Kia ora e te whanau
This comes out a little early as PCANZ General Assembly, here in Christchurch, starts tomorrow.
So, while that’s in front of us, a reminder about:
Gathering of the Scoundrels / Commissioning of Executive Officer
On the first night of Assembly (tonight), Monday 20th October, there will be a gathering for all those involved in Cooperating Ventures, along with friends and supporters, following dinner at the Presbyterian General Assembly. We will meet from 7:30pm–9:00pm at Scoundrels, 375 Saint Asaph Street, Christchurch Central City — just a short three-minute walk from the Assembly venue. Snacks and nibbles will be provided, and even if you are not attending the General Assembly, you are warmly invited to join us.
We have added the Commissioning of Rev Andrew Howley into the role of UCANZ ‘Executive Officer’, as the only formal part of our gathering.
The gathering will be hosted by Hana Popea (Co-Chair of the Standing Committee), Andrew Howley (Executive Officer), and Andrew Doubleday (Ministry Facilitator), who will all be in attendance.
A COUPLE OF RE-REMINDERS
New Website address
UCANZ is currently developing a new website, which is still a work in progress but can already be accessed at ucanz.online. Please update your bookmarks. We encourage you to visit and explore as it continues to be updated and refined. In the meantime, the existing email contact office@ucanz.org.nz remains fully functional, and we welcome your enquiries through that address.
UCANZ Phone numbers
Executive Officer, Andrew Howley 027 559 9042
Ministry Facilitator, Andrew Doubleday O27 324 9540
Leadership Resources
How Emotional Intelligence Transforms Experts Into Great Leaders
This Forbes article has some useful things to say. The first is that it recognises that technical/professional expertise in one area doesn’t automatically translate to proficiency in leadership. The article focusses on the central importance of emotional intelligence for effective leadership – and offers the good news that this can be taught. We can, (and often do, with the process of aging) improve in this regard. We are not fixed, stuck, in our capacity for growth. This article offers clues in how we can get better, and it can be accessed here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinkruse/2025/10/17/how-emotional-intelligence-transforms-experts-into-great-leaders/
Take Control of Your Focus – A Guide to Distraction-Free Living
From ‘The Next Big Idea Club’ This very challenging article offers no easy pathway to focus, much of it is won through grief – it resonated deeply with me – the pathway of contemplative prayer (which I have practised with varying levels of commitment over the years) – basically brings us to a similar place. The article can be accessed here: https://nextbigideaclub.com/magazine/take-control-focus-guide-distraction-free-living-bookbite/57466/
Homilies and Preaching Resources
My response to the lectionary for the 26th of October is titled ‘Knowing our Need’’ and focusses on the Gospel reading of Luke 18 vs 9-14, where Jesus tells the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector – both presenting themselves before God at the Temple. It can be engaged with here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2MhNwuoiUE
Trevor Hoggard is likely continuing with the 2nd set of Lectionary readings. At the point of this early publishing of this News Update, Trevor’s sermon has not yet appeared on YouTube. I’m confident that if you go to Trevor Hoggard@trevorhoggard2189 (copy and paste this in YouTube ) in the next day or so, you’ll find his latest offering.
Gospel Conversations – out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese. They host a conversation of 4 Theologians / Practitioners around the Gospel lectionary text for the coming Sunday. The site with all its options can be accessed here: https://www.calledsouth.org.nz/gospel-conversations/ . Again, because I’m early, the latest offering has yet to appear. Click on the link above in the next day or so, and I’m confident it will be there.
Again, it will help broaden all our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.
Once again, use the videos as you will.