2023 Projects
Diocese of Southern Malawi (DSM)
St John`s Church, Milumbe, Mulanje. In 2022, Cyclone Anna completely destroyed this church and also both of its outstations. By October 2022, however, the congregation had built walls to gable height for a new and considerably larger church building – this time on a concrete foundation and using cement grouting to make it more resilient to cyclones and flooding. But the congregation in this very poor, rural area could not afford to put a roof on their church. In November, the Malawi Task Group agreed to send £6000 so a roof could be erected and, happily, this work was done before Cyclone Freddy hit. As a result, the new St John`s not only survived Cyclone Freddy but also provided vital shelter to many local people during the storm. Thank you to everyone and to every parish in CofE Birmingham that gives to the Malawi fund. This is what your giving has already achieved in 2023!
St Matthew`s outstation, Malawi Parish. The congregation of this church is one of the poorest in the whole of Southern Malawi. In 2022, they built walls around the outside of their existing church structure because the congregation had outgrown its building. Unfortunately, they did not have the money to erect a roof and, consequently, the walls suffered significant damage during Cyclone Freddy. The Malawi Task Group has agreed, as soon as the walls have been repaired, to send a further £6000 to DSM so that a roof can be placed on the church. Again, cement grouting is being used and this, coupled with the CofE Birmingham funded roof, should help to protect the church against future cyclones and storms. Again, thank you to everyone and to every parish that gives to the Malawi fund. This is what your giving will be achieving in 2023!
Lake Diocese (DLM)
St Luke`s Church, Liwaladzi (Nkhotakota district). This church had its roof blown off during a storm prior to Cyclone Freddy in the 2022/3 rainy season. Once assurances have been received regarding the integrity of the remaining structure, the Malawi Task Group has agreed to send £6000 in order to replace the roof.
St Paul`s Church, Lifidzi, Dedza. The current church building is in a dilapidated state posing danger to the congregants due to many cracks. It is also too small as the number of congregants keeps on increasing each year. Some four years ago the congregation started to build a new church but they did not have the funds to erect a roof and due to some very heavy rains, the new structure collapsed. The congregation now has 40,000 bricks to restart the church building (the plan is 25 meters by 12.5 meters) and work is expected to begin in May 2023. The Malawi Task Group has agreed that B`ham will send DLM £6000 for this roof, once walls have been built to gable height and assurances received regarding the structural integrity of the building.
Thank you to everyone and to every parish that gives to the Malawi fund. Please give generously so that these two commitments to DLM can be fulfilled.
Diocese of Northern Malawi (DNM)
St Dunstan`s Church, Mzimba. This large urban church lacks a suitable priest`s house. The existing one is small and does not even have a satisfactory seating area for the family, let alone visitors - far less any office space. The congregation has built the walls for a new and larger priest`s house, right next to the church. However, they cannot afford to erect a roof. In November 2022, the Malawi Task Group agreed to send DNM £6000 towards this roof, as early as possible in 2023. The money has now been sent and instructions given to the parish to commence the roof. Thank you to everyone and to every parish that gives to the Malawi fund. This is what your giving is about to achieve in DNM!
St Paul`s Church, Mzuzu. Another large and busy urban church – this time with no priest`s house at all. At present, the priest has to rent accommodation about a half hour walk from the church. Again, the congregation has built the walls for a priest`s house right next to the church. Again, however, they cannot afford to erect a roof. The Malawi Task Group has agreed to send DNM £6000 towards this roof at some point in 2023. Thank you to everyone and to every parish that gives to the Malawi fund. Please give generously so that we can send the money for this much needed roof as quickly as possible.
Diocese of Upper Shire (DUS)
The diocese has gone through an exceptionally difficult few years. In late October 2022, its bishop was removed from office and the difficult task of rebuilding and redirecting the diocese began. Happily, progress so far has been excellent under the wise leadership of its new Vicar General, with the background counsel of Bishop Alinafe of DSM. Much training is nevertheless needed. In February 2023 CofE Birmingham funded a three day training conference for the new team of archdeacons. Since then, CofEB has also funded one day training for the board members of the large Anglican institutions in the diocese (secondary schools and hospitals). In April, CofEB will be funding an unusual week`s retreat for all priests, which will culminate in a renewal of vows before the Archbishop of Central Africa. During 2023, the Malawi Task Group will be responding to other training needs as they arise, together with other needs identified by the new DUS team.