WINTER 2016/17 | ISSUE 76 www.mmuk.net MELANESIA NEWS THE CLIMATE ISSUE The reality of living with climate change, unpredictable weather patterns and rising sea levels (see page 4) ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE: MMUK’s new Chair of Trustees, Rt Revd Mark Rylands Sr Veronica CSC following in the footsteps of Patteson Visits to the region WE WENT ICE SKATING CARE OF IN NORTH WALES CREATION? Brothers John and Nelson from the Melanesian Now serving in Lichfield Diocese, as the Bishop As part of my visit to the Solomon Islands this year, I was Brotherhood, were visiting Chester Diocese of Shrewsbury, it is wonderful to learn of Bishop asked by Trustees to report on the impact of climate change. in the summer of 1992. They came to stay Selwyn’s vision for taking the Gospel to the Is it really happening, and if so how are the Anglican Church with our family in the four parishes outside islands of the Pacific. His influence in calling of Melanesia, local parishes and communities reacting to it? Nantwich where I served as Vicar. John Patteson as an apostle for Melanesia was inspirational; and Patteson’s desire and On the first evening we took the youth group ability to train and commission home grown, ice skating in Queensferry. Seeing ice for the indigenous priests and evangelists was a first time, Nelson and John did not hold back: pioneering movement well ahead of its time. they put on skates and had a go. The young people were impressed and loved helping them to keep their balance on this unfamiliar terrain. They enjoyed their company, began talking with them and then listened as John and Nelson shared their faith in a natural and gentle way. It was a great evening for the young people from these rural villages, and my first insight into the compelling witness and ministry of the Anglican Church of Melanesia. Bishop Mark attended the installation of the new Archbishop of Melanesia, the Most Revd George When working with the Church of England in Takeli in April of this year. Devon, I came into contact with Melanesia What a huge privilege it is to be asked to serve again, because of the historic links going back as the Chair of Trustees for the Melanesian to Patteson. As Diocesan Missioner, I was Mission UK! I am both humbled and glad to heavily involved in organising the Melanesian be offered the opportunity to help strengthen Mission’s itinerary and programme in Exeter the Church of England’s partnership with Diocese in the summer of 2005. Leading our brothers and sisters in Melanesia. This assemblies in schools, visiting parishes, partnership is hugely treasured. As I take up this open air witness on the Cathedral Green new role, I would like to pay tribute to Bishop and presenting the Passion of Christ to large Nigel, particularly for his pastoral wisdom in audiences across the county, the Melanesian leadership. Please pray for me that I may know Church team had a profound impact. It was a God’s grace and be equipped for the task privilege to spend time with the brothers and ahead. Together, may we faithfully serve, in his sisters and see how their presence, worship Turn over to Mission, the One who is faithful to us. read more and witness inspired thousands of Devonians. +Mark Rylands, Chair of MMUK 2 Melanesia News Winter 2016/17 Melanesia News Winter 2016/17 3 Thanks to the previous films made Over the last 12 years the villagers abandoned Surely, we in the UK need to play our part Please let the charity know of any responses you by Alex Leger, who also came along their homes to King Tides and rising sea levels in taking responsibility for what is in fact a receive from your local MP on climate change in on this trip, we can evidence that climate and moved onto the mainland. worldwide problem. Do we need to make that the Pacific and the government’s environmental change is happening at a rapid pace in car journey, do we need to print that email, can policies. In the village of Fanalei we were told about the the region. In 2002 Alex filmed for the BBC we recycle that packaging? Small steps can add church being destroyed by a storm and the Children’s programme Blue Peter, the thriving up to make a difference. We can also ask our Jesus, who raised the dead to life centre of the settlement regularly flooding as community on the artificial island of Walande. MP’s and government how it will comply with the sea water levels rise. Help us to find ways to renew Back then the villagers were having to work the promises made at COP21 (also known as the what we have broken, damaged and destroyed: very hard to keep their village above sea-level. Erratic weather patterns are causing havoc. 2015 Paris Climate Conference). Schools have been forced to close before Where we have taken too much water, This is something we cannot ignore because it’s important exams are taken, as their water polluted the air, poured plastic into the sea, on the other side of the world. Yes, people adapt, tanks have run dry. Other communities have cut down the forests and soured fertile soils. yes some people can move, but why should they lost their crops due to excessive rain fall and Help all those who work to find solutions to give up their ancestral homes, and watch their flooding. In the most extreme situations, homes, churches and graveyards wash away? It damage and decay; give hope to those some people are leaving their islands for good, will take some communities decades to readjust who are today working for a greener future. as is the case for the people of Ontong Java. to life in new lands, and many cultural traditions Irresponsible logging and mining, and the Amen may be lost along the way. introduction of plastic packaging, are also harming the eco-system of the region. Films made during this recent visit to the Solomon Islands, including the plight of Prayer from Creationtide and Environment To see and hear first-hand accounts of lives On visiting the same village this year, an island Walande and Fanalei, can be watched on our Resources for worship and prayer changed forever is very moving. People are which once had over 200 properties, is now new website. Accompanying reflections and frightened when the storms come, and some Katie Drew reduced to only two houses on a tiny scrap of land. prayers for groups or individuals, can also be feel they are being punished. MMUK Executive Officer found on the website. The Fifth Mark of Mission says: “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and Br Francis SSF points to where his house once stood on the island of Walande sustain and renew the life of the earth.” As a holistic checklist to mission, the Five Marks In response to these changing times, the of Mission have been used around the world by Anglican Church of Melanesia is working with Christian parishes and Dioceses since the 1980’s. communities to see how best to support them. Originally four and then five marks in the 1990’s, Earlier this year the Anglican Church ran a Dave Bookless says: relocation workshop to help those who have lost, “… the fifth mark of mission is not an optional or will in the next few years lose, their homes. The extra, or simply a contemporary reaction to Church is looking at where these communities our current environmental crisis, but rather can be rehoused and also to help them to a genuine recovery of a biblically integrated maintain their distinctiveness and ways for future understanding of mission” generations. 4 Melanesia News Winter 2016/17 Melanesia News Winter 2016/17 5 CONTINUING SUPPORT FOR TEACHING HUMAN RIGHTS We are delighted to announce that the Foreign Many thanks to the Foreign and Commonwealth THE CSM COMMUNITY and Commonwealth Office through the British Office and donors in the UK for funding this High Commission in Honiara, has awarded a ground breaking project. Over the last two years St Martin in the Fields, pledged to provide the whole community at grant for two UK teachers to deliver Human London, has contributed to a water project for Verana’aso with lunches every day, ensuring that Future funding will be sought to continue to Rights Teacher Training to teachers at the the Community of the Sisters of Melanesia with the Sisters and Novices eat regularly. There are support these newly trained Human Rights Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACoM) schools. a working solar pump, two 10,000 litre water now 19 UK Associates in Chelmsford, Chester, Champions, and to deliver this training in tanks, and a new ablution block of three toilets Ely, Exeter, London and Winchester Dioceses. Christine Calderwood from Devon visited Vanuatu, within the religious orders and the and three showers at Verana’aso. The solar With the appointment of the new Head Sister the Solomon Islands in 2013 as the School Mothers’ Union. pump gives the community access to running Annie Alaha and Assistant Head Sister, Jessy Sai Champion for the Kings School, partnered water for drinking, cooking and the laundry, in September, and a new Household in Vanuatu, with the Norman Palmer School. Realising Lord Jesus, whilst the water tanks will ensure that rainwater we await what plans the Community has going that Human Rights was not taught in schools, is collected and stored for the dry season.