The essence of ALMA is relationships, and links between individual parishes, schools or other organisations are an important part of ALMA’s work. There are over 50 links at the moment - see the lists of the current links.
There are parishes in Lebombo, Niassa and Angola currently wanting to link with a parish in London. If you think your parish might be interested, why not contact the ALMA Twinning Officer to talk about this further. See the current list of those wanting a link.
In setting up a link, it is very helpful to have a profile of your organisation available. Here are some guidelines for creating a profile - choose the parish or school profile as appropriate:
ALMA Parish Profile Guidelines
The suggestions below are not prescriptive but are intended to assist in the production of your Parish Profile in preparation to be linked with a parish in Angola or Mozambique. Do please feel free to add any other information that you think would be relevant and/or helpful. Can you also try to review your words from our partner’s context e.g. will abbreviations and expressions translate?
- Parish Name – size of parish/ catchment area
- Names of priest, supporting clergy and parish workers e.g. youth/children’s workers
- Local area – distance from central London, relevant history, population mix, businesses/industry, transport
- Area of priest’s responsibility e.g. other congregations, schools, hospitals, prisons
- Congregation description – mission statement i.e. what is important to you, what is distinctive about you, size, ethnic mix, age range, interests, occupations and/or unemployment, what you enjoy doing together, other links both home and abroad
- Church Activities - Sunday School, choir, baptism and confirmation classes, youth groups, outreach projects, mother & toddler groups, home groups/ Bible study groups, after school clubs, Mothers’ Union branch
- Church Building(s) – description of buildings or picture. If other groups use your buildings, who are they and what activities are carried out?
- Your hopes and challenges for the future.
- What do you think you can contribute to a link parish?
- What do you think will be the benefits of being a link parish?
- Do you have a particular diocese or country in mind?
- Who in the parish will be involved in leading the link?
- How will you be able to communicate? eg email, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram?
Please include pictures of corporate life, clergy. Anything that helps convey life here in your area, as it can be difficult to convey word pictures when people are not using the same terms of reference.
When completed please return to John Tasker, ALMA Twinning Officer
Updated September 2019
ALMA School Profile Guidelines
The suggestions below are not prescriptive but are intended to assist in the production of your School Profile in preparation to be linked with a school in Angola or Mozambique. Do please feel free to add any other information that you think would be relevant and/or helpful. Can you also try to review your words from our partner’s context e.g. will abbreviations and expressions translate?
- School Name – number of pupils and size of catchment area.
- Name of headteacher, numbers of staff and class room assistants, Church connections e.g. Chaplain, Parish Priest, youth workers.
- Local area – distance from central London, relevant history, population mix, businesses/industry, transport. How do most of the children travel to school?
- School description – mission statement/motto i.e. what is important to you, what is distinctive about you, size, make-up – ethnic mix, age range, interests, what you enjoy doing together, other links both home and abroad. Also class sizes, school uniform, badges, banners etc.
- School Activities – range of subjects studied, organised school excursions, sports, clubs/interest groups, community projects, parent support.
- School Building(s) – a description of buildings and facilities - or picture. If other groups use your buildings, who are they and what activities are carried out?
- Your hopes and challenges for the future.
- What do you think you can contribute to a school link?
- What do you think will be the benefits of being a link school?
- Do you have a particular diocese or country in mind?
- Who in the school will be involved in leading the link?
- How will you be able to communicate? eg email, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram?
Please include pictures of your school buildings, classrooms and grounds, staff and pupils, corporate life. Anything that helps convey life here in your area, as it can be difficult to convey word pictures when people are not using the same terms of reference.
When completed please return to John Tasker, ALMA Twinning Officer
Updated September 2019
