Rev Lisa of St James the Less writes:

Friends in Christ —

I am so excited to announce even amid the COVID19 that St James the Less Vestry is developing a more robust relationship with the Diocese of Toliara in Madagascar. A global pandemic will not stop the church from being the church!

As you will learn in the wonderful YouTube video, our parish has long financially supported the ministries of Bishop Todd and The Rev. Patsy McGregor, who began as missionaries in the slums of Toliara many years ago. Making many relationships with Malagasy people, they formed the diocese of Toliara to organize and grow the Anglican form of Christianity while improving life for the poor, using this philosophy “Go where you are most needed.”

Over the years, our parish’s relationship with the diocese in Madagascar has grown. When I visited last August, I found that our little parish is widely known across the diocese because of Sue and Simon Babbs and Betsy and Glen Tracy, who visited before me. Their ministries supported by SJTL have made a lasting impact. During my visit I was approached to consider a parish link.

Linking with a parish in Madagascar may be best described as a friendship, a spiritual friendship between our church and the churches in Madagascar. Do not think of this as outreach, instead this is a friendship among equals. The link will foster getting to know one another, praying for each other, growing in faith and hope and love of Christ our Lord together.

For example, I became friends with the Rev. Gaston who is the transitional deacon charged with the care of the Parish of Amboasary. He is humble, faithful, eager, smart, and loving. During the course of several conversations we prayed, we shared our challenges in parish leadership and we encouraged each other. Because we live and serve in such vastly different environments and yet are united in One Lord, One Faith, One Love, he remains a very special colleague to me.

In the same way, a parish link with the people of Amboasary will enrich our lives. Think of our children sharing videos with children in Madagascar about what we are doing in Sunday School, or communicating our differing interpretations of a gospel passage with each other, or knowing we are remembered in prayer by people worshipping half way around the world from us! No doubt, we will be enriched and that is why I am excited for this parish link. Watch the video and learn more about Madagascar, Rev. Gaston and the Church in Amboasary.

With you on the journey,
Lisa+