Kia ora e te whanau
Andrew Howley is on the job as the UCANZ Executive Officer, and is making significant progress. A couple of notices from him….
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.
Gathering of the Scoundrels
On the first night of Assembly, Friday 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. 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.
UCANZ Executive Officer’s Phone number
It has been brought to my attention that a couple of weeks ago I posted the wrong number for Andrew Howley. If you wish to speak with him his number is: 027 559 9042
Leadership Resources
4 Simple Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done
It may be that like me, ‘Procrastinator’ often feels like it could be your middle name. There is hope. The science of procrastination (yes, there is such a thing) is here explained, along with some useful tips to move past it: https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/4-simple-ways-to-stop-procrastinating-and-get-more-done-backed-by-neuroscience/91241130
Kaizen – The Japanese Workplace Philosophy That’ll Inch You Closer To Peak Productivity
I’m of Dutch stock. I’d been led to believe that the Dutch are a creative people, coming up with significant innovative inventions (eg, the compact disk – although there is some debate about this), requiring a ‘creative leap’. The Japanese, on the other hand, have, and continue to be, great ‘improvers’ – incrementally making real progress over time. Their automotive industry, for example, bears this out. It seems this is very much part of Japanese culture, demonstrated in this article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/barnabylashbrooke/2025/07/30/kaizen-the-japanese-workplace-philosophy-thatll-inch-you-closer-to-peak-productivity/
The Most Underrated Fix for Sleep and Stress – According to a SEAL Physician
Now for something completely different. I tend to have no difficulty getting to sleep. It seems I’m a privileged soul, as there are many for whom this is a nightly battle. If this be the case, here’s another article to add to your armoury of strategies – it may be that there is something here that will work, and really help: https://www.si.com/everyday-athlete/mindset/the-most-underrated-fix-for-sleep-and-stress-according-to-a-seal-physician
Homilies and Preaching Resources
My response to the lectionary for the 28th of September focusses on the Gospel reading of Luke 16 vs 19-31. Jesus Parable of ‘The Rich Man and Lazarus’ has a number of unique features and is worthy of some real consideration. It can be engaged with here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjyLezt1wqo
Trevor Hoggard is continuing with the 2nd set of Lectionary readings – this week, Nehemiah 2 vs 1 to 12, and John 8 vs 48-59. Trevor starts with a great line from Mark Twain – “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” This sets the theme for what follows. Trevor’s sermon can be engaged with here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYyNywpA-oY
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/ . The conversation for this coming Sunday of the 28th of September is focussed on the Gospel text of Luke 16 vs 19-31, and can be engaged with here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOUxLB1VxQM
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Once again, use the videos as you will.
Ngā manaakitanga
Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator