Kia ora e te whanau
Sunday found me at a CV’s AGM. It was warm, open, and honest. There was a healthy acknowledgement of the head winds that the Parish faces. And no intention of giving up.
There was, however, a piece in the Treasurer’s report that bears addressing. It led up to the final two sentences which went like this: “I believe that we are not getting value for money in what we are contributing to UCANZ. However, there is not much we can do about it.” This reflects a common misconception among CVs that their levies are going to UCANZ. They are not. This bears repeating (apparently repeatedly). The levies are assessed by UCANZ according to the formula agreed by the partners. The CVs are consequently ‘billed’ by the partner. The levies go, in almost every case, to the Convening Partner, not to UCANZ. UCANZ is funded separately, out of the levies, by the partners. The best analogy I can give is the relationship between the Government and the IRD. Tax is assessed by IRD, but when we pay our taxes it ultimately goes into the Government Coffers. IRD functions on the bone thrown them by the Government. It’s much the same with UCANZ and the Partners.
Forum 2025 – Our Future Together
In case you missed it last week (and the week before etc.) please, put the dates in your diary, and plan to be there.
This will be an opportunity for real engagement across the partners – Anglican, Methodist, and Presbyterian, at all levels.
We’re hoping to have significant representation of both regional and national leaders engaged in our korero.
We’re planning for the talking to be both horizontal and vertical, where we all get to hear and be heard.
If you’re not present, you stand to miss out on what we hope will be a once-in-a-generation event which helps set a life-giving course for the Church in Aotearoa for the years to come.
The forum is set down for Auckland (Onehunga Co-operating Parish) at Kings Birthday weekend starting at 9am on Saturday the 31st of May, and concluding around noon on Monday the 2nd of June.
Personal and Leadership Resources
1. With 1 Sentence, Wharton Psychologist Adam Grant Just Revealed a Quietly Powerful Truth About Communication
I’ve been a fan of Adam Grant for a number of years. While it’s about other things as well, at the heart of this article is a commitment to humility, recognising that we’re not the smartest person in the room, and that others have knowledge, experience, insight that we can all learn from – even when we’re supposed the be the ‘expert’. Minda Zetlin’s article can be accessed here: https://www.inc-aus.com/minda-zetlin/with-1-sentence-wharton-psychologist-adam-grant-just-revealed-a-quietly-powerful-truth-about-communication.html
2. Want People to Remember What You Say?
This is one for all preachers and teachers. While it focusses on a well-known political figure who is much in the news at the moment, what she has to say is crucial for us as church leaders. We need to remember the two insights she offers, every time we stand in front of a congregation. Preaching is not a call to show how clever we are. It’s not about us. Another one from Minda Zetlin, this article can be accessed here: https://www.inc-aus.com/minda-zetlin/want-people-to-remember-what-you-say-in-49-seconds-kamala-harris-gave-best-speaking-advice-ive-heard-this-year.html
3. Four Different Types of Naps (and How to Choose One)
I’m an early riser. At least that’s my excuse. By 1pm most days I’m looking for a nap. Just 15-20 minutes of shut-eye. In the moment there are few things worse, than sitting with someone that I’m supposed to be attending to, and needing match-sticks to keep my eyes open. Especially when I know that after a short nap, I’ll be good to go. For those of you who also have this issue, (and may be too embarrassed to admit to it) the article can be read here: https://lifehacker.com/health/four-different-ways-to-nap-and-how-to-choose
Homilies
Trevor Hoggard’s sermon surveys the Lectionary texts of James 3 vs 13 to 4 vs 3,7&8 and Mark 9 vs 30-37. He considers the rock-bottom status of children in the first century, and how Jesus lets the disciples know that they need to be willing to accept this status if they’re wanting to be Kingdom leaders. Trevor then moves into a call for real leadership to be exercised both in Church and society, recognising that world change then becomes a possibility. His sermon can be engaged with here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED8p-6z4RQU
My response to the Gospel text of Mark 9 vs 30-37 is titled ‘The Kingdom of God Way’. Jesus’ vision of the Kingdom of God is entirely counter cultural, and difficult for the disciples to digest and accept. It remains difficult for many of his disciples in our day also. It can be experienced here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK22_i1MrvA&t=12s
But wait, there’s more
Michael Godfrey (out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese) hosts a conversation of Theologians and Practitioners at the beginning of each week around the lectionary text for the coming Sunday. The site with all its options can be accessed here: https://www.calledsouth.org.nz/gospel-conversations/ The conversation for this coming Sunday based on the gospel of Mark 9 vs 30-37 can be accessed here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu9T614z4dg
Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.
Once again, use the videos as you will.
But wait, there’s even more
Malcolm Gordon of First Church Dunedin offers an original song based on the gospel for the coming Sunday.
Malcolm singing and playing can be accessed here:
https://soundcloud.com/malcolm-gordon-3/mark-9-35-37-demo
If you wish to play it for yourself – here are the words and chords…..
If anyone wants to be first – Mark 9:35-37
Malcolm Gordon
D Bm
If anyone wants to be first
D
You must be very last
Bm
A servant of all
Em A
Welcome these little ones
Em A
And you welcome me
Em A D
And the one who sent me
