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Excerpts from the monthly News Letter, JULY 08
Ashburton Methodist LINK
MINISTER Rev. Peter Taylor Ph 308 6297 home
OFFICE: Thursday / Friday 9am to 12 noon
Email: ashmeth@paradise.net.nz
SECRETARY: Daphne Whiting Ph/Fax 308 6207 office
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Zimbabwe. A country in turmoil. There is violence and threats of violence, rampant inflation and most recently the shambles of a presidential election. It is hard for us, who live so far away, to understand. Much is blamed on Robert Mugabe, rightly or not, and it makes us wonder what is happening in his head. Whilst it might be unkind to think that there is nothing good going on in his head, it is hard for us to escape that conclusion. I guess he is afraid of the old colonial powers taking over again, whether directly, or in the guise of his opponents, but it all sounds like he is simply afraid of reprisals should he lose power. Somehow it must all make sense to him. But that is to beg the question. I am sure the terrible things that happened in Nazi Germany made sense to Hitler, but this does not justify the Holocaust. Which makes me wonder how the situation can be dealt with. However wrong Mugabe's thinking and actions it does not help the situation by demonising him, indeed it makes it much worse, for this only serves to feed his rhetoric that the West are out to get him. This is one reason why the West has feared to intervene militarily, learning maybe (at last) the sad lesson of interference in places like Iraq and Vietnam. Of course, non-intervention looks like the West does not care about all the suffering that is occurring, or is impotent to help. This is the frustration we feel at the moment. It is trite simply to declare, as some have, that the West will not get involved because there are no supplies of oil at stake, even though there is some truth to this. The world needs the involvement of someone Mugabe trusts - but who? Who is the Christ for the world in this terrible situation? If Jesus had been around he would have made a good choice, but what would Jesus do? Easy question to ask, hard to answer. Given Jesus' response in the Temple to the money-changers, we would not be surprised to sense an anger in God, anger over the hurt done to the innocent in Zimbabwe, as well as a challenge to Mugabe to be more humane. But would Jesus advocate military intervention of some sort? I guess the answer to that will be a reflection of our own opinion - Jesus would do what we think is right. There is a sense in which we tend to make God in our own image at points like this. And what are we in New Zealand meant to learn from this? Is this a call for toleration, and if so, where does toleration end and giving up responsibility begin? There are people with whom we disagree, be it politically, within the church, or in the family. Is it always right to be tolerant of others, even when they are causing themselves or others harm? And if it is not right then to be tolerant, what is the right response? In our problems as a nation, a church or as individuals, we too may need the involvement of someone we trust to get us through. And maybe, in the difficulties others face, we are the trusted ones. Are we prepared to act for the sake of peace where we can, and at the same time pray for Zimbabwe, even for Robert Mugabe, that God will touch his life as he touches ours? Surely we must pray for those 'Christ's who can get through to Mugabe in a way that the West is currently unable. Peter Taylor |
Our Heritage
The Worship Committee have planned a special service at Baring Square on
the theme of Our Heritage in Hymns and Songs. Details will appear later, but
it struck me that here was an opportunity to think about our other
taonga/treasures. So I will be running a series of services on the theme of
Our Heritage, beginning with that Sunday.
The themes will be:
" Hymns and Songs (July 13);
" The Bible (July 20);
" John Wesley and the Four
Alls (July 27);
" The Sacraments (August 3).
Accompanying that series I further propose some fellowship groups, shadowing
the themes on the Thursday evenings after the services (ie 17, 24, 31 July
& 7 August), at 7.45. As usual there is no compulsion to attend all four,
but come ready to share a favourite hymn, Bible passage, etc.
Peter Taylor
SERVICES
for this MONTH
click
here
MEETINGS FOR for this MONTH
| Retired Men’s Fellowship | Tuesday 1st -- 9.30am at B.Sq Church |
| Parish Executive | Thursday 3th -- 9.30am in the Office. |
| Parish Council | Wednesday 9th -- 7.30pm in the Lounge |
Indoor Bowls - Tuesday Nights 7.30pm in the Baring Square
Church Hall.
If you have never played and would like to, come along.
If you would just like to come and watch and find out what it is all about you
will be made most welcome.
********
PARISH GOODWILL SHOP -
Open Tuesday & Thursday Mornings in the Tinwald Church 9.30am – 12.30pm,
Distribution of Funds:
Annual Meeting 22nd July 1pm in the Tinwald Church.
All helpers urged to attend.
Methodist Women's Fellowship Meetings Baring Square AGM Thursday 10th in the Lounge. 10.30am Cup of Tea 11am AGM 12.30pm Lunch 1.30pm Afternoon Programme "Gym Frocks long black stockings and …" Please bring school photo, memorabilia, stories and the like Evening Group: Sunday 27th 6pm in the Lounge, Speaker: Jeanette Tarbotton
Willowby Group Tuesday15th - 2pm AGM at the home of Elwyn Peck. Note Time of meeting
CONTACT NAMES FOR PASTORAL CARE:
Prayer Chain Convenor: Dorothy Lill Ph 308 3793
Greetings Secretary: Lynda Ayers Ph 308 9311
Small Tasks Organiser: Allan Tweed Ph 307 1650
NOTE:
Presbyter
Rev Peter Taylor Ph
308 6297.
Our Prayers for…...
All
those who are in Hospital & Rest Homes and all who are unwell our thoughts
& prayers are
with you all.
It's that time of the year again!
Many organisations are holding ANNUAL MEETINGS this month.
If you have completed your term we thank you.
If you are considering taking Office we welcome you.
Spare a thought for all those unable to take office due to health or other
commitments.
PARISH FUN NIGHT - QUIZZCO 18th July 7pm Baring
Square Lounge.
Come along and you will be put in a team.
Bring a wrapped gift to the value of $5 and $2 entry Fee.
Everybody gets a prize. Supper supplied.
Touchstone Following an article in the latest
Touchstone the Parish Council have decided to send $200 to help with publication
costs. If you would like to personally donate please put contribution in
Envelope marked "Touchstone" and place in collection plate or leave at
the church Office.
St James Presbyterian Church Tinwald
Annual Dinner 9th August 6pm in the Doris Linton Room at Ashburton RSA .
The Speaker will be Bruce McIlroy on his experience in the Paris to Peking
Rally.
Tickets $24 and available from members of St James Parish & Eunice Jones Ph
308 5847
PRELIMINARY NOTICE: PARISH SOCIAL FOR
AUGUST.
"Shake off those Blues"
An evening of fun, frolics and food from the 1930's
WHEN - 7.30pm Friday August 15th
WHERE - Baring Square Church Lounge
Come and join us.
Wear something with 1930's flavour
Ladies a plate
Gentlemen a Gold coin.
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READERS CONTRIBUTIONS: COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS xxxxxxxx I was trying to get my teenagers to stop dropping the "g's" in
such words as "walkin'", "goin'", and
"seein'". Apparently I was doing a good job. One day the phone
rang and my daughter answered. xxxxxxxxx GOOD ADVICE - (From Kids) |