The diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador and the diocese of Belize in Central America have begun the process of partnering, coming along side one another in support of a shared ministry to the whole people of God.
I'll be departing on Sunday for 10 days in the diocese of Belize. While there, in addition to seeing various aspects of the diocese and country, I will spend a day in an Anglican high school, get to meet the students, and share a message with them. I'll also spend a day with some of the clergy of the diocese, another day with some of the lay leadership, and spend a day in one of their northern parishes.
Any healthy partnership, any healthy relationship, is meant to work in both directions.
Most of the time, when one thinks about mission in a 3rd world country, it is thought about in the context of money and resources, knowledge and experience, going in a one way direction. "What we can do for them." Such an approach can be a help, but not really a relationship or partnership.
Regardless of what one's financial or human resources are - whether it be a diocese, a parish, a household or an individual - there is always something to offer in an ongoing relationship.
From cradle to grave, every human being has the potential to offer a unique richness to the family, the community, and society.
Our developing relationship with Belize is meant to be mutually beneficial. It is for us to find ways to do so.
Our relationship with those in Conception Bay North, is meant to be mutually beneficial. It is for us to find ways to do so.
I'm sure I will be blessed by the people of Belize during my visit.
I'm sure I will see ways in which the Anglican Church in the middle the North Atlantic can assist the Anglican Church in the Carribean Ocean.
And I'm sure I'll see ways that the Church in Belize can be a blessing to the Church in Newfoundland and Labrador.
It is for us to find ways to do so.
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