The Heytesbury Maridi Link
For the last 50 years Salisbury Diocese has had a link with the Church in Sudan – at first just one country, now two countries, Sudan and South Sudan, and therefore two Anglican Church provinces - the Episcopal Church of Sudan (ECS) and of South Sudan (ECSS).
Within those provinces, almost every Deanery of our diocese now has a link with a specific diocese there. Our Deanery of Heytesbury has been linked for over 10 years with the diocese of Maridi in Western Equatoria region of South Sudan. You may see it in the bottom left-hand corner of the map:
Since then, at the request of the Bishop, the Deanery has been supporting students at the Diocese’s training centre, the Chaima Christian Institute now part of the Episcopal Church university.
We provide sponsorships for students learning English (which gives them a route into employment), Theology, IT and Leadership. and w We have also supplied laptops and large batteries for their computer centre, furniture and library supplies. In a country which has suffered so much and which has such a young population, we hope and pray that our support will raise up not just new pastors but also new leaders for this young country. Over the last two years we have also funded new student accommodation, a new cook house and a new pastor’s house is under construction. The link is managed by a Deanery support Group, pictured here with Bishop Moses on a previous visit to us:
In August 2022 following the Lambeth conference 3 South Sudanese bishops were hosted in the Upper Wylye Valley including Bishop Moses and his wife Mama Rejoice. It was both humbling and interesting to meet them and we hope they enjoyed being with us. It was also particularly moving for Bishop Moses to visit the grave of Reverend Jane Shaw. Jane’s sudden and sad death has been very upsetting for so many both here and in Maridi.
Jane was a key member of the support group for a number of years. She and Gay Maynard from the Support Group have visited Maridi and made friends there; + Moses and his predecessor as Bishop, +Justin Badi (now Archbishop of the whole Province) have both visited and stayed in the Deanery and met many friends. + Moses is a frequent correspondent, and his emails are circulated to the Deanery clergy and Deanery Synod members, and often reproduced in parish newsletters.
To support the Bishop and the Chaima Christian Institute, the Deanery Group hold two or three fundraising events each year, which are publicised through the churches. An Hour of Prayer for Sudan and South Sudan (with focus on Maridi) is held on the third Monday of every month in St.Denys, The Minster, Warminster, at 12.00 noon – all welcome. And a monthly email prayer is circulated to all who have requested it, as well as clergy and synod members. For more information on how to support both in prayer and financially email Reverend Gay Maynard revgmaynard@gmail.com
STOP PRESS LATEST NEWS
In March there were some serious wild fires in the neighbouring parish of St Clements. The church and pastors house were burnt down and many more homes. We are doing what we can to give extra funds to support our brothers and sisters with the re-building.
We have just heard that Bishop Moses will visit us in October this year when he will also visit his partners in Ireland. He will be accompanied by the Education Coordinator, the Health Coordinator and the Women’s Representative.
Bp Moses wants to come to thank us for our unwavering support and prayers and to meet as many of us as possible. It will be lovely to meet him again and a light programme of events and meetings will be planned.
Bishops in the Garden
Sudanese Bishops by Jane's Grave
New student accommodation we have funded
New Evangelists
Graduation
Choir Practice
