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Churches Update January 09
Since our last newsletter we have had official confirmation that Llantrisant Parish Church is now officially twinned with Sibembe in Mbale (“Arthur’s church” for those of you who know Arthur Wabwire…) - congratulations, llongyfarchiadau.
We really enjoyed Africa Day at St David’s, Hopkinstown – thank you Rev Burr for hosting this, and to all who contributed so generously. Please note that next year’s Africa Day will be held at St. David’s on Sunday July 5th at 11 am. It will include a commissioning service for those going on the churches trip to Mbale from the 10th to the 17th July. If you would like to come to Mbale and represent your church it is not too late; please get in touch with me asap.
A big thank you to the Baptist Union of Great Britain which has contributed very generously towards the travelling costs of 3 students from South Wales Baptist College on this trip, also to the churches who have been so faithful in supporting PONT financially and through prayer, letter writing and encouragement. Thanks also to those who came along to the PONT conference – it was great to meet you all again.
Guidelines for Partnership
Just a reminder that the primary aim of the partnership is friendship. Do continue emailing, writing letters to and praying for your partner church. You can even come out and visit them in July! If you do wish to give financial gifts then please channel them through PONT.
We are also encouraging churches to support our microfinance scheme. This scheme provides individuals and families with a £30 loan which enables them to set up a small business such as rearing chickens, and PONT provides the training to make sure that the business gets off to a good start. Our Mbale partners are extremely enthusiastic about the scheme. Pastor Chris from ChristianBigLifeOutreachChurch (twinned with Rhydyfelin Methodist) has written these words to us: “Their dream is to be a community that is self reliant and self sustaining with reduction in mortality rate.” If your church would like to contribute towards making this dream a reality then £3.50 a month over one year would cover the cost of a new loan plus a day’s training. Please contact me if you wish to help. At the moment we already have the funds to issue 30 new loans and we hope that the scheme will be fully up and running by the summer.
Looking forward to 2010
In 2009 we are going to Mbale but in 2010 Mbale is coming to us! We have invited a group of church leaders from Mbale to come and visit Pontypridd in 2010 and to lead some outreach events. Our Ugandan friends are very good at sharing their faith and we have a lot to learn from them! Again, we will need help in hosting these pastors and also contributing to their travel expenses, so if your church would like to be involved please let me know. Nearer the time I will be in touch so that we can plan a programme involving your church.
