ALMA Partner André Soares, the Bishop of Angola, arrives in London today for a one-week visit to London. Bishop André’s visit marks 15 years since our covenant with the Church in Angola and Mozambique was signed.
The dioceses of London and Angola are linked through ALMA (Angola London Mozambique Association).
During his week in London, Bishop André will visit several London parishes and schools that have links with Angola, and lunch with the priests and head teachers. He will also attend Diocesan Synod, meet the Bishop of London’s Senior Staff team and join ALMA Reps and Friends for afternoon tea.
The highlight of the visit will be the celebration of ALMA Sunday – the fifteenth anniversary of the signing of the ALMA Covenant, which inaugurated our diocesan link with the Anglican churches in Angola and Mozambique.
Bishop André will preach in St Paul’s Cathedral at the ALMA Sunday Eucharist on 14 July, at 6pm.
Everyone is most warmly invited to come to the service and also to use this prayer for ALMA Sunday.
Father God we hold ALMA before you today, thanking you for the last 15 years and the deep fellowship and friendship that has grown between the Anglican churches of Angola, London and Mozambique. We ask your continued blessing on our partnership, praising you for the joys and sorrows shared, challenges faced, and the years ahead. May we continue to learn from each other and see your kingdom come in Angola, London and Mozambique.
We remember today the ALMA bishops, Bishop André Soares, Bishop Dinis Sengulane, Bishop Mark Van Koevering and Bishop Richard Chartres, all priests, lay ministers, catechists, community ministers especially the Mothers’ Union, Equipa da Vida and the Bernard Mizeki Guild.
We acknowledge the huge issues of climate change, poverty and hunger and pray that our partnership has a prophetic voice alongside serving hands and hearts. We ask this in the name of Jesus who sends his church to love and serve the world. Amen.
Bishop André will spend a further week in the UK with MANNA (Mozambique and Angola Anglican Association).
