E NEWS 23RD JUNE 2023
I returned home at 10.45pm Thursday evening after attending Central Presbytery’s induction of the new minister Rev So’osemea Faatui at Pacific Islander’s Church of Christ the King in Porirua. I was invited and honoured to preach the sermon. Actually, it was quite appropriate given that I was So’o’s mentor when I was in Auckland. I preached from two texts John 10:10 Fullness of life and 1 Peter 5:1-3 “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
Sadly, fullness of life has been denied to countless human beings down through the ages through systems bent on stripping people of their humanity, such as slavery and apartheid, racism, sexism, designed to strip them of their humanity and so relegate them to a “less-than” human status. This rendering them ‘less than” humans has allowed for the rationalisation of denying them full human status, and the right to share in the abundance or fullness God desires and made possible for all. This sad situation is very much alive and still with us today. A Samoan woman colleague of mine applied to become a minister for this church. She was shortlisted for an interview and when she was being interviewed her palagi husband asked the Ministry settlement board “what is the likelihood of you calling a Pacific Island woman?” and they replied “not likely at all”. He then went on to say “so why are you even interviewing us?” My comments above in the context of my sermon hoped to reflect the injustice of their discrimination stripping this woman of her humanity.
I am enjoying being the face of St Andrew’s on the Terrace in the City, in the communities that surround our church, at Parliament, in Government working with the Ministry of Pacific Peoples, at Victoria University working with the Religious Studies Department, the School of Criminology, Student Christian Movement and the Office of the Vice Chancellor Pacific, next door at Stafford House Unilodge, being the unofficial chaplain to the Residential Assistants and Management. It is also good to be involved with the local minister’s in the central city parishes and share lunch together once a month. I was given a challenge at my interview to take the mission and ministry of SAOTT into the community. I believe this is exactly what I am doing. It is one of the highlights of my ministry.
On Tuesday Oranga Tamariki were meeting in Conference rooms 1 & 2 at SAOTT and the conference participants saw my name on my office door and so they invited me to join them and share about my journey and the ministry of SAOTT which I did. The facilitators knew of me and were keen to introduce me to their team. I also joined them for lunch. These are great opportunities to share our story as a Progressive, Rainbow and Inclusive Church.
As a member of one of the Government’s Steering Committee for Vaka of Stories of Dawn Raid’s Government Apology, we are launching a National Vaka of Stories on the evening of July 6th in Auckland. After the Launch the vaka story stops will begin the following week in West Auckand and move its way slowly down the country. I will join some of these stops as I am available, most of them are on Saturdays so that works out well for me. This is not something that I am doing for me or just for the Pacific people but is part of the mission and ministry of SAOTT. Ministry of Pacific People’s cover my travel and accommodation as needed and SAOTT provide time and personnel. I hope you join me in being proud of our participation and mission to the wider community in the city locally and nationally.
This Sunday is World Refugee Sunday and the theme from Christian World Service is “Hope away from Home” our lectionary reading is the story of Hagar and Ishmael being banished by Sarah and becoming refugees with nowhere to go. It is interesting that the book of Genesis portrays Hagar as an “Egyptian Slave” whereas the Qu’ran although Hagar is not mentioned by name but is regarded as an Egyptian Princess who was given as a gift to Abraham and Sarah.
I am enjoying visiting many of you in your homes and hope that I will eventually get around to visiting everyone in our church before the end of the year. It would be great if you could give me some dates and times of your availability. Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday, have a great weekend. Fei
You can read the full E-new here: https://mailchi.mp/c04498bc6cc6/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-9362691
