Who's leading our ceremonies? - Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand MAY 2019, ISSUE 76 - Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New ...
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Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
MAY 2019, ISSUE 76
Who's
leading
our
ceremonies?
COMMENT: REV DR ANDREW NICOL
After the Christchurch
terror attacks
In a time when there have been so many dark that we never would have perceived
words it can be hard to know where to in the light. Just so, this terrible act of
start, but there are some things we need murder, aimed firmly at our Muslim
communities, also requires Christians to
to say and demonstrate without delay or
respond and reflect. It is tempting to try
equivocation. So I will start with these and race through the shadows, or these
words shared from our Alpine Presbytery days, flick the light switch, but some of
family to our Muslim communities in the us here have been wondering if we are
aftermath of the shooting: we stand in not in fact being called to wait a while in
common humanity with our Muslim family, the dark. I wonder if from the perspective
of Christian faith we have been thrust
friends and neighbours. This was evil and is
prematurely into Maundy Thursday
a tragedy. We are so sorry this has happened.
where we find the kind of darkness Lent
Our Muslim brothers and sisters, may God’s beckons us toward. Here in the Easter Rev Dr Andrew Nicol
unswerving love be your companion in grief, shadows we are being challenged about
God’s peace and hope the sources of our our power. The resources for enacting a
resolve to live into a new day. Thank you community which lays down its power, biblical God’s real test of goodness and
which loves without boundaries, that wickedness is hospitality to strangers.1
for the example of forgiveness you have
tells the truth about our darkness, that So rather than protecting real or perceived
lived out.
celebrates the beauty and diversity social space for the faith, we might find
As we acknowledge the incredible of human life are to be found in the confidence and hope in the confession
goodness, bravery, and generosity of life, death, resurrection, and ongoing that the vulnerability and weakness of
the people of New Zealand may we also ministry of Jesus who divested himself the cross is an act of divine wisdom that
confess that darkness is not an import. of all power and security coming to us reshapes the fabric of the world. In the
We are hearing what we perhaps secretly in the midst of our brokenness. The God shadows of Maundy Thursday we meet
knew all along—that New Zealand has who appears in brokenness, not only Jesus stooped to wash the feet of his
never been safe for everyone. Of course heals it but participates in it, and calls disciples. And here in the diminished
this kind of darkness which hates and us to follow. light the disciple Peter gives voice to the
seeks death and division is a kind we How will change last and our aspirations scandal at the heart of reality. That to be
should all resist and seek to dispel. There be revisited and refreshed? As a friend a person of the Way is to be shaped by the
is another kind of darkness Christchurch re m i n d e d m e t h e o t h e r d ay o u r character of the triune God of Israel’s who
people know all too well which is trauma determination to reach beyond our silos takes the form of a slave by identifying
itself. It cannot so much be escaped, but in relationship and listening must be with the oppressed and lowly of the
needs be grieved, gently accompanied, accompanied by deeper discipleship and world. In washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus
listened to and healed over time. This has character. The Gospel claims there is one upends notions of power and status in
been compounded for many people here humanity in Christ which means laying humble service and love. In so doing we
and has a major impact on our resilience. down power amongst the privileged confess the darkness is no impediment to
Yet another form of night is more like and listening to the margins, but it does God’s presence. Let’s not rush for the light
our childhood bedroom with the door so recognising that Jesus relativises switch. Can we wait in the dark a while?
thrust shut and the light extinguished. the status, power and culture of all – Rev Dr Andrew Nicol is minister at
Counterintuitively, this is also the place people. There are undoubtedly many St Margaret’s Presbyterian Church,
we sometimes need to stay in for a while, questions and matters for the Church to Christchurch.
long enough for our eyes to become determine, nevertheless, as Richard Beck
accustomed and our ears attuned—to in his book Stranger God: Meeting Jesus in 1 Richard Beck, Stranger God: Meeting Jesus in Disguise
notice what God might teach us in the Disguise makes the case, often times the (Fortress, 2017).
2 M AY 2 0 1 9
MODERATOR'S MUSINGS
The Right Rev Fakaofo Kaio contributes a regular column to Spanz.
New Zealand,
Presbyterian Church of
Aotearoa New Zealand
MAY 2019, Issue 76
Our Home.
The land of the long white cloud, rich
and fertile, deep in the south of the
Pacific Ocean. You are the land of “milk
Who we are and honey”, viewed by many as the land
Spanz is published by the
of opportunity. Oh, how we love and adore
Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa
you. You have a pull and an appeal that
New Zealand,
is irresistible. New Zealand, you are our
PO Box 9049, Wellington, New Zealand
home. Many of your children were born
here, many were born overseas. When they
came to you, they could not leave. You building up of this land and her people.
Personally, I look in the mirror. And I
Editor have embraced us all and given us security,
know my heart, mind, attitude need to
Angela Singer peace and an opportunity to do well. respond with a new mindset, a holistic
angela@presbyterian.org.nz attitude, and a heart for all people.
On Friday, 15 March, there was a
Ph 04 381-8284 Scripture teaches us that we are made in
nightmare in our land. The lives of
the image of our Creator. I will not judge
Advertising 50 members of our Muslim family
and be condescending or be disrespecting
were taken, many more were injured
Jose Reader to another, anymore.
and families were shattered forever.
spanzadvertising@presbyterian.org.nz Christchurch was shaken to its core, and In Christchurch recently, I met with
Subscriptions all New Zealand were shocked, shattered ministers, chaplains from Christchurch
Katrina Graham and shaken. We will grieve for years, hospitals and St Andrews College, and
broken and brought to our knees. A dark some church members. Our folks are
katrina@presbyterian.org.nz
cloud hovered over our land. Not moving in deep grief. They are stretched and
Ph 04 381-8283 or dissipating – just hanging over us. Our drained. They have been shaken, and the
ISSN 1175 5202 (print) grief and mourning reached to the sky. anxiety and stress of the terrible events of
We turned to each other; we turned to 15 March are ongoing. Recovering patients
ISSN 1179 3473 (online) the land, New Zealand our home. And remain in hospital at the time of writing;
we responded, reached out, cried and their families struggle; and there is visible
May 2019, Issue 76
stood with each other. Especially with police security at locations around the
Next issue our Muslim family. We reconnected with city. Tension and grief remains a daily
Spanz budget 2019/2020 is yet to be our family. We remember what it is to be reality for the victims, their families and
discussed by the Council of Assembly. part of the human family in a deeper way. the many folks supporting them.
We need each other. We must make time
Information concerning future editions Our Church family is praying for all
with and for each other.
will be advised in June. these people, journeying with them, and
In New Zealand today, there are diversities keeping them in our thoughts.
Advertising deadline galore in all areas of life: faith, ethnicity,
religion, people, status, gender, age and The dark cloud is moving, but the sombre
Please see above. mood and gloom of death and destruction
more. We need to build relationships
Design with each other for the sake of our will simmer and remain. We are scarred
unity and harmony in the land, and for for life. But we will go on. New Zealand
Tangerine
future generations to have any chance is still paradise on earth, a land rich in
Printing of progress and a meaningful existence. kaimoana, majestic mountains, clean
Service Printers There is unity in diversity, and it requires flowing rivers, pristine coastal shores and
openness, communication, hopefulness, people with heart and soul, kindness and
Copyright acceptance, tolerance and the desire to care, who value life. New Zealand will
The contents of Spanz may not be co-exist in the land. grow from this tragedy. New Zealand will
reproduced without permission of rebuild physically, spiritually, and with
In our Church, we have a statement: humanity. New Zealand will stand as one
the publisher. Opinions expressed “We live in a bicultural journey, with people. Kia kaha, kia toa, ia Iehu Karaiti.
in Spanz are not necessarily those a multicultural reality and a cross
We are people of the Pacific Ocean, we
of the Presbyterian Church of cultural emphasis”. This sums up the
are people of the land, we are loved
Aotearoa New Zealand. state of our nation, I believe. Our journey
and blessed by our creator God: maker,
forward requires us to be deliberate
redeemer and sustainer.
and intentional as people of this land.
Cover Photograph Together, we can make and mend The clouds are moving. How truly
iStock differences. The future of New Zealand inspiring the response to this tragedy has
is in our hands. Each one of us must make been from within New Zealand and from
a concerted decision to be participant our global family. The light of our Lord
in change, and to be involved in the Jesus shines on us all. Praise the Lord.
MAY 201 9 3
Changing
role
of celebrants
Presiding over significant life events Peter reflects that this change began St Luke’s works hard to be accessible
like marriages and funerals was once in the mid-90s. A big factor in whether to the community. “Any celebrant or
ministers are asked to do weddings is the minister can take a service here,” explains
the sole preserve of a religious minister.
church building itself, he says. Glynn. “We’re theologically liberal and
In New Zealand’s secular society, that although we can’t conduct gay marriages,
space is increasingly shared with inde- “In Northland the building was a historic
gay couples have had their relationship
one, which attracted people. Down here,
pendent celebrants. blessed here.”
the old-style church was pulled down in
New Zealand has almost 2,500 registered 2016. There’s only been one wedding since Leading funeral services is another area
independent celebrants from all walks we've been in the new church.” that has seen change in recent years.
of life, offering their communities R e v N a t h a n Pa r r y o f I s l a n d B ay While it has been common practice for
tailor-made ceremonies in vineyards, Presbyterian Church in Wellington ministers to take funeral services in
gardens and parks and stately homes. agrees. Nathan has been a minister for undertaker chapels for many years, as
Weddings and civil unions are more 13 years. In the past five years he has not more elderly people live and die in rest
likely to take place in these locales than officiated at a wedding inside his church. homes, Nathan says funeral services
in a church. Funerals are frequently “Weddings are all being held elsewhere themselves are in decline.
held in undertaker chapels or there is no now, and our church is tucked away. “It’s becoming more common for no
funeral held. It's not a highly visible one.” funeral to be held, especially if relatives
New Zealand is becoming an increasingly By contrast, Rev Glynn Cardy’s parish are based overseas,” he explains. “People
secular nation, and the Church is now can be quite removed from death because
of St Luke’s in Remuera has an historic
at the edge rather than centre of our they don’t mix with the older age group.
church building that people still want
communities. Ministers of organised The Church is the one place where we do
to get married in.
religion are no longer universally mix through the ages.”
regarded as the go-to people for leading “A lot of couples who opt for weddings in
There are exceptions to this notable
ceremonies that mark the important our church don’t want to stress the God
change. Rev Maua Sola has been
events in people’s lives and are now one of element but they do want their vows to
minister of the Mangere Pacific Islanders
many people that can lead such services. take place in a sacred space where people
Church for the past 27 years. In that
have said those same words over time,” he
Rev Peter Dunn began ministry in a rural time, he has rarely heard of any member
says. “Standing on a beach is nice but it’s
Northland parish 30 years ago and was of his congregation using an inde-
not the same.”
called to Invercargill a decade ago as the pendent celebrant.
minister of the large suburban Windsor Glynn thinks more people are opting out
“Pacific islands communities are pretty
Community Church. of church weddings because Christian
conservative when it comes to these
churches are no longer seen as a symbol things,” he reflects. “They would still opt
“When I started out, we did all the
of belonging. for an ordained minister.”
weddings and funerals. We would have
conducted 30 to 40 funerals a year. Now, “In ancient times, the minister was for the Maua reflects that for ministers to
with two ministers, we do 20 funerals whole village. Part of the tradition was flourish in today’s celebrancy role, they
a year between us, mostly older church about being there for everyone, but most must meet people where they are.
folk. We probably have about 25 per churches now operate for their members
cent of the funerals and hardly any or to attract them. The breakdown in the “You can’t use templates in these cultures.
Church and society relationship over You can’t find templates. You gotta write
weddings – they’ve dried up. The long-
the 30 plus years I’ve been a minister has it up yourself.”
term relationships are being lost. Over my
20 years in Northland I began to marry meant that here in Remuera people see Mangere is one of the biggest parishes in
the children of the first generation of the church as a club they don’t belong to… the Northern Presbytery, offering services
weddings, a wonderful experience.” I feel a bit sad about that.” in Niuean, Samoan and Cook Islands
4 M AY 2 0 1 9
Photo: Jonny Scott
Celebrant Jill Kayser, pictured left, says she works with couples getting married to help them identify who and what they want to honour in their ceremony and
whether they want a spiritual component.
languages as well as English. In a year, Dunedin until 2017. He says the church that the role of a minister as celebrant
Maua officiates at around 10 weddings is a diverse congregation and it’s the has changed.
and 20 funerals. He says that in order for immigrants who often seek to get
“I went through KCML in 2015 /16.
the ceremony to be real and authentic for married in the church.
They prepared us for different types
his congregation it has to be conducted
“First Church had a high number of of situations,” she says. “We’re a cross-
in their own language.
Japanese wanting celebrations. Some cultural society. Every funeral is different.”
“The second most commonly spoken were legally married but wanted a
When it comes to choosing between an
language in Auckland is Samoan,” he Christian, western-style ceremony. I
says. “Not many people know that. I enjoyed doing a lot of weddings. There independent celebrant or a minister, two
don’t let my own limitations [with were even two from Venezuela,” he factors come into play. One is the long-
languages] prevent me from catering for reflects. “When people feel you’re genuine term pastoral relationship a minister can
the expectations of people. In the past, and really trying to help them that offer, as opposed to a professional service
ministers with island people in their sets a good platform for a long-term that ends after the ceremony. The other
parishes didn’t make enough effort to relationship. Some you may not see is the expression of faith.
cater for them in their own languages. It again but you never know what seeds Rev Peter Dunn says, “Now, when I’m
takes hard work to understand another you planted.” invited to participate it’s a Christian
culture, and get out of your comfort zone.” funeral, and the faith component is
Rev Mo Morgan is the minister of St James
Rev Dr Tokerau Joseph trained in Presbyterian Church in Whanganui. As what stands out. There’s a lot of hope
ministry in Dunedin before serving someone who has come through ministry and celebration. Non-church people
13 years as minister at First Church in training recently, she says it’s now a given comment that it’s so different. People
MAY 201 9 5
“It’s becoming more common for no funeral to be held, especially if relatives are based overseas,” says
the Rev Nathan Parry. “People can be quite removed from death because they don’t mix with the older age
group. The Church is the one place where we do mix through the ages.”
often say to me, we don’t want it to be With weddings the minister will tailor celebrant. “I suspect that particular
religious but invariably there’ll be a a service that’s based on asking the pilot [community celebrant] didn’t
prayer or a Bible reading requested. I’ve couple searching questions beforehand. succeed, because it wasn’t effectively
never done a truly secular service.” “I ask them why they’re taking the implemented,” says Jill, “but I think the
step of getting married, to get them idea has merit as an outreach service. It
Mo agrees that faith is integral to to articulate their understandings. was maybe a little ahead of its time.”
the offering. There’s a more formal aspect to having
Community celebrants, she says, although
a minister involved.”
“I can’t stop being a minister in that connected to the church, could appeal
role,” says Mo, “But I’m sensitive to the Fewer ceremonies overall means a to those who don’t want an orthodox
greater focus can be given to each one. Christian ceremony.
language and imagery used. I gauge
A funeral can take two to three days of a
where people are at. Whether someone “The celebrant could become the
minister’s time, says Peter. “They’re time
feels Christian or not, I’m still going to be consuming, and I remember having connection back to faith for people
pointing to the hope that Christ brings. two or three funerals sometimes in who increasingly aren’t drawn to the
We also provide a hospitable gathering a fortnight.” institutional side of religion, or can’t
space and time to reflect, confess and find a place of worship that works for
In the early 2000s, the Presbyterian them,” she reflects.
point to redemption.” Church commissioned a research study
by AC Nielson called Attracting New “I have a yearning to serve people in
Rev Glynn Cardy adds that ministers
Zealanders to Spiritual Life. The study the community. I work with couples
have a full-time role, rather than offering
noted that ceremonies traditionally getting married to help them identify
celebrancy as a “sideline activity”, which who and what they want to honour in
associated with key life stages can also
most independent celebrants do. It is the open people up to the possibility of their ceremony and whether they want
depth of experience that counts, believes church assuming some relevance in a spiritual component and what that
Glynn: “Ministers take liturgy every week their life, and encourage them to take could look like.”
so they have a sense of how it flows. a step closer. The report encouraged
The biggest change that independent
In designing a wedding the interplay establishment of community celebrants
celebrants have helped to bring about
between formal and informal is strong.” in congregations who could act as
over the past 20 years, she says, is by
a bridge, conducting non-Christian
Families often don’t know what to do offering a personalised service that
weddings in the church and offering
when a loved one dies, says Rev Nathan responds to an increasingly diverse
blessings and other special ceremonies.
and multicultural society, as well as a
Parry. A minister can offer pastoral care Former Kids Friendly coach, Jill Kayser secular one.
and is often asked by family members to is an elder of St Helier’s Presbyterian
accompany them into the rest home to Church congregation in Auckland, “The question is, how do we serve people?”
see the deceased. and a (Methodist) church appointed Jade Reidy
6 M AY 2 0 1 9
Award for
Deaconess
Collection
Handwritten memoirs, bonnets and badges
are all part of an extraordinary archive of
material documenting the service of 175
Presbyterian women in New Zealand from
1901 to 1975.
The archive, known as the Presbyterian Delighted by UNESCO’s recognition of the Presbyterian Church Deaconess Collection are Presbyterian
Church Deaconess Collection, has had Research Centre director Jane Thomsen, right, with the centre’s archivist Rachel Hurd.
its true value internationally recognised
through the conferment last November
working with Sister Evelyn Macadam done on women’s leadership within
of a UNESCO Memory of the World New
from First Church, she noticed the the Church, combined with the 2018
Zealand award.
plight of children in their local Dunedin interest in the suffrage movement.
There are 35 collections listed on the community. The women decided to The award was officially presented at
UNESCO Memory of the World NZ take the youngsters into their home, an the National Library in Wellington on
Register – eight new ones in 2018, action which led to the founding of the 26 November, 2018.
including the Deaconess Collection. The first PSSA (Presbyterian Social Service
Presbyterian Research Centre had one Association, later known as Presbyterian “The Deaconess order was a way of making
other collection listed in 2017, the Ng New Support) Children’s Home in North women’s work visible within society and
Zealand Chinese Heritage Collection. Dunedin, with Sister Mary McQueen gave women a voice and a formal role
“ The Deaconess Collection,” says becoming its matron. outside the home,” Jane explains. “It paved
Presbyterian Research Centre Director Another was Margaret Reid Martin. After the way for the ordination of women,
Jane Thomsen, “shines a light on a group training and serving as a deaconess, she which finally happened in 1965. The
of New Zealand women, who over 75 was the first women to ordained as a Presbyterian Church was one of the first
years served many of New Zealand’s minister in the Presbyterian Church in Christian denominations in New Zealand
poor and vulnerable, yet whose stories 1965. Twenty-two years later she became to formally give women office as elders
are largely untold. We are delighted by the second woman appointed Moderator and ordained ministers.”
UNESCO’s recognition of the Collection of the Presbyterian Church, all the while
because it will provide a springboard for The Deaconess Collection includes
advancing her stated mission of ensuring
the stories of these pioneering women in extensive correspondence and docu-
women’s perspectives “influenced both
ministry to be heard.” mentation, a personal diary, hand-
the style and direction of decision-
written memoirs, 60 audiotapes of
Deaconesses were an order for women making” in the Church.
oral histories, 10 photo albums, 103
in the Presbyterian Church when the Jane describes the order as an “example of slides, cards outlining the career of each
conventions of the day denied them the growth of active women’s leadership
ordination, despite their training being deaconess, the Roll of Deaconesses from
funded by women during the 20th 1901 to 1964, and artefacts that include
almost identical to ministry training. century”. It was a movement that
12 deaconess badges, two bonnets and
The Deaconess Order was founded in New responded to social pressures caused by
a medal. Much of the collection, which
Zealand by Rev Rutherford Waddell soon events including the Depression, both
is housed at Dunedin’s Presbyterian
after the turn of the century, essentially world wars, and the inter-war and post-
Research Centre Archives, was sourced
to enlist aid for his parish work. Courses war periods, she says.
through church organisations and
were established to train women in “Through their work, the deaconesses family records.
social and missionary service, teaching made significant contributions to
and nursing, and by the mid-1900s, were “Because the Church was at the centre of
education and social services throughout
extended to include theological training. everyday life in the early 20th century,
New Zealand, from Tūhoe in the Uruwera
The women recognised through the to underprivileged communities in this collection is a rich and unique source
UNESCO award served their church and Dunedin.” of information about the rise of social
communities in ways that have had services, gender inequality and the role
Jane nominated the Deaconess Collection
lasting significance. of women outside the home in the 1900s,”
for the UNESCO award. She said the idea
One of the first was Sister Mary McQueen, to highlight women in the Church’s says Jane.
deaconess at Knox Church in 1906. While history came out of research being Viv Posselt
MAY 201 9 7
Photo: iStock/sjharmon
Church sc
l
hools
e a d
caring fo w a y
r creatio
n
Presbyterian schools around the country are also agreed by Assembly, including a Brett says it’s time for the Church to
responding in kind to a 2018 commitment commitment to fair trade purchases; express its mission of care for creation,
made by the Presbyterian Church to play a composting; exploring sustainable explaining that the changes proposed
alternatives to hand towels in churches, were “small and simple”.
more expansive and influential role in caring
schools and other agencies; and exploring
for the environment. “We were clear from the start that this
sources of renewable energy.
was a national Church issue, and not one
A stated commitment to acknowledging What Brett called “friendly amend- that could simply be addressed at a local
the Church’s Christian-centred role in ments” were added during Assembly presbytery level. Together we can make a
caring for creation, while also taking discussions, aimed at encouraging difference. We hope our changes will have
steps to reduce its own impact on the the reduction of transport-related a ripple effect and influence individuals
environment was an important outcome atmospheric degradation by promoting and others in our community.”
of last year’s General Assembly. cycling through the provision of more
Nadia said the pair had engaged with
It came from a proposal submitted on cycle stands, and making church land
Ecostore, a company that manufactures
behalf of Presbytery Central by young available for community gardens or
and markets a range of “live clean”
Presbyterian leaders Brett Reid and restoration plantings.
products; they had expressed a
Nadia Ridsdale, and resulted in Assembly Brett, 27, is a theology student and youth willingness to offer parishes special
asking all church councils, church pastor of a cross-parish youth ministry rates to purchase environmentally
schools and social service agencies which operates across Khandallah sustainable alternatives.
connected with the Church to implement
Presbyterian, Ngaio Union, and
three “achievable and measurable” acts of Like many schools around the country,
Wadestown Presbyterian churches in
waste reduction and recycling. most Presbyterian schools have had
Wellington. The proposal came out of
their collective eye on environmental
With that came a call for progress towards a conversation he held with Nadia on
issues for a while; the commitment made
the implementation of those actions to be how best to inspire people to adopt more
reported to presbytery in congregations’ at Assembly gives them a leg-up to take
environmentally beneficial practices.
annual reports. While the measures are it further.
“To be honest, we were fed up with the
not compulsory, they are considered Former Presbyterian Church Schools’
waste we saw on a Sunday morning,
desirable and drew widespread support Resource Office director Rev Sharon Ross
from those in attendance. and we wanted the national Church to
Ensor says that while schools within
be aware that this was not responsible
The three actions centre on eliminating the Presbyterian network operate quite
stewardship,” he says. “We believe that
the use of single-use plastic items, independently from each other, many
responsible environmental stewardship
making clearly labelled recycling bins of them are already actively engaged in
is part of our calling as Christians, as
more readily available, and adopting environmental care work.
is outlined in Scripture. As such, we
the use of environmentally friendly understand our role on this earth as She adds, “The Church could learn
cleaning products.
kaitiaki, or protectors of the land, and something from the things they are
A further recommendation to expand that includes our attitudes towards waste already doing. For example, there could be
the list of environmental changes was reduction and management.” a mutuality in sharing ideas and stories.”
8 M AY 2 0 1 9
Photo: iStock/haryigit
Head of Sustainability at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, Rosetta Brown, has been recognised for her work General Assembly asked parishes and Church
leading the school’s reuse depot. schools to implement “achievable and measurable”
acts of waste reduction and recycling.
Christchurch’s Rangi Ruru Girls’ School “We called it Mosaic Reuse Project to help That action spearheaded numerous
has several success stories to share. They everyone think about what they can do to changes, including establishing healthy
adopted a comprehensive sustainability upcycle and use pieces of broken things to food and drink habits, changes in
philosophy five years ago, putting in place create beauty,” she says. “We’re continuing boarding house procedures, the adoption
a swathe of staff and Board-supported to develop the project every day.” in 2016 of a water-only policy and the
projects around environmental issues removal of vending machine products,
Hannah and Zoe called their project “Suck
and waste reduction. and the sharing of products across
It Up”, the perfect moniker for something
local aid agencies. They also adopted
Kate Rivers, who leads the school’s aimed at ridding the environment of
energy and water saving strategies,
sustainability programme, says Rangi plastic straws. Under the mantle of
brought in sustainable landscape design
Ruru encourages their 640 plus students Young Enterprise, mentored by school
minimising the need for irrigation,
from Years 7-13 to become deep thinkers staffer Jacqui Griffith, they were keen to
started promoting sustainable travel
with the capacity to respond to the highlight an issue of growing concern
practices and encouraging sustainable
challenges of ecologically sustainable and came up with a metal straws solution. procedures around purchasing and
societies, and the girls are keenly aware “They’re reusable, they don’t have waste, and promoted the reuse of
of that responsibility. chemicals in them and they’re better for materials in Textiles, Performing Arts
“We need people across all disciplines the environment,” the girls have been and Visual Arts sessions.
who are literate in sustainability reported as saying. Part of their plan is Plans are afoot to establish a compost
principles, who can think critically and to have Christchurch restaurants, bars digester and biogas production system
laterally, who can work co-operatively, and cafes become plastic straw free, to convert the school’s green waste to gas,
who can think in terms of connections, and a portion of their proceeds will go thereby meeting its own energy needs,
and who are prepared to participate and to DOC to help prevent the unnecessary and increase solar power capabilities.
make a difference,” she says. “Our girls plastic-related death of land and sea life.
The school also partners with the local
are currently mentoring other local Jacqui says there is a strong demand community; just one example is their
secondary schools to help their students for the metal straws, which have been bra collection project, which sees the bras
establish policies and lead change.” marketed for about six months. passed on to the oncology department at
Some examples of their proactive steps Kate was appointed by Rangi Ruru to Christchurch Hospital and then sent to
come from students Amy Huang, Hannah develop the school’s shared vision and to the Pacific islands. Other medical items
Macfarlane, Zoe Yates and Rosetta Brown. work alongside student-led action groups are collected for reuse, as are books,
to support the implementation of a range mobile phones and more.
Amy’s “Mosaic Reuse Project” takes
unsold materials from Salvation Army of initiatives. Recognition for these moves has been
Family Stores and, with the help of “We kicked off changes by displaying significant.
volunteers, turns them into reusable three cubic metres of waste outside the In 2014, Rangi Ruru became a certified
bags for the store to use in-house for their entrance to our school chapel, including Fairtrade School, one of just two in
customers. The idea stemmed from her the contents of 128 large black rubbish Christchurch, and more recently has
dad’s ripped pyjama top and learning-to- bags of mixed waste,” Kate says. “As become an Enviroschool. For the past
sew lessons at schools – Amy’s “eureka” people walked past, the mountainous pile two years Rangi Ruru has been carbon
moment was realising she could be the shocked the school; it was alarming to see neutral. The school’s food and drink
person behind making something useful how much waste we produced daily. That practices were outlined as an example
out of the fabric from discarded items. symbolised the end of an era.” of good practice in the University of
MAY 201 9 9
Photo: iStock/spwidoff
Auckland Food in Schools Survey, School- Outdoor Education Centre outside the “It integrates Christian studies, health
FERST National Study of 2016-17. In city, with teaching conducted in the and inquiry,” says Jeanette.
2017, a video outlining environmental natural environment.
Many other Presbyterian schools
practices on their farms and at the school
“Much of it was how the girls unpack a re j oi n i n g t o g e t h e r t o p ro m o t e
made by young farmers in the boarding
those learnings in a way that sees them environmental awareness and bring
house took first equal in the national
enjoy a variety of outdoor pursuits,” practical changes to their campuses, and
AgRecovery Competition.
Jeanette explains. “We are lucky enough also heeding the call from Assembly are
Student Rosetta Brown was a finalist in to have a wonderful environment here Presbyterian parishes.
the young legends category of the Keep in Wellington.”
New Zealand Beautiful Awards. She is The Church recently ran a Neighbours
Head of Sustainability, a leader of the Students faced a variety of physical Day promotion, offering free native
school’s environment club and editor of challenges, including surf kayaking, seeds to parishes wanting to be proactive
Bloom, a well-being journal promoting paddle boarding, tramping and mountain in caring for the green spaces in their
healthy habits, and was involved in biking, and tested their nerve with an community. The uptake was widespread,
establishing source separation of waste afternoon spent “solo” in the bush. with parishes around the country asking
at the school and steering Rangi Ruru’s Another initiative saw students clear for seeds to be sent to them.
reuse depot. gorse and plant native trees, as well as In his introduction to the Church’s Caring
The school was also involved in an put in a park bench and surround it for Creation study booklet, the Very Rev
inspirational Whole House Reuse project with gravel. Jeanette says there was a Dr Graham Redding said humans have
and exhibition at Christchurch Museum, range of learning as the girls researched a two-fold responsibility when it comes
and this year, it will be involved in a long- and prepared ahead of time including to the natural world; as both “priests of
term community regeneration project in co-ordinating the fundraising needed to creation and stewards of creation”.
the area. support the project.
And in his 2019 Lenten message to the
Another Presbyterian school embracing “I believe it is important for them to Church, Moderator the Rt Rev Fakaofo
e nv i r o n m e nt a l o p p o r t u n i t i e s i s see that initiatives such as these are Kaio, urged people to consider how
St Oran’s College in Lower Hutt, where about faith in action, while also actively they are being good neighbours to
the school’s more than 500 pupils in contributing to and improving society. God’s creation.
Years 7-13 are encouraged to connect The girls learned about our native species
with the environment through holistic “In observing our own connection to our
and their habitat, and had a huge sense
education practices underpinned by faith, we could reflect on how we might
of achievement as they worked together
Christian values. do more to care for the green spaces of
in teams across the weekend creating the
our church, home, and neighbourhood,”
Much of what has evolved in environ- legacy trail.
he says.
mental terms has stemmed from the “One way they are looking to do that is to
college’s inaugural Year 10 “Fearless Girls, engage with a new teaching programme “What changes could we make in our
Strong Women” programme, says College launched this year called ‘Connect’. It lifestyle habits? In what ways do our
principal Jeanette Duffy. offers Year 7 and 8 students a cross- choices harm God’s creation – its people,
curricular curriculum which allows creatures and the Earth itself ? God’s
The optional residential programme
the girls to connect with their faith covenant is with all peoples, and let’s
was launched in 2018, providing an
and explore relationships with God, not forget, with the animals and plants
opportunity for pupils to develop their
themselves and others, and allows them (Genesis 9:9-10; Hosea 2:18). Together,
moral compass through connecting
with themselves, connecting with others to enhance their hauora, providing an we can plant a small seed and nurture
and connecting with the environment. opportunity for them to live out their positive change.”
Forty-five girls spent 12 days at Kaitoke faith through action. Viv Posselt
10 M AY 2 0 1 9Tune into the Kiwi youth
ministry podcast
A youth ministry podcast with a distinctly
Kiwi flavour is being run out of the Rangitikei
town of Marton by a young Presbyterian Rev Tim Duxfield and Jasmin Vanderwerff are running a youth ministry podcast from Marton.
host and a guitar-playing Anglican minister.
The collaborative initiative linking host months. The one thing I did know was “I’ve been really encouraged by the
Jasmin Vanderwerff and Rangitikei that I didn’t want to do it on my own, so far-reaching feedback I have had since
Anglican Parish youth minister, Rev I asked Tim if he’d be interested in doing the podcast went live,” says Matt. “People
Tim Duxfield, kicked off last November. it with me. We wanted this podcast to have spoken positively about it from
Entitled “Youth Ministry in New be something with a wider appeal, to be different spheres of ministry, even from
Zealand”, the podcast features fort- really ecumenical in the way it feels.” outside youth ministry. Several have
nightly interviews of around 40 minutes used it as fuel for some really strategic
The pair found the technical help they
with a mix of ministry experts and conversations in their organisations.”
needed, and were off, working on the
youth pastors.
premise that the start-up podcast would Susan is another convert to the world
“To begin with we picked people we know run for an initial 12 months before they of the podcast. In sharing her role as
really well… people we trust to share would re-evaluate it. Presbytery Central mission catalyst on
awesome wisdom and stories with our
One of the first interviews aired was with Jasmin and Tim’s podcast, she focused
listeners,” Jasmin says.
PYM director Matt Chamberlin, with her attention on the message “that
Jasmin and Tim are ministry leaders another featuring Presbytery Central’s the disappointments and failures
working with young people across two mission catalyst, Susan Blaikie. Both are we experience in our Christian walk
denominations. Their view that New ardent supporters of Jasmin and Tim’s and ministry are, unfortunately, to be
Zealand needs a contextualised resource efforts to fulfil their brief to “equip, expected”, and said efforts to forgive our
like this comes from a shared belief that inspire and uplift all those who want enemy, or love those who are difficult
many of the 20 or so podcasts already to see young people thrive”. to love, often make sense only from a
out there don’t meet the needs of young
“Creating a grassroots podcast about youth gospel-currency perspective.
Kiwis because the messages come from
overseas, primarily the United States. ministry in New Zealand is a brilliant Susan, too, has had positive feedback,
idea,” says Matt. “We are saturated with hers focusing on an appreciation of the
“A lot of the things they talk about great teaching content from overseas, line “we are called to be faithful and
on these American podcasts are not but it is fantastic that both Jasmin and not successful”.
relevant here,” says Tim, citing cultural Tim have seen this important niche and
differences and variants in terms of the filled it with such a high-quality solution. Through their podcast, Jasmin and Tim
size, resourcing and activities undertaken It provides youth workers and leaders hope to engage not only with youth
by American and Kiwi youth groups. with indigenous wisdom in bite-sized pastors, but with anyone working with
The idea of starting one locally came chunks they can grab as they’re driving young people in New Zealand. It also has
through a casual chat Jasmin had with to the office.” the advantage, they say, of pooling both
Presbyterian Youth Ministry (PYM) Anglican and Presbyterian networks
He says his podcast on Yasmin and Tim’s
National Manager Gordon Fitch. and resources, and providing broader
Youth Ministry in NZ channel about
access to learning experiences that might
“Together we realised that there wasn’t discipleship was aimed at shifting the
otherwise be available only to those lucky
anything like it locally,” she says. “Gordon focus from just a pulpit and Bible study
approach to one that emphasises the enough to attend conferences or other
said I should start one. I thought and
prayed about it for a while and talked to importance of sharing aspects of everyday national training events.
other people over a period of about five life with believers across the generations. Viv Posselt
MAY 201 9 11Serving
Cook Islands
community
Derek Teariki, who attends St Andrews Church in Hastings was
recently awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for services to the
Cook Islands community.
In 1986, Derek arrived in Hawke’s Bay to play rugby for Napier
Tech. He met his wife Mata and stayed. Now, after almost two
decades of working night-shift so that he is available to help
his people during the day, he has been honoured as a mainstay
Derek Teariki
of the Cook Islands community with a Queen's Service Medal.
Born in Rarotonga in 1963, Derek came to New Zealand at 17,
initially working at Ford Motors. His father, Teariki Vaerua, a schools, churches and meeting houses damaged during
minister in the Cook Islands Christian Church was transferred hurricane season in the Cook Islands.
to Otara in South Auckland.
The wider community uses the hall for functions such as
Derek, who says he was brought up to serve church and birthdays, weddings, reunions, workshops and fundraising
community, was a secretary for youth and later the men’s events. Recently the New Zealand Defence Force made it a
fellowship, Tanetini, in the Cook Islands Christian Church’s base while doing free dental work and medical checks in
central New Zealand region. the community.
He then joined the congregation at St Andrews Presbyterian Derek formed Pa Metua, the Cook Islands Seniors Society, and
Church in Hastings where many Cook Islands people have runs the weekly exercise class. “After the exercises, we have a
worshipped since the 1950s. cup of tea. The reason behind it is that many older people have
lost their partners and this is a place they can come to talk and
When he moved to Hawke’s Bay, Derek found that the
share,” says Derek, who also organises an annual out-of-town
community hall had been in the hands of a small group for the
trip for the group.
past 30 years. “They were running it for their own needs. They
forgot that it belongs to the people,” he says. Other events are studded throughout the year. “We created
Cook Islands Constitution Day, which we celebrate on the first
“I did not plan to be a leader, I just got involved. I was in my late weekend of August. We have a sports day for youth in October,
twenties and had always been involved in church activities with netball, rugby, tennis and indoor basketball. And we hold
and also community activities. I think when you want to say a Pareu night dinner twice a year with a smorgasbord meal,
something, you don’t want to say it with no action. You have to singing, dancing and a live band, with people wearing the
walk the talk. You only know by doing it.” traditional Cook Islands sarong.
Derek formed the Hawke’s Bay Cook Islands Council in 1997 to Derek has worked about 20 years on night shift as a prison
unite the people and get the hall back for their use. He says it officer so he could be available for this work. While he and one
took a court case to get the hall back. “The case was finalised of their sons work for the Department of Corrections, Mata
in 2005. It cost a lot of money, which is really sad. We did not and their other son work at the freezing works. The couple now
want to go that way but that was the only way to achieve our have two grandchildren.
aim,” says Derek.
He says of the QSM award, “I just want to honour my parents,
The community is still paying the debts incurred, but for my upbringing, and my brothers and sisters for their
Derek organised charitable status for the hall and does a lot support. And a big thank you to the people of the Cook Islands
of fundraising. in Hawke’s Bay, for putting me forward for that honour.
The hall was extended in 2011 and can host up to 500 people. Kia orana e kia manuia.”
Recent visitors have included a group raising money to rebuild Jane Tolerton
12 M AY 2 0 1 9Caren Rangi on
board for leadership
When Caren Rangi tells you she’s busy, she isn’t kidding.
The professional board director was in Auckland for a meeting
yesterday, tomorrow she’s running a training session in
Christchurch and next week she’ll be in Nouméa for a two-day
board meeting.
Napier-based Caren, New Zealand’s only Cook Islands Maori
female board director, currently serves on five New Zealand
boards, including Te Papa, Creative New Zealand, Pacific
Island Home Care Services Trust, Pacific Inc and the Pacific
Co-operation Broadcasting Ltd, as well as one in the Cook Islands
(Cook Islands Investment Corporation). She also recently started
on the board of Tamatea High School in Napier, the college
where she was head girl and her son Mika (17) is currently
head boy. Caren Rangi
It’s a work schedule that sees the 51-year-old spend much of
her life on planes.
“It does make for a busy life, but I’m honoured to be able to sit “We need people with different backgrounds and voices around
the decision-making table, not just old men. That includes
at the decision making table for organisations that contribute
people of different ethnicities, ages and genders. It’s also not
to the lives of New Zealanders and Cook Islanders,” says the
just about getting them in the same room, it’s about making
mother of Mika and daughter Kaiata (11). “I’ve also picked areas
the most of their differences.”
that I’m passionate about, such as arts and culture, where I feel
I can make the best contribution.” Caren is also keen on giving the Cook Islands Maori community
a greater voice. “They might not have a say in the decision
Caren, who is a member of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in making process, particularly new arrivals from the Islands. But
Hastings, originally trained as an accountant. But after working it’s important their views are heard too.”
for the Auditor General’s Office, she segued into policy and
Caren, who says her faith is tied up not only in the Presby-
public sector management, including two years working for
terian Church but also in St Andrew’s large Cook Islands
the Cayman Island government’s audit office. community, works tirelessly to identify and nurture future
Last year Caren was awarded an ONZM Queen’s Honour governance talent.
for services to the Pacific Community and Governance but “It’s vital for our future that the voices of the many are heard.
admits she didn’t know any board directors when she was first I work with people who want to find out more about how
shoulder-tapped by the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs to serve governance works, as well as providing training and advice.”
on a board in 2002.
The key to making her busy life work is the support of her
“The organisation was establishing a Pacific radio network and partner McKenzie, a freezing worker, as well as her parents,
when I found myself signing a $7million cheque for 18 radio who live nearby.
transmitters, I thought I’d better go and get some training in Caren is also getting better at scheduling breaks throughout the
governance.” year to help recharge the batteries.
Christchurch-born Caren did just that and since then, has “I always book December and most of January off, because that’s
served on more than 20 boards – from commercial companies when the kids are off school. It’s important for me to spend as
to government bodies and not-for-profits. much time with them as possible before they grow up and do
their own thing.”
She says most people mistakenly think board directors “have an
easy life attending meetings”. “But it’s so much more than that As for the future, Hawke’s Bay will always be home. But Caren
– we set the strategic direction, make the high-level decisions, is keen to spend longer in Rarotonga than she currently does.
carry the risk and manage the CEO. The buck stops with us.” “At the moment, I’m there for work one week every two months,
Getting more women, and particularly younger women, onto but as McKenzie was born and bred in the Cook Islands, he’s
boards is a subject close to Caren’s heart and over the years she’s also keen to spend more time there and maybe even live there.”
run governance training for such women. Sharon Stephenson
MAY 201 9 13New standards for
child safety
Responsibility for setting policies ensuring the safety of children all volunteers and paid staff that work with children and young
in church environments has shifted from parish to national level people (aged under 18).
with the completion of a national Child Protection Policy. The policy includes safe recruitment and working practices.
It has detailed information about how to recognise abuse and
The new policy was published last December as a stand-alone neglect, procedures for reporting and responding to allegations
Supplementary Provision to the Church’s Book of Order. against church leaders and keeping families informed. The
Church must also comply with the Privacy Act.
Book of Order Advisory Committee convenor the Very Rev
Pamela Tankersley oversaw the six-month project to create the Kids Friendly took part in the drafting process and its
new policy, which was drafted by her team and staff from Kids administrative assistant Julie Taylor Penno makes the point
Friendly and Presbyterian Youth Ministry. that responsibility for a child’s safety extends beyond the
Church-based context.
“Child safety has always been a non-negotiable,” explains
Pamela. “The heart of our Church is our children. They are “The Child Matters training uses a phrase, ‘five sets of eyes’,
gifts of God, but a child safe culture requires competent and which means every child needs five sets of eyes looking out for
committed governance and leadership to ensure there are no them and ensuring their needs are being met,” she explains.
gaps in the process.” “Our Church’s children and family workers can be one of those
sets of eyes. The policy guides us in who to talk with and how
The other driver for change, she says, is the increased awareness to take the action required if we notice that something ‘doesn’t
at a secular level of children in institutions, including the look right’.”
extension to faith-based institutions of the Royal Commission
Training has been specifically integrated into the Church’s
of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care.
safety warrant of fitness (WOF) course. After completing initial
“We can’t change the past,” Pamela acknowledges, “but as one warrant of fitness training, a three-yearly refresher is required.
of the bodies that will be cooperating with the Commission,
“Most of the incidents of harm to children through church
we wanted to demonstrate a proactive approach to having best involvement could have easily been avoided with the right
practice systems in place going forward. It was a bigger task than structure and training,” says Matt. “When the issue of safety
we imagined, so it wasn’t ready to present to Assembly, but we’re training comes to mind, most people would rather go to the
really pleased to have the new policy implemented for 2019.” dentist, but the WOF is team-based and scenario-driven, which
Youth Ministry National Director Matt Chamberlin agrees. “The makes the day fun and engaging.”
Church is coming under increased scrutiny and in order to Congregations must comply with the policy by the end of 2019,
maintain a respected place in the community we need to work and to support this, the revised WOF training days are being
intentionally to maintain high ethical and safety standards. held around the regions between now and November. If other
This new policy has gone through so many great channels and commitments prevent attendance in person, video-based WOF
been very well thought out.” training will also be available from 1 August. For more details,
including training dates and locations, go to www.pym.org.nz.
During the drafting stages, the policy was consulted on widely
with practitioners on the ground, by the specialist agency Child A copy of the full Child Protection Policy can be downloaded
Matters, and by legal authorities. or viewed from the home page of the Church’s website at
www.presbyterian.org.nz.
Enacting the new policy will be led by presbyteries and
parishes, which are now required to appoint a safety officer. More information about police vetting is also available on the
The officer’s responsibility it is to ensure any suspected child website or by contacting the Assembly Office on 04 801 6000.
abuse is appropriately reported, and to coordinate training for Jade Reidy
14 M AY 2 0 1 9PASIFIKA CHURCH
CELEBRATES
YEARS
The Pacific Islanders Presbyterian
Church (PIPC) Newton’s 70th anniversary
celebrations late last year drew crowds
Decades of photographs and church memorabilia were on display at a living faith museum.
from far and wide to celebrate and share
memories of a place that generations of
story. That’s why we wanted to tell it.” The realise “my story’s worth telling”. Many
Pasifika call home. museum was a “living” one because the stayed three to four hours. One elderly
exhibits changed daily during the week man in his eighties and with dementia
The actual anniversary date of
it was open, displayed under vibrant started weeping and talking to the photos
Wednesday 28 November was celebrated
tivaevae suspended from the ceiling. “As as though they were real people. Until
with a combined service and cutting
more people came through, they brought then he didn’t recognise anyone.”
of the cake, led by the senior ministers
new items with them from their living
Rev Maafalo Koko, Rev Henry Wichman Auckland Museum brought along its
rooms,” Roz explains. “You felt like you
and Rev Kontiki Makani. The following staff and intends incorporating some
were walking into the homes we grew up
Sunday, over 500 people filled both levels of the exhibits into its 2020 Auckland
in during the ‘70s.”
of the hall for worship followed by a History exhibition, as well as archiving
shared Pasifika lunch. Mosotele says that in the early years, four the marriage registers. A Unitec
or five key families in the area were the photographer has curated a photographic
“A lot of preparation and contributions
backbone of the church, and they fostered record of the artefacts and the intention
went into ensuring there was plenty
immigrants from the Cook Islands, then is to create a book.
of food on the day,” says PIPC’s session
Niue and Samoa as they arrived.
clerk Mosotele Seta Efaraimo. “It was a Mosotele sees PIPC’s eighth decade ahead
special occasion.” “For example the Yandall sisters and the as one of rebuilding. The Church is still
Lelaulu girls,” he says. “The church was important today to Pasifika, he says,
The Newton Church was Congregational
far more than just a church. It became a although its role has evolved.
at the beginning in 1943 with services for
cultural hub for early migrants to form
Cook Islanders and Niueans at Beresford “They all drive here now. Nobody walks,”
new communities, a beacon of Pacific
St Church. In 1948, Newton Parish offered
Islandness in the middle of K’ Road. says Mosotele. “And the youth have
their premises for evening services. From
And now they return because it’s a also gone to more evangelical churches
those pioneering days the Pacific Island
comfort thing.” with a more inclusive type of worship.
church movement grew from inner city
We have an ageing congregation and
Auckland to throughout the Auckland While photographs displayed by decade
infrastructure, but there’s still a need for
Region, Wellington and beyond. The dominated the displays, there were
an inner city church.”
merger with the Presbyterian Church also choir gowns which represented a
Aotearoa New Zealand took place in 1970. snapshot of the immense choral history The church operates a number of pro-
of Pacific Island choirs; marriage registers grams including monthly food baskets
Two years later, Te Aka Puaho gifted the
dating back to the 1800s; baptismal for families; feeding the homeless; a
Maori Hall to PIPC Newton. During the
records and eldership logs. chaplaincy service at Auckland Hospital;
week-long anniversary celebrations, the
Maori Hall hosted a living faith museum. The level of interest the museum free fitness programmes; elderly outings
The venue, says curator Roz Tuitama, was generated was beyond their expectations. and community use of the hall for events.
symbolic of Tangata Whenua embracing Images and memories from the living
“It was intended to be just for the five
the Pacific nations. faith museum are hosted on coconet at
days but the museum went viral on social
“Our people literally stepped off the boat, media and stayed up until February!” www.thecoconet.tv. Using the search term
came and set up home here in faith,” she remarks. “Pasifika people saw their “PIC Museum”.
Roz says. “A lot of people don’t know our stories told their way. It made them Jade Reidy
MAY 201 9 15You can also read
