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Synod Snippets
Central South Island Methodist Synod
VOLUME 6
19 MARCH 2015
Synod Gathering: Some highlights...
Upcoming Events:
28th March (Sat)
9:30-3:30
Synod Strategy Day—
At Wainoni Church..
Shared lunch.
29th March (Sun)
Malvern Coop Parish
Centennial Church
Service for St Andrews
of the Glen, Glentunnel
at 11am.
EASTER
2nd April (Thurs)
Maundy Thursday
3rd April (Fri)
Good Friday
5th April (Sun)
Easter Sunday
8th April (Wed)
Synod Executive
16th May (Sat)
Youth Ministry and
CLEAR Resourcing
Day. @ St. Marks.
It was a great gathering of the church leader- The Challenges Cassie brought to us:
ship on Saturday 14th March. The day
started off with the warm hospitality of Trin- 1. Being busy and effective are not necessarily the same thing. When is it
ity Church in Dunsandel. Thank you folks
time to let go? Honest reflection is
for your ready smiles, hot cuppa and somekey.
thing to eat. For doing the dishes and heating food for lunch!
2. More “bums on seats” is a distraction
when connecting with the neighbourWe moved into the church proper to spend
hood.
some time together to worship and readying
our hearts and minds to the tasks and business of the day, pausing to sing, pray and
reflect. We also acknowledged the significant loss of Rev Graham Hawkey whose
funeral was being held in Ashburton as we
gathered. A card was signed by the gathered
and given to Rev. Norman West to deliver
on our behalf to Graham’s family later that
day.
3. While meetings are not “super fun”
they are necessary for connection and
discussion.
The Synod then broke into small groups
to talk together about what kind of Synod
they wanted to be? What kinds of things
do they want to happen at Synod (apart
from the business!) What did they want
the focus for 2015 to be (based on the
We heard from the Methodist Mission with a Strategic Plan)?
brief insight into some of what is happening
A robust discussion followed and after
for them—WesleyCare Hospital, Social
Housing, Aratupu Early Childhood Centre, some further deliberations it was decided
Community Development and opportunities that there needs to be a focus on training
and equipping, on enabling and encouragfor Parish involvement. Watch this space
ing our leaders—lay and ordained. The
for ways in which Your church can be
kind of Synod we want is one which is
involved with Methodist Mission!
honest, respectful, open, and engaging at
Cassie Welch gave her farewell report.
all levels. (Our conversations will be colCassie has been with the Synod for the past
lated and will be available via dropbox
2-3 years and finishes her role as Community soon alongwith the minutes).
Development Worker at the end of this
A difficult conversation around the
month. She was presented with a card and
budget was had. Synod, like many parsmall gift before the Synod prayed for her.
ishes, is struggling to make ends meet.
Some of Cassie’s core findings are:
The consequences are that some traditional funding needed to stop or be cut in
 Simple and small can be effective and
sustainable. A little intentionality can go order for the budget to balance. The
budgetary concerns MUST be addressed
along way!
at future Synod gatherings to ensure
future viability and sustainability.
 Size doesn’t matter—a few people can
do AMAZING things.
We gathering dispersed at 3:45 after shar People in the neighbourhood care about ing The Grace with each other.
their local church.
For access to all newsletter items, minutes and brochures—please click on this link http://bit.ly/1Bvpp3A
From the Super’s Desk
It’s been another busy week of meetings and
On Sunday I visited with the Wainoni Church.
visits, report writing and reading.
The church was both warm and welcoming. I
On Wednesday I met with Roz Wilkie from Te
Taha Maori. I am looking forward to building a
rich and rewarding relationship between us incorporating Te Rehua as well.
The Synod Gathering at Dunsandel I thought
went well with some good work done by its
members. It was lovely seeing people catch up
with other and a strong sense of collegiality
among us all. We still need to take more care in
the way in which we say things though, so that
unnecessary hurt or offense doesn’t happen. I
loved the way most people engaged fully in the
conversations—particularly around the tables,
but I did note that there are still some who sit
quietly on the edges. Remember— if you are a
member of Synod—your voice is important for
the well being of the wider church. It’s why
you were elected to be your parish representative or called into ministry.
loved the way that near the start of the
service an opportunity was made for people to
share whatever was on their hearts. I heard
stories of faith, of mission and vision, of
gratefulness and thanksgiving, of celebration
and concern, of encouragement and affirmation. The sharing itself—an act of worship to
a living and loving God! Thank you Wainoni—I
was inspired and encouraged. Following the
service I sat with a group having a cuppa.
Much laughter and a whole heap of fellowship
ensued. I truly enjoyed worshipping with you
and getting to know some of you a wee bit.
Thank you Wainoni!
This week I have been catching up with the
Synod Staff, attending to some pastoral and
property matters.
This weekend Bev Fergus and I will be attending the Tauiwi Strategy and Stationing meeting in Auckland on Saturday and Sunday.
NOTICES:
Youth Ministry and CLEAR
Resourcing Day
Saturday, May 16th
@ St. Marks from 10-3:30
Participants will choose from an array of specialized lay equipping presentations lasting 45 minute each
followed by questions and discussion.
It would be awesome if two or three
from every congregation were able
to attend—including the presbyter!
Don’t miss this amazing opportunity
to be informed, equipped, inspired
and energized.
With a possibility of ten or more
different options to choose from, in
four different timeslots—what’s not
to LOVE!
More details: http://bit.ly/1CtaLky
SYNOD STRATEGIC PLAN
Many within the Synod have either
lost or misplaced their copy of the
Strategic Plan for 2013-2017. This
is a critical document in the life of
the Synod and it’s parishes. You
can find a copy by clicking here:
http://bit.ly/1FxO3GZ
STRATEGY PLANNING DAY
Saturday March 28th 9:30-3:30
Bring something to share for lunch!
Focus will be on the Eastern Suburbs
and the Inner City Strategy from the
Synod Strategic Plan.
Mary and Mark will share their work
to date, the plans for this year. We
need your involvement in the future
of these two strategies.
So come and share your insights and
thoughts!
Changes to radio microphone frequencies From 11 March 2015 any
radio microphones operating in the
frequency range 698- 806 MHz will
not be permitted to operate in this
range. If your radio microphone currently operates on a frequency or frequencies within this range you will
need to retune it to a permitted frequency range. The permitted frequency ranges are 502-606 MHz and
622-698MHz.
VACANCY:A Part-time Office
Administrator is required for the
Ecumenical Chaplaincy Service in
Christchurch. Applications close
on Friday 27th March. Contact
[email protected]. For Job
Description click here.
http://bit.ly/1ML5Pad
To subscribe or submit a notice or article please email: Sheroma at [email protected] Phone: 03 420 1207