CMS Summerview
At the Summerview Conference, the Revd David Boyd was commissioned as the new State Director of CMS. Photo John Tongue
Inside the auditorium at Camp Banksia during one of the sessions at Summerview. Photo John Tongue
I lost count of how many people told me their brains were full, their heads hurt, or they'd been 'well fed' (pointing to their heads). Such was the CMS Summerview 2010 at Port Sorell.
We had a really full program, with lots of warm fellowship and lots of fantastic input, and so most people went home a little overloaded.
As usual, we met from Thursday evening to Sunday lunch-time (14-17 January), at Camp Banksia, in beautiful seaside Port Sorell. The Victoria Branch generously lent us Brad Jackson, who with his family has been serving as missionary in Japan. Though the rest of his family stayed in Melbourne, Brad had a number of opportunities to fill people in on their work in Japan.
We had three elective sessions, each with a choice of seven electives, ranging from Free-time, to The Gospel and Poverty, to Doing Mission in 'Prime-time'.
Instead of the usual one missiology speaker, this year, we had two, with Armin Sukri from Indonesia, and Dennis Tongoi from Kenya. These two were very warmly received, and provided some very stimulating challenges. And our Bible input was provided by Peter Adam of Ridley – rather than skateboarding – fame (in-joke). His studies on 2 Corinthians were very challenging and thought-provoking, and much of the cause of people feeling so well fed.
Numbers were down a little this year, but those who attended were thoroughly blessed, and enthused and challenged to go on joining the Lord in his great Mission to the world. Keep the week in mind for next year – Judith Calf will be our Bible teacher – and come along to be 'well-fed', as well.
John Tongue
Chair, Summer School organising committee