Join us in Wellington, Auckland, or Christchurch this summer as we explore John’s vision in Revelation, and consider the insight, wonder, courage, and hope it offers for our lives today.
What’s the weekend all about?
John is on the Island of Patmos. He’s a prisoner. Exiled by Rome. A long way from home. It’s Sunday and he’s praying. Jesus gives him a vision, a series of visions. In one, he is called up into the throne room of the universe, the centre of all things.
Many of us wonder what’s really going on, whether there is any meaning or purpose in the world, what lies at the heart of reality, what hope can be found in a world that is often hard or confusing or chaotic. The vision Jesus gave John in Revelation 4 and 5 answers these questions: there is a throne at the centre of all things; God is sitting on it; and he has a plan and has already acted to put the world right. It is a vision of reality far richer and deeper than we imagine; a vision that has inspired and challenged the church for two thousand years.
The Centre of All Things is a Venn Summer Offering exploring John’s vision found in Revelation 4 and 5. It will be a weekend of scriptural immersion, rich teaching, worship, and prayer, where we seek to enter into Jesus’s vision and return to our world and lives with new insight, wonder, courage, and hope.
The Centre of All Things runs from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon. It is non-residential and will be held in three beautiful locations across Aotearoa, New Zealand: Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch.
The weekend is for people in their early-20s to late-30s who want to explore how John’s vision in Revelation might inform and shape all of life. Through scriptural immersion, worship, and prayer, our hope is that you will encounter God, and, through that encounter, come to see the world afresh.
If you would like to attend, please register for your closest city. Spaces are limited, so be in quick.
WELLINGTON
Dates
16-17 January, 2021
Timing
Saturday: 8:30am - 9:00pm; Sunday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
AUCKLAND
Dates
23-24 January, 2021
Timing
Saturday: 8:30am - 9:00pm; Sunday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
CHRISTCHURCH
Registrations full
We're at capacity in Christchurch. Join the wait list below.
Dates
27-28 February, 2021
Timing
Saturday: 8:30am - 9:00pm; Sunday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
$245*
PRICING
Summer Offering prices include breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday; breakfast and lunch on Sunday; and all teaching materials.
*All prices are NZD.
PAYMENT PLANS
If you would like to pay for Summer Offering across a few months, we are happy to arrange weekly, fortnightly, and monthly payment plans. Get in touch and we can work out the best plan for you.
The teaching teams for the three cities will draw from this group of engaging and creative communicators who love God. Here’s a brief intro.
Donald Goodhall
Donald grew up in Hamilton and started his working life in Civil Engineering, before taking up a pastoral role at his local church and serving there for 16 years in the areas of worship, the arts, and communication. In 2012, Donald and his wife, Janaya, moved their family to Vancouver, Canada to study towards a Master of Arts in Theology at Regent College. They returned to Hamilton at the close of 2013 and Donald resumed his involvement with the local church and worship initiatives. In late 2018, Donald took up the Director of the Residential Fellowship position at Venn Foundation. He is deeply interested in the intersection of art and faith, and is passionate about cultivating creative contexts in which theology can be fruitfully explored.
Olivia Burne
Olivia grew up in Palmerston North, before moving to Long Island, New York to complete a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Journalism from Stony Brook University and to compete in the NCAA Cross Country and Track competition. Upon returning to New Zealand, Olivia worked in sport media and marketing for two years before taking part in the 2016/17 Venn Internship. This was followed by an opportunity to join the team at Venn as Communications and Marketing Manager and to complete a Graduate Diploma in Theology from Otago University. Olivia is deeply passionate about theological education and discipleship for young people and is actively involved in her church, The Upper Room.
Rachel Kitchens
Rachel is from Atlanta, Georgia and spent her undergraduate years in Virginia, studying Dance and Psychology at Hollins College. Rachel is interested in the interplay between the arts, the human body, and Christian faith, which led her to complete a Master of Arts in Christian Studies at Regent College. She has worked as a Church worker, community coordinator, event planner, dance teacher, and florist. Most recently, Rachel completed her studies in spiritual direction and works part-time at Venn Foundation, helping alumni integrate their lives with the Gospel. She is married to Andrew Shamy and together they live in Auckland with their two daughters, Ella and Georgia, and son, James.
Michelle Young
Originally from Paeroa and the daughter of pastors, Michelle grew up in a family who were deeply embedded in the local community. She finished her schooling in Whangarei and moved to Auckland to study Geography at the University of Auckland. After graduating, Michelle worked in her local church for five years, completed a Graduate Diploma in Theology, and managed a non-profit trust in South Auckland. She joined Venn at its inception in September 2013 and has continued to work alongside and serve the people of Venn as the Director of Summer Conference and Supporting Contexts.
Dr. John Dennison
John lives in Wellington with his wife, Jannah, and their three sons, Theo, Emmaus and Blythe. He serves as Associate Chaplain at the Anglican Chaplaincy, Victoria University, and works as Venn’s Wellington Coordinator. John holds degrees in Theology and English Literature, from Victoria, Otago and St Andrew’s, Scotland. His first collection of poems, Otherwise, was published by Auckland University Press and Carcanet Press in 2015.
Andrew Shamy
Andrew grew up in Christchurch and graduated from the University of Canterbury with a BA (Hons) in History and American Studies. He went on to complete his Master of Arts in Theology from Regent College. Andrew has co-authored two books: The Insect and the Buffalo and The Hare and the Tortoise. He works for the Venn Foundation as a Senior Teaching Fellow. Andrew is married to Rachel Kitchens and they live in Auckland with their two daughters, Ella and Georgia, and son James.
Dr. Sam Bloore
Sam grew up in Dargaville, prior to studying medicine and bioethics at Otago University. He worked as a doctor for 5 years in Emergency Medicine and Psychiatry. He went on to join the staff of his local church and completed a Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology. While working for Compass Foundation, Sam co-authored The Hare and Tortoise. Sam now works for the Venn Foundation as a Senior Teaching Fellow, and along with his wife Julia, oversees the residential life of the Venn Residential Fellowship. They have three young children, Eden, Benjamin, and Sophia.
Dr. Nathan McLellan
Nathan is the CEO and a Senior Teaching Fellow at Venn Foundation. After studying economics and finance, he worked as an economist at the New Zealand Treasury, before going overseas for theological study and further work in Canada and the United States. Nathan has an interest in community formation, leadership, and the relationship between economic life and the Christian faith. He is passionate about helping others develop a sound and deep understanding of the Christian faith and the way it relates to all aspects of life. In 2018, Nathan earned a Ph.D. in theological ethics from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He is married to Bronwyn and is the father of two energetic boys, Jonathan and Caleb.
Neihana Reihana
Neihana has whakapapa to Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāti Raukawa ki te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere. He was raised in Porirua in a whānau of four. Neihana has a Bbus in Marketing and Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching. He also has certificates from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Awanuiārangi, majoring in te reo Māori. He has spent five years teaching business studies and te reo Māori at both Māori immersion and mainstream schools. Now, he is focused on completing Postgraduate study in Theology. Neihana is passionate about whakapono and culture. Neihana is married to Elena and they live in Auckland. They are parents to their daughter Whakaaria Hope and his wife is hapu with pēpi number two.