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Global Mission Office

Did you receive the latest Global Mission Gazette?

It featured our work in Africa, the Kidz Gazette and a Christmas Card highlighting Israel Palestine.

If you didn’t, then you are NOT on our mailing list!!

 

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Send an email with your postal address to globalmissiongazette(at)xtra.co.nz

Contact the Global Mission Office by phone or post.

Read the Gazette online [.pdf]

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Global Missioners

News of Glenn Barclay’s work is starting to filter through although her full story cannot be told for security reasons. You can follow her progress online.

Glenn is using the name ‘Jetta’ because the people find Glenn too difficult to pronounce. You can read her first, very sobering report along with numerous others on the EAPPI website at
http://www.eappi.org/eappiweb.nsf/index.htm

Global Missioners leave for Vanuatu

On Thursday 04 December 2003 the Auckland Presbytery ordained Rev Roy Pearson to overseas service as the Global Missioner – Vanuatu. The Pearsons will relocate in January 2004. Roy will enable us to take the next significant step in our friendship with Vanuatu.

Rev Neal Whimp will return to Vanuatu and serve as a ‘Guest Lecturer’ at Talua in February/ March 2004 in the hopes of piloting a programme for the future.  We are very grateful that his son John, who was born in Vanuatu, volunteered to accompany Neal and will undertake mechanical repairs at Talua and Navota.

Christmas Gift Ideas

Maybe your Parish would like to make a ‘one-off’ donation to Vanuatu this Christmas? For NZ$1600 you could be the giver of a new water pump for Onesua Presbyterian College or 4 new tyres for the Navota Quad bike. Give them a fresh start to the New Year.

CWS Christmas Appeal

Please support CWS’s biggest fund raiser – their annual Christmas Appeal. Read about it on http://www.cws.org.nz/Resources/Christmas-Appeal.asp

Good news from the Solomons

Peoples First News Agency reports that the Australian/ New Zealand military assistance have vastly improved law and order with 400 people arrested and 3 700 weapons confiscated.  Please support CWS’s humanitarian effort.  Read about it on-line at 
http://www.cws.org.nz/Emergencies/Solomon-Islands-Appeal.asp

Bono challenges the Church

As lyricist for the world famous band U2, Bono has used the lyrics of their songs to carry Christian insights and challenges to the world. Quoted in The Chicago Sun-Times (link for full text) on World Aids Day (1st November) Bono stated that, "Christ's example is being demeaned by the church if they ignore the new leprosy, which is AIDS. The church is the sleeping giant here... if it doesn't (wake up), it will be irrelevant."

A Kiwi meets Nelson Mandela

Andrew Johnston is currently doing volunteer work and receiving AIDS training at a YWAM project called 'Beautiful Gate' in Cape Town. They were overwhelmed recently to receive a visit from Nelson Mandela. ‘Madiba' as he is affectionately known, applauded their efforts and particularly those of the volunteers. CWM would like their "Training of Trainers”programme which is achieving great results in southern Africa with the de-stigmatisation of HIV/AIDS to be offered in the Pacific. This is a great opportunity to get involved in a new mission adventure. Surely we have the skills and resources within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand to spear-head this initiative in the Pacific?

WCC Head Retires

Rev Dr Konrad Raiser, pastor, professor, theologian and member of the Evangelical Church of Germany, is concluding an 11-year term as General Secretary of the WCC. He echoes Bono when he writes in his Christmas message that "Peace on Earth” is not a mere wish but a commitment. Through the birth of Jesus, God’s peace has been given to us. The Gospel invites us to live and retell this message. The full text is at
http://www2.wcc-coe.org/pressreleasesen.nsf/index/pr-03-36.html

Most memorable moment

When asked about his most memorable moment in 11 years, Konrad cited meeting Nelson Mandela. He recalls how Mandela spoke with profound simplicity about his experience as a young African leader, the influence of the Christian faith and the churches commitment in the struggle against apartheid. Full text
http://www2.wcc-coe.org/pressreleasesen.nsf/index/feat-03-14.html

Peace on Earth

The Daily Mirror newspaper in London has taken to printing what they call the WDM-O-METER which stands for 'Weapons of Mistaken Identity'. Full lists of the horrific statistics of the losses suffered on all sides can be found on their website
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/page.cfm?objectid=13631334&method=full&siteid=50143
Let us not only pray for “peace on earth" this Christmas, but work for peace at home and abroad.

News from around the World

If you enjoy reading the daily newspaper, how does reading the front pages of 277 newspapers from 40 countries appeal? For a snapshot view of what Editors around the world prioritize each day see.
http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/.

To search by continent and country go to
http://www.kidon.com/media-link/index.shtml .

And from our 'Solutions to holiday boredom' files Did you know? If you count the number of times a cricket chirps in one minute, divide by 2, add 9 and divide by 2 again, you will have the correct temperature in degrees Celsius.  You will never know if it works, unless you give it a try.  Much like mission really.http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/page.cfm?objectid=13631334&method=full&siteid=50143