Synod Executive Team
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Rev Saikolone Taufa | Synod Superintendent
021 0268 8103 | [E-Mail not displayed]
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Kerry Upson | Synod Secretary
Dargaville | 09 439 5412 | 021 023 04000 | [E-Mail not displayed]
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Rosalie Gwilliam | Synod Financial Secretary
Whangarei | 021 216 6301 | [E-Mail not displayed]
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Sulanji Chituta | Synod Property Secretary
Warkworth | 021 254 4278 | [E-Mail not displayed]
Synod Candidates Convenor
About Us
Northland is the birthplace of Methodism in New Zealand. The Wesleyan Mission was commenced in 1822 by Samuel Leigh. 'Wesleydale' was established at Kaeo on the edge of the Whangaroa Harbour. This mission was sacked in 1827 and another mission opened at Mangungu on the Hokianga in 1828. From this base they expanded down the west coast of the North Island.
Northland has been on an ecumenical journey since 1967. There is a Methodist component in 2 Union Parishes, 4 Uniting Parishes, 8 Co-operative Ventures and 2 Local Shared Ministry units. Dargaville Methodist is the only Methodist Parish in Northland but it is ecumenical in outlook, and deeply involved in the ecumenical events in the District.
Arising from this commitment, Union and Co-operating Parishes were formed. The Churches affirmed together:
“In our faith in Jesus Christ as our one Lord and Saviour, and our concern to serve His mission to the world, we now commit ourselves in common obedience to Him and offer to Him our utmost endeavours that by the Holy Spirit we may be brought into one Church according to His will, to the glory of God the Father.
Northland Strategy for the Methodist Church
To maintain a Methodist presence in Northland.
To find a united approach to resourcing the parishes.
To explore models of lay ministry
To work on an amalgamation of JRC and NUCC
Governance in the District
At present the District works through two ecumenical councils the Joint Regional Committee and the Northland Uniting Church Council. The work overlaps and there are moves afoot to combine the two committees. There is an Interim Standing Committee charged with this task. The NUCC is a Presbyterian-Methodist body that acts as Presbytry and Synod. The JRC involves the 5 partner Churches.
Hymn of Praise for Northland
God, creator, redeemer, life-giver
eternal, ever-present God.
We praise you in the heights of Maungamuku
the Brynderwyns and Tangihuas.
We praise you in the reaches
of the Kaipara and the Hokianga,
on the coastal land and beaches washed by the Pacific.
We praise you in the peaks
of Hikurangi and Tutumoe
We praise you in the valleys and lowlands.
You bless us in the lush forests
of Puketi, Waipoua, and Trounson
the sand-dunes on the west and the coves and bays of the east.
In the everflowing waters of the Wairoa
and its upper reaches,
and the streams that meander down a thousand valley beds.
By them the earth is watered and enriched,
And the waters below refreshed and sustained.
This land sustains us
Bears the burden of us
And offers us its fruitfulness.
We praise you God, creator, redeemer, life-giver
The source of our land and our being.
Source of our hope and our dreaming
Source of our salvation and our healing.
You call us and gather us
As the people of this place and the people of this time.
We come into your presence
celebrating your gifts to us
the gift of each other,
the gift of your Word
the gift of your Wisdom.
Accept the song of our hearts and minds.
Amen.
- Rev Val Nicholls (Acknowledgement to Bill Bennett “Seasons of the Land” for his format.)