 1868.
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Shirley’s Story: “On an island far away stands an old rugged church and I am a parishioner, vestry member and historian of that little old church, St Augustine’s Anglican Church. Hi, I’m Shirley Lindsay and I live 840 km away, or a two hour flight, from Christchurch. “I am a fourth generation Chatham Islander and my grandmother was very involved with St Augustine’s. When my two older sisters and I reached high school age, we were sent out to New Zealand to board with relatives. This was during the early to mid-1960s and we flew out on the Sunderland Flying boat in late January and only returned in December for the summer holidays. Being away from our family for 10 ½ months was hard on us as well as coping with city life after living on a very isolated farm on the island.
“The route from the farm into town (‘Waitangi’ on Chatham Is) was only accessible at low tide as we had to cross two beaches then head inland across a swamp (called ‘The Clears’). Back in the 1950s and 1960s we lived like pioneers, cooking and baking on a wood range, no electricity but a generator to run lights, no phone but a twice a day calling schedule via local shortwave radio station 2LC (our only means of communicating with the outside world). We milked 2 cows twice a day for milk, cream and to make butter. A large vege garden and fruit orchard kept us supplied all year. Hens and ducks provided eggs, and we had mutton and beef home-kill. The farm with its nearby rocky coastline and beaches was a wonderful environment for us as children to grow up in.
The Coastal Playground of Shirley’s childhood.
Shirley, Alan, Helen and Susan outside the historic Stone Cottage, one of the original Lutheran missionary houses, October 2017.
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“When I was 15, our family left the island to live in Nelson so my younger siblings could attend a school rather than doing correspondence lessons. So, from age 15 to 62yrs I lived in New Zealand, with 41 of those years spent in Christchurch. Four years ago, I returned to live in the Chathams, a decision I have not regretted making. I now
Enjoying a bit of fossicking on the beach.
The Cemetery at Te One.
have time to garden, paint and do crafts, walk along the beaches, do voluntary work at the museum and read books. I look after the community garden, go line dancing, attend Garden Club, Art Club and Golden Oldie get-togethers and the once a month Church service.”
The main road on the Chatham Islands.
REPRESENTING THE CHATHAM ISLANDS PARISH… Synod representatives in remote areas usually don’t attend in person, but due to a number of synchronistic factors, this year Shirley got to go to the Electoral College in August. She says it was fantastic to meet other parishioners from all over Canterbury and the West Coast. “It was interesting learning the procedures and protocols of Episcopal elections and with a result so quickly produced it was, all-in-all, a great experience for me, and great that someone from our small island parish could be present.”
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DISCIPLING OUR YOUTH #4 DEEPER CAMP
WORDS: Sammy Mould and Phil Parkes PHOTOS: c/o Anglican Youth
Deeper Camp was born out the opportunity for youth groups who may not be big enough to run their own camp to come together again and have follow-up camp six months after Eastercamp (EC). Now in its ninth year, Deeper Camp has grown from a low of 20 people to a high of more than 100, and that number has remained steady over the last three years. It’s in the October school (spring) holidays (yes – there was one just recently) and has a different theme each year based on what might be needed as a follow up from EC. It’s been at Glen Roy, Glen Tui and this year was at Waipara camp site. Again the increased and steady numbers tell us some of the story, but Sammy, the manager of the camp, says, “Deeper Camp is a great way to be together as a diocesan whanau and deepen our relationships with God and each other. It’s about supporting them in their journey day-to-day. One youth minister who has attended every Deeper Camp said to me that this year’s was the best yet – but actually I think that every year. We are continuously trying to raise the bar and bring the good news to young people in this fastpaced modern world”.
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Octoball is loved by all – similar to dodgeball, Octoball is a game of fun, highenergy, strategy and competition with the last person standing the winner!
Worship is no quiet affair at Deeper Camp! Here members of the AWC Band lead worship in the Waipara Camp Adventure Centre.
LISTEN TO WHAT ONE YOUTH LEADER SAID:
First-time Deeper Camp participant – Phil Parkes – St Barnabas’ Younger Persons’ Worker “This year was my first chance to lead a group at Deeper Camp and I loved it. Right from the word “Go” it hit the mark in terms of something bigger for our wee group to join in on. Big loud worship times, big group games, excellent guest speakers – local and from out of town – all in a fun location for our group to explore. It was great seeing my youth group open up and interact with other Anglican youth from the Dio, in some cases re-connecting with friends they had met at EC or in the dodgeball tournament – that was very valuable. A significant God moment that I and the team found memorable was the way guest speaker Scottie Reeve opened both of his speaking slots. Instead of launching straight into his sermon, he shared a few words of knowledge that God had given him during the worship times beforehand. It was awesome to see young people’s minds opened up to the idea that God might speak that specifically to us, and even want to heal people. Leaving time for the Holy Spirit to move and have his way with a group of young people is very special and one of the main reasons I will bring my group back next year.”
Deeper Camp – Beauties and Beasties
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ALL SOULS’ RENAISSANCE BREAKING A FORTY YEAR DROUGHT
WORDS: Ross Seagar CPT and Rev’d Herles-Mooar PHOTOS: c/o CPT A new church is born… the first in the Christchurch Diocese for nearly 40 years. The number 40 has a significance in scriptures: Noah was in the ark for 40 days and 40 nights, the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days and there are many other references. Forty often symbolises a period of trial and the quantity of 40 years can also indicate a shift from one generation to another. So, if this is the first new Anglican suburban church to be built from scratch, from foundations to steeple, in 40 years, let us celebrate the milestone and view it as a symbol of hope and renewal. However you want to approach it, this new church is something to celebrate. In the first weekend of November, All Souls’ Church, in the Merivale-St Albans Parish, situated on the corner of Papanui Rd and Church Lane, opened its brand new doors. A pristine church building holding its first Community Fun Day and its first worship services. For those who haven’t seen it yet, the building is captivating – a marriage of old and new – it has a modern design to be functional, but has stained glass windows recovered from both the old St Matthew’s and St Mary’s churches. Walking inside the building, experiencing the dynamic light, the rich acoustics, and looking up at the stained glass windows in the chapel space is a true delight. “It’s also great to bring the ‘Church’ back into ‘Church Lane’”, Vicar Megan Herles-Mooar quips. But the delight doesn’t stop there – the church community are looking forward to sharing Christ’s love for, and within, their wider community. For the congregants, it feels like such a long time since any formal worship took place on the site so all are more than ready for this new journey. They acknowledge that the process of creating the new combined parish and building, has changed them. One of the key drivers for them was wanting to create a space where everyone felt welcome; 18
to have a place where all can gather around one table. And the feeling is that this has been achieved. “Now we have the building, the work of loving and caring for our community continues with renewed energy,” says Rev’d Herles-Mooar. The parish and CPT would particularly like to thank architects Warren and Mahoney, builders Higgs Construction, and the suite of sub-contractors and consultants who worked on this project.
The All Souls’ Choir led by Director of Music Murray Lennox, singing an anthem of praise and filling the new space with a ‘joyful noise’.
All Souls’ Church in Merivale with its unique domed chapel.
Weekly Sunday Services are as follows: 8:00am: Following the NZ Prayer book on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays and the older Book of Common Prayer on the 1st and 5th Sundays. 9:30am: A family-oriented service using the NZ Prayer Book with hymns (Sunday School takes place during this service). 11:00am: A contemporary service – in format and music. All are welcome. Contact the church on www.allsouls.org.nz
FEATURE
Santa travels by steam train in the UK c/o Megaport search portal, Hungary
UNWRAPPING FAKE NEWS THIS CHRISTMAS WORDS: Cathy Maslin A lot of attention is given to fake news yet under our very noses every Christmas a well-known identity flies under our radar. He often goes by an alias: Father Christmas, Santa Claus, or Sinterklaas. His personal character traits are very rarely questioned; however, many critics exist. He’s over commercialised say some, invented by Coke say others, and many say he has nothing to do with the real meaning of Christmas. In a world full of a multitude of opinions, many Poles apart, it is a challenge to uncover the real news about this influential figure. First let’s clear up a few things. Santa Claus appeared in many colours including green before red became the colour
of choice. His pictures were truer to human form before Coke commissioned an illustrator to draw an image based on Moore’s poem, “The Night Before Christmas”. His country of origin is modern day Turkey. Tradition has him travelling by sled in North America, train in the UK, and steamboat and white horse in the Netherlands and Belgium. He is actually likely to have walked. He did give out gifts at nighttime. A cartoonist drew his home as the North Pole as it was inaccessible at the time and thereby perceived as an ideal location for a man who was never supposed to be seen. And the missing out if you are naughty rumour has existed for centuries yet is a total fabrication – most likely invented by cunning parents! The tale of our present day Santa Claus is based on Saint 19
FEATURE
Nicholas of Myra, a Bishop who lived during the time of the Roman Empire. His reputation as a gift-giver to children is centred on a widely circulated account where he supplied dowry money for three sisters. By providing their father with the means to arrange marriages he prevented them from being sold into prostitution. In an attempt to remain anonymous other such acts of generosity were reputedly undertaken during the cover of night. Had the tradition of giving presents on the naming day of Saint Nicholas, the 6th of December, never been merged with the celebration of Christmas we might all be at this point a lot less confused. Alas, it was not to be. In England by the 1870’s the more secular Father Christmas (who incidentally had helpers named Roast Beef and Plum Pudding) was still associated with Christmas Day but had become aligned with the history and persona of
The Christ-child c/o The Jesus Question Blog
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Saint Nicholas. By this time a number of other countries, including Germany and Croatia, had combined the giftgiving tradition, which arose around Saint Nicholas, with Christmas through the introduction of a childlike angelic being called the ‘Christkind’ (Christ-child). Only in the Netherlands, Belgium and Northern France was the original commemoration of the man Saint Nicholas kept distinct from Christmas. So what to tell the children? Perhaps that the original Santa was a man who knew and followed Jesus Christ. Jesus is a gift of love to us from God and we celebrate his birth at Christmas. Saint Nicholas was motivated to give gifts to people in need by his Christian faith. Glimpses of the true nature of the man behind Santa, beyond the many makeovers he has endured, can still be found.
Early versions of St Nik were sometimes dressed in green c/o Jersey National Trust
FEATURE
Bishop Nik surrounded by children c/o History and Stuff Blog
The Dutch St Nik on his white horse c/oVintage Dutch Postcard St Nicholas Center Collection
Belgium’s St Nik arriving on a boat c/o Felso’s St Nicholas Pintrest page
So what now? So, can a Christian Christmas and a jolly red Santa co-exist? As Christians, we are called to live counter-culturally, rejecting the patterns of this world (Rom. 12:2). What does this mean for Christmas in your household 2018? Perhaps you don’t get too tied up in knots about it, and happily mix all the best bits together in a melting point of Christmas cheer? Maybe we share with our families the story of the real Saint Nicholas and encourage activities around him? Or do we tell only the story of the Christ-child and God’s love so great that he sent His Son – the greatest gift of all. And in the spirit of giving, what will we offer God this Christmas? Our thanks? Yes. A portion of our gold? Perhaps. Our heart? Absolutely.
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DIALOGUE
MATT AND HIS MISSION REV’D JOSHUA MOORE SPEAKS TO THE CITY MISSIONER MATTHEW MARK ABOUT HIS FIRST YEAR IN THE ROLE
Over the years the City Mission has become a vital institution in Christchurch, as it offers support, care and a voice for the marginalized people of our city. Each night they open up 45 beds for emergency overnight accommodation, and last year alone they provided 30,000 food parcels to families in need, and helped over 1700 people with addiction services. As our freshly minted City Missioner, Matthew Mark is at the helm of the City Mission. Rev’d Joshua (Spanky) Moore caught up with him to see how his first year has gone in the hot seat. You’ve been the Christchurch City Missioner for over a year now. How’s it been so far? “Well, there’s no doubt that this is where I’m supposed to be. Every day, irrespective of what it entails, I arrive with a smile and leave with a bigger one. I feel honoured and privileged to spend each day alongside a team who are so passionately driven to serve our community and make a meaningful difference. Every interaction I have with those we serve – our whanau – is special. I truly believe I’m one of the most fortunate people in our city to be where I am.” We’ve seen a lot in the news lately about the rise in homelessness in New Zealand. What differences have you noticed? “We haven’t so much noticed a rise in the numbers of our street whanau, but rather a consistency, and they are much more visible and active in general. Over the past year we’ve had great successes in housing large numbers of our long-term homeless, but the challenge for us is that as soon as we house someone, someone new presents on the streets. 22
The City Missioner, known to the men as just ‘Matt’, joining in the music as part of the men’s day programme. Image c/o Christchurch City Mission
It’s often a culmination of things; the cost of living, challenges with mental health, substance addiction, and social isolation that cause someone to find themselves in this situation. And often the tipping point is when a ‘last string breaks’, causing someone to find themselves in a position that they never thought they’d be in.” Do any particular stories of hope and Good News come to mind for you from the past year? “Well, we’ve always been good at meeting the immediate needs of our people. In fact, I would say we meet immediate
DIALOGUE
needs with excellence! But if we’re honest, we haven’t always taken a lifetime-long view in how do we work with someone so they never have to see us again. But over the past year we’ve begun to include short-, medium- and long-term goals, and we’re seeing some wonderful outcomes. We have a gentleman who’d been homeless for 14 years and had suffered from serious addiction who we’ve recently housed for the first time. He’s in his own place and has a great support network around him, and so he’s well on his way to wellness. We’ve also journeyed alongside a woman who lost her child, home and family connections due to substance issues. But she now has her child back with her, is employed, clean and sober, and has just purchased her own home. And through a new employment initiative, we’ve recently secured paid work for five of our men. So we have many great news stories to share.” You must see some situations that seem pretty overwhelming. What inspires you to keep going on those harder days? “I don’t tend to ever feel that a situation is hopeless, because ultimately our mission is based on a true hope, and nothing can undermine that. But at times, of course, the magnitude of challenges that we face within our community, and society as a whole, can seem overwhelming. The reality is that we live in a broken world and we see the results of this first hand. But that is a privilege that we enjoy greatly. We have the honour of sitting alongside each of our people, hearing their stories, helping them unfurl those layers and to find those incremental steps to help them move forward in their journey towards wellness and restoration.” What’s the most helpful thing people can do if they want to help support the Mission leading up to Christmas? “We have three simple needs where anyone can help according to their ability. People can either volunteer their time on a regular basis, or support us with donations of
non-perishable foods and Christmas gifts, or they can give financially with a one-off or regular donation. Of course if people want to do all three, they’re more than welcome…” And so what will you be doing on Christmas Day? “Christmas Day is one of our most exciting community days! We’ll be pitching our marquee at Christchurch East School and serving a full Christmas lunch for all our whanau and those who are isolated within our city. If anyone wants to lend a hand, let us know!”
Learn more about City Mission on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ ChristchurchCityMission Support our Christchurch City Mission, Matthew and the team as part of your Christmas giving: • Go to the City Mission website and click on the red ‘Donate’ button. You can find it on the home page: www.citymission.org.nz • Visit the City Mission website and click on ‘Get Involved’ which covers donating furniture, topping up the food bank, volunteering and more: www.citymission.org.nz/getinvolved Did you know… they recently won a ‘Champion Canterbury’ award in the ‘Community Impact’ category against 150 other entries? Congratulations City Mission – you continue to amaze!!
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WORKPLACE
WHAT’S NEW IN CHILDREN’S MINISTRY? JO BEAN TALKS TO EMMA TOVEY, OUR DIOCESAN CHILDREN’S MINISTRY DEVELOPER.
Tell me a little bit about yourself. I’m a born and bred Christchurch girl. My family attended Spreydon Baptist (now called South West Baptist) under Pastor Murray Robertson. After finishing at Hillmorton High School, I went to Teacher’s College and helped fund my studies by working at Spreydon Baptist running holiday and after school programmes. I also worked for the Crossover Trust with at-risk youth, doing activities like running outings and teaching life skills. After finishing my teaching degree, I became the coordinator of all the holiday programmes for Spreydon. In 2008 I moved to Japan and taught English near Hiroshima. A huge culture shock but immense fun. Unfortunately, not long into it I dislocated and damaged my knee, so had to return to NZ to recuperate. Back in NZ I ran some holiday programmes for the Baptist Church (both before and postearthquakes) and about then also began fostering high-needs teens. So, back-up a bit…. You are single, 30 something, and you foster high needs teens? Yes, a little unusual I admit, but there are a group of like-minded foster parents who are single. Not all agencies will take solo rather than partnered 24
now an Anglican minister. In fact, I’ve known Carolyn and Paul (Hegglun) for ages. And they have been a positive influence in my life, along with another great lady, Annabel Howe, formerly from St Christopher’s. We now all worship at All Saints’, in Burwood, together. Emma is passionate, creative and has a genuine heart for others. Image c/o AnglicanLife
carers, but some will. And why not? Sometimes having one, is better than having two, because many marriages wouldn’t survive the stress of caring for these high-needs kids. Singleness can be a gift in these situations. I can see that – fascinating… and maybe worth another whole article sometime? Anyway, can you tell the readers how someone raised as Baptist came to be working for and attending an Anglican Church? Well – it’s an interesting one, I know. I love the structure, hierarchy and theological depth I have found in the Anglican Church. And I happen to know some really great Anglicans! A number of my friends from Spreydon Baptist days are now worshiping as Anglicans, my old Spreydon Baptist teacher – Rev’d Carolyn Robertson – is
Great. So back to the story… You were doing holiday programmes, and mixing with fantastic Anglicans, but when did you start working for the Diocese? I started doing contract work for the Dio, via the Ministry and Mission team (DMT), and ran the Sumner children’s programme for a bit, and began attending All Saints’ Church. This year, while working on my Masters in social work, I was asked by DMT if I would come on-board as the Children’s Ministry Developer, and I jumped at the chance. So tell me a bit about the Diocesan Children’s Development role. Who was in the role before you? Paul Hegglun was previously in this role for a short time but his strengths lie elsewhere so they transferred him. And before that, there was a long absence of a person in the role. The people who work with Children in the Diocese are
WORKPLACE
Type ‘Joshua’ in the search bar and it will take you to a number of ideas you can use based on the story of Joshua. Simple is good.
A snapshot of the new Children’s website where you can easily find fun things to do with primary age children. Image c/o Emma Tovey
talented, hardworking and have a heart for children, but they are currently working mostly as individual parishes and are not really able to connect and support each other. DMT has some really talented people and together we will try to improve the support systems in children’s ministry. I will admit there was not a lot happening in the role when I arrived (a few months ago) so I’m just starting with some basics, like getting a website of resources available, and we’ll go from there. So is there a website? Yes – you can get to it from the Diocesan website, or go straight to it. It’s called anglicanchildren.org. It’s still under development so more resources will come, but there’s a good amount of helpful stuff there already. For example, want to do a lesson about Joshua?
Ok that all sounds a good achievement for just a short time. What else do you want to achieve? I hope to provide churches with usable robust policy templates (such as a simple version of the standard safety policies); provide a variety of practical resources, that keep getting added to, so children’s workers can spend less time on activity planning and more time on relationship building, succession training, prayer, and so on – aspects of the role sometimes neglected in our busy and often overscheduled lives; I plan to get a picture of how children’s ministry is looking in the Diocese and develop a database of children’s workers; and from all of this put together a plan going forward to support and grow the ministry, increase collaboration across the full young people’s ministry networks (early childhood to young adults), and grow our children’s faith and discipleship. Wow. Big Goals. Fantastic. You sound incredibly passionate about what you do. Can you tell our readers why you got into Children’s ministry in the first place? Well I suppose I’d always had a heart for ministry having learned that from Pastor Murray, such an awesome preacher, who taught that our calling was to love and serve people, like Jesus did, and reinforced the message so much that mission was
just a normal part of our lives. God has given me a heart for children and children’s faith. I fell into working with kids, and as I did so, God kept bringing me broken, snot-covered, difficult, and sometimes even kids on the spectrum, and I seemed to be able to see past the surface, see their inmost being and sense God’s heart for them. Was there ever a time you didn’t want to do this? Yes – after the earthquakes I struggled a bit and was ready to give up my work. I said to God: “I can’t do this anymore. I’m giving it up.” And in that instant, I got a vivid picture of a dirty kid standing alone on a street corner. God put that image in my heart and mind and I could only respond. My heart wept tears of compassion and I cried out to God saying, “Ok – I hear you Lord. I’ll do it for them.” If I ever get despondent, I just think of that one lonely boy, and my passion is renewed.
Got Children’s Ministry questions or need help? You can email Emma on cmd@anglicanlife.org.nz or call her on 027-7806629. To visit the new website go to: www.anglicanlife.org.nz/ within-our-diocese/youth-andchildren/childrens-ministry or jump directly to the site on anglicanchildren.com
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GLOBAL DISPATCH
BATTLE-READY YOUTH WARRIOR STEPS UP WORDS: Tessa Laing – Global Mission Partner for Uganda PHOTO: c/o Tessa Laing Ever tried going door to door? It can be an emotionally exhausting experience, even in the everwelcoming culture of northern Uganda. Waiting one morning by myself, I was relieved when a young man called Francis arrived to join me along with a group of other young Christians from the largest Anglican church in Gulu town, ‘Christchurch’! When I met Francis for the first time he seemed quiet, but confident and determined. I kept my eye on him, interested to see how he would respond to the challenges we would undoubtedly face, but little suspecting he would prove to be the transforming factor in our struggle. We were about to set off on a mission to establish a boycott movement against sachet alcohol in Gulu. ‘Sachets’ are 100ml plastic packets containing 40% spirits, sold for around 20c (NZ). Unsurprisingly, sachets are a root cause of devastating drinking problems amongst communities in Gulu recovering from 20 years of civil war. While our community campaign succeeded in making sachets illegal in Gulu District, ensuring enforcement of the new law was proving exceedingly difficult. Think police corruption, political 26
Francis at work in his community, fighting the alcohol battle one shop at a time.
interference and bureaucratic mess. The boycott strategy was one of a long line of experiments to make the sachet ban stick. Our basic strategy was to award sachet-free businesses with certificates, and run a campaign to encourage citizens of Gulu to only buy from certified shops! Over four months, Francis and the team surveyed and cross-checked over 400 businesses, and awarded certificates to 280 shops. At the end of a long, difficult day, I sat with Francis outside his church, reflecting on the campaign. For sure, the boycott had prompted many shopkeepers to become sachet-free. But it wasn’t a substitute for real enforcement, and we knew distributers were still laughing at us. At first, I felt reluctant to share my doubts and frustration
with someone I was supposed to be mentoring. He had poured himself into this project, and I didn’t want discourage him. “Do you think we are winning?” I asked hesitantly. Francis, it turned out, shared my concerns. “The enforcement officers are hopeless” he reflected. “It’s almost like we need to run the operations ourselves.” And that was how our next, most successful move was born. Over the following months, Francis blossomed as a leader. We co-designed the ‘citizen observer’ concept together, but it was he who recruited a group of young Christians, trained them, gained the official endorsement of local government and police, and kick started citizen-observer led sachet-ban enforcement operations. The basic concept was that without someone with integrity driving operations to confiscate sachets, police simply accept shop-keeper bribes, or fail to show up at all. Francis’s citizen-observer team worked with police and local leaders to initiate and oversee enforcement and ensure fines collected would pay for the next operation rather than lining policemen’s pockets. It’s working brilliantly. Youth will surprise you, and God will surprise you through them.
HARAKEKE
ADVENT ACTIVITIES JUNIOR (2–7YRS)
BABY JESUS CAME AT CHRISTMAS Read the story of Christmas to your children. There are some fantastic storybooks out there with amazing illustrations. Find one you like and use that. Or read the story from a good children’s Bible: Luke 2:1-20. Alternatively you can let them watch a video from a reputable source. Activity: Below are cut-outs for a manger scene. • Photocopy the outline images below each onto separate pages. You may also want to increase the size of them when you copy them. • Let your young ones colour the images in. Cut them out and paste them on card and re-shape to fit.
• Join the horizontal strips to form a circle and staple or tape closed. This creates a stand for the cut-outs. • Allow your little ones to assemble the manger scene. They might like to add small toy animals or other items to it, like grass or straw. • Use it as your family’s table centrepiece or put it on display on a bookcase or mantle for all to see and admire. You might wish to tack the pieces to a tray so they can be shifted as one unit. Credit: This lesson is based on Bible crafts supplied by Kim Thompson www.kimmitzothompson.com
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HARAKEKE
MIDDLE (8–12YRS)
THE STORY OF SAINT NICOLAS Read the students the feature article in this magazine (pg 19–21), or find a story or video about St Nicolas’ life and use that. Or just read the script below. Saint Nicolas was a person who lived in Greece a long time ago (about 270 years after Jesus died). His parents died when he was young so he lived with this uncle. He was wealthy but had a gentle spirit and didn’t spend his money. We don’t know a lot about him but according to one legend, he was in a boat when a storm came up. He prayed and the storm calmed down. The people who saw this then asked him to lead their church, and so he became the Bishop of Myra. He was known as a good man who helped others. In those days, ladies who wanted to get married had to pay a dowry (some money) before they could get married, and if a family couldn’t afford it, the ladies were sold as slaves. One particular family had three girls and they couldn’t afford to pay, so the girls were going to be sold, but Nicolas, without telling anyone, poked the money through the window so they could be free. He didn’t like people to know it was from him – so he kept all his good deeds quiet. This act of “gift- giving” and paying our debt, is remembered on 6 December each year on St Nicolas Day. This is the start of the story of the jolly man with a beard and funny hat who went around giving gifts to all. So, far from “Santa” being a fake – he is actually based on St Nik and celebrated at approximately the same time. Activity: • Photocopy and enlarge (if desired). Cut out St Nicolas and his cloak (and crozier or staff) and mitre (hat). • Paste the man onto a piece of stiff card and cut to shape. Fold along the dotted line to create a stand. • Drape the clothes on top of the cardboard man and fold the tabs over to make the outfit stay. • You can use the cut-out to create a table centrepiece that tells his story. 30
Credit: This lesson is based on a video www.youtube. com/watch?v=ThPNwh2cqLY and this activity is from a Netherlands website www.voorleeskamer6.webnode.nl
HARAKEKE
SENIOR (13+YRS)
INSIGHT INTO CHRISTMAS Mary and Joseph – when told This lesson focuses on the thoughts and • they would have to journey from feelings of the main characters of the Nazareth to Bethlehem for the Christmas story in the Bible, using group census (worry, tiredness, resignation) discussion, role play and interviews. • Shepherds – when they heard the message from the angels and went Read: to see the baby (fear, confusion, Read the story in a modern version of excitement, overwhelmed, peace) the bible: Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-20, Matthew 1:18-25 or Matthew 2:1-18. Get them to read it out loud interactively each taking one character.
The angels appearing to the shepherds c/o www.redeemerofisrael.org
Discuss: Divide the students into small groups to discuss the reactions of one of the main characters in the story. Give a character or character group i.e. wise men to each small group. Some feelings are identified as examples. • Mary – when first told she was to be Jesus’ mother (excitement, fear, safety, confusion) • Joseph – when he learned his fiancé was pregnant (anger, betrayal, compassion)
P King Herod yelling at his advisors. Painting by E. A. Girardet c/o www.councilofchurches.ca
• Wise men – their long journey to visit the new king (driven, compelled, authority, tired, confusion) • Herod – when he discovered there was a new king whom he thought would challenge his own position (worry, fear, jealousy, anger, violence).
Additional activities: Get the students to discuss changes of reaction for each character. • What were their immediate reactions or feelings? • How did these change as they were told and understood more? • What did they do? • Why did they do this and what did it show? Role play different scenes and angles. • Write a short piece in the form of a newspaper report (for the ‘Jerusalem Post’ or the ‘Bethlehem Evening Star’). • Roleplay and/or video a ‘live’ onthe-ground interview with one or each character for local radio/TV. Credit: This lesson is based on material taken from www.insight.typepad.co.uk Reflect: How do we feel and respond to the story of the birth of Jesus? Is it just a story? Just an annual celebration? An opportunity to get that games console? The birth of a world religion? God demonstrating his love for mankind? God showing his love for me? How do I show God’s Love to others this Christmastime?
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ARTS
PREPARING YOUR HEART FOR CHRISTMAS WORDS: Jo Bean PHOTO: c/o Craufurd Murray This book provides a daily reflection from the week before the beginning of Advent through to Christmas Day, the day we celebrate ‘Emmanuel – God with us’. What better thing for Christian believers to do than to take some time out each day, starting the week leading up to Advent Sunday (2 December 2018), to reflect on the meaning of what we can describe as God’s ‘Grand Plan’. These daily reflections will help us remember the real reason for the season and help us to put into perspective the activities and demands of our everyday lives. The readings are easy to digest, with many accessible anecdotes, and there is something for everyone. This book is the follow up to a previous publication, “A Handful of Light” (compiled with Lynda Patterson in 2008) that included Advent, Christmas and New Year.
n for study groups as well
d points us to Jesus and reflects Professor John bout becoming a person
A HANDFUL OF CHANGE: JOURNEYING THROUGH ADVENT
vent by Craufurd Murray al reflection in the weeks
nday, this book is rich in miliar themes.
A HANDFUL OF CHANGE Journeying Through Advent CRAUFURD MURRAY
CRAUFURD MURRAY
Craufurd Murray is a Canon Emeritus of the Christ Church Cathedral.
At only $10 a copy, orders can be emailed to jenny@ecclesia.co.nz OR craufurd@xtra.co.nz
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MUSIC FOR RECONCILLIATION WORDS: Rev’d Joshua Moore PHOTO: c/o Blueprint Church
Blueprint, an inner-city church in central Wellington and a pioneer mission unit in the Anglican Church, have been involved in replanting a dormant Anglican Church in Lyall Bay. With eight tracks in total, ‘Reconciled’ is an album that captures some of the songs that have arisen from their Sunday evening worship, as well as arrangements of liturgical prayer from A New Zealand Prayer Book: He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa. It’s about the reconciliation that Christ brings in every sphere of our lives and our world. Reconciliation between us and God, between old and new, and between peoples in Aotearoa. Reconciled draws from ancient liturgy and scripture, and Blueprint’s unique experience as a community trying to reconcile the broken things they encounter in their central Wellington neighbourhood. The album is free to all on Spotify, iTunes, and at reconciled.co.nz
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS
SPROUTING YOUNG LEADERS WORDS: Rev’d Lucy Flatt I was scrolling through Facebook the other day and kept seeing the same post: “Seedlings $2 at front gate: Green beans, Zucchini, Butter crunch lettuce” Oh how I wish I could garden! The potential of these seedlings to grow! Did you know that the same word for seedling in the Hebrew Bible is the word for offspring? This is no accident. Like seedlings, our offspring, our young people, need guidance and oversight to grow. Often we see the exterior confidence or fear young people have, and forget that they need coaching. We can forget that like Joshua (Deut 34:9), Timothy (1 and 2 Timothy) and Ruth (Ruth) mentoring was a necessary part of their faith journeys. So how can we encourage our young people? How does the Biblical witness of Joshua, Timothy and Ruth encourage us? Firstly, acknowledging and noticing a young person. Often our young people are so clouded by what is happening NOW that they can struggle to see or commit to tomorrow. Paul, Moses and Naomi noticed their young charges and engaged with them. They provided space to be challenged, to listen and no doubt to pray. They acknowledged these young people as just that — people! Secondly, let’s look at the
Paul sent Timothy on his behalf (1 Cor 4:17; 1 Thess 3:2-3). Imagine sending a young person to people whom you love, on your behalf? What work might you need to engage with to give a true representation? So as you look around and see a young person ask yourself, how might I, like Moses, Paul or Naomi, assist this seedling to flourish and grow into their full God-given potential? What might I pray to encourage them? How might I engage in a real relationship with them? Peter Rabbit’s delight! A Facebook post advertising seedlings for sale. c/o Facebook
commitment of Ruth. When Naomi told her to go home to her own people (Ruth 1:16-18) she refused. She could see Naomi, a woman of God, was worth following, someone she could learn from. Naomi, to her credit, accepted Ruth’s commitment and found space for her in her life. She actively engaged in guiding and growing Ruth. And lastly, in their leadership or responsibilities, give them clear parameters. As those who encourage young people we need to remind ourselves to allow young people space. We are not called to micro-manage them, nor to let them loose. We are called to disciple them. To grow them.
Rev’d Lucy Flatt and her husband Cam have three children. Lucy is the Chaplain and RSE teacher at Craighead Diocesan School, and curate at St John’s, supporting Rev’d Josh Taylor. She was ordained in January this year.
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www.blt.co.nz Suzanne, Andrew and Ian Bell