National Superintendent Update (29 October 2021)
An update from National Superintendent Rev Brett Jones.
An Open Letter on Vaccination from Rev Dr Richard Waugh
This open letter comes from National Superintendent Emeritus Rev Dr Richard Waugh. Richard currently serves as the Senior Minister of East City Wesleyan in Botany, Auckland. Kia Ora, Malo e lelei, Talofa lava, Ah nyoung ha se yo, Bula Vinaka, Ni Hao, Noaia, Greetings, Blessings to you and your family at this time of continued social restrictions. While these are demanding days, at the same time we can be hopeful of a more positive future. Irrespective of what political persuasion you might be, it is so encouraging to see the increasing vaccination rates across our nation. The vaccines are safe … Read More
Pastoral Letter – COVID-19 Vaccination
(Pictured: Rotuma Wesleyan Church had their first dose of the Pfizer Vaccination at the Otara Vaccination Station together on 23 May) *This post was updated on 28 October 2021 to reflect newly available information and the introduction of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Covid Protection Framework. “It’s not just about this decision for yourself; it’s also about the opportunity to do something for your neighbors…Brothers and sisters, this really is a love-your-neighbor moment.” (Francis Collins director of the National Institutes of Health during a webinar called “Evangelicals & COVID-19 Vaccine” April 2021) We have all felt the impact of COVID-19 over the … Read More
Loving my Neighbour
This week’s Good News Story is from Rev Jone Kacivi, Minister of New Life Wesleyan Church. Now I am fully vaccinated. Why did I take the vaccine? In my role as a pastor, I was blessed to be part of a group of Pasifika pastors that meets with a top medical expert who advises the government and approved the use of the current vaccine. During our first meeting with them, there were three questions I wanted to ask this expert. Is the vaccine safe? What is the vaccine made of? The ethical background on how the vaccine was produced? I … Read More
National Superintendent Update: A Call to Prayer
Tēnā koutou katoa, In the wake of yesterday’s supermarket attack, I want to call us to prayer. Prayer for the victims of this attack who are now receiving medical treatment for serious injuries. We pray also for the medical staff offering care. Prayer for the attacker’s family who will be grieving the loss of a loved one and trying to come to terms with his actions while under media and police attention. Prayer for witnesses and first responders who will bear the psychological impact of such a horrific event. We pray for police officers who have had to take a … Read More
National Superintendent Update – Government Apology for Dawn Raids
Today the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made a formal apology on behalf of the Government for the 1970’s “Dawn Raids” conducted as part of a policy of immigration enforcement. The government has acknowledged these raids were disproportionately targeted to immigrants from the Pacific and that the tactics employed were routinely severe and often demeaning. This was an exceedingly difficult time for our Pacific peoples and today’s apology will no doubt have raised a range of conflicting emotions. Some will have found a level of closure through the announcement; others may have relived memories they would prefer to forget; many will live … Read More
Wesleyans In New Roles
As Wesleyan Methodists, it’s in our DNA to be involved in the wider community and ecumenical scene. We’re celebrating recent opportunities for 3 of our number. Brett Jones – Secretary, National Church Leaders of Aotearoa-New Zealand (NCLANZ) Rev Brett Jones was recently elected as Secretary to the National Church Leaders of Aotearoa-New Zealand for a 2 year term. In recent years the NCLANZ membership has grown to 22 churches and encompasses most of the Churches in New Zealand, including Roman Catholic, Anglican, Wesleyan Methodist and the wider Evangelical and Pentecostal family of churches. Rev Dr Richard Waugh previously served as Chairperson until 2020. National Church … Read More
Thinking Biblically About Wellbeing
The past 18 months have placed an extraordinary amount of stress on New Zealanders as we have navigated unexpected change, financial pressure, social isolation, anxiety and in some cases the illness and death of loved ones. The issue of personal and community wellbeing has been brought to the fore in a fresh and compelling way. How might the scriptures guide us towards taking steps towards our own wellbeing? As a Wesleyan movement, we have embraced the concept of a “consistent life ethic” in how we approach our living and are oriented toward those things that enable life to flourish towards … Read More