State Mission Fellowship

State Mission Fellowship met at Scots in McGregor Hall on Tuesday 26th July 2016.

There were not as many people present as there usually are, due no doubt to the very cold, wet, and windy day. However it was nice and cosy in the Hall, and following morning tea served before the meeting, we settled down to a very interesting meeting.

 

Lesley Williams, the Convener of National & World Mission Support, led the meeting and introduced the speaker, Caryn Rogers, who is working on her PhD at the University of Adelaide.

 

Caryn's field of study is linguistics or the science of language, especially as regards the nature and structure of language. Her PhD topic is "Rhetorical Structures of Persuasion in Biblical Hebrew and Modern Communications." She is exploring language that influences how we act and what we believe and is using the biblical book of Isaiah as her basic text.

 

Caryn showed us three familiar passages on which she has been working, one from each of the three sections of Isaiah, recognised as having three different authors. She gave us examples of how translation from the original language into a different language and cultural context can change the understanding of a passage and its degree of persuasive power. Caryn was warmly thanked for her interesting and challenging address.

 

Frontier Services Souvenirs and Gifts are always displayed for sale at State Mission Fellowship and National &World Mission have a wide selection of gift cards to choose from. There is a warm friendly atmosphere, and I commend this meeting to you - on the 4th Tuesday of the month. News is shared of the work of National & World Mission, and also of Frontier Services. Margaret Morey brought us up-to-date with the news of the South Australian Team, reminding us that Frontier News is published four times a year - there was one in May and the August issue has just been received, so make sure you pick up a copy. On Sunday afternoon 9th October there is a Concert by the S A Army Band at Burnside City U C - tickets are now available. This year's Christmas Cards for both National & World Mission and Frontier Services are reasonably priced, and are particularly attractive - they will be available soon.

 

The Newsletter for this meeting brought news of Rev Brian Polkinghorne and his wife Jill who have travelled to Tanzania - they are living in a very remote village. Brian says that African hospitality has exceeded their expectations and Bishop Mathayo and his wife, Edith, have insisted that Brian and Jill stay with them. The Bishop had petitioned Brian for assistance and Jill will be working with the organisation “Days for Girls”, distributing and promoting kits girls can use during their menstrual cycles, and she will be helping girls to make the kits themselves.

 

A tribute was made to Miss Una Clarke, who died on July 7th - she had an interesting and challenging life, and was greatly loved and respected.

 

A reminder was given of the Red Dove Cafe at the Royal Adelaide Show from 2nd-11th September.

 

Mary Thomas