Imagine having an opportunity to move one's work from Toronto's national General Synod offices to the Ecclesiastical Province of British Columbia.
Imagine having the opportunities-as someone working with global Anglican partners in mission and ecojustice-to interact directly with parishes and people in this ecclesiatical province-which is the four BC dioceses, the parishes of the Central Interior, and the Yukon. Imagine a stronger collaboration as the Anglican Church of Canada serving God in the world.
Imagine receiving amazing hospitality from new friends as well as from old friends.
All of this has been my experience settling into ministry as a national Partnerships staff person located within this province. I am deeply grateful for the many ways I've been welcomed by dioceses, parishes, and at the Vancouver School of Theology-where my new office is.
As many of you know, the General Synod's Partnerships department is the organizational home of various national ministries dedicated to mission and ecojustice. People and parishes of the Diocese of New Westminster have long been involved in these ministries: Volunteers in Mission, Theological Student International Internships, Companion Diocesan Relationships, and Justice Camps.
Partnerships is also the home of worship and educational resources such as Praying with Our Partners and Just Living. (For more information see "Mission and Justice," at www.anglican.ca.)
It is my hope as Partnerships Global Relations Coordinator working from an office base at the Vancouver School of Theology, to collaborate with many BC and Yukon Anglican parishes, ecumenical networks, and other organizations.
We are all connected to the wider Anglican Communion. This is how the Anglican Consultative Council has listed our five common "Marks of Mission":
To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom; to teach, baptise and nurture new believers; to respond to human need by loving service; to seek to transform unjust structures of society; to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.
("Bonds of Affection"-1984; "Mission in a Broken World"-1990)
In 2007, the Partners in Mission and Ecojustice Committee of the Anglican Church of Canada recommended the Council add a sixth Mark of Mission relating to peace, conflict transformation, and reconciliation.
I look forward to exploring with you how the national Partnerships program can best serve the mission and ecojustice priorities of the Diocese of New Westminster. I look forward to opportunities to share stories from global partners in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Middle East and South Pacific involved in ministries of proclamation, education, outreach and advocacy.
As a newly arrived British Columbian, I look forward to worship and work with you all. May it begin!
Dr. Andrea Mann's home parish is now St. Alban's, Richmond. Email: amann@national.anglican.ca, (0) 604 827-5924, Room 217, Vancouver School of Theology, 600 Iona Road, Vancouver, BC. V6T 1L4.