MATANA NEWS  
                                                           October-December, 2005
                      

During this time, our Diocese has been busy with different activities, especially in the field of Development. These are the main events that have taken place:


VISIT FROM MARY SUMNER HOUSE (MOTHERS’ UNION )

In October we welcomed Barabara Lawes (MU Worldwide Worker) and Naomi Herbert (MU Literacy Development Programme) who had come to monitor the MUDLP activities in the whole Province and in our Diocese. We were proud to be able to show them the work in five parishes and receive their praise for work well done. The challenge now is to follow up the Literacy programme for the trainees by working closely with other departments to develop useful projects (keeping goats, bakeries, fishing etc)


SEMINARS ON PEACE & RECONCILIATION
Many community leaders from the new local government administration and religious leaders were invited to attend Seminars held in Rutana and Bururi in November. The purpose of the seminars was to empower members of the community by giving them a knowledge of the law as it applies to the areas of the family and of land. The church’s desire is to be salt and light in the community and to take a lead in peace building. The Archbishop, Bernard Ntahoturi said that “Our country, in post-crisis, needs justice that is built on the truth, and we, as leaders, have to set an example in speaking and defending the truth” 


STRATEGIC PLANNING IN THE DIOCESE

The Diocesan staff have spent several days in workshops with the assistance of ICCO (a Dutch organisation), working on a strategic plan for 2006-2008.

There will be three areas of intervention in line with the Millenium Development Goals :

  •  Education, peace and reconciliation

  • Community health and the reduction of poverty

  • Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of the infrastructures in the community  

 


EVANGELISTIC MEETING FOR CIVIL SERVANTS

The first evangelistic meeting for those who work for the State was 

Over 150 teachers, local government workers and others attended meetings that were held on Saturday and Sunday in Matana Cathedral. On Sunday a choir of attendees led our worship.

The main speakers came from Trans World Radio in Bujumbura and the sugar factory at Sosumo. It was a time of great blessing and encouragement to all who attended.  

 


MEETING OF ALL DIOCESAN CLERGY
The Bishop held a meeting in November for all the clergy when the topics under discussion included the challenges experienced throughout the worldwide Anglican Church (e.g. the Gay Movement) and the situation in the Dioceses of Buye and Muyinga


PRAISE & PRAYER NEEDS FOR BURUNDI & MATANA DIOCESE


·        Praise for visit from Mary Sumner House

·        Praise for the Lord’s sustaining power in the ministry of our Bishop, who is also our Archbishop, Bernard NTAHOTURI

·        Praise for the successful seminars and meetings that have been held

·        Praise for new students joing the Institute from the Dioceses of Muyinga and Makamba

·        Pray with us for the increase of peace and security throughout the country

·        Pray for healing for the nation

·        Pray for those who are experiencing hunger, especially in the northern and eastern provinces, largely as a result of destruction of the environment

·        Pray for people to realise the need to protect the environment and increase its sustainablilty

·        Continue to pray for the Lord’s protection and blessing on our Archbishop and for the wisdom he needs in his many responsibilities

·        Pray for the ordination service to be held on January 29th 2006 when 25 Deacons and “ Priests will be ordained. Some are studying in the Bible School and others who have completed their training are doing placements throughout the Diocese


Archbishop Bernard at his enthronement speaking with President Pierre NKURUNZIZA

 

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