Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

WITHOUT (TOO MANY) WORDS

A few days ago I flew home from Adelaide, having attended the first College of Bishops meeting for the year. One of the first things I do when I get to my seat in the plane is to decide what, if anything, I’m going to watch or listen to during the flight.

On this occasion I decided I didn’t want to wear the headphones, but would rather simply ‘watch’ something without them. There’s a good reason for this. Headphones make my ears get hot and go red. I don’t like that sort of thing happening much, and I didn’t want it to happen on this particular day!

I chose a replay of the Rugby World Cup Final from last year (just in case readers of this update need a reminder, the final score was: All Blacks 34; the other team 17).

I watched it without any commentary. No words; just pictures. I reckon it sort of fits in with what a lot of sportspeople when they tell us they’re going to let their actions on the field do all the talking.

It was a really interesting thing for me to do. I think I saw more of the game, more of the detail and intricacies of what was going on without words. I had to watch carefully to see what I needed to see, because there was no one telling me what it was that I was seeing (if that makes sense).

I lost nothing of the excitement of the game, and I felt equally a part of what was going, albeit without words. I even cheered a bit, punched the air once or twice (I think the people sitting behind me knew what was going on) … and even though there weren’t words, I just loved Ma’a Nonu’s and Beauden Barrett’s beautiful tries all over again. You just don’t need words for that sort of thing!

Lent seems to me to be the right season for fewer words. Lent seems to me to be the ideal season to allow other things – images, pictures, scenes – to speak, rather than words. It seems the perfect season for fewer words, less commentary … a season for quiet reflection … for looking and seeing … for “beholding the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) … for just beholding him … not talking or speaking, no words … but just looking at him intently with our hearts, and taking it all in.

On Ash Wednesday you were marked with the cross. Words really weren’t needed. There was enough in the grainy ash … the roughish mark on bare skin … the outline of the shape to know what was going on. The cross doesn’t really need words, does it? It speaks of its own accord.

Years ago for Good Friday worship we simply walked the various Stations of the Cross … images … some words, but few, from scripture … just to set the scene. And then we let quietness and stillness before those images, and the Holy Spirit do its thing … speak to us at a different level … speak to the heart.

The final station was the draped crucifix. It didn’t need words. It spoke without words. The figure of Jesus, head draped, crown of thorns, hands stretched out … in love for you and me. No words needed here, and yet it cried out a beautiful message … a simple but profound message from God: I LOVE YOU.

My prayer is that you find enough time and space this Lent to be without too many words … to be still in the presence of God … to be still before the images of cross and thorns and out-stretched hands … to behold the Lamb of God.

REFRESH - POWER FOR REFORMATION AND MISSION

Paul asks this question of the Galatians, "What happened to all your joy?" (Galatians 4:15). He's clear: "It was for freedom that Christ set you free" (Galatians 5:1), and he asks elsewhere "Would you say, then, that he who so lavishly sends the Spirit to you, and causes the miracles among you, is doing this through your practice of the Law or because you believed the message you heard?" (Galatians 3:5).

These are really important questions, touching on truly fundamental issues of Christian experience. Can we see anything of ourselves in them? Is it too much to expect God to refresh us in his joy, confirm us in our freedom and lavish his Spirit upon us afresh? We believe not.

This event aims to:

1. Revive our experience of God through the gospel,
2. Renew our hope in his Promise,
3. Re-fill our heats with his joy, and
4. Reanimate our sense of mission.

We'll be using Galatians as our case study, and through its pages God will hold a mirror up to ourselves; not to highlight our faults and failures, but to enjoy the Light of Jesus as our Father shows us who he is and what he's doing.

Please plan to come to these one day events:

• St Matthew, Hamilton – Saturday 2nd April, 9.30am – 3.30pm
• St Lukes, Palmerston North – Saturday 9th April, 9.30am – 3.30pm

This year, Pastor Noel Due, Mission and Support Pastor for the SA/NT District of the LCA will be our presenter.

REFORMATION 2017 - CHATHAM ISLANDS COMMEMORATION
(31st December 2016 to 3rd January 2017)

In less than a year, we plan to begin our commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation at Te Whakuru on the north-eastern tip of the Chatham Islands, where the first Lutheran missionaries to New Zealand, from the Gossner Mission in Berlin (read about them later in this update) established their mission.

The Working Group will soon have the various price options for travel and accommodation for this event available for you.

If you are interested in coming to the Chatham Islands and receiving information could you please contact me as follows?

• By email – bishop@lutheran.org.nz
• By letter – Bishop Mark Whitfield – P.O. Box 12470, Thorndon, Wellington 6144
• By phone – (04) 3852540 or (028) 85001875

The photo is of the Stone Cottage at Maunganui built by Lutheran missionaries, Engst and Baucke

WEEKEND AWAY - ST PAULS WELLINGTON

Amanda Greenlee writes –

Making the most of the last weekend of the summer holiday, approximately 45 members of St Paul's Lutheran Church in Wellington skipped their typical church service. But it may not be what it seems, they were away attending the much planned and anticipated Summer Church Retreat on the Kapiti Coast.

The retreat was held at El Rancho, the Waikanae Christian Holiday Park. They provided not only amazing facilities and rooms, but also three quality cooked meals a day and fully staffed youth activities. Nice touches of the venue included the mini-golf course being full of Christian symbols, a Chapel on site, and Bibles in every room. The organizers at St. Paul's ensured every member had the opportunity to attend regardless of their means.

Many members of St. Paul's worked hard to plan and promote the retreat. Spiritual activities included spending a good deal of Saturday immersed in a topical Bible study on Ruth. This was followed by a guest speaker, Caroline Preston, working with Red Cross connecting Ruth's experience to those of international refugees and a call out for assistance. Each sunrise offered up a Morning Prayer meetings and nature walk for those early risers.

Organized actives such as ice breaker games, a talent show, obstacle courses, a football game, bush craft, and swimming brought together those from all ages. A standout activity was the facilities new waterside enjoyed by both the spectators and the slide goers.

The retreat finished up on Sunday with a Communion Service including the debut of a new member of the church musical troupe (way to go Andy Knackstedt!).

TREASURING OUR SENIORS - ST PAULS CHRISTCHURCH

Judy Calder writes –

It began with an idea and moved quickly to a very special day for our senior members. Individually hand printed invitations followed. “Honouring our 80s” was the title given to a special celebratory afternoon tea party, organized by St Pauls Leadership Team. It was a time to serve superbly presented food and use the best Royal Albert bone china cups, saucers and side plates. It was the day to be waited on hand and foot and the day to spend chatting and reminiscing with friends from way back. With Pastoral Leader Ahi praying for our seniors to continue their daily walk with our Saviour, it was such a treasured time for everyone. And now it is a warm memory. Our big group of eighty+ year olds felt a wonderful sense of belonging.

What came next? We decided to keep on treasuring our seniors – those who have given their days and lives in support of our church – and those who haven’t been here so long.

Recently Carl Christensen reached his 86th birthday and it was time to celebrate a senior again. We held a special birthday party for Carl. Carl is one of our revered seniors at St Pauls and has links with the Lutheran Church that go way back to his early days in Christchurch. His father helped to build the second St Pauls church building in Montreal Street, the building that later became the hall, when the new church was built next door in the 1960s (where the Chch Art Gallery now stands). During his long association with the church he has occupied a number of different positions, including time spent on the LCNZ National Church Council and various offices in the local congregation. A recent fall at home saw Carl hospitalised, but his determination to walk again won through and he is now cheerfully attending worship again.

UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL CAIRN - HALCOMBE (Sunday 17th April)

You are invited to attend the unveiling of a Memorial Cairn at site of the former St Johns Lutheran Church in Kimber Street, Halcombe on Sunday 17th April at 2.00pm. At this stage I haven’t given any thought to whether we might be able to arrange a simply cuppa after the Rite of Unveiling; if I can organise something, I’ll let you know in the next update.

LUTHER500 CONFERENCE - MELBOURNE

Luther500 is an international theological conference on the theology of Martin Luther. It is being held to mark the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation (in 2017) and intends to explore, positively and critically, the reception of Martin Luther’s theology today and its significance for Christianity in the future, particularly in ecumenical and global dimensions. The conference is being sponsored by Australian Lutheran College (University of Divinity) (ALC) through its research centre, the Australian Lutheran Institute for Theology and Ethics (ALITE). The conference will be held 28th June to 3rd July, 2016, at the Catholic Leadership Centre in East Melbourne.

Luther500 will feature six international Luther scholars as keynote speakers, as well as eight other speakers offering shorter papers in elective sessions, including a number of our own ALC teaching staff.

The conference promises to be a rare and unforgettable opportunity for Lutherans in Australia and New Zealand to hear from and engage with some of the leading international Luther scholars.

In order to assist attendance, we are offering, through a generous grant from the Lutheran Laypeople’s League (LLL), a limited number of scholarships (up to 20) for pastors, lay workers, and other eligible persons, each worth $300. Scholarship information and an application form will be made available on the conference website shortly. Scholarship applications will be due 7th March.

For further information about the conference, please go to the conference website at www.luther500.com.au.

Registrations are expected to open soon.

CHILDRENS MINISTRY PARISH WORKER

Do you love working with children and families in a Christian environment?

Are you looking for an opportunity to nurture and grow children in their faith journey?

The Manawatu Lutheran Parish has a 20 hour (negotiable) position available. For more information please contact our Parish administrator for an application pack at manawatulutheran@inspire.net.nz or at (06) 3570030.

Applications close on 4th March 2016 at 12 midday.

GENERAL CHURCH COUNCIL (GCC) NEWS

The LCNZ rep on GCC, Jill Hobden reports –

This synod period (till the 2018 synod in Sydney) is being treated as a transition period for the various church governance and administration structures. GCC has already begun work on implementing the decisions made at the Brisbane Synod last year as a result of the LCA-wide governance and administration review’s 28 recommendations.

The new Church Worker Support Department is currently being established and a manager, Dr Christine Materne, has been appointed. Two further appointments have been made to the new Board for Support to Pastoral Ministry with one more lay member still to be appointed.

Of interest to NZ; Ray Meharg from Mountainside has been appointed to the Media Ministry Board. Ray’s appointment completes the new Board for this term.

Last year’s General Convention passed a resolution affirming condemnation of all forms of family violence and authorised GCC to commit resources for a church wide campaign to address this issue. Bishop Henderson has received offers of help in this regard from some very highly qualified people which he and GCC members find particularly encouraging.

General Convention passed two resolutions with regard to Ordination. One was a request to CTICR (Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations) to draft a doctrinal statement for the next Convention and, secondly, that the church enter a period of careful theological reflection and pastoral work ... to assist in maintaining its unity and harmony. The doctrinal statement is to present a theological basis for the ordination of men and women and show why this need not be church divisive.

We heard that Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) has just been successfully accredited by DFAT (the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade); the report was very positive with statements including ‘a true heart for humanity’. Accreditation enables the ALWS to continue to enter into contracts with DFAT on development projects.

The General Convention minutes are in the final revision stage and delegates can expect to receive their copy in the next few weeks.

REVIEW OF MINISTRY

On the 1st March, my Review of Ministry will take place in Wellington, facilitated by Rev. Reg Weeks. (Reg is a Presbyterian minister and has served in many situations as a parish minister and also in regional and national appointments for the Presbyterian Church. He now resides in Wellington and runs CenTral Consulting).

Some of you have participated in an on-line survey for the purpose of my review, and I want to thank you for taking the time to do this. The information that you have provided, together with my own written reflections on the tasks and responsibilities of Bishop, will hopefully make for a review process that seeks to affirm the things that I might be doing well, and to identify those areas of ministry where I need help in order to do things better.

This process reminds me that I am your servant and a servant of the Lord of the Church who has called me to be Bishop. I ask you to pray for me – especially on Tuesday – that the Holy Spirit would continue to equip me with everything good for doing his will (Hebrews 13:21).

STUDY TOUR TO NEUENDETTELSAU, GERMANY

In April I will be travelling, along with 5 other LCA-NZ pastors, to Germany at the invitation of the Department for Papua-Neuguinea, Pacific, East Asia / Mission EineWelt of Neuendettelsau, for a two-week long Study Program in Neuendettelsau.

The Study Program will include study units such as Luther – Reconciliation and Justification, Wittenberg: Luther’s Life and My Faith, Empowerment by Learning, and Transformation and Christian Community. Some time will also be spent visiting historic ‘Luther’ sites (Wittenberg, Erfurt, and Eisenach).

I plan also to plant a tree (sadly it can’t be an NZ native) on behalf of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand in the Luthergarten in Wittenberg (you can check this out at http://www.luthergarten.de/welcome.html).

I have also been invited to be the guest of the Gossner Mission (the Mission that sent the first missionaries to New Zealand in 1843) in Berlin for 3 days, where I will meet with members of the Board and also with Margot Käßmann who is the Special Envoy for the Reformation anniversary' of the Evangelical Church in Germany. There is quite a bit of interest amongst these people in our planned Reformation commemoration on the Chatham Islands.

From there I will visit Leipzig and stay with friends from Ensemble Nobiles who have been our guests in the LCNZ twice now, and who have offered to take me to concerts and services at Bach’s Church – Die Thomaskirche (St Thomas Church), and possibly a football game involving RB Leipzig. I’m hoping I might get to play the ‘new’ Bach organ in St Thomas as well.

I will also visit Amsterdam for three days to meet up with the organ builders who built the organ for St Pauls in Wellington, and on the way home will call in on Pastor Tim Muller and his wife Mary in Columbus, Ohio (Tim is pastor at Ascension Lutheran Church there). I may get to play for a service or two there and Tim has asked me to share with his congregation about the LCNZ.

I thank God for this opportunity to travel, to study, and to meet Lutherans in other parts of the world and share with them concerning life and ministry here in the LCNZ.

I will be away from New Zealand from 20 April until 24 May.

MĀNAWATANGA / BLESSING

Haere i runga i te rangimārie i runga i te aroha me te ngākau hihiko ki te mahi ki te Ariki.
Go now to love and serve the Lord; go in peace.

+ Mark

Pastor Mark Whitfield BTh MSM Bishop of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Pīhopa o te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

WAITANGI DAY - MADE ONE

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace. (Ephesians 2:13-15)

He iwi tahi tatou; we are now one people.

So said Governor Hobson to Māori chieftains as they signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) in 1840. But are we really 'one people’?

Sadly, once again, the lead-up to the celebration of our National Day – Waitangi Day – has been marred with protest, anger, threats of disruption and more than a hint that we’re not as one people as much as we might like to think we are.

Even if it’s only a ‘small group’ of people that seem to call into question the integrity and the intentions of the Treaty and its relevance for today, I must admit to feeling sad that ‘our National Day’ is clouded each year in this way.

Where is the ‘one’ in all of this? Where is the celebration of unity in our exciting multicultural 21st century diversity?

Let me not be too negative or discouraged. For sure, unity is to be seen in much of Kiwi life and community, and I’m sure that this unity will be celebrated up and down the country today by the many of who have come to make Aotearoa home.

As I write this Waitangi Day morning, my eyes are already looking just over the horizon to another day that signifies the means by which two become one and unity is restored. Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, and you and I, and all Christians will begin our Lenten pilgrimage to the Easter weekend.

And if you’re really lucky (didn’t want to use that word; but it sort of works here and so I’ll stick with it), you might even be marked with an ashen cross on your forehead; signed with the means by which Jesus, Son of God, Saviour, has made peace by his blood. Signed with the means by which we have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Signed with the means by which Jesus has made the two groups one. Signed with the means by which God has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. Signed with the cross that creates the one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace (Ephesians 2:13-15).

As we celebrate Waitangi Day, with all that this celebration brings, including the protest and the hints of division, let us as God’s people in this Godzone nation of beauty and blessing, bow down at the foot of the cross and pray for peace and unity; that peace and unity which can only flow from the blood of the One who hangs there … out of love for you, for me, for all.

E te Kaihanga, Nāhau mātau i tārai i Waitangi, anō he waka hourua, whakarewangia i runga i te tūmanako; anō he waka eke noa, whakaterengia i runga i ngā waikarekare; He tia, he tia; He ranga, he ranga; Whakarere iho te kakau o te hoe, kia tutuki ai i ngā oati i oatitia; kia huri mai te whakawā anō he wai, te tika anō he awa nui. Ko Ihu Karaiti hoki tō mātau Ariki, Te Kurahautū o tō mātau Kuratīwaka. Āmine.

Creator God, By your hand we were fashioned together at Waitangi, like a double-hulled canoe, launched towards a hope-filled future; cast together in the same vessel, traversing turbulent waters; Our backs bowed in effort, our journey continues, one paddle-stroke after another; Help us to strive together in unity, that we might fulfill the oaths we have made to each other; That justice may roll like a river, and righteousness like an everlasting stream; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, The One Who Guides our Waka of Faith. Amen.

Written by Archbishop Brown Turei for the 175th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi

REFRESH

The theme and focus of REFRESH will lead us into and inspire us as we prepare for a wonderful year of celebrating God's grace in 2017; 500 years after the Reformation.

Please plan to come to these one day events:

• St Matthew, Hamilton – Saturday 2nd April, 9.30am – 3.30pm
• St Lukes, Palmerston North – Saturday 9th April, 9.30am – 3.30pm

This year, Pastor Noel Due, Mission and Support Pastor for the SA/NT District of the LCA will be our presenter.

REFORMATION 2017 - CHATHAM ISLANDS COMMEMORATION - EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST...

In just less than a year, we plan to begin our commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation at Te Whakuru on the north-eastern tip of the Chatham Islands, where the first Lutheran missionaries to New Zealand established their mission.

The Working Group will soon want to make some fairly definite plans and arrangements for the Chatham Islands component of the commemoration, so in order to help us with this planning, we would like to get some idea of who and how many might be interested in coming out for the two day / two night event. 

If you are interested in coming to the Chatham Islands and receiving information could you please contact me as follows?

• By email – bishop@lutheran.org.nz
• By letter – Bishop Mark Whitfield – P.O. Box 12470, Thorndon, Wellington 6144
• By phone – (04) 3852540 or (028) 85001875

The photo is of the Stone Cottage at Maunganui built by Lutheran missionaries, Engst and Baucke

FACE 2 FACE - LUTHERAN MEDIA MINISTRY RELAUNCHES IN NEW ZEALAND

Ray Meharg (Mountainside Lutheran Church in Auckland) writes:

The 31st January 2016 is a day to remember for the LCNZ and Mountainside. We had the privilege of a visit to Mountainside of Pastor Richard Fox, Director of Lutheran Church of Australia and NZ Media, to launch Face 2 Face in New Zealand. The LCNZ has had a long history being in Media Ministry, but the withdrawal of funds from America many years ago meant we could no longer be on radio.

In 2015 Richard Fox visited NZ to talk to a few radio stations. The reception he received from NZME (Newstalk ZB and The Hits) was amazing and only God could have had a hand and a presence in the negotiations and the outcomes.

Face 2 Face are 30 second radio spots which are going to be played at prime time on these radio stations helping people to deal with different issues, talking about Jesus and offering a free booklet.

The LCA has been very generous to help us establish Face 2 Face in NZ, and we are very thankful to them for helping us seize the great opportunity we have to share Jesus on a commercial National Radio station. 180,000 people listen to Newstalk ZB every day in Auckland alone; what an opportunity to share the gospel with these people.

There are a dedicated group of people from Mountainside which will be meeting the responses of listeners, sending out booklets and welcoming people who come and visit us. Newstalk ZB and The Hits are nationwide so there is no doubt we will be sending books to your region. Watch out for visitors as some may come to visit your congregation after they have had contact with us through Face 2 Face.

Check out the website to learn more about Face 2 Face – http://www.facetoface.org.nz. Feel free to email us, and please pray for this ministry. Listen to the 30 second spots if you can and tell your friends about it.

God is very gracious and has opened the door for us to be on national commercial radio station. Please thank God for this wonderful ministry opportunity.

Face 2 Face went to air on 1st February 2016.

WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE DANISH LUTHERAN CHURCH IN NEW ZEALAND

Over the last few months, the Council of Synod (COS) has been exploring ways in which we might develop closer ministry ties with the Danish Lutheran Church in New Zealand for the sake of working together in the ministry of the gospel.

Pastor Anja Mathiassen, who lives in Dunedin with her family, serves Danish Lutherans throughout New Zealand, including locations where the LCNZ also has congregations. Pastor Anja has conducted services at St Matthew Hamilton (see photo) and at St Pauls Christchurch.

In March, I am meeting with Pastor Anja and some of her church leadership to talk about ways that we might work together even more. We’re also hoping that Pastor Anja will be able to attend our Church Workers’ Conferences.

You might like to check their website – http://www.danishchurchnz.org/englishedition.htm.

Photo taken at the Christmas Service at St Matthew Hamilton

FROM WINE TO WORDS: A HISTORY OF THE GUTENBERG BIBLE

The National Library in Wellington is pleased to present this summer series with the support from the Alexander Turnbull Library Endowment Trust.

• Date: Wednesday 17th February 2016
• Time: 5.30 - 6.45pm
• Cost: Free
• Location: Te Ahumairangi, ground floor, National Library Building
• Presented by: Anthony Tedeschi, the Curator of Rare Books & Fine Printing at the Alexander Turnbull Library

Few books are as iconic or have had as wide-reaching an impact on global culture as the Gutenberg Bible. The great achievement of its printer, Johann Gutenberg, was in bringing together and perfecting the combination of movable metal type, printing ink, and a wooden screw-press in order to make western printing from type – as opposed to through the use of woodcut blocks – possible for the first time.

The chief advantage of the printing press over manuscript production was its ability to produce in a short period of time a large number of identical copies of any given work. This led to the rapid dissemination of knowledge, to the forming of new communities of learning and scholarship, and eventually to the literate mass culture we know today.

In this lecture Anthony Tedeschi will explore the history of the Gutenberg Bible from the context surrounding its creation to its status after Gutenberg’s death, including some of the remarkable stories of ownership, theft and sales connected to several surviving copies.

Listen to Anthony discuss the Gutenberg Bible on Radio NZ - http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201786983/the-far-reaching-impact-of-the-gutenberg-bible

CHRISTMAS AT ST PAULS WELLINGTON

Dana Peters (St Pauls Wellington) writes:

It's been a long standing tradition in St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Wellington to have the Sunday School children put on a play for our Christmas Eve service. This year, however, we changed things up a little bit and had the kids put together a movie instead of a live performance.

We filmed most of the movie on a small farm owned by some of our members, as well as a few scenes in the church hall.

It was a great learning experience for the kids, as they really got to feel what it might have been like to be the parts they were acting. The kids walked the long road to Bethlehem, ran around with the sheep as shepherds, and crowded inside a "rickety old barn" to see baby Jesus. We used the Christmas Story from “The Jesus Storybook Bible” by Sally Lloyd-Jones as a basis for the script, but let the kids come up with a lot of their own lines based on how they thought they would react if they themselves were in the story. The older youth served as narrators, and gave all ages of our congregation's children a sense of ownership and contribution to the movie.

The end result was well received and each of the kids was given a DVD of the film. It was a fun way to share the Christmas story with the congregation and extended family.

FROM THE MANAWATU

Pastor Rodger Russ (Trinity Feilding and St Lukes Palmerston North) writes:

Christmas Eve service was somewhat special and different. We had a manger scene (about 2 metres by 2 metres by 1 metre) constructed in the centre of the church, with all seats gathered in a circle around it. The service focussed on God Himself being present amongst us. I think it touched peoples’ lives in different way.

The second thing is that late last year we celebrated 25 years of Share and Care being offered to the Palmerston North community. We are not sure whether it started late in the year or early the next, but we decided to remember this occasion with a special dinner just before Christmas, inviting local media (who didn’t actually come) and other dignitaries (Mayor and local members, some of whom came) and people who had been involved in preparing meals over the years. Some of them said that some people who were coming ‘in their day’ were still there.

Share and Care is a free 3 course meal offered every fortnight to those in need in Palmerston North. We have anywhere between 30 to 80 coming (average probably about 40-50).

CUPPA AND CONVERSATION

Pastor John Davison (St Matthew Hamilton) writes:

On Monday the 15th February St Matthew ladies in Hamilton are beginning a six week trial of a new group called “Cuppa and Conversation” to provide opportunity for migrant women with English as a second language to come and practice their spoken English over afternoon tea which will be supplied.

As well as providing a cuppa the volunteers will engage the guests in everyday conversation to help migrants with their speaking and understanding English. The Hamilton Migrant Centre has assisted St Matthew with advice and encouragement for which we are very thankful.

This is an opportunity for St Matthew to connect with the local community. Please pray for this ministry.

MEETINGS ... AND SOME MORE MEETINGS

The Financial Review Group (set up as a result of a decision of the District Convention last year to review the financial systems in the LCNZ, had its first meeting in Wellington last evening. It will be forwarding recommendations to the Council of Synod.

Council of Synod meets for the first time this year, next weekend (12th and 13th February) in Auckland.

I go to Adelaide for the first College of Bishop’s meeting for the year on the 16th and 17th February.

Please pray that all these meetings (and more meetings) will serve only to enhance the ministry of the gospel amongst the people and communities in which we live.

MĀNAWATANGA / BLESSING

Mā te Atua e manaaki; God bless
+ Mark
Pastor Mark Whitfield BTh MSM
Bishop of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Pīhopa o te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

The three Bible Readings for Epiphany and some simple prayers … from a resource I often used in preparing worship when I was a parish pastor, ‘The Sunday Website’

THE FIRST READING: Isaiah 60:1-6

Rise up in splendour, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.

Morning opens out, opens out its gentle light. Caravans come, nations stretch to see. Hearts open up their sleepy eyes to the radiance that you have poured out on us. Help us to behold.

THE SECOND READING: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

The Gentiles are co-heirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Old promises now come good in the new-born child. The Christ is within us, our lives forever changed. Make us shining stars to lead all people to you.

THE GOSPEL: Matthew 2:1-12

And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.

Look! Look up! O Jerusalem, here comes the world running to walk in your light. We are the sparkling and the dim, the kings and the beggars, the bosses and the slaves. Lord, shine your light on us even so. Like wise men we search for truth, for love. Let us find you in the flight of the geese, the look of love on a father’s face; find you, find you everywhere. Star, chase away our dark. Glow and grow within us. Amen.

AS A NEW YEAR BEGINS ...

Happy New Year. As we celebrate Epiphany and as the New Year begins, I want to believe that every church community and every person, longs for the light of God’s glory and blessing to shine on them … and I think, if we’re honest, we really do long to be the means by which God’s light and glory shines on others too.

Epiphany reveals a beautiful view of God’s glory – that in Christ’s incarnation God’s glory and blessing are already ours – not something that we still have to earn; and that the experience of God’s glory is found in connecting and sharing with others.

As a New Year of opportunity for ministry begins maybe it would be good for each of us to ask:

• Who needs to be included in our community right now? – a question that calls us to emulate Christ’s self-sacrifice in our own lives.

Of course, this also begs the question of outreach and evangelism; something we often talk about but equally often struggle to do.

• What does it mean to bring others into the light of God’s grace or to reflect God’s glory to them?

The answer, suggested by Christ’s example, is in self-sacrifice. When we are trying to “win souls” or “grow our church” or even “be obedient” the focus tends to be on us and sometimes other people sense this and feel manipulated. But, when our focus is on serving, empowering, standing with, and loving those around us, with no particular expectation of their response, then they sense this too, and are drawn to the Christ they see in us – rather than to any particular doctrine, church or theological position.

If Epiphany is about God’s glory filling the world, it needs to happen through our Christ-like love and service.

(Based on another gem of a resource that I subscribe to, Sacredise – Loving God; Loving the World – Resources for Transforming Worship).

We pray: O God, by the leading of a star you revealed your Son Jesus Christ to the Gentiles; grant that your Church – me/us – may be a light to the nations, so that the whole world may come to see the splendour of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

REFRESH

After the success of the two REFRESH events last year, where we were blessed by the ministry of Dean Eaton (LCA Church Planting Mentor/Mission Facilitator), we are planning for two more this year. Once again they will be held in Hamilton and in Palmerston North to ensure that as many as possible in the northern and southern regions of the North Island can attend. We would also like to work out a way we can offer a REFRESH event in the South Island.

This year, we have invited Pastor Noel Due, Mission and Ministry Support Pastor for the SA/NT District of the LCA, to be our guest presenter.

We are still working on refining the title / theme of REFRESH this year, but we hope that it will be something that will lead into and inspire us as we prepare for a wonderful year of celebrating God’s grace in 2017, 500 years after the Reformation.

Please plan to come to these one day events:

• St Matthew, Hamilton – Saturday 2nd April, 9.30am – 3.30pm
• St Lukes, Palmerston North – Saturday 9th April, 9.30am – 3.30pm

Noel will also participate in the Church Workers’ Conference (3rd – 6th April) in Auckland.

COUNCIL OF SYNOD NEWS

I am delighted to announce that Johanna Wood (St Lukes Palmerston North) has been appointed by COS to be the Convenor of the Finance Advisory Committee. We have also asked Johanna to take on the role of chairing our COS meetings.

In accepting appointment, Johanna writes: Thank you for advising that I have been appointed to Council of Synod as Convenor of FAC and Chair. I look forward to working with you and council members to ensure that LCNZ is "the vehicle for God's continued work of bringing love to life in the world."

At the same time I also need to inform you that Caroline Samsom, Treasurer of the LCNZ since June 2013, has resigned from this position.

We thank God for Caroline and Johanna. Both responded at a time of need to God’s call to serve, in the spirit of those who answer, “Send me” when the Lord asks, “Who shall I send?”

Thank you Caroline for your oversight of the finances of the Church and for your contribution to the servant-leadership that COS provides. Thank you Johanna for saying ‘yes.’

REFORMATION 2017 - CHATHAM ISLANDS COMMEMORATION - EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST ...

In just less than a year, we plan to begin our commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation at Te Whakuru on the north-eastern tip of the Chatham Islands, where the first Lutheran missionaries to New Zealand established their mission.

The Reformation 2017 Working Group is working; working hard to make sure that everyone in the Church has opportunity to participate fully in a whole year of commemoration (remember, the Chathams Islands is simply one event / opportunity amongst a number of events and opportunities we hope to make possible).

The Working Group will soon want to make some fairly definite plans and arrangements for the Chatham Islands component of the commemoration, so in order to help us with this planning, we would like to get some idea of who and how many might be interested in coming out for the two day / two night event. At this stage we have not finished negotiating costs for air travel there and back, hotel or marae accommodation, bus travel while on the island, and meals. As soon as we know this information we will make sure to pass it on.

If you are interested in coming to the Chatham Islands and receiving information could you please contact me as follows?

• By email – bishop@lutheran.org.nz
• By letter – Bishop Mark Whitfield – P.O. Box 12470, Thorndon, Wellington 6144
• By phone – (04) 3852540 or (028) 85001875

The photo is of the Stone Cottage at Maunganui built by Lutheran missionaries, Engst and Baucke

LEAVE

I will be taking one weeks’ leave from this coming Sunday (10th) to the following Sunday (17th). During this time you are welcome to contact either Assistant Bishop John Davison on 07 8395768 or at pastor@hamiltonlutheran.co.nz, or the District Administrator Robert Hagen on 04 3852540 or at admin@lutheran.org.nz.

MĀNAWATANGA / BLESSING

Mā te Atua e manaaki; God bless

+ Mark

Pastor Mark Whitfield BTh MSM

Bishop of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Pīhopa o te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa