ABM Celebrates 175th Anniversary

Written by Ian Howarth

My wife Allison and I were in Sydney for a couple of packed days of celebration for the 175th anniversary of the Anglican Board of Mission (ABM). A Supporters Day was held on Tuesday the 28th of October at Christ Church St Laurence, with 60 people in attendance. It gave an opportunity for the telling of the ABM story in twenty-five-year segments, ably handled by Revd Dr John Deane (Executive Director of ABM) and other ABM staff.

Then there was opportunity for us to share our own experiences of ABM as far back as we could remember. For us it was as children, who with our parents and other family were involved in the ABM fellowship in Armidale. Over the years there were many mission dinners, social outings, get-togethers and fundraising opportunities. It was insightful to hear of many other people’s experiences too.
The afternoon was then spent looking at what shape the future of mission might take, given how much has evolved and changed over the past 175 years. There is a much stronger understanding today of needing to walk alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters and our overseas mission partners as equals in living and sharing the gospel. This is an important motivation for continuing to reshape how we go about mission. There were First Nations and overseas mission partners present who also shared not only how ABM has served their church and communities, but how over time their work and example has been of help to others.

The second day was equally packed. There were options of a tour of Scarred Tree Ministries at St John’s, Glebe or of Gawura School for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Unfortunately, we couldn’t attend everything as there was a Diocesan Representatives meeting at the same time. In the afternoon Choral Evensong was held at St James’, King Street, where ABM was formed on that very day in the church’s school room in 1850. The first appeal was immediately met with enough donations to buy a boat to help Bishop Patteson with other missionaries and supplies get to the islands of Melanesia. Thus a missionary enterprise was born that continues to this day.

A magnificent dinner followed the service at the NSW Parliament House with over 300 people in attendance, including many bishops. During the dinner at Parliament House ten people received a Coaldrake Award in recognition of their service to God’s mission through ABM. The stories told, friendships rekindled and ongoing networking make clear that the future of ABM is bright. The challenges always remain, but it is up to all of us as Anglican Christians to continue to support the cause of mission; God’s hope, love and justice in action.

ABM image used with permission: Guests at the dinner included L-R Br Zebedee Tausabe MBH from the Melanesian Brotherhood, Bishop Keith Joseph from Diocese of North Queensland, Acting Archbishop Nathan Ingen and Mother Jesicah Ingen from the Anglican Church of PNG and Mercy Hauriasi from the Anglican Church of Melanesia.