Jerusalem
and the Middle East
Church Association

Deaf blind Mohammad puts his hand on Prince Charles’ voice box

News

Obituaries

My Diocesan Year Book is a useful volume, but I don’t greet its arrival with great excitement, although I do check that I am still in it! The first such book for Ethiopia was a different matter. Many of the people there are new Anglicans, indeed some are new Christians.

The Revd Andrew Proud, of St Matthew’s, Addis Ababa, told me, “After the Local Assembly in May, I began to prepare a Parish Handbook for all the clergy and Church Councils in the western region. We had it printed locally and distributed copies (some translated into Nuer) to all the Churches last week.”

“Although this kind of thing is very much taken for granted at home, we knew it would be received enthusiastically and valued by all the clergy and Church Councils. The Nuer tribe were all Presbyterians until eight years ago and the Dinka have lived away from the Episcopal Church of the Sudan for so long that they no longer feel part of the worldwide Anglican family.”

“The handbook gives a short history of the Anglican Church, details of Diocesan structures and a little ecclesiology and missiology. Most of the book consists of job descriptions for priests, deacons and readers; how to run Church Council meetings; the role of Church Council officials and the Mothers’ Union; how to preach and lead worship; our stipend structures, the clergy families’ medical policy and how to stay in touch with Addis. Church members tell us they now feel as if they are part of a serious Church and they know that we care about them - their mission and their well-being.”

This Pentecost, rejoice in the Holy Spirit in action in remote parts of Ethiopia. Read of the Spirit’s work in ordinations and new church buildings, in the lives of those who have died recently, and read too of the excitement of a royal visit, and the quiet stitching of a tapestry. Please continue to pray for the moving of the Holy Spirit in the Province, and thank God that we are all part of the Body of Christ.

Request a copy of Bible Lands.