Rwanda Sister Parish Partnership
St. Paul's Cathedral - Butare
Mandated and inspired by Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini and in line with our origin and allegiance to Rwanda, the vision for the Sister Parish Partnership team at ASC is to shepherd an organic connection between All Saints Church and St. Paul’s Cathedral (SPC) in Butare, Rwanda. The partnership seeks to be mutual, centered on relationship (as opposed to projects), and based upon our common desire to seek God’s truth, kingdom, and beauty manifested in differing social and cultural settings. The partnership initiative at ASC seeks not to be a new stand-alone ministry, but an integrated one, engaging, adding to, informing, and enriching existing aspects of church life at ASC and at SPC. We undertake this partnership believing that God will use this to take both congregations to a place that neither can go alone.
Welcome Service - St. Paul's Cathedral June 2008
Background: Following an initial trip to Rwanda in 2007, once ASC was officially assigned to SPC, we undertook a short-term trip to Butare in June 2008 to take the first step to connect our congregations and to explore how such a partnership may be formed. Eight members of ASC took part: Rev. Steve Breedlove, Ralph and Jennifer Ennis, Niel and Ellen Ransom, MaryMac and Nathan Thielman, and Ehsan Samei. We were most graciously welcomed by our hosts at SPC, members of the congregation, the leadership of the Butare diocese, and Rev. Lambert, the pastor of SPC. The highlights of the trip were the many gatherings at the homes of members of the congregation. This trip set in motion the start of a relational partnership between the people of the two congregations.
2008: In summer 2008, we undertook fundraising initiatives including a benefit concert. The proceeds of about $9000 were earmarked for Rwanda, to be disbursed in early 2009.
In fall 2008, we were also fortunate to host the Bishop-elect of the Butare diocese, Rev. Nathan Gasatura, at ASC. He preached at our church and spent many hours speaking with people over meals and at multiple gatherings. We sensed a great deal of excitement about this partnership at ASC and believe we are at the start of a rewarding and transforming manifestation of God’s kingdom through the bonds that are being formed in ministry together.
2009 Prospects:
Until October 2008 and the restructuring of the International Mission team, the Rwandan partnership was under the umbrella of International Mission. In January 2009 we will be completing the roster of the newly-formed Sister Parish Partnership team, currently consisting of Michael and Naomi Skena, Tim and Skyler McGee, Ralph and Jennifer Ennis, Peter Uhlenberg, Allan Fryer, Niel and Ellen Ransom,and Ehsan Samei. Rev. Nathan Gasatura, just consecrated as the new bishop of the Butare diocese, will be visiting us for a second time in February, this time accompanied by his wife. We welcome this second visit, which we hope will enable us to better understand his vision for Butare and for SPC. Starting with these two formative developments, we pray that God will enable us in 2009 to take the partnership from its infancy to a structuring stage.
The primary goals for us in 2009 are (1) establishing a monthly sharing of prayer requests between the two congregations, (2) increasing the awareness about partnership and about Rwanda among ASC congregants, (3) planning a trip to Rwanda in mid-2009 or early 2010, (4) planning a visit of a group from SPC to NC in 2010, and (5) continuing to explore and pray about God’s will and vision for the partnership.
Please Pray! For our team being able to follow God’s lead in the early formative steps of the partnership, such that it will be mutual, long-lasting, enriching, and definitive in the spiritual life and growth of the two congregations.
