ALMA
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Lent Appeal 2017

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Sowing Seeds for Tomorrow

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Resources

Video

  • A five minute video for the Lent Appeal. It is introduced by Bishop Rob Wickham, and has segments with Ven Augusto Domingos, Archdeacon of Uige in Angola, Bishop Carlos Matsinge and seminarian Joana Chilengue of Lebombo, and Bishop Manual Ernesto of Niassa, talking about the projects that the Lent Appeal will support.

Five Case Studies

Powerpoint Presentations

Lent Appeal Prayer

Posters and Cards

Letter from the Bishop for ALMA

By now, all parishes should have received this year’s Lent Appeal Resource Pack. Included in the sample pack are five Lent Appeal Cards and the set of three different posters, as well as a letter for parish Treasurers.

As well as downloading from here. resources can be collected from London Diocesan House, or ordered for delivery. For full details of how to get resources, see here. Resources and other information are also available via the Diocese of London Web Site.

From Bishop Rob Wickham, Bishop for ALMA:

As the London Diocesan Bishop for ALMA it is my privilege to share with you that Bishop Richard has designated his final London Lent Appeal in 2017 for ALMA, our Diocesan partnership with the Anglican Church in Angola and Mozambique.

“Capital Vision 2020 reminds us that although we are always caught up with the pressing needs of the present, we are poor disciples if we do not at the same time invest in the future. I am delighted that our Lent Appeal for 2017 is for ALMA, our Diocesan Partnership, and its vital work in education – ‘Sowing Seeds for Tomorrow’ ”.

This advance notice is to assist with your planning for 2017 and is also an invitation to join us in ‘Sowing Seeds for Tomorrow’.

In Lent 2017 we will be working alongside our three partner dioceses to assist with three educational initiatives they have identified as key priorities. These are ‘church’ projects and would not attract other funding.

Angola: doubling the size of church schools, to meet new government requirements, and thereby ensure a continuing Christian presence.

Lebombo (Southern Mozambique): contributing to the significant project to create a new accredited seminary outside Maputo to train the next generation of church leaders.

Niassa (Northern Mozambique): helping complete a church training hub with accommodation in Nampula for the (huge) Lurio region - to be used for training locally ordained priests, lay leaders, Mothers' Union, community development fieldworkers and teams.

There will be a Lent card and poster (samples mailed out in January 2017), along with additional online resources including short power-point presentations. The London ALMA team are also very willing to speak at your churches during Lent. (Book a slot now by emailing ALMA Co-ordinator: Sheenagh Burrell).

I do hope you, your congregations, parishes and schools will consider joining me in journeying with our vibrant, optimistic partners in Christ in Lent 2017 when all four dioceses will be ‘Sowing seeds for tomorrow’.

With thanks

+ Robert Edmonton

The Rt Revd Rob Wickham, Bishop of Edmonton
On behalf of ALMA and the London College of Bishops

A message from Sheengh Burrell, ALMA Co-ordinator, to Parish Reps:

It would be great if you can meet and talk with your clergy about this and hopefully see if your church will support the Appeal.

As you know the economic situation in both Angola and Mozambique is severe. When this is coupled with the long lasting drought that both countries are experiencing and also the political insecurity in Mozambique it is hard for our partners to find funds for their bigger projects. These are the projects that are critical for the future of the church: Angola is increasing the number of classrooms in its church schools to meet the huge need for school places there; Lebombo is planning a new accredited Seminary to train the next generation of church leaders and Niassa is building a regional training hub in Nampula with accommodation and training resources. Anyone who has travelled from Pemba to Lichinga will understand why.

Please will you encourage those you know to be part of this ALMA Lenten journey and share Bishop Rob’s email.

Many thanks

Sheenagh