Reps Circular

SEASONS GREETINGS from ALMA, CHRISTMAS 2016

A huge thank you to all ALMA Supporters in Angola, London and Mozambique for being part of the visible witness of our partnership in Christ Jesus, that is seen so clearly: – in the friendships forged across the miles and over the ether – in the prayers and advocacy that underpin our link - in the financial generosity that has enabled the work of the church to happen in the difficult times currently being experienced in Angola and Mozambique.

Bishop of Niassa elect- Revd Vicente Msosa

New window for Infulene Church, Maputo

Delivering seed as part of drought relief in Niassa

Youth flute band St Stephen’s Luanda

Lebombo family day at Maciene Cathedral

Benguela School Angola

Bishop André with Bishop of London at London Diocesan Synod

Mothers Union presidents from our partner dioceses at a training in Angola

Key Dates for early 2017

18 January (TBC). Evening for Angola links with visitors from Uige at St Marylebone.

14 or 21 February (TBC). ALMA Reps meeting (with Bishop Manuel Ernesto if 14th).

25 February. Consecration of new Bishop of Niassa, Rev Vicente Msosa, in South Africa.

1 March, Ash Wednesday. London Lent Appeal for ALMA ‘Sowing Seeds for Tomorrow’ (all the resources and suggestions will be on show at the Reps meeting in February).

1 April. Enthronement of Bishop Vicente in Lichinga.

A brief round-up of news since the last newsletter

• There have been two occasions when our three partner dioceses have been able to meet to share their ministries:
  • Representatives from Lebombo and Niassa joined Acção Social Anglicana-Asa in Angola for a savings programme training and sharing of experience;
  • Lebombo hosted the Youth Encounter for the lusophone dioceses of Southern Africa. Report on the ALMA website.
• Bishop Manuel has been on a pastoral visit around the far north of the diocese - the lakeshore region, Magachi and beyond. ‘I had a very blessed time together with the parishioners there: 250 confirmations at Messumba Cathedral, 210 at Yohanna Abdallah, 95 at Ngofi, another 97 at Chigoma. More Joyful was to visit a far remote community at Magachi, at the heart of central plateau which now can be reached by road, though it is still precarious. It is said by the elders there that the last confirmation was in 1958 under Bishop Pickard! There were 52 candidates confirmed and we thank God for all that’.
• Introducing our New ALMA Projects Officer for Mozambique
  
  Michael Collop and Joanne Beale

  Joanne Beale is known to many of you and we are delighted that on her return from Mozambique she has taken up this post and allowed Michael Collop to fully enjoy his retirement after their handover. Thank you to Michael for his years of dedicated service to ALMA.

• We were sad to learn of the untimely death of Revd Fundo João, priest at Cristo Redeemer in Luanda on Monday, November 28. Please keep his wife Mama Neusa Paula Filipe, all their family and the diocese of Angola in your prayers.
• Prayer Requests. Please will you hold in your prayers:
  • the drought affecting southern Africa which is impacting all partner dioceses
  • the continuing political insecurity and violence in Mozambique
  • the debt loan crisis
  • and Bishop elect Vicente, as he awaits his consecration
• Be encouraged by the wisdom of Former Archbishop Desmond Tutu when we are praying for such big issues:

  ‘As an old man, I can say this again. Start where you are and realise you are not meant on your own to resolve all of these massive problems. My heart leaps with joy at discovering the number of people who say “we want to make a better world”. And you will be surprised at how it can get to be catching. Do what you can, where you can’.

Wishing you and your families every joy this Christmastide – the ALMA Team!

Sheenagh Burrell
ALMA Co-ordinator
Tel: 020 7932 1231 Tuesdays Diocese of London, London Diocesan House, 36 Causton St, London SW1P 4AU.