Presbyter's Ramblings

Presbyter`s Ramblings

Presbyter`s Ramblings

On August 14th and 15th I attended a hui (meeting) which aimed to strategize ways of pioneering innovative ways Methodism can develop a presence in significant new areas being developed throughout Aotearoa. The refreshing aspect of the event was the idea that the Church has life, that the Gospel has a place in the future of our islands.
About 24 people met who were committed to new initiatives around New Zealand, primarily in urban areas. Some of those who attended were engaged in established new initiatives. Others were those who supported new projects. Supporters were chiefly from Synods. Two case studies were presented:

1. The Rolleston Initiative, presented by Darryn Hickling. This is a relatively new project operating for two years now and is supported by the South Island Synod. Darryn shared a typical programme. The closest programme that comes close to this experience is the type of service Linda Cowan leads with us.

2. Hobsonville Point, Auckland was presented by Richard Small. Recently ordained, Richard was stationed to Hobsonville Point in 2026. This project has been operating for a number of years. If I recall correctly, there are presently about 30 participants in this project.
These projects share much in common with Fresh Expressions. Fresh Expressions comes out of the Church of England and the Methodist Church in the UK. The aim of Fresh Expressions is to provide alternative ways of being church, and reaching out to the ‘unchurched’.

Following the hui I spent some time catching up with family in and around Ngāruawāhia, just north of Hamilton. My stepdaughter Hinekura and her family are involved in the Anglican Church. Both her father and husband are Anglican priests. On Sunday evening we went to her father’s rural parish who were hosting Messy Church, a programme that some may be familiar with. It followed a similar pattern to the service that Darryn had described at the hui. The theme for the evening was Salt and Light. There were several activities set up on tables around the hall. This was followed by some singing, a short reflection, prayer, and a shared meal. It was a different way to being church within the community. Interestingly the local Pentecostal pastor and his family engage with Messy Church.
The takeaway of both these events for me, was that in some of our work through Whareora House we are offering a different way of being Church in our local community. Secondly, there is hope in our practice of honouring God and pushing forward on the Kingdom of God in Aotearoa New Zealand.

                                                                              Andrew.