In Chester Diocese we are greatly blessed and enriched by our links with partner dioceses in Democratic Republic of Congo and Melanesia. These links contribute to our own identity in connecting us in a real and tangible way with the worldwide Anglican Church.
Democratic Republic of Congo Link
In DRC we partner with the dioceses of Aru and Boga. The link was formalised at the time of the Lambeth Conference in 2008 with the then bishops of Aru and Boga, Ande and William. Since that date through regular visits from Chester to Congo and of key Congolese church leaders to the UK a deepening relationship and friendship has formed between the three dioceses.
From the beginning Bishop Ande of Aru diocese has stressed the link was not primarily about money, but about prayer, friendship and fellowship.
‘The world is like a small village. Often the perception for Western people is that the need is for money. Whilst that certainly does help, it does not make you friends’. Bp Ande
We are therefore looking for churches and individuals in Chester Diocese who would like to support our links through:
- friendship
- understanding
- and prayer across our Dioceses.
If you would like more information drop us an e-mail and we can add you to our monthly mailing list. You can contact us at abc@chester.anglican.org
Our link is about prayer support and learning from each other, developing a world wide understanding of the Kingdom of God. We are not therefore primarily about raising funds. However there is great need in Congo and if through friendship you or your Church would like to make a donation it would be gratefully received and put to good use. You can make a donation to the Anglican Dioceses of Aru and Boga through the Congo Churches Association.
Other organisations and partnerships involved in work in DRC can be found here
Organisations and Partnerships
The following are links to other organisations and partnerships operating in our link diocese in D R Congo.
Aru Diocese Web Site
Aru is the northern of the two dioceses we are inked to. Check out their website by following this link.
IPASC (Institut Panafricain de Santé Communautaire et Medecine Tropicale)
IPASC is a Christian organisation and is recognized and registered as a non-governmental organisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Working in the dioceses of Aru and Boga IPASC was created in 1992 with the goal of improving the health and well-being of people of all cultures and faiths through a community determined approach. Visit their website to find out more of the vital work of IPASC in Aru and Boga.
Rooted in Jesus Course
As part of developing an ongoing link with the Dioceses of Aru and Boga, Chester has been working to introduce Rooted in Jesus training conferences. Rooted in Jesus is a group course in Christian discipleship written for use in Africa. The course is published by Resource – for further information please follow this link to view the website.
Congo Church Association
The Association exists to help the Anglican Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire). Visit their website to find out about the wider Anglican Church in Congo. We are grateful to the CCA for providing the facility to make donations directly to Aru and Boga dioceses. Donations can be made as one of gifts or by standing order.
Kimbilo
Kimbilio works with street children to the south of our link diocese in Lubumbashi. They provide support, education and training to former street children to reintegrate with their fami-lies and communities. Follow this link to the website.
Melanesia Link
Melanesia is in the South Pacific and is made up of hundreds of islands, with nine islands being the most populated. Whilst Melanesia is developing in terms of education, infrastructure, and communications most of the islanders still rely on a subsistence lifestyle. Honiara, the capital, has a population of one thousand and is reached via a four-hour flight from Brisbane or Auckland.
Over the last 20+ years the link between Chester Diocese and the Solomon Islands has grown from strength to strength, with regular visits: many lifelong relationships have been developed. Our link is and always has been based on partnership and mutual sharing of the Gospel. In the Diocese of Chester, lives have been enriched by our growing understanding of the Melanesian’s non-materialistic and monastic approach to life.
We are keen to share this vision with parishes across the diocese and can send someone to your church to take part in a service or do an informal presentation. Individual schools have formed successful links and we would be delighted to help you establish your own link, either through your parish church or your school, and also through your Mother’s Union.
There are various ways of serving our Brothers and Sisters in Melanesia. As part of PWM (Partners in World) the Diocesan Link supports practical projects such as rebuilding chapels, helping to provide clean water and sanitation as well as working together to create prayer material for individual and parish use. There is an opportunity for curates to go out as part of a programme to continue and progress this active link and we continually seek to listen and respond to the needs of our Brothers and Sisters in all four religious orders: the Brotherhood of Melanesia; the Sisters of Melanesia; the Franciscans and the Sisters of the Church.
Every year Companions and friends meet to commemorate key people and dates, including Bishop Patteson Day (the first Bishop of Melanesia) and Ini Kopuria Day, when a Holy Communion is held to celebrate the founder of the Melanesian Brotherhood. Celebrations may take the form of a pilgrimage.