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Global Mission
From the Global Mission Office, Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Global Mission Secretary: Rev Neal Whimp (interim)
70 Khyber Pass Rd,
Auckland
Phone: 09 306-6445; Fax: 09 306 6440; Mobile: 025 272 3131
globalmission(at)presbyterian.org.nz
The new Global Mission Secretary, Rev Andrew Bell, will begin at the Global Mission Office (that's its new name) on Thursday 1 August. Andrew will be Inducted by the Presbytery of Auckland at St David's, Khyber Pass, at 7.30pm on Thursday 22 August.
Partnership with Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu (PCV)
Stuart Vogel and Lorraine Francis brought to the June Overseas Mission & Partnershhip Policy Group meeting a report and recommendations following their May visit to Vanuatu.
The Policy Group acknowledged that PC Vanuatu is a primary partner with the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand for mission. Many new opportunities will emerge from this renewed partnership.
A visit (in September and October) from the six Presbytery Clerks of the PCV, and some wives, is being planned to coincide with the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand General Assembly, and the APW National Conference and to include time with Presbyteries and congregations, as well as national church leaders.
The PCV Clerks are full time, doing work similar in some ways to out Mission Resource Co-Directors. It is a policy of the PCV to develop greater autonomy of its Presbyteries.
The group wants to share their vision and to learn.
Rev Russell Rofe visited Navota Farm in June to help Global Mission to see what future the Farm has, and how NZ supporters can be involved. More on that in another Bush Telegraph.
In considering the next steps in its review of Partnerships with churches overseas Policy Group states that "in its journey in mission and partnership with other Churches, the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand will:
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respect the integrity of the other partner;
be available to encourage and enable the mission of the partner;
allow itself to be changed by the ministry of the other partner;
seek to recognise and to clarify the unique nature of each partnership."
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The Policy Group has acknowledged that Climate Change is an issue for special focus. Richard Lawrence is preparing a paper for Assembly's endorsement as Policy (see June Bush Telegraph pp 8,9). Richard has also prepared "Resources for Worship and Discussion on Climate Change". Copies are available from the Global Mission Office.
The International Affairs Desk, will begin its work when a suitable person is appointed. Policy group agrees that "Through the work of the International Affairs Desk, the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand seeks information to enable it to respond in a Christ-like way to those areas and situations in the world where human pain and need are felt acutely."
<typohead type=3>Opportunities for Overseas Mission service</typohead>
In Vanuatu the Presbyterian Church is making initial enquiries for people to help their mission as Biblical Studies Teacher at Talua Ministry Training Centre, Teacher at Onesua Presbyterian College, Projects Development Officer, volunteer Farm Manager at Navota Farm, carpenters, mechanics. Though details have not been finalized, expressions of interest will be welcome, to the Global Mission Office.
Amity International has openings in its Teachers Project. There are always more requests for teachers, from schools in China, than can be filled. As well as being a development and service project, it is also good for churches outside China to have someone, having people who can share the life of that church and country with their home churches. Michael Cooke recently had about three years of great experience with Amity. View the web site - www.amityfoundation.org. The Global Mission Office will help to put you in touch with Amity.
Israel-Palestine
In April the Methodist Mission and Ecumenical Committee Secretary (John Roberts) wrote to the Minister of Foreign Affairs urging the government to do all it can to bring peace to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Hon Jim Sutton replied on the Minister's behalf:
"Mr Goff has written to the Ambassador of Israel, calling for the withdrawal of Israel's troops from the cities affected, and followed this up with a meeting to reiterate this. We have made it clear in many occasions to the Ambassador, Israeli parliamentarians and the Foreign Minister, that while New Zealand supports Israel's existence within clear and secure borders, it has no right to, and must withdraw from, the occupied territories. Likewise we have expressed concerns about the disproportionate Israeli military response.
"We have registered with Yasser Arafat our position that the Palestinian Authority must do its utmost to prevent violence such as attacks on by suicide bombers.
"Denial to Palestinians of self-determination and the opportunity for self-advancement can only breed further violence and insecurity to the detriment of both parties".
Toxic waste
The Solomon Islands Christian Association (SICA), of which the United Church is a member, has condemned the proposal to dump industrial wastes in Makira province, or anywhere in Solomon Islands. SICA chairperson, Archbishop Rev Sir Ellison Pogo, said the government must cancel any decisions to grant licenses for the import of industrial waste. "Any decision to dump waste is both politically and morally wrong".
Referring to the payment by a Taiwan company to dump the waste, Rev Pogo said "money is not a consideration in this matter. It should not be weighed in economic terms because it would only pollute and destroy our environment."
He went on to say, "The small and beautiful islands and the surrounding seas are gifts from God, therefore people must be responsible in caring for the environment. We must not allow our children to inherit a damaged and polluted environment. To destroy our environment within which we exist is to commit an act of suicide and show contempt towards our God the creator."
SICA also called on the Taiwan Government and the international community to assist and prevent Solomon Islands becoming an environmental disaster.
The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand Assembly Executive Secretary has been in touch with the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan, and NZ government in support of the SICA action.
Healing Ministry Video
The Church of North India introduces its Healing Ministry in a well produced Video.
This 25 minute presentation is available on free loan from The Global Mission Office.