Setting the record straight.
| Role | Name |
| District Director | James Hippolite |
| Program Quality Director | Richard Perkins |
| Club Growth Director | Marlene Krone |
| Administration Manager | Ben Ross |
| Public Relations Manager | Kenneth Gustilo |
| Finance Manager | Bruce Collis |
| Logistics Manager | John (BJ) O’Leary |
| Parliamentarian | Alun Chisholm |
| Immediate Past District Director | Wendy Wickliffe |
| Role | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | 2023-2024 |
| District Director | Stephen Budai | Wendy Wickliffe | James Hippolite |
| Program Quality Director | Wendy Wickliffe | James Hippolite | Richard Perkins |
| Club Growth Director | James Hippolite | Richard Perkins | Marlene Krone |
| District Administration Manager | Marlene Krone | Ben Ross | Ben Ross |
| Public Relations Manager | Elizabeth Viljoen | Sabrina Naseem | Michelle Berriman |
| District Finance Manager | Baptist Lobo | Kulesh de Silva | Bruce Collis |
| District Parliamentarian | Murray Coutts | Alun Chisholm | Alun Chisholm |
| Logistics Manager | John (BJ) O’Leary | John (BJ) O’Leary | John (BJ) O’Leary |
| Immediate Past District Director | Sharon Kerr-Phillips | Stephen Budai | Wendy Wickliffe |
| Role | Current | Future |
| District Director | Stephen Budai | Wendy Wickliffe |
| Program Quality Director | Wendy Wickliffe | James Hippolite |
| Club Growth Director | James Hippolite | Richard Perkins |
| District Administration Manager | Marlene Krone | Ben Ross |
| Public Relations Manager | Elizabeth Viljoen | Sabrina Naseem |
| District Finance Manager | Baptist Lobo | Kulesh de Silva |
| Logistics Manager | John (BJ) O’Leary | John (BJ) O’Leary |
| Immediate Past District Director | Sharon Kerr-Phillips | Stephen Budai |
Notices
Last week: Rest
This week:
Feeding 5000 (men, therefore approx. 15,000 people)
Feeding 4000 (men, therefore approx. 12,000 people)
The Yeast of the Pharisees
James says:
Sunday Service
John 14:6
Intro
Matthew 7:24
Where do we learn the Truth?
Romans 12:2
John 8:31-32
He tells the end from the beginning.
His prophecies are true.
Israel exists again.
Therefore God exists.
Tena koutou katoa
Never before have I written an email like this. I must confess that as I look at the NZ Political scene, I am really concerned as to the direction our country is heading. I want to leave a better NZ for my children, and it is because of this, that I am writing to everyone on my NZ email database.
I make no secret of the fact that I am a New Conservative political party supporter, and am glad to be one. Although not a Christian Party, there is no doubting that their values are Judeo-Christian, foundational to our Western Civilisation. I suggest you have a look at the New Conservative website, check out the bio of the Candidate in your electorate, plus any of their policies that may interest you. They are a strong grass roots party with a candidate in every electorate. www.nc.org.nz
The bios of the Leader and Deputy Leader plus others that I have read, indicate all have a pretty impressive work history, in the real world, which is lacking with many MPs currently in Government. At their June Annual Conference, I met many of the candidates, and apart from their sincere desire for a better NZ, I liked the fact that none of them had any egos, and none are career politicians.
Here is a link to an “Are you Conservative?” questionnaire, and you may like to check this out, to see if you have conservative values. https://www.newconservative.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/nc_brouchure-2.pdf
Although you know who I will be voting for, there is no way I will know how you cast your vote. However, it sure would be great if you could see your way clear to vote for the New Conservative candidate in your electorate, and more importantly, if you have conservative values, it would be FANTASTIC if you could give New Conservative your Party Vote.
If New Conservative can get it least 5% of the Party Vote, they will get 6 or more conservative voices representing us in Parliament. This is primarily why I’ve written to you, as our freedoms are being taken away with the present strongly left leaning Government, led by a professing Socialist Prime Minister.
I certainly hope you will give serious consideration to at least looking at what New Conservative offers. They are worth a look, and as I have indicated, it would be FANTASTIC if you at least gave them the Party Vote. If not, then please vote for a party whose policies and candidate best align with your values, as only that way is there a chance of you being truly represented in the next Government.
It would be fantastic if you could send this email on to all your NZ email addresses, to allow others to check and see if they hold conservative values, and if so, maybe consider casting their votes for New Conservative, both the Party Vote and the Candidate vote.
Had an interesting week. Toastmasters tried to teach us about personality types from a Wiccan based on tarot. Then my work tried to teach us Diversity and Inclusion from a liberal professor based on a false spectrum. Thank God, He leads me in the paths which are straight and true.
I learned something I didn’t know. The Myres-Briggs personality test is based on the writings of Carl Jung1. Jung based his research on the Tarot.2 Scientists have discredited Myres-Briggs based on, among other things, the same person taking the same test renders different results.3 Science is meant to be measurable, testable, repeatable and falsifiable. Truth statements that are unfalsifiable are religious in nature. Welcome to my domain.
That training was two hours of my life that I’ll never get back. But, at least the presenter was entertaining, and I am more informed than I was. Now, when people try to speak to me about personality types, I can use one of my favourite lines. “Given you believe in Tarot, then let me ask you, what star sign were you born under? Because I was born under the Star of David.”
For the benefit of those without historical context, or a sense of humour, I am not claiming to be born Jewish. I am claiming to be a born-again Christ-follower, adopted son of God, disciple of the Carpenter of Nazareth, a Jew.
Additionally, somebody within the organization complained to the District Director about my using “Blessings” in my email signature. After thinking carefully, my response was that I was open to hearing from the person directly, or alternatively, open to hearing what the specific complaint is. Because my salutation was specifically chosen. I did not choose “Good luck” because I don’t believe in luck. Faithfully and Sincerely are too old-fashioned. I did not choose “God bless”. Hindus, Muslims, Christians & Jews have no problem with “Blessings”. New Agers have no problem with it. Even the Wiccan uses “Bless your heart”! Only Atheists seem to have a problem with it. Which is not very tolerant. And not logical. If there is no God, then it doesn’t matter. So, the complaint is vague and offensive. Talk to me directly, coward.
There’s currently a huge push in the corporate world in the West to avoid law-suits and cancel culture by virtue-signaling adherence to woke Social Justice Warriors. This takes the form of optional compliance with Diversity and Inclusion training. So far, I’ve managed to dodge it, rather than face the unpleasantness of trying to explain to brain-washed acolytes the errors of their ways. One time I was put on the spot about why I was opting out, and responded that, in my opinion Diversity and Inclusion is racist against whites, sexist against men and bigoted against Christians. The look of total disbelief was priceless.
However, this week I was obligated to sit through some mandatory live, on-line training. I took notes. Thank goodness I did. I was able to clearly see a gap in the teaching, and when offered the opportunity to provide feedback, was able to do so, publicly. So, about 90 people heard about a weakness in D&I training at university level. I hope it does some good.
Specifically, Dr Chellie Spiller of Waikato University referenced a Cultural Proficiency Continuum4. This is supposedly where a person moves from negative views of other cultures and ends up being culturally proficient. I could immediately see that what a Liberal views as a spectrum from the evil, bigoted, racist right-winger to the enlightened, tolerant and righteous left-winger, is actually a pendulum. This is because the left-winger is blind to the fact that the Left can go too far. Also, from the extreme-left, anybody in the Centre appears far-right.
So, I asked why the continuum stops short and doesn’t show people who move into False Humility and further into Self-Hatred. To her credit, the Prof was gracious and appeared to listen. I hope it does some good for the benefit of her innocent students who are not taught critical thought.
Subsequent to this encounter, I have now formulated a new Law, which I am naming after myself. This law recognizes that everywhere a Liberal study shows a progression from ignorance to enlightenment, it should actually be a pendulum. The healthy individual, society and civilization should move to the centre, not to either extreme.
On the whole, it was a very good week, despite being unnecessarily locked-up by a Socialist government and attempted indoctrination by well-meaning but wrong-headed Leftists.
My opinions are my own and in no way represent my employer nor Toastmasters.
Pastor Troy Renata
I just heard something on this morning’s Sunday sermon which, on the surface, left me with a question mark, but upon reflection, I realise is actually very nuanced and correct.
Troy was talking about demonstrating integrity (especially with respect to our Christian walk) while in the workplace. But when the conversation turns to topics which are not edifying, how to deal with them? Troy’s practical suggestions were ways to turn (avoid) the conversation. Things like,
Now critics of religion (and super-religious zealots) may attack this advice as being cowardly or avoidance, rather than daring or bold or courageous. I admit, I was initially conflicted about Troy’s advice.
However, upon further reflection, Troy was not talking about any genuine, searching conversation, where the other person is ready, willing and prepared to engage in meaningful dialog. Troy was specifically talking about banter, which had turned to a off-colour topic, or where you are unwilling to participate. Rather than walk away (as I have done upon occasion), changing the subject is right and proper. Troy’s practical suggestions are useful for the minority of guys who, like I used to be, are socially awkward and haven’t a clue how to engage in light conversation.
Well done, team.
Rather than try to journal my week, this time I have been challenged by something my daughter said on our daily lunchtime walks around the block. Lockup has not been a disaster for me and my family. Because I have not lost my job, I am able to stay healthy and go for walks. On one of these walks this week, Aimée challenged me to put into writing one of the oral stories of my family history. This is the first.
Date: 4 September 1863
After leaving Nelson for Napier, the newly built brig Delaware ran into bad weather. It was wrecked on rocks in a bay between Grahams Point and Pepin Island, about 30 km north-east of Nelson, that is now known as Delaware Bay.
The story usually focuses credit for the rescue of the crew of the Delaware to Hūria Mātenga, the only maiden of the group of 5 local Māori who helped the crew get ashore. Oral tradition passed down to me, instead gives the credit to her father and my ancestor Hohapata Kahupuku (father Te Kahupuku – Ngāti Koata, mother Murari – Ngai Tahu). A big man, he was the one to swam out to collect the lead line. On my Nelson marae Whakatu, my son Hamish’s height of 2.03 metres (6 foot 8 inches) is remarked upon as being a consequence of being a direct descendant of Hohapata.
“…Hohapata Kahupuku swam out in extremely stormy seas to grasp a line thrown out by the crew. [He] returned to shore to secure the line to a large rock and then entered the water again and again to assist the crew to make their way to land by means of a second stronger rope attached to the line. Shortly after the Captain, the last of the nine to make the journey, reached the shore, the rope frayed and disappeared into the sea. All were saved apart from chief mate Henry Squirrell who was injured and left for dead on the ship. Other Māori from Wakapuaka assisted on shore.”
In paying tribute to their conduct, Captain Baldwin, master of the Delaware, said that: “but for the bold and unwearied exertions of the Maoris, he did not believe one man would have been saved from the wreck”.
References
[Updated: 4-Apr-2022 with corrected whakapapa.]
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