Kia ora e te whanau
The Nelson/Marlborough/West Coast Regional Synod of the Methodist Church is mostly CVs. We met together this weekend past in Greymouth. To crib the title of E.F Schumacher’s book ‘Small is Beautiful’. There’s something rich about the intimacy of a small group of 14 leaders who have come significant distances to be together. A while back a friend gave me a card reflecting the distances and time taken for people to travel to spend a few days together – the travel was part of the gift commitment that each brought to the gathering. Some of our people had car journeys of 41/2 hours each way. Thank you, friends, for the generosity of your mutual hospitality throughout the weekend.
Now for something completely different
Reflections on Contemporary Issues
1. Hīkoi mō te Tiriti and the Treaty Principles Bill – What’s all the fuss about?
There may be many that are unclear what this is all about. This ‘opinion piece’ by Rupert O’Brien is well worth a read. It doesn’t accept that David Seymour and his friends are simply naive racists who fail to understand the strength and significance of Te Tiriti and its place in our national life. Seymour understands it only too well – it’s suggested that his motivation is much darker than simply wanting to affirm that we’re all New Zealanders each with an equal voice. This does not just affect Māori – if Seymour’s agenda is enacted, it will ultimately disenfranchise all of us – unless, of course, you’re part of the highly-moneyed elite. It can be read here: https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/30-09-2024/the-real-reason-behind-acts-push-to-redefine-the-treaty-principles
2. NZ is changing faster than the census can keep up – the 4 big trends to watch
So, while we’re talking about contemporary issues, this article by Paul Spoonley looks at the changing demographics of our nation. This article was published six months ago, and gives some clues as to what is ahead of us in the not-to-distant future. The changes are significant and rapid, and the church needs to understand them if we’re to be addressing the needs of the world as it will be, rather than as it was 50 years ago. One of the most alarming stats is that we’re fast on our way to a fertility rate of 1.3, which, as Spoonley points out, will put us in the ranks of ‘lowest low fertility’ countries. 1.3 represents the number of live births per woman. For a population to be self-sustaining (without immigration) the live birth rate needs to be 2.2. We also have a net decline year by year in ‘citizens’ – which means that more are leaving than returning home. Yet our population continues to grow.
Spoonley’s article can be read here: https://theconversation.com/nz-is-changing-faster-than-the-census-can-keep-up-the-4-big-trends-to-watch-230537
Homilies & Preaching Resources
Trevor Hoggard’s sermon, includes the lectionary readings of Jeremiah 33 :14-16; and Luke 21:25-36. Trevor picks up the theme of the return of Christ. His sermon can be experienced here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgh8hjO6yA0
My response to the Gospel text for December 1st of Luke 21:25-36 is titled ‘This too will pass’ and considers the uncertainty of the days ahead of us. It can be experienced here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6FGwyMibbY
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 this week opens Advent with the same text – Luke 21:25-36. It can be engaged with here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nXH94O5HwA