bath & wells: mission

All five of the Anglican Bishops in Zambia visit Bath & Wells

All five of the Anglican Bishops in Zambia visited Bath & Wells in January 2006. The five bishops came for an international bishops' conference in Canterbury, and arranged to spend a few days in this diocese first. They spent three days in their link diocese to exchange ideas and cement friendships.

The five bishops outside the Old Deanery on Cathedral Green

The bishops are (from left to right) Bishop Robert Mumbi of Luapula Diocese, Bishop Derek Kamukwamba, Diocese of Central Zambia; Bishop William Muchombo, Diocese of Eastern Zambia; Bishop David Njovuof, Diocese of Lusaka and Bishop Albert Chama, Diocese of Northern Zambia.

During their time here they met members of Bath and Wells' Council for Mission including the chairman, the Archdeacon of Bath Ven Andy Piggott, the Zambia Group, and the Youth and Children's department in the Old Deanery, Wells. The Bishops then went on to an Anglican Communion Conference in Canterbury.

All five bishops with members of the Bath & Wells Zambia Group and the Council for Mission, pictured at the Old Deanery.

Included are Canon Roger Medley, Diocesan Missioner; Suzi McKenzie, Vice-Chair of Council for Mission; and Revd Ken Boullier, Chair of the Diocesan World Mission Group.

Bath and Wells World Mission Adviser Jenny Humphreys said: "It is rare that all five of them are in the UK at the same time, so we have invited them here for a couple of days, to take the opportunity of looking at how the link between our dioceses can enhance our common mission."

The five bishops at the Rock of Ages in Burrington Combe.

The five bishops visited the Rock of Ages in Burrington Combe. The hymn is quite well known in Zambia, Bishop William even has it as a ring-tone on his mobile phone!

It is a rare occurrence to have all five of the bishops in this diocese at once, and the Zambia Group made the most of the opportunity of enabling them to meet with as many representatives from Bath & Wells diocesan staff as possible at short notice. We were also able begin a process of appraisal with them on our now 28 year-old Companion Link, in order to strengthen and enhance it for the future.

For more pictures and story of this visit click here >>