All a twitter...

Tweet tweet tweet - the GigArmy in Gigatowngis has been tweeting furiously for UFB.  Translation – Gisborne has been part of a competition to win free ultra fast broadband internet access,  with the community uniting  through social media to compete with larger centres such as Dunedin. 

As part of the competition, people wrote short comments on why UFB would be good for Gisborne and the overriding sentiment has been one of hope.  Hope that we would win.  Hope that winning would mean more jobs and therefore a better economy.  Hope that an improved economy would lift people out of the cycles of poverty and violence that blight an otherwise beautiful region.

Another community based vision for hope is under-way with the celebration of 200 years of the Gospel in NZ.  The Hope Project, which is supported by Churches throughout NZ has unearthed stories long forgotten about how Maori first embraced the message of hope and peace through Christ, and how they shared that message among themselves.  Other stories show that while the commonly held view is that Christianity assisted in the confiscation of Maori land, the early missionaries actually opposed that practise. 

These truths are significant to us on the coast as we continue to process the past and look to the future.  Jesus said that the truth would set us free.  While UFB and an improved economy will make a difference, spiritual issues such as unforgiveness and selfishness  will still exist leading to broken families, substance abuse and crime. Even with wealth people can feel hopeless.  True freedom, joy, and peace can only be found in Jesus.

As we work towards a brighter future for Gisborne we need to embrace all the tools available to us – community working together, technology, and a hope for peace and prosperity found in unity in Christ.  Now that's worth tweeting about.

For further information please go to www.hopeproject.co.nz.   

Larisa Hockey – Mangapapa Church.  

Larisa has been a Christian since being introduced to Jesus at Youth Group.  She believes that the bible is the word of God, a precious gift full of hope and truth, and a blueprint for a full and blessed life.

Two hundred years of Hope

How much do we Kiwis really know and understand of our nation's history in regards to the first bi-cultural Maori/European connection in Aotearoa/NZ?  I suggest that many of us know very little and many false assumptions are made.  

Christmas Day this year will mark 200 years since Samuel Marsden came from Sydney to Rangihoua in the Bay of Islands, at the invitation of Maori Chief Ruatara, to preach the Gospel of Christ at the first Church Service held in Aotearoa/NZ. This 1814 Christmas Day event marked many beginnings in this nation; the first Mission Station was established there at the invitation of Maori.  It was the first settlement of European families amongst Maori, the first School was built there, the first pastoral farming in NZ, and the first transcription of the Māori language was pioneered there by missionary Thomas Kendall.  Even the first horse in NZ was swum ashore there off Marsden's ship brought from Sydney! 

Our church is enjoying some great resources produced to mark this '200 year Bicentennial of Beginnings'.  We give thanks for the many incredible stories of how the Gospel 'Good News' of Jesus Christ spread throughout Aotearoa, primarily by Maori to other Maori in remarkable ways, before European missionaries were invited to these places.  Our East Coast story mirrors this process, as Taumata-a-Kura brought the Gospel to his Ngati Porou people, after his  release from captivity through the influence on Nga Puhi, of missionary William Williams, then based at Paihia.   

May I on behalf of Gisborne Churches, invite you to celebrate with us, this rich history of the Gospel in our region as we gather together at the House Of Breakthrough Church, Sunday 30 November, 6pm.  This Service will feature a Maori Choir and the launch of a stunning free digital e-book, 'Christianity On The Coast'.

Stewart Patrick

Leader, Mangapapa Church, Gisborne

Printed in the Gisborne Herald 22 November 2014

Respect – an old fashioned word

It seems a great shame that some of our ‘old’ words are not in common use any more and respect must be one that would make such a difference to our lives.  

It is not only the respect we could show to those close by in our community, and for our environment, it goes deeper to a respect for each person, for ourselves, and for life. It was wonderful to see the write up in the ‘Weekender’ edition in last week’s Gisborne Herald – a celebration of a short-lived,”I’m possible” life of young Hayden.  What wonderful courage shown by Hayden’s family in all they did to treat him, and themselves, with respect. 

As with all values, respect starts in the home. If it is not taught, how can it be known? If it is not shown, how can it be mirrored?   Those ‘old’ words have something in them ....’one thing leads to another’.

 Where does the ‘line’ get drawn or become blurred?  Do I keep my own property/house/living space clean and only throw rubbish around in public places?   Do I care for my possessions and willingly share them with those in need, or just take what I want when I see what others have? 

 Do I tenderly care for my family, my children, or do I mistreat them, do I not respect them as an individual, unique, gifted, worthy human being?  We have all seen the news items about children taken to Starship hospital, the latest young teen to lose his life, the elderly person found dead, alone in their home.  Each of these people deserved the respect and careful attention of others in their lives. Where were we?

Let’s revive some old words – respect, responsibility, reverence for life.

Phillipa Huberts, Voice for Life, Gisborne

Published in the Gisborne Herald Saturday 8 November