LAMBETH CONFERENCE 2008 

The Archbishop and Bishops of the six dioceses accompanied by their wives attended the 14th Lambeth Conference and Spouses Conference in UK from 16th July to 3rd August. The theme of the conference, "Equipping Bishops for Mission and Strengthening Anglican Identity", was explored through a time of retreat, Bible studies on the "I Am" claims of Jesus found in John's Gospel, daily worship, and Indaba and "self-select" groups that reflected on various contemporary issues. The bishops led the Eucharist on 31st July at which Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi preached on "I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." They were also involved in assisting some of the group sessions and contributed to "self-select" groups that included education, the environment, and peace-building. The Spouses Conference under the theme of "God's People for God's Mission" provided an opportunity for experiences and stories to be shared from the context of life in Burundi. On his return Archbishop Bernard commented," In spite of the dividing and controversial issues the conference was a moment of hope and possibility, and a time for building relationships. The Bible studies challenged us to live out what we believe and believe what we proclaim under the transforming power of the Holy Spirit." The Lambeth Indaba Reflections that summarise the discussions of the conference can be found on the Lambeth Conference website at www.lambethconference.org.

ENCOUNTER GROUP CMS

The CMS Encounter Group spent two weeks in Matana helping to paint the Theological Institute. They worked alongside staff and students. Roger and Miranda Bowen lead the group. Commenting on the experience Roger said, "Encounter is not just meeting one another but actually being changed." The Province is grateful for their hard work.

MOTHERS' UNION

Not only are men and women becoming literate and able to handle numbers but they are forming associations and developing income-generating projects as a result of the M.U. Literacy and Development Programme. The photo above shows an association made up of Tutsi, Hutu, and Twa who manage agricultural projects and who are learning to be reconciled across ethnic divides. One facilitator said that before the programme the different groups didn't sit together but now they can sit and eat from the same plate.