Motueka bids farewell to church leader

May 23rd, 2014
[by David Armstrong]

Motueka will shortly lose one of its best loved church and community leaders, as Peter Norman packs to take on his last ministry assignment in Takapuna.

For the past six years the minister at St Andrews Uniting Church, Peter is moving to the busy Auckland suburban church in mid-June.

He told the "Motueka Moments" radio programme on Wednesday that the plan for him and his wife Lynnette to hopefully retire back here in Motueka after his paid work is done.

Rev Peter Norman has not followed the usual path of a church minister. His previous job was as a winemaker for 21 years at what was then Montana Wines, at a time when that industry was growing at a rapid rate.

It was only when he was 46 years old that he decided to study theology, and after 10 years of study and a decision to enter the ministry, he took up his first posting in Motueka early in 2008.

Conducting church services and looking after parish needs has been just a part of his work in Motueka, and Peter has become well known in social services for his roles at various times as chairman and/or trustee of the Family Service Centre, the Collaboration of Agencies (agencies dealing with family violence) and the Night Shelter.

"I think being involved in the community is just an extension of the pastoral aspect of ministry," he told the Fresh FM radio audience.

"What I like about the Family Service Centre, for example, is that it's geared for early intervention, so it promotes the development of relationships between children and parents or caregivers at a very early age."

In recent years Peter has also tried very hard to advance some initiatives around affordable housing, organising several public meetings. "That's a difficult one to get off the ground, and it's one of my regrets that we didn't see that come to fruition. But I hope that someone else can pick that up and carry it on."

Asked how he viewed the mix of theological and pastoral work within the church with general community activity, Peter said a primary role for churches is to attend to the wellbeing of the community around them.

"That means getting out into the community, networking with everyone, and finding out what the problems are, what the gaps are, and attempting to fill those.

"It means finding out what agencies are doing similar work to what the the churches are doing or would like to do and working alongside those agencies. I don't see the church as having to re-invent the wheel but just connect with those agencies that have similar values.

"It's not a matter of getting people to attend church, it's a matter of the wellbeing of the community at large.

"I believe everyone has a spirituality and all of life's experiences impact on their spirituality, both negatively and positively, and if a person's basic needs are not met then that impacts on their spirituality. Their spiritual life has gaps in it, and I think it's important to try and fill those gaps. Help them take their rightful place in the community."

You can hear the replay of Peter Norman's 15-minute conversation on "Motueka Moments" by listening to Fresh FM (104.8MHz in Tasman) on Saturday afternoon, May 24th, at 4.40pm, or stream it from Fresh FM's website under "Downloads" or from iTunes.

Comment by Malcolm Garrett:
[Posted 24 May 2014]

May God bless, you, Peter, on your next mission, and please do remember your wish to return to us in retirement, when we can all look forward to working you hard as volunteer again! An amazing man of so many talents. He will be hard to replace.

Comment by Ron Sharp:
[Posted 24 May 2014]

Go well, Peter.

Comment by Maihi Barber:
[Posted 26 May 2014]

Best wishes to Peter and Lynette on their new mission in life. Peter I have appreciated your support at Te Awhina Marae, especially during the plight of the Chch Earthquakes. Thank you for the moments of reflection, support and windows of conversation taken.

Your nature assures a blessed journey for you and Lynette. We've had your aroha - thank you - to those who you will support in the future - they will be blessed also. Ma te atua kourua e manaaki e tiaki - may god bless you two.

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