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Gearing up for GA08
"Reformed and Reforming" will be the theme for General Assembly 2008,
says Moderator Designate the Rev Graham Redding. He says the theme centres on shared identity and direction. "It is about the core beliefs that informthe life and mission of the Presbyterian Church in an increasingly pluralistic world."
Emphasising these beliefs is especially important during a time of rapid change, Graham says. “It’s also about how we relate the reality of organisation change with theological convictions about the nature of the Church and the work of the Spirit.”
General Assembly 2008 will be held in Wellington at St Patrick’s College, Silverstream, from Thursday 2 October to Monday 6 October. Key issues under discussion are expected to include the consideration of a new Focal Identity Statement and a growth strategy for the Church.
Special international guests will be present from the Church of North India, which has significant historical links with the mission work of Kiwi Presbyterians, including at Jagadhri Hospital and St Thomas School.
The work of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand in North India started in 1909, when Dr W J Porteous began a hospital project. This shifted in 1911 to Jagadhri and he was soon joined by other missionaries, with the school opening in 1912. Graham says GA08 will mark the beginning of the centenary celebrations of Dr Porteous’ arrival in the Punjab.
The Indian connection will be strengthened by the gown that Graham will wear, which belonged to former missionary the Very Rev J L Grey, who like Graham was a minister of Somervell Church and also a former Moderator (1953), as well as having been Moderator of the Church of North India (1959).
Global Mission Enabler the Rev Andrew Bell says people started talking about the North India centenary in 2005, with “lots of energy” around the Church to hold significant celebrations. “It’s a massive story and it’s well worth telling.”
He says enthusiasts have started planning archival projects, including an historical publication, restoration of film and a photographic display, as well as a special fundraising effort for the work in Jagadhri. The plan is for these displays to move around the country, with regional celebrations in a number of centres. If you’d like to be involved, contact Andrew at the Global Mission Office for more information.
Andrew says the three representatives from the Church of North India who attend GA08 will spend an hour on the Sunday morning presenting their stories.
Plans are underway to arrange dinner for the special guests with the Governor General.
Andrew says he would also like to have the General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar attend. By the time of GA08, the Global Mission Office hopes to have raised $100,000 through the Moderator’s appeal for the country, which began at GA06.