Message from the Partnership Team

Focus of the meeting

The Partnership Team met in Kuala Lumpur on 19-21 February 2014. We welcomed Sr Rasangi Fernando from Sri Lanka onto the team. Sr Kevin Yin was unable to travel from Cambodia for the meeting. Our work together focused on:

• » Revision of the Terms of Reference and refocusing the role of Province Link people.
• » Developing a common statement on Co-Responsibility for Mission.
• » Maximising use of the website across Asia Pacific to promote Partnership for Mission.
• » Reflection on Partnership for Mission in relationship to the Congregational Chapter and Intercontinental Assembly.
• » Formation and Leadership development for Mission Partners.
• » Creating a Strategic Plan for the work of the team for 2014/15.

Potential of the website

We are excited about the potential the Asia Pacific website offers and see the need to create pathways for mission partners to engage with the site.

Statement on Co-Responsibility for Mission

Drawing on the results of an earlier survey on Co-Responsibility, we formulated a statement on Co-Responsibility for Mission (see below) which we hope will be a foundation from which we all work across the Region. We have placed this with the statement on Partnership for Mission developed in 2007 for the First Asia Pacific Partnership Gathering held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The hopes and inspiration

Ms Trish Carroll, Mission Leader from Good Shepherd Australia/Aotearoa New Zealand, gave us a presentation which we discussed. It stimulated our thoughts and desire for the development of integrated and contemporary Formation and Leadership programmes for mission partners – sisters and lay partners. We aspire to work collaboratively with other groups within the Asia Pacific Network to jointly develop a Formation Journey for all mission partners –sisters and lay partners.

This was an energising and fruitful time of working together in a Co-Responsible model for Partnership for Mission.

Members of the Partnership Team

Sr Noelene White

Ms Theresa Symons

Sr Rasangi Fernando

Ms Gendrie Klein-Breteler

Sr Kevin Yin

Mrs Sashirekha Natarajan

The Statements

PARTNERSHIP FOR MISSION

Our experience of Good Shepherd draws us together.

The strength of our Partnership propels us out for mission.

• » In partnership we identify with Good Shepherd Spirit from whichever place we come and we recognise it in each other.
• » The strength of our partnership lies in equality and inclusiveness in our relationships. Partnership enriches us personally and communally.

May 2007

CO-RESPONSIBILITY FOR MISSION

Mission Partners (sisters and lay people) accept responsibility together for effective and sustainable Good Shepherd Mission into the future.

Together we work towards:

• » Ensuring the Good Shepherd charism and heritage remain at the heart of mission.
• » Designing governance structures and systems to enable participation at all levels of mission.
• » Developing formation, education and leadership programmes which equip people to work in a partnership model for mission.

February 2014