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Withams 1/2 Taonga extracts 3/4 Formation 5 Area News 6 Convocation Plus 7/8 Book reviews 9 Misional Church 10 Bishop John Grey 11 12 Deadline for TAU articles- 13th June AUCKLAND I expected the Provincial Minister of Australia, New Guinea and East Asia to be a high powered administrator with an aura of authority and energetic efficiency. Instead, coming off the gangway of the “Dawn Princess” I saw a man in a wheelchair with a big smile. Later on, I discovered from his wife Rae, also a founding member of the West Australian branch of the Third Order, that he had to retire early from his position as administrator of West Australian school chaplains, is in constant pain from displaced bones in his back and needs to take thirty-two pills a day to counter it. But you would never guess what he suffers. He shows a warm personal interest in everyone he meets and from him comes a constant flow of original ideas and thoughts, songs and poems and music, all to enliven and inspire his fellow tertiaries. Margaret Schoneveld, Femke and I , later joined by Rose, loved our visit to the Cathedral and the summit of Mt Eden. Then we came together for lunch at our place (thanks to Pat) where we sang his songs (and one of mine) while he accompanied us on the piano. January 7th was a day of joy. Ted has presented the Auckland area with a copy of "Franciscan Gold", the story of the Australian Third Order. Chris, TSSF If you would like to get to know Ted a bit better, here are his contacts: Email [email protected] : [email protected] Ted's blogs: Thoughts Provocateurs: www.blognow.com.au/twitham Mind Journeys: http:// tedwitham.wordpress.com/ Ted on Twitter: http:// twitter.com/tedwitham BROWSE & BORROW TED'S BOOKSHELF: http:// www.librarything.com/catalog/ twitham Ted Witham, "a wounded troubadour" Witham Visit Third Order. Society of St Francis, Aotearoa, New Zealand, & Polynesia with Melanesia 2011 TAU

TAU March 2011

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Page 1: TAU March 2011

Withams 1/2Taonga extracts 3/4Formation 5Area News 6Convocation Plus 7/8Book reviews 9Misional Church 10

Bishop John Grey 11

12

Deadline for TAU articles- 13th June

AUCKLANDI expected the Provincial Minister of Australia, New Guinea and East Asia to be a high powered administrator with an aura of authority and energetic efficiency.   Instead, coming off the gangway of the “Dawn Princess” I saw a man in a wheelchair with a big smile.   Later on, I discovered from his wife Rae , a l so a f o u n d i n g member of the West Australian branch of the Th i rd Order, that he had to r e t i r e e a r l y f r o m h i s p o s i t i o n a s administrator of West Australian school chaplains,   is in constant pain from displaced bones in his back and needs to take thirty-two pills a day to counter it.  But you would never guess what he suffers.   He   shows a warm personal interest in everyone he meets and from him comes a constant flow of  original   ideas and thoughts, songs and poems and music, all to enliven and inspire his fellow tertiaries.    Margaret Schoneveld, Femke and I , later joined by Rose, loved our visit to  the Cathedral and the summit of Mt Eden.   Then we

came together for lunch at our place (thanks to Pat) where  we sang his songs (and one of mine) while he accompanied us on the piano.   January 7th was a day of joy.

Ted has presented the Auckland area with a copy of "Franciscan Gold", the story of the Australian

Third Order.

Chris, TSSF

If you would like to get to know Ted a bit better, here are his contacts:

Email [email protected] : [email protected]'s blogs: Thoughts Provocateurs: www.blognow.com.au/twitham  Mind Journeys: http://tedwitham.wordpress.com/Ted on Twitter:        http://twitter.com/tedwithamBROWSE & BORROW TED'S BOOKSHELF: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/twitham

Ted Witham, "a wounded troubadour"

Witham Visit

Third Order. Society of St Francis, Aotearoa, New Zealand, & Polynesia with Melanesia 2011

TAU

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NORTH IS. CENTRALDear Franciscans,

On Sunday 9th January 2011 several of the NIC Tertiaries met at Dorothy Brookers to meet Rev. Ted Witham & his wife Rae. Ted is the Minister Provincial for Australia, Papua New Guinea, & East Asia Province. He and his wife were traveling on the Dawn Princess around the coast of N.Z. and the ship docked at Napier at 11:30 am and was leaving for Wellington at 5.30 pm.

The time was precious.  Dorothy collected them and she and her sister Shirley gave them lunch  and had time to talk to them; then at 2.00pm Val, Raechel, Nettie, Clare and George arrived and Ted led us in a tea and chatter; then Eucharist. This was followed by a shared afternoon George drove the Withams up Te Mata Peak to give them an idea of the area.  At the Peak there were three bus loads from the Dawn Princess!

At 19 Ted had problems (with walking?) and at 21 had a very big operation.  Although he is only in his early 60s he has been retired for 15 years and he and Rae live in a retirement home on the flat where he can walk about.  They live in Western Australia about 200 miles south of Perth.

George took them back to Dorothy's and she was collecting the wheelchair from the Cathedral  before returning them to the collecting point for the ship.

They were such a nice couple and we were very pleased to have the opportunity to meet them.

Yours in ChristClare and George

WELLINGTON

Wellington Region entertained the Withams. They were met when their cruise ship tied up in Wellington Harbour and whisked out to St. Aidan's Miramar where a Franciscan eucharist was celebrated, followed by a morning tea and chat....an exchange of views and "state of the

order" comparisons. Ted was delighted to find a single console pipe organ in St. Aidan's church, and played a couple of hymns before being whisked away to lunch and further visits to several interesting Wellington locations. There were probably about 15 people in attendance. Richard Roberts.

Dear Chris and Pat – and Auckland Tertiaries Weʼve been home a week or more, and Iʼm only just getting around to writing and thanking you for a wonderful day when we were in Auckland. It was good to meet you all, to enjoy your hospitality and to see a little of Auckland. The rest of our cruise was very pleasant. We enjoyed NZʼs dramatic scenery, especially the Fjordland National Park. Milford Sound was stunning – and apparently unusually sunny. We met Tertiaries in Napier and Wellington, and caught up with old friends in Christchurch, so all in all it was a great time. It was good to discover how much we have in common, Chris, with our writing. I hope we can keep in touch. Thank you again. Peace and joy Rae & Ted Ted and Rae Witham TSSFADDRESS:  139/502 Bussell Highway                   BROADWATER WA 6280

FLOODS IN QUEENSLAND

Sisters and brothers, no doubt you are aware of the flood situation in Queensland. Please keep in your prayers those in the flood region, particularly in Gatton and Toowoomba -Margarita Fomaneg; Ruth Gill is; Valda Paradies; Jan Leerentueld; and Bronwyn & Godfrey Fryar in Rockhampton.

I'm not familiar with the other place names to identify other members affected, but will keep you informed as I find out.

Pax et Bonum,Ted Witham

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Extracts from Anglican Taonga Web Site ASH WEDNESDAY BY ANGELA PYKE | 10 MAR 2011

Christchurchʼs traditional Anglican-Catholic Ash Wednesday service to mark the beginning of Lent took place at St. Christopherʼs Anglican Church in Burnside.  This year it was the turn of the Anglican Bishop of Christchurch, Bishop Victoria Matthew's, to host the service at the Anglican Cathedral. With both Cathedrals unavailable due to earthquake damage, Bishop Matthew's invited the Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, Bishop Barry Jones, to the Burnside church where he delivered the homily.

 “This year, here in Christchurch, Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent will be observed in the ruins of a beautiful and gracious city, named as we know with a holy Christian name,” said Bishop Jones.  “Our Lenten works of prayer, fasting and almsgiving are to be outward bound.  So many people have told us that they are praying for the people of Christchurch and we must do the same. 

"We must pray that the cityʼs leaders will be wise, compassionate and fair; that the goodwill, large-heartedness and good patience of people will be long lasting and strong; that the people of the Church will always bear witness to the generous love and mercy of God,” he said.

 Quake brings out the hero in us by LYNDA PATTERSON | 12 SEP 2010

In the language of insurance policies, the Canterbury quake was "an act of God". And I suppose thatʼs true for some people, who see God micro-managing every single thing that happens, like a paranoid stage director. Maybe, we think, the quake meant that God was punishing us, so we rack our brains to think what weʼve done.  Or maybe we say, Godʼs looking out specially for us because we got through the quake without any loss of life. I suppose there might be something comforting about thinking that our fate is beyond our control.

But I donʼt believe in the sort of God who doles out misery like gold stars in reverse, and I donʼt believe in that careful arithmetic of blame.

We have a God who believes in new life, life in all its fullness. We donʼt avert our eyes when things go wrong in the world, or whistle cheerfully and pretend that nothingʼs happened.

We front up to the suffering all around us provided we face up squarely to the suffering all round us and do what we can to support those hurting most, without pretence or illusion.

The first place to look for God is always in the facts, the way things are. All the neat explanations for why things happen as they do are just so many words,

Weʼre all called to be heroes, even when we think thereʼs nothing particularly special or outstanding about us.

Quake brings out the hero in

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We all have our faults and our failings and our particular delusions of competence.

Our heroism doesnʼt have to be flashy and impressive. It just means giving up our habits of self-defence, and the illusion that we can live on our own resources.

To be a hero is nothing more than to live an undefended life. It is to be open to whatever God has in store for us, wherever that might be, however it might cost us to get there.

And it starts when we pause for just for a moment and then  join with God in remaking the world.

___________________________________

Editors Notes

Having just come back f r o m t w o w e e k s i n Christchurch as part of a C.I . defuse team we noticed this same heroism in the day to day stories we were to ld , many c o p i n g w i t h l o s s o f

people, possessions and personal stability. September threw people into transition “ no longer were they who they had beenʼ before the September quake, some may have felt they had come through it when the March one hit and so the journey to wholeness and relocation goes on. ʻAs yet they are not yet who they will be!ʼ Despite the losses so many are cheerful, helping and doing their very best to recover from personal and community loss.

Physiologically we need to shake, dance, run off the adrenal overload that happens with the ongoing quakes, we also need to learn to breathe out when feeling stressed. Emotionally and mentally we need to learn how to notice when we are making good choices, when we or our friends are overloaded and act! Brain images need to be reframed to enable inner resilience and joy to return. As Francis teaches

usʼ this joy is a divine gift, present even in times of darkness and difficulty, giving cheerful courage in the face of disappointmentʼ and disaster bringing ʻan inward serenity and confidence through sickness and sufferingʼ a gift of grace.

Many thanks for all your prayers, we felt supported and enfolded.

So many amazing people including the Anglican Church are working tirelessly to help the City recover itʼs sense of vitality and purpose. May Godʼs presence be in each smile and each hand reached out in compassion and support.

PS.I spoke to Maggie and Coral while down there by phone, I believe Pam has moved to family out of Ch Ch at this stage, Marionʼs House was hit and she has had help to make it livable. Coral has a bad eye that needs prayer and her water was still on and off. All are very busy helping! We need to pray for them for all of Christchurch and now also for Japan and China! (Hélène)

“To give without any reward, or any notice,

has a special quality of its own. -Anne Morrow Lindbergh

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At this Lenten time, we usually consider how we may make some sacrifice, often deciding on some rather superficial aim as we find hard to persevere with anything more.

In our eyes, perhaps, Saint Francis seemed to relish sacrifice, by giving up his life of privilege. Francis, of course, didnʼt consider this to be a sacrifice at all.

Instead we learn it was his deep desire to follow the new path, as directed by God. His conversion from the life of a knight fighting the cause of Christianity was so unexpected by those he knew, that they possibly thought him mad. (1. See front page photo in Advent TAU) Although many of us reach a crisis point when we know we need to change the way we run our lives, few of us would want to follow the extreme example of Francis. In our Formation studies there are stories of him we may find hard to relate to. Members of the First and Second Orders choose to live in a manner more closely aligned to that of the Brothers and Sisters following Francis and Clare.

As Third Order members we have made a different choice, to live with family in our own homes, though still part of the Franciscan Community. The challenge for us is to understand our Principles and how closely we can apply them in our day- to- day lives. Francis intention was to give Third Order members the freedom to “live in the world”, while keeping the principles he believed in.One of the difficulties we may face is that of viewing sacrifice like Francis, as a great joy. In his making a decision to miss out on a feast to which he was invited by the nobleman, Matteo de Rossi, so that he could keep company with beggars in the courtyard he demonstrated simply, the importance of our being equals in Godʼs eyes.

A question we are asked to consider is, in what way are we like Saint Francis? When I did my studies, at first it was tempting to dismiss this as an impossibility, but being required to take this seriously, I dug down to a more profound

level and learned more about myself. Retreat times give us the opportunity to explore some of these important questions, as we continue to progress.

Above Assisi looms Mount Subasio where is situated the ancient hermitage (Eremo delle Carceri) to which Francis used to retreat for his quiet times. Present day pilgrims may walk or take the easy way up by car. On the day we went it was beautifully sunny and a haloed statue of Saint Francis greeted us at the start of the path to the ancient building. As in all of the places we visited, picnics are not permitted, but some people seemed to find it hard to maintain the requested “SILENZIO”. The test for me was not to allow this to distract me, though sometimes my thoughts were not too charitable.

After taking time to appreciate the rooms inside and reflect on the life of Francis in that atmosphere, it was time to move outside. This was a day of four season; in the sun and out of the wind it was balmy weather, but on the forest trail, the deep shadow and bitter wind meant I didnʼt feel like staying very long in the outdoor chapel with seating and the TAU cross on the altar. Once more I asked myself about Francisʼ sacrifices, He was happy to live there in midwinter with cold far worse, snowed in no doubt. Can we come close to Francisʼ faith, hear what we are invited to sacrifice and do it with a joyful heart?

St Francis is represented awaiting visitors to the Hermitage (Eremo delle Carceri)

half way up Mount Subasio.

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Around the AreasAuckland: Dear fellow tertiaries,A very joyful and happy New Year to all!

The yearʼs programme for the whole Auckland area as arranged at our last meeting is below:

Saturday February 12thSaturday 9th AprilSaturday 9th July with Secular FranciscansSaturday August 13thRetreat 30th September to 2nd OctoberSaturday December 10th

All meetings will be at St Aidan's unless otherwise advised and will start at 10 am and finish at 2 pm.

In the months between there will be meetings of the four sub groups, North Shore, Western, Southern and Eastern which each group will organise. Peace and joy!Alison 267-1455Chris  575-6142

4/3/11 Greetings, Grace and peace to you from God I spoke with Maggie (Area Chaplain) last night. All Tertiaries are ok. Some have left Christchurch for family, or are living with family in Christchurch, their houses having suffered from the earthquake. However, all are well and safe, for which we give thanks to God. Please keep Maggie in your prayers. She is working in an inner city parish, visiting people, hearing their stories, being a pastor. The parish have decided to visit every house in their parish, so this will be demanding work. I hope to be in Christchurch in early April, and will hopefully be able to attend the Christchurch area meeting, as well as support friends and colleagues of mine down there Te pai me te rangimārie John

ADDRESS CHANGEAva StockwellUnit 1, 110 Chadwick Road, Greerton, Tauranga 3112Cellphone: 022 028 8041

NIC. Saturday 26 February 2011 the H.B. tertiaries met at Nettie Gardiner’s. Dorothy Brooker led us in a Eucharist and prayers for Judy who was unwell and not able to attend as well as prayers for our fellow Franciscans in the Christchurch area, which was followed by a BBQ lunch. Thanks to Ashley for the cooking. Claudia came with Darrel for the lunch and session. After lunch we had a short discussion on: 1. Day meetings in HB - 2 monthly. Saturdays 10 am - 3 pm with a shared lunch and a gold coin to host to cover tea, coffee etc.

2. Study: “Franciscan Prayer” by Ilia Delio OSF suggestion to get together in groups: HB: Wanganui: New Plymouth: Taupo - email thoughts to Convenors on the questions at the end of chapter so we can send out a combined list of thoughts (not named). Perhaps a different person to lead each time. 3. Quiet Day is to be held in Waipawa at St Peter’s Glebe - possibly Saturday 1st or 8th October. Dorothy has offered to lead us with “The Canticle of the Creatures”. Will renew our vows for those able to be with us.

4. Reminder that Convocation will be held at El Rancho in 2012 from Thursday 4 October to Sunday 7 October. Suggestion to put aside at least $2.00 per week = $104.00 a year. Cost likely to be at least $200.00

Christchurch:The tragedy continues to unfold - but along with the bad news, stories of quiet heroism and generous support. Your prayers are much appreciated Maggie Smith

“Real friendship is shown in times of trouble; prosperity is full of friends”- Euripedes

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TSSF Convocation 2012

Living simply in a complex worldEl Rancho, Waikanae

Thursday 4th – Sunday 7th October

2012Keynote speaker: Susan Pitchford TSSF

Who better to help us think about living simply in a complex world than Susan Pitchford, author of Following Francis: The Franciscan Way for Everyone?

Susan is a senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the University of Washington. Her teaching focuses mainly on issues of inequality, both within the U.S. and globally. She has also led study abroad programs through the University of Washington, taking students to Zimbabwe, South Africa and Northern Ireland.In the northern spring 2011, she will be leading a new program in Rome, Italy. This will focus on the historical and ongoing tension within the Church between the seduction of worldly wealth and power, and the Church's original mission of self-sacrificing love and service.Susan also takes classes and workshops on contemplative prayer, having a rule of life, and Franciscan spirituality.

Watch the next Tau for more details of Convocation 2012: Living simply in a

complex world. – Plan now to be there

A Journey in Vocation by Philip Thirlwell (NSW-A)

Our sister, Pirrial Clift tssf, was "placed" with Episcopal blessing, with prayers and joyful praise in the context of an excitingEucharist, in her new life as a contemplative  priest at the Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Stroud, on Sunday 6th March.

The chapel was filled, with a shoulder to shoulder congregation, and filled with vibrant singing.

Pirrial has recently retired from being the rector of the nearby parish of Dungog.  She has responded to a perceived call from God to become a contemplative and pastoral presence at the monastery, which had been the home of

the Community of St Clare while those sisters were in Australia.

It is set in timbered hill country, near the historic village of Stroud, founded in 1831, some 80k north of Newcastle. She will reside in a section of the mud-brick monastery, maintain a pattern of daily prayer and Eucharist, and be available to minister to individuals and groups who come on Retreat.  She will be self-supporting.

Among the packed congregation were tertiaries from the Newcastle and Sydney fellowships; other people from both dioceses, especially the parishes of Dungog and Stroud; and the First Order brothers of the neighbouring Hermitage of St Bernadine of Siena.

This year FI is putting special emphasis on addressing justice issues related to children.  Sadly it is a long list, which includes: child soldiers; ʻwitch childrenʼ; and children who are trafficked for sexual abuse. In March, FI is organising a conference at the United Nations focusing on ʻChild abuse and traditional practices which are harmful to childrenʼ to highlight these issues. We are working to effect change in every country, through promoting the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). A childʼs happiness or even life, could depend on our prompt action wherever we are…

Sr. Denise Boyle fmdm Executive Director FI

Franciscans InternationalA voice at the United Nations

Give $5 each month to help Franciscans International:

Ask 5 others to give too!

Since the time of St. Francis of Assisi, the Franciscans have worked among the poor and most vulnerable. Since 1989, Franciscans International has brought their concerns to the United Nations.

“Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” —St. Francis of Assisi

www.franciscansinternational.org/5forfrancis

FRANCISFOR

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Hélèneʼs Ordination 4th December 2010

Nettie, Sarah and husband Rick drove through the parched countryside to New Plymouth. The coast was beautiful and the mountain clear and the summer berries at Pio Pio delicious!

The purpose for our journey was to support Hélène (and her husband Don ) at her ordination to the diaconate. This was held on the 4th December at the Taranaki Cathedral, the lovely stone church of St Mary. The day was hot as Taranaki was as dry as we have ever seen it. We forgot our “farming in drought woes” and just enjoyed the beautiful service.

We arrived early to make sure of a seat and discovered Hélène had reserved us the front row. Titia and her husband Winfred also joined us. We felt very honoured and just loved being able to see the ordination and ritual up close. With our usual planning we all forgot a camera but Nettie was able to use her phone and Hélèneʼs friend Pip had a professional camera with her. Three deacons were to be ordained, Hélène and Shirley Anne to be transitional deacons and Charmaine to become a vocational deacon. Charmaineʼs whakapapa is local so the service began with a Karanga and mihihi, with waiata sung by the congregation. The ordination was very moving and with plenty of tears and laughter with Bishop Philip commenting on Hélèneʼs full name which as Hélène pointed out spells hap(p)y. A very fitting name we all agreed! The tears came when we as family joined Hélène in the lady chapel to receive the host from Hélène for the first time, so precious.We all commented that it was a lovely service and it was great to see Hélène as the Reverend Helene who in true Franciscan spirit had cast off her shoes and was a picture of joy.

The next morning Holy Trinity held a special service to welcome Hélène as the new deacon to join Titia and Archdeacon Tricia as part of the ministry team. A beautiful San Damiano cross was presented to Hélène from the parish which was an acknowledgement of her Franciscan vocation. Hélène preached the sermon and received much applause for her

beautiful homily that wove her colouful spiritual journey and life story with the readings from Isaiah?

We were so pleased to have been invited to share the weekend with Hélène and her family and Titia and her family. It was a very precious time. As one of the Holy Trinity Church family said “Hélène looks very much to have come home”

Congratulations Hélène and may God bless you in your ministry. (by Sarah)__________________________________________Christchurch Earthquake Prayer:22 Feb/11

God – the world is in an uproar.

While ordinary people in the Middle Eastcall for justice and a fair way of life,the ground rolls beneath Christchurch again. It's incongruous that I sit here looking out at green treesand a still horizon beckoning me to hopewhile troops are opening fire on demonstrators in Libyaand the Cathedral tower shatters. Life is not fair - life is not just.Nor is it able to be taken in measured doses.Chaos can mean there is nowhere else to goand nothing left to dobut to cry out to youas though you are the silent ear,hearing our criesabsorbing them into yourselfand crying with us. Even as bullets fly and buildings disintegrate,may compassion rise in all of usto be the God that walks and talks in the world today.- http://www.spiritedcrone.com/?sid=82________________________________

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Book Reviews from Clare Stewart to Whet Your Appetite

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Franciscan way of the Cross by Teresa V. Baker SFO. Pub. St. Anthony Messenger Press 2005: A look at the familiar Franciscan “Peace” prayer through her meditation and a prayer for each station of the cross. A very small book- only 20 pages. I found it witnessed to her very loving relationship with Jesus... tender, almost. Good for the soul!!.

Prayers from the Heartby Richard Foster, published Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, 1994

I added some of these to my daily office book. This is an anthology of prayers - some by Foster, some traditional gems, notes on the prayers, and some footnotes or comments. I particularly liked the thought of having a cup of coffee with God to start my day.

Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyesby Kenneth Bailey Publisher Inter varsity Press 2008

More micro-print but worth the persistence. I’m a Bailey fan anyway- from ‘Poet and Peasant’ and ‘Finding the Lost’. Aspects of Jesus’ daily life that we give little attention to are related to the true culture and customs of the day (and often Middle eastern life still). The sections on the Lord’s prayer and on the Beatitudes are well worth an annual visit, I reckon. And I am a sucker for anything Mr. Baily has to say on the parables. This is my book of the year! A good Scripture Index for sermon reference. This is a useful book, not just a pleasant read.

Book in Forum 2011

now!Ngatiawa, Waikanae:

18-22nd July  (A centre of Urban

Vision)Old promo video:

http://www.youtube.com

/watch?v=8sYuzjF_WDk_______________

Life loves to be taken by the

lapel and told,”I’m with

you kid. Let’s go.”

-Maya Angelou

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Thought for the Month “The Missional Church is Not about the Church

From Rev Peter Osborne, Ministry Educator, [email protected]

We need an alternative imagination to the attractional, in order to understand the missional church.

This imagination starts with a paradoxical statement that often leaves people confused: A missional imagination is not about the church, it's not about how to make the church better, how to get more people to come to church, or how to turn a dying church around. It's not about getting the church back to cultural respectability in a time when it has been marginalised. All of these are good things, but they aren't the focus of a missional imagination.

God is up to something in the world that is bigger than the church even though the church is called to be sign, witness, and foretaste of God's purposes in the world. The Spirit is calling the church on a journey outside of itself and its internal focus. Rowan Williams summarises this imagination in this way: 'It is not the church of God that has a mission. It's the God of mission that has a church.' He is saying God is at work in the world to redeem creation, and God invites us to participate in this mission.

God is not interested in getting more and more people into the institution of the church. Instead the church is to be God's hands and feet in accomplishing God's mission.

This imagination turns most of our church practices on their head. It invites us to turn toward our neighbourhoods and communities, listening first to what is happening among people and learning to ask different question about what God is up to in the neighbourhood.

Rather than the primary question being, 'How do we attract people to what we are doing?' it becomes, 'what is God up to in the neighbourhood?' and 'What are the ways we need to change in order to engage the people in our community who no longer consider

church a part of their lives?" Alan Roxburgh and Scott Boren. Introducing the Missional Church. Te pai me te rangimārie John

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMENGeneva, Switzerland : Two Franciscans attended the United Nations to highlight gender injustices affecting Kenyan women and girls such as literacy, education, and health. Sr. Patricia Ndunge Kasina LSOSF, and JaneMary Wangari SFO, previously worked with FI and women at the grassroots to collate and submit an official report. They also delivered anoral statement to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) as part of the country's general human rights review.

On 19 January Ms. Wangari delivered an oral statement that drew the Committee's attention to the fact that healthcare remained a serious concern in Kenya, where maternal mortality rates were still very high. Lack of proper nutrition was also a serious issue with regards to HIV/AIDS treatment. She asked the Kenyan Government to increase the number and training of healthcare professionals and sexual and reproductive health services, as well as other concrete measures to combat gender based discrimination.

She told FI: "We were pleased that many of the report's recommendations were addressed and, we hope, will be worked on. We will continue to work with FI and at the grassroots and to network more with others working on the same issues worldwide to ensure that

government policies are respected."

FIVE FOR FRANCIS - GIVE 5 ASK 5

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A Message from Bishop John GrayE te iwi whanui tena koutou, Greetings to our friends and Whanau in Aotearoa NZ me nga Hui Amorangi, USA Presiding Bishop Katharine Schori, Bishop of Hawaii Robert Fitzpatrick, General Secretary Tom Heffer Seafarers in London and many others who have contacted us. If I havenʼt responded to anyone my apologies as we have been totally involved with this work in the field (12 hr days) you can contact me on 0274323971 or 033891683.  If you wish to donate this will be greatly appreciated and can be sent to - 060807 0078247 02 - National Bank, Fitzgerald Ave Branch, Imprest Account (Anglican Maori Mission). Thank you for your prayers and support physically and financially which has been greatly appreciated for our work in this horrific devastation which has plagued the city for the past ten days. The Hui Amorangi is active in allocating Priest and counseling services in most of the welfare centres.  In the next few days six students from St Johnʼs college and two priests from Manawa o Te Wheke and a priest from Blenheim will join us this will give relief to some of our staff who been involved since the Earthquake.  As the bodies are recovered from varies sites I have been asked to provide priestly services to bless these areas starting with the Cathedral we will be attending each time there is a recovery on a 24 hr cycle.  We have Maori Chaplains based at Christchurch and Burwood Hospitals to assist families and patients.  We are thankful for the assistance of Jo Unwin for her services in co-ordinating donations of food at 290 ferry road where we have our distribution bank which also receives water blankets and many other goods including portable toilets for delivery.  We are thankful for the contributions from the business community of Ashburton and other donors too numerous to mention.  We are providing hot food and non-perishables   groceries to houses who are unable to access food banks because these areas have experienced flooding of their homes

through the earthquake in some cases they donʼt have any mode of transport and we have to use 4 wheel drive vehicles to reach these people. Our centre is also providing temporary housing to families who have no place to stay due to the quake approx. 20 in residence and growing.  Unfortunately we are unable to house more because of limited shelter, water and Porta-loos. I am praying and hoping we can obtain a special tank for water soon this will help alleviate some of our problems.   We are working with Hera Clark and her seven social workers who have come from Wellington they are based at our centre and we appreciate the services they are offering. I visited the student army co-ordinators with the Dean Peter Beck who have a work force of 18000 students  to give them encouragement and moral support and we provide pack lunches to 50 coordinator staff  when requested (on a roster basis). This group is engaged in liquefaction clearing and many other tasks in the community.   The Hui Amorangi (Te Hepara Pai) is a very small ministry unit in Christchurch with a big heart we are here for the long haul and we know that Gods grace will guide us safely through this carnage of human life and suffering.     I would like to thank our donors particularly to Bishop Kito who responded when the crisis began which enabled us to set up resources for this major catastrophe thank you and your Hui Amorangi. To all other donors thank you for your kindness and aroha.  In the evenings we meet at 7.30 pm to give spiritual nourishment to those who are working in the field please keep us in your prayers as we continue Godʼs work amongst our people. May God bless us as I retire to take my rest to begin a new day of showering Godʼs love.Will be in touch as we progress once again a big THANK YOU to everyone.

Na reira tena koutou katoa Bishop John   

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Archbishop launches online Lent reflections:Dr Sentamu will be encouraging people to give to good causes during LentThe Archbishop of York will publish his thoughts online about Lent.Dr John Sentamu will encourage people to donate the money they save during Lent to good causes or to purchase fair trade products. The weekly posts will be published online from 9 March with a fresh reflection added each week on the Archbishop's website .Dr Sentamu said he was surprised by the success of his Christmas

thoughts which were published as part of an online Advent calendar. Good causes: He said: "I always love the opportunity to share with others the love of God and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. "But what really surprised me was how many people enjoyed reading those reflections in the build up to Christmas." Lent is, for Christians, traditionally a period of penitence and abstinence. The Archbishop said: "Many people give up something for the 40 days that precede Easter Sunday. "Maybe you will give up [a] treat. Perhaps you will put aside the money you save and use it for a good cause or maybe you will simply use it to buy The Real Easter Egg, Traidcraft products or Fairtrade goods. "It is important that we fight poverty through trade." BBC YORK Our Archbishop David and Bishop Philip have been helping in support, fund raising and prayer for Christchurch, with them we continue to pray for families affected world wide by natural disasters, poverty and war. Especially praying for the USAR teams that search for the injured and dead. We hold our own Franciscan family here and overseas helping in so many ways to bring peace and justice to the world and we wonder at the gift of grace and comradeship that arises as we reach out to each other being the hands and face of Christ in the beautiful and broken world. As the prayer in time of need says :“ Pierce our hearts with compassion, we who watch from afar, find only misery upon misery, Move us to act swiftly this day, to give generously every day, to work for justice always, to pray unceasingly for those without hope.” Hélène

Sticky Brownies3 oz Butter5 oz Castor Sugar3 ½  oz soft brown sugar4 ½  oz plain chocolate1 tbspn Golden syrup2 eggs I tsp chocolate or vanilla essence2 Tbsp Cocoa powder3 ½ oz plain flour½ tsp baking powder

Preheat oven 180c lightly grease 20cm square baking tin and line base Place butter, sugars, chocolate and golden syrup in a heavy saucepan and gently heat stirring until mixture is blended and smooth can be done in microwave!) Remove and allow to cool Beat together eggs and essence, whisk into cooled chocolate mixture

Sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder and fold into the egg and chocolate mixture. Spoon mixture into a cake tin and bake for 25 minutes – until top is crisp and edge of cake beginning to shrink away. The cake will still be quite gooey and soft to touch

And very yummy after LENT

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Please pray for Japan ; Christchurch ; China.