St Stephen’s Canonbury visit Uige Province
and St Estêvão in Luanda

For a second time, St Stephen’s, Canonbury visited Angola to develop the link between the two churches of St Stephen’s, Canonbury in London and St Estêvão in Luanda.

This trip was different to the first one, with a new delegation – Vicar: David Moore, Reader: John Tasker, Anne Cartwright and Pastor José Manuel do Nascimento.  We wanted to see our personal relationships in Luanda, in the broader context of Luanda’s relationship to the rest of the country, by visiting the province of Uige in the north of Angola.

On our arrival at 4 de Fevereiro airport in Luanda at 7:40am on Friday 28 October, we were greeted by members from St Estêvão and a great mixed choir in black and red, who marvellously sang in harmony a great song of love in English to welcome us.

Next day we were flying to Uige, but in different aircraft. David, John and Anne had to fly in the early morning, and José had to get the second one in the afternoon, but unfortunately didn’t land at Uige airport because of the bad weather and strong rain.

Our visit to Uige was mainly to participate in the 80th anniversary celebration of the mission church on 30 October, and the reconciliation of two churches, the Anglican Church of Angola and the Reformed Church. But it was also to reunite José with his mum Nsimba Francelina Ngombo, who he had not seen for 25 years, and the rest of his family.

On Sunday, 30 October, José landed in Uige even though it was raining again. The service had already started; around two or more thousand Christians of different denominations were there. In the afternoon, we had a big concert at Papelão Church with the group called “Os peregrinos”, where José was surprised to be invited by (his fellow singer and leader of Banyongo in London in the 90’s) Rev. Adaó Alexandre to sing along with them. Adaó, José, Guerra (José’s brother) and Ernesto sang wonderfully. They didn’t stop for four hours, with all of us full of joy - our bishops, priests, deacons, and members dancing and jumping. It was a wonderful afternoon.

After the concert our delegation from St Stephen’s, Canonbury, St Estêvão, different ministers and members of the Anglican Church, went together with José to meet his mum who he had never seen for 25 years. It was an emotional time for both sides, with tears of joy.

On Monday 31 October we started our journey to the countryside to see and find out the potential richness of Uige. From Songo we drove to the diocesan farm where we saw the potential for agriculture - woods, banana plantations, oranges, cocoa, manioc, and other important fruits. As we were passing by different villages we observed several potential farms.

Back in Luanda, we started with meetings and visits. Meeting with the Mothers’ Union and well organised choirs, with youth leaders and their members. We visited the new churches planted by St Estêvão: Patterson Congregation in Sapu, Viana, Emmanuel, and Vila Verde. The next one is to be dedicated as Canonbury Church!

It’s an amazing history, so we asked Ven. Emmanuel da Costa, “What is your secret, planting so many new churches?” The answer was first a laugh, and then he said: “The only secret is to obey the Lord in his scripture truthfully. Myself, I cannot plant a church in my desire. I cannot stop when he commands me. I don’t feel well when I don’t do it and I never will stop till he calls me to say it’s enough my son”.

As our visit drew to an end, we participated in a massive prayer service in the Cidadela Ginasio basketball stadium for the 30th anniversary of Angolan Independence. Around four thousand members of different churches, choirs, bishops, priests and pastors all gathered together.

On our last Sunday, our vicar David Moore preached and conducted Holy Communion, Anne read the bible, John prayed, and our José was again surprised to sing with his old choir “Salvation Stars” which he founded in 1980. They sang a song which he composed in 1988 based on psalm 142.

Just before we left Luanda, Bishop Andre asked us to find a partner to help realise the agricultural potential of the land owned by the diocese and parishes. In the afternoon we had our last meeting with the St Estêvão leadership team.

There is such an opportunity for other churches to make links with churches in the north of Angola. You will be most welcome, Uige is waiting for you. Don’t let the opportunity go.