This summer has seen a number of visits by various parish groups to some of the Diocese’s overseas partnerships, ahead of special service in September to celebrate our overseas links.
As a Diocese we have flourishing overseas links with the Anglican dioceses of Harare in Zimbabwe, and Kondoa and Mpwapwa in Tanzaniam, as well an ecumenical partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Estonia.
Among the visitors were young people from Tonbridge Parish who travelled to Tanzania and took part in running a holiday club, and a group from St. Stephen’s Church, Tonbridge.
Dave and Cath Johnston from Christ Church Chislehurst used a sabbatical to travel to the north, south, east, and west ends of the diocese of Kondoa, visiting 11 parishes and taking part in many baptisms and confirmations
Dave says that their first time in Africa was a challenging, uplifting and transformative experience:
“Getting to see 11 parishes gave us an opportunity to have an overview of the many challenges facing Christians in Kondoa.
"This year the drought will have a severe impact and we saw many dry river beds and failed crops, especially in the south of the diocese. Clergy rely on farming to sustain their living and some are forced to move elsewhere.
“Clergy need training and support, new Christians need discipling and in many cases the buildings are inadequate or non-existent.
Bishop James used his August video message to encourage parishes to explore developing a companion link:
“These partnerships, these friendships, are a huge richness to life in the Diocese of Rochester and they continue to develop in different ways. It lifts my heart when I engage with these partnerships and I pray that it will lift yours too.”
He also invited everyone to attend a celebration service of our overseas links on Sunday 22 September at Bromley Parish Church.
Bishop Farai, the recently installed Bishop of Harare in Zimbabwe will be the main speaker.
Any churches interested in finding out more about the Dioceses overseas partnerships can visit the Overseas Companion Links page here or email: coordinator.cdsg@gmail.com