Reg. Charity No. 285760 No. 54, Autumn 2007

Latest news from the dioceses Bible Appeal raised £4,800

Archbis hop Diropka dis tributing bibles in Kinshasa

Partners’ meeting in Bunia News from ISThA Project updates CCA AGM on 10 th November 2007 (See page 16 for further details about the AGM)

We bring you warm greetings from Archbishop Dirokpa, the bishops and Christians in the Anglican Church in Congo. April 2007 was a very important month in the life of the church, with five significant events taking place back to back! The House of Bishops met in Boga prior to the installation of Bishop Isingoma Kahwa Henri as 3 rd Bishop of Boga on 18 th April. Christians gathered in celebration from all over the diocese for this momentous occasion and it was deeply moving to see representatives of the 4 main ethnic groups installing Isingoma, welcoming him and praying for him. Their unity in Christ and this sign of reconciliation was a very powerful testimony to all present. You may remember that this area was devastated by ethnic conflict just a few years ago. Church leaders and several international partners then flew to Bunia, courtesy of MAF, for a consultation between the Anglican Church of Congo and her international partners, of which there is more elsewhere in this newsletter. On Sunday 22 April, Archbishop Dirokpa celebrated 25 years of Episcopal ministry at a service in Bunia Cite church at which our patron, Bishop Michael Scott-Joynt preached. Finally, the Provincial Synod met for 2 days to discuss the Constitution and other weighty matters. An ambitious programme? Yes very much so, but given the high costs of travel, it is vital to cover as much business as possible when church leaders come together. Although much of the country is now enjoying peace and reconstruction, in the area north of Goma in Bukavu Diocese, there is on-going militia activity causing displacement of thousands of people, raping, looting and destruction of homes. CCA has sent money to help some of the families affected, but it is a drop in a vast ocean of need. Please continue to pray for peace in Congo and for wisdom for its leaders and for the Church in its ministry. Partnership Consultation between the Anglican Church of Congo (PEAC) and its international partners held in Bunia

About three years ago at a CCA Trustees’ meeting, Jeremy Pemberton floated the idea of a round-table consultation between leaders of the EAC and UK partners. This proposition was warmly received by the EAC and so plans were initiated in collaboration with CMS and finally realised in April this year. The consultation brought together bishops, delegates from all 8 dioceses, and Provincial officers from the PEAC together with 17 overseas partners from UK, USA, Australia and Kenya: a total of 61 delegates. The Most Rev Dr Dirokpa Fidele, Archbishop of the PEAC, in collaboration with Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, Bishop of Winchester and Patron of CCA, presided over the meeting. The overall goal was to strengthen our partnership but how this could best be achieved was discerned as the workshop progressed, under Bill Crooks’ wise facilitation.

Each day began with prayer and worship together, in various languages, followed by a teaching session on the Samaritan Strategy from Dennis Tongoi, CMS Africa Director. The full training prepares and equips local churches with a Christian worldview to carry out holistic ministry in their communities. The dioceses are keen to receive the full training course in the future. The initial presentations from each Diocese and the Province gave detailed insight into their vision, their work, their struggles and joys. Partners then introduced their organisations and the ways in which they have been working with the PEAC. Against this backcloth of current activities and vision, the following question was debated in small groups and then plenary: what kind of church do we want to have in 10 years time? Characteristics included: a church which is engaged socially and politically, a spiritually renewed church, a missionary and prophetic church, a self-sufficient church, a church which transforms society witnessing to the love of Christ. All these ideas and thoughts were compiled on the ‘EAC body’. Please use it as a guide for your prayers for the church.

The focus then shifted to consider 3 key questions, working in small groups: the strengths of our present partnership; the barriers within our present partnership, and what makes for a good partnership. Delegates shared openly and honestly about the difficulties they encounter ranging from language, technology and culture to lack of transparency and lack of consultation, paternalism, financial management and credibility. Delegates debated long and hard to find practical solutions that will be workable in the daily life and ministry of the church and for the partner organisations. Needless to say, discussions were not limited to the workshops but continued over the meal table and often late into the evening! A recurrent theme in workshops and personal conversations was that of training and education: training in every area (theology, finance, management, development, schools etc) and capacity- building for those already in post, as well as discipleship and training of Christians and church workers, bringing a greater depth of understanding and Small groups at work during the consultation faith, and maturity to the church.

Finally each diocese, the Province and the partner organisations took turns to share what they had most appreciated and learnt from the consultation and what they plan to do and hope to achieve in the next 12 months, under God’s leading and enabling. It is hoped that in summer 2008, just before the Lambeth Conference, there will be an opportunity for a follow-up meeting, which will be an encouragement to all involved and help foster our mutual accountability.

Without doubt, the consultation was tremendously worthwhile, giving church leaders, in the company of international partners, an opportunity to take stock of where they are at and for us all to gain a clearer vision of where God is leading in the future. The opportunity to build relationships and friendships amongst delegates was immensely valuable and has strengthened the church and our partnership. The consultation was timely too at this strategic point in the history of the Congolese nation, when there is a focus on reconstruction, development and fresh vision in wider society.

In addition to our normal commitments of grants, prayer support and raising awareness of the needs of the EAC, CCA has undertaken the following: • To provide grants towards learning English for the bishops and their wives in preparation for the Lambeth Conference 2008 • To investigate further how CCA might help the Church to make some kind of one-off pension provision for retiring clergy. CCA holds a fund for this purpose – more donations are welcome! • To be an advocate for the EAC and to try to identify more partners for the EAC, both in UK and elsewhere

The following quotations from the consultation report sum up the achievements of the meeting:

“The time spent in prayer and reflection enabled the members of EAC to take hold again the role of the EAC as a tool of the Mission of God for spreading the Good News of Christ our Saviour, and the role of the EAC as a catalyst for social transformation. With the desire to serve God and to see the EAC play a full role in the reconstruction of Congo through a holistic evangelism, members of the EAC and partners came together in a spirit of openness and mutual comprehension and the will to continue to work together in partnership was clearly expressed with a firm commitment by both sides. For this to happen, the local resources, both spiritual, cultural, human as well as material must be exploited with all creativity by the PEAC and then the partners can reinforce the PEAC’s efforts in the areas identified during the workshop. May the Almighty God richly bless our Partners who carry so faithfully in their hearts the Congolese people.”

Donation Form Please do use the enclosed donation form to help the work

of CCA. You can give to our general funds, from which grants are made to the Dioceses, Province and ISThA, or pick a particular project which may be of interest to you.

North Kivu – news from Bishop Enoch

Greetings from the Diocese of North Kivu, Butembo, DRC. Since my consecration on 22 nd October 2006, the Diocesan Council has unanimously adopted a new structure. Out of the many small departments, we now have four main ones, namely: • Mission Evangelism, Women and Youth; • Planning and Development where three major sectors emerge: Projects Sector, Social mobilisation sector and Health services Sector; • Finance and Land; • Education.

This new strategy has enabled the Diocese to get focussed. We have come up with a first ever financial budget, whose source of funding is mainly parishes on a quota system. Because of this, we have started a stewardship campaign, where an individual Christian's responsibility of integrity, accountability and transparency are emphasised. A new salary structure has also been approved, so that every Church worker is considered appropriately. Christians are getting excited over this new approach.

I introduced the blessing of children before the preaching of sermons each Sunday in the whole Diocese. When I started, 10 children came forward, but today over 700 children turn up for prayers and special blessing of each child. Coupled with this, the sick and those with psychological illness have been cured. Many children, even from the neighbouring Churches, are coming for special prayer and a blessing from the Anglican Church leader. We have started on a Five Year Integrated Development Plan (2008-2012). The Bunia Consultation and Provincial Synod in April was a great encouragement showing that the Anglican Church is alive in the DRC and Congo Brazzaville. During my official visit to Uganda, I initiated contacts and a new partnership with Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau (UPMB), where the executive Director approved the idea of partnership. The Diocese of Namirembe is strengthening its partnership with North-Kivu and Bishop Balagadde Sekadde and a team will come to visit our Diocese in February 2008. The Bishop of Kigezi, the Rt. Rev. George Katwesigye, together with a delegation of 4 people visited our Diocese with a view to strengthening Evangelism in the area.

We praise God for the CCA contribution of $4,000 towards the cost of a second-hand vehicle for Bishop Enoch and the Diocese to facilitate travel around the diocese.

News in brief

Congratulations to His Grace, the Most Rev Dr Dirokpa Fidele on his marriage to Mama Ruth Tamasha on 13th September 2007.

Congratulations to Bishop Funga (Kisangani Diocese) on his engagement to Mlle Virginie.

Bishops Kasima, Bahati and Olaoye attended the CAPA (Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa) training course for new bishops in Nairobi.

Bishop Masimango (Kindu Diocese) and his wife Naomi are in Australia for 3 months, during which he will study at Moore College and also visit friends and supporters.

Ven. Isesomo, Provincial Evangelist, has just coordinated two Langham Preaching seminars for 50 participants, which took place in Kinshasa in September.

SOMA is running a conference in North Kivu Diocese in November. ISThA (from the Principal, Canon Sabiti) Motto: Academic Excellence, Spiritual Excellence, Social Excellence

ISThA staff at Aru before the move to Bunia. Revd. Canon Sabiti Tibafa is second from the left

On July 31 st five students graduated upon successful completion of their studies. This was ISThA’s twelfth graduation class and the ceremony was held jointly with ISPASC. Earlier in the month the college underwent Government inspection for accreditation of its course, which thankfully it passed!

The move back to Bunia was finally completed in August. After an emotional farewell, we loaded up two trucks, one lorry and our own pickup. There was no room for our furniture. The journey was long and hard. We had several breakdowns and the roads were bad. Exhausted, we arrived at our new compound on 5th August and received an excited welcome. After a short period of praise and prayer, we were served a local dish called Mbilibo, a mixture of maize and beans. Our official welcome by the church leaders at the Cité church in Bunia took place on 19 th August. Unfortunately, there is not enough accommodation to house all the members of the college. We will need to build more classrooms and houses. Our water supply has been reconnected, but we can only get water at night. We only have a few toilets and shower rooms; one for every ten families. They are in poor condition and we are at risk from disease. There is an urgent need to provide clean sources of water and durable Student accommodation block at Bunia and hygienic toilets. We have started a project to do this and have set a budget of about $17,500. We also need a supply of electricity, which will cost in the region of $19,000. The cost of living is high; a bag of charcoal is $20. We have started to cultivate the land, but it will be some time before we reap the benefits.

There is a small health unit with two nurses and we have access to the local hospitals. Unfortunately, we have a number of members with chronic sicknesses: two diabetics, one with sickle cell anaemia, two with high blood pressure and one with heart problems. Taking care of these patients is weighing heavily on our college budget.

We are expecting eleven first year students from almost all of the DRC dioceses soon, which will bring a further challenge to build more houses. Thanks to all friends of ISThA who contribute scholarships and help in many other ways. Thanks also to those intending to help us in the future with funds for our various projects.

News from Bukavu Diocese (by Revd Muhindo Matabaro Jean Paul)

The diocese of Bukavu is located in the provinces of North and South Kivu in the eastern part of DRC. The several wars in this country have caused many social and economic consequences to the population within the diocese. Poor economic conditions and refugees throughout this large diocese are the major difficulties facing our Bishop, Rt. Revd. Bahati Sylvestre.

A special effort is being made to improve the social, spiritual and material needs of the Church members throughout the diocese. Bishop Bahati has started a series of visits into parishes. So far, he has served 23 parishes, confirming 1,295 believers and counselling pupils, teachers and headmasters, but the Archdeaconry of Rutshuru has not yet received a visit because of increasing insecurity in this part of the diocese.

Seminars and workshops for different groups are organised in churches. Pastors, evangelists, women, men and youth are trained in 2 seminars per archdeaconry at the very minimum.

We spend much time in applying for assistance from NGOs for the rehabilitation and rebuilding of schools and dispensaries. As a result, three schools have just been built and seven others are on the way. To reinforce the activities of mothers’ groups in the Church, each archdeaconry has received a gift of 10 sewing machines. There are 3 tailoring workshops in Goma, Bukavu and Lac Tanganyika for jobless women and girls. Also, the bibles supplied by Congo Church Association have been distributed to Christians, enabling them to read and preach the Word of God. From CMS Ireland, the Youth department has received money to run projects which Bibles supplied by CCA being generate an income: a boat in Goma studied in Bukavu diocese and a grinding mill in Bukavu.

The six dispensaries of the diocese are functioning safely, and a maternity unit is now being built in Bukavu. The Diocese would like to get assistance to help the population of Matutira (180km from Bukavu) to rehabilitate their dispensaries.

Emergency problems in the diocese are: refugees and raped women and girls in Rutshuru. The Diocese has received $2,800 from Congo Church Association (CCA) to help us face these problems and meet the basic needs of some of the victims ($3,000 more was sent recently – ed.) Refugees in Bukavu receiving aid Apart from this, the majority of the population in South Kivu are victims of hunger . This is due to many factors, including the displacement of persons from villages to town, trying to protect themselves from attacks by the Interahamwe ( militia from Rwanda during the genocide in 1994, now living in the forest in South Kivu). Other causes of hunger are trauma and loss of hope by many people, lack of seeds due to poverty and the Mosaic Virus destroying the plants The population of South Kivu needs prayers from other believers.

An extract from the detailed records kept by Bukavu of the distributi on of aid to refugees purchased from funds supplied by CCA. Note the thumbprints in place of signatures. Peace building is a major priority and a great preoccupation of Bishop Bahati, who desires to strengthen the Church. Of course, his daily teachings and preaching invite all the members of the Church (men, women and youth) to be reconciled, to live in peace and to love one another. Everybody is involved in peace building all over the Archdeaconry of Goma and Lac Tanganyika, where the conflicts troubled the church. The Bishop, clergy and lay people attend different meetings about peace and reconciliation in the Great Lakes region as opportunities arise.

News from The Kasais from Bishop Olaoye Abiotun

The Inter-Archdeaconries Conference 2007, a kind of mini- synod, was held in May with the theme ‘With God we shall gain the victory’ (Ps. 60:12). The Archbishop, Most Rev. Dr. Balufuga Fidele Dirokpa, and fifty-five people were in attendance. Some of the reports from the archdeaconries were very encouraging: reports of evangelistic programmes, seminars to develop members, and youth programmes, 1 st Mothers’ Union Conference held in Kabinda and 9 new churches established.

During the Conference, six new Archdeaconries were created and six priests preferred Archdeacons, making a total now of nine. Many gifts were made to the priests during the Conference, including 30 black cassocks and stoles and surplices donated by Mrs. Dupe Fashina from Nigeria and 11 Bicycles (from Church of Nigeria and friends in Jersey). 28 stoles were purchased and given to the clergy. At the end of the Conference, delegates returned home while the priests waited for the Clergy Seminar which started the following day.

We thank all those who support us prayerfully and financially, especially the Church of Nigeria, CCA and the Rev. Canon and Mrs. Stuart Broughton who gave us the financial support to hold the Conference and Clergy Seminar, and St. Paul’s, Jersey, for their continuous assistance. May the good Lord continue to bless you all. News from Boga Diocese From Bishop Isingoma

Boga Diocese is beginning to recover after the difficulties of bloody conflicts and destructive wars. The current rehabilitation is taking place in the hearts of men, women and children rather than on a material level. While NGOs were giving material aid to the vulnerable sectors of the population, the diocese chose to concentrate on giving teaching and seminars on lasting peace, healing of wounds caused by violence (trauma healing) and theology of reconciliation, as well as starting local development and social well- Bishop Isingoma being initiatives.

Many activities are underway to enable Christians to strengthen their faith, to bring together different ethnic groups who have been in conflict enabling them to exercise together ministries of reconciliation and peace, and to realise small self-help projects to help them survive.

The Diocesan Department of Evangelism has been re- established, led by Rev Barozi Japhet and Rev Kiza Zaba Jacques. They have organised peace and reconciliation seminars throughout the diocese, which have also been evangelistic in nature. Aided by the Diocesan Schools’ Coordinator, they have also worked closely with head teachers, teachers and pupils in primary and secondary schools. Many people who were caught up in ethnic conflict shared how they turned away from God to traditional religions and practices; they return now to the church in confession, seeking reconciliation with God and their victims.

Mrs Mugisa Godelive (MU Diocesan President) and Mrs Androsi Nyabongo are working for peace and social welfare amongst women of all denominations through a new organisation, UFPPS (Union des femmes pour la paix et la promotion sociale). Women share their experiences and learn new skills to help support themselves and their families. This programme is spreading throughout the Diocese, particularly as women return to their home villages. It is planned to initiate a new Family Life programme, learning from the experience of the Church of Uganda, with support from Mary Sumner House, London.

A new social well-being programme has been launched in synergy with the old programmes of the Community Development Office, working directly with village populations. In recent months livestock and agriculture projects as well as water, literacy, carpentry and tailoring programmes have all begun. The Boga Nursing School (ITM) hopes to re-open at the end of 2007 as there is a need for more trained medical personnel in the Beni-Bunia area.

Bp Isingoma, aside from pastoral visits for confirmation and administrative purposes, gives active support to these diocesan programmes through participation in their training seminars and spontaneous visits to parishes. His new office, funded by a small CCA grant, makes it much easier for him to The bishop’s new office carry out administrative work. An intensive programme of visits throughout the Diocese by the Bishop, Archdeacons and Heads of Departments are vital for building harmony and unity.

In July Bp Isingoma and Archbishop Dirokpa were privileged to participate in a Consultation in Spain called Emmaus Walking, organised by Trinity Church, New York, which consolidated partnership relations between churches and organisations of the worldwide Anglican Communion. News from Judy Acheson

Youth Department: We praise God for the way our second book (entitled ‘Young people with God, let us rebuild our beautiful country’) is being received. The latest news from the Ministry of Youth in Kinshasa is that they are calling in experts to examine this book and recommend its use to the Minister who, in turn, will call in other Ministers for a forum. From this will come their recommendations. Pray God's will be done.

A choir in Goma have produced an excellent CD of 8 songs that fit in completely with our second book, so we are seeing how to copy these and get them sold around the country.

The Ministry of Youth are also very interested in our Youth Leaders’ Training Centre in Mahagi. They are working towards recognising it officially at Ministerial level. This would mean that the training will be recognised officially and the staff will be paid and we can also expect other subsidies at different times! The film crew from our department in Kinshasa are about to re- film ‘Young person do whatever you want but ...’ - a brilliant film, which exactly matches our first youth manual. Pray for this and for the possibility of copying and getting the videos around the country as well.

Pray for Bisoke, Jean-Bosco from Lubumbashi and Fernand, as they take over the department whilst I am on leave from mid- Sept 2007 to mid-February 2008. Please pray that I get a really good rest, enjoy my Church visits and get fresh vision for my last two years before retirement.

Donation: We have received a large donation towards our work and I thought people might like to know how we intend to spend it. Transport for our Diocesan youth workers. This has been their plea for so long and we just never get the money we need. So we are providing six motorbikes for Kindu, Kisangani, and the two Kasais and giving $3,492 to Bukavu to see what they can buy with it. They need a car to cope with the terrain. So for a total of $13,157 we have all we need! This will make such a difference to their ministry. They can freely travel throughout their dioceses. Scholarships . We continue to support many people with scholarships to further their education and training. Projects - linked to our Provincial office: We are going to buy a mini-bus to use as a taxi in Kinshasa. This brings in $50 a day and so within a short time we can buy a second one. We calculate that within a year we will hopefully be getting $2,500 a month. We have such a good team in Kinshasa now that we know they will manage this project well. We have put aside $5,000 for our second book. I am going to Kinshasa and will return with the forms, statutes, etc (documents needed by the Ministry before they give our Centre official recognition). We are hoping that as a result of the workshop in October, not only will they officially recognise/ validate this book, but also pay for printing the second edition. Who knows, they may find funding for training around the country. Our Provincial office: We have bought two laptops, plus printer and a good stock of ink cartridges and three stabilisers for all our computers. We will connect the two computers to our internet. We

CCA AGM 2007 10 th November, 2007 at 12 noon at Wolvesey, Winchester (SO23 9ND) by kind invitation of Bishop Michael and Mrs Lou Scott-Joynt

Guest speaker:

Judy Acheson

Provincial Youth Worker and CMS Mission Partner

For catering purposes, if you are coming to the meeting, please inform Liz rd Hallett as soon as possible and by 3 November at the latest. Contact details: 38 Beechwood Crescent, Chandlers Ford, SO53 5PD Tel: 023 8025 3457 or e-mail: [email protected]) are stocking up a little, doing repairs to Micky's office and having a little in hand for when I am in UK. Fernand says now he can be a proper secretary! All this for $7,000. Diocesan youth projects: We are repairing the electric saw which we bought some time back for Aru. This will enable them to be self-financing. We are setting up Rev John in Kinshasa with a carpentry workshop so that he can get his salary and rent as well as train young people. We are paying his rent for 8 months and giving him $500 to equip the house. We have put money aside for the production of copies of the youth film mentioned above and have sent $150 to the choir in Goma. Helping individuals: Our former Diocesan Sunday School worker from North-Kivu has just died. I have worked with him since 1980, so we are sending $200 to help the family. 3 students who finished at CFEJ and returned home are in difficulties, so we have helped them out a little, total $375 and I have remained with a promise unfulfilled to two people in Mahagi who worked non-stop during all the years of our building the Centre and received a derisory amount of money. So I promised them each a gift which we will pay to them now. We have a little in hand for our Sunday School work.

Finally, here is a photograph of Limete church in Kinshasa, taken during the first service. It was a lovely service. Earlier the children had met for Sunday School - 80 of them, aged 3 – 15 yrs. It was an amazing time, such fun and everyone took part. They really have worked hard on the building and having the ground floor as a church is going to make such a great difference to them all.

Bishop Ande reports from Aru

“The diocese of Aru extols an evangelistic ministry of all believers working for a transformation of the society and the environment by working in unity, in love and by a holistic form of evangelism with the aim of nurturing the well-being of the body and soul”

Created in 1989, the Anglican Parish of Isiro in Aru diocese hadn’t received a visit from the Bishop until 1996, when there was a service of confirmation. Since that time, no senior person in the Church had visited the parish. We visited the parish recently between 14 th and 20 th June. We found that many in the congregation had abandoned the church. Only sixteen people had been The cathedral at Aru confirmed. Many of the chapels (six of them) had gone backwards and did not have any congregation at all. Our visit gave consolation, encouragement and hope to those abandoned Christians left to their own devices for so long and especially during the six years of war which destroyed the town of Isiro and where one sees every day the effect on the life of each member of the population. I was able to visit Isiro thanks to the money which CCA has sent over the last year. We have budgeted well and used the money for two people, me and Agupio Samuel. (Rev. Agupio was vicar of Isiro and is now in charge of the theological education by extension (TEE) in Aru diocese.) Thank you very much, CCA.

Another important event in the diocese of Aru was the training of 47 evangelists (including 11 women) in one week. The majority were laity. The diocese was able to invite Ven. Isesomo Muhindo to this event. These evangelists, some of whom even came from neighbouring churches, became “CORPS DES EVANGELISTES DIOCESAINS” (CODEV), licensed to spread the Good News everywhere in the diocese. News from Kinshasa and the Province From Evangeliste Achille Mutshindu, Diocesan Treasurer, Egl. Ang. de Kinshasa.

Greetings to you all from the Diocese of Kinshasa. The news from Kinshasa is that, by the grace of the Lord, we succeeded in laying the paving stones of our chapel to start work on the first floor, which will become our Diocesan offices. The building in its final phase will have three levels; the second is reserved for our provincial offices. We hope, by the grace of God, to manage to finish this Construction work on the first floor, above the chapel building, which will be a great centre of reference for the Anglican Church of Congo. We request your prayers for the success of this important work.

Mme Lisongi Etsa Rosalie, the diocesan secretary of the Mothers Union here in Kinshasa, travelled to Matadi The chapel on the ground floor and Boma between 8th and 14 th August in order to promote the activities of the MU in this part of the archdeaconry. She very much hopes to visit Yumbi in Bandundu during November. May God bless you! Diocese of Kindu From Kindu Diocese Newsletter

On the 31st of August this year the Diocese of Kindu celebrated its 10th Anniversary. At the same time Bishop Masimango celebrated his 10th Anniversary as Bishop. The war has had a profound affect on the diocese but we thank God that people’s lives are slowly being rebuilt and that the diocese is moving forward.

In May about 50 people attended a trauma-healing seminar in Kalima. Some people found the seminar useful for healing of their own trauma; for example, things they had seen during the war. Others use the material to understand people they are ministering to and others use it to go and train others. For many people in this region the trauma of war is fading but being replaced by other traumas related to day-to-day living. Through the Mother’s Union the Anglican Peace and reconciliation in Kindu Church in Kindu has had an ongoing ministry to women who were victims of rape and assault during the war. Although it was over 4 years ago, some women have still not received the medical care they need. From the parishes surrounding Kindu 100 women meet regularly to receive teaching and encouragement from the church. For many of these women their lives have been changed drastically – some have been turned out of their homes and must survive and care for their children without help. Others, despite operations and medical treatment, can no longer carry heavy loads or work in their fields. Despite this, these women are very thankful for the assistance the Mother’s Union has provided, using aid from overseas donors to supply them with clothing and cooking utensils. We thank God that the Diocesan Council was able to meet in Kindu in May. It was an opportunity to think again about the parishes across the diocese. A recent commission visited every parish and determined whether they met requirements such as having a church building, a house for the pastor and a field for the pastor’s family to grow food. Diocesan Council discussed which parishes should be closed and made to merge with neighbouring parishes. In some parishes this is because people have moved as a result of the war and insecurity. In other places, churches and houses were destroyed and the Christians still do not have sufficient resources for building projects. At the Diocesan Council meeting we were reminded again that the purpose of the church is to take the Good News to all people and that therefore all activities of the church, such as schools, health work and development, should be helping with this task. Church planting strategies were also discussed. In some places where churches have been planted in remote and distant villages they lack even the support of nearby parishes. Our plan is to plant churches to fill some of these gaps.

The dry season here is between June and August. The roads dry up and travel becomes more possible. Some parts of the diocese are accessible by car, other roads are for motor- bikes only and some places are best reached by a combination of river canoe and motor-bike. This year Bishop Masimango planned trips throughout July and some of August to try to The main road south through the diocese visit as many of the 49 parishes in the diocese as possible. Planning a trip involves hiring motor- bikes and chauffeurs and sending fuel on ahead in plenty of time. The motorbikes will need refuelling and cannot carry extra fuel as well as the passengers, luggage and tools for repairs that are needed. There are no functioning petrol stations in the diocese. However, travel is expensive, even by motor-bike, and plans always depend on the availability of sufficient funds.

Beria Bible School has completed its first academic year. A new student intake was due in September for the 3 year course so that 1 st and 2 nd years will run at the same time, hopefully with ten students in each year. This means more teachers as well as good organization and planning. All the Bible School students were sent on placement to their home parishes between January and March, enabling them to spend time with family and get practical experience working alongside their local minister and hopefully return with a better framework for their learning. The students are from all over the diocese – some from towns quite easy to Pastors celebrating at the inauguration of reach, others from quite the first Beria Bible School Building remote villages. The Bible School teachers made follow-up visits to all the students – some were a three day motorbike trip away - and the teachers returned with positive reports about the students. Students had all gained valuable experience and their pastors were impressed with what they had learned in their first term and noticed in particular that the students had matured in their faith. The students returned to Bible school for third term with enthusiasm and the teachers were able to use their placement experiences to ensure the teaching was relevant and practical. This term, an inauguration service was held for the completion of the first stage of the new buildings – a classroom block. We thank God that plans are now going ahead for the next stage – an accommodation block for the students. The mud huts the students have been using have been reasonably expensive to maintain and are by no means permanent. In heavy rain, the leaf roofs leak. It will be good to have rooms that are dry and secure. Kalima Bible School has remained open this year to allow any students who had completed 2 years Bible School study but not finished third year to be able to complete the course under the old syllabus. At the end of June, Kalima Bible School closed completely. We thank God for all the students who have studied at Kalima and for the work of the teachers over many years.

News from Katanga from Bishop Kasima's wife Mama Pacifique

We have been working hard to help the women find their true role and value in the home and in society. This has been through seminars based on the five M.U. objectives plus a training course for women to become M.U. members. A wonderful service was held on 25 th March in the Cathedral when forty- four women were enrolled before a packed church. We went with the Bishop on his confirmation trip around the Arch-deaconry of Likasi and another sixty were enrolled. We have now helped sixty-one couples to have their marriages blessed in Mama Pacifique joining in with the dancing church. So we are really seeing a move forward. We have just returned from a visit to the northern area of the Diocese. This part has seen so much suffering and in fact it was the first time anyone from the Diocese has visited Manono. We were thrilled to see one church was for pygmies and even run by themselves. But this whole area needs much prayer. Archdeacon Kabeya has worked so hard and has the most amazing testimony, but just recently things have not gone well as he has been drawn away by working for an NGO. The church people are so sad and have asked for help. Please pray with us for the right decision. We plan to return again to Kalemie and Manono with the Bishop and hope to enrol another 162 women, including 20 pygmies. Manono has never had a visit from an Anglican Bishop. We had hoped to go to Malemba-Nkulu but, with the onset of the rains, it is not possible to drive, so it looks as though this will have to be next May when the rains stop! Pray for us. We long to visit all the parishes and see for ourselves the state of the Church. Then we can pray with a picture in our mind and be led forward by the Lord, bringing deep-down reconciliation between the tribes. News from Kisangani

Bishop Funga writes: I am planning a confirmation safari to Bas-Uele region towards Buta, and while in the area, I will visit some Congolese who returned from exile in Sudan in April 2006. There are reported to be 110 Anglican Christians in the group, including priests, evangelists and lay-readers, both men and women. They have been commended to us by their bishops in Sudan and it is my responsibility to visit this group of returnees. We have visited a similar group, made up of 67 families, who have returned to Kisangani. Both groups are enthusiastic about serving God and the group in Buta have built a large church which requires 150 roofing sheets, according to the Archdeacon of the area. However the people are struggling to live, and some have decided to return to Sudan where they say they lived better. We have looked for funding to help them, but up till now, no doors have opened to us.

Congo Church Association www.congochurchassn.org.uk

Patrons Hon Secretary The Rt Revd Michael Scott-Joynt, Mrs Rosemary Peirce, Bishop of Winchester 8 Burwell Meadow, Dss Lucy Ridsdale Witney, Oxon OX28 5JQ

President General Commissary Archbishop Dirokpa Balufuga Fidele Revd Canon W.B. Norman, B.P. 16842 Kinshasa - 1, 37 Cloudesdale Road, Democratic Republic of Congo London SW17 8ET

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Please send material for publication to the Newsletter Editor, Paul Dickens, at the above address or by e-mail to [email protected] Prayer and Praise

North Kiv u – Praise God for the new strategy enabling the Diocese to get focussed; pray that its Stewardship Campaign will stimulate/mobilise financial resources within the Diocese to help carry out the work of our Lord.

ISThA – Thank God for ISThA’s return to its campus and for those who kept the buildings safe during their absence. Pray for the new students as they start their courses; pray for Canon Sabiti in his search for solutions to the college’s urgent needs.

Bukav u – Pray urgently for peace in the Rutshuru area where there is conflict between militias and Government forces; pray for the displaced people and for those in the diocese who do what they can to help them; pray for the victims of hunger and trauma, and their families.

The Kasais - Pray that the Christians in Kasai be strengthened by His Spirit; pray that the people be given a hunger and thirst for God; pray that the Church of God in the two Kasais may march forward spiritually and physically to the praise and glory of His name, and give thanks for recent seminars.

Boga – Pray for the social transformation of the population through programmes, which strengthen faith and promote lasting social peace; pray for the rehabilitation of churches destroyed by the war and the establishment of the new churches in Djugu and Mambasa districts.

Aru – Pray for the 47 evangelists of “CORPS DES EVANGELISTES DIOCESAINS” (CODEV), licensed to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ everywhere in the diocese, for God’s blessing on their ministry.

Kinshasa/Province – Praise God for completion of the chapel and pray for its ministry in the area; pray for safe completion of the church offices above.

Kindu – Pray for Beria Bible School and all who work there; pray for the new students as they embark on a fresh chapter in their lives.

Katanga – Pray for Archdeacon Kabeya and for Bishop Kasima and his wife, Mama Pacifique; pray for those whose marriages were blessed in church.

Kisangani – Pray for Bishop Funga and his fiancée Mlle Virginie; pray for his visits throughout the diocese.

Youth – Praise God for many blessings and exciting developments; pray for the ministry of youth workers so that young people grow strong in their faith.

Praise God for the success of the Partners’ meeting in Bunia and pray that the new vision (represented overleaf) may be realised to His glory.