E NEWS 16TH AUGUST 2024
It’s Thursday evening and I’ve just turned the light off to go to sleep in my Palmerston North motel, and as I lie in bed the word “E News” comes to mind. I’m thinking yes its done I did that before I left Wellington or did I? I get out of bed retrieve my personal laptop and can’t seem to find confirmation that I had sent it through to Jemma, it was nowhere to be found and that is because It was still sitting on my computer in my office. So, this is being written from my bed at the Cobb Hotel in Palmerston North at 10.45pm on Thursday night.
Central Presbytery are meeting at “The Gathering” Friday and Saturday at St Albans Presbyterian Church. I had a meeting earlier today here in Palmerston North and I had dinner tonight with my former students from Selly Oak College in Birmingham UK who have been living in Palmerston North for the last 24 years. Martin pulled out the photo albums and it was great to reminisce and walk down memory lane.
Before I left Wellington this morning I joined a zoom call with practioners and faith leaders working within the Pacific communities across NZ in the area of FVSV Family violence, Sexual violence. I didn’t realise I was invited as one of 3 so -called “distinguished Faith leaders” to join 68 practitioners who meet on a regular basis. After introducing myself and our church SAOTT as a progressive, inclusive, rainbow faith community I said a little speel about what it means and how important and necessary it is to be an inclusive LGBTQI rainbow church etc. When I had finished I scanned the 68 faces on screen and was very surprised to see one of the practitioners present that I knew personally growing up he is an extremely right wing fundamentalist Christian who I remember was an advocate for Conversion therapy and he was anti-gay. I was thinking “what the heck is he doing here?” I noticed the polo shirt he was wearing had the words of a Pacific agency printed on it. I thought “OMG, this does not feel like a safe place, the likes of this person and possibly others felt quite intrusive. However, I concluded that actually this is good for him to hear from the likes of myself and others who put out a challenge to fundamentalist thinking and attitudes that judge, condemn and spiritually abuse those from the LGBTQI community. To my surprise at the end I was asked to close our zoom off with a short devotion. I had not prepared as the person who was meant to do it graciously handed it over to me stating that it was an honour and a privilege for them to hear more from me. Given that I had recently led a homily at the opening of Alo.Fa Sexual Abuse Centre I took snippets from my homily on the rape of Tamar and presented everyone with a challenge. On my drive up to Palmerston I received a few phone calls of affirmation from some of the practitioners afterwards. I don’t necessarily enjoy it but I’m getting used to being the thorn in the side of fundamentalist evangelical conservatism.
I’ve been asked to set the record straight re. my proposed study leave next year. Apparently someone queried my planned sabbatical next year thinking I would be away for a whole year. For the record, I’ll be on “study leave” which for me is technically a short Sabbatical over the 3 months of May, June and July. Planning it is a work in progress at this stage.
Adelina goes away for two weeks holiday this Sunday until September 1st. In the meantime the office will be staffed by Germaine and Jemma.
A reminder of our “Creature/animal Sunday 15th September 2024” to bring your pets along to church for our special animal blessing Sunday. It will be a new experience for me too and one I am looking forward to.
This Sunday’s theme is “Daily Bread, bread of life”. My dad’s older brother uncle Pe’a in Samoa would sit in his open fale at breakfast time and give thanks to God for the piece of breadfruit in front of him and the coconut miki soup to wash it down with. He probably won’t have lunch, at dinner time, he may receive the same food as there may not be enough money to buy a tin or herrings to supplement his meal, but nevertheless he gives thanks for God’s provision by saying grace grateful for his daily bread. I wonder what your daily bread is for you in your home? How does this become the bread of life for you?
A reminder that Valerie Rhodes funeral is on Monday at 1pm and we have been tasked with providing afternoon tea. Pam Fuller is co-ordinating this, so if you are not able to attend on Monday but would like to bring a contribution on Sunday you are most welcome.
Right, task completed! Now I can go to sleep. Ia manuia le weekend. Faafetai, Fei
You can read the full E-news here: https://mailchi.mp/f366c657a47d/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-9468892
