Thanks be to God! The much-prayed for rain has come to the drought-struck Parish of Amboasary. Hallelujahs have broken out even in Lent!
Neny Oliviah, wife of Deacon Gaston writes: The Lord has never refused to listen to you and lets his heart be with you when you cry! There has been a lot of crying and wailing in the Androy region because there was no rain but God listened to it and gave a lot of rain. Now it’s really a lot of water, all the people rejoice, and many feel blessed by the Lord for this great reward and great mercy.
The dates have been set for the election of the new Bishop for the Diocese of Toliara, which will be held at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Toliara.
Saturday March 13th 2.00 p.m. – Spiritual preparation retreat led by Rt Revd Dr Gilbert Rateloson.
Sunday March 14th 8.00 a.m. – Election of the 2nd Bishop of Toliara 9.30 a.m. – Eucharist celebration and announcement of the result of the episcopal election
Your prayer is much appreciated as this important decision is about to be made.
O Lord God Almighty, Our Father, You have always led your people and ordained Apostles in various places and in many nations: bless the Anglican Church of the Diocese of Toliara so that, under the guidance of Your Holy Spirit, the Archbishop, the Chancellor of the Diocese, the Electoral College and all Provincial Bishops will be prepared to choose whom you will to shepherd your sheep, to serve as a wise leader, and to establish and expand your Kingdom in the Diocese of Toliara; through the Good Shepherd and Head of the Church, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, the one God for ever and ever. Amen
So far this week, there have been 623 baptisms in Amboasary Parish, with 500 still to happen over the next day or so.
And now it’s started to rain! HALLELUJAH! Normally the rainbow is seen as a sign of God’s blessing but for the people of this drought-struck land the rain is the much-needed blessing. May it continue! May it not stop the baptisms!
Deacon Gaston’s family are so happy to need an umbrella in their house!
Rev Berthier, the Secretary of the Province of the Indian Ocean, has travelled south to encourage and assist the clergy and churches of the District of Fort Dauphin. We thank Anglican Aid (from the Diocese of Sydney, Australia) for their financial help in making this possible.
First Sunday of Lent, Ambovombe
Rev Berthier writes: “Because of the good works we have done (sharing foods in situation of appalling famine), the Churches in Androy are growing exponentially. When I left Toamasina, we were supposed to baptise nearly 500 new Christians and the parish has planted 9 new Churches. Now I am informed that we have 13 new Churches and 1000 registered for baptism. So this week we will baptise 1000 new Christians. Imagine? Please pray that they will be rooted in Christ and pray for us.”
Thanks be to God and the hard workers in Ambovombe, the roof has been restored to the St Paul’s Church, just three days after it blew off.
The Provincial Secretary, Rev Berthier is visiting the Parishes of Fort Dauphin and Amboasary for the next couple of weeks.
Please pray for God to give Dean Donné, Deacon Gaston and Rev Berthier the necessary strength and stamina as they baptise around 600 people (mostly adults) in the coming week. Also pray for the baptism candidates to grow in their new-found faith, and for those who will be responsible for their discipleship.
The Parish Committees of Fort Dauphin and Amboasary met together this past weekend, and invited Amboasary’s link parish of St James the Less and the leadership of Friends of Toliara to join them for prayer and conversation at the end of their first day.
56 people had gathered in St Gregory’s Church, Fort Dauphin to be trained in leading Bible Study, and discuss church budgets and other business.
They reported that there is still no rain in Amboasary to alleviate the drought and famine.
In the next week, they are planning to baptise nearly 500 people in the Parish. Also Rev Berthier from Toamasina Diocese is coming to Amboasary for 12 days to assist with the sudden growth of the Church in this area.
A strong wind came through Ambovombe on Sunday, and blew the roof off the church building. They give thanks to God for protecting them and that no-one was injured. Sadly it didn’t bring any rain with it.
This international Zoom call introduced the Friends of Toliara Leadership Team and explain how the Friends evolved from People Reaching People to help carry forward the McGregors’ ministry in the Diocese of Toliara, Madagascar.
Bishop Todd McGregor resigned as the founding Bishop of the Diocese of Toliara on December 31st 2020, and the process of electing a new Bishop is now underway. A letter has been sent to the Archbishop James Wong (Archbishop of the Province of the Indian Ocean).
So we now pray and wait for Archbishop Wong to start the discernment process.
Once he has done so, there is a period of 40 days for the names of candidates to be submitted by the Diocesan chancellor to the Provincial Chancellor. These names will then be circulated amongst the Diocesan bishops of the Province seeking their approval.
The election date will then be set & the election will be led by the Provincial Chancellor. On the election day, all the candidates will be presented by the Diocesan Chancellor to the assembled members of the Electoral College.
Throughout the process, every step will be supported and uplifted by a chain of prayers within the Province, and specifically by a special time of prayer organized at the Diocesan level, asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout.
Prayer for New Bishop:
Almighty God, Giver of every good gift, who can do more than we can imagine and who blessed us with your Son our Savior Jesus Christ: thank you for blessing us with the ministries of Bishop Todd McGregor and Rev. Patsy McGregor, founders of this Diocese. Bless and guide the mission and ministry of the Diocese of Toliara as we search for our next bishop.
Through your ever-flowing grace and mercy, fill us with the desire and ability to do your will, and grant us inquiring and discerning hearts that we may indeed see, hear, and do your will. Give us wisdom as we select a new Bishop, who will proclaim by word and example the Good News of your Son Jesus Christ, and who will challenge and encourage our Diocese to grow and move forward in Christ; through Jesus Christ your Son our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
What happens in the interim?
Generally speaking, the Vicar General is the person nominated by the Diocesan Bishop to run the Diocese when the Bishop is not present.
The Rt Rev Dr Samitiana Jhonson RAZAFINDRALAMBO is the Vicar General of the Diocese of Toliara.
Now that Bishop Todd has resigned, the Vicar General, Assistant Bishop Samy, is running the administrative, pastoral and spiritual life of the Diocese in collaboration with the Archdeacon, Venerable Hery.
He is also preparing the Diocese with the Provincial and Diocesan Chancellors for the election of the new Diocesan bishop.
Congratulations to Assistant Bishop Samy – now the Rt Rev Dr Samitiana Jhonson RAZAFINDRALAMBO !
He was awarded his Doctor of Ministry degree at an online Convocation this morning. The ceremony was recorded and you can watch it by clicking on the invitation below:
