Over the past week, we have been hearing how some of our Global Partners have been using the funds sent to them in early May as part of the CMSI Covid-19 Response Appeal. In all, over £20,000 was sent to support 12 Global Partners in seven countries as they respond to those in their own communities who have been impacted by the crisis and the lockdown measures. Last week, Linda Abwa shared a story from Egypt, where funds sent through CMSI have been used to provide food aid fo

Following yesterday's update from Rev Viateur, I wanted to share more from Shyogwe Diocese in Rwanda. We received a message last week from Archdeacon Joseph Sehorona who, like Viateur, is well known to many CMSI supporters, having visited Ireland in 2017, as well as helping to host CMSi teams in Shyogwe. Archdeacon Joseph writes: Since the appearance of Covid-19, humanity has been threatened more than ever. We are living through days of fear, panic, anxiety and hopelessness.

It's been great to receive regular news and updates from our partners in Shyogwe Diocese, Rwanda as they continue to find creative ways of ministering as the Church in the midst of lockdown. Last week, I heard from Rev Viateur Ntarindawa and from Archdeacon Joseph Sehorona. Rev Viateur is an amazing servant of God. Ordinarily, he works for the Rural Development Interdiocesan Service (RDIS), which seeks to mobilise local Anglican church members to develop their local community

There have been some positive outcomes of being forced into new ways of working. One has been the opportunity to communicate more often with our Global Partners. Another has been more time to think and reflect. For the most part, we in the western world have access to high speed internet and various forms of viewing platforms to entertain us. We have the luxury of our own rooms and multiple spaces and gardens to retire to. But not so our partners. It got me thinking... What i

In April, Paul Elie of the 'New Yorker' magazine, wrote an article about Pope Francis's response to Coronavirus. In it he quotes a beautiful little phrase, coined by the Pope, for how we must live in these times of Corona-challenge. He described the people who are doing their bit to help society function as “the Saints who live next door”. The Church in Cairo is at the centre of reaching those most vulnerable to the Covid-19 crisis, providing emergency supplies to immigrant f

The last of our series of Global Partner Updates come from Uganda (Luweero Diocese & Madi West Nile Diocese) and Nepal (SD Church & HDCS) Linda Abwa and Gillian Maganda provide the latest news from our partners in Uganda. Linda begins by sharing news from Madi West Nile: Madi West Nile Diocese has experienced extreme disruption of all their normal community activities, but report that they are finding new ways of being church: “The Church devised other measures so as to be a

In the 'pre-Covid world', the CMSI Staff Team gathered round the table every Monday morning for coffee/tea, for devotions and to discuss the week ahead. We would meet more briefly on the other mornings for a cuppa and a short time of prayer. Over the years, these times of connection - with each another and with God - have become a cherished part of our weekly rhythm. They lift our eyes and our hearts. They strengthen our bonds as a team. They offer a chance to remind one anot

The CMSI Staff Team continues to meet (virtually) every Monday and Thursday to pray together and to stay connected. As part of yesterday's staff devotions, Administration Coordinator Megan Totten shared the following words of encouragement and comfort. We thought they were worth sharing more widely. Roger Cooke has written a blog reflection about these staff gatherings and the wider sense of unity that comes through prayer.

Last week, CMSI Mission Associates Mark and Deirdre Zimmerman were interviewed over a by their friend Rev Gareth Wardell, who has very kindly shared the video with CMSI. During the interview, Mark and Deirdre provide an update on the current Covid-19 situation in Nepal, as well as offering insights into the impacts of the pandemic on their own work and on some of the more vulnerable members of society. We recently shared Mark and Deirdre's latest link letter, which you can vi

Our latest Global Partner Updates come from Burundi (Gitega and Matana Dioceses) and Rwanda (Kibungo and Shyogwe Diocese) Burundi Jenny Smyth introduces the Burundi update by sharing something of the context in which our partners are currently working. This is a critical time in the life of this wonderful nation. Political campaigning has begun for the presidential election on 20th May 2020. Tensions are inevitably running high. The president is standing aside after three fiv

Sometimes people ask us about life as a Mission Partner: ‘What is it like to live in another culture?’ ‘How do you manage for food, clothes, shopping?’ ‘What about all the creepy crawlies?’ ‘What do you do all day?’ Impossible questions to answer really as each situation is unique and each has its own challenges, which impact people differently. But there is one common theme for all Mission Partners: Life is full of the unexpected. The things you get drawn into are most surpr

As part of its current series of Global Partner Updates, CMSI has published the latest news from its partners in South Sudan: Ibba, Maridi, Olo and Yei Dioceses. The update includes messages from all four of the bishops who lead our partner dioceses. They each report significant disruption to their plans and widespread suffering of their people. But they continue to show great faith and endurance. Bishop Hilary (Yei Diocese) includes this encouragement: The lockdown has ruine

CMSI has published an update from its Global Partners in DR Congo: Bukavu Diocese, Kindu Diocese and North Kivu Diocese. This is the latest in the series of Global Partner Updates that we're currently producing. The update has been written by Partnership Coordinator, Linda Abwa who highlights a number of the crises current impacting our partners in DR Congo... While the world media and much of CMSI’s news from Global Partners is focused on Covid-19, it is clear, from various

This week, CMSI is producing and distributing its regular Global Partner Updates from the nine countries where our partners are based. We begin this morning with the updates for Egypt and Kenya. Egypt Bishop Mouneer has written part of the update from the Diocese Of Egypt and begins by explaining his vision for the Church at this time: We in the diocese believe that we have a role to play in a time like this, so we try to help and support those who suffer because of this lock

This week saw CMSI transfer the first wave of financial support to its partners, as part of the response to the coronavirus pandemic. In all, over £20,000 has been distributed across 12 Global Partners in seven countries, bringing much needed help to churches as they respond to the crisis on their own doorsteps. CMSI launched its Covid-19 Response Appeal at the start of April when it became clear that the impact of the pandemic was going to be particularly severe for its part