melanesia news In Patteson’s footsteps f ro m D evo n to S o lo m o n s Thank you New boat takes to the water From Principal to Bishop Bishop Ben’s consecration Issue 68, Summer 2011 MM Newsletter April 11.indd 1 27/04/2011 08:49:43 Speaking out... In 2002 I was fortunate to treat. It is heartening to note that part of the be able to visit the Church AusAid Programme in Melanesia has been to of Melanesia on behalf of re-establish malaria prevention programmes and the Diocese of Chester this has had some notable success. But even where I was a Suffragan this would only seem to take the islands back to bishop. I happened to where they were about eleven or twelve years go at the time of the ago. annual commemorations It is still the case that malaria is the leading of the Second World War cause of morbidity in the Solomon Islands and landings on Guadalcanal indeed it remains a major killer worldwide. A by the US Marine Corp World Health Organisation report in recent years and Army. stated that 2.23% of deaths worldwide in every The fighting was horrific and costly for both sides year are attributable to malaria. and makes very grim reading. As someone who All of this makes me think again of the had lived and worked for five years in Papua New extraordinary founding episcopate of John Guinea and knew something of the climate, I Coleridge Patteson. I had a chance to read could not even begin to imagine what it was like some of the letters and diaries of Patteson and trying to live and survive under the conditions so often there is a reference to the fact that of war in the tropics. Significantly huge numbers he had to pause in his ministry because of ‘the of the troops on either side succumbed not to ague’. This was almost certainly malaria. In wounds, but to malaria. those days the provenance of malaria was not In Papua New Guinea we, as a family, had the known, indeed it was probably still thought to benefits of the latest malarial prophylactics and be due to ‘bad air’ which of course is what a medical support. We lived in comparative comfort literal translation of “malaria” means. In his ten in the town and from there went out from time to year episcopate without proper medication and time into the remote areas. In those conditions I probably without thinking of the need to be was able to enjoy and appreciate the wonderful protected from mosquitoes, Patteson must have background of the Pacific Islands. suffered from the disease constantly. It is of course a very different story when you I managed to catch the disease once, and have to face these conditions with little or no anyone who has ever had malaria knows that it medical support and without shelter and the is not easily forgotten. It can only leave me even means to protect yourself from the ravages of more admiring of Patteson’s resilient episcopate malarial mosquitoes. As all of those who have and all that he was able to achieve in faith. lived and worked in Melanesia are aware, the That sacrificial ministry is of course the reason threat of malaria is still present. his standing in the Solomons continues to be In Solomon Islands from 1992 to 1999 there so high. His name is used to commemorate was a very successful attempt to reduce the important institutions and the people of Nukapu instances of malaria. However during the time of where he was killed still remain anxious to have ethnic tension there was a steep rise in several a form of reconciliation for his death. provinces. It emphasised the vigilance that is All of this serves to continue to emphasise needed in controlling the breeding conditions for the importance of our link with the Church of mosquitoes, in the provision of mosquito nets Melanesia. One of our strategic aims as MMUK and medication if the disease is to be in any is that of advocacy. It is important to speak up way controlled. Malaria and its ability to for those parts of the world which still suffer adapt and transform is a particularly from endemic disease that can dominate the difficult disease to prevent and lives of so many. You cannot read the New 2 Melanesia News - Summer 2011 MM Newsletter April 11.indd 2 27/04/2011 08:49:46 Testament without learning of Jesus’ healing to serve the whole community is also part of of those afflicted by ill health. In His time and the Christian calling. The church by keeping its society, ill health was associated with sin and worldwide links is able to speak up for those punishment and He released people both from parts of the world which continue to need the that sense of guilt but undoubtedly also from medical research and care that begins to tackle the physical afflictions brought about by illness. endemic disease. Most medical research takes The Church has also been associated with place in countries which can afford it and which healthcare and the desire to lead people to address the needs of the wealthier countries. wholeness of life. That has been particularly true The constant need to keep alert to preventable in its ministry in the Pacific Islands. I was always disease in the rest of the world is part of the moved in PNG to see what an extraordinary advocacy that can take place through the difference a Medical Aid Post could make to Christian church. the lives of a huge number of people. An Aid Our connection with Solomon Islands and Post was very limited in its medical provision Vanuatu gives us a particular role in speaking in that it amounted to an Aid Post Orderly who up for their needs. Supporting the Church of had some midwifery skills, some antibiotics and Melanesia helps the transforming love of Christ some anti-malarials. But these basic skills could to continue to touch the lives of people both transform what was happening in an area. spiritually and physically. Your support, your How the church calls people to Christ will of advocacy, your concern continues to be of the course always remain the primary mission. But greatest importance for the mission of God. +Nigel Stock Festival Day returns to Lichfield The Melanesian Mission AGM and Festival day returns to Lichfield Cathedral on 17th September 2011 - seven years since we last held the event there. The Festival will start at 10.30 and should run through to about 16.30. The formal business for the Mission will take place during the short AGM, followed by a festival Eucharist. During the afternoon there will be time to hear from the Drew family who will have just returned from their adventure in the Solomons. Trustees will update members on the Mission’s strategic planning process and more information should be available about the Church of Melanesia University project. A number of the current Trustees will be standing down at the AGM so elections will need to be held. It is only members that are allowed to vote, so if you would like to vote and are not registered as a member of the Melanesian Mission then please get in touch with me before the meeting. Any nominations for new Trustees must be submitted in writing to me before 6th June to allow time for a skills audit of candidates to take place. Please bring a packed lunch - drinks will be provided. If you require any further details or directions then please contact me on 01284 701 988. Thanks. Dave Friswell Melanesia News - Summer 2011 3 MM Newsletter April 11.indd 3 27/04/2011 08:49:51 In Patteson’s footsteps - from Feniton to Solomons Plans are beginning to gather pace for our Drew started to think about travelling and volunteering, family trip to Melanesia this summer. our church’s and Feniton’s connections with Melanesia made it the obvious choice. With only a few weeks to go before our trip to Melanesia, plans seem to be falling into I am really not sure what to expect from this trip. place. Flights booked, injections administered, We have been talking about it for so long now, online blog now live, piles of reading material sorting out the nitty gritty aspects of it, liaising accumulated and two very excited children with the girls’ school and our employers, and now literally counting the days before we go. that we are nearly off it’s hard to believe. Ian has had a steady exchange of emails with With hectic lives, I have had little time to think Julian in the Anglican IT about what it will be department in Honiara, like out there. I am and I am very much certain of a couple of looking forward to things, the welcome we finding out what I will be will receive, and that doing with the Mothers’ this trip will change Union. Lara and Erin our lives forever. And have watched the video this is the over-riding made by Dave Friswell message we have on the Norman Palmer received from the many School, and were very people who have given taken by the singing us advice about our (especially with the trip. Thanks to Dave, songs they recognised Simon our vicar, Jo from singing in their own Holloway, Archbishop school). The highlight of David, Bishop James this trip for the girls is and Br Sam for all attending the Norman Ian, Lara, Erin and Katie Drew in the newly refurbished their guidance.