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ALMA EMAIL CIRCULAR 22 JUNE 2010

From Sheenagh Burrell, ALMA Communications Officer
almacomms@london.anglican.org T: Tuesdays: 020 7932 1231

Dear ALMA Reps and Friends,

Greetings to you all, not only from me but also from our partners in Mozambique, where I have been very privileged to spend almost four weeks living, worshipping, travelling and sharing with many of the Ingreja Anglicana in Lebombo and Niassa.  It has been a formative and extensive visit. I have been to and spoken at 30 churches; visited six schools and five health posts; met various groups from the Mothers Union and Equipa da Vida to Boia da Salvacao; shared news of ALMA with Ordinands in Maputo and Catechists on a course to become Community Priests in Niassa and met the Diocesan staff in both Maputo and Lichinga. I have laughed, wept, sung, danced, met huge numbers of people and been both inspired and challenged. That challenge will continue as I sort out the 800 photos and videos -many of them destined for link parishes here in London - and write a report that honours the lively welcoming church I encountered in Mozambique.

I’m very thankful to Bishop Dinis, Bishop Mark and Helen, and my other hosts in Mozambique who made this visit possible, and to Helen Doery, who has held my part of the ALMA fort, so magnificently in my absence.

Since my return on Thursday life has been action packed with the setting up of the two ALMA exhibitions as part of the City of London Festival. On Friday we set up the Cathedral Exhibition - with everyone arriving as arranged with their wares and displays. A particular thanks must go to Ann Flett for her fourth ALMA banner- the largest yet - which is a banner for London Diocese.  It says ‘Linking the Anglican churches in Angola, London and Mozambique’ around the outside border. On Monday Helen Doery led a team of very creative ladies including Liz Crichton, Roseangela Ashdown and two friends Suzanne and Helen arranging capulanas and dressing the mannequins borrowed by Revd Alan McCormack. The results are stunning.

Do come to the exhibitions and do bring your congregations and friends with you too, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!  If you are feeling very spontaneous and could get to St Botolph’s-without-Bishopsgate for 6.10pm this evening there’s some Angolan dancing to launch the Capulana exhibition and some entertainment in the church until 7.30. The Cathedral Exhibition will be launched on Thursday morning - see diary dates for fuller information - again you are warmly invited. RSVP if you can.

This Circular contains

  1. Diary Dates
  2. News from our Partners
  3. London News

1. DIARY DATES

21 June - 10 July Two ALMA EXHIBITIONS as part of the City of London Festival

a) Images of Transformation at St Paul’s Cathedral North Transept. Mon - Sat 9.30-4.30

Normal Cathedral admission charges apply but do remember each London parish has four cards giving free admission to the Cathedral. Stewards free.

b) Capulana Exhibition at St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate Mon-Fri 9-5 pm Admission free.

24 June  Thursday 10.30 am Launch ALMA Exhibition in St Paul’s Cathedral

With Neil McGregor, Director of the British Museum, creator of ‘History of the World in 100 Objects’ and Ian Ritchie, Director of the City of London Festival. It would be so good if we could have a  good group present at the launch . Do bring your friends too. Assemble at the North West Door of the Cathedral (door nearest Chapter House) by 10.15 latest and Bishop Michael will lead the ALMA party into the Cathedral.

24-27 June Bernard Mizeki Pilgrimage in Mozambique and Zimbabwe

3 July Stewards needed for Cathedral exhibition 9.30 -1 pm only. Enthusiasts most welcome - do bring a friend. Please email if you can help.

11 July ALMA SUNDAY and final chance to see the Cathedral exhibition. Doors will open at 2 pm to allow ALMA community to see the exhibition before Evensong at 3.15 pm which will have an ALMA flavour and will include prayers for ALMA.

15 August Induction of Fr Germano Manjate as Priest in Beira.

26-29 August Diocese of Angola Diocesan Synod. John Tasker has been invited to this as Bishop André’s Commissary. 250 people are expected to be there.

September Diocese of Niassa Synod

October Diocese of Lebombo Synod

2 NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS (in brief)

a) Angola

b) Lebombo

c) Niassa

3. LONDON NEWS

I do look forward to seeing you over the next few weeks at the exhibitions, or on ALMA Sunday. We will arrange an ALMA Reps meeting to share my visit and the visit to Angola. If I visited your link parish or school I’ll be in touch in the next few weeks.

with best wishes to you all,

Sheenagh

Sheenagh Burrell ALMA Communications Officer Diocese of London
Email: almacomms@london.anglican.org
T: Tuesdays 020 7932 1231