Arguably, this may be one of those times in history where it’s clear we need strong cross-cultural relations. Challenges in the Anglican Communion, war in Iraq and Afghanistan, issues related to immigration, and so on, all point to our need to understand and appreciate each other’s perspectives. One of the ways in which all of us can strengthen our ties within the Anglican Communion, develop and share new perspectives, and ultimately, be spiritually transformed by our encounter of Christ in others, is through global mission activities.

The Global Partnership Task Force is focused on providing leadership and support for churches to develop their own unique global mission program. In some cases, churches encounter problems and need some assistance. Last year, for example, Christ Church Needham was scheduled to travel to Haiti on a medical mission. Given the environment in Haiti at the time, they needed to make a last minute change. I was able to facilitate contact with the diocesan offices in Guatemala and arrangements were made for the team to stay at a mission and provide medical services through congregations in the Lake Izabal region.

The majority of this year’s work has been focused on revamping our web site (which you already know or you wouldn’t be reading this), continuing the success of the Mission Leadership Program, and developing a global mission event for the Diocesan Resource Day. If you’re interested in getting involved, I hope you’ll take a minute to drop me a note or give me a call (tjgaiser@earthlink.net or 617-782-1577).