December Newsletter
The Incarnation and Creation Care: A Divine Connection
Advent has begun, and we enter into a time of anticipation which culminates in the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Christmas marks the moment that we pause to celebrate the fact that God became human, entering into his creation to redeem it. The incarnation, while mysterious, is a profound statement of hope. It declares that God has not given up on the world. If God would take on flesh and enter the messy, fragile, and beautiful reality of life, then creation itself is sacred, loved, and worth redeeming.
But the incarnation doesn’t just inspire hope; it also calls us to action. When God became human, He didn’t arrive as an independent, self-sustaining being. He came as a baby, entirely dependent on creation—on Mary—for nourishment, on the earth for food, and on a stable made of trees and mud and bricks for shelter. The Creator became Emmanuel, God with us, interdependent with His creation, inviting us into a new way of seeing our world that is deep and profound. We are not independent beings. Our survival and flourishing depend on the health and well-being of God’s good creation. Because we are interdependent beings, how we move through the world can make the world better, or it can make the world worse.
As we celebrate Christmas, it’s easy to lose sight of this reality. Each year, many of us celebrate the birth of Christ with wasteful excess—mountains of wrapping paper, single-use decorations, and piles of discarded plastic. If we’re not careful, our celebrations can contradict the very message of the incarnation. How can we honour Christ’s coming while neglecting the whole of creation He came to redeem?
The incarnation reminds us that the world is not disposable. God’s decision to enter creation in the form of Jesus affirms its value and intrinsic goodness. If God chose to rely on creation to sustain His life as a human, then we, too, must acknowledge and embrace our dependence on the earth. Our interdependence with creation mirrors our dependence on God and one another. We are part of a complex web of relationships that sustains life: plants, animals, soil, water, and air. Recognising this interconnectedness invites us to live differently, to steward creation with care, and to protect the very systems that sustain us.
Advent is a season of anticipation, but it’s also a time of preparation. As we reflect on the hope of the incarnation, we are called to align our lives with the realities it embodies. This means taking tangible steps to care for creation and ensuring our celebrations reflect the sacredness of God’s world. What might this look like? It could mean reducing waste by wrapping gifts in reusable materials or choosing experiences over things. It might involve using natural decorations, supporting local and sustainable businesses, or planning a community cleanup. These small acts honour the God who entered creation and affirm our commitment to care for His good earth.
The incarnation reveals to us that God’s love is not abstract or distant. It is embodied, relational, and engaged. This Advent may we embrace the hope of the incarnation, allowing it to transform not only our hearts but also our habits. Let us celebrate the birth of Christ in ways that honour His creation, embodying the good news of redemption and interdependence. For in caring for creation, we embody the love of the one who came to dwell among us.
Nga mihi and seasons' blessings,
The Wilberforce Team
Christian Women in Governance Network
The purpose of the Christian Women in Governance Network is to strengthen the contribution of Christian female governors across Aotearoa New Zealand. This includes building the capacity and confidence of those already in governance positions and fostering the development of emerging governors.
We are an open group that welcomes new members joining us at any time. While our programme is geared towards those in governance in faith-based, for-purpose settings, we welcome any Christian female who would benefit from this place of belonging, growth, and encouragement.
In 2025 we have a series of Zoom meetings planned, where we will hear from speakers on a range of relevant topics and have the opportunity for discussion together. We are also looking forward to an overnight retreat and some informal in-person regional gatherings.
To go on the mailing list and hear about our programme for 2025, contact Charlotte Cummings: hello@charlottecummings.nz or click the button below.
As this group becomes established, we would love for you to share details with others in your network.
Investing in the Next Generation of Leaders:
Mentoring Programme 2025
Emerging leaders are the future of Christian not-for-profit organisations and the good work they do. The mission of the Wilberforce Foundation is to develop, equip, and encourage these leaders. With that in mind, we are excited to announce our Mentoring Programme for 2025! It is focused on supporting second-tier leaders; those up-and-coming individuals in your organisation who are ready to take the next step in their journey.
Why focus on second-tier leaders?
These emerging leaders are critical to the ongoing success and sustainability of your organisation. They may be poised to step into more significant roles but could benefit from mentorship and guidance as they prepare for greater responsibility. This programme is designed to help them build the skills, confidence, and networks needed to not only continue the work but to innovate and improve it.
How the programme works
The Mentoring Programme will run from April to September 2025. We invite CEOs and Board chairs to nominate a promising leader from your organisation who would benefit from the programme. Each participant will be paired with a carefully selected mentor and will connect regularly throughout the six-month programme. In addition to one-on-one mentoring, both mentors and mentees will have access to training and support, as well as opportunities to network with other participants.
Key benefits of mentoring
Leadership development: Participants will gain valuable insights into leadership and learn from those who have walked the path before them.
Confidence building: Regular guidance will help emerging leaders tackle challenges with greater confidence.
Networking: This is a chance for younger leaders to build relationships with others in the sector, expanding their professional network.
Personal and spiritual growth: Mentoring encourages not only leadership development but also growth in faith and character, which are essential for effective, values-driven leadership.
Nominate a future leader
If you know a young leader in your organisation who could benefit from this programme, we encourage you to nominate them. For more information or to make a nomination, please contact Melanie: melanie@wilberforce.org.nz or click below
Thank You, Charlotte Cummings: A fond farewell (for now) from the Wilberforce Team
Charlotte Cummings has been part of the core team at Wilberforce for the past two years, simultaneously juggling PhD studies, governance responsibilities, and advising faith-based organisations on safety in ministry. She is a much-loved member of the Wilberforce team - courageous, strong and decisive and such a lot of fun to have in the team. Her deep faith including her Catholic upbringing has added much to the team and introduced us to practices and people we knew little about. Many of you tell me you have deeply appreciated her counsel.
Ever versatile, Charlotte has lent a hand to nearly every aspect of our work including communications, revamping our website, advising on harm in faith-based organisations and supporting our focus on women in leadership. Charlotte has decided to step back from her part-time role with Wilberforce to allow more time to focus on her work regarding the prevention of and response to harm in faith-based organisations.
We are very pleased she is not lost to the Wilberforce Community and will maintain involvement in leading our growing women in governance programme.
Thank you Charlotte for being a cherished member of our team.
Lunch and Learn; Faith and Action Report
Watch our webinar with James Stewart who discussed the recently released report, in particular the insights for the parachurch sector. You can also download his presentation from the webinar: click here.
The Faith In Action Report profiles the 3,200 registered church entities and 1,000 para-church organisations across New Zealand. For the first time, trends across denominations & geography over the last decade have been compiled to provide insights into where the church is growing and shrinking across Aotearoa.
You can read the full report by clicking the link below.
Lunch and Learn; The Fundraising Special
Funding is, without a doubt, one of the biggest challenges faced by Christian ministries. The struggle to raise funds can often feel lonely, draining, and even hopeless.
In November Bruce, Jenny, and Sean shared their valuable insights and expertise in fundraising with us. If you missed the session, don't worry—you can catch up by watching the video through the link below.
Wilberforce Community Newsletter
If you have any announcements, stories, or events you’d like to share with our community, there is one last chance before Christmas.
All articles should be sent to news@wilberforce.org.nz
Deadline for article submissions: Friday, December 13th
The newsletter will be distributed on Tuesday, December 17th. Don’t miss the chance to be part of our final publication of the year!
Thank you for your continued engagement, and we look forward to hearing from you.
