It's been three weeks since we launched our DR Congo Emergency Appeal. We had been devastated by Bishop Isesomo's description of New Year's events, near Butembo, North Kivu. Brutal killings in rural areas had caused people to flee in search of safety. The first place they turned was the Church, including the Anglican Cathedral. CMSI sent a small initial contribution within a few days and today we received news from Bishop Isesomo on what help has been distributed so far: "The

This month has seen the retirements of two much-loved friends and leaders of CMSI's Global Partners. They have both faithfully shared God's hope and new life with countless people in their ministries, as well as playing a key role in developing deep partnerships with parishes and individuals throughout Ireland. Louise Githire [Urban Development Programme, Kenya] We give thanks for the UDP project manager Louise Githire (pictured second from the left) as she celebrates her 60t

On Monday 25th January, CMSI launched a new initiative that offers a chance to serve the global Church 'remotely'. The Virtual Volunteering programme helps to connect individuals in Ireland with CMSI's Global Partners and to support them in a variety of ways - all from their own homes. There are opportunities to provide training and advice, administrative support, technical input and much more. For example, CMSI's partners in Nepal are urgently looking for trained teachers wh

100,000 deaths in the UK attributable to the pandemic…a shocking statistic. Yesterday morning, Dan Walker interviewed Archbishop Justin Welby on BBC Breakfast. It was a compassionate and helpful discussion around loss, grief and regret, but also about hope and the future... "Many people are looking for hope… Where do you find hope?" "I find hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ…That’s the central core belief…God came and shared our sorrows - He is in the middle of this mes

Following a significant increase in insecurity, violence and displacement in Eastern DR Congo, CMSI's Global Partners have asked CMSI and the Church in Ireland for help. We are launching a special Emergency Appeal to assist our partners as they respond in the short and medium term. During the Christmas holidays, the CMSI staff team received updates from a number of friends and partners in DR Congo, including Bishop Isesomo in North Kivu Diocese. They shared heartbreaking stor

On the twelfth day of Christmas, the Church in Burundi gave to us... The gift of inspiration to actively rebuild our churches. What does rebuilding the church mean for your congregation and community in the midst of the C-19 pandemic? Perhaps beginning a prayer group or committing your time to areas of ministry. Not many of us will have to physically build a church as we see Bishop Seth doing in Matana Diocese, Burundi! At our November ‘Prayer Room’ gathering Bishop Seth than

On the eleventh day of Christmas, the Church in Nepal gave to me... The gift of openhearted hospitality. "This is our home, it is simple, and you are most welcome! Sit with us and lets enjoy each others’ company. This is our garden and we would like you to see our lovely vegetables." Ordinary people, extraordinary warmth and fellowship offered in Jesus’ precious Name. These folk know how to reach to the heart of the matter to show what it means to belong to one worldwide chur

On the tenth day of Christmas, the Church in Ethiopia and South Sudan gave to us... A wake up call on climate change. Photos and stories of loss came in from our partners in Ethiopia and South Sudan in June 2020. The rains had come and had not stopped, huge swathes of land across these regions were flooded. Bishop Tandema of Olo Diocese sounded the alert – this was not just a coincidental tragedy: “The rains have caused floods and water borne diseases. This is the first time

On the ninth day of Christmas, the Church in Uganda gave to us... The Gift of discovering our calling. We discover our role in life through our relationships with others! You were created by God for a specific role and that is what makes you unique, different and special. As we come from different backgrounds, races and social status, love is a powerful tool ‘you are to love one another…by this all people will know that you are my his disciples’ John 13:35 Our mutual tasks

On the eighth day of Christmas, the Church in Burundi gave to us... A gift of considerate ministry. The Church in Burundi is experiencing amazing growth. When we asked Bishop Aime Joseph how churches in Ireland could be more effective in bringing the Good News to their communities, this is what he said: ‘The contexts differ but God remains the same. He works in different ways and it is vital to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to be utterly committed. You must understand