THIS WORLD SHOULD BE A FAIR, EQUITABLE AND JUST PLACE FOR EVERYONE.

- IN THIS ISSUE -

General Synod 2024, Lenten appeal totals & For the Pew.

God wants to mobilise the church to heal this torn and broken world and make it a better and more equitable place. That call starts with each of us, wherever we are.

We can see that need in Aotearoa New Zealand right now. At the time of writing this, we're closing in on a new national Budget, which may have real and lasting impacts on those who are marginalised and vulnerable. There are a lot of people struggling right now and we're praying and urging for policy outcomes that help those who need it most.

We also see the need for help around the world. The political instability in New Caledonia. The devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea. The travesty of conflict in the Holy Land. The grinding war in the Ukraine. The growing famine in many African countries. 

None of this is fair. None of this is equitable. None of this is right.

Yet, in the midst of all this, we lean into the truth we believe: God loves everyone impacted by these events just as much as He loves and cares for you and me. I admit, sometimes I find it hard to comprehend! But we are asked to trust, believe and hope for something better; something that is fairer for everyone.

This is why we must do more than be passive observers. We must act! Our action is how we can contribute to making this world fairer, more equitable and more just. This means continuing to put others first with our finances, time, prayer and advocacy.

I mentioned at last weeks General Synod/Te Hīnota Whānui that Anglican Missions is unashamedly a Christian organisation. The Five Marks of Mission inform everything we do, and we are in the same waka as you.

The truth is, our strength as an organisation is directly tied to the strength of your support.

Our financial support from Diocese, Hui Amorangi and local parishes is decreasing and that has an impact on how much we can do. We understand that there are financial pressures facing people from all fronts - high costs of living, fixed incomes, competing priorities. 

But, compared to developing countries, Aotearoa New Zealand is blessed beyond measure. The church is one of many lights chasing away the shadow of evil and injustice. Through your agency, through your funds, through your Anglican Missions, we can take real action towards creating a more just world.

It's not just through your finances where you can take action. The news, however painful, needs to inform our prayers. Our corporate prayer is an equal, if not more powerful way to act. Pray the News is a great way to keep in touch with the biggest social, political and cultural issues facing our world.

We are unashamedly Christian in what we do and who we support, and it will always mean we choose fairness, equity and justice. I continue to be inspired by Proverbs 31:9, and I leave it with you as a challenge to act:

“Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice”.

Michael Hartfield

National Director

Highlights from General Synod 2024.

Breaking up Synod sessions with waiata and actions.

Last week, Anglican Missions was honoured to be in attendance at the General Synod/Te Hīnota Whānui in Hastings. Synod occured over a full and dynamic few days at the Toitoi convention centre in Hastings, covering the span of the church's work. It was great to see the decision making process and debate that guides the Anglican Church in action.

Highlights included a caucus to discuss gender equity issues, a wonderful wānanga featuring Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries, the various Tikanga welcoming Archbishop-Elect Justin Duckworth and much more!

Rev. Wendy Scott raised before Synod that Tikanga giving to Anglican Missions is decreasing, and that this is an issue the church must confront. This decrease aligns with a general trend of giving across the church decreasing as a whole.

Rev. Michael Hartfield urged Synod that Anglican Missions continues to represent a strong commitment to the 5 Marks of Mission, and that we act with and on behalf of the Anglican Church as an unashamedly Christian organisation. Anglican Missions is determined and committed to working with Diocese, Hui Amorangi and parishes to reengage giving to mission.

Please remember that we are your agency, working with and on behalf of you! Our top priority will be to reignite the passion for mission and ministry that helps those who need it the most. Thank you to all of you who continue to support the work of Anglican Missions.

Rev. Wendy Scott prays for Rev. Michael Hartfield at General Synod/Te Hīnota Whānui

Together, we raised over $25k for the Lenten Appeal. 

On behalf of the team at Anglican Missions, we want to express a gigantic thank you to those who promoted, prayed for and donated to this year's Lenten Appeal. The over $25,000 we've raised together will do incredible things in the two projects we're supporting this appeal:

• Through our partner in the Holy Land, The Diocese of Jerusalem, we're continuing to support the ongoing provision of food, supplies, psychosocial support and education to those most affected by the conflict in the region. This is also being done in partnership with the global Anglican Alliance, a real testament to the power of a united church mobilising together
  
  
• The Rwenzori Special Needs Foundation continues to provide pathways for children and their families to thrive socially and economically, despite the stigma associated with disability in Uganda. Funds from the Lenten Appeal will be used to support a food programme, providing nutritional education, support and supplies to children and families.

Thank you for your support! 

Introducing For the Pew.

Last year, we produced a series of videos about the Five Marks of Mission, including a series of study guides to help you in your small groups, sermons and learning environments. We've had great feedback from these videos, particularly from parishes who find high quality resources hard to come by (either lacking the skill, expertise or time to produce these themselves).

Which is why we'd like to help! We're introducing a monthly resource email called "For the Pew". Each month, we'll update a shared folder with all sorts of helpful bits and pieces to help your parish. This could be social media images for public holidays, preroll slides for your overhead projection, printable pew sheets for you to include in your church bulletins and much more!

We're still developing this, so we'd like to hear from you - if you're a parish or ministry leader and you have a specific need you'd like help with, send us an email with your ideas!