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Global Mission Office

It didn't take long upon arrival at Onesua Presbyterian College on Efate Island, Vanuatu for me to realize that I was in the company of greatness.  A lot has been written in modern Missiology about the 'paternalism' and 'ecclesiastical colonialism' that plagued so much mission in the past.  But when you see missionaries like Rev Bill and Mary Francis (2nd Principal) and Rev Neal Whimp (District Pastor - Central Islands Presbytery) welcomed back in the way they were, you soon realize that many times, we have got it right as well.

Golden Jubilee

Attending the 55th Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu was significant not only because it incorporated the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Onesua - a College with such a rich kiwi heritage - but because it became clear that New Zealand Presbyterians continue to be warmly welcomed as friends.  A number of our members who had served at Onesua returned for the celebrations as well and it was wonderful to see the joy of the reunion etched upon their faces.

Project Officer

The Assembly unanimously endorsed the new programmes we were offering, including  the appointment of Rev Roy Pearson as the Project Officer of the PCV for 2004/05.  The dedicated Trust Fund would welcome your donations towards this significant programme.

Bush Missioners

Right Rev Michael Thawley was pleased to hand our gift of NZ$15 000 to his counterpart  to support the Bush Missioner programme.  A number of parishes have already committed their support but there is still room for a few more.  Detailed information on the programme is available from the GMO.

Guest Lectureship

Rev Neal Whimp will pilot a 'Guest Lectureship'  programme at Talua Ministry Training Centre in February 2004.  We hope to send up to six guest lecturers per year for up to a month at a time, to assist with teaching and tutoring.

Navota Farm Truck Appeal

The Navota Farm Committee agreed that we should wind up the 'Truck Appeal' that Rev Russell Rofe has been spearheading from Timaru at the end of 2003.  All of the funds will then be transferred to the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu and they will make up the shortfall primarily through the sale of livestock from the farm.  If you have promised to make a contribution, or would like to, please make contact with either Russell or me.

First African General Secretary for the WCC

The Central Committee has elected the first African general secretary,  Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia from the Methodist Church in Kenya.  Samuel reaffirmed his commitment to the ecumenical vision: "I believe very strongly that working together and walking together will help us stay together

Iraq

Noting the problems of lawlessness, daily violence and poverty in Iraq, the WCC Central Committee also called for the United Nations to play a leading role in humanitarian relief and the reconstruction of the country.  It also called for the cancellation of "crippling" Iraqi debt, estimated at between $100 and $150bn.

"The church is at its best when it holds on in the marginal places."

I was struck by this statement which was made at the 2000 Trans-Tasman Rural Ministry Conference.  I came across this quote by way of the weekly prayer and news email sent out by Rev Dr Robyn McPhail who is currently serving as the International President.  Check out their excellent website at http://www.schoolofministry.ac.nz/RuralMinistry/ and email Robyn at chirmac(at)xtra.co.nz if you would like to receive the weekly mail out.

An appeal for the people of the Solomon Islands

CWS has just launched the above appeal and Parishes have received a letter giving further details to supplement what we see in the media.  There are people living in villages who need our assistance now.  CWS has combined their efforts with the Catholic Aid Agency, Caritas. As the United Church of the Solomon Islands is a significant partner for both us and the Methodist Church of New Zealand, this is an ideal appeal for Uniting Congregations to support.

HIV/ AIDS

I have no doubt that the delegation attending the Assembly of the Uniting Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa will be confronted by the HIV/ AIDS pandemic sweeping southern Africa.  Whilst some real progress has been made in East Africa, a country like Swaziland has a thirty eight percent infection rate.  Father Bonginkosi Malaza, of the Council of Swaziland Churches comments '"We still cannot agree on any strategy to reduce AIDS... except for promoting abstinence...and we don't really believe that will control it".

Rev. Dr. Augustine Musupole, President of the Malawi Council of Churches adds: "how can it be that we are burying parishioners who die of AIDS related illnesses every day, lots of them, we are even burying our own families, but we are still not getting to grips with the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS, theologically or practically?"

Numerous reports suggest that the Churches hold the key.  To that end Mrs Margaret Sutherland will be working for 6 weeks as a volunteer at a AIDS Hospice and teaching English at a Junior Primary School in Eshowe, Zululand, South Africa.  We hope that Margaret will be the first of many volunteers to this region to work amongst those afflicted with and affected by AIDS. Not only in South Africa, as we hope to have a volunteer serving at Messiah Ministries in Lusaka, Zambia in early 2004. Please advertise these opportunities in your congregations.

The Incredible Journey

CCANZ recently launched this board game as part of their response to the challenge of the WCC's Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV).  My kids (8 & 10 years) certainly enjoy playing it and it ideally suited for a supervised learning environment such as a Sunday School class. At $25.00 it is a very good resource available from CCANZ in Christchurch.

Videos on loan

The Global Mission Office also has small but growing collection of videos that are loaned to Parishes for free.  They include short documentary programmes as well as full length features. Give me a ring for the details.

And from our "best things to say if caught sleeping at work" files

A website asked visitors to log their best excuses. They included: "They told me at the blood bank this might happen" and "I wasn't sleeping! I was meditating on the mission statement and envisioning a new paradigm!". But the #1 suggestion was "...Amen"