Advent greetings,
This is our last log!

The national general elections are brewing. “VOTE” posters are up all around town and plastered on just about every taxi in sight. Lately there have been visits to college from local candidates campaigning for votes.
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We have just arrived back in New Zealand, after another four months spent at St Andrew's High School in Tonga. It has again been a hugely rewarding, positive and productive time for us, with many blessings along the way. We feel so thankful for the opportunity to be at the school again, and for all the support we have received. more»

We all love a story. Jesus was the greatest of story tellers. That's why its good for Mission Motivators to have a regular spot in the service (say on the first Sunday of every month) to tell a story related to overseas mission and Anglican Missions. I have just read a report from Malcolm Pease of Taranaki who has just returned from Fiji where he was working with one of the villages (Vucivuci) as part of the Water for All project for 2014... more»

Lately it has been my practise in the middle of my sermon to pick out from the congregation, without warning, characters to act out the well known parable of “The Good Samaritan.” Up until Sunday I had never experienced anything untoward... but last Sunday this all changed when Rev Bob (ex Dean of Dunedin Cathedral) played a trick on me. more»

Connecting with a project is a great way to focus your giving to missions. At Anglican Missions, all the grants we give to our Partners are divided into projects. Projects can range from a water tank for a Church Community in Fiji, to a Mission Partner in Tanzania. 1. Read about the projects for 2014. The projects section on our website breaks down our grants for 2014 into the partners we are supporting, then the projects for those partners. Have a read through... more»

Each Diocese sets a Diocesan Missions Target at their Synod for how much they would like to donate to Missions in the coming year. Is that all that needs to happen to achieve money for missions and supporting those in need overseas? Not at all. And everyone can do something to help!
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The Boy Band from the Parish of Havelock set the mood for the Mission Festival GO Fest in the Nelson Diocese last Saturday. With exuberant playing, matched by great singing, the opening songs of 'Amazing Grace' and 'By the Rivers of Babylon' got us off to a great start. Following this were stories of mission. Archbishop Philip shared his experiences in India as a young ordinand... more»

The most important thing you can do as a supporter of missions is to continue to be inspired. Here are a few easy ideas on how to boost your inspiration over the next few months. 1. Go to a Missions Festival. These are free/koha events that our Church Support Officer, Rev Mike Hawke, is organising with your local Diocesan Missions Group. Christchurch and Waikato & Taranaki Festivals were earlier this year.. more»

Just under 50 mission minded people from all over Waikato and Taranaki Dioceses descended on Te Kuiti to be greeted by our new Archbishop Philip on the 22nd of June 2013. He reminded us of his formative experience as a student at St John's College when he spent a period of time in India. I followed this up with the biblical imperative regarding overseas mission... more»

There are all sorts of ways to support overseas missions and Anglican Missions (AMB). While in Nelson; I met a friend of AMB, the Rev Trevor Squires (photo). As well as being an Anglican Priest, Trevor is an amateur antiques expert and dabbles in a bit of buying and selling. He has a particular interest in "Eucharistic" icons; chalice,pattens, cloth etc... more»

When I was in the Marlborough district last month, I was fascinated to see how the Seddon Parish raises funds for Missions while providing a civic service at the same time. They collect Rubbish for more»

280 voices singing “How can we sing the lord's song in a strange land” opened the first missions festival held at St Christopher's Avonhead church in Christchurch on the 25th of May 2013. Bishop Justin Duckworth from Wellington wowed the crowd with his stories, humour, and challenges regarding the importance of partnerships in overseas mission. A drama followed with people doubling up in laughter... more»

Probably the best way we know for a Parish or Church group to get connected with overseas mission and to get excited about Jesus call to “GO” - is to just do it! To GO with a Mission Team - on a well organised “Short Term Mission” with an overseas partner. Here are 5 reasons why your Parish or Youth group should think about organising a Mission Team visit to one of our Partners... more»

A few months ago I spent the weekend on AMB ministry in the Parish of Opotiki. Later in the day, I decided to get some exercise so went for a run along the beautiful beach nearby. Searching for a shortcut on the way home, I ran along the stop bank but the track suddenly disappeared. more»

Guitar strings are hard to come by in Papua New Guinea; it's often easier to buy a new guitar! I had taken 5 sets of strings with me to give away and they were quickly taken. I held on to my last set in case I needed them later in the week for my final presentation in the neighbouring Diocese of Port Moresby. A man approached me while I was there. “Father, can I have a private word with you?” more»

If you are a lone Missions voice in your Parish and feel like the Missions effort is floundering try establishing a Global Missions Team for your Parish. There are many advantages to having a GMT, not the least of which is the possibility of sharing the workload. Here are 7 more advantages. 1. A GMT can pray together for the Global Mission of the Church at all levels, whether local, provincial or across the communion... more»