As some of you might be aware The Malawi Team met Rev’d Richard Tucker, vicar of St. Columba’s and leader of the Diocesan Team who plan links with Malawi(malawiofficer@birmingham.anglican.org) on Wednesday 30th May. Also present were our two church wardens, Alf and Brian Scotcher, Brian Pitkin plus Lyn Tribe, secretary of the PCC and of course Edwina.
Richard Tucker began by giving us some very interesting information about Malawi. As some of you may know the old president died recently and has been replaced by a woman, Mrs. Banda. Many are hopeful that this will mean improved conditions for the poor and less corruption. We were surprised to see on a map of Malawi how mountainous the region is and how large Lake Malawi is. There are four dioceses each of course with their own bishop. The Birmingham Diocesan Malawi Fund sends each of them approximately £10,000 per year to fund the running of their diocese. Richard confirmed that there is a large amount of poverty in the country.
Questions were asked and Richard reported that 80% of theMalawi population were Muslim and 20% Christian. Of the Christians, the Catholics were the largest group, followed by the Presbyterians (Dr. David Livingstone’s legacy) and then the Anglicans. He said the Christians there were more concerned with helping each other than the ceremony of the services.
Richard then moved onto our Malawi Project and said it was amazing the amount we raised for our size of parish and was positive about the special relationship we shared with The Living Bread Organisation lead by Father Joel.
Richard supported the action agreed at the last PCC meeting that we should seek the opinions of the congregation in time for the discussion on Malawi at the next PCC meeting on 26th September.
So if you have an opinion on the future of our Malawi project would you please let Alf Beckett, Brian Scotcher or Lyn Tribe (as officers of the PCC) know your feelings before September 26th – and these will be noted.
Sue Gregory Malawi Team.