Links Across the World

Mainz-Gonsenheim
Germany


A view of the Church in Gonsenheim

Since 1987 our churches have enjoyed a lively partnership with the Evangelical Church in Gonsenheim, a suburb of Mainz in Germany , one of Watford 's twin towns. Their church is an "island church" in the middle of the main street with trams passing either side. Over the years many friendships have developed between the people of our congregations. We have enjoyed a family holiday on ‘neutral territory' in Holland . Our young people have visited Taizé together. We have shared many exchange visits, and representatives have attended each others' Centenary Celebrations in 2003 in Gonsenheim and in 2005 in Watford .

In 2006 a 'prayer pen pals' scheme was started. This helps people who may not be able to visit each others parishes to enjoy a personal link, to share information and to remember to be remembered regularly in prayer.

At present the parishioners are engaged in planning a major building project, replacing their old parish kindergarten and reordering the Gemeindehaus (Church Hall). They hope the work will be finished in 2009 and that some of us will be there for the opening.


Kwa Mkono
Tanzania


Children at the Polio Hostel

In 1980 we joined the network of support for the Children's Polio Hostel in Kwa Mkono in Tanzania. Life for any disabled child is difficult, but it is especially difficult in rural Africa where a handicapped child is often considered a burden because he or she cannot help with the work of the family. The Polio Hostel can accommodate 50 severely handicapped children, offering them shelter, education and training and, above all, hope.

Some of our church members were able to visit the Hostel in 2005 and again in 2007. They enjoyed meeting the children, young people and staff, and visiting the neighbouring hospital where many of them had received corrective surgery, been fitted with callipers, given crutches and taught to walk.

The younger children attend the local school and are encouraged, if they have the ability, to go on to secondary education. The hostel has joinery and tailoring workshops and our parishioners have provided tools, a lathe and sewing machines which are being put to very good use by those young people not at school who are learning practical skills.

New projects include the creation of a chicken farm and a retail outlet for their furniture, clothing and eggs. The aim is to make the Hostel self-supporting and to extend its facilities to a wider range of children and young people suffering physical handicap, no matter how it may have been caused.

We raise money for the hostel in all kinds of ways. One is by selling calendars depicting the life and work of the staff and young people there. Click here for details of the calendar for 2009 and to find out how to order yours.

 

Peace Austin
Texas USA

Picture of the Peace Lutheran Church , Austin Texas

Since the end of 2005 an informal link has been made with the Peace Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas. One of their members, Laura Lincoln, is a parish consultant who has been helping us develop our work here in Watford. She suggested that our two congregations might benefit by supporting each other in prayer and that we might gain new ideas and understandings from one another about being Christians today.

Some members of Christ Church and St Mark's have become 'prayer pen pals' with members of the congregation at Peace Lutheran. They are enjoying finding out more about each other.

In October 2006 our Vicar and his wife visited Austin and were very warmly received at Peace Lutheran.

Pastor Bill Sappenfield presented Dick with a liturgical stole. Whenever it is worn during worship at Christ Church and St Mark's it will serve as a reminder that our three congregations are united in prayer.

Dick and Janet watched the ground-breaking ceremony for their new education block. It was opened amidst great rejoicing in 2007.

Since then, Pastor Bill and Laura Lincoln met Dick and Janet again when they attended the Anglican-Lutheran Society Conference in Dublin in September 2007.

 

Christ Church
Nazareth, Israel

On their visit to the Holy Land in February 2008 members of our congregations worshipped at Christ Church in Nazareth.

In the evening their priest, Fr Zahi Nasser, and fourteen of his congregation met us for dinner and a social evening. We hope to keep in contact. Perhaps this will lead to another informal link.

For more details about our links across the world please contact

The Parish Office, Christ Church Vicarage, Leggatts Way , Watford , Herts WD24 5NQ Phone: 01923 672240
Click here to Email us

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