Overflow Magazine - Issue 7

Overflow

Christmas @ Redoubt

By Rev. Peter Benzie

By Rev. Kathy Clifford

By Michelle Yates

By National Superintendent Rev. Brett Jones

Tēnākoe,Maloelelei,NisabulaVinaka,Annyeonghaseyo, Fakaalofalahiatu,Kiaorana,Nǐhǎo,Hello!

Luke2:10

'Buttheangelsaidtothem,‘Donotbeafraid.Ibringyougood newsthatwillcausegreatjoyforallthepeople.'

Thismonthisaseasontocelebrateandrememberthecomingof Jesus.Inthisissueyouwillfindalittlemoreonmissionsand detailsofsomeofthethingsgoingonaroundthemotu(nation).

Wetakethisopportunitytothankallofthosewhohave contributedtoOverflowin2022andlookforwardtocontinuingto provideinspirationandencouragementin2023.

TheOverflowteamwillbetakingabreakforJanuary,returning withthefirstissuefor2023inFebruary.WetrustyourChristmas andNewYearseasonwillbefullofencounterswithChristforyou andyourwhānau.

Rev.DeniseBarrington-Editor

ComingHomeForChristmas

ByNationalSuperintendentRev.BrettJones

CominghomeforChristmas.Itcangobothways.Christmascan bringoutthebestandtheworstofusandourfamilies.There’s somethingaboutbeinghome–whetherit’sachildhoodhomeor simplythepresenceofthosewhoarehometous.Somethingthat sayssafetyandbelongingandthewarmthofbeingknownwithout effort.

There’ssomethingaboutbeinghome–whetherit’sachildhood tragedyoramoreadultdistancing.Somethingthatsayshide yourself,andnotquitebelonginganymoreandthecoldofbeing familiarlyunfamiliar.

Mostlyit’sdowntomemoryandthetwinrutsofcelebrationand regretthatsooftenseemtoruninparalleldowntheyears.Itcanbe oneortheotherbutmostlyit’sbothsometimesatthesametime. We’veallhadthosebestandworstChristmases Iremembertrekking acrosscountrytobeatmyuncle’sfuneral–merryChristmas. TriangulatingthepresenceofapresentinmySantasackthatIhad noticedpackedinthecar–merryChristmas.Seeingsnowforthefirst time–merryChristmas.EnjoyingChristmaswithstrangerswho showedmelove–merryChristmas.ExperiencingChristmasaftermy Dad’sdeath–merryChristmas.DoingChristmaswithyourfirstchild whentheygetoldenoughtoknowthejoyofitall–merryChristmas

ForJoseph,cominghomeforChristmaswasjustlikeitisforus–theremusthavebeenanticipationatseeingeveryoneagain.Thefirst ChristmaswasgoingtobeinBethlehem,thehometownofallthose descendedfromKingDavid.Youcanbetitwasgoingtobequitea partyevenifthemainreasontheywereallheadingtherewasfora Romancensus.

AndyetyouwonderwhatfamilygatheringsforJoseph’sfamilywere reallylike.Insomewaysrememberingfamilywasalsotoremember thelossofthefamily’sdestiny.Eventheprophetshadconsigned Joseph’slinetoirrelevanceatthetimeoftheexiletoBabylon.Didthis hangheavyovertheirfamily?

Matthew’sgospelcertainlypointsitoutalongwithJoseph’s Canaanite,AmoriteandMoabiteancestors–foreignerscorrupting thepurityoftheline.Wasfamilyaboutshame,andlossandwhat mighthavebeen?

ButthisChristmaspromisedtobeparticularlyinteresting.Itmight havebeenthebestChristmasever.JosephwasbetrothedtoMary.In justafewshortmonthstheirmarriagewouldbecomecomplete–MarywouldmovetoJoseph’shome;afinalceremonywouldhappen. Hehadasteadyjobaspartofarespectableprofessionasa carpenter.AndnowitwasallinruinsMarywaspregnant.And whicheverwayyousliceit–whetherhewasgoinghomefor Christmaswithherorwithouther–itwasnotwhatJosephwantedor expected.Hecouldgohomewithher,swallowhisprideatbeingthe fatherofsomeoneelse’schild–orhecoulddivorcehereither publiclyandopenupthepossibilityofMarybeingstonedfor adulteryorprivatelyandreturnhomewithashadowoverhisown characterwiththeunansweredquestionofwhythebetrothalhad cometoanend.

ThefirstChristmaswasmessyandcomplicated.Justlikeours. GoinghomeforChristmaswasbothacelebrationandachallenge. Justlikeours.

AndGodusesordinarypeopletoaccomplishextraordinarythings. Justlikeus.

ButtheyhadtogohomeforChristmastodoit.Justlikeus. WhatdoesitmeanforyoutogohomeforChristmasin2022?Who areyoutakingwithyou?GodcallsusHischildren,weareHisfamily. AndinJesuswefindahomewherebothpastmistakesandfuture possibilitiesdonotholdusawayfromtheloveoftheFather.Merry ChristmasasyoufindyourwayhomeforChristmas.

BrettcontinueshisComingHomeforChristmasthemeinthisyears Christmasmessage…whatwasreallyupwiththestable?

ClickhereforBrett'sChristmasMessagevideo

My Missionary Journey

By Rev. Kathy Clifford

AclearcallfromGodbegantheideathatIwouldbegoingoverseas toserveHim.TobeginwithIchallengedsuchabigidea,asIfeltI wasdoingalotof‘great’thingsforHimhereinNZasapastorina semi-ruralchurchinTaranaki.ButtheLordrespondedveryclearly withthefollowing:“YousayyouwanttoserveMe,butyouare wantingtodoityourway.WhateveryoudoinNZfromnowon,even inmyName,Icannotbless,asthatisnotwhereIwantyou!” Ouch,okay,IndiahereIcome.

Inspiteofthathesitantstart,IamverythankfultoGodforthehonour andprivilegeofservingHim,firstofallinIndia(andlater Bougainville),fromtheyear2000.Ihavesomefabulousmemories thatthrillmyheart.ServingGodintheseplacestookmetosome veryremoteareaswhereImetsomeverylovelypeople,andIknow thatthatiswhereGodwantedme,asmanyothermissionariesdid notlikegoingtothoseremoteplaces,becauseof‘thelackof facilities’,butforme,themoreremote,themoremyheartwasstirred. Leadershiptrainingwasalwaysthemainfocus,asmanypastorsin theseareasdidnotreceiveagoodtheologicaleducation,sothis ministrywasverymuchneeded.Alongsidethiswasbeinggiven manyopportunitiestopreachinthelocalchurchesand/orhome fellowships,givingmeanopportunitytoalsoencouragethepeople intheirfaithjourney.

Severaltimesthisministrytookmeintosomequite‘dangerous’ places,butallthetimeIknewtheprotectionofourLord,andHis guidance,andHisprovision.

In2006IwasinvitedtogotoBougainvillewithateam–‘justfor2 weeks!’Didthat,butanotherphonecallcameacoupleofmonths latertoaskmetogoagain,andonanongoingbasis–“Theyneed you!Thereisnooneelseavailable!”

So,IbeganthejourneyofworkingbothinIndiaandBougainville eachyear.Itactuallyworked.Bougainvillesawmeworking predominantlyintheWMCBibleSchoolalongsidethelocal principal,andalsotakingtheopportunitytogoouttothevillagesto meet,andencouragethelocalbelievers.ThattooIreallyenjoyed, eventhoughgettingtheremeantgoingbyboat,bytruck,orwalking upthemountain,etc.Italladdedtotheadventureofservingthe Lordintheseoff-shoreplaces.

IstoppedgoingtoIndiaabout2015,andfocusedonBougainville, butatthesametimeservingtheNZNationalChurchinaseniorrole. COVIDstoppedmegoingtoBougainville,anditisinthisintervening periodthatIhaverealisedthatmyseasonforservingoverseashas cometoanend.(Iwouldlovetogobacktobothplacesforavisit!) Now,Iamfocusingonanothercall–tobepartofachurch-plantin Rotorua.AnotherclearcallfromGodtocontinueinHisKingdom work.

Heneedspeopleindifferentpartsoftheworldtobeavailableto Him,whetherinourownland,orinadifferentplace.Godknows whoweare,andwantstogrowusanduseus,forHisglory.

Global Missions

By Michelle Yates

TheGlobalMissionsDepartmentishummingwiththesignificanceof thisjunctureinourhistory.Wemarkthepoignantendofthe wonderfuleraofRevKathyClifford's13yearministryinBougainville. WhatanincrediblelegacysheleavesbehindinBougainville.Rev. Kathywillalwaysberememberedfondlyandwithhonourand respectbythepeopleintheWesleyanChurchinBougainville.And inGod'screation,wherethereisanending,anewbeginningalso existsandinthiscaseitcomesintheformofRev.KevinBrown,new educationadvisertoTanamaloBibleCollege,onBukaisland, Bougainville.

DuringourConference,itwasgreattohearhisthoughtsandhis hearttowardsthepeopleofBougainville,andweacknowledge God'sdivineprovisionofRev.Kevin,forthenextseasonofministry atTanamaloBibleCollege.

PastorIsaacGarnean,inBukaTown,Bougainville,hashis constructionteambackworkingontheMissionHouseProject(part ofRev.Kathy'slegacy),thankstotherecentcashinjectionfromthe WMCANZGlobalMissionsDepartment.Hallelujah.

TheGlobalMissionsChristmasAppealfor2022,willgodirectlyto supportingAidefforts,onthegroundinUkraine.Astheycontinueto resistRussianinvasion,thereisgreatsufferinginUkraine,andthere aremanyinternationalaidagenciesprovidingcruciallife-givingAid.

WewillbesendingourChristmasAppealtoUkraineviaourlocalaid agency,TearFund.PleaseseetheAdinthemagazinefordetailson howtogive.

"NowuntoHimwhoisabletodoimmeasurablymorethanallwe askorimagine...toHimbeglory..."Eph3:20

Christmas@ Redoubt

ByRev.PeterBenzie

WhatwouldChristmasbewithout theChristmaslights?Wellofcourse itwouldbeaboutthebirthofour Saviour–JesusChrist–andthat’s whyeveryyearwedisplaythe nativitysceneinprideofplaceatthe frontofthechurch.Wedraw attentiontoitandthenativitystoryin picturesandscripturebyfestooning thechurchandcarparkwith ChristmasLights. Notonlydoesourcommunitysee andreadofthetruemeaningof Christmas,butsodothosewho comefromfartherafieldtoviewour community’sanswertoFranklinRd i.e.thehousesinMondePlwhichare allbrightlylitalso. Thenativityfiguresinthesephotos arenowover20yearsoldandstill lookgreat,don’tthey.

EveryoneWelcome

Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us at the church – 51 Diorella Drive, Clover Park at either or both of our Christmas services: Christmas Eve – Carols by Candlelight @ 8:30pm Christmas Day – 45 minute service @ 10:00am ps – these photos don’t do the display justice – you really need to come and see them!

Christmas Happenings

East City Wesleyan

Christmas Day Service: 9.30am New Year's Day Service: 10am

Lotoleilei Holy Trinity Wesleyan Church

Christmas Day, we will have a Christmas service, followed by Christmas tree decorating and Christmas song, Christmas Drama, prizegiving's and Christmas gifts for the Children, youth and the families. Lastly, but not the least, a Christmas feast.

Papakura Wesleyan Church (PWC)

23 December, PWC and Redhill Community Centre will host our local community at The Bread Table for Christmas Karaoke and an all-around time of fun and games for the whānau starting at 6:30 pm. Our Christmas day service is at 10 am.

The Stream Gathering Wesleyan Church

Christmas Day

9am - breakfast in Church; 10am - Service 5pm - carolling at Rest Homes in Palmerston North

The Well

5pm & 7pm, Sat 24 December

Join us on Christmas Eve for a very special Christmas play, “Angels We Have Heard…” and carols! This is a wonderful opportunity to invite friends and family who don't usually attend church.

5pm & 7pm, Sun 01 January, Pray First

Nothing is more striking in Jesus' life than the intimate union He shared with His Father through prayer. Our desire is to pattern our lives after His, making prayer our first response, not a last resort. Let’s prioritise praying together by setting aside the evening on the first of the month, every month.

EmploymentOpportunities

LeadPastor-cession|community–Parttime

Anexcitingopportunityhasarisenfortheappointmentofanew permanentpart-timeLeadPastoratcession|community,locatedin HowickPakuranga,Auckland.Ourcession|communityvisionisto see“lifeencounteringtruthaswereflectandofferChrist”. Theprimarypurposeofthiskeyleadershiproleistoprovide visionaryleadershiptocession|community,workingalongsidethe ServantLeaderstodevelopandoverseethelifeanddirectionof thechurch.TheLeadPastorwill

Haveafirmgrasponthepurpose,valuesandstrategyofthe church.

Havetheabilitytoalignstaffandkeyleadershipteamswithits visionandmission.

Offerpastoralleadershiptothecongregationalongside ordainedandlayministers.

Ensurethatthesystems,practicesandpoliciesofthechurch responsiblyandeffectivelysupportitsministryactivities. Prioritisepeoplebeforeprogrammes.

Senior Minister – Millwater Wesleyan Church

Is God calling you to MWC?

Millwater Wesleyan Church is actively seeking a Senior Minister to shepherd our congregation.

Are you:

Sensing a call to Millwater Wesleyan Church? A visionary leader?

Biblically grounded and Holy Spirit-led? Pastorally focused? Local community and mission-minded?

If so, we invite you to discern your call with us and lead our team in “Caring for our Community through Christ.”

A personal relationship with Jesus as Lord and Saviour, committed to God’s work in the world.

An ordained minister within the Wesleyan Methodist Church.

Want to participate in God’s work through a growing local church?

Want to be part of a dynamic and collaborative team? Do you embody the perfect mix of pastoral sensitivity and organisational leadership?

If so, you might be just who we ’ re looking for. The Well Church is seeking an Associate Pastor. This person will be a senior leadership team member who works in a collaborative partnership with our Lead Pastor and directly leads our staff and ministry leaders in the outworking of our church vision and mission according to our values. This person will integrate pastoral sensitivity into the work of building teams, processes, structures, innovate and execute plans that strengthen the leadership and organisational health of our church community.

Click here for more information or a position description.

www.thewellnz.org

Marriage