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MM Newsletter Nov 13 Updated.Indd melanesia news Simply Living Renewal of Spiritual Life Blackburn to Vanuatu Education Review Issue 71, Winter 2013 Renewal of religious life strengthened because Archbishop Justin has agreed to become President of MMUK for the next five years. Although we cannot expect the Archbishop to undertake any duties for us, we can most certainly be assured of his prayers and interest. The Archbishop has set a programme of visits to each of the Primates of the Anglican Communion which will be completed by the end of 2014, and that will of course include a visit to Archbishop David. That sense of refreshment that the Simply Living Mission brought was very evident at the annual meeting. There is always a sense of renewal and This edition of the magazine reflects the very excitement when a first-hand encounter with happy experience of the Simply Living Mission. Melanesians is a recent memory. It was perhaps The members of the Religious Orders of Melanesia all the more felt because we gathered at Ottery St who made up the team, spent time with people Mary with all the close connections with Bishop who were old friends of the Anglican Church of Patteson. It was so significant that once again we Melanesia, but also visited new places. could reflect that the Church he had established was now sending to this country, evangelists who My particular experience was of the visit to East could not only tell the story of salvation, but live Anglia. Those who stayed in the retreat house at out those values with devotion and simplicity. Ely and formed community with the Brothers and Sisters, found it to be a transforming experience. But none of that would have been possible I shall treasure the memory of just a small number without a lot of hard work and planning of the group filling the Cathedral in Bury Saint beforehand. I would like to record my gratitude to Edmunds with wonderful South sea harmonies. all those who contributed to the mission and to the organising of the AGM. Thank you in particular One of the significant new encounters came with to Katie Drew who worked so hard in the run up a visit to Lambeth Palace where the Archbishop to the mission, fitted in a visit to Melanesia, and of Canterbury was not just very interested, but then was the driving force behind the AGM. She deeply moved by the witness of the team. has achieved an enormous amount in the early The Archbishop has as one of his principal stages of her work as Executive Officer and I much aims the renewal of prayer and spiritual life in look forward to all that is to come. the country. He has commented several times In the meantime I have changed roles, and am that this rarely happens without the renewal now full time at Lambeth Palace in support of the of the religious life. He is particularly interested Archbishop of Canterbury. It is a place where the in the “new monasticism”, and the way that sense of the Anglican Communion is of course finds expression in today’s world. The concept very apparent. The Anglican Church of Melanesia of time limited vows, therefore is one that he contributes strongly to the richness of the has encountered elsewhere, but which finds Communion, and it is a privilege to continue to be a very effective expression in the Melanesian involved with MMUK in support of ACoM. Brotherhood and the Sisters of Melanesia. For these reasons his meeting with the Brothers +Nigel, Bishop at Lambeth, Chair of MMUK and Sisters was a very important link. I am also delighted to let you know that this link is now to be further Melanesia News - Winter 2013 2 Your memories A few of the many comments we have received sense of drawing together a community.” after the Simply Living Mission. “It’s very challenging to hear that they literally had “Before today I was not even sure where Melanesia no possessions of their own and that many times was. But after being with the Brothers and Sisters, they would go to bed without having had a good even for such a short amount of time, I feel a deep meal. It was humbling and inspiring being in their connection with them and I hope the start of a company”. wonderful relationship.” “I found the entire day spiritual, joyful, thought- “This mission has been quite different from others, provoking, humbling and a great learning less entertainment, but much more depth. Being, experience. The openness and simple honesty of sharing and learning together - a real gift!” the Brothers and Sisters gave me the opportunity to think about how unnecessarily complicated I “The retreat day was so special with the often make my own life and, I found their stories contribution of Rowan Williams. It was both moving and humbling.” exciting and deeply prayerful. There was a real What a year... It was a joy to engages with people young and old. When the complete my first year mission team visited Feniton Primary School the as Executive Officer children aged 5 to 11 years sat for over an hour in September with and a quarter listening to their stories and songs Ottery St Mary Parish from the Brothers and Sisters. In the playground Church hosting the afterwards the children were gathered around Companions’ Day, each member of the team like bees around a Festival and AGM. honeypot. In Plymouth one elderly participant Before becoming said: “I was so glad when they (the SL Team) said the Executive Officer, we could dance, as I am a compulsive dancer.” In I was the parish Ely one of the organisers of the mission said it was administrator at Ottery, and it is also the church the pinnacle of her year. So many encounters and where my family and I worship. Patteson would inspiring stories have come out of the mission. have been a frequent visitor to Ottery, where Some we will hear about, and others we won’t. Do his mother’s side of the family were from. The please share your pictures, memories and what church where he served his curacy in Alfington, you plan to do next. And that’s the big challenge, is just down the road between Ottery and his how do we continue our relationship with home village of Feniton. It is a marvellous story Melanesia post Simply Living. that nearly 160 years after Patteson left Feniton In the year ahead I am looking forward to getting to travel to the other side of the world, the to know more supporters and keeping you up Melanesian Mission is now based at my home in to date with the exciting projects the charity is that same village. involved with. To make sure I have your correct And what an exhilarating first year in post, contact details, please spare the time to complete with the Simply Living Mission offering me and return to me the pull out section of this the opportunity to go around the UK meeting magazine. many loyal and new supporters. The highlight Thank you all for your support and prayers in of the year for me has been watching people my first year. meet and encounter the Brothers and Sisters from Melanesia for the first time. As we know Katie Drew, Executive Officer Melanesian spirituality is all engulfing and 3 Living the Gospels speculative plans into a reality. In some cases this meant organising sleeping bags and showers in local homes and institutions. It always included delicious meals, organised and served in parish buildings, transportation, and shepherding the Missioners around different facilities, trying to keep us warm in the unbelievably cold English spring weather. We were entertained with great generosity—from fish and chips on the quay to dinner at Lambeth Br. Jack Alick MBH, Br. Albert MBH, Br. Nathaniel MBH, Sr. Joanne CSC, Br. Palace with Archbishop Justin Patrick SSF, Br. Oscar MBH, Revd. Richard Carter, Sr. Collin CSM, Sr. Vivian Marie Welby. CSC, Br. Hilton SSF, Br. Matthias MBH and Br. Clark Berge SSF In every case, living the Gospels Here’s a question from the Rev’d Richard Carter’s meant creating a sense of Bible Study on the Beatitudes which we used community. We did this with different groups during the mission: “What can a group of Brothers of people, rooted in prayer both formal and and Sisters from the Solomon Islands—a country spontaneous. The goal was to invite the English where many live without electricity or running to reflect on their lives, and to live simpler lives. water, with little formal education, and for whom A key element to creating a bond between the English is a third or fourth language—what two cultures was music. The Brothers and Sisters could they say to the people of England? What from Melanesia brought panpipes and played could they say to the people of the country who them beautifully. They never let the music become brought them Christianity over 150 years ago?” We a concert, but invited everyone to join with them decided it wasn’t a question of saying anything, with a compelling and infectious enthusiasm. One but rather of living; living the Gospels. For nearly of the most extraordinary liturgical celebrations 11 weeks the team of seven Brothers and three bridging cultures was Choral Evensong at Ely Sisters from the Anglican Church of Melanesia Cathedral when the team offered panpipe music led by me - Br. Clark Berge, the Minister General at the end of Evensong, and the Girls’ Choir as well of the Society of St.
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