Kia ora e te whanau
I’m ‘writing’ perched on a stool in our hotel room in Wellington. The Methodist Conference is in full swing. After preparatory days the Conference proper commenced on Saturday morning with the Powhiri, the Service to acknowledge those who have died, and the Induction of the incoming President – Te Aroha Rountree, and Vice President – Peter Norman. Their theme for the coming two years ‘Don’t change, transform!’
Sunday morning saw me preaching at St Ninians in Karori (thanks friends for your hospitality), and the afternoon saw the Conference meet for the worship highpoint of the Church – the Ordination service. While Anglicans ordain regionally into their diocese, and Presbyterians ordain into their first parish, Methodists ordain into the Connexion – the national church, and this historically happens at the annual Conference. It’s always a joyful event, and this year was no different.
Yesterday (Monday) saw us at the sharp end with Conference business proper starting – after the establishing of the theme for the day – Climate Justice’, and the welcome, response, and gifting to guests from partner churches in Australia, the Pacific, and nationally (Including UCANZ 
).
The food has been amazing! We have been royally hosted.
The Conference concludes early Wednesday afternoon with the Covenant Service (another very valuable gift of Methodism to the wider church – if you haven’t experienced one, and wish to – let me know and I’ll send you a copy).
Personal and Leadership Resources
- Stop Over-Explaining – Why Pausing Is The Key To Better Communication
I talk a lot. There, I said it! (And so have others!). I was confronted with the opposite in my 2nd year at Trinity College with Principal for that year, Rev Jack Penman (Wonderful man!). In being ‘interviewed’ by Jack, he had a habit of saying very little, and leaving large gaps silent. I felt I had to fill them, and disclosed far more than I would have wanted to.
This article address our need to fill the gaps, and the value of leaving those gaps open to allow the conversation to breathe. It also point to our tendency to load in too much information, and while this phrase is not used its one I often reflect on – particularly in the context of sermons and worship events – ‘Less is more’. Hopefully you’ll be able to access this article at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/dianehamilton/2024/11/06/stop-over-explaining-why-pausing-is-the-key-to-better-communication/
- 3 subtle traits of successful late bloomers
I’ve just started reading a book co-authored by James Houston. Houston was the Founder of Regent College in Toronto. This ‘Regent’ College is a post-graduate evangelical institution. The book, ‘A Vision for the Aging Church’ was published in 2011. Houston would have been 89 at the time. Most of his books have been published from his late 70s onward. His latest book was published in 2022. Houston is about to turn 102. Amazing! Inspirational! There’s hope for us yet.
This article, discussing the traits of those who get going later in life, can be accessed here: https://bigthink.com/smart-skills/3-traits-of-successful-late-bloomers/
Homilies & Preaching Resources
Trevor Hoggard’s sermon, includes the lectionary readings of Daniel 12:1-3, Hebrews 10:11-14, and Mark 13:1-8. Trevor picks up somewhat on the apocalyptic nature of these texts. His sermon can be experienced here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg8Z4a-KOnE
My response to the Gospel text for November 17th of Mark 13:1-8 was prepared and posted a couple of weeks back – before I knew the outcome of the American elections. I was expecting a Kamala Harris victory. While I rarely touch on politics in my homilies, the text this time ‘demanded’ it. I’m not sure how well the message has ‘travelled. It can be experienced here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7cmekD6ZIE
Michael Godfrey (out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese) hosts a conversation of 4 Theologians and Practitioners at the beginning of each week around the Gospel lectionary text for the coming Sunday. They examine four issues – one gives background to the text, then they consider their challenges, Good News, and application (the ‘so what?’). 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 that same gospel of Mark 13:1-8, and can be engaged with here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o_ny9hDOk8&t=4s
Again, it will help broaden all our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.
Once again, use the videos as you will.
A reminder (again)
Yet again, please don’t forget to mark the dates for our Biennial Forum in your diaries. It will be staged through King’s Birthday Weekened at the Onehunga Co-operating Parish in Auckland – starting at 9am on Saturday the 31st of May and finishing around lunch on Monday the 2nd of June.
Now would be a good time to start booking flights where this is the best travel option for you.
Finally.
As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.
Ngā manaakitanga
Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator