One lucky student will be the first to receive the $1000 Tertiary Textbook Scholarship launched by the Tekapo-based Jennifer Murray Charitable Trust. Trustee Jim Murray said the intention of the trust was to promote and support young people within the boundary of the Mackenzie Country. The trust was established in 2017 in memory of Murray’s late sister,Jennifer. Its purpose was not only to enhance and preserve the Church of the Good Shepherd but to provide for the education and spiritual wellbeing of residents and visitors within the Lake Tekapo, Pukaki and Aoraki/Mt Cook catchment area. The $1000 scholarship will financially assist the student in purchasing academic textbooks in … [Read more...]
Handing over -a new Council for AWSC
AWSC Council 2018-2020 Nai Cokanasiga, Ceridwyn Parr (administrator), Bettina Maxwell, Evelini Langi, Val Riches, Helen Roud, Numia Tomoana (Convenor). It was farewell to Convenor Revd Numia Tomoana, and Pasefika Councillor, Revd Evelini Langi when the Council met in March. Both Numia and Evelini have made a wonderful and purposeful contribution to the life and direction of the Anglican Women's Studies Centre. At General Synod, held by ZOOM in July, three new Councillors were appointed by their respective tikanga. Tikanga Pasefika announced the selection of Genevieve Reid of Samoa, and Kelera Oli from Fiji. Tikanga Maori appointed Ruihana Paenga. The AWSC looks forward to … [Read more...]
Wash and Pray
Wash and Pray- advice from the Diocese of Polynesia. used with permission Great advice from the Diocese of Polynesia. … [Read more...]
Hui 2021 Te Whaea, Papatuanuku: Na Tina ni Vanua: The Earth is our Mother
Covid-19 has pushed our 2020 hui out into next year. Our bi-annual hui is now scheduled for 13-16 October 2021. The location is Waikato Diocesan School for Girls, River Road , Hamilton. This is an exciting, educational, interactive, multi-strand event, for women of all three tikanga- Maori, Pasefika and Pakeha, to gather together, share and learn. Photo shows women from three tikanga-Nai Cokanasiga, , tikanga Pasefika, Kaye Dyer, tikanga Pakeha and Jenny Quince, tikanga Maori, at the 2016 hui. More information coming soon. … [Read more...]
Mum said, ‘I think you need to be a priest.’
Mele Prescott It was unheard of- a young single Tongan woman moving away from home. After working in travel and tourism for eight years, Mele Prescott left home in South Auckland to take a degree in theology. She saw this as a chance to wrestle with her thoughts and beliefs, as a young Christian follower in the Church. Her study led her to a position in Taranaki, where she was asked, What is a curate? Do you cure it?” Working in tikanga Pakeha, Mele has a wonderful story to tell. You can hear her being interviewed on Sweet Talk on Radio Taranaki https://www.accessradiotaranaki.com/player?ShowID=1316 … [Read more...]
Break the Silence Sunday
22 November 2020 Break the Silence Sunday is the church's commitment to speak out against violence in our families, homes, community and society at large. These service resources and suggested readings have been prepared by the members of the Christian Network - Talanoa and commended to the Fiji Council of Churches for their use. All churches are invited to use them. The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence runs from November 25 – the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to December 10 – International Human Rights Day. It is a global campaign to focus our efforts towards working to eliminate violence against women in our … [Read more...]
Family Easter Lock-down in Fiji
The world came to a standstill, there were no social gatherings. This was one of the pinnacle principles in fighting the Corona Virus. But our lives revolved around having cultural family gatherings, visiting the sick and loved ones, going to church on Sundays, inviting our extended family for a meal… we were in a dilemma. We set up our home for Communion services, we made Palm crosses, we marched around the house with shouts of Hosanna- it was like nothing we have ever experienced before! The children and grandchildren practised action songs, family joined us by video call- the Corona virus did not cancel the Church! A LIFE’S JOURNEY THAT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN At a time … [Read more...]
Gender Based Violence -16 Days of Activism
photo by Melanie Wasser, Unsplash 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence Campaign by the Christian Network – Talanoa The Most Reverend Dr. Winston Halapua, former Archbishop for the Diocese of Polynesia). Domestic violence, sexual offences, bullying, harassment and any kind of abuse are criminal acts against humanity and a violation of the rights of women and children. The Christian Network – Talanoa is an alliance of ecumenical partners and individuals convened by House of Sarah (HoS) of the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia in 2013 to talk with each other, share information and take collaborative actions to address violence against … [Read more...]
Covid – 19: time of self-assessment and God’s evaluation.
Akanesi Folau writes from Tonga of her family experience during the Covid-19 lockdown. On one afternoon, during the lock-down we were sitting down as a family for our family prayer and my eldest son was leading us into a bible verse, then we shared how it touches our lives and what message it gives us. Then there was an argument between us parents. My son intervened and spoke softly to make both sides happy in a Godly way, saying we are both right. Covid-19 taught us parents that having to listen and give space to our children for they are the messengers for whom God always speaks through to guide and direct us at our most extreme moments. John 14:1 “Don’t let your heart be … [Read more...]
Sisterhood of Love
It was an experience of camaraderie and ‘Sisterhood’, when the AWSC Pasefika Tikanga met in the Kingdom of Tonga from Thursday 7th to Saturday 9th November 2019. Revd Sonja Hunter writes... There were seventeen (17) representatives from the Island Nations of Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa and the Kingdom of Tonga. The flexible, yet dynamic programme focused on lively conversations on women clergy development issues, and the promotion of the AWSC Book Project of ‘Telling our Stories: 40 Years of Women’s Ordination’. The separate Hui of the three Tikanga in 2019 was a decision by the AWSC Council ‘to strengthen the Tikanga base as we move ahead together in the strength of our own … [Read more...]
