Methodist Church-owned Aldersgate on Durham St will officially open on February 29, when a memorial for those who died on the site will be unveiled in the reflective garden.

The new building, designed by Christchurch architects Wilkie and Bruce and costing more than $10 million, is a Methodist church that welcomes all faiths and cultures and has a philosophy of "open hearts, open minds, open doors".
The design of Aldersgate has previously been described as "startlingly beautiful". Read more

Although some synod members consider the moves as being controversial and threatening to the fundamentals of the Church of England, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York both backed the proposals for an Anglican-Methodist reunion.

The move was backed by 290 synod members, with 59 voting against it and 24 abstaining.

If the Methodist Church agrees, priests and presbyters will be able to minister in other's churches. The opportunity to reunite will be considered at the Methodist Conference later this year.

If approved, the new relationship of the two churches "being in communion" could end a 200 year-old schism between them.

The Bishop of Coventry says the proposals "work towards healing a tragic division in the Church of England that John Wesley fought hard to avoid and brought such anguish to his brother - a tear in the fabric of our church".

He says the next phase of unification will help end "the scandal of the body of Christ being divided".

Rev Gareth Powell, who is the secretary of the Methodist Conference, said both churches "have an all too easy acceptance of the scandal of disunity.

"Complacency in the face of our disunity hinders not only mission, but impairs our witness to Christ, our ability to live in the image of God, and be effective channels of the Holy Spirit".

Two matters are of particular concern in relation to reuniting the two churches.

One is whether Methodist presbyters would have to be re-ordained to provide a unified and public catholic witness. The synod report proposes the Anglican Church recognise Methodist ministers' holy orders.

The other issue is about how churches should be led.

Anglican churches operate under an episcopal model with bishops seen as following on from the apostles, as the Church's leaders. As bishops consecrate more bishops and ordain new clergy, the "apostolic succession" continues.

Methodists do not accept the idea of "apostolic succession" in the Anglican sense.

If the churches were to reunite, an Anglican bishop would take part in ordaining new Methodist ministers, enabling them to enter the "apostolic succession".

The Methodist Conference says it is willing to receive the episcopate as long as partner churches acknowledge that the Methodist Church "has been and is part of the one holy catholic and apostolic church", Ruth Gee, former president of the Methodist conference says.

Source:

• The Tablet
• Christian Today
• Image: Church Times

In a tradition that started 20 years ago, the Shore Edge Methodist Church have donated presents to those on probation "as an ultimate offer of redemption". Read more

He plays back row for Saracens in the Aviva Premiership and for England.

His brother, Mako Vunipola also plays for Saracens.

The English team conduct their post-match reviews on Monday mornings.

By that time Billy says he has already analysed his performance with his father, former Tongan captain Fe'ao Vunipola.

"My dad is honest and if he thinks I was quiet, he will say I was quiet. If he thinks I played well, he will say I played all right."

However rugby talk comes only after his mother the Reverend Iesinga has conducted a service for her Methodist congregation in High Wycombe.

Six of Billy's uncles and his grandfather have represented Tonga.

Source

• espnscrum.com
• The Telegraph
• Image: The Daily Mail

Methodist Church general secretary Reverend Tevita Nawadra said the church had asked government for two weeks in which to hold the annual conference.

"We wanted to hold our singing competition in the first week and hold our conference on the second week annual conference," Nawadra said.

He said the 40 hours given to them by the Fiji Police Force was not enough to complete their agenda.

They have sent a letter to Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama asking for more time and were hoping to get a reply soon.

"We have not heard from the PM and we are hoping to get a time extension for more democratic talks on issues surrounded by the church."

Nawadra said if their request to the PM's office is unsuccessful and the time is not extended, they will prioritise the agenda to make sure all major issues get discussed at the annual conference despite the restricted four-day permit.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• The Fiji Times
• Image: FijiLive.com

Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu is the newly appointed president of the Fiji Methodist Church. At the University of the South Pacific seminar run by the Constitution Commission on Thursday night, Mr Waqairatu said that the government of Fiji is at a critical point.

He pointed out that Fiji is a pluralistic society and went on to say "Their positive inter-church relation in the ecumenical circle and mission should enrich their corporate ministry in the country".

He also said that Islam, Hinduism and other faiths make a contribution to the nation, and this reality must be acknowledged.

Close understanding between religious groups and the government, allied with ongoing communication, would ensure a positive future for the country.

"Fiji has been ravaged by the coup-culture with its negative repercussions psychologically embedded in the minds of the people, especially the young generation, whose behaviour has been heavily affected by the noted phenomenon," he said.

Sources

• The Fiji Times Online
• Image: Peceli Fijian Methodist Church of America