Bishops’ News: June 2021

But God has put the body together, giving greater honour to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. (1 Corinthians 12:24-26)

I (+Ellie) have been part of a global team created by the Anglican Consultative Council, to support the priority of intentional discipleship in our whole Communion. We have continued to connect over the last year.

One of our group members lives in Zambia, and contracted Covid-19. Over the last few weeks we have all been prayerfully interceding for him and his family. It has been touch and go, but this week we received the news that they have pulled through.

So many of us know others that have not made it. Just this week, we heard the news that New Zealand-born Bishop John Osmers, former Anglican Bishop of Zambia and well-known anti-apartheid campaigner, has died of Covid complications. Bishop of Swaziland, Ellina Wamukoya, the first female bishop in Africa, died of Covid in January. For my dear friend Bishop Vincente, from Mozambique, who our Diocese has supported in many ways, we hear that Covid-19 is ravaging through the local population. Bishop Justin equally can speak to stories from friends in India who have the same reality.

Here’s a question for us as God’s people; all redeemed and equal in the eyes of God – as we all begin to have our vaccines, why should our brothers and sisters be missing out? How, as the people of God, can we not fight for their well being just as much as we long for our own safety, especially as we are back in Alert Level 2?

It is not right that for so many in the majority world, the infrastructure is such that access to vaccines which so easily save lives and protect communities is limited. But it’s not like we can’t do anything about it. We can make a huge noise.

And so… the Get One, Give One campaign is underway. For those of you who have donated the cost of ‘your’ vaccine, thank you. But there is more to do. How many vaccines can you support? Who can you share the news of this campaign with? Flood your social media platforms; grab a stack of business cards from Anglican Missions or from our office (for free!); download posters and put them up in all the places you orbit.

We know that in the fight against Covid every little action makes a difference – choosing to put your mask on; observing physical distancing; being vigilant about washing hands; scanning in everywhere. Likewise, every little action to support those unseen by us, but seen and loved by God, makes a huge difference too.

+Ellie and +Justin