| The Wider Church Newsletter - Number 4 - September 2006 |
GOOD NEWSWe often read of the scale of disasters and feel nothing much is be done. Positive grass roots activity seldom makes good headlines. At the end of August the USA marked the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. You will be interested to know that just one group of our movement in the USA, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), has 750 volunteer work teams planned for the area in the next two years! God is working in millions of places globally. On August 13, Onehunga Cooperating Parish marked one year since the death of David Lange with a memorial service and the dedication of a memorial plaque. Special guests included Rt Rev Sir Paul Reeves and the Rt Hon Helen Clark. NEW ZEALAND CHURCHES TOGETHERA Strategic Thinking Group, established after the Conference of Churches in Aotearoa New Zealand was disestablished, has this month made recommendations about possible means of expressing shared commitment and mission in the future. Three possible 'models' are offered to the churches for discussion and response. You can see these (& other background information) at www.stg.churches.net.nz Responses are requested by December. Congregations (not just union/cooperating parishes) should forward their thoughts to the Association Secretary. I would be glad to receive copies. WORLD CONVENTIONThe latest issue of 'World Christian' arrived late August. If you did not receive a copy and wish to in future (no cost), email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Ask to receive the email ChristiaNet too. This issue highlights the real need for this ministry amongst the global family of Christian/Churches of Christ/Disciples of Christ Churches to continue strongly. The mailing included an insert from New Zealand contacts, David and Anne Coulter, about the next convention in Nashville, Tennessee (& related tours) mid 2008. Email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) if you would like that info sent direct to you. Register this year and save! The World Convention web site has been redesigned. See it at www.worldconvention.org World Convention is supported mainly by Friends (individuals and congregations) around the world. Your help is very much needed. Send NZ cheques to David at 264 Highgate, Dunedin by mid November, to have them included in the 2006 gift from NZ. Your gift will be gratefully received and individually acknowledged. RELOCATIONOur Directors of Church Development. George & Pauline Langford have moved to Nelson. You can write to them at P O Box 2184, Stoke, Nelson. Email unchanged: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it The Christian Conference of Asia has moved from Hong Kong to Chiang Mai, Thailand. The mailing address (since July) is CCA, PO Box 183, Chiang Mai Muang 50000, Thailand. If you want to receive CASI's paper, Broadsheet (mail or email) contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it The latest issue has info on Easter trading, violence, discipline of children, problem gambling. Be informed about issues. While we may not agree about everything, it is important that we are thinking and that a church voice is heard. Just published: Race Relations: Issues & Practicalities. $9.90 incl postage. Because of budget pressures, Christian Churches/Churches of Christ have needed to reduce their contribution by $300. Some individuals and churches have funds available for wider church activities. If you would like to help bridge this reduction, please mail cheques to me made out to CASI and I will forward them together after October 31. Twelve cheques for $25 would do it. NATIONAL CONVENTION: 6-9 NovemberThe gathering begins Monday with dinner; closes Thursday with breakfast - at Bridge Valley, Wakefield, Nelson. I would like to have a get-together of those present from union/cooperating parishes at some stage during the event. Please email me if you are attending. I hope there will be a good number of us. CELEBRATING/SHARING COMING EVENTSChurches Education Sunday - September 17. Focussing on the work of the Churches Education Commission, especially the witness in schools. World Communion Sunday - October 1. WCC International Day of Prayer for Peace on UN Int Day of Peace - Thursday, 21 September. Presbyterian Assembly, Auckland - September 28 - October 2. Methodist Conference in Rotorua November 3-7. Association Convention in Nelson - 6-9 November. MY ASSOCIATION DIARYLorraine and I are looking forward to 18 days in the Auckland area, attending Presbyterian Assembly as Christian Church/Churches of Christ observers and visiting the four area union/cooperating parishes we are partners in. September 24 - Matamata; October 1 - Onehunga; October 8 - Whangarei; Point Chevalier - being arranged. October 11 - 12: Uniting Congregations of Aotearoa New Zealand Standing Committee. Wellington Nov 6 - 9: Association meetings in Nelson. December 2: Church Extension & Property Trust Board, Wellington.
Lyndsay Jacobs |