Rochester Link September 6.0.Qxp
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Fine Cell Work exhibition at Bishopscourt P9 Fine Cell Work SEPTEMBER 2012 Trinity School’s mission to Tanzania By Ed Holloway In July a group of five Trinity fantastic job of organising activities for the children including English lessons, games, Sixth Form students, Harriette songs and art. Artwork now hangs in the Dowsett, Faith Brackstone, Daniel churches of the villages. Pastor Festo, the and Joshua McDonald-Smith and pastor of the villages, who has eight churches, was amazed by the way that the students Antalia Terblanche, together with interacted with the children and the impact Ed Holloway (Assistant Head they had. He said that he wanted the Teacher) and the School children’s teachers to learn from what they had experienced with Trinity students. Chaplain, the Rev Nicky Teverson Our participation in the worship at the travelled to Mpwapwa Diocese Cathedral was a special time; we learnt some for a two week mission. Swahili to introduce ourselves to the congregation and sang during services! This Our aims were to work with orphans in was nothing compared to the choirs that we the villages of Chitemo and Nhyinila, to had the privilege to hear whilst in worship with strengthen the link between the Dioceses the community. The services in the Cathedral of Rochester and Mpwapwa and to support were inspiring to all of us and gave strength the work already being done by the Rev to our mission. Yolande Marcussen and Linda During our time in Tanzania we were able Wanniaratchy through the charity to spend some time with Bishop Brian (who “Seeds4Tanzania”. was also visiting the Diocese) and Bishop We were, from the outset, given an Jacob, Bishop of Mpwapwa. At a very special amazing welcome wherever we went! service in the Cathedral on Sunday 8 July, Following a long flight with little sleep, we Mpwapwa and Rochester 7 Years On Bishop Jacob baptised and confirmed loaded the vehicles with our 27 cases (we Harriette during a service in which Bishop had brought donations of gifts and school By Bishop Brian Brian ordained two deacons. What an event! equipment) and drove to Mpwapwa, a Nicky and Ed now have a God-daughter – 9 hour drive away. Throughout the often Three hours’ drive from Dodoma, the capital Bishop had asked if I would ordain as deacon something very special for Harriette, Nicky bumpy drive, people waved, smiled and city of Tanzania, the Cathedral of Mpwapwa two of his ordinands. And so, 7 years to the and Ed, the mission as a whole and the shouted “Jambo” – a truly magical bore witness in a powerful and moving way to week on which the companionship link had relationship between Rochester and welcome. The views as we drove were the the growing and deepening companionship been launched in Tanzania, on a Sunday Mpwapwa. beginning of an experience that would be link between the Dioceses of Mpwapwa and whose theme, designated by the Province of Tanzania is an amazing country, with life changing for the students. Rochester. Tanzania, was ‘Partnership in Mission’, the incredible people who have deep faith. The We undertook a wide range of activities; The link was formally launched in 2005 and Bishop of Mpwapwa baptised and confirmed time we spent there is something we will working in the villages with children who there has been an emphasis on developing a young person from Rochester and a Bishop never forget and we hope it will be the had lost their parents and were being cared relationships. It began with links between from the Diocese of Rochester ordained two beginning of a long term link between our for by a Christian community with deep parishes and extended to whole communities. young deacons from Mpwapwa. In a service school and the people of Mpwapwa. The faith was truly inspiring. The students did a There have been regular exchanges between filled with joy and stillness, with vibrant experience will stay with us forever. the two countries with close friendships being singing from local choirs as well as the forged. All involved in such exchanges have students from Trinity School, three young found their lives touched in profound ways. people committing themselves more fully to Over recent years the relationship has Christ symbolised how close the two First Lay Canon at Kondoa Cathedral developed further with Trinity School, Dioceses had grown and pointed towards a Belvedere and Bennett Memorial School, future in which they could grow even closer. Linda Wanniaratchy first visited Tanzania in Tunbridge Wells sending small parties of 2005. Representing Mothers’ Union, Linda, young people to experience the culture and who worships at St Augustine, Bromley faith in Mpwapwa by engaging with young Common, went on the visit to establish the people and schools in local villages. In a link between the Tanzanian Dioceses of recent visit, Harriette Dowsett, with the party Kondoa and Mpwapwa with Rochester. Since from Trinity School, Belvedere, decided to then Linda, who is on the Link Committee, has make the step of being baptised and done an enormous amount to strengthen and confirmed in Mpwapwa Cathedral. Harriette, a extend the link and has encouraged many former Head Girl at Trinity (who left last year others in their involvement with Tanzania. for university) and a member of her local Linda was recently part of the small group parish, had been contemplating this which visited Kondoa with Bishop Brian and, commitment for some time, but her to her surprise and delight, was told by experiences in Mpwapwa moved her to take Bishop Given of Kondoa, that he wanted to this significant step in her life’s journeying: she make her a lay canon of Kondoa Cathedral. was baptised and confirmed in his Cathedral Bishop Given, who became Bishop in May, by the Bishop of Mpwapwa. wants to introduce lay canons into the It so happened that I was visiting Cathedral and Linda is the first. Mpwapwa Diocese at the same time and the PLEASE NOTE: Copy deadline for the October issue of The Link is 14 September at 4pm 2 ochester Link What’s on September couples at 6pm. Contact 01622 871272. Saturday 8 September HORTON KIRBY – Flower Festival: A Celebration of Take part in the Friends of Kent Churches Ride and Stride Charles Dickens at St Mary the Virgin 7-8 September to raise money for your church or chapel. Visit as many 10am-6pm and 9 September 12pm-6pm. churches as possible by bike (or walking). Visit TONBRIDGE – Heritage Open Days at St Peter and www.friendsofkentchurches.co.uk. St Paul’s Church 8 September 10am-4pm and Sunday PERRY STREET – Table Top Sale at All Saints Church 9 September 11am-4pm. Refreshments in the coffee Hall 10am-1pm. Free admission. Proceeds for the Church lounge and a craft exhibition to enjoy. Restoration Fund. For October Link please email What’s On events to SHORNE – Shorne Church Open Day at St Peter and [email protected] by 14 September St Paul 10am-6pm. Free conducted tours 2, 3, 4pm, no need to book. Afternoon teas 2:30pm-5pm. Information from [email protected] or 01474 822280. Celebrating Evensong at Rochester Cathedral From 28 September to 31 October 7:30am-6pm (5pm BECKENHAM Charity Concert in aid of Multiple on Saturday) an exhibition of 16 banners illustrating the Sclerosis Society at St Barnabas Church at 7:30pm. visual journey through Choral Evensong by Ruth Dent Vivaldi’s Gloria with the West Wickham Choir and the will be displayed at Rochester Cathedral. The display Beckenham Concert Band. All welcome. Contact coincides with the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book 020 8650 3393 or [email protected] of Common Prayer. Ruth will be in the Cathedral each WILMINGTON – St Michael’s Church Open Day 12pm- Saturday and Sunday from 2pm 4pm. A BBQ at 12:30pm and afternoon teas at 3pm, plus performances by Phonenix Theatre Group and Wilmington Players. At 7:30pm a Celebration Concert with Northfleet Vocation Roadshows Brass Band. Concert tickets £5 from Sharon Richardson Here I am Lord: Archdeaconry Vocation Roadshow on 07749 615516 or visit www.stmichaelswilmington.org.uk 27 September at St Peter and St Paul, Tonbridge at 7:30pm, 1 October at St Luke’s Church, Sevenoaks at Wednesday 12 September 7:30pm and 2 October at Mascalls, Paddock Wood at HAYES – Hayes Philharmonic Choir: An open workshop 7:30pm. Everyone welcome. on Gilbert and Sullivan at 8pm at The Old Church Schools, 86 Hayes Street. Free admission. Metalsmith Overseas Links Service with guest preacher the www.steelyourself.co.uk Fancy a day out? Saturday 15 September Conscientious and reliable, Take part in the Friends of Kent Rt Rev Given Gaula, Bishop of Kondoa Ian Marshall provides new WATERINGBURY – Harvest Fayre at Wateringbury work and maintenance for a Churches Annual Sponsored Primary School 12pm-4pm. Including hog roast, children’s Come and celebrate our Overseas Diocesan Links with number of churches. art competition, fruit, veg and baking competitions, face Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Estonia on Sunday 14 To join his list of satisfied October at 6:30pm at All Saints Church, Oprington. customers painting and games stall. Entry £1 for adults, children free. call: 020 8850 7851 Saturday 8th September 2012 Focusing on Tanzania and featuring the Furaha or 077 6666 2747 10am to 6pm GILLINGHAM – Training Day with guest speaker Dr Tanzanian Choir, plus guest preacher the Rt Rev Given Details from your local church or from Rebecca Nye 10am-4pm at St Matthew’s Church, Gaula, Bishop of Kondoa Diocese, Tanzania, Carolyn Millen on 01622 843383 Wigmore. The day includes childhood spirituality, accompanied by his wife Lilian.