Global Mission Office

Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

Global Mission Secretary: Rev Andrew Bell

The Global Mission Office,
St David's Church Centre,
70 Khyber Pass Rd,
Auckland

Phone: 09 306-6445;
Fax: 09 306 6440
Mobile: 025 272 3131

globalmission(at)presbyterian.org.nz

It is impossible to write at this time of year without mentioning Christmas. I object to the commercialism that plagues Christmas and so I decided to boycott all stores that started advertising Christmas stock in November. You can imagine my dismay when the local dairy owner put up his decorations on November 30th ruling out my last option.

Recently I wrote in our Youth magazine Fuel that despite our festivities, for the majority of the people in our world, the 25th December is just like any other day. Firstly they probably have never heard of Jesus. At present, Wycliffe Bible Translators have 1500 translations in progress destined for 70 different countries leaving 380 million people and 3000 language groups without a single gospel in their vernacular. Secondly they may not follow our calendar year and possibly could not read a calendar even if they did. But more importantly, even if they knew it was Christmas, they would still have to fetch water, care for their crops and move the livestock to better pasture. When we lived in Zululand, where the majority were Christians and had calendars, I was amazed to find that unless Christmas fell on a Sunday, Zulus didn't really celebrate Christmas that much. For them, to celebrate like we do seemed quite odd. Chocolate eggs for Easter were considered hopelessly inadequate as well. They went to church for 3 days and 3 nights! Maybe we need to add some creative options to our Christmas celebration? It is certainly not too late for individuals or Parishes to make a contribution to the Christian World Service Christmas Appeal.

But as we reflect on our world this Christmas let us as Presbyterians make a commitment to pray for peace. May our world know the liberating presence of the Prince of Peace this Christmas and in the future. Make a commitment to work for peace at home and abroad for blessed are the peacemakers.

News Update

The good news is that Stuart, Lala and Aina Simpson have arrived safely from Madagascar. Difficulties with obtaining travel documents for Aina resulted in a three month delay but it was good to meet them briefly at Auckland Airport. Stuart hopes to start preparing for the ordained ministry by studying at the Bible College of New Zealand in Christchurch in 2003. The Simpson's are also very keen to 'tell their story'. Churches in Christchurch will have it easy but please contact this office if you would like them to travel further afield.
Kathryn McDaniel has not been at all well of late. She underwent surgery for cancer and has recently received chemotherapy and is now on radiation therapy. She certainly deserves our prayers and letters of concern. If you do not know Kathryn's contact details, send the letter to me and I will forward it for you. Naturally she is concerned about her prison ministry in Thailand, but she needs and deserves a rest.

Exchanges Abroad

At least two exchange programmes are being offered during 2003/04. They are both of such value that I will probably have to offer them on a 'first come - first served' basis.

The first is a Youth Exchange Programme with our Council for World Mission partner Church in Taiwan. This will involve sending a Youth delegation to Taiwan for 10 days during the school holidays in July 2003 and then receiving a delegation from Taiwan in late January/ early February 2004. Hopefully we can assist with travel costs to Taiwan but ideally the cost of the local arrangements need to borne by the host congregation/s. Thus the costs of travel within Taiwan will be largely borne by the Taiwanese. The idea is that we will give them a real 'kiwi experience' in exchange for a 'real Taiwanese' one. This is an ideal programme for a group of Parishes or a Presbytery to adopt. But possibly a Parish would like to 'go it alone'. Mission exposure like this will certainly change the lives of your young people. Open for negotiation on this one.

The second is a visit to South Africa. Another CWM partner, the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa has invited a delegation to visit their Assembly as well as Parishes and projects during September 2003, with the view to establishing ongoing relationships of mutual concern and support. They in turn will visit our Assembly in 2004. Now I happen to know a bit about South Africa and I'm sure we could arrange the odd 'side safari' to add to the amazing experience of mixing and living amongst some of the inhabitants of the 'rainbow nation'. Which Presbytery will be first? Expressions of interest from Parishes and individuals will be gratefully received as well.

Calling all Interim Moderators

I regularly meet Interim Moderators despairing over the shortage of ministers. Well Global Mission to the rescue! Rev Elizabeth Chirwa from our partner church, The United Church of Zambia has been selected for the CWM Clergy Exchange programme and she has chosen New Zealand as her country of preference. Elizabeth is currently the senior minister of a large suburban Church in Lusaka and is also a highly qualified nurse and midwife having presented papers at international nursing conferences in the past. Elizabeth is seeking an urban ministry opportunity and naturally if there is a hospital with the Parish bounds, Elizabeth will be quite at home ministering there too. Standard conditions of call for an initial period of two years applies. Is that my phone ringing already? Of course this can be a Clergy Exchange opportunity if a New Zealand Presbyterian would like to go to Zambia for a two year period. All travel costs will be covered for the successful candidate.

Talking of Zambia, we have been asked to provide one volunteer per year for three consecutive years living and working in a street children's shelter in Lusaka run by Hosanna Ministries. All travel expenses are covered but you will live with the people and earn a Zambian wage. We would probably throw in a respite trip to South Africa half way through too. Not for the faint hearted but what a Big OE that would be.

Space in Bush Telegraph is always a problem for me. It is impossible to list all of the programmes and Mission opportunities coming on line simultaneously at present. However I will gladly send out a list of opportunities or explore your ideas with you. I am but a phone call away.

And from our 'silly season" file

5 good reasons why Santa would have to be female:

Men don't even think about selecting gifts until Christmas Eve

He would inevitably get lost up there in the snow and clouds and then refuse to stop and ask for directions.

He would want to do a safety check on every chimney.

Men can't pack a bag.

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And finally - men don't answer their mail.

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