As mentioned on the Mihinare tumblr, we are 6-ish months away from the second biggest event of the year (in our Church calendar at least), General Synod. Second only to the ACC-15 to be hosted here later in the year. This will be the 60th session of General Synod/Te Hinota Whanui.

Delegates from across the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand & Polynesia will be gathering in Nadi, Fiji for a week of fellowship, discussion, and decision-making.

A disclaimer before we get carried away. This is not an official website of the Anglican Church. I speak for no-one but myself, my messages are my own. I will try get more users on to share their thoughts too.

You can also follow my thoughts by using hashtag #GS12 on Twitter. I would love to hear from you.

For the articles & reflections from General Synod 2010, please click: http://generalsynod2010.wordpress.com/category/gs10/

Written by Sharlene Douglas-Huriwai

Monday found Synod discussing the Anglican Covenant. What does it mean? Who does it affect? And, if accepted, what does it say about us as a church? A stimulating debate full of diverse opinions which led the synod to the most important question facing it: are we ready to announce where we stand on this issue? The answer eventually came by way of a motion passed asking for more time for the church to consider and consult at parish and diocesan levels over the covenant paper.  It seems the controversy lay in the content of the covenants fourth clause – the clause which seem to have been dubbed as the one that says “who’s in” and “who’s out” of the church. If we agree to the covenant, we agree to its clauses – number 4 included. So, the church has decided to ask for more time to consider the wider implications.

On the subject of being inclusive, the synod passed a bill to change the name of the Diocese of Waikato. The name change means it will now include the words “and Taranaki” so the “Diocese of Waikato” is no longer. Now we have “The Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki.”

The three tikanga youth made their presentation to the synod pre-empting the bill, which was later passed, allowing for the overhaul of current youth ministry governance and structures.  The result of the bill passing means a Youth Commission will be set up to replace TORU and other three tikanga youth bodies in a move to clean out the clutter that has taken over youth ministry governance.

It was day, it was night, it was morning.

Tuesday rolled on and alcohol was on the morning agenda. What impact is alcohol having on our communities? Psychology and Medicine Professor Doug Sellman presented to the synod a 5+ solution to New Zealand’s alcohol crisis. The key message he wanted to get across was one of alcohol impact on today’s society which provided all gathered with a few reality checks and allowed synod members to address issues which concerned them.  The motion attached to the presentation was moved and accepted.

The issue of resource sharing between the Tikanga made its appearance and a three Tikanga working group was established to look into the ways the church could manage their resources properly.

It was day, it was night, it was morning.

Wednesday saw the confirmation of the resource motion and working group.  It also witnessed the naming of the archbishop elect for Polynesia.  Right Reverend Doctor Winston Halapua Dr Halapua, 64, will take the position on behalf of Tikanga Polynesia and become the third figurehead for the provincial church alongside current archbishops Brown Turei and David Moxon. Upon his instillation as archbishop his episcopal jurisdiction will cover the islands of Tonga, Fiji, both Samoa and American Samoa, and the pacific island congregations in Auckland. The Auckland University theology lecturer and Principal of the College of the Diocese of Polynesia at St Johns was nominated by the church members of his Tikanga. The decision was made official by Archbishop Turei yesterday morning. Dr Halapua’s appointment follows the death of Archbishop Jabez Bryce earlier this year. It is expected he will leave his Auckland base and return to Suva to take up the archbishops seat.

It was day, it was night, it’s today!

Final day of synod has arrived and members are still moving motions and confirming bills.  Dinner is on its way and so I am off!

Tootles!

It has been announced that the Bishop-elect of Tikanga Polynesia’s installation will be on Sunday 1 August 2010, at a cathedral in Suva.

Blog: Available Light

Saturday morning all the youth stewards met with John Hebenton, Sharlene Douglas- Huriwai and Michael Hughes for breakfast so that our roles as youth stewards could be explained to us properly. After our meeting we then travelled over to Te Poho o Rawiri marae for the powhiri and the beginning of the week. For the first time in my life, much to my surprise and against my beliefs I walked into a whare nui with my shoes on. I felt really bad about that for the rest of the day because I felt like I was being disrespectful to the people of Ngati Porou by doing so.

After hakari at the marae, all three tikanga split up and went into coucus within their own tikanga. Obviously I attended the Tikanga Maori caucus. It was interesting to hear different points of views from people from all over the motu (country).

Saturday night we were joined by tikanga Polynesia and entertained at dinner by students from Lytton college with their amazing voices while we consumed our dinner at Taapapa o Te Tairawhiti. The cheese cake was devine!

Sunday morning i awaoke feeling rather low, but continued to get ready for service. I didn’t end up at sunday morning’s service but in the emergency room at Gisborne hospital. From there it was suspected that I may have Cauda Equiner, but after having a C. T scan, I was admitted for observation awaiting an MRI scan.

I would like to share a little story with you all, while I was in hospital, I met a woman called Maryann wha has suffered from two strokes. she does’nt remember things from one day to the next. The first day we met was sunday, by monday morning she had forgotten who I was. Kathleen came to visit me on monday and we all went to the hospital chapel and sang songs and had a small service with the hospital chaplain. Later that night, up in our ward (ward 9) we spent more time together talking and singing and I sat and listened to her story. It was heart breaking the way she had been treated by her family and some of the staff so I took her to bed and we shared some prayers together then parted ways. The following morning (tuesday) I saw her again and to be honest, I did not expect her to remember me, but she came to me and said “my guardian angel, my daddy said  he would send someone and he did, he sent you”. I was blown away. I spent more time with her yesterday then last night, we parted ways again. This morning, I once again did not think she would remember me but she does. I really believe that this is the working of the lord. I do not think I was in hospital for my benefit, but to help Maryann on her journey to recovery.

I spent a total of three nights in Gisborne hospital and the hospitality is amazing. Thank you to all the people who thought about me in my time of illness and thank you to those who may have prayed, and thank you so much to those who visited me.

No reira tena koutou, tena koutou tena tatou katoa.

So this is my first time as a delegate for The General Synod. It has been amazing to be apart of the synod so far and to hear the business side of things of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. As a Rangatahi (Youth) of our church, I appreciate the korero (discussions) that have been going on especially about the youth within our church. I’m enjoying my time at The General Synod and it’s an experience that I can’t express through words. So yeah that’s all I have to really say, I would go intoo detail about the discussions happening but I’m sure that the others here will be much obliged to do so. Much Love God Bless

Rawinia Gray.

As we are in day two-and-a-bit of the Fifty-Ninth Session of the General Synod/Te Hïnota Whänui, I want to suggest that the highlight, not to mention, the most substantive piece of work thus far has been the introduction  of and conversation around The Tikanga Toru  Youth Commission.  The presentation and moving of this Bill by Sepi Hala’api’api was very much enabled by the 3 T Youth presentation on the preceding night.  This synod/hïnota heard the personal stories - observations - reflections; passion for 3 T relationships, and a desire to see structures reflect the depth of commitment to the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, shown by our young people. I wish to acknowledge and thank Safaira Viliame, Stoney Tohi, Sepi Hala’api’api, Michael Tamihere, Tapu Laulu, Kathleen Winiata, Karen (Kaz) Yung, Lyndon Rogers, Emma Hocking and our ever-youthful John Hebenton.  Furthermore, I would suggest that this church has every reason to be proud of our young people for the confident leadership they provide, the  forthright voice they offer, and the undeniable faith they contribute to this church. 

+David

Bishop of Waiapu

3 Tikanga Youth Bishop

The passing of Motion 10 with amendments is FANTASTIC!! I have for a very long time been upset at how the drinking culture in New Zealand affects so many youth and is partly driven by an irresponsible example shown by our adults and leaders both in and out of the church. I strongly hope that with serious enough thought and support we can have a positive impact on this detrimental culture of drinking. i am also very pleased that the ammendment to hold General Synod members particularly responsible to each other and to report back on the success came from within the adults and have great support.

Emma

Expression from Sharlene Douglas-Huriwai 

Motion 14 presented by Archbishop David Moxon on Earth Hour and Earth Sunday has me thinking of what I can do to help the environment. Part of our 5 fold mission statement says something like ’striving to care for creation’. Having our haahi take this day into consideration and observing a Sunday towards this I hope willl spread the word on how serious that the climate change is. This will draw our communities attention to the need of making changes for climate change. As mentioned from the floor, there are areas in Australia (yep just over the ditch) who have never seen the wonders of rain. Can you imagine what New Zealand would like without the luscious green grass and our beautiful forests, conservation lands and gardens?

Lyndon Rogers, a youth delegate from Diocese of Christchurch spoke of a few ways in which his Diocese passed to support efforts for climate change. Becoming more active, this year Lyndon a young leader in our haahi has flown to places around 2 times per month. Can you imagine the effects that our whole church have on the environment? One of the efforts from Diocese of Christchurch was asking their minita to ‘ride a bike’ instead of driving their car and could be reimbursed for the mileage in which they ride to get to their hui. What great initiative!

Let us think about what we are doing. I mean, how many trees would you have to plant to ofsett your carbon emissions?