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Providing support and pastoral care within the church ministry has not only been a calling, but a life of service that the newly appointed Vice President of the Methodist Church in New Zealand says is a blessing.
TeRito Peyroux-Semu was inducted into her new role as part of the special Bicentenary Methodist Church celebrations held in Kerikeri, Northland, last month. TeRito says she is excited to take up the role, and while there are some nerves, she looks forward to the journey ahead.
“So far, so good. I think I’m more nervous about the workload because, in addition to this, my main role is being a Mum. I’ve got a three-year-old, and we’ve been easing into things for the past year while I’ve been in the elect role, but we’re still learning as we go.”
Of Rotuman and Cook Island heritage, TeRito says her life has always been part of the church, including working as a youth advocate within the Ministry, a role she continues to be passionate about.
“That focus for me and that priority, I think, has always been there advocating for young people and trying to find ways in which the ministry will support them.”
TeRito, who is also a Chaplain, says the role is important. Youth ministry is always something she works to advocate for and push within the church and the wider community.
“A youth worker, it’s a skill set, it’s a calling, and it takes a lot out of people, and I think it’s important to have a good support network of funders and of board members and all of those around you who actually understand the dynamic of what it entails.”
With a background in education, having taught as a Primary School and Early Childhood Centre teacher for more than 20 years, TeRito understands the importance of supporting the growth of young people within the church and nurturing their journey within the church and beyond.
Equally, TeRito says last month’s Bicentenary celebrations were also a time to acknowledge past and present leaders within the church and wider church community who have paved the way for the Church who have celebrated 200 years in New Zealand.
“We had in the tribute service at conference three different people who were quite significant in my own life who were tributed… to just pause and recognise, understand, read and reflect on their lives as pioneers, and it’s also a reminder that we can’t wait to celebrate people when they’ve passed on we actually need to do that while they’re still alive too.”
Closer to home for TeRito is another pioneer who paved the way within the Methodist Church. 25 years ago, her grandmother, the late Mapiga Susau, held the position of Vice President. TeRito says the contribution that her grandmother made during her tenure as Vice President is not lost on her.
25 years on, TeRito says with the Church marking 200 years, it is also a time for review, and she is excited about what lies ahead in 2023.
“It looks like it’s going to be quite busy…there will be a number of jubilees to celebrate and hopefully in terms of travel and being able to host people from overseas, our ecumenical partners and churches.”
As TeRito begins her two-year tenure as Vice President, TeRito has a few outcomes she is working towards
“I think ultimately what I hope to achieve in this role is, “I hope that my own insight or experience of my Pacifica context that I’m able to bring that to the fore so that it’s a normalised part of who we are as a church.
The reality is that we (the leadership team) still need to be really good stewards of our resources, so we have to make sure that we review the way that we’re doing things so that it’s not just something that runs out with us, but it’s stewarded for everyone who follows us or who comes after us,” says TeRito.
Closer to home for TeRito is another pioneer who paved the way within the Methodist Church. 25 years ago her grandmother the late Mapiga Susau held the position of Vice President. TeRito says it is not lost on her the contribution that her grandmother made during her tenure as Vice President.
25 years on, TeRito says with the Church marking 200 years it is also a time for review and she is excited of what lies ahead in 2023.
“It looks like it’s going to be quite busy…there will be a number of jubilees to celebrate and hopefully in terms of travel and being able to host people from overseas, our ecumenical partners and churches.”
As TeRito begins her two year tenure as Vice President, TeRito has a few outcomes she is working towards
“I think ultimately what I hope to achieve in this role is, “I hope that my own insight or experience of my Pacifica context that I’m able to bring that to the fore, so that it’s a normalised part of who we are as a church.
The reality is that we (leadership team) still need to be really good stewards of our resources so we have to make sure that we review the way that we’re doing things so that it’s not just something that runs out with us but it’s stewarded for everyone who follows us or who comes after us,” says TeRito.
