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Delivered by RT. Rev. Dr. S. Tilewa Johnson
(Bishop of The Gambia and Dean of the Province of West Africa) TO THE SECOND SESSION OF THE TRIENNIAL PERIOD OF THE SIXTH SYNOD Held at The Parish of the Church of the African Martyrs - Anglican Mission Institute,
Farafenni, North Bank Region. 12th – 15th February 2009 DISTINGUISHED OFFICERS AND DELEGATES TO THE SECOND SESSION OF THE TRIENNIAL PERIOD OF THE EIGHTH SYNOD; THE RIGHT REVEREND ROBERT ELLISON, CURRENT CHAIR OF THE CHRISTIAN COUNCIL OF THE GAMBIA AND ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF BANJUL; REVD. NORMAN A. GRIGG, PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE SOON TO BE ESTABLISHED GAMBIA METHODIST CONFERENCE; THE GOVERNOR OF THE NORTH BANK REGION, THE REVD. FR. JONATHAN HERBERT, WARDEN OF THE PILSDON COMMUNITY DORSET, U.K. AND CHAPLAIN OF SYNOD 2009, AND MOTHER SUZI HERBERT; SPECIAL GUESTS AND OBSERVERS; SISTERS AND BROTHERS IN CHRIST, In the name of the one God – Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer – I welcome you all to this Second Session of the Triennial Period of the Eighth Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Gambia, Church of the Province of West Africa. As Church, we worship the one God as revealed to us in the person of the man Jesus. Jesus said he came to point us to the Father. Jesus often told us of the Kingdom – God’s Kingdom – where the will of God is done. When we are able to submit our wills to God, we are in turn empowered by God to fulfil His will here on earth. We have much to be thankful to God for. At this Synod we will particularly reflect on the past year – 2008 – as we review our life as God’s Church in this part of His vineyard, and hold account for our stewardship of God’s creation and the gifts He has given to us. In the final analysis, all we do and all we are in God’s name are to the glory of God – not for our own prestige and self-aggrandisement. It is therefore fitting to have as our theme for this year’s Synod: “To God be the Glory, great things He has done” Before proceeding with a reflection on this theme, let us first maintain our tradition of extending fraternal greetings to the President, government and people of The Gambia. I call upon this Synod to send warm greetings to our Head of State, Alhagie Prof. Yaya A. J. J. Jammeh, who is also currently the Secretary of State for Religious Affairs. We continue to wish him well and assure him of our daily prayers for himself, his family and all those who hold positions of authority in our land. I further call on this Synod to recognize the sincere words of deep appreciation expressed by the President to Gambian Christians for being law abiding and consequently avoiding imprisonment throughout 2008. This presidential statement of gratitude was made during a visit, last December, of the three Heads of Churches of the Gambia Christian Council. We pray that God’s will and authority may be reflected in the out-working of the leadership of our nation. May peace with justice be ours to enjoy.
We also call upon Synod to send prayerful greetings of goodwill to the Most Rev. Justice O. Y. Akrofi, Archbishop of the Church of the Province of West Africa. We are indebted to His Grace, for highly recommending a seasoned Priest of the Anglican Church in Ghana to serve as the Sub-Dean of our Cathedral, The Rev Fr Samuel G Danquah. We assure the Primate of our continued prayers for him and his family. May God bless, guide and strengthen him in this role and the authority he has been given.
We are pleased to extend fraternal greetings to our sister Churches in The Gambia. We deeply appreciate the cordial ecumenical relations we enjoy in this land. We pray for God’s blessing on the mission and ministry of our sister Churches, and on the Gambia Christian Council. It is fitting, though outside the period under review, to congratulate the Methodist Church The Gambia on the occasion of their becoming of age, having now become an Autonomous Conference after nearly two centuries under the British Methodist Conference.
As is our tradition at Synod we will, under God, both reflect on the past and seek the Spirit’s guidance as we plan for the future. As we look back over the past year, we give thanks to God for His goodness to us. We seek God’s wisdom and guidance as we look to the future. May God’s glory shine in our lives, in our nation and in our world. Within this context, it will first be appropriate for us to reflect upon our theme for this year’s Synod:
“To God be the Glory, great things He has done”
My dear friends, our immediate interpretation of this theme must be one of humility and thankfulness. We recognise the fact that all that we are and all that we do, that is good, is by God’s grace. We are now in the final year of our current ten year Diocesan Development Plan. This is a most appropriate time to look back and see the Spirit of God moving in our lives and in our Church. We have much to be thankful for. Where we have fallen short, we can be assured that, with a penitent heart, we are forgiven and freed to strive on under God.
The title for the theme of this year’s Synod can be recognised from the well known hymn, which goes: “To God be the Glory, great things He has done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His son.”
This is very straight forward, and self-explanatory. However, it does lead us to another angle on the interpretation of the “glory” of God.
We tend to use the word “glory” rather loosely. Secular “glory” seems more to do with fame; which fits in very easily with the celebrity culture that is developing in the world. There is a danger of “glorifying” the rich and famous. The glory of God is something else altogether. We have recently celebrated Christmas – the Feast of the Nativity, or the Feast of the Incarnation. In the Gospel according to John, we are told:
“So the Word became flesh; he came to dwell among us, and we saw his glory,
such glory as befits the Father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” ... (John 1: 14)
In his commentary on this, William Barclay says that we need to turn to the Old Testament to understand what St. John is saying. To the Jewish people, the concept of Shechinah is held close to their hearts. Shechinah means ‘that which dwells’. It refers to the visible presence of God among humankind. This concept is repeatedly and vividly portrayed in the Old Testament. When the Israelites were in the wilderness after fleeing from Egypt and Pharaoh they complained of hunger to Moses and Aaron. As Aaron spoke to them “they looked towards the wilderness, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud” (Exodus 16:10). As Moses was about to receive the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai, we hear, “Moses went up the mountain and a cloud covered it. The glory of the Lord rested upon Mount Sinai” (Exodus 24: 16). When the Tabernacle had been constructed, and was complete as per God’s instructions, we hear, “the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle” (Exodus 40:34).
When God came to be present among the Israelites of the Old Testament, His splendour was visible for all to see. In Jesus, God came to be present among us and His splendour was equally present. God’s nature – God’s splendour - was visible in Jesus. At the heart of God’s nature is love. This was visible in Jesus. The incarnation of God is a revelation of God’s love.
The incarnation continues in us. We are all made in the image of God. We are called to reveal the nature of God in our lives – through Jesus and in the power of the Spirit. As we live according to God’s will – as the Kingdom of God is being fulfilled – the glory of God will be revealed. This is witness to the one God. It is a great responsibility. However, God is faithful to those who seek to follow him with an open and honest heart.
For us, Jesus is the revelation of God. Jesus’ birth, life and ministry, passion and death reveal the nature of God. In particular the three years of Jesus’ ministry reveal a power and authority that are of God: his power to heal and perform miracles; the authority he had over unclean spirits; the authority with which he spoke and taught, which was often recognised and commented upon by those who heard. However, Jesus’ birth as a tiny baby, and his death on the cross, also reveal a vulnerability which is not always associated with the splendour, might and omniscience of the one we call God. If we look deep beneath the surface, we can see a power in this vulnerability – the power of love, which cannot be fought, overcome or destroyed. We are reminded, love is stronger than hate, peace is stronger than war, life is stronger than death, light is stronger than darkness. Jesus reveals the qualities of love, peace, life and light that are of God. Consequently, Jesus is the revelation of the same God that was the Old Testament God of Moses and the Israelites who were freed from Egypt and wandered in the wilderness before entering the Promised Land.
Our challenge is to bear witness to the glory of God. We are the Body of Christ – the Church – on earth. Ours are the hands and feet by which God can fulfil His purposes here on earth.
Here in our Diocese we are privileged and thankful to God for the times He has been able to use us to further His Kingdom here on earth. Through our parishes, and through our development wing – AMDM (Anglican Mission Development Ministries) – we have been able to reflect something of the aims of three Marks of Mission identified by the Anglican Communion. That is: to give loving service to those in need; to transform the unjust structures of society; and to uphold the integrity of creation. The Bishop is deeply appreciative of the platforms given, at national and international for a, to speak about tackling unjust structures.
Our submission to the will of God – and the Kingdom – can allow God’s power to work in our Lives. The Kingdom will come here on earth, not by our power, but by God’s power. To the honour and glory of God. Our theme for this Synod embraces this.
“To God be the Glory, great things He has done”
In this spirit let us now reflect on the ministry of our Church during the year under review; and seek the Spirit’s guidance as we plan, under God, for the coming years in the life of our Church.
NECROLOGY
On Christmas Day 2008, a Synod Member and the People’s Warden of St Paul’s Parish, Fajara was transported from labour to reward after a very brief illness. As our Minutes will reflect the late Sis. Olive Njie-Jallow participated actively in the discussions and resolution writing at the last Synod in February 2008. May I ask Synod to rise and observe a minute’s silence in loving memory of our departed colleague. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed continue to rest in peace.
STATE OF THE CHURCH
We would not for a moment wish to take the wind out of the sail of the Committee appointed by Synod to report on the State of the Church, particularly when we are aware of the tireless efforts the said Committee has put into visiting parish and institution leaders in a bid to evaluate our Church’s effectiveness in acting on our slogan: Seeking to strike a reasonable balance between Evangelism and Social Responsibility, under God. We wait with eager anticipation the report of the Committee on the State of the Church, chaired by Sis Agnes Cole-Cummings.
PARTNERSHIP IN MISSION
The fact that by God’s grace, the Diocese’s strategy for the deduction of financial dependency on outside assistance is gaining momentum is no reason for not accepting any form of support from our partners abroad. Our continued partnership in mission with the Church Mission Society (CMS), the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (USPG), the Episcopal Development Fund (EDF), the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), the Trinity Grants Program, New York (TGP-NY), Inter-Diocesan West Africa Link (IDWAL) and the Chichester Diocese continue to wax strong! As is our tradition, let fraternal greetings and sincere wishes of God’s ever abiding love and provision be sent to all our partners in mission.
EPISCOPAL ACTS - LAMBETH CONFERENCE
A major highlight of the year under review was the Lambeth Conference. This gathering occurs every ten years, and brings together bishops of the Anglican Communion worldwide. This time our gathering was preceded by division, and some bishops chose not to attend Lambeth. However, those that did were blessed. The theme was: “Equipping bishops for mission and strengthening Anglican identity”. In his welcome message, Archbishop Rowan Williams outlined the aims of our time as, “first, that we become more confident in our Anglican identity, by deepening our awareness of how we are responsible to and for each other; and second, that we grow in energy and enthusiasm for our task of leading the work of mission in our Church.” He recalled the words of Christ, “Do not be afraid”, and encouraged us to hear the echo of these words throughout the conference. We were further encouraged, through union with Christ, to carry God’s peace into a needy and divided world, as Church. He concluded, “May we be one so that the world will believe”.
During the weekend before the conference bishops and spouses experienced the hospitality of dioceses throughout the UK. The pre-conference retreat, led by Archbishop Rowan, set the spiritual focus for the days ahead.
In addition to plenary sessions, there were “Indaba sessions” where the conference broke into smaller groups for discussion, listening and reflection. Themes included: Mission and Evangelism, Human and Social Justice, Environment, Ecumenism, Relations with other religions, Anglican Bishops and Anglican Identity, Human Sexuality, the Scriptures, and so on. The Chair of the Reflections Group, the Most Revd. Roger Herft, noted that the Indaba - the “face to face conversations, often exchanging conflicting and challenging points of view, have led to deeper understanding and new insights”. He stated that “the document is that of narrative”. However, he goes on to say that “the most powerful narrative that accompanies us on the journey back to our diocese is in the transformation that has taken place in our lives through the renewal of our faith in Jesus. Friendships formed, pain and brokenness experienced, gestures of generosity, and the testimonies of those who live out the gospel daily in costly acts of discipleship remain etched in our hearts. The Indaba must go on in our lives, in our diocese and in our communities, as we continue the process of purposeful discussion.”
This statement reflects the nature of Lambeth, in our coming together to share our common and diverse experience, to be enriched and encouraged by this, to find a renewal of our faith, and to move on again with our mission as a part of a worldwide Church and Communion.
In his concluding Presidential Address, Archbishop Rowan noted that he had learned, through speakers and discussions in general, that, although there is diversity, there is a general desire not to separate or divide. He then posed the question, “what is the unity we value so much?” He explained, “Beyond peaceful diversity lies Christian unity; and this is what should matter to us. … first and above all, this is union with Jesus Christ; accepting his gift of grace and forgiveness, learning from him how to speak to his Father, standing where he stands by the power of the Spirit. We are one with one another because we are called into union with the one Christ and stand in his unique place – stand in the Way, the Truth and the Life. Our unity is not mutual forbearance but being summoned and drawn into the same place before the Father’s throne. That unity is pure gift… that is the unity that is inseparable from truth. It is broken not when we simply disagree but when we stop being able to see in each other the same kind of conviction of being called by an authoritative voice into a place where none of us has an automatic right to stand.” He further spoke of the need for a Covenant to cement our Communion and relations within this.
My own reflections on the Lambeth Conference are as follows. The Lambeth Conference 2008 is likened to a jumbo jet enduring horrendous turbulent weather and the pilot (Archbishop Rowan Williams) employing every ounce of energy and every strand of intellectual ability to navigate the troubled jumbo jet to safe landing. We the passengers could have crashed in mid air or crashed landed but, by the Grace of our Triune God and by that ALONE, be landed safely after over three weeks of grabbling by the issues of poverty in a world of plenty, violence against women and girls, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, same-gender unions, cross border incursions and the related vexed matter of the ordination of actively homosexual persons as bishops. I am still not sure whether the absence from the Conference of conservative evangelical prelates and others mainly from the two-thirds world was a good thing or not. Would the proverbial ‘jumbo jet’ have crashed in mid air, crashed landed or landed safely? That we would never know. But one thing I know, we nearly lost the Anglican elasticity that held us all Anglicans/Episcopalians together, in spite of our differences on ‘non-salvation’ issues. We in the CPWA will accompany, in prayer, the Provinces that are to implement the three crucial moratoria; while we improve our efforts and strategies in impacting for good, social interventions that will make the Millennium Development Goals achievable.
W.C.C. PRESENTATION During August we were privileged to be invited by the World Council of Churches (WCC) to speak at a forum in Accra, Ghana, that provided an interface between the World Bank and IMF (International Monetary fund) and WCC. Our presentation was on the topic, “Aid Effectiveness and Governance: The World Bank’s Governance and Anti-Corruption Agenda, and Possible Roles for Faith Leaders”. We based the focus of the presentation around the text, “Set your mind on God’s kingdom and his justice before everything else, and all the rest will come to you as well.” (The words of Jesus Christ in the Gospel according to Matthew 6: 33). As a Christian faith leader we are mandated to seek the values of the Kingdom of God, where God’s will is done. These values include justice, truth and peace. Such values are esteemed also by the other major world religions. We used the definition of “aid effectiveness” as that specified by a forum of African Church leaders in May 2008 in Nairobi Kenya. This stated: “aid effectiveness should be measured in its contribution to sustained reduction of poverty and inequalities; and its support of human rights, democracy, environmental sustainability and gender equality. It must be a transformational development that is based on the theological affirmation that all persons are created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1: 27) with the potential to live just, humane and dignified lives in sustainable communities.”[1]
We analysed the operations of the World Bank and IMF against this bench mark, as well as other elements such as transparency. We were able to note achievements, but also where they had fallen short. The structural adjustment of economies they have required has not brought the necessary reduction in poverty and inequality. These institutions had been set up for the reconstruction of Europe after the World Wars, and their structures are not compatible to the needs of Africa. We likened this to “old wine in new wine skins”, and posed the question “can we not look together at new wine in new wine skins?”
We concluded by reflecting on the role of Faith leaders. I quote,
“As a people of God, and today we address you specifically as Church, we are called to: - “Prophetically criticise injustices and create new visions;
- Advocate for legal reform so that political and economic structures serve life;
- Courageously resist totalitarian powers; and
- Live out alternatives of God’s Kingdom”[2]
"As Faith leaders we are called to encourage those to whom we minister also to live by these principles. However, at times we may be able to provide a voice where they are not able to do so. By word and example we can encourage a culture of transparency, truth and justice. This all may be easier said than done, depending on the political climate in which we live. It can take time, so we must have some patience, but also not rest until justice is done and seen to be done. People’s lives depend upon it. "
"Fundamentally, I do not believe any person here (or the organisation they represent) can deny that they want to see the eradication of poverty, with sustainable and just living. It is my deepest prayer that we can come together, under God, to lay the foundations for future generations when this vision can become a reality. "
ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES
Baby Dawn Adebola Ojo arrived on 6th October 2008 only twenty four (24) days after her mother and father took up residence at Anglican Mission Institute (AMI), Farafenni following their redeployment from Rev J C Faye Memorial School, Banjul. The Ojos had responded to the call to save AMI from closure following the resignation of the former Principal of the AMI. Baby Dawn’s safe delivery coupled with the generosity of the good people of Farafenni gave her devoted parents – Sis. Tayo and Bro. Sam - cause to give thanks to God continually for His mercies and graces.
As already indicated the Rev. Fr. Samuel G Danquah joined our Pastoral Team in December last, through the intervention of His Grace the Archbishop of the Church of the Province of West Africa (Anglican Communion). Fr Danquah has settled very well and serving the parishioners of St Mary’s dutifully.
HONOURABLE MENTION
This year’s Honourable Mention Award goes to a Communicant member who has served as faithfully and as loyally during my watch as during the tenures of both Bishop Omotayo Olufosoye and Bishop Rigal Elisee. Being happily married for about four decades, this is what the other half testified this week about our 2009 Awardee – ‘I have a wonderful spouse, kind and generous, and a very caring parent’.
A truly gifted, conscientious and enterprising soul, who believes that life, is a special divine and privileged gift that must be lived to the full and at the highest quality possible. Born three score and five years ago, our Awardee will proudly list the following places of education and learning as alma mater: Girls’ High School, Banjul; Fourah Bay College (University of Durham), Sierra Leone; University of Hull, UK and University of Exeter, UK.
I am referring to no other person than Sister Victoria Ethel ‘Bunmi Peters-Clarke, B.A. (Hons. Maths), PGCE, M.Ed, wife of the newly elected first Vice President of the soon to be autonomous Gambia Methodist Conference and distinguished international civil servant – Bro. Malcolm ‘Kole Clarke and, the proud mother and grand mother of Olatunde and Chaka and little Gigi.
A better Gambian Mathematics expert and lecturer, one can not find for Sis Vicky is versed in almost every aspect and nuance of this fascinating foundational subject in all educational institutions of repute. To give us a sense of the depth and breadth of our Awardee’s knowledge of Mathematics, here follows a random selection of areas of this great subject Sis Vicky Clarke has mastered: Theory of Complex Variables, Fluid Dynamics, Electromagnectic Theory, Quantum Mechanics, Calculus, Mathematical Logic, Educational Methods (Maths), Development of Mathematical Ideas, Mathematical Teaching through play, fun and games and last, but by no means least, our ace Mathematician and 2009 Awardee conducted a research in 1977 on “the powers and innate abilities of pre-school children and their significance in teaching Maths”. Could the findings of this research of yester year have been actualised in the founding of Zenith Preparatory School, Fajara twenty-one years later?
When Sis. ‘Bunmi was not teaching Maths at Gambia High School or St John’s College, Harare or examining/moderating O-Level Maths for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) or playing and winning Golf Tournaments in Harare, Nairobi and Fajara Golf Clubs, she was actively involved in life, work and witness of the Church serving in many and varied capacity ranging from Altar Server to the Pastor’s Warden of her Parish.
What makes Sis. Vicky stand out in the crowd is not only her tall and stately stature but her firm belief that we are stewards of God’s bounties while on this side of life. Ours is to give of our best in making our family happy and to give ungrudgingly and sincerely to others – materially, intellectually, spiritually and in others ways. May God continue to bless our Awardee that she may continue to bless others at Zenith Prep, the Church and Society at large.
Synod 2009 holding at Farafenni, North Bank Region, I present to you the Honourable Mention Awardee for this Year – Mrs Victoria Ethel ‘Bunmi Clarke (nee Peters) B.A. (Hons. Maths), PGCE, M.Ed.
CONCLUSION
It was sixteen years ago that Synod was last held in Farafenni. A lot of water has passed under the bridge. Today I pay tribute to the vision bearer of this entity we have called Anglican Vocational Training Centre (AVTC), Anglican Training Centre (ATC) and now known as Anglican Mission Institute (AMI). Each change of name had very good reasons. Now that the current name captures the new reality of clustering Five separate though inter-related sectors namely: the Church of the African Martyrs, the Anglican Mission Upper Basic School, the Anglican Mission Agricultural Senior Secondary School, the Bishop’s Millennium School For Youth Job Training, the Anglican Mission Farms and the Anglican Mission Institute Guest House, it is hoped that there will be no need for another change of name in the foreseeable future. For the foundation laid on this 78-acre parcel of land we honour the Bishop during whose watch this power house of our Diocese was initiated by renaming this renovated Assembly Hall – the Samakat Rigal Elisee Hall, AMI, Farafenni.
I thank all Synod Committees that met and produced reports; for those that have not been active I hope and pray they will resolve not to do business as usual. The Diocese loses a lot when talented members hold back their God-given gifts and talents.
There has not been a Bishop’s Charge delivered since 1991, without Priscilla Modupe Gladys Johnson mentioned and thanked profusely. I have no intention of breaking this 18-year old tradition, certainly not when Synod is holding in Farafenni where we spent our first two years of matrimonial bliss! Njilan our first child was conceived at this Mission Station and we have very fond memories of our time here. So to Mother Priscilla and the grown children Njilan, Jeggan and Dado I say a sincere THANK YOU for your unconditional love and unflinching support.
It now remains for me to encourage all of us to make the best of our time here as we seek, under God, ‘to take such actions as shall promote the welfare of the Church in the Diocese of Gambia’.
IN THE NAME OF GOD: FATHER. SON AND HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN.
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