Reps Circular
From Sheenagh Burrell ALMA Communications Officer
sb@burrell1980.freeserve.co.uk T: 020 8567 7400
Dear ALMA Reps,
Many thanks to those of you who were at the very special MANNA Centenary Celebration with Bishop Dinis, Bishop Mark and Bishop André on 16th Sept (report to follow), and to those who joined Bishop André of Angola and Bishop Peter of Edmonton and about three thousand others, including London based Angolans, for ‘the Beat Goes On’ on 14th Sept. There is a lovely photo and report of the day by the Kensington WDA, Fran Chandler, on the London Diocese website. It certainly made an impact – DFID has withheld £50 million of the UK’s funding to the IMF and World Bank.
It is good to know that, although divided once more by distance, we can again act in concert as we
STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY
for one minute between
11am 15 OCT - 11am 16 OCT
while a pledge is read, and as we are counted in a world record attempt
We in Angola, London and Mozambique along with millions around the world in 80 countries will be calling on governments to eradicate poverty, dramatically lessen inequality, and achieve the Millennium Development Goals through
Please do look at the excellent Bond website for details of
It would be good to know how we in ALMA get on. Perhaps we can share that when we get together at the next
ALMA REPS MEETING on Wed 22 November 2006
6-8pm @ London Diocesan House, 36 Causton Street, London SW1P
Revd Felicity Scroggie and Beryl Warren will be sharing reflections on 2 very different visits to Niassa and Lebombo . There will also be opportunities for us to share news of our links with each other and the ALMA website will have its official launch.
ADVANCE DIARY DATE: 2007 ALMA REPS MEETING ….
Thursday 15 March 2007
6-8pm @ London Diocesan House, 36 Causton Street, London SW1P
Some of you may have seen that the USPG Quarterly Prayer Diary featured Mozambique at the end of September. They have very kindly allowed me to share this with you. I thought they might be useful in a parish context.
This week we pray for MOZAMBIQUE: 24-30 September 2006
Mozambique, an ex-Portuguese colony, has two large, growing dioceses separated by the Zambezi River. There is the Diocese of Lebombo, with Bishop Dinis Sengulane; and the Diocese of Niassa, with Bishop Mark van Koevering (who, with his wife the Revd Helen van Koevering, is supported by USPG).
There are wonderful opportunities opening up in these two dioceses. Both are of enormous size and have poor resources, yet there is a great hope within the church. The work of the laity and catechists in evangelism is producing new churches in new areas. Now there is a real need to disciple and train leaders.
While statistics show growth in the economy and stability of this country since the end of a long civil war in 1992, regional statistics and real life experience show that huge disparities remain in the economic well-being of the people, with some areas suffering cycles of floods and drought since 2000.
The economic growth seen in the capital, Maputo, cannot be seen around the country, and malaria, HIV/AIDS and related diseases are on the increase. Both dioceses are actively involved in a variety of projects in these areas, seeking to make the love of God known in and through their churches.
Sunday 24
Pray for the clergy of both dioceses in Mozambique, and for the bishops and their families. Pray that God will be heard and seen in all the catechists leading services today.
Monday 25
Pray for the women of Mozambique, especially members of the Anglican Church and the Mothers’ Union. Pray for their pastoral work among the sick and poor in their families and communities.
Tuesday 26
Pray for the health work of the church, especially in tackling malaria and HIV/AIDS. May the compassion of Christ be evident to all through their work.
Wednesday 27
Lift up the children of Mozambique, for whom the development of the country holds so much promise. Pray for those in churches, in education and in health care, who are working with children.
Thursday 28
Pray for marriage and family life in these dioceses. Where commitment has been lacking, where abuse, poverty, hurt and inequality have damaged, may God’s healing bring new life and be a witness to God’s presence in the churches and communities.
Friday 29
Pray for training programmes in both dioceses, including training for catechists, community and diocesan priests, the Mothers’ Union and health activists. May they be instruments to further the kingdom of God.
Saturday 30
Pray for President Guebuza, the government and the governors of each of the 10 provinces. Pray for those encouraging private investment in ecologically-sound and poverty-ending projects to benefit the country.
May God, our Creator, be known and worshipped by all,
May Jesus be recognised in all we do and say,
May God’s Holy Spirit be seen in our churches and in us,
And may we reflect God’s compassion, God’s light and God’s joy in Mozambique. Amen
Bishop Mark van Koevering of Niassa, Mozambique, preached and spoke informally over lunch on Sunday 17th September at St Andrew’s Sudbury. He gave an update on plans to build a new health centre at Messumba, the former mission outpost on the shores of Lake Niassa. Bishop Mark’s sermon and presentation are available on DVD for anyone who would like a copy. No fixed charge but a donation to the Messumba Health Centre Fund would be appreciated,. Cheques to St Andrew’s Centenary Appeal (Mozambique) and further information from Felicity Scroggie, St Andrew’s Vicarage, 956 Harrow Rd, Wembley, Middx, 020 8904 4016 felicity.scroggie@london.anglican.org
HOPE TO SEE YOU ON WED 22nd NOVEMBER! Best wishes. Sheenagh