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

WORTHY IS THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN

Not quite the heading you'd expect in a pre-Christmas message from your Bishop! But these are the final words of scripture sung in what many consider to be the quintessential piece of Christmas music – Georg Fredrich Händel's Messiah.

I had the joy of singing this with our eldest daughter Chelsea, and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra last weekend in Wellington, and as we arrived at this chorus almost two hours after beginning Messiah, and having sung all the 'real' Christmas stuff earlier on (Behold a Virgin Shall Conceive, For Unto Us a Child is Born, There Were Shepherds Abiding in the Fields, and Glory to God etc.), it dawned on me once again why Christ, the Lamb was born and why we accord him power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing (straight from Messiah or Revelation 5:12-13).

For this Lamb who was born and who was slain "hath redeemed us to God by his blood."

We sang to a capacity audience in the Michael Fowler Centre; over 2200 people. And they stood at the end, applauding. I'm sure many were responding to the fine music (the reviews say one of the best performances of Messiah ever heard in Wellington), but I'd also like to think that some (most / all?) may have been standing in response to the gospel; that they somehow heard in this music the gift of salvation … that the One who is born is the One that has died, who by his blood redeems, saves, heals, restores and blesses many with life and joy everlasting.

I want to believe, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, surely and somehow dearest Jesus, holy child has made his bed, soft, undefiled within the hearts of those who heard God's love proclaimed that evening in music and song (check v.11 in From Heaven Above to Earth I Come in the Lutheran Hymnal, #23).

Once again, this Christmas, you are invited to welcome God Incarnate; to invite Immanuel to be God with you and in you and through you. We are invited again to incarnate God into our lives. We are invited again to let our lives become the song of Messiah; to let our lives to be the means by which the gospel is sung and proclaimed to the people and the communities that we love and in which we live.

A few years back we sang a beautiful song by Steve Merkel as part of the Christmas Eve children's' service which captures the essence of incarnation and the fact that at Christmas we are already looking to the cross of our salvation –

Longing for a Saviour A hopeless world would wait Sin demanded justice At a price we could not pay; But God displayed his mercy The greatest gift of love When we could not reach heaven Heaven came to us.

He made a way in a manger A way to the cross Messiah the promised Before time had begun; For God so loved this world Though he knew what love would cost He made a way in a manger To make a way to the cross.

In Bethlehem a stable Became a throne of grace As God himself our Saviour Drew near to take our place; His mother smiled in wonder As shepherds stood in awe The sacrifice of heaven Lay sleeping in the straw.

He is the life that died our death The precious Lord Jesus Laid down his sweet head.

He made a way in a manger A way to the cross Messiah, the promised Before time had begun; For God so loved this world Though He knew what love would cost He made a way in a manger To make a way to the cross.

Away in a manger, no crib for his bed The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head The stars in the sky looked down where He lay The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

Blessings and joy to you as you worship God Incarnate this Christmas time and as you spend holiday time with family and friends … at the beach, the bach, the barbie, the cricket, or wherever.

CHRISTMAS WORSHIP AROUND AOTEAROA

At the time of publishing this Bishop's Page, these are the details of Christmas Worship that I had been made aware of in the Lutheran Churches in New Zealand:

Mountainside Lutheran Church, Auckland

• Christmas Eve, 7.00pm, "The Shepherd's Christmas"
• Christmas Eve, 11.00pm, Christmas Story with Carols
• Christmas Day, 10.00am, "Does God Have a Big Toe?"

Botany Lutheran Church, Auckland

• Christmas Day, 10.00am

St Matthew Lutheran Church, Hamilton

• Christmas Eve, 7.00pm, Lessons and Carols
• Christmas Day, 9.00am, Holy Communion Liturgy set to Carol Tunes

Tauranga

• 20th December, 10.00am at Joan Tessendorf's home (53 Pelorus Street Welcome Bay)

Kawerau

• 20th December, Carols and Readings Service
• 27th December, Christmas themed Service with Holy Communion

Harrison Street Community Church (St Johns Lutheran) Whanganui

• Christmas Eve, 5.30pm, Service and Community Meal

Manawatu Lutheran Parish

• Christmas Eve, 7.00pm at Palmerston North
• Christmas Day, 8.30am with Holy Communion at Feilding
• Christmas Day, 10.00am with Holy Communion at Palmerston North

St Pauls Lutheran Church Wellington

• Christmas Eve, 7.00pm, Family Christmas Service
• Christmas Day, 10.00am, Festival Service

St Francis Mauriceville West Wairarapa

• 20th December, 5.00pm at Alecock's home, Greytown

St Pauls Lutheran Community Church Upper Moutere

• Christmas Eve, 7.00pm, Family Service
• Christmas Eve, 11.15pm, Reflective Service
• Christmas Day, 9.30am

St Pauls Lutheran Church Christchurch (worshipping together with All Saints Anglican Parish)

• Christmas Eve, 11.30pm
• Christmas Eve Service with Holy Communion
• Christmas Day, 10.00am, Christmas Day Service with Holy Communion

FEBRUARY START FOR LUTHERAN MEDIA IN NEW ZEALAND

Pastor Richard Fox (Director of Lutheran Media in the LCA-NZ) writes: Great news! NZ.ME (Newstalk ZB) has approved our radio messages and we are preparing for a February start.

Pastor Richard plans to come to Auckland on the 30th and 31st January to help participate in worship and to prepare the Reference-Support Group that will be made up of some members from Mountainside Lutheran Church. The Reference-Support Group will be equipped to help them follow up with audience responses.

FROM THE SUNNY HAWKES BAY ...

Bill Groves reports on the wonderful way the cooperating denominations of St Francis in Clive worked together to host this year's Longest Lutheran Lunch.

This is the second time that Redeemer Lutheran Congregation has celebrated Reformation Day with a Worship Service followed by the Longest Lutheran Lunch.

After worship we all went into the hall and asked if members to mix up and to sit with someone that they did not know. I pray to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for this happen for they all had a great time talking with one another. Erwin Sonnendecker spoke about Reformation and Martin Luther and we had a short video on how the Luther Rose was constructed.

We had some Bible Quiz's and if they had the right answer they won a prize. After that I had some humour jokes (We love your jokes, Bill!! ed.), plus some old time tunes played on the piano which some of us sang along with.

The Longest Lutheran Lunch ended about 2:30pm with all the volunteer helpers cleaning up wash dishes and put everything a way then heading home and putting our feet up and thanking the Lord for a lovely day we all had and YIPPEE! Looking forward in running one next year so we can have another wonderful marvellous event to celebrate Reformation Day 2016.

Just a reminder for every LCNZ congregation to plan how you (a) as a congregation can make a group submission, and (b) can also make an individual submission. Please check: www.carealliance.org.nz for more information.

 

 

LCNZ OFFICE CLOSED OVER CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR

The LCNZ District Office will close on the afternoon of Christmas Eve and will reopen on Tuesday 5th January. If, during this period, you need to speak with me or with LCNZ Administrator Robert Hagen, please call the LCNZ office (04 3852540) for information on how to reach us.

A KIWI CHRISTMAS

Friends, this afternoon I have driven from Wellington to the Sunny Hawkes Bay (there's a ring to that name!) to lead worship at St Francis in Clive tomorrow morning and to baptise Bill Grove's grandson, Lukas.

It was a really nice drive … leaving the steep hills north of Wellington where the big machines indicate that Transmission Gully is well underway (here's an Advent preparation thing going if ever there was one … make straight the way of the Lord … every valley shall be lifted, the rough places made smooth; that sort of thing) … through the beautiful districts of the Horowhenua and Manawatu … through the gorge to the East Coast where freshly mown hay lies in Central Hawkes Bay paddocks, and finally into the wine and citrus region of the Hawkes Bay.

Are we blessed to live in Godzone or what?

And as I drove and loved the country I was driving through, the Kiwis were trying to recover from an early-order collapse in the Second Test against Sri Lanka … and towards the end of my drive the 'Nix' were managing to salvage a 1-all draw in the football from the Cake-Tin (Wellington's stadium).

All this reminded me that summer's here … even though it felt a bit more like winter in Wellington overnight. Spare a thought – and a prayer – for our sisters and brothers in the LCA, especially in the states of South Australia and Victoria, as they have and continue to endure temperatures for days on end above 40deg and the danger of bushfire that comes with such heat … and thank God that rain has fallen in the parched places here that need it (North Canterbury most recently).

And tomorrow a baptism … and a beautiful song from Mary: My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

Summer's here … the sun is out … the Son of God is to be born.

Enjoy!

MĀNAWATANGA / BLESSING

Whanau ki a matou te he tamaiti: E haere mai, kia koropiko ki a ia tatou. Areruia.
To us a child is born: O come, let us adore him. Alleluia. (Isaiah 9:6)

Na konei i kitea mai ai te aroha o te Atua ki a tatou, na te mea kua tonoa mai e te Atua tana Tama kotahi ki te ao, kia ora ai tatou i a ia.
In this, O God, your love was manifest among us, that you sent your only Son into the world so that we might live through him. (1 John 4:9)

To you all – Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete; wishing you all joy and peace at Christmas. Me te aroha nui atu o mātou katoa; lots of love from us all here in the Whitfield family ...

... Leanne, +Mark, Chelsea, Brittany and Charlotte.

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

SHARING IN THE GOSPEL

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:3-5 / Second Reading for Advent 2)

I have just finished preparing my sermon for this coming Sunday, where I will be preaching for the congregation I served before coming back to New Zealand almost 15 years ago; Immanuel Lutheran Church (ILC) in Novar Gardens, Adelaide. Interestingly, these were also the words for my farewell sermon from ILC 15 years ago.

One of the great joys and privileges for pastors (and bishops), is the opportunity to partner in ministry with the people who make up the congregations of the Church. It’s got me thinking about the 3 parishes (9 congregations) I’ve been called to serve and partner with over 26 years of ministry and to thank God for that privilege and joy. It’s got me recalling the saints of God who have shared gospel ministry with me over those years … and as I see faces and remember names, I also recall with joy those wonderful opportunities we had together to be the people and the places where God’s love came to life.

As we enter this Advent season again, we are reminded that we are a Church that is waiting … and that in this waiting time there is gospel work to be done … together; with each other.

What a gift that God brings his people together … partners … for a purpose … you and me … each other for a purpose … to labour together for the gospel until he returns.

Thank you, dear saints of the LCNZ, for the joy and privilege of sharing in the gospel with you.

ORDINATION - A GIFT OF NEW PASTORS TO SHARE IN THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL

Tomorrow I head to Adelaide for the final round of meetings for the year. This is always a very special visit, because it includes the Graduation Ceremony from Australian Lutheran College (ALC), and most importantly the Ordination of new pastors for the Church.

On Sunday afternoon (in 37degree warmth!) the Church will ordain 4 new pastors – Matthew Bishop, Geoffrey Schefe, Colin Simpkin and Andrew Neumann. Thank God for his gift to us of new shepherds for the sheep, and pray that the new partnerships that the will form with their assigned congregations will bring blessing to many.

TWO LCNZ PASTORS RECEIVE CALLS TO PARTNER WITH NEW CONGREGATIONS

Recently, two of our pastors have received calls to serve in other parts of the Church.

Pastor Joe Kummerow (Mountainside, Auckland) was called to Maitland in South Australia, but announced on Sunday that he has declined this call. Thanks Joe (and Julie and kids) for deciding to continue to partner with us in the ministry of the gospel here in the LCNZ.

Pastor Chris Janetzki (Upper Moutere / Hope) has just received the call to the Walla Walla parish in New South Wales. Please keep Chris, Haidee and their children in your prayers too, as they discern God’s will for where they should partner in the gospel.

FROM THE LLL (Lutheran Layman's League)

LLL Board of Directors President, Marg Gust reports that the LLL has approved the following grants:

• $2400 towards the Spice Retreat (for Pastors’ wives)
• $4000 for Grow Seminar – travel assistance
• $2500 for Reformation 2017 – travel for the Working Group initial meetings and funds to enable Bishop Mark to travel to the Chatham Islands
• $1200 for Harrison Street Community Church for Street Party – mission outreach

Monies available for grants made before the end of this year:

• From Project James – $10857
• From the Hetty Gudopp Fund – $9834
• From the Lillian Schwarz Fund – $11100
• This gives a total of $31791 which is available this financial year; so get a grant application in!

LLL paid out from the Hintz Fund (apps approved by LCNZ):

• $7500 to St Paul’s Wellington
• $2739.68 to St Paul’s Upper Moutere for church heating
• $1500 to Mountainside for treating rust on the church roof
• $905 to LCNZ for a handrail at the front door of the Bishop’s manse

FROM THE GENERAL CHURCH COUNCIL (GCC) LCNZ REP ...

The LCNZ’s GCC rep, Jill Hobden reports as follows –

• The item of most interest to people here will be the news that the LCA is making funds available for the 50/500 celebrations commemorating and celebrating 50 years of unity and 500 years since the Reformation. Grants will be possible for celebrations (up to $5,000AUD) and for ‘have a go’ projects where congregations wanting to initiate mission/outreach/development ideas that they would not otherwise be able to undertake (up to $25,000AUD per grant). Some other grant categories will also be available. The next step now that funding has been secured will be to decide the various criteria for each of the grants.
• The LCA has been invited to participate in the Australian Human Rights Commission Religious Freedom Roundtable which had its first meeting earlier this month in Sydney. Follow this link to read more; https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/rights-and-freedoms/projects/religious-freedom-roundtable.

COUNCIL OF SYNOD MEETS IN UPPER MOUTERE

On the 13th and 14th November, the Council of Synod met in Upper Moutere at the invitation of the Pastor and members of St Pauls Lutheran Community Church.

News to share from this meeting –

• COS continue to discuss ways in which they can journey alongside St Pauls Christchurch as they rebuild ministry.
• Funding for Lutheran Media Ministry through NZ-ME (Newstalk ZB) was approved for a 12 month period with a review to take place after the first 6 months. A Reference / Support Group to support the ministry has been established by members of Mountainside congregation.
• The Draft Calendar for 2016 was discussed.
• Progress on the Finance Review process was reported on. We are getting closer to getting that review process in place.
• We discussed ways in which the LCNZ might build a strong ministry relationship with the Danish Lutheran Church in New Zealand.
• ‘Called to Account’ were appointed auditors for the LCNZ and the Gateway Gift Trust Board.
• At the Gateway Gift Trust Board meeting, funding was approved for the Harrison Street Community Church (St Johns Lutheran) street ministry in Whanganui, and also for the construction and placement of a memorial cairn at the Halcombe church.
• Ray Meharg, COS member since 2013 has resigned. We thank Ray for his loving service on COS during this term and the past, and indeed some years ago as well.

Every congregation in the LCNZ has been sent brochures from the Care Alliance – Te Manaaki Haumi to encourage all members to say ‘YES’ to caring for suffering and vulnerable people and to say ‘NO’ to euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Check with your pastor, secretary or congregational leader for these brochures and plan how you (a) as a congregation can make a group submission, and (b) can also make an individual submission.

You may also like to check: www.carealliance.org.nz for more information.

GROW MINISTRIES WORKSHOP, WELLINGTON

Julie Kummerow (Mountainside, Auckland) writes:

The GROW Ministries Pastor, Vaughn Spring and the Resource Coordinator, Vicki Rochow were our Leaders and the main focus was ‘Re-thinking Child, Youth & Family Ministry in Modern NZ’.

It was the first time Pastor Vaughn and Vicki had visited NZ and they questioned us to think how NZ culture affects what we do and how we care for our Faith community and interact with one another.

Pastor Vaughn encouraged us to ask the hard questions and challenged us to re-think how we do what we do to support our young people (and their families) in their faith formation.

During the Saturday session we reflected on the Ten Guiding Principles of effective Child, Youth and Family Ministry. These Guiding Principles have been developed to assist the congregations of the LCA/NZ to understand the most effective practices for child, youth and family ministry. The core belief that supports these principles is that it is vital that leaders in home and congregation have a strong understanding of the nature and practices of effective child, youth and family ministry and their role within it. This will look different from congregation to congregation, but we started to share ideas and suggestions of what we can do, particularly in relation to how children and young people can be more engaged with intergenerational church experiences.

Here are just a few of the questions we can continue to re-think and reflect on:

• How are we cultivating caring relationships across all ages in our church family? (Some of us already have immediate family members in our church, but we want to extend that caring relationship to all church members in meaningful and more intentional ways.)
• How are we engaging all ages and generations together in learning scripture and the Christian teachings of the Lutheran Church?

For example, this year at Mountainside, our Sunday school children focused on learning memory verses and some of the catechism but we still have so much more to learn! How can we involve and motivate our parents and young adults to help us more in this important exercise? Are we using the resources the church has provided over the years well enough? Are we prepared to use technology wisely and utilise new resources without losing our strong foundation in Lutheran theology?

Vicki also showed us the rich resources that Grow Ministries provide to support us. These are all available on their website: http://growministries.org.au.

We can also access the Grow Ministries PINTREST page! This opens up a whole world of wonderful creative ideas and allows for easy sharing and access of ideas no matter which country we are in!

If you had a representative from your congregation who attended this seminar, please talk with them about how your congregation can support each other in Child, Youth and Family Ministry.

We are all a part of this faith journey! ‘Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.’ (Romans 12:4-5)

REFORMATION 2017

The Working Group met for its second meeting this last weekend, and continues to work diligently in preparing a series of events and opportunities which will enable the whole church to be involved in commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017.

The Working Group are grateful for the support of the LLL who have made funding available in order for us to meet face-to-face for our first two meetings, and which also enabled me to travel to the Chatham Islands to begin exploring the possibilities of some of our commemoration taking place there.

Some news to share with you:

We are trying to make ourselves aware of the global commemorative events that are already happening or that are being planned; especially the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the International Lutheran Conference (ILC). Pauline Simonsen recently attended an LWF Asia/Pacific Conference in Manila as a representative of the LCA-NZ, where the theme was Lutheran Identity and Self-Understanding.

As reported, I spent three days on the Chatham Islands last week (it was supposed to be two, but bad weather in Wellington prevented me from returning on time). I was the guest of local historian, Bill Carter, who made sure I travelled far and wide, saw many historic ‘Lutheran’ sites, and got to meet plenty of locals, all with a view to exploring the possibility of some of our commemorations taking place there. Please allow me to summarise the purpose of this visit –

• That the Gossner mission in 1842 was the first Lutheran mission to New Zealand, ‘to the ends of the earth’;
• That this chapter of our history has not yet been commemorated or honoured;
• That 2017 is a suitable time for such a commemoration in the context of LCNZ and International celebrations of the world wide spread of Lutheranism;
• That this visit on the earliest possible New Year dawn will provide a suitable event for our commemoration year;
• That the visit will be an optional event for those from LCNZ and beyond who would like to participate and who are willing to meet the cost;
• That it will be a symbolic event, providing interest and inspiration for all LCNZ, and build the profile of our history and ministry through the LCA and wider Lutheran circles;
• That it will give us news opportunities in the NZ press.

We would like to add an ‘LCNZ Reformation 2017 Commemoration’ link on the LCNZ webpage.

The most important task for us is to assist each congregation of the LCNZ work through the issues of how they would like to commemorate the Reformation anniversary:

• What does it mean that you are a Lutheran Christian?
• How is this identity expressed?
• How might you commemorate your Lutheran history in your local location?

We intend to use our REFRESH events next year to inspire, encourage and prepare our congregations to explore how they might use the anniversary of the Reformation as a way of exploring fresh expressions of outreach.

I have also met with Cardinal John Dew to discuss how the Roman Catholic and the Lutheran Church might host a joint ecumenical service of commemoration during the Queen’s Birthday weekend in 2017 (the weekend of LCNZ District Convention). The Working Group is working well and we’ll keep you informed of plans as they begin to take shape; we want as many of you as possible to share in the joy of this reforming gospel celebration.

SINCE WE LAST SPOKE ... WHERE I'VE BEEN, WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO, AND WHAT'S NEXT

25th October – 7th November  I took two weeks' annual leave and did lots of gardening.

12th November  I met with Cardinal John Dew to begin discussions about how the Roman Catholic and the Lutheran Church might jointly host an Ecumenical Service in 2017 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

13th - 14th November  Council of Synod meeting in Upper Moutere

21st November  Attended LLL Board of Directors meeting in Feilding

22nd November  Led worship at St Martin, Marton

25th - 28th November  Visited the Chatham Islands to gauge interest in beginning the 500th anniversary of the Reformation commemorations there (the first Lutheran missionaries to New Zealand went to the Chatham Islands in February 1842)

2nd - 7th December  College of Bishops, ALC Graduation, Ordination Service, Adelaide

20th December  Lead worship and conduct baptism at Redeemer Lutheran, Clive (Hawkes Bay)

From Kawerau Lutheran Church Josie Rohde reports: out of the congregation's AGM in March came a decision to sing the old hymns, with their good theology, and praise the Lord in song for twenty or so minutes before the morning Services. So, since April, we have made more use of our excellent pianist (Sabine Edmondson-Slade) and sung a selection of favourites and others, building into our hearts the teaching and memories these carry. Often before the hymn or sacred song we hear about its writer and why they wrote the lyrics or tune. So began our weekly 'hymn-sings'. More recently we have been joined by Martin Werndle (trombone or piano accordion) and his wife Rhesa (guitar), giving a full and pleasant sound.

From the Board for Local Mission we received the following exciting communication: Dear LCA Pastors and Congregational Leaders, How can you grow your Congregation in 2016? Check out the RENEW Mission Life season package being offered free to you in early 2016. Details of what is coming along with an introductory video can be found on the Lutheran Church of Australia, Board for Local Mission page here: www.lca.org.au/renew. What is coming? There is a sermon series and corresponding bible studies, along with a small group resource for developing your local mission team (Love. Life Communities). Various promotional tools including video and flyers will accompany this resource package to be released in January 2016. Praying that 2016 is a very fruitful year for you. On behalf of the Board for Local Mission. Dean Eaton (Church Planting Mentor and Mission Facilitator)

I encourage you to check out the latest news from Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) on their website: http://www.alws.org.au/index.php/news. There is too much for me to include in this Bishop’s Page, but please look for information on –

• The Syrian Refugee Crisis
• Support for refugees in South Sudan, Somalia and Kenya
• Christmas Action Packs
• Gifts of Grace
• Booking an ALWS speaker (might not be too easy getting them to NZ)

Continue to pray for:

• Those affected by bush fires in Western Australia and South Australia (check out http://lcaenews.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/t/E45819B74418FC35/02C6F6CD1237BC91C9C291422E3DE149).
• The members of St Peters Lutheran Church in Orange (NSW) who have suffered arson attacks on their church (check out: http://www.lca.org.au/twin-arson-attacks-on-lutheran-church.html).

MĀNAWATANGA / BLESSING

Ko taku inoi ano tenei, kia nui haere tonu to koutou aroha i runga i te matauranga, i nga mahara mohio katoa; kia whakaaetia ai e koutou nga mea papai; kia kore ai o koutou tinihanga, o koutou he, a taea noatia te ra o te Karaiti; kia ki ai hoki i nga hua o te tika, e puta mai ana i a Ihu Karaiti, hei kororia, hei whakamoemiti i te Atua.

And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11)

+ 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

KIA ORA ... BE WELL

I had the joy and privilege, along with the other Bishops of the Church, of distributing Holy Communion at six Eucharist Services during General Synod last week in Brisbane. General Synod began with a Holy Communion service on the Tuesday evening, and then there was one each morning through to the Closing service last Sunday morning.

During the closing service, as people approached me to receive Christ’s body hidden in, with and under the bread, I greeted them with the words, “Kia ora” (be well), “the body of Christ given for you.”

One of the wonderful blessings of General Synod was the way we gathered in worship each day around the Table of the Lord, to be fed by the One who makes us one. A large Christ Candle burnt continuously where we worshiped and where we conducted the business of Synod; a candle reminding us of Christ, who is the Light of the World; a reminder of the constant presence of God: ‘where two or three are gathered in my name.

We were together as Synod (σύνοδος / synodos meaning "assembly" or "meeting"); together as Church, together as Christ’s Body, and even though we came with different expectations and views and opinions on various matters, we celebrated daily our unity and oneness in Christ.

This was our strength for General Synod, and it will continue to be the strength of our Church moving forward.

That’s why I could assure each person as they received Christ’s Body that they could be well because of the One who has become our peace (Ephesians 2:14).

Kia ora!

FROM BISHOP JOHN

Bishop John Henderson has written to the Church since General Synod, and I have asked all LCNZ delegates and pastors to ensure that you, the members of the Church, get to read this letter. I have reprinted it here:

At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged (Acts 28:15 NIV).

Dear fellow members in the body of Christ,

It is with gratitude to God that I write to you after our recent General Convention of Synod in Rochedale, Queensland. I write on behalf of the College of Bishops, which met on Monday after Convention to reflect on how best it might serve you at this time.

The Convention was blessed with wonderful local hosts, a superb venue, perfect weather, good food and peaceful surroundings. We give thanks to our God for these people and things, and we especially thank him for the daily worship, the presence of his Spirit, the strengthening power of Word and Sacrament and a willing spirit among those present.

As I daily looked across the room of delegates I frequently felt as St Paul did in Acts 28:15. Seeing the people gathered together in faith encouraged me, despite our debate on a difficult doctrinal issue. We handled many important matters during the Convention, but the one everyone was waiting for was the proposal 'that the LCA accepts the ordination of both men and women and amends Theses of Agreement VI and the Constitution accordingly'. On Saturday, after hours of respectful dialogue and debate over the previous two days and Scripture and prayer led by chaplains, delegates came forward to the Christ candle to place their ballot in the basket. It was an awe-inspiring moment. Many were evidently in prayer.

Of the 423 delegates registered at Convention, 269 (64%) supported the resolution and 145 (34%) opposed it. The remaining 2% were absentees or informal votes. The vote was fair and close. The Constitution of the LCA requires a 2/3 majority on such an issue, and therefore the doctrine and practice of the church remains unchanged

The outcome of the vote has left people with a variety of responses and emotions, some of them quite strong. This is hard, but it is human and quite normal. The bishops have also experienced a range of emotions, coupled with some exhaustion after working so intensely for so long. We believe, therefore, that it is too soon to understand the full impact of the vote. It is obvious, however, that there is work to be done. Part of that work, decided by Synod, is to prepare a doctrinal statement on the ordination of women and men.

Right now, though, there is something more immediate we need to be doing. In the closing sermon on Sunday I asked, 'What happens next?' The first thing we need to do is pause and breathe, just as the delegates did from time to time during the debate, and as Jesus also did after intense times in his ministry. This is not our church, but God’s. That’s why Convention resolved '... that the church enter a period of careful theological reflection and pastoral work for the next synodical term ...'

During the closing hours of Convention, delegates were already demonstrating what we need to do. They had sat together throughout the Convention. They had dialogued and listened to each other, sharing what was on their hearts. Knowing one another as they now did, after the vote many remained behind to care for each other. People encouraged one another and quietly prayed together. Tears and fears were evident in the room, but there was also comfort and consolation. The mutual consolation of Christians was clearly evident at that moment. For example, one table group that had expressed a wide divergence of passionately held views reported that they now value each other so much they will be friends for life. My prayer is that we will all commit ourselves to this type of action. Where love comes to life can be given new meaning as we lovingly work through the situation in which we find ourselves.

I especially encourage our pastors to follow in this way of Christ. Blessing and encouraging God’s precious people must be at the forefront of our pastoral practice. Gentleness and compassion, often sacrificial, must come first. It is written that despite everything that was done to him Jesus loved his own to the end. He willingly went to the cross for their sake (John 13:1). Pastors, as servants of Jesus Christ, can do no less at a time in the life of the church when so many people need your help and wise counsel.

So let’s now take the space we need as we receive the outcome of the Convention. Your church leaders are feeling many of the same things that you are. We don’t have immediate answers but we do know that it is unwise to rush into action before we have waited on the Lord.

Your bishops also recommend that as a church we wait a while before deciding on opening up public conversation spaces as we did with OWL. For this reason, we won’t be receiving comments just yet on the Convention website or the LCA official Facebook page. If you are involved in private blogs or Facebook pages, please help the church by publishing content that exhibits Christian respect, love, grace and compassion. When all the parts of the body love and respect each other, so the whole body is honoured, and Christ is served.

Many delegates reported that the highlight of Convention was the daily celebration of our unity and of the church of which our Saviour has made us a part. For the many of you who were not able to attend Convention, please ask your delegate to share with you his/her experience of the unity we shared around the Christ candle. Your bishops pray that all of us are strengthened to continue in this spirit. Each one of us can play a part, as we speak well of each other in love.

'And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus' (Philippians 4:7 NIV).

To God be the glory.

Pastor John Henderson Bishop, Lutheran Church of Australia

On behalf of the College of Bishops:

Rev John Henderson, LCA Bishop
Rev Dr Andrew Pfeiffer, LCA Assistant Bishop
Rev David Altus, Bishop SA/NT District
Rev Mark Lieschke, Bishop NSW District
Rev Greg Pfeiffer, Bishop WA District
Rev Greg Pietsch, Bishop Vic/Tas District Rev Paul Smith, Bishop Qld District
Rev Mark Whitfield, Bishop LCNZ
Rev Neville Otto, Secretary of the Church

FROM THE LLL (Lutheran Layman's League)

The LLL has recently approved grants for the following:

• The 2015 Spice Retreat (to enable the wives of Pastors and Church Workers to meet and be of support for each other),
• The Wellington congregation who are planning on holding a family camp and for
• The Grow seminar to be held in Wellington in November

The LLL are delighted that they are in a position to financially support these projects and wish to inform the Church that it has money and encourages others to apply.

FROM THE GENERAL CHURCH COUNCIL (GCC) LCNZ REP ...

The LCNZ’s GCC rep, Jill Hobden reports as follows –

As a GCC member I am committed to learning about aspects of the LCA/NZ which may not have a profile or presence in New Zealand. With this mind I attended the Lutheran Women of Australia Convention which preceded Synod last week. Approximately 250 women and a small number of men from across Australia were present for two days of business, singing, devotion and speakers.

Several of the speakers were the highlights of the Convention for me. Jonathan Krause of the ALWS spoke of the work being done in various parts of the developing world. I was interested to learn just how important long drop toilets and water wells are in reducing disease and the amount of time and effort required by women in collecting water and nursing sick children (after all this is women’s work in many parts of the world). This really does transform lives in these communities. The ALWS display includes a particularly powerful display of a week’s food ration for a refugee in any of the various African camps compared to the food we might consume over the same period (see photo). Jonathan informed us that the daily cost of care and support for a refugee is 85 cents per day, however, only 35 cents per day is actually available and the food ration shown in the display now has to last a fortnight.

LWA sends 2000 birthing kits annually to PNG and a relatively new initiative has been to provide solar panels. These have been installed in birthing rooms in rural areas so that night time deliveries can have adequate lighting. Solar panels also mean that vaccines requiring refrigeration can be kept in these isolated rural communities. The mainstream churches including the ELCPNG are seen as being more accountable for delivering Australian government aid programmes in PNG.

Lutheran Women form a vital cog in the work of our church by raising desperately needed funds to support such diverse projects as;

• Aboriginal Ministry South Australia
• Home of Praise, Bangkok – where children from the slums of Kong Teoy can come to be fed, washed and hear the welcoming love of Jesus each weekday.
• ALC Women’s Auxiliary – for such things as refurbishing student flats. Recently 10 new kitchens were installed at Katherine Court.

Bishop John Henderson is to be commended for the careful and deliberate process used in conducting the business of Synod. Almost 2 days were devoted to the question of women in the office of public ministry, firstly in dialogue of groups of 8 at tables followed by debate in the open forum and then the vote on Saturday morning. The voting process was carefully explained and prayers given, the votes were cast and then counted on stage in front of the 423 delegates present.

Both the opening and closing Synod services can be viewed in full by following the links on the LCA website.

“Safe At Church” Workshop Christchurch Saturday 3rd October 2015

Christchurch turned on a beautiful day for my visit to St Paul’s where I ran a workshop with the Church Leaders. We held the workshop at All Saint’s Anglican Church where St Paul’s are sharing worship while their building is finally being repaired four years after the terrible earthquakes. The workshop was attended by seven enthusiastic participants who fully engaged in discussion, sharing lots of experiences and stories. May God richly bless this tightknit band of leaders as they plan for the future of St Paul’s Lutheran Church. The church here is in good heart and good hands.

Jill Hagen, Professional Standards Officer Lutheran Church of New Zealand

Photo from left to right: Ahi Allen, Jill Hagen, Judy Calder, Susanne Thompson, Elizabeth Barrett, Svanaug Nilsen, Stanley Pidakala, Nathan Klein

SINCE WE LAST SPOKE ... WHERE I'VE BEEN AND WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO ...

5th September    We held the first meeting of the Reformation 2017 Working Group.

10th - 17th September   We welcomed Dr Stephen Pietsch from Australian Lutheran College (ALC) back to New Zealand.  Steve vicared at St Lukes Palmerston North in 1987, and came back to facilitate at the LCNZ Church Workers' Conference in Wellington.

13th - 16th September   The pastors and lay church workers of the LCNZ gathered for conference in Wellington.

17th - 21st September   I conducted a pastoral visit to St Matthew, Hamilton and performed an organ recital in St Matthews Anglican Church in Morrinsville.

28th September - 4th October   Together with Leanne, who was delegate for St Pauls Wellington, i attended the Convention of General Synod of the LCA/NZ in Brisbane, and preached at the Morning Eucharist on Friday 2nd October.

11th October   I conducted a pastoral visit to my home congregation of St Pauls Wellington and led worship there.  In the afternoon, I visited and conducted worship in the Wairarapa.

News Briefs

From St Martin, Marton we hear news that they have a new administrator, Barbara Atkinson, that they are about to re-start a Sunday school, and that four new young people are attending worship. (Great news!!)

St Matthew, Hamilton reports that they held agarage sale as a FUNdraiser on Saturday the 27th September. Members of St Matthew had been collecting items for sale for a couple of months. Volunteers came in to help set everything up in the church hall during the week and early on Saturday morning. A free sausage sizzle gave away about 125 sausages to many of those who came looking for and finding bargains. Those serving sausages and those helping the customers were able to chat with members of the community. Encouragement and verbal invitations to worship were offered to a number of those who stayed for a chat.

Julie Kummerow reports that the annual Mountainside HBA (Holiday Bible Adventure) for 2015 was all about Faith Building. We focused on key bible verses each day, the first being, ‘What are we?’ ‘We are God’s Masterpieces!’ (Ephesians 2:10) The three days were based around Faith Building Play stations; activities that involved thinking about our faith development, connecting to Bible stories and of course, relaxing with some holiday fun. Building our lives on a firm foundation was a feature in the block building and thinking about how Jesus is the cornerstone in our lives was a major part of the three day event. We enjoyed watching Bible video clips, experiencing a Prayer walk, hearing bible stories, sing-a-longs and working co-operatively with each other. The best part of our HBA is the way our Senior Mountainside members help support us. Many gave up their time to volunteer in the Kitchen and help with the art and craft activities. It was a wonderful time with over 30-35 children attending on each of the three days. We look forward to next years ‘Faith Builders’ event and building on the firm foundation, Jesus our rock!

News just in from the Hawkes Bay after Dean Eaton spent today with them … Erwin Sonnendecker writes: Many thanks for your support and prayers regarding Dean’s visit today. I have, throughout Dean’s sermon, as well as [during] the workshop, been deeply aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is my humble view that very good seed has been sown and am convinced that wonderful and encouraging developments will evolve in the near future. Dean’s refreshing approach to “what, how and why” has been an inspiration and encouragement. What has been a tiny Lutheran congregation on the brink of extinction may become a rejuvenated and thriving “new shoot”.

FROM THERE TO HERE ...

I just have to tell you this. Last weekend, I was worshipping with around 800 Lutherans from around Australia and New Zealand at the General Convention … in a beautiful large chapel at Redeemer Lutheran College south of Brisbane. As we say these days (and as I am about to say here): it was AWESOME.

Today, just one week on, I gathered with 5 saints; the congregation of St Francis Mauriceville West in the Wairarapa. We met in a home in Greytown looking out over the Tararua Ranges to the west (see the photo), for worship, prayer, scripture, song, the Lord’s Supper, and then a lovely fellowship dinner together. Guess what? It was AWESOME too!!

(Photo of members of St Francis, Mauriceville)

BISHOP MARK ON ANNUAL LEAVE

When I return from the next round of College of Bishops’ meetings, including interviews of the Final Year Graduation Class of ALC next week, I will be taking two weeks’ annual leave. During this time (25th October to 7th November), please 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.

IN OUR PRAYERS

A prayer of thanks for the wonderful way the unifying Spirit of Jesus cared for and looked after the Church (Jesus’ Body) as we gathered in General Synod.

For the College of Bishops and other servant-leaders in the Church as they prepare to lead through the next synodical term.

For Dean Eaton as he visits and works with various LCNZ congregations this month: Mountainside, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu and Christchurch … inspiring them and encouraging them as they partner with God in his mission of love to the world.

For Pastor Joe Kummerow and his family as they mourn the death of Pastor Joe’s father, Pastor Fred Kummerow … that they would be surrounded and kept safe in the love of God.

For the Graduates of ALC … especially those preparing to be ordained, that the final interviews and appointment process will go smoothly and that they will find joy in their first assignments.

Give thanks for Bishop John who led and facilitated the General Synod in a deeply pastoral manner.

MĀNAWATANGA / BLESSING

From the Letter to the Ephesians (which gave guidance to our gathering at General Synod):

Koia ahau, ta te Ariki herehere, ka whakahau nei i a koutou kia rite ta koutou haere ki te karangatanga i karangatia ai koutou.

Kia papaku rawa te ngakau, kia mahaki, kia manawanui, kia ata hanga tetahi ki tetahi, i runga i te aroha;

Me whai kia mau te kotahitanga o te Wairua, he mea paihere na te rangimarie.

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Eph.4:1-3)

+ MARK

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