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Ruminations

The latest edition of the Australian rural ministry magazine Ruminations is now available. Click here to access from this website. Or go to source where you can also access earlier editions. The theme for this Spring/Summer 2021 edition is “RENEWING”. In his introduction editor Mark Faulkner says, “Each of our contributors have, completely independently of

Gleanings of a Prairie Pastor

Joyce Sasse has penned this collection of rural community memories and writings which is available to download as an e-book. It contains the fruits of her many years as a rural minister with the United Church of Canada, with themes that will relate to many, in terms of the rural context or of being a

IRCA-Europe Conference 2021

Postponed from from 2020 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, IRCA-Europe will gather at the end of May and work together on the theme of “Sourdough for the Land”. Rural Church representatives are invited to Sibiu/Hermannstadt in Romania from 31 May to 3 June 2021. In the words of the organisers: The biblical image of the

IRCA-Oceania Questionnaire 2020

Unable to gather in Queensland, Australia this year because of the pandemic, the Leadership Group of IRCA-Oceania has put together a questionnaire seeking stories and ideas from the people who might have gathered and indeed from all who are the heart and soul of rural churches in the Oceania region. The theme of the planned

New Year Message from the Chair

Tags : 2020 VisionchurchIRCAJesusLightrural

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, We have entered a new year and a new decade.  In many ways and in many places, it is a time of fear and travail.  Wildfires rage in Australia and intentional fires ravage the Amazon Rainforest.  Glaciers melt and sea levels are rising globally as the planet warms and

Pray for those affected by bush fires in Australia

A video has been produced and prayers written by IRCA members in the Oceania region. They have been posted on the IRCA Facebook page but copied and pasted here for those not on Facebook. Many thanks to Martin Harrison. Prayers for the Bush firesShow Movie reflection Give a few moments of silence afterJude and Andy

2018 Conference Feedback

Thank you, all those who attended the conference in Lincoln New Zealand and who filled in the feedback form. A brief summary of the points made, together with areas for reflection and ideas for topics for future events can be found here: NZ feedback report.

2018 Conference Materials

Feedback from the 2018 New Zealand conference was very positive: “Amazing experience” “What a gift“. In particular the keynotes and learning community materials were much appreciated: “Fabulous – touched my heart” “Awesome and really helpful” “Extremely valuable” and “Inspiring!” These materials are now online. Click here and scroll to the bottom for keynote transcripts and

Conference Statement 2018

It is our tradition to issue a statement after each quadrennial conference. Here is the statement from the New Zealand conference.  International Rural Churches Association Voice of the Voiceless STATEMENT OF 2018 IRCA 6th QUADRENNIAL CONFERENCE HELD IN LINCOLN, NEW ZEALAND 15-21 April 2018 THEME:  GROWING TOGETHER The gifts he gave … to equip the saints

IRCA Powhiri New Zealand 15 April 2018

The IRCA 6th quadrennial conference has made a great start today. We began with the traditional Maori welcome. As leader of the visitors, Jerry gave a speech following a particular sequence of greetings and explanation, backed up by a ‘Waiata’ sung by all the visitors. This was very positively received. Here is the text, which

Record numbers at NZ conference

We will be welcoming 100 delegates to our 6th Quadrennial conference in Lincoln New Zealand 15-21 April, exceeding our highest expectations. The event is now full! Do pray that the event will be transformational as we learn from and support each other, reflect prayerfully on our ministries, and receive resources we can adapt to our