from the Poole --- Wau Partnership
February 2011
The new Poole—Wau Partnership Salisbury Diocese has had a vital and effective link with Sudan since 1972, a link which has over and again proved to be of real value to the Episcopal Church of Sudan (ECS). Now there’s a chance in Poole to develop a much closer link with Sudan and its people. Poole Hospital has already set up a link with Wau hospital, and now Poole Deanery is being asked to approve setting up a partnership link with Wau Diocese and its new bishop, Bishop Moses Deng Bol, who was appointed in March 2010. Bishop Moses sees the partnership with Poole as being about: Strengthening each other spiritually Sharing talent and gifts Sharing resources
Bishop Moses
Partnerships are ultimately about relationships, which means sustained contact, so Bishop Moses is very keen that there should be two-way visits. Wau has much to share with us through their tremendous faith in adversity and the power of the Holy Spirit working among them.
Bishop Moses to visit Poole in May To get the new Partnership off to a good start, Bishop Moses will be visiting Poole in May this year. The probable dates are 13th to 23rd May. We want him to be able to visit as many churches, people and places as possible (without exhausting him!) so please contact us as soon as you read this in order to book him for a visit.
Introducing Wau Wau Diocese is one of the largest ECS Dioceses in the Sudan and has a population of 1.3 million people. If you think it’s a long way from Poole to Salisbury (32 miles) or from one end of our Diocese to the other (Lyme Regis to Marlborough---96 miles), consider travelling the nearly 500 miles from one side of Wau Diocese to the other.... Wau is the second most important town in Southern Sudan after the ‘capital’ Juba. It is more than 300 ECS Cathedral, Wau miles from Juba. Wau is capital of Western Bahr-el-Gazl State with a population of nearly 140,000---just the same size as Poole. Pastors Wau Diocese has over 400 pastors to cover its huge area. Many of these are untrained and all are unpaid---including the Bishop. This is a place where the clergy need to work as farmers, for the government and for aid organisations to support their families and their ministry.
To contribute to this Newsletter or receive it by e-mail please contact Richard Tazewell lamorna25@googlemail.com 181 Sandy Lane, Upton Poole, Dorset BH16 5LU.
WORKING GROUP In order to enable the Poole—Wau Partnership to be an active and vibrant blessing to both communities, we are setting up a small working group with participation from a cross-section of churches. If you feel that the Lord has a role for you in this and you can give it some of your time and energy please contact any of the existing members of the group. One of our first tasks will be to organise and support Bishop Moses’ visit in May.
PRESENT MEMBERS Carol Langford carol.langford1@btinternet.com Jeff Neagle jefferyneagle@btinternet.com Chris Strain cmstrain@tiscali.co.uk Richard Tazewell lamorna25@googlemail.com Val Wilson wilsonweb@talktalk.net
Referendum news There was a vast turnout for the Referendum vote, which lasted a week from the 9th to the 15th January. A total of 99.75% of those polled voted for independence according to the Referendum Commission. Final results, which President Omar al-Bashir has said he will accept, are expected in February, and if the result is confirmed independence should be declared on 9th July. [BBC News 30-1-11]
Wau Diocese boundaries, southern Sudan Older Diocesan boundary is shown. The new boundary omits areas around Aweil. The area shown is about the same size as England.
100 miles on the map Poole to London---110 miles; Poole to Salisbury---32 miles Main map courtesy of New Internationalist
This Newsletter will be issued quarterly (in January, April, July and October) and will keep you informed of Link activities and developments in Wau---look out for it! [and its available by e-mail---address below] To contribute to this Newsletter or receive it by e-mail please contact Richard Tazewell lamorna25@googlemail.com 181 Sandy Lane, Upton Poole, Dorset BH16 5LU.