7 July

National Anglican Theological Hui- a facing “text of terror”

There was plenty of heavyweight scholarship in evidence at this week’s hermeneutic hui. This three day national Anglican hui in Auckland grasped the nettle, and grappled with the scriptures about homosexuality.

But perhaps it was a brief, personal contribution from one of the scholars that put those earnest endeavours into context.

During the final session, Dr James Harding, lecturer in Old Testament Studies at Otago University, spoke of the time when, as a young man, he’d first read 1 Corinthians 6, 9 – 10.

He was, he recalled, face-to-face with a “text of terror” – because he was also coming to the awareness that he was attracted not to women, but to men.

Paul’s warning: “Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor… homosexual offenders… will inherit the kingdom of God” – was for him stark and terrifying.

“What that said to me was: ‘You don’t belong in the Kingdom of God.’

He urged those present at the hui to weigh carefully the real-world consequences of their thinking and pronouncements about such scriptures:

“What effect do they have on the way people feel about themselves? On how they discover themselves in the biblical text? On the way they experience themselves as loved – or not – by God, and by the members of their churches?”

“Our task is not simply a matter of reading the text, then the commentaries, and then figuring what the text means for all time. Because an ‘ethical crunch’ comes when we deal with the effect that our sacred texts have on people’s lives.”

Dr Harding later said that he’d taken to heart a principle outlined by St Augustine: that Christians should always “interpret (Scripture) with charity.”

Dr Harding also said he was “pleasantly surprised” at how generous the hui atmosphere was.

“I loved the way people from different backgrounds, cultures and places were able to share from their standpoints about what the texts mean.” A key to that generosity of spirit, he felt, was the deliberate, three-times-daily undergirding of the hui in worship.

What was finally decided? Anyone who’d imagined that this hui would, finally, produce some decisive outcomes to the biggest internal struggle wracking the Communion, would've been disappointed.

The following remarks, for example, hint at the feeling:

“The deeply personal statements, testimony and moments are so important to forming the bonds that are necessary for good ethical reflection...

“The conversations have helped prepare for difficult conversations in the future.”

The series of hermeneutic hui had been the brainchild of Archbishop David Moxon, and he felt his “modest hopes” for their success had been realised:

“We listened to each other with respect, we played the ball, not the person – and nobody left. I think we’ve created a culture of scholarly, irenic dialogue on a very heated issue.”

There seemed to be widespread relief too that, at last, the hui were getting down to tin-tacks – in other words, to grappling with the texts (Genesis 19; Leviticus 18; Romans 1 and 1 Corinthian 6) at the heart of the controversies.

In Peter Carrell’s view, that was a big plus: “There was an engagement with scripture, an across-the-hui respect for scripture… which helped conservatives feel that their concerns and views were being heard. And taken seriously, even if not necessarily agreed with. There was an acknowledgement that scripture says some things that underline the conservative viewpoint.”

But the conservative evangelicals weren’t the only ones to welcome the focus on scripture. Professor Peter Lineham, for example, who is a gay man, with a Brethren background – was one.

“To me,” he said, “that focus is always worthwhile. It’s got to be resolved. You can’t just put the Scriptures aside in this discussion.

“I think the respectful talking about the Bible would be enormously helpful to conservative people – and I’m not frightened of it.”

The final word is a quote lifted from the feedback: “I remain convinced that scripture is relatively clear on the issues of sexuality, and remain committed to the force of Scripture’s voice. I am, however, utterly challenged by the reality of dealing pastorally with all that happens in our world and church – and most especially, by the deep needs, pain and worth of people.”

(Report from Anglican Taonga website [abridged])

 

6 July

Wide range of topics for Waiapu Regional Conferences

With the first of the three regional conferences taking place in Dannevirke on 17^th of this month, there are already a wide range of motions being presented by a number of organisations, including Anglican Social Services, parishes, the HB Environment, Justice and peace Group and individuals.  These motions include: A new model of Youth Oversight; Social inequality; Child poverty; Alcohol abuse (2); Tairawhiti Oil Drilling and Exploration; Support of Christian World Service; Social inequality; Changes to regional funding, and  Regional Conference representation by young adults.

 

The conferences will also be looking at three large topics:  Episcopal options for the diocese (a review 5 years after returning to having one bishop); the international Anglican Covenant, and future strategic planning for mission and ministry in the Diocese, following on from the Bishop’s Charge to clergy school. (See earlier stories on the Covenant and Bishop’s Charge)

A first for the Hawke’s Bay conference will be a conference bus travelling from Napier/Hastings to Dannevirke as a more environment-friendly form of transport.  35 people have already signed up for this bus.

2 July

Boosting Children’s Ministry in Waiapu

How do we strengthen children’s ministry in Waiapu?  Jo Crosse has started the work with Bishop David’s support. 

Her initial response: “I want to emphasise the positive way people have responded to these initial approaches, and the desire to see children's ministry grow and develop.”

An survey responded to by 24 Waiapu parishes showed:

16  have Sunday School or equivalent

18  have All Age Worship

12  have Preschool Music or Mainly Music

8    have CRE (Bible-in-Schools) involvement

3    have children’s groups eg:  drama, music, etc

2    have after school programmes

3    have Anglican Home-Based Childcare

7    have early childhood services in their parishes

9    have Growing Through Grief

13  have social events for children and families

 

Other ministries for children included holiday programmes, choristers, Toybox, home group on parenting.

Resources varied, but the majority (9 parishes) use “Seasons of the Spirit”, with 4 using Scripture Union material, 3 using “Living Stones”, and others using a variety of materials including websites.

Little if any formal training has been offered other than the Waiapu Youth Leader Training Weekends, and a couple of people had attended events outside the diocese.

Jo and Julie Hintz, national children’s facilitator attended gatherings in Rotorua and Hawke’s Bay.

Jo’s observations to the regional gatherings

“In spite of our request that people think broadly about children’s ministry and future directions for us as a diocese, much of the small group discussion was firmly centred on the various local contexts.  However some broad themes did emerge:

Perceived strengths included our community connections, our facilities and potential to access resources, general goodwill towards the Anglican Church, our tradition and focus on faith formation, the programmes we currently offer, and having enthusiastic, passionate, committed leaders.

Challenges:  “How do we get people to engage with what we have to offer?” and “How do we recruit/train/resource leaders?” Almost all of the challenges were to do with church facing ministry.

Opportunities included suggestions like connecting with/developing relationships with schools, after school and holiday programmes, making better use of technology, connecting more through social services, utilising our volunteer base, and offering hospitality.

Suggestions for future directions (from gathering participants):

#  Resourcing and networking – would like recommended resources, a diocesan resource centre for children’s ministry, resource database, email networking with other children’s ministry leaders, training for leaders, recruiting leaders and building teams, have a magazine for children.

#  Finding ways to connect with our communities

#  Intergenerational – need to be working with parents of children as well, “cradle” roll to keep contact with families who’ve had children baptised , email database of families, consider how we transition from children’s → youth → adult ministry

#  Discipling – we need to see children as leading and serving rather than just receiving ministry.

The final contribution made at the HB gathering was a heartfelt plea that something comes of this consultation.  There are some wonderful passionate and committed leaders who have often been working with little recognition of their ministry.

For many the model of children’s ministry they envisage is centred around Sunday worship or on programmes run from the church buildings.  There is an awareness of the need to look out to our communities, but few who have the desire to do this themselves, or who feel equipped to do this.  If we are to engage missionally with children’s ministry then there will need to be significant training and support put in place, and some examples offered as models.

Beginning suggestions

1.  Support for existing ministries:

Needs to happen immediately:

#  Set up a contact database for children’s ministry (underway)

#  Regular newsletter.

#  Offer resources and planning tools specific to children’s ministry for

#  Get articles into Waiapu News, on the website and to StraNdZ about children’s ministry.

Needs to happen very soon

#  Regional training.

#  Annual regional children’s event – Sports day? Regional service?

#  Set up resource database

#  Ensure children’s/families needs are catered for at regional and diocesan.

2.  Thinking about mission focussed children’s ministry:

#  Identify two or three parishes who are well positioned to begin/expand in a mission-focussed children’s ministry.  Get alongside the leaders who are involved to provide specific support and assistance as necessary and to ensure these ministries are well resourced. These leaders then become resource people for others as more parishes begin to work in this way.

#  Ensure there is a clear connection to the diocesan mission strategy, and consider how children’s ministry will connect with, and relate to, the youth network.

#  Get people thinking about mission by having a diocesan competition to design a symbol for children’s ministry/missional ministry in general – “What it means to be church in our community”, or something like that. 

 

2 July

 

The Anglican Communion Covenant – Extracts

 

The Covenant to be discussed at Regional Conferences is available on the Waiapu website under “Publications”.  Here is a summary made up of key extracts from the 9 page document.

 

Each Church affirms: 1) its communion in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, worshipping the one true God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

2) the catholic and apostolic faith uniquely revealed in the Holy Scriptures and set forth in the catholic creeds

 

3) the Holy Scriptures as containing all things necessary for salvation and as being the rule and ultimate standard of faith.

 

4) the Apostles’ Creed, as the baptismal symbol; and the Nicene Creed.

 

5) the two sacraments ordained by Christ himself – Baptism and the Supper of the Lord

 

6) the historic episcopate

 

7) the shared patterns of our common prayer and liturgy

 

8) its participation in the apostolic mission of the whole people of God

 

Each Church affirms:

1) communion as a gift of God

 

2) our ongoing refashioning by the Holy Spirit through the gifts and sacrificial witness of Anglicans from around the world; and our summons into a more fully developed communion life.

 

3) in humility our call to constant repentance

 

4) As the Communion continues to develop into a worldwide family of interdependent churches, we embrace challenges and opportunities for mission at local, regional, and international levels.

 

Each Church affirms:

1) that by our participation in Baptism and Eucharist, we are incorporated into the one body of the Church of Jesus Christ

 

2) its resolve to live in a Communion of Churches.  Each Church, with its bishops in synod, orders and regulates its own affairs and its local responsibility for mission.  Churches of the Anglican Communion are bound together “not by a central legislative and executive authority, but by mutual loyalty sustained through the common counsel of the bishops in conference.”

 

3) the central role of bishops as guardians and teachers of faith,  representing the universal Church to the local, and the local Church to the universal and the local Churches to one another. 

 

4) We acknowledge four particular Instruments at the level of the Anglican Communion which express this co-operative service in the life of communion:

·         The Archbishop of Canterbury

·         The Lambeth Conference

·         The Anglican Consultative Council is comprised of lay, clerical and episcopal representatives from our Churches.  It facilitates the co-operative work of the Churches of the Anglican Communion

·         The Primates’ Meeting is convened by the Archbishop of Canterbury for mutual support, prayer and counsel. 

 

Acknowledging our interdependent life, each Church, reliant on the Holy Spirit, commits itself:

 

1) to have regard for the common good of the Communion in the exercise of its autonomy, to support the work of the Instruments of Communion with the spiritual and material resources available to it, and to receive their work with a readiness to undertake reflection upon their counsels, and to endeavour to accommodate their recommendations.

 

2) to respect the constitutional autonomy of all of the Churches of the Anglican Communion, while upholding our mutual responsibility and interdependence in the Body of Christ, and the responsibility of each to the Communion as a whole.

 

3) to spend time with openness and patience in matters of theological debate and reflection, to listen, pray and study with one another in order to discern the will of God.  Some issues, which are perceived as controversial or new when they arise, may well evoke a deeper understanding of the implications of God’s revelation to us; others may prove to be distractions or even obstacles to the faith.  All such matters therefore need to be tested by shared discernment in the life of the Church.

 

4) to seek a shared mind with other Churches

 

5) to act with diligence, care and caution in respect of any action which may provoke controversy,.

 

6) in situations of conflict, to participate in mediated conversations.

 

7) to have in mind that our bonds of affection and the love of Christ.

Mutual commitment does not represent submission to any external ecclesiastical jurisdiction. The Covenant does not grant to any one Church or any agency of the Communion control or direction over any Church of the Anglican Communion.  The Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion, responsible to the Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates’ Meeting, shall monitor the functioning of the Covenant. The Standing Committee may request a Church to defer a controversial action. If a Church declines to defer such action, the Standing Committee may recommend to any Instrument of Communion relational consequences which may specify a provisional limitation of participation in, or suspension from, that Instrument until the completion of the process set out below.

On the basis of advice received from the Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates’ Meeting, the Standing Committee may make a declaration that an action or decision is or would be “incompatible with the Covenant”.

 

On the basis of the advice received, the Standing Committee shall make recommendations as to relational consequences which flow from an action incompatible with the Covenant.

 

Any covenanting Church may decide to withdraw from the Covenant.

 

 

 

1 July

Farewell to HB ministry couple

 

It was a farewell but not a farewell to Fred and Brenda Ebbeling at St James’ Mahora on Sunday.  Fred is retiring as Local Shared Ministry priest after 8 years, and Brenda is stepping down as a member of the Ministry Support Team.  In recent years Brenda has taken responsibility for the strong training and education activities within the parish.

 

However, both Fred and Brenda will be remaining as members of the St James’ congregation, and Fred acknowledges that he will not be hanging up his stole completely, being willing to help out on an occasional basis.

 

The parish acknowledged their valued joint ministry with a special liturgy, including letters of appreciation from Bishop David, and invited them each to plant a tree outside the new parish lounge.

22 June

Head of US Anglicans to visit NZ

Two of the most talked-about Bishops in the Anglican Communion are about to visit these shores.

The Most Rev Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church (in effect, the Anglican Church in the United States) will spend a few days in New Zealand later this month.

Bishop Jefferts Schori has achieved unique distinction in several areas.

She is a scientist (with a doctorate in oceanography); a pilot – and she is the first woman to lead a national church in the 520-year history of the Anglican Church.

By virtue of The Episcopal Church’s ‘go-it-alone’ stance on the ordination of gay bishops, the Presiding Bishop knows she may also be a controversial visitor, and her visit to New Zealand will be a low-key, informal affair.

“Last year,” says Archbishop David Moxon, “the Presiding Bishop told us that she was planning a visit to Australia, and she asked us then whether she could stop over en route in New Zealand.

“As Archbishops we’re simply responding to her request with the normal hospitality that we extend to Primates of the Anglican Communion.

“There’s no set agenda for this visit, no conferences or summits – we’ll simply be having informal conversations about our respective missions. Her visit is also an opportunity for this church to describe our approach to the questions on sexuality before the Anglican Communion.

“Reciprocal visits between provinces,” says Archbishop David, “are a normal part of our Anglican way of life, and we want to extend the appropriate hospitality to the Presiding Bishop.”

Low key and unofficial her visit to New Zealand may be – but there will be a number of opportunities for people to hear her speak, both in Auckland and Christchurch, although not in Waiapu.

Author of Mission-Shaped Church also to visit

The other visitor is The Rt Rev Graham Cray, an English bishop whose reputation has spread far beyond the United Kingdom.

He led the Church of England committee which in 2004 produced Mission-Shaped Church – a landmark report which is reshaping thinking about mission not just in the UK, but throughout the Anglican Communion.

And in 2008, at the invitation of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, he resigned as the Bishop of Maidstone to take up full-time leadership of the Fresh Expressions movement.

Fresh Expressions  is about exploring how the church can reshape itself to connect with people who have no links with the traditional church; and about nurturing the planting of churches in unlikely places and ways – church in the pub, for example; church for skateboarders; church in isolated rural communities; “new monasticism” etc. (see: http://www.sharetheguide.org/section1 )

“Fresh Expressions,” says Archbishop David Moxon, “is one of the most significant developments in mission and evangelism to emerge in the past 25 years – not just in the Anglican Communion, but across all the mainstream churches.

“Bishop Cray is an outstanding communicator – and his visit provides Anglicans here with a rare opportunity to grasp the implications and potential of the emerging church movement.”

Bishop Cray accepted an invitation by Dr Tom Brown, the Bishop of Wellington, to speak at this year's Wellington Diocesan Clergy conference.

He then accepted a further invitation from Bishop Victoria Matthews of Christchurch, and will begin his New Zealand visit by speaking at a two-day seminar at Lincoln University on July 8 and 9 entitled: Fresh Mission: The New Anglican Expressions of Church, followed by Fresh Expression: Theology and Practice at St Christopher’s Avonhead on Saturday July 10.

(See also: http://www.chch.anglican.org.nz/Resources/Fresh-Mission-New-Anglican-Expressions-of-Church-Conference-Registration-Form )

Bishop Cray will then speak at the Wellington Clergy Conference in Masterton, from July 14 through 16 (entitled Fresh Frontiers).

On the afternoon of Friday July 16 he’ll be available to speak to leaders of other denominations about Fresh Expressions at The Anglican Centre in Wellington, and that same evening he will engage with young people there.

 

15 June

Research into Seasons™ Programme confirms the major impact it has on young lives

 

Pictured: Joy Tomoana at Waiapu ASS Research launch

 

TheSeasons™Programme offers support for children and young people who are missing someone from their daily life through the death of a loved one, separation of parents, imprisonment or other major family change. “It’s for you if someone has died or moved away,” one seven year old says.

 

This Anglican Social Service has been running in some areas of New Zealand for nearly 15 years Recent research has shown the major impact this programme has in the lives of young people and their communities.

 

The study identified that a concern for many parents was the anger and aggression of their grieving children. The majority of the children in the study showed a marked decrease in this and other negative behaviours or moods by the end of the programme, many parents reported. The children themselves expressed relief about being to talk to someone about their worries.

 

The National Coordinator Carol Goldie-Anderson, says the focus of Seasons is on peer support and really listening to children. “Seasons has supported thousands of children over the years and the feedback has always been overwhelmingly positive. The research confirms our experience, and the value of this programme for children, their families and their futures.”

 

Available for young people between 5 and 18, the Seasons programme respects all cultural and spiritual beliefs. Waiapu Anglican Social Services Trust Board chief executive officer Liz Andrews says the programme honours and responds to children’s grief. She says Waiapu Anglican Social Services – which oversees the Seasons programme nationally – is fervent in seeking support for Seasons to be more widely available to children. “Assistance of this kind has often been missing in the lives of those who experience mental health issues in adulthood, many of whom speak of serious issues of childhood grief which were not responded to. The same is true among the young people in our justice system, but as yet there is no sustainable funding for this work.”

 

Judy Bailey is the Seasons’ National Patron:  “I know how profoundly grief can affect us and how debilitating it can be, particularly for the very young. The fun, activities based approach of Seasons is achieving remarkable results, as this research confirms.”

 

This study endorses overseas findings that programmes to support children who experience grief and loss can have a very positives impact on their well-being, with benefit to them, their families and communities. The opportunity to talk with others is key. One mother of a 5 year old boy said she enrolled her son because  ”I want him to be able to express how he’s feeling. I don’t want him to grow up to be an angry young man”.

 

Around 1000 children have attended Seasons™ programmes in the past 12 months.

Seasons™ is a local success story, a Tauranga initiative having a national impact. The programme was first used in New Zealand here in Tauranga, in 1997. Since then around 1800 children, young people and adults have attended groups locally. The Mount Maunganui Anglican Parish has the programme at heart. Growing Through Grief , the service which delivers the Seasons™  programme will celebrate 15 years of this work with children by launching the research at St Marys Anglican Church on Friday June 11^th at 5.30pm.  Everyone interested and all supporters are invited to come and hear researcher Joy Tomoana present this evaluation of Seasons and its effectiveness for children.

 

From Tauranga beginnings, Seasons™ is now offered in 20 centres around New Zealand. Seasons Coordinators from around the country will be attending this occasion, hosted by local the Growing Through Grief committees of Tauranga and Te Puke.

 

 

15 June

British Christmas advert campaign

 

The co-founder of a leading UK Christian advertising group have launched a campaign to remind the British public that Christmas is about Jesus Christ.

 

In a country considered to be increasingly secular, the group ChurchAds.net have spent the past decade designing thought-provoking campaigns to keep Christ at the centre of Christmas. This year’s campaign is based around an image of an ultrasound scan of Jesus in the womb–complete with halo.

 

The startling image, accompanied by words “He’s on his way” will continue with the on-going Christmas Starts with Christ campaign launched on bus stops across the UK last Christmas.

 

Chairman of ChurchAds.net, Anglican Francis Goodwin said: “Our poster reflects this new way of announcing the news of a new arrival and places the birth of Christ in an ultra-contemporary context. It offers a fresh perspective on the birth of Christ - creating anticipation and alluding to both His humanity and divinity.”

 

 

 

Waiapu Clergy Conference ends

 

For the first time in a number of years, licensed lay people were invited to join clergy from around the diocese for the Wednesday of the four day long clergy conference. Pictured are the full group on Wednesday outside St Luke's, Havelock North.

 

The highlight of the conference was the input of the Reverend David Battrick, a priest from the NSW diocese of Newcastle. David discussed the extensive training and theological education programme of his diocese, and the different ways his diocese is exploring how its ministry can be relevant to modern society.

 

David was also excited about the proposed new structure for the regional ministry for Central an Southern Hawke's Bay, which will be outlined in next month's Waiapu News

 

8 June

Diocesan clergy meet for the week

Most Waiapu clergy gather today, Tuesday, at the annual clergy conference in Havelock North.  The conference will open with a Eucharist and a Charge from Bishop David.  The guest speaker for three mornings will be Australian priest, David Battrick, who will speak of different forms of ministry. We will also learn about the developing diocesan school of ministry, Colin Hopkirk, our resident psychologist, will put us through our paces and Helen Jacobi will use some of her doctorate experience to take a plenary session on preaching. 

Wednesday breaks with recent tradition by being open to licensed lay ministers to attend as well.

8 June

General Secretary of ACC asks Anglicans to step down from international roles

The Revd Canon Kenneth Kearon, General Secretary of ACC, reports on the Anglican News Service, that he has responded to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Pentecost letter requiring people, diocese and provinces who are not prepared to hold to the moratorium to step down from international Anglican bodies.  He writes:

“Last Thursday I sent letters to members of the Inter Anglican ecumenical dialogues who are from the Episcopal Church informing them that their membership of these dialogues has been discontinued.  In doing so I want to emphasise again as I did in those letters the exceptional service of each and every person to that important work and to acknowledge without exception the enormous contribution each person has made.

I have also written to the person from the Episcopal Church who is a member of the Inter Anglican Standing Commission on Unity Faith and Order (IASCUFO), withdrawing that person’s membership and inviting her to serve as a Consultant to that body.

I have written to the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada to ask whether its General Synod or House of Bishops has formally adopted policies that breach the second moratorium in the Windsor Report, authorising public rites of same-sex blessing.

At the same time I have written to the Primate of the Southern Cone, whose interventions in other provinces are referred to in the Windsor Continuation Group Report asking him for clarification as to the current state of his interventions into other provinces.

These are the actions which flow immediately from the Archbishop’s Pentecost Letter.”

 

7 June

First woman Dean for Auckland

Auckland's first female dean was a lawyer before she became a priest.

 

And Jo Kelly-Moore says there are several similarities between her commercial litigation career and her upcoming role as the Anglican Church's Dean of Auckland.

 

Mrs Kelly-Moore said while there was some crossover with her careers, her "calling" was the same for both. Her passion then, and now, was to work with people and help them.

 

"That was certainly ... at the heart of what drew me into the law. Being part of a church, there's a lot that's very similar. We have administration and business operations and we're there to serve people and the community. And we're certainly about justice and truth.

 

"Being a litigator in court, you need to find your voice, and that is very much part of the role of the dean. We engage with a lot of issues and we engage with society at all levels, so those skills and abilities are also something that I already call on."

 

Mrs Kelly-Moore says there are also differences. "I don't fill out six-minute time sheets any more, which is a bit of a blessed relief," she said with a laugh.

 

"I suppose the salary's a bit different, too," she added with a wink. But she wouldn't be drawn on which role paid more.

 

Mrs Kelly-Moore is excited about dealing with both the community and its leaders in the lead-up to Auckland becoming a Super City.

 

Mrs Kelly-Moore was appointed to the role after the former dean, Ross Bay, was elected bishop.

 

She will leave her role of the past six years - vicar of St Aidan's Church in Remuera - in August.

 

Asked whether she would have a different leadership style because she is a woman, Mrs Kelly-Moore said: "I think I bring the gift and vision of a priest, like all my colleagues.

 

"It is a privilege to be the first woman Dean of Auckland, but as an individual and probably growing up in the era that I have, I tend to find my vocation as a human being doing what I'm called to do rather than focusing on being a woman as such."

 

A growing number of ordained women are in paid roles within the church, and about 40 per cent of the paid positions are filled by women.

 

In her spare time, Mrs Kelly-Moore enjoys entertaining friends and family, walking and running, and spending time with her husband Paul, who works in social services, and their sons Adam, 9, and Nathan, 6.

 

She will be the ninth Dean of Auckland.

 

New Zealand Herald

 

 

1 June

Introducing New Deacon Assistant for St Luke’s Havelock North

 

Ruth Dewdney has been accepted for ordination into the Diaconate and will be ordained on 25 July. She will then become stipendiary Deacon Assistant at St Luke’s Havelock North. 

Her appointment was announced to the people of Havelock North during the Parish AGM and at St Clare’s Flaxmere on Sunday. Ruth is no stranger to St Luke’s and is currently doing ‘work experience’ in the Parish as part of her road towards ordination. Havelock North looks forward to welcoming Ruth in a new capacity and celebrating her ordination with her. We asked Ruth to tell us her story.

 

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses ...”   This verse is very true for me. My father was in the Anglican Church Army and my maternal grandparents and great grandparents were missionaries in China, so in many ways, I didn’t have a chance.  I grew up knowing Jesus and the Anglican Church.  The Christian faith was part of our family life.  Coming to New Zealand in 1969, getting confirmed and experiencing the Eucharist for the first time was the beginning of my life of ministry. 

I joined the Church Army and for many years was a Children, Families and Youth worker in the Wellington Diocese working in several parishes.  After a spell of ill health I trained as a teacher and moved to the Hawke’s Bay bringing my elderly mother with me, to teach children with Special Needs in Hastings. 

 

Having moved to Flaxmere we joined St Clare ‘s. Since then I have grown in my love for liturgy and help lead the services on a Sunday. I’m part of the FACE Centre work with the Foodbank and help when I can with the weekday ministry which is not often enough.  A couple of years ago I voiced what had been a growing sense of God’s call to the ordained ministry. I bring a rich heritage from my past, a deep love for God and a faith that has been tested through the years. Living in Flaxmere has heightened my awareness of ministry to and with the community and I look forward to what God will do with and through me in this diocese.”

 

3 June

John Bluck series on National Radio

 

Bishop John Bluck will be doing a six part series on National Radio on weekday afternoons starting next Tuesday June 8 at 2.30pm on the Jim Mora Show.  If you are interested and not able to listen at that time, remember that you should be able to pick it up on the Radio NZ website.

1 June

Archbishop of Canterbury addresses “rebel” Anglican Provinces

 

In his Pentecost letter to the Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury acknowledges that Anglicans are experiencing a period of transition in the world: 'when the voice and witness in the Communion of Christians from the developing world is more articulate and creative than ever, and when the rapidity of social change in 'developed' nations leaves even some of the most faithful and traditional Christian communities uncertain where to draw the boundaries in controversial matters - not only sexuality but issues of bioethics, for example, or the complexities of morality in the financial world.'

 

The Archbishop makes clear that when a province 'declines to accept requests or advice from the consultative organs of the Communion, it is very hard to see how members of that province can be placed in position where they are required to represent the Communion as a whole. This affects both our ecumenical dialogues...and our faith-and-order related groups'

 

Dr Williams goes on to makes two specific proposals. Firstly, that members of provinces that are in breach of the three moratoria requested by the Instruments of the Communion should no longer participate in the formal ecumenical dialogues in which the Anglican Communion is engaged.

 

Secondly, that members of these provinces currently serving on the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order (a body that examines issues of doctrine and authority) should, for the time being, no longer have full membership, but retain the status of consultants. 'This is simply to confirm what the Communion as a whole has come to regard as acceptable limits of diversity in its practice'.

 

The Archbishop finally urges that 'everyone should be reflecting on how to rebuild relations and to move towards a more coherent Anglican identity (which does not mean an Anglican identity with no diversity)' and to remember that 'there are things that Anglicans across the world need and want to do together for the care of God's poor and vulnerable that can and do go on even when division over doctrine or discipline is sharp'.

 

The Anglican Communion News Service notes that in this statement the Archbishop is referring to three moratoria:

1) No authorisation of blessings services for same-sex unions;

2) No consecrations of bishops living in same-sex relationships;

3) No cross-bo