had this through from my Bishop, reposted in full:
To all licensed Clergy and Readers
Our two Archbishops have asked that parishes in the Church of England join in the worldwide Anglican day of prayer for Zimbabwe on Ash Wednesday. The meeting of worldwide Anglican Primates held in Alexandria three weeks ago asked for this, and our own Archbishops endorsed it strongly at last week’s General Synod. I would like all parishes in the diocese to take part.
Zimbabwe has been on our televisions and in our newspapers for months. We cannot say we do not know what has been happening there. I was able to use my place in the House of Lords last week to press the Government about the need for humanitarian aid.
Please draw people’s attention to this opportunity for prayer, and use the prayer material in the attached document. I also ask you to consider whether your parish can support the Archbishops’ appeal for financial support for the Anglican churches of Zimbabwe. (This is being run on their behalf by USPG, and further details can be found at www.uspg.org.uk/article.php?article_id=505.)
I am attaching a note from the Anglican Consultative Council which includes two very helpful prayer resources. The first prayer particularly lends itself to public use, and you might want to include it in your weekly pew sheet if you have one, use it on Ash Wednesday itself, on Sunday, or on the First Sunday in Lent.
The Archbishops say “A breakdown of basic civil infrastructure is slowly destroying a nation and causing unimaginable suffering. But while the government is failing, churches are struggling to feed the hungry and heal the sick. They are suffering alongside their communities, and they need our help.”
There is information on the ‘news and events’ section of the diocesan website and a downloadable flyer or porch poster at http://www.uspg.org.uk/images_cms/Archbishops%20Zimbabwe%20Appeal%20(2).pdf
Please do what you can to assist our brothers and sisters.
+Peter Bath & Wells
(text of attachment)
Anglican Communion joins Prayers for Zimbabwe on Ash Wednesday
February 12, 2009
The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion Canon Kenneth Kearon writes: 'I want to bring to your attention the request of the Primates and Moderators of the Anglican Communion, at their recent meeting in Alexandria, Egypt, that Anglican Churches world-wide observe 25th February, Ash Wednesday, as a day of prayer and solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe.
'The primates and Moderators also requested that parishes throughout the Anglican Communion give aid to enable food and other material aid for Zimbabwe for distribution through the dioceses of the Church of the Province of Central Africa.' Financial aid should be channeled through your own church's relief and development agency, or alternatively donations (in any currency) can be sent to:
The Anglican Communion Office,
16 Tavistock Crescent,
London
W11 1AP
England.
[NOTE: The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have suggested Church of England parishes channel any money through USPG. See www.uspg.org.uk/article.php?article_id=505.]
Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of Southern Africa and the Rt. Rev. Albert Chama, dean of the Anglican Province of Central Africa, had addressed the primates about Zimbabwe and in a press briefing the following day they spoke to the media.
Archbishop Makgoba. "We explained the urgency of the situation – the total collapse of the economy and socio-political infrastructure – and appealed to the primates to assist in whatever humanitarian needs they could provide to Zimbabwe. If we don't intervene we will be failing God in terms of 'when I was hungry you fed me and when I was poor you cared for my needs,' said Archbishop Makgoba.
A downloadable flyer is available at
http://www.uspg.org.uk/images_cms/Archbishops%20Zimbabwe%20Appeal%20(2).pdf
Prayer for the People of Zimbabwe
We pray for the suffering people of Zimbabwe,
Forced to live amid deterioration, disease and despair.
We raise our voices on their behalf,
As truth-tellers we want to proclaim 'This is not good',
It is not how God desires our world to be.
Loving Father, look after the people of that sad but beautiful land,
Care for the little ones,
Comfort the dying ones,
And into this hour of darkness may the light of your new dawn begin to shine.
Amen
Prayer from All Africa Conference of Churches
* Pray for the church in Zimbabwe that it takes its appropriate role in
responding to the needs of the people.
* Pray for the formation of a government that will ensure delivery of
services to the people of Zimbabwe.
* Pray that the food supplies reach the dying people in remote Zimbabwe and that there be enough food for everybody.
* Pray that medical supplies are made available to all areas of the
country and save threatened life.
* Pray that there be unity, tolerance, love and mutual respect among all Zimbabweans regardless of political differences.
* Pray that the Lord may have mercy on Zimbabwe and give enough rains for a good harvest which will result in the restoration of human
dignity, respect and recognition.
* Pray that Christians worldwide may be inspired by the Spirit to remain in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe until the end of crisis.
* Pray that the faith of Christians in Zimbabwe may be made stronger by their suffering so that in hope they retain their joy and commitment to Christ.
* Pray that the resources being extracted from Zimbabwe may benefit the whole nation including the poor rather than individuals.
* Pray that God may change the hearts of those who do not put the
interests of the people but think of themselves as more important than others.
* Pray that the will of God may be done.
Showing posts with label Zimbabwe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zimbabwe. Show all posts
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Archbishops Zimbabwe Appeal
Passed over in favour of spicier fare on women bishops and the BNP, this is from Rowan Williams presidential address at the start of general synod this week:
"You'll remember that this time last year we had the privilege of welcoming with a standing ovation Bishop Sebastian Bakare of Harare; last week at the Primates' Meeting, we were able to hear still more about the heroism of Sebastian and his colleagues in Zimbabwe, still faced with constant brutal harassment and threats of death, and also to hear something of the vital importance to them of knowing that there are advocates and friends and partners in prayer elsewhere in the world.
Sebastian is one bishop among five in Zimbabwe and one many among hundreds of thousands of Anglicans there trying to live out the Christian witness by feeding, clothing, healing and all too often mourning and burying people in their communities.
You will have seen last week's statement from the Primates' Meeting about this, unanimously committing the whole Communion to continue and extend its practical support for the Church in Zimbabwe.
In the light of this, the Archbishop of York and myself will be launching on Ash Wednesday an Archbishops' Appeal for Zimbabwe, in the context of a Day of Prayer for Zimbabwe. We hope that this will be part of a communion-wide project for Lent, and that every diocese represented here will play its part, responding to the urgent calls for help with medical supplies, food and clean water which come daily from Zimbabwe.
Please publicise this Appeal in your dioceses and continue your prayers."
"You'll remember that this time last year we had the privilege of welcoming with a standing ovation Bishop Sebastian Bakare of Harare; last week at the Primates' Meeting, we were able to hear still more about the heroism of Sebastian and his colleagues in Zimbabwe, still faced with constant brutal harassment and threats of death, and also to hear something of the vital importance to them of knowing that there are advocates and friends and partners in prayer elsewhere in the world.
Sebastian is one bishop among five in Zimbabwe and one many among hundreds of thousands of Anglicans there trying to live out the Christian witness by feeding, clothing, healing and all too often mourning and burying people in their communities.
You will have seen last week's statement from the Primates' Meeting about this, unanimously committing the whole Communion to continue and extend its practical support for the Church in Zimbabwe.
In the light of this, the Archbishop of York and myself will be launching on Ash Wednesday an Archbishops' Appeal for Zimbabwe, in the context of a Day of Prayer for Zimbabwe. We hope that this will be part of a communion-wide project for Lent, and that every diocese represented here will play its part, responding to the urgent calls for help with medical supplies, food and clean water which come daily from Zimbabwe.
Please publicise this Appeal in your dioceses and continue your prayers."
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Zimbabwe
In case you've not found it yet, Matt Wardman is running an excellent series on what's going on in Zimbabwe, including reports of atrocities, links to websites reporting on what's going on, photos etc. It's the kind of story that can easily go away once something else comes along, but this is one thing that the net can really help in bringing pressure to bear, and keeping it in the public eye.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Zimbabwe
This statement was issued a couple of days ago by the Anglican church in Zimbabwe. The prayer at the end is especially challenging.
On the Crisis in Zimbabwe
“I Have Heard The Cry of My People”
We the Bishops of the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa, comprising Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, “called to share in Jesus’ work of sanctifying and shepherding his people and of speaking in God’s name”. As shepherds of our people we are deeply concerned and dismayed at the escalation of violence in Zimbabwe since the post election of 29th March 2008.
We are alarmed that a government can perpetrate irresponsible acts against its citizens by destroying people’s homes, torturing and killing for the simple reason that they did not vote “correctly”. We fear that the Presidential Run-Off elections on 27th June 2008 could witness a repeat of retribution of those who would have not voted “correctly”.
As bishops our mission has been and will be to preach the gospel of peace and justice for all. Therefore we are distressed at what the people of Zimbabwe are experiencing in an environment devoid of any resemblance of justice and peace.
We call upon the perpetrators of these immoral and criminal activities to respect the rule of law which safeguards and preserves human life and dignity. The reports that people are being maimed, killed, and denied decent burials, paints a contrary picture to our African understanding of Ubuntu.
All these point out to the leadership of these perpetrators that they have lost a sense of nationhood.
As bishops we are also pained to hear that members of the Anglican Diocese of Harare are being denied to pray in their church buildings. We are concerned that their right to worship enshrined in the constitution of Zimbabwe as well as the Article 18 of the UN Charter on Human Rights is being violated. This mirrors the persecution of Christians of the Early Church and in this context we remind the perpetrators that then as now God still triumphs over evil.
As bishops, we pray that the right of the people of Zimbabwe as spelled out in the constitution be upheld, that the judicial system as a reservoir of integrity, without respect of persons in its judgement and ruling, be guided by the spirit of justice and equity. That the law enforcement agents carry out their professional duties to defend shared values. The political parties respect the will of the people regardless of whether the results of the elections are in their favour or not.
We offer this prayer for sanity and resolve to bring all people in Zimbabwe to the realization that we are all God’s children, created in His image to love one another.
As bishops we commend all God’s children in Zimbabwe to His mercy that they may live in love, justice and peace.
In closing we offer this prayer to all:
Lord, you asked for my hands that you might use them for your purpose.
I gave them for a moment then withdrew them for the work was hard.
You asked for my mouth to speak out against injustice.
I gave you a whisper that I might not be accused.
You asked for my eyes to see the pain of poverty.
I closed them for I did not want to see.
You asked for my life that you might work through me.
I gave a small part that I might not get too involved.
Lord, forgive my calculated efforts to serve you
Only when it is convenient for me to do so,
Only in those places where it is safe to do so,
And only with those who make it easy to do so.
Father, forgive me, renew me
Send me out as a usable instrument
That I might take seriously the meaning of your cross.
Issued by the Bishops of the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa
1.The Right Rev. Albert Chama - Bishop of Northern Zambia & Dean of the Province of Central Africa2.The Right Rev. Christopher J. Boyle - Bishop of Northern Malawi3.The Right Rev. Peter Hatendi - Bishop of Manicaland4.The Right Rev. Derek Kamukwamba - Bishop of Central Zambia5.The Right Rev. Sebastian Bakare - Bishop of Harare 6.The Right Rev. William Mchombo - Bishop of Eastern Zambia7.The Right Rev. Ishmael Mukuwanda - Bishop of Central Zimbabwe 8.The Right Rev. Robert Mumbi - Bishop of Luapula 9.The Right Rev. Trevor Mwamba - Bishop of Botswana10.The Right Rev. David Njovu - Bishop of Lusaka11.The Right Rev. Wilson Sitshebo - Bishop Matabeleland12.The Right Rev. Godfrey Tawonezvi - Bishop of Masvingo13.The Right Rev. James Tengatenga - Bishop of Southern Malawi14.The Rev. Canon Michael Mkoko - Vicar General of the Diocese of Lake Malawi15.The Very Rev. Brighton Malasa - Vican General of the Diocese of Upper Shire
On the Crisis in Zimbabwe
“I Have Heard The Cry of My People”
We the Bishops of the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa, comprising Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, “called to share in Jesus’ work of sanctifying and shepherding his people and of speaking in God’s name”. As shepherds of our people we are deeply concerned and dismayed at the escalation of violence in Zimbabwe since the post election of 29th March 2008.
We are alarmed that a government can perpetrate irresponsible acts against its citizens by destroying people’s homes, torturing and killing for the simple reason that they did not vote “correctly”. We fear that the Presidential Run-Off elections on 27th June 2008 could witness a repeat of retribution of those who would have not voted “correctly”.
As bishops our mission has been and will be to preach the gospel of peace and justice for all. Therefore we are distressed at what the people of Zimbabwe are experiencing in an environment devoid of any resemblance of justice and peace.
We call upon the perpetrators of these immoral and criminal activities to respect the rule of law which safeguards and preserves human life and dignity. The reports that people are being maimed, killed, and denied decent burials, paints a contrary picture to our African understanding of Ubuntu.
All these point out to the leadership of these perpetrators that they have lost a sense of nationhood.
As bishops we are also pained to hear that members of the Anglican Diocese of Harare are being denied to pray in their church buildings. We are concerned that their right to worship enshrined in the constitution of Zimbabwe as well as the Article 18 of the UN Charter on Human Rights is being violated. This mirrors the persecution of Christians of the Early Church and in this context we remind the perpetrators that then as now God still triumphs over evil.
As bishops, we pray that the right of the people of Zimbabwe as spelled out in the constitution be upheld, that the judicial system as a reservoir of integrity, without respect of persons in its judgement and ruling, be guided by the spirit of justice and equity. That the law enforcement agents carry out their professional duties to defend shared values. The political parties respect the will of the people regardless of whether the results of the elections are in their favour or not.
We offer this prayer for sanity and resolve to bring all people in Zimbabwe to the realization that we are all God’s children, created in His image to love one another.
As bishops we commend all God’s children in Zimbabwe to His mercy that they may live in love, justice and peace.
In closing we offer this prayer to all:
Lord, you asked for my hands that you might use them for your purpose.
I gave them for a moment then withdrew them for the work was hard.
You asked for my mouth to speak out against injustice.
I gave you a whisper that I might not be accused.
You asked for my eyes to see the pain of poverty.
I closed them for I did not want to see.
You asked for my life that you might work through me.
I gave a small part that I might not get too involved.
Lord, forgive my calculated efforts to serve you
Only when it is convenient for me to do so,
Only in those places where it is safe to do so,
And only with those who make it easy to do so.
Father, forgive me, renew me
Send me out as a usable instrument
That I might take seriously the meaning of your cross.
Issued by the Bishops of the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa
1.The Right Rev. Albert Chama - Bishop of Northern Zambia & Dean of the Province of Central Africa2.The Right Rev. Christopher J. Boyle - Bishop of Northern Malawi3.The Right Rev. Peter Hatendi - Bishop of Manicaland4.The Right Rev. Derek Kamukwamba - Bishop of Central Zambia5.The Right Rev. Sebastian Bakare - Bishop of Harare 6.The Right Rev. William Mchombo - Bishop of Eastern Zambia7.The Right Rev. Ishmael Mukuwanda - Bishop of Central Zimbabwe 8.The Right Rev. Robert Mumbi - Bishop of Luapula 9.The Right Rev. Trevor Mwamba - Bishop of Botswana10.The Right Rev. David Njovu - Bishop of Lusaka11.The Right Rev. Wilson Sitshebo - Bishop Matabeleland12.The Right Rev. Godfrey Tawonezvi - Bishop of Masvingo13.The Right Rev. James Tengatenga - Bishop of Southern Malawi14.The Rev. Canon Michael Mkoko - Vicar General of the Diocese of Lake Malawi15.The Very Rev. Brighton Malasa - Vican General of the Diocese of Upper Shire
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