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Global Mission Office

It would be true to say that the General Assembly dominated my month of September. Preparing the short presentation, display table and a hand-out were all very useful exercises as it forced me to do some real thinking about what, where and how the Global Mission Office should 'be'. It is one thing to recognise that Global Mission needs to be an essential ingredient of a lively future for our Church as a whole, but how does one make that a reality?

GlobalTrek - "Going where no Presbyterian has gone before"

We decided that one of the first things we need to do is to get a bunch of good Presbyterians together to have an opportunity to listen, discuss and plan based on the latest insights and priorities for mission in the 21st century. So the Global Mission Office (that's me) has made two bookings at two great venues. Is there a date when all Presbyterians are free? No! Did I use any logic at all when selecting these dates? Plenty! The venues have been specifically chosen for their spectacular locations and comfortable accommodation.

Hopefully two groups will meet simultaneously with the one being specifically targeted at students with provision being made for children as well. The dates are as follows: in the south at Living Springs Conference Centre in Christchurch from the 9-11 May 2003. In the north at Vaughan Park, Long Bay, Auckland from the 16-18May 2003.

Whilst it is probable that the same keynote speaker/s would lead both Forums, it is vital that locals are involved as well. People from the region who can add that unique 'flavour' and be the catalyst that ignites mission action from the flax roots. Numbers will be limited, so please diarise these dates now. If you do so now and make it a non-negotiable commitment, you will be free that weekend! Further details will follow as soon as possible.

Think missiologically

But we can start thinking missiologically right now about what it means to be Christian residents of an ever shrinking 'global village'? It is not difficult to find out what is happening anywhere in the world so "I didn't know' is no longer a valid excuse. What role can we have in providing solutions to what are often huge, complex issues? To put it in Churchy language: Who is Christ calling us to be in a world of pain and turmoil? Well a friend told me the other day that the way to eat an elephant is one teaspoon full at a time. Make a start somewhere.

One of the first aspects that I am trying to get my head around is the whole issue of a valid response to Climate Change. Phew! But I met a Presbyterian the other day by the name of Malcolm Woods. Malcolm is in the business of developing technology that will provide renewable energy to impoverished communities and to assist them to use the energy to better their communities. Now that sounds relevant to me!

The Assembly endorsed the view that we have a responsibility and resources are on the Church website to assist Parishes with what can be a contentious issue. We are writing to the Prime Minister supporting New Zealand's ratification of the Kyoto protocol on climate change. That must be at least a teaspoon full but what else can we do about this mammoth issue?

Getting about

I have now established the Global Mission Office at the St David's Church Centre, 70 Khyber Pass Road, Auckland (come for coffee if you are nearby). But I really need to start getting about. It has been good to get to visit a few Parishes so far and I hope to get to some Presbyteries soon. I am willing to visit and to assist you to discover the excitement of Global Mission through preaching at a service and/or a few workshops. What is your life in mission?

This would hopefully result in every Parish being able to identify with and enter into partnership with a congregation or mission oriented project abroad.

Supporting Missionaries

The Assembly unanimously supported a recommendation that kiwi Presbyterians who are serving abroad be more intentionally supported by our Church. I have already had conversations with members of the APW about enhancing the Mission Associate Scheme and hope to include members of the Evangelical Presbyterian Missionary Fellowship in this discussion to ensure that we do support 'our own'. I have been asked to keep on sending out the newsletter with information on individual missionaries and will do so in due course as information is forthcoming.

Supporting partners in mission

A letter from Rev Kitiona Tausi, the General Secretary of the Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu outlines that secondary education is their mission thrust for 2002/3. They are inviting applications from secondary trained teachers for two positions which will last one year. The teachers would be required to prepare students for the Cambridge curriculum examinations. They are also asking for assistance with acquiring school equipment such as computers, printers, a photocopier, desks and chairs. This is something to which every Parish can respond as we all have schools in our area that may have equipment they no longer use. Possibly a computer or two from a business that has recently upgraded? Who knows, you may have a teacher looking for a fresh challenge too. For further details, contact the Global Mission Office.

That time already!

Talking of support, Christian World Service, our 'official' development agency is already sending out their Christmas Appeal materials. This is one of their biggest fund-raising drives and a very good way to be involved in Global Mission. Please give it a good rev. Don't forget their special appeal to help with the famine crisis in Southern Africa. The latest figures suggest that in Malawi alone, 2.1 million people are at risk of starvation.

Kidz Kit

In short: it is in the development phase. I hope it have it completed before year end.

And from our "Did you know?" files

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The phrase, "goodnight, sleep tight" is from Shakespearian times, when mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes which, when pulled, made the bed firmer. Thus the suggestion that the phrase was originally a traditional farewell to treasurers is quite wrong.

The cruise liner, Queen Elizabeth II, moves only six inches for each gallon of diesel that it burns. Possibly a helpful image to use when describing the Church?

On average, 100 people choke to death on ball-point pens every year. It is not known why they were eating them.

Only one person in two billion will live to be 116 or older. Fancy your chances?

It takes 3,000 cows to supply the NFL with enough leather for a year's supply of footballs. Hence there can be a shortage of milk during football season.

In 10 minutes, a hurricane releases more energy than all the world's nuclear weapons combined. Who says climate change is not worth worrying about?

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