Kia ora e te whanau

Some of you will be receiving this twice. My apologies. It is a step forward in recognising that some of you have not been receiving my newsletters at all. Tragic, I know. The blind copy emails being sent out from the UCANZ address are almost invariably ending up in the ‘spam’ and ‘junk’ files of xtra and gmail accounts. So, while I prepare to move to a ‘subscriber’ system, I’m sending the newsletter out from both my private and UCANZ addresses. I hope to have this fixed in the next couple of weeks.

‘Our Future Together’ - Our Kings Birthday Forum gets closer every day.

The primary mode for this forum is engagement – between partners / CVs / individuals. This will be:

Horizontal – at multiple levels between partners.

Vertical – so that leaders and members get to hear one another; and

Diagonal – so that we get the fullest picture of what the Cooperative Venture project looks like and could look like in the days ahead.

A more detailed programme will be available shortly

Registrations are now possible through the Website.

If you’re allergic to filling forms in on-line, email me and I’ll send you a ‘Word’ version.

Accommodation: We are not providing accommodation. Except, that we do have a number of pre-paid single rooms at the Hillsborough Franciscan Friary. These are B&B (3 nights Fri-Mon) and are available at $225, on a first-in-first-served basis. Contact Robyn.

You have Questions? Parishes may well have questions that they wish to put to partner leaders. Please send them to me, and we can then sort them and pass them on for Leaders to consider before the event.

UCANZ Standing Committee Membership

One of the things we need to do at our Kings Birthday Forum is elect a new Standing Committee. The ‘rules’ determine that each of the Partners are able to appoint two representatives – a total of six. The number that can then be elected is six plus one – seven.

Standing Committee meets monthly for up to 1½ hours by zoom, and normally with one ‘in-person’ meeting each year – usually in Auckland. It’s a great team to be part of! Don’t just wait to be shoulder tapped – consider what skills, gifts, and graces you might have to offer. And consider those in your orbit whom you recognise might make a difference.

We’re calling on Parishes and Forums for nominations for elected members. Please include a brief resume of church experience. Please do it soon. Nominations can be sent to Rev Stephanie Wells.

Leadership and Personal Development

1. Your Greatest Witness Comes From Your Weakness

Rick Warren offers a counter-intuitive take in this simple Monday Word of Encouragement. It can be accessed here.

1. Want to Keep Your Mind Sharp? Neurology Research Says Cutting Out This Food Can Improve Your Brain Function (and Make You Live Longer)

If you’re anything like me, the one decline as I age that most concerns me is the one into dementia. I imagine I’m not alone. I’m looking for signs that it’s happening (Is ‘looking for signs’ one of them?). And because I’m looking there seems to be plenty of evidence – especially in forgetting names and key words. You’re probably aware of what you’re about to read as you click on this article. And you may have concluded that the price of cutting out on the bacon and salami is too high – you’d rather have the dementia. Marcel Schwantes offers some alarming solidly research-based statistics on the effects of whole food groups on the human system. You may not want to read it. You may need to. It can be accessed here.

1. Overwhelmed With Tasks? This Deceptively Simple Trick Can Help You Get Things Done

It’s easy to get stuck. Rather than starting, we end up in diversionary activities – even ‘busy work’ - which gives us a sense of having done something, even though it may not be part of the core task  we’re needing to attend to. And then there’s ‘doom scrolling’ on social media – YouTube, Facebook…...

Here’s a simple strategy to get us moving forward. As we know the greatest journey starts with the first step, even if it’s a small one. The article can be accessed here.

Homilies & Preaching Resources 

My response to the Gospel text of Luke 13 vs 31-35 for 16^th of March is titled ‘Oh Jerusalem’ and considers the response of Jesus to a city ultimately bent on destroying him. It can be experienced here.

Trevor Hoggard is here using the 2^nd set of readings from the Common Lectionary for the first Sunday in Lent. His texts for 16  March are Jeremiah 22 vs 1-9,13-19,  and Luke 14 vs 27-33. Trevor considers the cost of following Jesus, and the importance of not only counting that cost, but also recognising how significant it is compared to the many other trivial decisions we make which attribute so much importance to. His sermon can be experienced here. 

Gospel Conversations - (out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese) hosts a conversation of 4 Theologians and Practitioners at the beginning of each week around the Gospel lectionary text for the coming Sunday. The site with all its options can be accessed here. This coming Sunday’s offering picks up Luke’s account of the Transfiguration: Luke 9 vs 28-36. It can be accessed here.

And yes, there’s more - Anne Van Gend (Bishop Elect) and a team of colleagues have also prepared a series of studies for Lent. The 4^th of these - ‘Covenantal Atonement – Lent 4’ can be accessed here.

Again, it will help broaden all our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

Other Lenten Resources

Repeating from last week - Malcolm Gordon of First Church in Dunedin offers the following:

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Malcolm Gordon <[E-Mail not displayed]>
Subject: Lenten Resource
Hi friends,

Along with my friend, Adrian Taylor, I’m creating a Lenten Resource for….well, Lent.

For each week of Lent, there’s a one-page resource, featuring a passage of Scripture, a simple song based on that text, a short reflection, and a prayer. The idea is that through the week, people might read the passage and reflection, and then listen to the song and use the prayer to deepen their engagement with Jesus’ journey to the cross.

I would like to send this resource to you. If you would like that, let me know.

I am useless at promotion and distribution, but I’m quite good at creating things. So here’s the deal – Adrian and I will make the resource and send it to you each Wednesday of Lent (starting next week on Ash Wednesday). Then you can share it with your congregation, or yourself, or people you think might like it, or people you know who won’t like it (if you’re that kind of person). Its called ‘viral distribution’ and it’s a cover for my disorganisation. You can email the pdf to folk, or print it out. The song will be available as a recording and accessible via a QR code (if you print it) and a hyperlink (if you don’t).

people can sign up.

I have attached a sample to show you what it will look like.

If you think you or folk you know would appreciate this resource, reply with something like ‘yes please.’ Responses of ‘no thanks’ will be inferred without needing to be stated 😉

Grace and peace, Malcs

Finally.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday

UCANZ Ministry Facilitator 

Kia ora e te whanau

Happy New Year!

I hope that 2025 has started full of promise of what might be.

Lynne and I both succumbed to covid just as Christmas was upon us. In recovery mode, we headed south with our small caravan for Peel Forest, an idyllic little DOC campsite near the bank of the Rangitata River. As many others experienced, we encountered rain, rain, rain during what was intended to be an 8 day sojourn. We packed up two nights early when the sun came out for a day, because the forecast was for worse to come. Between frequent trips into Geraldine to visit the Supermarket and its cafes, we lounged around and read book after book. There were bush walks I wanted to explore. We did not a one. And, perhaps oddly enough, I came home with a gratitude for the inclement weather. It was my friend. I was enriched by the books I read, the quiet companionship with Lynne, and the forced rest both of us needed – both from a full year, and to protect ourselves from the possibility of long-covid.

We can often find ourselves disappointed with how things have turned out. It’s worth asking what have been the unsought benefits/blessings, and learnings? Or as I heard it once put ‘What’s in God’s other hand?’ Clouds apparently have silver linings – it’s worth seeking to notice.

Leadership and Personal Development

How to Make 2025 Seem Twice as Long (in the Best Possible Way) 

Jeff Haden reflects on the way in which life tends to seem to speed up as we get older. I’ve often said that my clock seems to have turned into a fan! Apparently there is both a really strong scientific rationale / explanation as to why this is so, and a really good series of strategies we can implement to mitigate this ‘problem’. This interesting article can be read here.

Why We Need To Recalibrate Our Attitude To Time Management

And while we’re talking about time, another offering from Forbes to kick off the New Year. I thought I was a rare in my struggle with effective time management. Apparently it’s a ‘curse’ that the vast majority of us struggle with. This article acknowledges the tension, and offers some strategies for getting the life we’re called to / want. It can be read here.

How Exercise Gives You Energy

Finally, it has been observable in my own life that regular exercise makes a big difference – it regulates my mood (as I was explaining to a friend a little while back, for decades I ran daily – not because I enjoyed it, but because my mental health seemed to demand it), I feel better, I sleep better, I think better. When I’m weary, the temptation is to simply snooze, when the best strategy might be to go for a walk, or get on the bike. This useful 1 minute video explains it all click here.

Homilies & Preaching Resources      

Trevor Hoggard, being in holiday mode,  has stepped away from the Lectionary, and posted for this coming Sunday a talk on Mary. It’s entitled ‘Mary the Mother of Christ - a Methodist View’.  It can be accessed here.

My response to the Gospel text for 19^th of January – reflects on John 2:1-11 – Jesus turn water into wine at a wedding in Cana, and is titled ‘Water, Wine, and Glory.’ It can be experienced here.

The Diocese of Waikato & Taranaki continues to post sermons on-line. The preacher for this coming Sunday is Jay Ruka, Dean of the Taranaki Cathedral. Jay focusses on the John 2:1-11 text tying it to the crucifixion experience where wine is there at both the beginning and end of his ministry. Jay’s message can be experienced here.

Gospel Conversations - Michael Godfrey (out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese) hosts a conversation of 4 Theologians and Practitioners at the beginning of each week around the Gospel lectionary text for the coming Sunday. They examine four issues – one gives background to the text, then they consider their challenges, Good News, and application (the ‘so what?’). The site with all its options can be accessed here. This coming Sunday’s offering focuses on the lectionary Gospel of John 2:1-11. It can be accessed here.

Again, it will help broaden all our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

FORUM 2025 - Kings Birthday Weekend, in Auckland – Expressions of Interest

The expressions of interest continue to trickle in. I’m delighted that it’s from a broad spectrum across our base.  We’d like to hear from more of you. The Standing Committee has agreed that the Fee will be $250 for the weekend (travel and accommodation extra) if registered before the end of April. After that it will increase to $300. Registration forms will be available February onward.

We’re still looking for ‘Expressions of Interest’ – from those intending or hoping to be present. I’d be grateful if you could simply contact me at my personal email address [E-Mail not displayed], to let me know it’s on your radar.

Finally.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday

UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

I’m running a little late….

I’ve just returned from a weekend in Auckland. It was a joy to be at the farewell of Kaurasi Lagi and his family from Onehunga Co-operating Parish. This was a wonderfully honouring and uplifting occasion.

In the afternoon of the same day we celebrated the induction of the Kai Hāpai, and the commissioning of  Te Hāpai Ō Ki Muri. Te Hāpai ō Ki Muri is a new Standing Committee of the Methodist Conference and replaces Mission Resourcing. Nicola Teague-Grundy is the Kai Hāpai and will lead this work. This represents a new beginning for Te Hahi Weteriana. Given that the bulk of Nicola’s work will be with the Tauiwi partner in the Church, and given that almost half of all Tauiwi parishes are CVs, I’m anticipating a close working relationship between Nicola and UCANZ.

Please remember the UCANZ Kings Birthday Weekend Biennial Forum planning in your prayers. More information (including Registration forms) will follow shortly.

Leadership and Personal Development

Change Management is Failing. Success Depends Upon Storytelling

This article raises some interesting questions. Answers to which I’ve only just started thinking about. We so often define success in church in terms of outcomes – money in the offering, filled seats on Sundays etc. And our strategies tend to aim in that direction. And while we strategise, we start new ‘ministries’, yet so often can come up empty handed.

There’s a clue in this article. Jesus told stories – it’s stories that touch us, move us, motivate us, change us. We all live in stories, yet sharing together in a compelling narrative – a story that draw us in, gets us all on the same page, and directs us outward in a shared venture, doesn’t seem to occur to us as being important. Something to think about – the article can be read here. 

Apple CEO Tim Cook On Why Healthy CEOs Find Time For Solitude

When I was growing up, in the context of the Open Brethren, we were all encouraged/expected to practise the discipline of a ‘quiet time’ - usually early in the morning, and usually as a devotional exercise.

Like Tim Cook, I tend to rise before 5am – it’s part of my daily routine. And while I suspect my ‘quiet time’ is of a more devotional nature, it apparently sets both of us up for the day ahead. I’m not sure how others manage challenging days without taking the time – for me, to be apart with God. My time will include reflective prayer, systematic reading of Scripture, intercessions, and a walk. Often those times will be somewhat dry, yet they still set me up for the day. Even the secular world knows the healing, transformative power of time apart. The article can be read here.

Don’t Be Imprisoned By Your Thoughts

Rick Warren has a short devotional offering for the start of the week. It can be engaged with here.

New Neuroscience Reveals 6 Secrets That Will Make You More Productive

Eric Barker (‘Barking up the Wrong Tree’ and ‘Plays well with Others’) has some really useful insights, and shares them in the most entertaining and engaging way. If you don’t find yourself regularly laughing out loud, perhaps you might need to check your pulse. His article can be read here.

Homilies & Preaching Resources      

Trevor Hoggard is here using the 2^nd set of readings from the Common Lectionary. His texts for 2 February are 1 Chronicles 29 vs 6-19, Acts 7 vs 44-50, and John 4 vs 19-29a. Trevor explores the centrality of the temple in Jewish faith after the exile in Babylon - and asks what lessons we might learn today.

My response to the Gospel text of Luke 4 vs 21-30 for 2nd of February – reflects on the aftermath of Jesus sermon in the Nazareth synagogue. I’ve titled it ‘Poking the Bear’. It can be experienced here.

Gospel Conversations - (out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese) hosts a conversation of 4 Theologians and Practitioners at the beginning of each week around the Gospel lectionary text for the coming Sunday. The site with all its options can be accessed here. This coming Sunday’s offering focuses on the  Feb 2 Candlemas gospel reading of  Luke 2:22-40. It can be accessed here.

Again, it will help broaden all our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

Finally.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday

UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

‘Our Future Together’ - Our Kings Birthday Forum is looming larger.

You have Questions? It has been suggested that Parishes may well have questions that they wish to put to partner leaders. Great idea! Please send your questions to me, and we can then sort them and pass them on for Leaders to consider before the event.

UCANZ Standing Committee Membership

One of the things we need to do at our Kings Birthday Forum is elect a new Standing Committee. The ‘rules’ determine that each of the Partners are able to appoint two representatives – a total of six. The number that can then be elected is six plus one – seven.

Standing Committee meets monthly for up to 1½  hours by zoom, and normally with one ‘in-person’ meeting each year – usually in Auckland.

We’re calling on Parishes and Forums for nominations for elected members. Please include a brief resume of church experience. Please do it soon. Nominations can be sent to Rev Stephanie Wells.

Leadership and Personal Development

How To Do Brain Dump - A Technique To Reduce Stress And Overthinking

Waking up in the middle of the night, fretting about the things left undone? This article may be helpful (Of course if we read it and do nothing, it will make no difference). The basic premise is that in our fast-moving and complex world we lack the bandwidth to hold everything in our minds. Simply writing stuff down (I tend to mind-map or simply jot reminder notes) reduces both the pressure to hold it all in there. It helps clarify what is important. It allows us to see it in perspective - rather than being blown up by the emotional jumble that’s often all mixed in with it as it rattles around inside our heads. For those of us who need a new strategy to deal with the ‘overwhelm’ this may be helpful. It can be read here.

Concerning Coffee

I drink coffee. I have my own little espresso machine, and years ago did a course at the Polytech. Though inept at the ‘milk art’, I can produce an acceptable cup. While I am close to officially being an addict, I’m not intending to give up coffee anytime soon. Part of the joy of coffee is making the cup – the ritual that one goes through with the machine – 5 minutes of down time (I’m slow). If I’m honest the greatest pleasure in coffee is the smell – it tends to deliver more in smell than it promises in taste. But, as I said, I’m not intending to give up anytime soon.

I’m confident that many readers are also ‘coffee snobs’ like me (I’d only drink ‘instant’ to ward off a headache where there is no alternative)

So, for the enthusiasts among us I have a couple of articles following on when to drink coffee.

When should you drink your first cup of coffee?

Neuroscience (and personal experience) gives some pretty clear guidance. The problem with using coffee to kick start the cortisol system (the bit that actually wakes us up) is that it actually weakens it – we become dependent on the caffeine to wake up – you won’t find that in this article – that’s one that nugget I’ve read previously and have validated from personal experience. This article lists other reasons why waking with a coffee is a bad idea. It can be read here.

When should you drink your last coffee

This article lists health benefits of drinking both a sufficient amount of coffee, and when (If you keep drinking it) those benefits are lost. Apparently there is significant correlative evidence on the benefits of drinking at the right time, and how that can be unravelled by drinking coffee too late in the day. The article can be read here.

I suspect for some, this obsession with coffee may seem OTT. It’s a serious business!

Homilies & Preaching Resources      

My response to the Gospel text of Luke 6 vs 17-26 for 16th of February – picks up the theme of ‘Spiritual Hunger’. I’ve ridden on the back of Eugene Peterson’s take on this ‘Sermon on the Plain’ as we find it in The Message. It can be experienced here.

Trevor Hoggard is here using the 2^nd set of readings from the Common Lectionary. His texts for 16 February are Hosea 10 vs 1-8,12, Galatians 4 vs 8-20 . His sermon can be engaged with here.

Gospel Conversations - (out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese) hosts a conversation of 4 Theologians and Practitioners at the beginning of each week around the Gospel lectionary text for the coming Sunday. The site with all its options can be accessed here. This coming Sunday’s offering focuses on the  Feb 16 focusses on Gospel for Holy Innocents - Matt 2:13-18. It can be accessed here.

Again, it will help broaden all our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

Finally.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday

UCANZ Ministry Facilitator