Issuu

From the editor

Tēnākoe,Maloelelei,Nisabulavinaka,안녕하세요,Fakaalofalahiatu, Kiaorana,你好,Noa‘ia,Hello!

AndsowehavecometothefinaleditionofOverflowfor2024.We aimtosharestoriesfromaroundthecountry,celebratehowGodis workinginourmidst,encourageeachotherandprovideaccessto resourcesthatsupportusinourowncontext.

Oneofthebiggestchallengeswefaceisinhowwe,theChurch, supporteachotherintheworkGodhasforeachofus.Weknowthat wearealluniqueandgiftedindifferentwaysandourlifeexperiences haveequippeduswithdifferentperspectives.

Thankfullyweallhaveonethingincommon,Jesus.Andinthisseason weareremindedaboutwhoHeisandwhyHecametothisearth.We areencouragedintheknowledgethatHeknowsthechallengeswe facebecauseasahumanHehasexperiencedthemtoo.

Isaiah9

6Fortousachildisborn, tousasonisgiven, andthegovernmentwillbeonhisshoulders. Andhewillbecalled WonderfulCounselor,MightyGod, EverlastingFather,PrinceofPeace

7Ofthegreatnessofhisgovernmentandpeace therewillbenoend HewillreignonDavid’sthrone andoverhiskingdom, establishingandupholdingit withjusticeandrighteousness fromthattimeonandforever ThezealoftheLordAlmighty willaccomplishthis

Inprayer,

A very Un-Christmas Story

Rev. Brett Jones - National Superintendent

I’ve been reflecting on how to preach the Christmas story from John’s gospel – it’s the gospel we are following for Advent at East City Wesleyan.

John doesn’t have any space for shepherds and angels, feeding troughs and magi. There’s hardly anything of “Christmas” in John’s story - it’s a very un-Christmas story. For John it’s all about Jesus, the light of the world; Jesus who is full of grace and truth. Jesus who was with God in the beginning of all things – Jesus who is God, come in the flesh to take the guesswork out of the search for meaning beyond ourselves.

This is the story behind the familiar story of the nativity. That God would come to us in flesh. That God would allow us to see in the life of Jesus what a fully realised human life might look like – what fullness of life looks like. Life where there’s no pretence in how we live. Life where we can speak the truth about ourselves and others, because we see the truth about ourselves and others, that we are loved beyond measure by this God who came in the most truthful way he could. The creator coming to be with his creation. A “searchlight moment” that reveals in stark relief the truth at the heart of Creation. A moment of truth that defines Christianity in a way like no other. Jesus, full of truth.

There’s also something about light that comes to us as warmth and inclusion. Light that says you ’ re welcome, like a campfire. We find this kind of light in John’s gospel too – Jesus the Word who brought light and life into the world at Creation with those words of creation: let there be light. It was this light that gave us love and beauty and art and music – all that brings us joy and hope in our world is this light that comes to us all.

But John also tells us that the true light was coming into the world –actually coming to be with what he created. And when he comes, he comes not only full of truth, but also full of grace.

It’s a different kind of light this grace – it’s not like the spotlight of truth, it’s more like the campfire which says come sit there is space here for everyone. It that kind of light which signals warmth and welcome, safety and grace inside the circle of the fire’s glow.

I don’t know what it is about us human beings that makes it so hard for us to embrace this kind of light; that makes it so hard for us to believe that God is not angry at us or disappointed in us or somehow disapproving of us in a manipulative kind of way. I don’t know why we find it so hard to accept that God favours us, longs for us, loves us –which is what motivates Jesus’ entry into the world as a human being. Jesus, full of grace.

It’s what John is talking about when he describes you and I becoming children of God. Being a parent mostly means loving our children – and loving our children is not dependent on their performance but simply about their presence. We love our children because they are part of us not because they have done anything in particular to earn that love.

God is the same. He loves us because we are His. His children. And so, when we accept the welcome to sit at the campfire of God’s love we are acting out his promise to accept us as his children. At that point there is nothing we can do to earn or deserve or qualify for His grace. Other than to sit there and accept it. This is light that comes to us as grace and truth. Undeserved favour. Welcome. Warmth. Inclusion. Jesus, full of grace and truth.

Now that’s a very Christmas story!

Carolling at Parliament

On Wednesday 20th

November members of Stream Gathering

Wesleyan Church had the opportunity to participate with a group singing Christmas carols at Parliament by the Speaker of the House through the Universal College of Learning (UCOL).

Waikanae Church Plant

Who are we? What have we been up to?

Lay Pastor Matt Swank

A couple years ago, towards the end of Covid, my wife and I began sensing a call to plant a church in our community. Having read about some of the church planting going on in the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Aotearoa, we reached out to see if we could partner together for planting locally. We connected with Mike Yates and began going through regular coaching and training.

During this time we also formed a small group of people who gather on Sunday afternoons at 4pm for worship, teaching/discussion, prayer and a shared meal. As we have slowly grown we have become a very multicultural community with people from Chile, Venezuela, German, South Africa, New Zealand, and Ecuador.

We have often struggled to find the right language to describe ourselves but have settled on micro church. Our passion is to make disciples who make disciples who make disciples and so on. The reason we have settled on micro church is because we believe it will help us to stay agile. We want to keep things as simple as possible so that we have very little “church” to distract us from the harvest fields. Micro church by its simplest definition is “A worshiping community on mission” (Brian Saunders).

One of the key ways we engage with mission is through what we call “Matthew Parties”. These are gatherings, often at homes, where we bring pre-christians and christians together to build relationships and generate opportunities to share the Gospel. A prime example of this is our annual Christmas Party. This year we had over 40 people, 50% prechristian, attend at our house where we had lots of food, fun games for the kids, and a couple Christmas quizzes. It was a great experience and wonderful opportunity to build relationships with new people.

As we go into 2025 we look forward to more Matthew parties and intentional opportunities to share the Gospel with those who don’t yet know Jesus. Please be praying for us that we would proclaim the Gospel as boldly as we ought to and that we may see many people added to the kingdom.

LifeGrowth Community Playgroup

Jo McWilliams

LifeGrowth community playgroup started on 14th October 2024. Early this year there was a conversation that a playgroup would be a great addition to East City Wesleyan (ECW). 16 years ago, when ECW started their Mainly Music I attended. I realised even back then that this place was special. I joined the Church in Jan 2020 and really started my journey in faith. I loved the idea of once again having a playgroup and bringing people through our doors.

After the Mission series at church and further discussion at homegroup it was really on my mind. Early childhood education and connecting with families is my passion. One night after homegroup about 12am it became very apparent, actually God wanted me to run this playgroup. I sent an email to Brett to see what I had to do to make this happen. Over the followin being made, prayers being sa received.

Seeing the sign for the first time made me so excited. My vision with the support of the Church family had come to fruition. Each week

I plan different activities with a specialised baby area, physical play, music time, playdoh, cars, family play, puzzles and our outdoor area with a sandpit.

On special days we have marked Diwali and Thanksgiving as well as a Christmas party to finish the year. We also celebrate each child on their birthday with a special little gift.

Next year will be a time to grow this playgroup and make new friends and most importantly have lots of fun.

Highlights from ConneXion 2024

In my 60+ years of attending church conferences I have never experienced one like this! It was unique in that the essentials of being part of Living Body of Christ were emphasized right at the beginning. This opened us to the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and empower in all that happened subsequently.

Thoroughly blessed & enjoyed all the sessions and lots of take away notes:

Hearing real stories from the community of evangelism and multiplication at work was powerful

Genuine hunger in worship! The sense of God at work among us was tangible and so encouraging

The acknowledgement of ministers spouses who had passed away was very significant and appreciated

Loved the people, and the hosts, and the food.

Celebrating Hannah Frauenstein Licensed Pastor

It was a real blessing to celebrate my licensing at The Well Church on December 1st. The day was such a celebration and joy, more than I was anticipating! It was a powerful moment onstage having Rev Melissa officiate (who babysat me) and Rev Dr Richard pray (who christened me). All while surrounded by faithful family and colleagues who have seen ministry in me and called it out.

As Rev Steph said, I was definitely the last to know that this was God's call on my life! I am so thankful for my Wesleyan roots and context that has shaped me and is preparing me for a life of vocational ministry. For all, especially in our denomination, who have gone before me and paved the way –I cannot thank you enough.

Congratulations to Catherine Tupou (Lotolelei Holy Trinity Wesleyan Methodist) who was recently made the Deputy Chair for Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa.

Congratulations to Michael Bright (Shore Grace) who was recently elected as a WMCANZ National Council member.

Please note Christmas and New Year leave dates for WMCANZ National Officers.

Rev. Brett Jones: National Superintendent 25th/12 - 7/1 (leave), 8/1-17/1 (ICWC, South Africa), 18/1-25/1 (leave).

Rev. Atu Lagi: Assistant National Superintendent (1/1-7/1 (leave), 8/1-17/1 (ICWC, South Africa), 18/1-9/2 (leave).

Rev. Peter Benzie: Director of Operations 19/12 - 21/1 (leave).

Stream Gathering Wesleyan Church

''The

Search for the

Saviour"

The Search for The Saviour Is A Contrast Of Responses

Some people search for God when they are in trouble, but they don’t want God in their lives As Proverbs 1:27-30 says: “When distress and anguish come then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord They would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke ” BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ALL WESLEYAN FAMILIES IN AOTEAROA From Stream Gathering Wesleyan Church, Papaioea

Event Calendar

Christmas Eve | 24 December

Christmas Day | 25 December

Boxing Day | 26 December

WYCamp | 16-19 January

Donations

We invite you to make donations to the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Aotearoa-New Zealand. Join us to make a difference and reach the lost with the grace and holiness of Jesus Christ. Using the WMCANZ bank account number below, please include your first initial and surname in the particulars field and 'donation' in the reference field.

03-0206-0380248-000

Particulars: e.g. 'J Smith' Reference: e.g. 'Donation' Please email accounts@wesleyan.nz with your details to receive a donation receipt.

Thank you!

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Looking for your local Wesleyan Methodist Church? Click here to find your nearest Wesleyan Methodist church. Services are held in English, Fijian, Rotuman and Tongan with several churches using multiple languages in their worship.