Congregational Christian Church in American Samoa
Congregational Christian Church in Samoa
Congregational Union of New Zealand
Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu
Kiribati Protestant Church
Nauru Congregational Church
Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
United Church in Papua New Guinea
United Church in Solomon Islands
IMG 04/13 Accounting assistance and MPSF assistance for Nauru Congregational Church
The IMG recieved by means of a formal letter from NCC a request for assistance from the Pacific region of CWM in regard to the finances of NCC and the MPSF application.
After careful consideration and deliberation the IMG has resolved the following
Those who are selected to go to Nauru must have proven ability in the following areas -
1. Communications
2. Accounts/finance
3. Mission/ and some knowledge of MPSF
The named people have been nominated and confirmed by the IMG to assist NCC with the identified problems.
Ms. Tira Teena (Auditor General of Kiribati)
Rev Tekaabei Kaaoma (IMG member from KPC)
Siaosi G. Salesulu (Regional Secretary for CWM Pacific region)
Ms Teena and Rev Kaoma will assist with immediate needs whist the Regional Secretary will be there in the capacity to report back, monitor the situation for the IMG and PRC and help in areas that he is able.
The IMG has the utmost confidence that the people as selected are the most suitable for the situation and they will bring much needed assistance to NCC.
IMG 04/14 Pacific Regional consultation (PRC) 2005
Nauru Congregational Church will not host the PRC-2005 due to the lack of suitable venue. In addition, there is insecurity due entirely to problems with accommodation and the uncertainty over financial institutions in the country.
As agreed to at the PRC in 2003 if this was the case then the next member church on the roster would be asked if they could host this event. The member church in question is the Congregational Union of New Zealand. The Regional Secretary will also write to UCPNG and the UCSI that if CUNZ is are not able to host then would either of them be in a position to host the PRC 2005.
IMG 04/15 Pacific Voice
Alexai spoke of the situation in Nauru and read a letter from Pastor Willie Starr, which details concerns that he has in regard to asylum seekers in Nauru.
It was resolved by the IMG that the proposed Pacific Voice publication could be the strand or the vehicle that allows people in the region to speak of their experiences.
A case study approach is the way that the Pacific Voice publication may work. Thus it would be more contextual yet within an existential, theological, analytical perspective.
Regional Secretary was to include ST$2,000 to be integrated in the Regional Office budget for 2004.
IMG 04/016 Regional Programmes
The Asylum Seekers policy document and the Youth work camp [4] are now complete and we are now looking with renewed vigour and confidence to the future for other programmes. Logic dictates without the support of all stakeholders that these regional programmes will be a monument - remembered for its beleaguered promises rather than what was ultimately delivered.
The following is a description of the regional progamme and the stage that the regional office is at each programme.
HIV/AIDS PROGRAMME
1. To raise awareness within the churches about the problem of HIV/AIDS
2. To provide a new theological and pastoral understanding of the problem
3. To encourage a prositive and conscious response to the problem, its effects and means of prevention, from the people of the churches and society as a whole
The Regional Secretary has assembled a resource base of information for churches to access in their work against the epidemic and is available to be translated into each church's language. The Regional Secretary has procured publishing rights from the WCC for their material to be published in our region. The regional secretary also has theological and pastoral resources from other CWM churches and other agencies concerned with this issue that can be uplifted upon request.
Timeframe:
The timeframe for these tasks remain unchanged and are stated as follows
End 2003 Material for awareness campaign collected and prepared for distribution to the churches
End 2004 Material used by the churches
End 2005 Assessment of project
IMG 04/017 REGIONAL YOUTH LEADERS FORUM
EKT to host this event in 14-21 November 2004
The Youth Leaders Forum set for Tuvalu. 14 - 21 November 2004.
All member churches of the Pacific region are now invited to make their selections (one male, one female) and forward their names to the Regional Secretary.
I would considerately remind the region that the CWM definition for youth are those persons under the age of 30. It would be good if the region made the real attempt to abide by this.
The IMG has also affirmed that each church is to encourage its participants to be more verbose at these meetings. People who cannot communicate fluently in English will always find it difficult to converse with their Pacific peers, thus causing an uncomfortable situation for all concerned.
As soon as the programme is finalised I will disseminate this to all those who will be attending the Forum as well as the General Secretaries. I will contact you all next month about the confirmation of your representatives.
We are all looking forward to visiting Funafuti (venue) and experiencing the wonderful hospitality of our Tuvalu brethren.
Invitations will be recieved no later than July 2004 for delegates to prepare for this camp that this
IMG 04/018 NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT PROGRAMME
The Regional Secretary is at present collating proposed work as undertaken by member churches on this contentious subject.
Please note that the Regional Secretary actively encourages discussion at individual church levels in addition to the regional arena.
The option as advertised by CWM in London for small research programmes costing no more than NZ$3,000. This option has not taken up by anyone from the member churches.
IMG 04/019 CLIMATE CHANGES
It is very pleasing that the South Pacific Regional Environmental projects (SPREP) have been very forthcoming in their desire to assist the region with their regional programmes. SPREP’s overt willingness to share their database of information and the use of their resources had been unexpected but nevertheless welcomed.
SPREP in conjunction with our regional has benevolently offered to host a series of seminars and/or conferences where other regional and interest groups could gather to discuss issues (i.e. Toxic dumping, climate changes) and to formulate policy documents that will be of use to regional and to those organisations on the international arena. The material is readily available.
I have contacted a range of groups indicated and I would like to think that we could work in unison so this programme can commence and be wholly successful.
I believe that there could be some merit to having conference/seminars organised by SPREP and our regional office. However, with the restrictions we have with money I realise that this option will be a universal chorus of no.
Like the AIDS material we have been given free reign to reproduce what we want yet we must acknowledge what we reproduce. Although it may cost but what if we collate the material add our theological material and a forward, introduction and an acknowledgements page and distribute this material to many institutions. I am hoping for some creative packaging that will be eye-catching without being cartoonish and childlike. A colourful copy can be different from the more formal policy type format.
I affirm that publicity of this programme would be through Regional Secretary and the CWM Web Site.
I have made contact with individual churches to develop theological and teaching resources and accordingly forward these to the Regional Secretary. As passed by the PRC (2003) member churches requiring this information would be able to request it from the Regional Secretary.
IMG 04/20 ASYLUM SEEKERS
The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand formulated a policy statement in consultation with the UCPNG, CUNZ and UCSI. This statement was submitted for the perusal of the Pacific Regional Consultation for their consideration and constructive action. Each member church was given the opportunity to study the document and forward any suggestions to the Regional Secretary. Unfortunately, the Regional Secretary did not receive any comments/objections/insight on this paper and it was resolved by the IMG meeting in Apia 2003 that the CWM Pacific region adopts this as their official stance. The Regional Secretary was then advised that he was to seek means to disseminate this.
It was the inclination of our region that this statement would be used in relating the concerns and hope of the region to the respective governments of each member church.
IMG 04/21 TOXIC WASTE DUMPING
WCC has programmes similar to our seeking to raise awareness of the adverse effects of dumping toxic waste. Ultimately our region is working towards stopping dumping of toxic waste in the Pacific
I have been in contact with the CWM Communications Unit, along with environmental, other NGO and ecumenical sites who can promote public awareness of this programme. This bodes well that material collected that we think needs to publish using this technological medium.
The Regional Secretary has been liasing with SREP, WCC, and various NGOs (working in this area). In the best interest of our region I have been canvassing the support of the countries of those member churches that are the source of toxic dumping yet a campaign of vigorous letter writing sometimes fails to acquire the desired result instantly.
IMG 04/22 CWMM
Chris concern noted on this subject.
Paulo outlined the aims of the CWMM and this was endorsed by the IMG. It was noted that no church in the Pacific region could realistically afford the cost of internal travel as this was budgeted for at the start of the financial year.
It was resolved by the IMG that –
The Regional Secretary will write to Elizabeth Joy outlining that it was the Pacific region’s understanding that CWM Global would cover all costs pertaining to the CWMM visits including internal travel yet it was unanticipated to find that the local churches would have to absorb all internal costs.
It was resolved by the IMG that CWM-Global would be gently reminded that they do not have the right to dictate to sovereign churches or enforce their decisions concerning financial matters.
IMG 04/23 Letter from PCANZ church property trustees to Kerry Enright.
A letter from PCANZ church property trustees to Kerry Enright regarding the concern about the CWM investing its empowerment fund within the AIF was tabled. This letter outlined some of the concerns the trustees of the PCANZ church property trustees had.
After detailed and prolonged discussion the IMG representing the CWM Pacific Region readily accepts that there always extenuating factor associated with exchange and interest rates yet we are steadfast in our belief that the AIF is the best option for the region to invest its empowerment fund.
The IMG resolved the following:
Firstly the IMG of the CWM-Pacific Region acknowledges the imminent risks that are associated with the realm of investing finances. Secondly, the IMG of CWM Pacific Region acknowledges the expertise, the appropriate acumen and experience of the PCANZ church property trustees to make decisions in the best interest of CWM-Pacific Region.
Conclusion.
27 May 2004-08-06
12.25(FJ Time)
Paulo thanked all people for their energy
Have a safe trip and send regard to family and church groups
The IMG meeting was closed with a word of prayer by the Moderator.
Please note that the nature and structure of the IMG will be discussed in detail at the PRC 2005. You are asked to read Appendix A in preparation for discussion.
posted by Siaosi Salesulu on
6.7.04
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