Contact: Betsan Martin,
Methodist Public Issues,
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Public Issues Convening Group President Setaita Taumoepeau K Vaikune Tumuaki DianaTana Prince Devanandan Viv Whimster David Bush (General Secretary) |
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| Christchurch: Mourning for Deaths and Violence Kindness and Solidarity for Muslim communities A prayer 'Christchurch Shootings' by Helen Bichen, Tawa Union Parish  Wellington people gather at the Islamic Centre with offerings. ****** For 2019 Lent - you are invited to use this Calendar and the Reflections. The calendar is designed by Viv Whimster, and is available as a hard copy with peel off stickers contact: betsan@response.org.nz Lent Reflections are contributed by Revd. Siosifa Pole, Revd. Mark Gibson, Revd. Paulo Ieti and Dr George Zachariah, new lecturer at Trinity College, Revd. Greg Hughson, Revd. Andrew Doubleday (see below)
Calendars Lent - English Calendar with peel off stickers: A3 A4 Leniti - Tongan with stickers A3 - Tongan and English calendar Poster Leniti - Samoan with stickers A3
Lent Reflections
Revd. Siosifa Pole Whose Footprints to Follow Ash Wednesday. Isaiah 58 ; Luke 4 George Zachariah Lent: A Call to System Change; Not Climate Change. Deut. 26; Luke 4:1-13
Revd. Paulo Ieli Matafaioi (responsibility) and Maluapapa (sheltering rock) Is 55: 1-9;Luke 13, 1-9 Revd. Mark Gibson: The Essential Desert Deut 26: 1-11. Luke 4: 1-13 Prodigal Species Lent 4. Luke 15: 11-34 Revd. Greg Hughson - forthcoming Revd. Andrew Doubleday - Making Room for Jackals and Ostriches
Wai-tangi - the call of water. See 'Resources' for Wai-tangi - Whanganui River as a legal person.
Waitangi, by JoAnna Mere, Exhibition Tutere Gallery,Waikanae. Jan 2019
Public Issues Oversight Group Dec 2018
Public Issues Oversight Group Meeting Dec 2018. Marion Hines, Elisapesi Havea, Prince Devandan, Nicola Grundy, Betsan Martin, Soana Muimuiheata, Mataiva Robertson, Asaeli Tulangi, Peter Lane. (David Bush present remotely). (Apologies Joeli Ducivaki, Viv Whimster, President Setaita)
. A grim Story
Climate Justice for the church - guidelines on our vision and what we will do together. Climate Justice: ' Our church's faith based values are unique. Our approach to climate justice then comes from love as well as just moral obligation Climate justice ensures that those with fewer resources are not further disadvantaged by changes in living costs, energy costs and jobs, and able to participate in and benefit from changes to a zero carbon economy.' '#Me Too: Troubling Sexual Abuse in Scriptures' Trinity College Principal Revd. Dr Nasili Vaka'uta fronted up to sexual violence in society, in the church and in scriptures at Conference 2018. #Me Too is a global movement of solidarity against sexual violence - which has a profile in Pacific nations and in Aotearoa New Zealand. For example in Tonga: - 68% of Tongan women and girls are affected by physical violence perpetrated by mainly their fathers or teachers In Aotearoa New Zealand - Up to 1 in 5 women will experience sexual assault as an adult. - For Maori girls and women, the likelihood of sexual violence is nearly twice as high as the general population. Patriarchal narratives are embedded in many familiar Scriptures - where blame is placed on women to cover up sexual violence. Hagar and Lot's daughters both need to be re-read for these distorting narratives. Revd. Nasili's presentation was one of the three from Trinity theologians. Dr Emily Colgan and Revd Dr Jione Havea who presented on supremacist narratives with re-reading with women's perspectives and Pacific theological re-visioning beyond theological orthodoxy. Conference 2018 President Setaita Revd. Dr Arapera Ngaha
'have our say' on intergenerational wellbeing
For For the Public issues presentation on the Child Poverty Reduction Bill at Select Committee , Betsan was joined by Rev. Professor Nokise, to bring a particular focus Pacific families. See Notes of Nokise and outline of the issues raised in the Public Issues presentation The main purpose of the Child Poverty Reduction Bill is for the government to set Measures and Targets for reducing poverty. Public Iss
ues proposed using the main measure of 60% of the median income is $49,900; and 60% of that is $29,000. The Living Wage is $54,000.P
Revd. Nokise spoke of Pacific New Zealanders and their particular identity and contributions to NZ.. We ask 'What are indicators of wellbeing for Pacific people? · We mentioned Income to enable generosity, Recognition of dedication to community and church N Needing attention: Incomes, Housing, Family Violence and Suicide We supported a cross party agreement for child poverty to make sure that reducing poverty is not undone by changes in government. National Party wants a more targeted, social investment approach which is possible within a wellbeing focus .
New New oCreation - Faith and Finance, Property and People
rty Committees. and Synods. Summary and Backgrounder - in preparation for Conference. See 'Resources' for the Summary and Backgrounder. PublicIssues Climate Conversations copy 2.pdf
'We Don't Want to Lose Our Roots' - Dwelling on Pacific Climate Migration Rt. Hon PM Ardern and MP Robertson Reporting on first 100 days. St Peters Willis st Wellington.  A New Government - Labour-Led Coalition with NZ First, and with Greens supporting Confidence and Supply. What Are we celebrating? Key policies on Public Issues
Voting is Good! Vote for Good! A PDF with 6 slides Public Issues information on Four Topics. Warm, Dry, Secure Housing; Wellbeing for Children and Families; Clean Water and Climate Justice & Income Equality Spirtuality and New Technology - Genes to control Invasive Species? COP23 - Keeping Oceans in view 
Churches and Church Leaders Speak Together on Climate Action. 5 June 2017 President Prince and Tumuaki Diana (Methodist), Archbishop Winston Halapua (Polynesia), Archbishop Philip, Bishop Kito, Bishop Justin, (Anglican); Cardinal John (Catholic), Moderator Richard Dawson (Presbyterian) gave commentary for our Media release.
For the 500th Anniversary of Luther and the Reformation, there has been a dialogue for reconciliation between the Lutheran and Catholic churches. President Prince attended the liturgical celebration at the Catholic Cathedral, Wellington on 4th June
Climate Conversations - click to download the PDF Alternatively contact Betsan Martin for a hard copy
Fresh ideas for theology, worship and practical activities come from contributors to this resource. Elisapesi Havea brings a feature on the Pacific,using 'Fatongia', responsibility, as an ethical value
We would like to hear your ideas for the church and climate action - please share points from your discussions with Public Issues.
Walk for the Planet - Seven Rivers Seven Walks for Lent - Canterbury State of the Nation 'Off the Track' - Salvation Army 8 February 2017
Climate for Churches video presentations with Professor James Renwick, Climate Scientist; Dr Adrian Macey, Climate Policy; Koreti Tiumalu, Pacific 350.Org; Su'a William Sio MP Mangere; panel discussion led by Rod Oram, Business journalist.
Living Wage Carols for Wellington City Council
See Resources page for research and presentation notes on Sustainable Development Goals New circulation - summaries of valuable articles and issues which are too long to read! Frances Palmer, and Arthur Palmer contribute to Public Issues Network with these accessible items. Frances has a special interest in Climate, and matters of Peace. US Election (which I have avoided writing about!) - by Arthur Palmer 'Atheist Minister - new God-talk' by Arthur Palmer 'Cross of the Moment' Documentary www.crossofthemoment.com/ 80 minutes - Intro by Frances Palmer
"If the earth is rare, why are we trashing it?" "The impact of our individual actions is negligible. What counts is our actions as citizens to change how structures operate "...' Comparing Climate Policies by Frances Palmer Comparing Climate Policies by Frances Palmer
Laudato Si: Cardinal John Dew interviewed by the Revd. Prince Devanandan Local Government - vote for action on the ground - See 'Resources' for questions on a Compassionate City, Families and children, Climate: energy, transport, forests, waste, housing Climate: Review of Church's Workshop BM SP 25.8.16.pdf Kava Theology - Revd. Goll Manukia 25 Sept 2016 Takapuna Repair Cafe August 2016
family socializing with practical help – a café where children and families bring their broken things and get them fixed. Organized by Community Developments worker Stephen McLuckie and Dale Kelly of Takapuna Parish. The full story tells of the organizing behind the scenes to make this a community venture Photos by Yvonne Powle
Freshwater
Dame Anne Salmond steps into the state of Freshwater standards in NZ and the water crisis in the Hawkes Bay. This article published in the NZ Herald raises questions around the current state of fresh water in New Zealand: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11700128 Collaborative Processes that will lead to clean Freshwater and Biodiversity mean all-party political engagement and commitment to the full package of recommendations - cherry picking means poor environmental outcomes : http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/83556678/jeff-mcneill-our-increasingly-threatened-biodiversity-needs-a-policy-embraced-by-all  
Climate for Churches: Kava Theology - Devotion by Revd. Goll Manukai, Lotofafale'ia 'Climate - Is there a Place for the Church?' Review of the Workshop
l Hon Su'a Willian Sio, MP 'If We Save Tuvalu We Save the World'
Tumuaki Revd. Diana Tana at Koroneihna, 10th Anniversary worship of Kingi Tuheitea, introducing the premier choral presentation of the Tongan Choir With President Tovia, Former President Rex Nathan, Superintendent Revd. Tevita Finau, President-elect Prince Devanandan T
PUBLIC ISSUES RESOURCES
An ecumenical Climate workshop hosted by Sinoti Samoa and Public Issues of the Methodist Church,and Anglican Diocesan Climate Action, 20th August, in Auckland. An ecumenical climate justice workshop hosted by Sinoti Samoa, Public Issues of the Methodist Church for church people. Theology, Science, Youth, and policy will contribute to enabling climate justice responses. A video presentation on Laudato Si will be prepared by Cardinal John Dew and included, as Cardinal Dew will be travelling. The 350 Degrees Pacific Climate Warriors with bring inspiration on climate for youth. Christian Conference of Asia - Meeting on Climate Change 
With Pope Francis encyclical Laudato Si as the Centrepiece, theology, science, ethics were all topics for our discussions on earth, our sister, Pope Francis' term of endearment. Global interdependence underscores the widely held appreciation that we share one planet earth, our common home The aspirational quality of Laudato Si has include regard for major imbalances, destruction and that for many people earth is a place of alienation and dislocation from home. Special issues for Asia highlight the more serious challenges for developing countries because developed countries have become post-industrial and outsourced manufacturing and industrial production to developing countries in favour of service based economies which are lower in carbon emissions and therefore more amendable to mitigation measures.
President Elect Prince, Tumuaki Diana, Public Issues, Betsan, CCA Intern Casey Fa'aui. Father George Zachariah presented a fine paper 'Colonization of the Commons'  refers to Hagar and Ishmael as an ancient story of exile and estrangement from home in a way that evokes the millions of people displaced by war and climate induced drought that are seeking refuge in lands where they are estranged from their homes – and facing the hostility of unwelcoming host countries. There is theme of colonization Yet, this is partly because of internal estrangements of poverty, drought, and lack of work.
Prince and Fr George Zachariah
Refugees in Our Communities. A Resource for Host Communities.April 2016 Resource Legislation Submission draft March 2016 - Legislation to amend the Resource Management Act and other associated Acts. This submission emphasises ecological sustainability, stewardship, and public good interests for land, resources, water and development.
Notes on Dialogue for Christian Unity. Wellington March 2016. Courtesy Elaine Bolitho Residential Tenancies act - Public Issues Submission February 2016
PIN and MTA Methodist Church Report to Conference on Climate and Low Carbon
Click on Resources for Church and Climate Change Resources, including WCC Reports and proposals for 'Green Church'
It Takes a Child to Raise a Country Tick 4 Kids Toolkit
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Earth Theology with Emily Colgan - See resources box for her presentation and John Thornley's reflection on earth-theology. 
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