On Sunday, 12 February, a crowd gathered at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Grafton, Auckland, for an ordination service and to commission J&Z, NZCMS’ newest Mission Partners. J&Z’s home church, St James Anglican Church in Māngere Bridge, is part of Te Pīhopatanga o te Tai Tokerau, and they also belong to the missional order of Urban Vision.
They were jointly sent out by NZCMS, Urban Vision and the Right Rev Kitohi Pikaahu. In the Commissioning, they answered yes to the following calling:
Will you go, not to be served, but to serve;
will you allow the word to be made flesh in your lives;
will you live simply, setting aside your right to affluence;
will you cherish community with your team and your neighbours;
and will you bear witness to the Gospel, in all its dimensions?
Also, will you be gracious with yourselves and with others;
will you celebrate with generosity;
will you honour God’s hand of beauty within and around you;
will you encourage creativity and imagination;
and at the end of the day, will you enjoy the Creator’s gift of rest?
Along with those gathered at the commissioning service, we pray for J&Z.
We pray as you enter this new stage in your journey of life and discipleship, may God go with you. May He honour the time you have spent here, that it may carry on bearing fruit in the months and years ahead, and may the way you have helped to shape the journey and path of others be a source of inspiration both to them and you, in the times to come. In the name of Jesus Christ who has called you in the fellowship of the Church Missionary Society, and knowing that the love and prayerful support of this congregation surround you, we send you out. Go in peace, for our God goes with you.
We cannot name J & Z or show their faces online for security reasons. If you would like to get regular updates and prayer requests for them, sign up for our bi-monthly prayer publication, Prayer Fuel.
Thank you, Tessa. I remember Ray (and Jean) very warmly from our time at St Tim’s before we left for St John’s College at the beginning of 1987, and was excited many years later to learn of their visit to the Elliotts in Uganda. (We visited them in 1997 on study leave.) That visit, and a later one, showed their quiet growth in faith and mission during the years. I praise God for Ray’s life and service, and pray for the Comforter’s presence to be so close to Jean.
Hey there,
A friend of mine told me about you guys and I’d love to come along on Monday!
Cheers,
Caleb Croker
Hi Caleb, I’ve just seen your message. I apologise that this was missed. I assume you’re talking about the Seriously Interested in Mission group? The next one is August 11 and we’d love you to join. Can you email us at office@nzcms.org.nz (Rosie writing here)
Thank you Tessa
Thank you Archdeacon Fran. Mothers Union appreciated your input when we visited the Far North recently. Your wisdom and wise counsel made it a memorable weekend. God bless you in your new role.
Rev Fran, you and Rapiata are a gift to the Church. May the Lord bless you as you serve in this next season
With reference to the article ‘By invitation not invasion’. My husband and I were involved with CMS from the 1960s onward and this was always the attitude of CMS leadership. They deferred to the church leadership opinions whenever possible, wherever there was a local church. I’m not aware if this has change. It isn’t something new.
Hi Pauline,
I agree with you!! I don’t think this has changed, just good to re-iterate why and we send mission partners. This is Rosie writing — hope you’re doing well!
Yes Pauline it was the same for Alan and me. When we went to Singapore 1966–69 it was in response to a request from the Bishop oof Singapore and Malaya.