“Companion Links” by which diocese across the globe support one another in mission and discipleship, “should become the heartbeat of each diocese,” according to Archbishop Fred Hiltz, of the Anglican Church of Canada.
Hiltz was speaking at a meeting of companion dioceses held earlier this month in Tanzania. Leaders from 11 dioceses shared stories of successful cooperation across the Anglican Communion.
Some of the areas identified for future cooperation included regular communication of good practice stories and information as well as the crucial role of personal visits and exchange of theology students and young people to break down misconceptions and learning from each other’s culture.
Speaking at the meeting, the Revd John Kafwanka, Director for Mission of the Anglican Communion Office, implored the delegates to look at Companion Link as a means of “serving together” as disciples of Jesus Christ. “Companion Link provides a platform for common witness to Christ’s love in God’s world, expressed through the common voice, vision, mission, and unity of purpose in a world that is so divided by sin,” he said.
Read the story from the Anglican Communion News Service here.
Featured image: Bishop Jane Alexander and the Revd Yohana Mtokambali at St Alban’s Cathedral in Dar es Salaam. Photo Credit: John Kafwanka via ACNS.
Posted by Rosalind Hughes
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It was a “project link” between the Diocese of Idaho and the Diocese of Malawi and something a young teacher said to us in Idaho that made me aware of the significance of diocesan “links.
The young teacher, actually a Zambian said, “Just because we come to ask of you the one thing you have [for a catechist training program], please do not think we do not have something to share. After all, we, too, are Christians!”
Years later I had a personal “link” with the first Black archdeacon in the Diocese of Bloemfontein (now of the Free State), South Africa, leading to a mini-sabbatical on one of the so-called reserves. The intention was to bring my host and his wife to our parish; I had to move and both of them died. But, my family and I experienced apartheid first hand, the graciousness of the Setswana people and the wisdom of a dear fellow priest, his family and significant friends of several cultures.