Kia ora e te whanau
I was shocked to hear of the death of Rev Siosifa Pole. He died peacefully on Sunday morning. Siosifa, as one of the Mission Resourcing Directors of the Methodist Church, faithfully represented the Church on the UCANZ Standing Committee until his term concluded at the end of last year. He had since taken on the role of leading Lotofale’ia Mangare – the largest congregation in the Vahefonua Tonga, (the Tongan Synod), and in the Methodist Church. Siosifa was also a champion for Climate Justice. He will be sorely missed. Please hold Naomi and the wider family in your prayers.
Forum 2025 – Our Future Together
Please, put the dates in your diary, and plan to be there. 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 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. Kamala Harris and Her Speechwriters Use Communication Techniques to Express Words that Bring Audiences to Their Feet
This is not a plug for any particular political perspective. It is about understanding simple techniques for more effective communication – something everyone whose business it is to get their message across in compelling ways might be interested in. It can be read here: https://www.inc-aus.com/carmine-gallo/how-kamala-harris-her-speechwriters-create-buzz-worthy-messages.html
2. The Rise of Focus Music
From time to time, when I remember, I click open a folder I have with various options of binaural beats – these are extended files of non-engaging music that quietly play in the background. Here’s an example of what I use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0eLmyJkQBc&t=15s .The goal is to help keep focus on the task at hand. I’m easily distracted and readily distractable. The ‘Focus Music’ helps me to tune out the temptations to be doing anything except what is right in front of me. Yep, it sounds weird, but it works. Apparently, not just for me. The article can be read here: https://www.fastcompany.com/91173682/the-rise-of-focus-music
3. Nobel Prize Physicist Thinks Consciousness Must Underlie Universe
Confirmation Bias is a wonderful thing! It’s always gives a warm, fuzzy feeling when a Public Intellectual comes to a conclusion consistent (at least so it seems to me) with my own position. This article can be read here: https://mindmatters.ai/2024/08/nobel-prize-physicist-thinks-consciousness-must-underlie-universe/
Homilies
Trevor Hoggard’s sermon considers James 1 vs 17-27, and Mark 7 vs 1-8, 14-15, 21-23. Trevor offers a thoughtful reflection on the way that Scripture acts as a mirror. It can be engaged with here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC54O-FOQE0
My response to the Gospel text of Mark 7 vs 1-8, 14-15, 21-23 is titled ‘Defined by Dirt?’ and focuses on the response of Jesus to the challenge by the religious leaders to his followers’ lack of personal hygiene in failing to wash their hands before eating. It can be experienced here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTgK_Rkdyz0