This article was first published in Touchstone in December 2019 and was written by the Touchstone Editor, Ady Shannon.
The Methodist Alliance was established by Conference in 2016 with seven foundation members. A year later the Methodist Alliance had 19 members throughout Aotearoa and Carol Barron was appointed as the National Coordinator. The first Methodist Alliance Forum was held in Christchurch that year. In November 2019 the second Forum was held at Wesley Rātā Village, Wellington. Along with representatives from 24 member organisations, MCNZ members and others came together to shares ideas, discuss actions, explore the bicultural journey and consider opportunities to advocate for the disadvantaged under the banner of Radical Methodism – Radical Change.
Methodist Alliance members are all social service providers and include a range of organisations from large Methodist Missions, to local Methodist parishes and small trusts. Forum attendees included members represented by their Boards, management teams and staff. They were joined by President Setaita Veikune, Vice President Nicola Grundy, General Secretary Designate Tara Tautari, Methodist Theological College staff and students, Betsan Martin, Public Issues Coordinator, and Connexional Office staff.
In correspondence sent prior to the forum, National Coordinator and Forum convener Carol Barron wrote, “I look forward to joining you to celebrate the work done under the Methodist banner to make Aotearoa a more just and inclusive society in which all people flourish.” Over two days, lessons from the past, the present and the future were explored through discussions, workshops, conversations and presentations. The Methodist bicultural Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitment was integral to the programme.
Many presenters drew analogies to the radical nature of Jesus and John Wesley. Both were social activists, preaching a gospel of social revolution, ‘hanging out’ with socially marginalised and unsuitable people as they raised awareness of social injustice, overturned social norms and challenged accepted values. The same commitment to implementing and encouraging positive change can be seen in many Methodist Alliance initiatives.
Expectations and undertakings
Day one started with discussions to determine the expectations of those attending. Later, Communities of Practice workshops reviewed resources, information and action plans. Presenters then shared a range of initiatives and programmes being implemented, their vision and key issues in delivering improved outcomes for communities across the areas they are working in.
Mataiva Robertson presented on behalf of Sinoti Samoa, sharing the significant work they have done preventing family violence and also suicide prevention in response to the increase in youth suicide.
Lively discussion revolved around a quiz that explored the origins of the bicultural journey from the signing of the treaty through to establishing Te Taha Māori and the Church’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
After dinner, a group involved in Wesley Rātā Village shared the story of how the site has evolved to fulfil the Church mission, and its journey of renewal and redevelopment as a place for community.
Doing radical already
Day two started with waiata and prayer then Rev Setaita Veikune reflected on radical Methodism and the role of the Methodist Alliance in keeping the Methodist Church alive in the community. Setaita recognised the importance of staff to the work of MCNZ, saying, “You are the missionaries of this century, the church ecclesia. An intentional community of Disciples of Christ committed to act in the public interest of equality and inclusiveness. The Church is a radical presence in transforming society with fellowship, solidarity, love, care and bringing something positive into the lives of people who go through awfulness.”
MCNZ Vice-President Nicola Grundy & President Setaita Veikune
Radical involves risk
David Hanna, executive director of Wesley Community Action, Wellington, Forum host and facilitator, acknowledged the tensions that go with having a radical vision and the hard conversations that bring about change. David referred to the sacrifice of Salvadorian priest Oscar Romero who paid the ultimate price for encouraging social justice. “Oscar Romero was an inspiration. It is the role of the church not to fill the breach, but to create the breach,“ David said.
David invited a team of Methodist Alliance staff working on a variety of programmes throughout New Zealand to share their stories and achievements. “Inspiring stories are not all big and amazing. Small shifts and initiatives should be shared and celebrated.” He acknowledged that although there is not an expectation of the risk Father Romero was exposed too, there is nonetheless risk in being radical.
Housing First provides access to permanent housing - in an environment of choice - and support for those experiencing homelessness. It is not conditional on individuals meeting criteria to qualify for help. Christchurch Methodist Mission (CMM) is coordinating six local agencies, working collaboratively to deliver Housing First in Christchurch. Jill Hawkey, executive director of CMM, explained how CMM, with the support of a Board willing to embrace risk, has impacted positively on many lives. Over 18 months 63 people experiencing homelessness - men and women aged from 20 to 60 years old -have been housed. Each person is supported by a key worker ‘who does not give up, regardless of how tenancy situations unfold.’ CMM also deliver Housing First in Blenheim and they have housed six people.
Radical means not judging, not labelling
Mama Celia’s Table provides space for women to talk about ‘stuff in the basement, the stuff that no one wants to talk about.’ Providing a non-judgmental forum to grow and support wāhine - many of whom have suffered and done unspeakable things - is crucial to the success of the programme. Lizzie Makalio, from Wesley Community Action, has been married to a gang member for 30 years and has lived experience in supporting wāhine who have experienced personal trauma. “That doesn’t define them; It is not who they are. They have strength, beauty, bravery and resilience. Having older women to kōrero their stories with helps pull them through. We need to find a way to find the good in people, not put them in boxes with a label.”
Mama Celia’s Table has reached wider than positively impacting the lives of the women involved. Earlier this year, participants were invited to present their stories to a group of New Zealand’s District, Family & High Court judges were powerfully moved by insights into a justice system that does not support those without a voice.
Everyone has a voice
Wesley Community Action is also behind a community consultation in the Porirua suburb of Cannons Creek, helping to ensure that a $1.6 billion community makeover reflects the goals of the entire community. Makerita Makapelu and Kena Duignan have been closely involved in community liaison, taking a group of 25 locals to Auckland to share learnings with communities that have undergone major redevelopment, with mixed results. Every regeneration programme comes with opportunity and disruption but it is hoped the Cannons Creek kaitiaki group will represent all those likely to be affected.
David Hanna said, “We are a conduit for those that need to have a voice to put them in front of those that need to listen. It is not a perfect process but it is important to everyone contributing. Being radical is getting out of your comfort zone and getting involved.”
In Auckland, a partnership between the Takapuna Methodist Church and the Northcote community has seen a shared food programme bring a community together to share resources and connection. Jennifer Moor from the Northcote Takapuna Parish says it is a two way conversation. “There is no church without the streets, but we need the community on the street to come and help the church to change as well.”
Look back to look forward
Garth Nowland-Forman, former chair of CMM shared the journey of his conversion to Methodism. “I was a radical before I was a Methodist.” After ‘shopping around many mainstream faiths’, Garth found Methodism resounded as his politics were not at odds with the message from the pulpit. Garth said there was wisdom in looking back to go forward, suggesting John Wesley’s radical approach to serving social justice is still relevant today:
1. Go to the people
2. Speak plainly
3. Be concerned about the whole person/whānau/community
4. Show no partiality – be inclusive
5. Always collaborate – ecumenical/interfaith
6. Side with the vulnerable and marginalised
7. Be unafraid to speak the truth to power
8. Don’t judge others – agree to disagree
9. Judge ourselves by our fruits
10. Do all the good we can in all the ways we can.
Tara Tautari concluded a panel discussion with her views on radical Methodism. ”In discussing radical Methodism, we must know who we are and where we have come from. That is radical enough. So many of our people don’t know that,” Tara said. Power sharing and surrendering to a position that might not be your choice and recognising there is ‘no less than best’ is radical Methodism, Tara says. She encouraged attendees to consider those not in the room. “Perhaps radical Methodism challenges us to see who is not here. It is easy to be with people who are like us but challenging to be with those who are outside; those who are other. It is radical to feel the fear and do it anyway.”
Whether creating or filling breaches, members of the Methodist Alliance is delivering social justice in a way that is life changing, affirming, inclusive, impartial and successful. And that is radical.
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