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But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us
- 2 Corinthians 4:7
- 2 Corinthians 4:7
Tauiwi Youth Conference | R E M N A N T
February 6-9 2020, El Rancho Waikanae
Background
Tauiwi Youth Conference is the main youth leaders training event of the Methodist Church of New Zealand - Te Hāhi Weteriana o Aotearoa. The conference aims to connect, resource and inspire young leaders from across the church and so provide them with the support they need in order to be effective and confident leaders in their context. Past editions of TYC have explored unity in Ngaruawahia 2017 (#321UNITE) and identity in Taupo 2018 (#2kC To Know Christ).
This year, the TYC organizing team landed on the theme R E M N A N T, stemming from the idea of our young people being leftovers, yet still of vital importance to the life of the church and the calling of God. Preparations for TYC 2020 actually began in the Marae of Tamaki College in winter 2018 with a gathering of the TYTANZ organizing team. It took a little bit longer than expected to get to where we ended up, however we can testify that, as God often shows, our timing and His timing can always be two different things! The resulting work of TYC 2020 | R E M N A N T was the culmination of work, prayer, discernment and trust in God and His plans for youth ministry in Te Hāhi Weteriana.
This year, the TYC organizing team landed on the theme R E M N A N T, stemming from the idea of our young people being leftovers, yet still of vital importance to the life of the church and the calling of God. Preparations for TYC 2020 actually began in the Marae of Tamaki College in winter 2018 with a gathering of the TYTANZ organizing team. It took a little bit longer than expected to get to where we ended up, however we can testify that, as God often shows, our timing and His timing can always be two different things! The resulting work of TYC 2020 | R E M N A N T was the culmination of work, prayer, discernment and trust in God and His plans for youth ministry in Te Hāhi Weteriana.
R E M N A N T
For TYC 2020, 114 leaders from across 7 different Tauiwi Synods converged for what was an epic weekend. El Rancho in the beautiful beach town of Waikanae set the scene for what would take place over the duration of TYC - deeply Connexional fellowship, plenty of laughs, good times, hard mahi and a strong sense of the presence of God among all in attendance.
Covenant Service
One of the great aspects of TYC 2020 was having the guidance and pastoral support of Vice President Nicola Grundy and Mission Resourcing Director of Pasifika Ministries, Rev. Siosifa Pole, for the duration of conference. As part of VP Nicola's contributions, she recommended TYC open with a Covenant Service. This would tie in well to Waitangi Day, our Methodist ethos and also set a strong spiritual foundation by which TYC was built on. Our opening covenant service included Communion also served by Rev. Siosifa.
Team Building with CWS
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The first Connect session of TYC was a team building session with Eric Park of Christian World Service (CWS). This session was an introductory session getting attendees talking and working together, as well as getting new leaders to meet one another and begin to build networks. Though this was intended to be an introductory session, discussions became deep and
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intriguing - with many leaders voicing their thoughts (and frustrations) on the current state the church finds itself in. This was encouraging in that it showed the leaders in attendance were tuned in, engaged and ready to explore their role as a leader within the life of church.
Morning Bible Study
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show this all-surpassing power is
from God and not from us"
2 Corinthians 4.7 (NIV)
Every morning began with bible study for all attendees. 2 Corinthians 4.1-10 (NIV) was chosen for all 3 studies, with the hope being that leaders would be offered three different perspectives and approaches in examining the text. Bible study facilitators, VP Nicola Grundy, Richard Misilei and Rev. Siosifa Pole offered three different insightful studies that helped attendees to delve deep into the text and keep its relevance in mind as the days workshops and activities progressed.
Workshops
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This years edition of TYC saw a notable overhaul in the content of workshops that were offered. In past conferences, there had always been an attempt to maintain creative elements to workshops which would eventually lead to performances in a showcase type evening. What we realized however was that, alongside the tedious nature of having to organize these type of workshops, the performance element often took away from the meaning behind why these workshops were offered in the first place.
TYC R E M N A N T saw the introduction of some new and innovative workshops that covered a wide range of topics and came back to the main purpose of the conference which is leadership development.
TYC R E M N A N T saw the introduction of some new and innovative workshops that covered a wide range of topics and came back to the main purpose of the conference which is leadership development.
Paku Kōrero - Small Talk
Paku Kōrero was a workshop based around educating leaders about the Methodist Connexion. The need for this workshop arose from the revelation in previous TYCs that not every one is aware of the other synods that make up the wider church. In some cases, cultural synod leaders had no idea that English speaking synods existed and vice-versa! With this in mind, each of the 8 synods represented at TYC were given 5 minutes to share about their synod and story in the dynamic Japanese style of presentation known as Pecha Kucha. This gave the opportunity for attendees to not only learn about different rooms in the Methodist whare, but also give them ideas and tips on things to try and implement into their own context. Following an online quiz where leaders were tested on their retention of information from the presentations, Vice President Nicola wrapped up the workshop challenging all to being part of ensuring the future of church takes notice of our young people here and now.
Tauiwi Human Sexuality Talanoa
The organizing committee made the bold decision this year to offer the Human Sexuality Talanoa workshop to leaders. This was facilitated by members of the Tauiwi Human Sexuality Work group. With a diversity of cultures, contexts and backgrounds comes a diversity of theologies, understandings and sensitivities. All of these elements were prayerfully and respectfully managed in the process of putting this workshop together.
Using Talanoa as the framework, the HS Talanoa was about telling the story of our church in relation to its grappling with human sexuality and presenting possible framework for tough conversations to safely take place - not with the intention of changing minds, but in the spirit of creating better understanding across the cultural and contextual scope.
Using Talanoa as the framework, the HS Talanoa was about telling the story of our church in relation to its grappling with human sexuality and presenting possible framework for tough conversations to safely take place - not with the intention of changing minds, but in the spirit of creating better understanding across the cultural and contextual scope.
Leadership Masterclass
The Leadership Masterclass was a requested workshop that came from previous attendees who were still growing on their leadership journey.
'Even though I've watched my leader do their thing since I was young, if they went away tomorrow, I'd have absolutely no idea what to do. What then are the expectations of us as young leaders? What are things that we need to know how to do?'
This statement shaped what the Masterclasses would be. Each leader took a pre-session quiz which ranked them into three categories. These categories gave them a gauge of what class to attend - either beginner level 1, intermediate level 2 or advanced level 3. In each class, leaders were offered tips and resources relative to their leadership level in the hope they would feel more strongly equipped and ready to face the demands of youth ministry leadership.
Workshop Streams
The workshop streams were elective two hour workshops which honed in on specific topics which are relevant to youth ministry and youth leadership. The topics and facilitators were
- Climate Justice, (Lusia Taloafulu Feagaiga, Pacific Climate Warriors)
- A Social Gospel, (Makerita Makapelu, Wesley Community Action)
- Spiritual Gifts, (Richard Misilei, Manukau Synod)
- Caring for the Creator, (Michael Lemanu, MRU)
- Life in all its fullness, (Philomena Petaia and Pua Siulangapo, CSI)
- 3rd Culture | Caught between worlds, (Filo Tu, Sinoti Samoa)
Each workshop had its own specific set outcome and offered its own insight and resource for workshop attendees. We're very excited for some of the work that will soon be announced that has come directly from these streams - particularly relating to Youth Suicide Prevention and Climate Justice.
- Climate Justice, (Lusia Taloafulu Feagaiga, Pacific Climate Warriors)
- A Social Gospel, (Makerita Makapelu, Wesley Community Action)
- Spiritual Gifts, (Richard Misilei, Manukau Synod)
- Caring for the Creator, (Michael Lemanu, MRU)
- Life in all its fullness, (Philomena Petaia and Pua Siulangapo, CSI)
- 3rd Culture | Caught between worlds, (Filo Tu, Sinoti Samoa)
Each workshop had its own specific set outcome and offered its own insight and resource for workshop attendees. We're very excited for some of the work that will soon be announced that has come directly from these streams - particularly relating to Youth Suicide Prevention and Climate Justice.
Worship Evenings
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With an action packed amount of workshops and information for our leaders to digest during the day, evening sessions were left for a time of high energy, youth focused worship to take place. As was established in the early days of TYC, the most important thing remains that our work is led by the Spirit and in line with Gods will in every respect. As is always a highlight with TYCs, worship sessions are highly anticipated. This years TYC worship team, made up of leaders from AMY and CSI, worked tirelessly to craft sets which would point leaders to the One who makes possible such an event to take place.
Worship Night 1 was Testimony night. Three leaders - Pua Siulangapo (CSI), Lupe Havea (VTOA) and Ivan Fuimaono (AMY) - boldly shared their stories of how God has been working in their life. Pua shared of overcoming her trials and challenges by seeking refuge in God constantly. Lupe shared about growing up surrounded by and fully immersed in the church, yet still needing to find and cling onto the personal relationship with Christ. Ivan shared of how God has used his gifts to send him to places where he could never have imagined. All three testimonies touched on different markers of the faith journey and encouraged all attendees beyond measure.
Worship Night 2 was led by Filo Tu, a stalwart of youth ministry and one of the 3 wise servants of youth ministry in Te Hāhi. Focusing on 2 Cor. 4.1-10, Filo was able to captivate, entertain as only he can. He also, most importantly, points people past himself and straight to the reality of a loving God. As part of this evening, leaders were given the option to give or recommit their lives to Christ. Many responded to this invitation and gave the opportunity to be prayed over by our senior leaders and committee.
Worship Night 1 was Testimony night. Three leaders - Pua Siulangapo (CSI), Lupe Havea (VTOA) and Ivan Fuimaono (AMY) - boldly shared their stories of how God has been working in their life. Pua shared of overcoming her trials and challenges by seeking refuge in God constantly. Lupe shared about growing up surrounded by and fully immersed in the church, yet still needing to find and cling onto the personal relationship with Christ. Ivan shared of how God has used his gifts to send him to places where he could never have imagined. All three testimonies touched on different markers of the faith journey and encouraged all attendees beyond measure.
Worship Night 2 was led by Filo Tu, a stalwart of youth ministry and one of the 3 wise servants of youth ministry in Te Hāhi. Focusing on 2 Cor. 4.1-10, Filo was able to captivate, entertain as only he can. He also, most importantly, points people past himself and straight to the reality of a loving God. As part of this evening, leaders were given the option to give or recommit their lives to Christ. Many responded to this invitation and gave the opportunity to be prayed over by our senior leaders and committee.
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Massive thanks to everyone who has worked tirelessly to put TYC R E M N A N T together, as well those contributed their talents and skills for workshops and those in the background who offered their support through prayers and encouragement.
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TYTANZ Organizing Committee 2020:
Wes Machee, Ramona Misilei (AMY), 'Amelia Takataka, Alilia Molitika, Sitela Ahokava, Leti Tafuna (WWU), Maumi Taukolo (LNI), Siu Williams-Lemi, Philomena Petaia, Pua Siulangpo, Maima Ngauamo (CSI), Osaiasi Kupu (VTOA), Make Puamau, William Toduadua (Wasewase), Rev. Siosifa Pole (MRU) |
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TYC Worship Team 2020:
Eseta Lemanu, Wes Machee, Elizabeth Salesa, Aiomanu Apulu, Valeti Ngahe, Ivan Fuimaono, Jerry-Moses Roebeck, Philomena Petaia, Toa Siulangapo Workshop contributors and speakers:
Vice President Nicola Grundy, Eric Park (CWS), Rev. Dr. Susan Thompson, Filo Tu (Sinoti Samoa), Lupe Havea (VTOA) Richard Misilei (AMY), Makerita Makapelu (WCA) |
With another TYC in the books, we ultimately give thanks to God for the everlasting love, guidance and support we receive through all seasons of life and circumstances.
The focus now for us to continue the momentum and spark that TYC has created and continue to work hard to ensure the voice of our young people is heard valued and taken seriously on all levels of church life. TYC is the culmination of a journey but rather the starting point. Keep the fire burning and keep grinding away!
#WeAreTYTANZ
The focus now for us to continue the momentum and spark that TYC has created and continue to work hard to ensure the voice of our young people is heard valued and taken seriously on all levels of church life. TYC is the culmination of a journey but rather the starting point. Keep the fire burning and keep grinding away!
#WeAreTYTANZ