"I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; I will guide you with my eye"
The Revd Elizabeth Hanna reports on an evening of celebration.
The Anglican parishes of Magherally, Banbridge, and St. Nicholas, Belfast, in Northern Ireland, UK, believe in collaboration in mission. This is especially the case when it comes to the local church and mission agencies, in their case the Faith2Share agency CMS Ireland, working together. In April 2011 Magherally Parish provided the venue for CMS Ireland to host its annual celebration event, IMPACT. CMS Ireland were delighted to be able to share the evening with so many friends and supporters.
On this occassion IMPACT had a special focus on CMS Ireland’s Mission Partners (old and new!). "It was wonderful", said a CMS Ireland spokesperson, "to reflect on all those who have served, and continue to serve through the Society in this way. Our Global Partners also reflected on the impact that these personal connections and relationships make on their lives and ministries."
Rev Elizabeth Hanna, Rector of St. Nicholas’ Parish in Belfast, led the act of re-commissioning for previous Mission Personnel, as well as staff, volunteers and all present at the event. Reflecting on the evening she wrote,
"Impact was superb! Not only was it organised to perfection it was also full of information and moved along at a good pace with changes in style and content to keep us engaged for the entire time. At one point there was a “Roll of Honour” of all the CMSI Mission Partners who’d served over the last thirty years. That was an amazing list.
"It was good too to meet so many Mission Partners and others who have worked for shorter or longer terms with partner churches. What an amazing number of people at Impact had experience of living in another culture and working alongside the church there.
"There were messages from many who couldn’t be at the meeting and greetings from Global Partners in many of the countries where CMSI works. Bishop Jeremiah Taama (right) of Kajiado Diocese, Kenya, recorded a video message … it was good to hear him again … such a wise and godly man!
"The paper chain on the photograph (top right) with Ronnie Briggs, CMS Ireland Mission Director, was made during the evening from individual pieces that each of us filled in. On the strip we’d written the name of someone who’d influenced us and the name of a person whom we’d like to influence. It was both a fun and a useful exercise as prayer was linked to prayer around the room.
"One of the Magherally parishioners had provided two wonderful cakes for the supper … after we’d feasted on wheaten bread and cheese, sausage rolls and pancakes! The cakes contributed to a sense of celebration.
"There was laughter and fun, there were memories and stories … and we came away with a renewed sense of engagement with CMS. Those Mission Partners who have returned home face many challenges as they try to adjust to life back in the UK … they have different roles here but we each continue to play our part in God’s plan for the church … the whole Christian church made up of men and women in every country. The church is mission … it isn’t an optional extra for the “keen”! CMS Ireland’s aim is “Equipping the church in mission” and Impact was a big step forward towards achieving that goal.
"In an act of recommissioning and prayer for Mission Partners, those involved in short term programmes, office and volunteer staff and all who are involved with mission, I quoted Psalm 32 verse 8 (NIV): I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; I will guide you with my eye."
The Rev. Elizabeth Hanna is Rector of St. Nicholas Parish, Belfast, Northern Ireland