MM Newsletter Sep 15.Indd
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melanesia news Learning Together ACoM Teachers Visit UK Prayer, People, Giving Issue 74, Autumn 2015 Where is your faith? Second, the Church exists to make new disciples of Jesus Christ. Everything else is decoration. Some of it may be very necessary, useful, or wonderful decoration – but it’s decoration.” He put it as starkly as that because it is the following of Christ that leads us to know that this remains God’s world even in disaster, and that God loves this world. It is that which leads to the self sacrificial love that should characterise the Christian life and lead us to respond to all those in need. That response is the result of the faith ignited in us by the Holy Spirit, if you like the “wonderful decoration”. Our particular call is to respond in love to Aid being distributed on Anuta our sisters and brothers in Solomon Islands and As I write this introduction to the MMUK Vanuatu, and in particular in times of stress. I am magazine, news of yet more extreme weather constantly inspired by the faith and courage of conditions across the pacific are coming in. El Christians in the Church in Melanesia, and hope Nino weather patterns, Cyclone Pam and Cyclone that we can respond as well as we can. Raquel are all taking their toll. Please be constant in prayer for all in the Anglican The gospels tell us of a time when the force of Church of Melanesia, and those who will hold nature terrified the disciples of Jesus. The storm responsibility in the aftermath of these crises. Let on the lake that arose when Jesus was sleeping others know of the need and encourage them to led to his disciples crying out “Master, we are respond. Thank you to all who will already have perishing!” St Luke goes on to tell us: “Jesus woke given generously, and given generously to other and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they causes. ceased and there was a calm.” +Nigel Stock So often we pray for relief from the extremes of weather, for those who suffer in our world. What Jesus says to his disciples is telling; “Where is your faith?” That of course seems hard to us, but the Son of God tells us that this is God’s world, it is His creation, and even in the mystery and suffering of natural disaster God is still the creator God, more than that, through Jesus, God tells us He is with us. In a recent lecture on Evangelism, the Archbishop of Canterbury said; “I want to start by saying just two simple sentences about the Church. First, the Church exists to worship God in Jesus Christ. Destruction after Cyclone Pam Melanesia News - Autumn 2015 2 Cyclone Appeal In March 2015 Cyclone Pam devastated the Islands of Vanuatu and other pacific countries, in what was called one of the strongest tropical storms in recent years. Schools, parishes and individuals across the UK responded most generously to the call for prayer support and donations following the disaster. When the news broke about the storm, many supporters asked MMUK how they could help. In response the charity launched a special appeal for prayer support and financial assistance. The response was immediate and touching. Churches organised collections and schools ran fundraising cake stalls and ACoM staff observing the distribution of non-uniform days. Pupils also wrote prayers, which supplies on Merelava Island the charity was able to deliver in person to the disaster relief supplies bound for Temotu from Bishop of Vanuatu, Bishop James Ligo. The Bishop 15th to 22nd April 2015 and later on to Vanuatu was incredibly moved, and made copies of the in May. prayer booklets for all his schools. In Temotu, the ship was sent out with 4 tonnes of Rice, 200 CTNS of noodles, and 100 CTNS of Taiyo, 100 tents and cartons of mixed goods containing clothes, kitchen utensils, and local building materials. The priests, chiefs and elders in the visited islands and communities acknowledge the team for visiting them in times of difficulties. “We were blessed by your surprise visit because communication is not on our side; however, your presence here today truly encourages us,” one prominent elder in the island of Anuta said. Trustee Andrew Cartwright presents Bishop James with a The remainder of the MMUK appeal money book of prayers from UK school children will be used to prepare for future extreme weather conditions, building shelters and When the appeal closed it had raised over secure areas for storing food. £35,000. Some of these donations went to buy shelters and food for people whose gardens The Anglican Church of Melanesia would like (growing areas) had been washed away in the to thank its mission partners, aid donors, more remote areas not reached by the big aid families individuals and school children agencies. who have given support in one way or other to the people of Temotu ACoM loaded its flagship MV Southern Cross with and Vanuatu. Melanesia News - Autumn 2015 3 Archbishop David Reflects are fully aware about the existence of the partnership. However, Lara and Erin Drew spent three months here with their parents in 2011. And Henry and Charlie Butler spent some time with their parents here in 2013. As children and young people have been part of this partnership, it suggests that the link between MMUK and Melanesia will grow from strength to strength in the years to come. On my retirement, I would like to take Archbishop David Vunagi returns the Pastoral Staff this opportunity to thank Bishop Nigel During the last few years we have seen the Stock the Chairman, and all Trustees of strengthening of partnership between MMUK and MMUK. It is from your love and care for Melanesia the Anglican Church of Melanesia. The number that the partnership has been revitalised. of people visiting from MMUK each year is an It is difficult to name everybody, so I wish to thank indication that the partnership has truly come all our friends and supporters of Melanesia in the alive. Dioceses of Exeter, Chester and elsewhere in the People from UK are once again showing interest UK. We are greatly indebted by your goodness and in Melanesia. They come to visit dioceses, we can only say thank you very much. parishes, and religious communities, they share in ++ David Vunagi fellowship and happily engage in the daily lives of the people. Their time in Melanesia has given them first hand The Province of the Anglican Church of Melanesia experience about the simple way of life and made a farewell liturgical service marking the the challenges we grapple with in the mission official retirement of the Archbishop of the and ministry of the church here. And it is very Anglican Church of Melanesia, the Most Reverend humbling to see how they are not concerned David Vunagi on Sunday 6th September 2015. by the absence of comfort, but easily adapt to the climate, food and the Melanesian way of The day’s programme gave thanks to God for the life. For that we say thank you to our friends and services offered to ACoM and to this province by supporters. Archbishop David over the last thirty eight years, as a teacher and lecturer in Church institutes and The link between UK schools and ACoM Schools as priest, Bishop and Archbishop. is another partnership that we are excited about. A highlight of the partnership has been The Most Reverend David Vunagi took up the the exchange of teachers. In August 2014 three Pimatial role in the Anglican Church of Melanesia teachers from Devon – Ruth Clarke, Ruth Ingrouille in 2009, succeeding the late Emeritus Sir Ellison and Amanda Parsons spent two weeks in Honiara Pogo. Before this Archbishop David served as the training teachers, and this summer you have Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Temotu for nine hosted four Melanesian teachers in Chester and years Exeter dioceses. Since last year, Archbishop David and his wife No exchange of students has taken Mary Vunagi have made farewell visits to the place so far between the respective dioceses, parishes, church institutions and schools, but I am sure the students religious communities. Melanesia News - Autumn 2015 4 In his farewell address, the retiring Archbishop The election of the next Archbishop will be on urged members of the church to support the next the 12th of February and his enthronement is Archbishop of Melanesia. He also thanked the scheduled for 17th April 2016. bishops, priests and lay members of the church for Aldrin Peloko - ACoM Communications Officer the support rendered to him during his leadership in the Anglican Church of Melanesia. Prayer The ACoM General Secretary, Dr. Abraham Hauriasi Almighty God, for whom the islands wait, and the Senior Bishop the Right Reverend Nathan we give thanks for the faithful stewardship and Tome also thanked the retiring Archbishop David ministry of Archbishop David Vunagi. for his leadership qualities and wisdom in carrying We pray for him and for Mary as he retires. ACoM through very difficult and challenging times. We pray for those who will elect his successor. Guide the bishops, clergy, laity and members of the The Moderator of the United Church in Solomon religious communities, that all may stay faithful to Islands also acknowledged the retiring Archbishop their calling to serve the people of Melanesia and for the relationship between ACoM and the UCSI. bear witness to your holy Name. Joining the remarkable service were the nine Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Bishops from the nine dioceses that make up the ACoM, the Moderator of the United church Amen in Solomon Islands, representatives from the Melanesian Trust Board New Zealand, other overseas guests and church members within the Dioceses of Central Melanesia.