companion synod/diocese covenant

VisionThis Companion relationship exists for the purpose of strengthening one another for life and mission within the body of Christ.

Companion Synod/Diocese Covenant

VisionThrough prayer, study, communication, and exchange of persons and resources, it offers mutual benefit for our respective churches.


VisionIt opens our eyes to the global challenge that Christ sets before us, calling us to deepen our commitment and discipleship as communities of faith and as individual disciples.


MissionThrough the Companion Synod/Diocese relationship, we will:• Join one another in the vision, life and mission of Christ’s

church;• Be renewed and empowered in faith and commitment to

Christ’s mission by one another’s witness to the Gospel;• Be educated and challenged by encounters with one

another’s joy and sorrows;• Encourage one another to participate in each other’s

ministries through prayer, communication, and thoughtful exchange of persons and resources.


ExpressionBishops provide oversight for this companionship and establish the tone and manner by which the relationship comes to expression. With the members of our respective churches, we commit to:• Pray for one another;• Share with each other statements of vision and mission for

greater understanding;• Be alert to the needs of each other as we communicate

regularly, always seeking to embrace transparency and mutual accountability as partners;



ExpressionBishops provide oversight for this companionship and establish the tone and manner by which the relationship comes to expression. With the members of our respective churches, we commit to:• Consider support of project possibilities as mutually

agreed upon by the bishops;• Exchange communications and other materials that

enhance the relationship;• Review annually this covenant as an expression of our

ongoing partnership.

Accompaniment

To walk together in solidarity that practices interdependence and mutuality.In this walk, gifts, resources and experiences are shared with mutual advice and admonition to deepen and expand our work within God’s mission.

Stories

Name(s) and CongregationPartnership highlights in the pastor 2 yearsHow have partners experienced accompaniment?

To walk together in solidarity that practices interdependence and mutuality.In this walk, gifts, resources and experiences are shared with mutual advice and admonition to deepen and expand our work within God’s mission.

Companion Committee

To maintain and strengthen relationships in the companionship between the Pare Diocese and the Southeastern Iowa Synod, and to support the growth of relationships between individual congregations within the larger Synod/Diocese Companionship. All functions of the committee are as directed by the Office of the Bishop.

Companion Committee• Maintain open communication with the Office of the Bishop.• Report activities to and receive support from the Commission

for Global Relations.• Adjust policies when necessary in response to experience or

changing circumstances.• Oversee and provide support for the working groups.• Provide liaisons to each working group.• Facilitate coordination of workgroups when the work overlaps.• Propose the establishment of new working groups to the

commission.

Companion Committee

Working Groups•

• Congregation/Parish Relationships• Mutual Ministry Projects• Communications

• Invitation to Participate!

Vision of Pare Diocese

Having a Peaceful Community that is socially and economically empowered believing in God through Jesus Christ.

Mission of Pare Diocese

Improving social, economic and spiritual well being of the people in Pare Diocese through • Evangelism• Provision of Social Services• Capacity Building• Economic and Institutional Development


• The Diocese is one of 22 Dioceses in ELCT which are considered less privileged in terms of resources materially to fund her Mission and Evangelism obligations.

• This situation is influenced by climatic conditions which prevail in Pare. For this reason people in Pare have weak economic base because of low crop and animal productivity. Their offerings for church activities can’t sustain funding Evangelism to continuing Christians and non-Christian believers in its service area and mission areas outside Pare.


• To manage the situation, the Diocese is trying to undertake Income Generating Projects to attain income to supplement offerings from the Diocesan Members.

• Presently, there is a Bookshop, Amani Hostel (meanwhile under renovation by support from Church in Mecklenburg Germany), a tour vehicle and farming project growing grain amaranth, ginger and sunflower.


• For the purpose of diversifying the income generating projects this new project proposal of modifying 3 residential Houses at same Town to become Modern Guest Houses is presented.

• The project is viable as Same Town is growing so fast by the contribution of the newly started Mkomazi National Part located in Same District.

Renovation and Modification of Three Residential Houses at Same Town

to become Modern Guest Houses.

Renovation and Modification of Three Residential Houses at Same Town

to become Modern Guest Houses.

• Three Phase Plan January 2014 – December 2016

• Donor Contribution = $160,000• Local Contribution = $8,500


• This project would contribute significantly towards attaining the Diocesan Vision.

Developing Partnerships

A congregation/parish relationship can help establish more personal relationships with a larger number of synodical members.


The goals of such relationships are to:• increase global awareness in the congregation;• build support for global mission;• pray faithfully for global sisters and brothers;• bring home the dynamic witness of Christians in

other countries; and• personalize global mission for members of the

congregation.


A congregation prepares for partnership by:• Read, research, discuss, build interest• Work with synod committee to present proposal to

congregation council. The council/congregation “owns” the relationship.

• The congregation completes an application of interest form and ministry description.

• Office of the Bishop sends to Pare Diocese• Bishop in Pare assigns partner.


Cluster Relationships

Agencies & Institutions

VISION TRIP Summer 2014

Details coming in December!

Goals of A Vision Trip

• Be renewed and empowered in faith and commitment to Christ’s mission by one another’s witness to the Gospel.

• Be educated and challenged by encounters with one another’s joy and sorrows.

• To enhance and increase understanding about the work of the Companion Synod Ministry.

Goals of A Vision Trip

• To increase individual understanding of the concept of accompaniment, especially for those who have not had the opportunity to visit the Pare Diocese.

• To enlarge and deepen understanding of the work of the Pare Diocese in areas that include but not limited to: evangelism, education, agriculture, and health and human services.

companion synod/diocese covenant

Documents

companion committeeto

christs mission

gods mission

mutual advice

mission of christs churchbe

respective churches

mutual accountability

mutual benefit