Press Releases
CMS Ireland visit continues in Buchi and Luangwa
The CMSI partner visit involved a busy weekend in Kitwe, ahead of a busy few days this week before their return to Ireland. One of the important elements of a visit to Mission Partners is the opportunity to ‘check–in’ with both them and with the Global Partner where they are based. Jenny Smyth, CMSI’s Mission Director, spent time discussing some of these matters with Lyn and Keith Scott (CMSI’s Mission Partners), and with Archbishop Albert Chama, at whose invitation the Scotts are in the Diocese of Northern Zambia.
The Anglican Province of Central Africa, of which Archbishop Chama is Primate, consists of 15 dioceses across the four countries of Botswana, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Archbishop Chama is therefore called on to travel quite a bit, but made time specifically to be in Kitwe at the same time as this partner visit. As well as connecting with CMSI formally, this time provided an opportunity to renew links between Archbishop Chama and Archbishop Clarke, who became good friends at a meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council in Lusaka (Zambia’s capital city) in 2016. At the invitation of Archbishop Chama, Archbishop Clarke preached at a Service of Confirmation at St James’ Church, Buchi. The celebratory service, which lasted around four hours, also included the blessing of a new borehole in the area, and the several hundred in attendance also received Communion or a blessing.
Fifty–three of those present were confirmed by Archbishop Clarke. The Archbishop preached on the theme of friendship in Christ, which he said was part of the Confirmation commitment. He outlined the key elements of a friendship, and urged the need to be ‘loyal, ready to listen, to be reconciled and to let people see God through us as we demonstrate his love.’ During the service the Archbishop was given a Bemba (the Zambian language) name by the members of the Mothers’ Union – Mulenga. This was a lovely way to recognise the significance of the visit and that theme of friendship in Christ, about which the Archbishop preached.
At the same time, the Revd Adrian Dorrian (CMSI’s President) journeyed with the Revd Dr Keith Scott to St Luke’s Church, Luangwa, where Adrian preached. Keith Scott fulfils some Sunday duties in the diocese, and St Luke’s is a parish over which has has been given temporary responsibility. Adrian’s theme was identity in Christ, as he referenced the new names given to Abraham and Sarah, which were coupled with a renewed sense of understanding who God is and how we relate to him.
The weekend ended with the CMSI visitors being hosted by Archbishop Chama and his wife Ashila for dinner at their home. The Archbishop of Armagh will spend the remainder of the trip staying with Archbishop Chama, while Adrian will stay with the Scotts. Monday will see the two Archbishops visiting in the diocese, while Adrian will join one of the diocesan clergy in his parishes. Jenny Smyth will depart Zambia on Monday, for Nairobi in Kenya where she will visit two of CMSI’s other global partners: the Urban Development Programme based in All Saints Cathedral, and the Diocese of Kajiado, where Mission Partners Maggie and Ronnie Briggs are based.
Please continue to pray for the team as they travel, and as Archbishop Clarke and Adrian visit and teach over the next few days.
Photos copyright of CMS Ireland
For more information, please contact Roger Cooke, Mission Resource Manager with CMS Ireland, on 028 9077 5020 or rogercooke@cmsireland.org