Page 35 - The Church of Ireland Apologetic for Mission?
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SouthAmericanMissionSociety(SAMS) Ireland enables individuals and churches to visit and participate within a church community in South America, with the objective of:
AffirmingtheworkofthechurchinSouth America.
Creatingnewexperiences,new opportunities and new friendships.
Developingeffectiveworkingrelationships between the churches in Ireland and South America.
United Society (Us) Journey with Us programme provides an opportunity to experience the life and mission of the church in another culture, for volunteers from 18 to 80 years. Placements are tailor- made to meet individual preferences, including location. All placements are with Us partners, in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Crosslinksofferthepossibilityofbeing part of a summer team, typically lasting between two and four weeks. The emphasis of the teams is on evangelism, practical service, meeting new people and experiencing a different culture. Teams in the past have been involved with holiday bible clubs, schools, children’s camps, teaching English, student evangelism, bible teaching and helping with practical tasks.
TearFundIrelandofferweek-longtrips
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fundraising events and by hosting sharing that are suitable for business people, events after the visit. retirees, church leaders or mothers.
• Personalimpactonindividualswho participate in terms of their faith, perspectives on God, on Church and on Mission as well as the choices they make about their own lives and vocation.
A selection from the following agencies demonstrate current options for short-term mission trips:
• CMSIrelandplannedtofacilitate10such trips in 2015. Groups from different parts of Ireland planned to visit nine different Global Partners.
Participants have the opportunity to meet local churches and find out how they help vulnerable children, trafficked women and people living with HIV.
9. Use of clergy from overseas
An interesting development in recent years has been the number of clergy coming from overseas to work in the Church of Ireland. For instance the diocese of Clogher can point
to three of its parochial clergy who have come from other parts of the global Anglican Communion.
Reflecting on the contribution that such clergy can make one interviewee noted
that “they bring enthusiasm (and) authentic commitment to the values of the gospel that is not modified by our politics and culture”.
10. The Mothers’ Union
The Mothers’ Union was established in Ireland in 1888. There are more than four million members of Mothers’ Union today
in 83 countries around the world. It is one
of the most significant organisations in the Church of Ireland, being represented in every diocese and the majority of parishes across the denomination.
The vision of the Mothers’ Union is ‘a world where God’s love is shown through loving, respectful, and flourishing relationships’.51 From this flows the mission of the organisation ‘to show our Christian faith
by the transformation of communities worldwide. We can do this through the promotion of stable marriage, family life and the protection of children’.
Activities of the Mothers’ Union include:
• PromotingChristianmarriage;Marriage preparation: Encouraging parents and careers through Mothers’ Union Parenting Groups: Running Parent and Toddler Groups; Volunteering in Child Contact Centres: Helping children and families feel welcome in Church.
• Providingpracticalcare;Caringforfamilies in need; Working in partnership to support
51
http://www.dublin.mothersunion.ie/who-we-are.html
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