24 Hours of Networking and Prayer

6 – 10 March 2025

Asia/Oceania Thursday 6 March

from 1400 NZDT, 0630 IST, 0800 WIB, 1000 KDT (0100 GMT) to 2200 NZDT,  1430 IST, 1800 KST (0900 GMT)

OCEANIA

Oceania Opening Greeting

From the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

Oceania ZOOM session Beginning with the song Beneath the Southern Cross (full video here)

Sharing of stories around the group throughout interspersed with:

• Mission Partnership PC Vanuatu and PC Aotearoa NZ Global Mission
• “The Word around the Bush” weekly video on the lectionary gospel from Saltbush, NSW and ACT, Australia
• Greeting and News from the Moderator of Southern Presbytery, Aotearoa
• Music Video: Pepeha by 660
• Rural Chaplaincy in the South – videos introducing several new chaplains
• Rev James Bhagwan, General Secretary of the Pacific Council of Churches – out paddle-boarding one morning encountering an oil slick in the bay
• Namoli Methodist Church, Lautoka, Fiji – a look inside where the IRCA Oceania 2025 conference will be held in May; with people gathering for weekly prayer and fasting
• Lomana na Vulagi – Welcome the Stranger project of the Pacific Conference of Churches – find this and other videos here
• The Team with Saltbush – Uniting the Scattered Community, Uniting Church in Australia
• Hope 25 – Anglican Church of Australia project Easter to Pentecost 2025
• A rural parish’s engagement with Hope 25 – Rev Graeme, Rev Susan, and team

Ending with The Blessing Aotearoa

ASIA

Asia ZOOM Session

• South Korea
• Opens with Gowon church singing Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah
• Seongga Church – Team Ministry of Pastor Park and Pastor Hwang
• Video: regular Wednesday worship
• Two women in rural ministry
• CCM Song
• Migrants Care Ministry – Pastor Choi Hoi Seock ministering to migrants from the Philippines.
• Pastor Choi’s story
• CCM Song
• Cambodian Rural Church Mission – Ji Koo Ho Video
• The Story of this man of God
• Videos: Cambodian Mission Church Worship; Baptism Service; View looking outside; Cambodian Worship
• Prayer
• Video: Asian Mission Overview
• India (at 1:30)
• Opening Prayer Song by Mrs. Joshua Kumari Thalligaru of CSI KG Diocese
• Farmers Bible Classes for the rural communities– by Canon Dr. Daniel Premkumar – PPT
• Challenges of Tribal Communities in North East India – by Bishop Michael Herenz CNI – NE Diocese (see text below)
• Dance Worship
• Church of South India Christian Education – Rev Joseph Dasan
• KORIND – for rural mission – a PPT by Bishop Prasad
• Challenges of Rural Pastors – by Rev. Karunanidhi
• Prayer and benediction by IRCA Chair Miss Heather

Also available to view VISTHAR a mission strategy for rural communities- by Rev.Dr.David Selvaraj

Bishop Michael Herenz’s Presentation

Africa/Europe Saturday 8 March

from 0800 GMT to 1600 GMT

ZOOM Session which featured:

• Poland (Alfred & Agneiszka Borski): Focus on Children; on Seniors; on Ukraine & Prayer for Peace; and n Young People
• Transylvania & Persecuted Church (Laszlo): Presentation and Service of Prayer / Liturgy
• Uganda: Good Shepherd Network – Jerry Marshall, Alice Kyarimpa, Arinaitwe Ruth & Canon Tumwine

• Worship Song Jesu NDiManuwere The Unveiled
• Inundo Model Farm & Farming God’s Way: Videos – Goal/Aims of Inundo, May Training, Ethiopia Training; Tornado / Cyclone Impact & Recovery; Prayer for Africa as a place of abundance and flourishing
• UK Rural Updates: Arthur Rank Centre, Methodist Church, Rural Missions, Rural Ministries,
• etc. Ecumenical Networking
• Malawi – Helping Hands Jonathan Kaundama & Catherine Christie: Video / Photos, Update letter
• Worship Song Ndikhokhele The Unveiled
• Romania (Angelika): German Lutheran Church in Romania
• IRCA – Sibiu 2026 Theme: Roots, Faith and Identity: People and Community Living on the Land

The Americas Monday 10 March

from 1000 EDT (0500 GMT) until 1800 EDT.

ZOOM Sessions:

Wartburg, Rural Ministry Leadership – Mark Yackel-Juleen, with help from Lisa.

United Church Rural Ministry Network – Eric and Catherine:

• Opening Remarks: What is UCRMN “United Church Rural Ministry Network” – Catherine
• UCRMN Collaborative Ministry (Video)
• Questions on Collaborative Ministry
• UCRMN – LLWL Check-in (Video)
• Questions on LLWL “Licensed Lay Worship Leaders”

The Rural Church Network – Eric, Catherine, Inba, Lisa and Dave:

• Opening Remarks: What is “Rural Church Network”?
• RCN “Learning’ (Video)
• Questions on “Learning”
• RCN “Worship” (Video)
• Questions on Worship thoughts

Robin Haensel, who presented his Dr. Min thesis at the RCN in Cochrane on sparsely-populated areas, along with a follow-up project in his home sparsely-populated area.

• Opening Remarks: from Robin
• Robin’s 2024 Presentation (From RCN) (Video)
• Questions on Presentation
• Robin’s updated Research (Video by Robin)
• Questions on Robin’s updated Research

Rural Routes through the Holy – Catherine Smith

•  Opening Remarks: What is RRTH “Rural Routes Through the Holy” – Catherine Smith
• First Nations History by Carolyn Landry (Video)
• Body Prayer (Video)
• Three Videos on 2024 Presentation by Rev. Dr. Catherine Smith – with time for Questions after each video.

The United Methodist Rural Advocates – Jodie Flessner

• Opening Remarks: What is The United Methodist Rural Advocates – Jodie
• Presentation on “Grants to local churches for Children and Youth” – Jodie
• Comments or Questions
• US Rural Church Realities (Video) – followed by Comments and Questions
• Advocacy by UMRA – Power Point by Jodi
• Comments and Questions.

Rural Chaplains Network (2024 Fall Event from Minnesota) – Eric, Inba, and Dave

• Opening Remarks: What is the “Rural Chaplain’s Association”?
• RCA – Focus Event in Worthington MN (Video)
• Questions on “Ministry to Immigrants”
• RCA Focus Event from Walnut Grove MN (Video)
• Questions on Walnut Grove presentation
• Presentation on 2025 RCA Focus Event in Southern Ontario – October 15 – 18, 2025

Latino/a Ministries – Roberto Ochoa

• Opening Remarks: What is Latino/a Ministries – Roberto
• Rev Dr Lorraine Ceniceros, Colectivo de UCC Latinx Ministries
• Comments and Questions.
• Rev Carlos Malave, Latino Churches National Network
• Comments and Questions.
• Closing Comments and Prayer (Online Group)

Closing Video