Grace and peace to you from God.
In the Bonds of Love We Meet
So we sing in our National Anthem as we gather at the feet of the God of Nations. The coming weekend is a long weekend as our nation celebrates its national day, Waitangi Day on Monday. It’s a day that means a variety of things to Kiwis and so it’s observed in various ways … a day off, a sleep in, a picnic at the beach, catching up with friends.
The day commemorates the Treaty of Waitangi which is the founding document of New Zealand. It is an agreement entered into by representatives of the Crown and of Māori iwi (tribes) and hapū (sub-tribes). It is named after the place in the Bay of Islands where the Treaty was first signed on the 6th February 1840. The Treaty was a broad statement of principles upon which the British officials and Māori chiefs made a political compact or covenant to found a nation state and build a government in New Zealand to deal with pressing new circumstances. Like many treaties, it is an exchange of promises between the parties to it. (Taken from The Treaty in brief from New Zealand History online, Nga korero a ipurangi o Aotearoa, History Group, Ministry for Culture and Heritage)
Different understandings of the Treaty have long been the subject of debate and have sadly given rise from time to time to protest and tension which have boiled over especially on Waitangi Day during official celebrations.
The Treaty and Waitangi Day are ideally a celebration of the coming together of people – where Maori and Pakeha (non-Maori New Zealanders) became one. However, ideal desired unity sadly at times has given way to disunity.
We Christians live by a Treaty of unity too; one that was signed in blood some 2000 years ago. St Paul writes:
Colossians 1:19-22As our nation continues to seek to understand and live by the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi in order that we may more genuinely meet and live in bonds of love, I believe we Christians who have been reconciled – brought back into unity with God the Father, back into unity with each other – are invited – no, charged – to be agents for love and unity:
Because all the fullness of God was pleased to live in him, and he reconciled all things to himself through him – whether things on earth or in the heavens. He brought peace through the blood of his cross. Once you were alienated from God and you were enemies with him in your minds, which was shown by your evil actions. But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through death, to present you before God as a people who are holy, faultless, and without blame. (CEV)
Colossians 3:12-17And so we may well sing for the sake of our nation and the Lord’s church:
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
God of Nations at Thy feet … in the bonds of your Christ-enabled love we meet. Hear our voices we entreat. Amen.I encourage Pastors and Worship Leaders to pray for our nation during worship this Sunday.
Twenty20 Administration Workshop: 17th/18th March, Wellington
Our Church is offering support to your congregation by providing training in in the areas of Finance, Governance and Administration. The first two workshops were held in 2011. The Administration workshop will be held in March.
The information and skills you learn from this workshop will help you and the ministry of your congregation.
Please see the details below and note that the workshop will be held on a Saturday and a Sunday, in order (hopefully) to make it easier for you and some others from your church to attend:
What: Twenty20 Administration WorkshopWhy Participate?
Where: Wellington, National Office of the LCNZ
When: 17th and 18th March 2012 (Sat + Sun)
Here is a comment from one of the participants from the last workshop in Wellington:
"While not directly involved with governance in the church I attended the 2 day Governance Workshop in Wellington. Governance sounded like it could be a rather dry topic but I went with an open mind and it was actually really interesting to learn about principles of governance which were applicable to not only church but the workplace. Should I be involved with any governance in the future I've now got a solid foundation to help me along!" (Simon, Auckland)And words from John Henderson, who presented the governance workshop, can be found here.
Prayer Points
Continue to pray for:
- Pastor Matthew Wilksch, Sandra and their family as they consider the call to Auckland Lutheran Parish.
- Pastor Allan Heppner, Debra and their family. Allan has been diagnosed with an extensive aggressive non-curable cancer and has begun treatment.
- LCA Executive Officer of the Church Trevor Ruthenberg who is standing as the Liberal National Party candidate for an electorate in the Queensland parliamentary election on 24th March. Trevor is well-known to many of us in the LCNZ; he has visited and encouraged us, met with and spoken to many groups, attended summits and visioning events, and has addressed our synod. He’s been an inspirational sort of a bloke! Thanks.
- Pastor Milton Fritsch and Pastor Wayne George as they are installed into their new parishes this coming Sunday.
Sunday 12th February at 2.00pm at St Pauls Lutheran Church Wellington (afternoon tea to follow)
Meetings
The first round of LCNZ meetings for 2012 are about to begin – Finance Advisory Committee (4th February), Lutheran Support Ministries (11th February), Gateway Gift Trust Board and Council of Synod (17th & 18th February). Please pray for these meetings and the elected leaders of our committees, councils and boards. These meetings take place for one main reason: to support the ministry of our church and its congregations as it seeks to make Jesus and his love know to New Zealanders.
Church Workers Conference: Palmerston North
Next week (Tuesday 7th – Thursday 9th) the Church Workers of the LCNZ meet for their first conference for 2012 at St Lukes in Palmerston North. These conferences offer the opportunity for:
- Sharing the joys and challenges of ministry
- Worshipping together
- Praying for each other
- Studying scripture together
- Relaxing together
- Discussing matters of LCNZ ministry
Olive Tree: Next Issue
A message from our new editor of the Olive Tree, Dan Carswell – Hi everyone. Don't forget the 15th of February is the deadline for articles for the next issue of the Olive Tree. The theme is 'new things Christ is doing in our church' and is based on the text from 2 Corinthians 5:17-18. In the love of Jesus, Dan Carswell. Dan’s email is dcars1976@gmail.com.
Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.
+MARK
President Elect – Lutheran Church of New Zealand
