IRCA Oceania

IRCA Oceania exists to bring a uniquely antipodean perspective to the work of the International Rural Churches Association

We endeavour to encourage rural people in the islands of Melanesia and the South Pacific, Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and Papua New Guinea to connect to together to share their experiences and challenges.

IRCA Oceania grew out of a long-standing relationship between Australian and New Zealand rural churches. Since the early 1980’s rural people in New Zealand and Australia have been linking ecumenically to support, encourage, and resource one another. The first Trans-Tasman Conference was held in Darfield, NZ in 1984, followed by Kyogle New South Wales in 1988, Waipawa, Hawkes Bay in 1992, Myrtleford, Victoria in 1996, Northland in 2000, Clare, South Australia in 2004, Nelson/Marlborough in 2008, Atherton, North Queensland in 2012, and Wairarapa, Aotearoa New Zealand in 2016.

We recognise the heritage of this history together and seek now to do a new thing – to be a network for 21st century rural churches, valuing what we can learn from one another face-to-face and with creative use of technology.

Networking on

Our first ZOOM network meeting was held on Thursday 31 August at 1300 NZST. We plan to meet again in November, so watch this space for news of the date and time. Our key purpose is connecting together. We introduced ourselves and raised any issues of concern or stories that could be followed up. With a small group we can do this as one; if and when it is larger we will use ZOOM’s option of break out rooms.

As a feature for the first session the Rev Jill McDonald from Te Matau a Mauī/Hawkes Bay told us about the community ministry “Bridging Hawkes Bay” that they are developing in their region. Her focus has always been community-facing ministry and that was built on as she encouraged church and community to work together to support rural people in particular following the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Click here for her presentation. These are the visuals that featured while she spoke.

Email [email protected] if you’d like to know to be on the list for regular links to the ZOOM meetings.

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News

Conference Sequel to IRCA 2023

This in-person and ZOOM gathering was held in Alexandra, Aotearoa New Zealand in May 2023, following the IRCA conference in Dubuque, Iowa, USA and using material from Dubuque along with exploring the theme in our own context. For more on Flourishing: Land, People, Community click here

New page for Rural Chaplaincy

Contribution of Women in Rural Churches, Fiji, March 2020

IRCA-Oceania 2016 met in Wairarapa, NZ, with the theme was Life, Death, and Resurrection.

But those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.’ John 4:14

IRCA-OCEANIA Statement 2016

“Resilience – Building Robust Communities“ Report on the Atherton Trans Tasman Rural Ministry Conference July 2012

“Changing Seasons Changing Times“ Proceedings if the 7th Trans Tasman Rural Conference April 2008

Staying Connected

The Sequel gathering in May 2023 was proof of the value of keep connected as rural church people. We were a mix of face-to-face from Australia and Aotearoa NZ and ZOOM participants from these countries, Fiji, and beyond, with IRCA Leadership joining us at times.

We will move ahead with contact people who will help us keep connected through ZOOM. We will also watch for opportunities to be face-to-face plus ZOOM, particularly when events are being planned in our region that we can link into.

Contacts

Rev Dr Robyn McPhail, rural ministry networker and member of the IRCA Leadership Group, who lives in Alexandra, Central Otago, NZ

The Saltbush Team – Uniting the Scattered Community, Uniting Church of Australia, NSW and ACT

Wessley Manasa Vatanitawake, who lives in Suva, Fiji, volunteering at the Institute of Mission and Research, Pacific Theological College

From the group appointed in Wairarapa:

Angela Dutton who lives in Wauchope, NSW, Australia

Katrina Graydon who lives on the Chatham Islands, NZ

Graeme Learsch who lives in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia

Feel free to contact us at any time. Ideas for networking and strengthening ministry in rural communities always welcome. Or to share your stories – stories of challenge and stories of hope.

The operating guidelines for IRCA-Oceania, adopted on the 6th July 2012, can be found HERE