This article was first published in eMessenger in April 2020.
Life in Lockdown – Member Updates
Here is a quick round up of what is happening around our country from some of the members of the Methodist Alliance. From the North Island down to the South Island:
Auckland Methodist Central Parish
The Pitt Street Church Minister is sending twice weekly messages to members of the congregation that are on email – including the Connexional pandemic updates, as well as inspirational messages
Sunday ‘worship’ focus material is sent by email to those in the Pitt Street morning congregation email group – this is being developed to include ‘new’ hymns that speak to our current situation, set to known hymns, played by one of the Church organists, with further development planned as a ‘virtual church’ platform is launched
Members of the different congregations phone each other and keep in regular contact
Groups are meeting by Skype, e.g. the Choir
The Parish Ministers and Administration staff have, at least twice per week, staff meetings by conference call
The Parish weekly bulletin continues and is emailed on Saturday nights
A phone conference call “Sunday services” is held for the Epsom and Mt Eden congregations
Prayer Chains are being held by phone conference call
Find out more on their website http://www.methodistcentral.org.nz/ or their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Auckland-Methodist-Central-Parish-1379786512288000/
Julie Adamson, Administrator, Auckland Central Parish
Lifewise:
Lifewise has been working with Ministry of Social Development and HUD since the lockdown period to house and support people who have been rough sleeping in central Auckland. Lifewise has housed over 52 people in motels while in lockdown.
Lifewise support goes beyond temporary accommodation. It is now working with the people that have been housed in motels to understand what they need to enable Lifewise to provide wraparound support within its resource capability. “Many people who have been homeless for an extended period of time have high and complex needs” says John Murray, Acting Head of Mission. “Lifewise ensures enough food is available and that those housed have the ability to stay in contact with friends and whānau” says John.
Lifewise continues to support its children in foster care and operate its Mana Whānau programme to parents. Its health and disability services continue with strict adherence to guidelines to protect its clients, staff and volunteers through this time. “Older people in isolation are receiving good care and attention and we are very grateful to our essential workers” says John.
To know how Lifewise's other services have changed, such as Housing First (in Auckland and Rotorua), Homecare Services for older people and people living with a disability, Family Services and Early Childhood Education centres, please click on this link to the Lifewise website: https://www.lifewise.org.nz/2020/04/06/covid-19-update/
Lifewise also has appointed a new Chief Executive and that person is Jo Denvir who readers may know as a previous Chief Executive of Lifeline. With a deep connection to the mahi of Lifewise and conversationally fluent in relevant areas, Jo will be an effective leader and ambassador both internally and externally for the organisation of Lifewise. For more information visit www.lifewise.org.nz You can also check out their Facebook page: at https://www.facebook.com/lifewiseNZ/
Helena Gilligan, Stakeholder Engagement, Lifewise
Siaola Vahefonua Tonga Methodist Mission
Siaola has been responding to the Tongan community in Aotearoa since Alert Level 1. Our team have provided, counselling, financial wellbeing and social work support. We have distributed utilities support to more than 500 Tongan households throughout the country. The SIAOLA COVID-19 Response Package also includes food vouchers and food parcels. Our professional volunteers which includes ECE, Primary School and High School teachers as well as our Youth At Risk Team is available to give support to our communities, whether digital media or via phone. You can call 09 600 2641 or email info@siaola.org.nz
Find more information on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VahefonuaMethodistMission/
Kathleen Tuai-Ta’ufo’ou, Director, Siaola Vahefonua Tonga Methodist Mission
Methodist City Action in Hamilton
The Monday community meal was suspended when we went to Alert Level 4 and all classes offered were also cancelled until further notice. Updates on what services are available and where to find help are provided on their Facebook page.
The Deaf Advocate is still working online and also doing grocery shopping and delivers for elderly clients.
The Grub’s Up 7 day isolation meal plan was shared with the Methodist Alliance, and is on the Methodist Church website, has illustrated recipes, shopping lists, and ingredient storage notes. The focus is on seasonal, unprocessed wholefoods with the Kiwi family in mind. More information and recipes can be found here https://grubs-up.co.nz/
Staff have been working with the Hamilton Christian Nightshelter which is allowing their vulnerable guests to stay inside 24/7 to reduce their risk of COVID-19. Food is in short supply and the Mission has been doing all they can to help this service. Methodist City Action is working with the Men’s Shelter and they have found that the men are managing things better with their bodies full of good nutritious food, which helps them staying inside and with their addictions as they are feeling healthier. The guests also needing activities to keep their minds alive and thriving during this time - just like the rest of us and they are enjoying the games we have dropped off for them. Find more information on this service on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HamiltonChristianNightshelter
There has been great collaboration between the social service agencies in Hamilton. You can find out more about Methodist City Action on their Facebook page:
Maxine Campbell, Director, Methodist City Action
Palmerston North Methodist Social Services (PNMSS)
It has been a chaotic time at the Foodbank getting things safely up-scaled to respond to the need of vulnerable people in Palmerston North. Palmerston North has had a great community response to food needs so by Monday 30th March Palmerston North Food Collective where PNMSS is one of the four partners - the others are Just Zilch - Food Rescue & Free Store, Palmerston North Salvation Army, and Crossroads Church. Within the first two weeks of the lock down, these partners and Palmerston North City Council assessed, supplied, packed, and delivered 1,000 food parcels for residents in Palmerston North and surrounding areas.
Kim and her daughter took their social bubble on the road on Sunday to deliver food parcels.
PNMSS counselling service remains open via telephone or on-line to minimize anxiety in the community and provide support for the most vulnerable. For appointments call 06-3500307 on Tuesday or Friday, or e-mail admin@pnmss.nz.
Social Work and Education services are on hold for the time being.
Updates can be found on the website www.pnmss.nz or their Facebook page
Kim Penny, General Manager, Palmerston North Methodist Social Services
Wesley Community Action
The team at Wesley Community Action is working hard to ensure we continue to help the most vulnerable people in our community while keeping them – and ourselves – safe. All the staff are working from home and using the phone or social media to check in with people. Wesley Community Action has also:
Developed new protocols so a small number of designated staff can carry out “non-remote” work that is considered to be essential. This non-remote work has 3 different levels, ranging from dropping off a food parcel outside a house to going inside someone’s home to carry out a welfare check. Staff doing this work must observe strict hygiene and distancing protocols. They are also keeping meticulous records of these visits so, if necessary, these contacts can be traced.
Stepped up the work of the Community Panty (food bank), so that as well as delivering food parcels to whānau who use the service in Cannons Creek food parcels are being delivered to people throughout the greater Wellington region who are unable to get the kai they need.
Got their heads around the technology, including Go To Meeting. The most ambitious meetup so far was a virtual farewell for our finance manager Hilary Fiennes on Friday 3 April attended by about 40 staff. Hilary had resigned before the COVID-19 emergency but she kindly agreed to stay on part-time for a few extra weeks.
Tried to have a bit of fun...during the first week of the lockdown the Te Kākano - Family Start team ran a mask-making competition to help keep their spirits up. They crafted their masks at home and showed them off during the virtual farewell to Hilary Fiennes.
Check out more photos and updates on WCA’s website https://www.wesleyca.org.nz/ or their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WesleyCommunityAction/
Ruth Nicol, Communications Advisor, Wesley Community Action
Christchurch North Methodist Parish
Rev Anne Preston advised that parish life in COVID-19 lockdown certainly looks a whole lot different than anything we have ever seen. And yet it is certainly taking us back to basics in terms of our pastoral care.
The parish is doing Zoom services with a good portion of people connecting in. Anne does a short service and then there is time to ‘visit’ with each family and see how they are doing. These services then get put on to our YouTube channel and our Facebook page for anyone to browse (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFMkYRxTunY for 4th April service) and the services also get printed out and posted to our folk who do not have internet or email.
The parish has a great team of carers and everyone in the parish is in one of these groups. Pastoral care happens within these groups and I am phoning people every day to check in on them. Anne says she certainly has been more in touch with her people than ever before.
The challenging question is that whilst we are doing a good job of caring for each other, the church’s job is really to be making a difference in the world. Anne hopes that some of this is happening as our people are caring for people in their world, many of whom won’t be part of a church. Anne and her husband are trying to organise coffee dates with the neighbours as they have only recently moved into the neighbourhood so it is a good way of meeting and getting to know them.
Check out the parish Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/221748982364578 & website: http://www.methodist.org.nz/find_us/central_south_island/parish_information/christchurch_north_methodist_parish
Anne Preston, Presbyter, Christchurch North Methodist Parish
Christchurch Methodist Mission (CMM)
Support to People who are Homeless
The Housing First teams in Christchurch and Blenheim have done a superb job this week, trying to connect up with every person experiencing homelessness that doesn’t have a safe place to isolate. Within 48 hours of starting this service, 24 people had been placed into motels in Christchurch and six in Blenheim. They have now placed over 50 people into motels. Thanks to the amazing Housing First programme which has housed over 100 long-term homeless people in Christchurch over the last two years, there are very few people currently living on the streets.
Housing First Manager, Nic Fleming, says it is really important for the city’s homeless not to be forgotten during the lockdown. Nic is quick to point out that Covid-19 doesn’t stop homelessness and it isn’t stopping the work she and her team do. “This is about ensuring some of our most vulnerable people are kept as safe as possible from COVID-19 and helping to stop its spread.”
The Housing First teams have also supplied food and phones to these people, and support workers are providing ongoing support where there’s a need. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development are working hard to source more motels so that everyone has a warm, safe place to stay during the national lockdown.
WesleyCare
The staff at WesleyCare is doing an amazing job. Whilst it’s not easy for the elderly residents to go without visits from family and friends, the high level of support provided by staff is making this difficult time so much easier for them. CMM is pleased to get through another week without any residents or staff showing COVID-19 symptoms. Extra cleaning is happening and WesleyCare is tremendously grateful to all the CMM staff from other Divisions who have been helping with this. It makes such a difference.
The tablets are making a huge difference, enabling residents to maintain visual contact with families and friends over Skype.
All CMM Teams are working from home
The Social Services, Community, Wellbeing and Aratupu teams are continuing to do well working from home and meet regularly via Zoom and other digital media. The delivery of food parcels to families who need them is being maintained and a number of families are choosing to engage with their worker online. The Finance team is well settled into their home environments.
Richmond Housing Development
You may have read on Stuff[1] that the houses purchased for homeless families have been vandalised. As work on the construction site has had to stop due to the national lockdown, the houses have been boarded them up. While this is hugely frustrating, the project will continue!
More information can be found on CMM’s website https://www.mmsi.org.nz/ and their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ChristchurchMethodistMission/
Jill Hawkey, Executive Director, Christchurch Methodist Mission
Methodist Mission Southern
Like all social services the last few weeks have been a hasty, ever-changing, chaotic blur for Methodist Mission Southern. They have three “essential” services: two Youth Transition Homes (Waihopai and Ōtepoti) and the client support workers who have both community and transition house caseloads.
However, taking care of staff and all clients is still essential to the Mission, and so their focus has been on getting everyone safe, keeping everyone paid, and moving the connection with those they seek to help to phone and online. There is huge concerns about isolated older folks, living independently, particularly Māori and Pasifika whose whānau are everywhere but local, who are not online, and have no vehicle. Staff members have been liaising madly with other agencies and food sources to pull something together.
The Mission is planning for more than four weeks of lockdown, if only because Otago Southland is one of the most infected areas in the country. Stressful doesn’t even begin to cover it! Laura states that she is immensely proud of the way the staff and trustees have held to the Methodist values during this time.
You can find out more on their website http://www.dmm.org.nz/ and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/themethodistmission/
Laura Black Kaihautū Director, Methodist Mission Southern
If you would like more information about how you can support these services, please check out their websites or contact me.
Carol Barron, Methodist Alliance National Coordinator
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