As Church, we seek the Kingdom of God, and pray that God’s Kingdom may be manifest in our lives and in our land. We follow a God of mercy and justice. We believe that God’s justice is the way to true peace – an holistic peace of body, mind and spirit. The Kingdom is a place of acceptance, where God longs to draw all people to Himself – people from all origins, from childhood to old age. It is therefore fitting to have as our theme for this year’s Synod:

Delivered by RT. Rev. Dr. S. Tilewa Johnson
(Bishop of The Gambia and Dean of the Province of West Africa)

TO THE THIRD AND LAST SESSION OF THE TRIENNIAL PERIOD OF THE EIGHTH SYNOD

Held at The Parish of Andrew, Lamin.

3rd – 7th February 2010

DISTINGUISHED OFFICERS AND DELEGATES TO THE THIRD AND LAST SESSION OF THE TRIENNIAL PERIOD OF THE EIGHTH SYNOD; THE RIGHT REVEREND ROBERT ELLISON, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF BANJUL; REVD. NORMAN A. GRIGG, PRESIDENT OF THE GAMBIA METHODIST CONFERENCE; REVD. PROFESSOR GLEN TAYLOR, ASSOCIATE OLD TESTAMENT LECTURER, WYCLIFFE COLLEGE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, AND OUR CHAPLAIN FOR THIS SYNOD; 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 Third and Last 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 seek the Kingdom of God, and pray that God’s Kingdom may be manifest in our lives and in our land. We follow a God of mercy and justice. We believe that God’s justice is the way to true peace – an holistic peace of body, mind and spirit. The Kingdom is a place of acceptance, where God longs to draw all people to Himself – people from all origins, from childhood to old age. It is therefore fitting to have as our theme for this year’s Synod:

“Fostering Children and Youth ministries and deepening Christian / Muslim relations over the decade in the Diocese of Gambia”

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, Sheikh Prof. Alhaji Dr. Yaya A. J. J. Jammeh. 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. We assure him of our continued commitment to the nurture and promotion of good interfaith relations in our land. Our commitment to peace and justice continues. May peace with justice be ours to enjoy, and our children’s to inherit.

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 assure him of our continued prayers for him and his family. We pray for God’s continued blessing and guidance upon him. May he receive all that he requires as he administers the weighty task he has undertaken as Primate of our Province. We welcome and congratulate the newest member of the House of Bishops of our Province – The Rt. Rev. Festus Yeboah-Asuamah, the third Bishop of Sunyani.

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. We remain committed to working with our sister Churches in ministering to the people of The Gambia. We pray for wisdom as we minister to the people of our churches, and as we strive to protect and promote good inter-faith relations with our neighbours.

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. At this time we have identified two important areas on which to focus our ministry over the coming years. These are: children and youth; and Christian / Muslim relations. Within this context, it will first be appropriate for us to reflect upon our theme for this year’s Synod:

“Fostering Children and Youth ministries and deepening Christian / Muslim relations over the decade in the Diocese of Gambia”

In African culture our children are valued, loved and nurtured. We know our children to be the future, and endeavour to prepare them for the task ahead. Our culture also has respect for “grey hair”, and our elderly are acknowledged for their experience and wisdom. Those in between are putting into practice that which has been learned at school, college and in the home – as they acquire experience and (hopefully) wisdom through life. The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 17 verse 6 – reflects this concept: “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents.”

Our children are crucial to the future of our community, our nation and our world – not to mention, the future of our Church. In scripture we do not hear very much about Jesus’ childhood after the birth narrative and the flight into Egypt. The information we do have comprises a story of Jesus, at around the age of 12 years, when he went to Jerusalem with his parents. He remained in the city after his mother and Joseph had begun the journey home. Jesus was eventually ‘found’ in the temple, listening to the teachers and asking questions. We are told that “all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers” (Luke 2: 47). He returned to Nazareth with Mary and Joseph, “and was obedient to them” (Luke 2: 50) ……. “and Jesus increased in wisdom and in years” (Luke 2: 52). We can only imagine what the “hidden years” of Jesus’ childhood held. However, from what we do know, he was keen to learn of the faith that spoke of his Father – God. Alongside this he was content to be obedient to his human parents – Mary and Joseph. What an example for children throughout the ages!

We are told that Jesus “increased in wisdom” as he grew through childhood. The concept of “wisdom” is quite significant, particularly in the Old Testament in the so-called ‘wisdom literature’. The Book of Proverbs often refers to “Wisdom” as if a person. In Chapter 8, verses 30 and 31, “Wisdom says: I was beside him like a little child, and I was daily his delight, playing in his presence continually, rejoicing in the inhabited world and delighting in the human race.” It is interesting, is it not, to see Wisdom likened to a ‘little child’. In this passage we get the feel of the freedom and innocence of the child – freed to be with God, and to play in the presence of God. This reveals a particularly close relationship of harmony, peace and joy. Jesus spoke of children, and told us that “it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Matthew 19: 14). Jesus frequently spoke of the Kingdom. He told us what the Kingdom is like – how it is the most precious thing – the pearl of great price. The Kingdom is the place where God’s will is done. It is a place for “the poor” – that is, those who know their need of God. It is also a place of children. What can Jesus mean by this? Children are open and trusting. They do not operate with hidden agendas and manipulation. There is an innate innocence and openness in children. I once heard it said that only children will be in heaven. Some will have bent backs, wrinkled faces and grey hair – but all will be children.

We have a responsibility to our children – to educate and prepare them for the tough world into which they will go as they grow up. However, we can also learn from them. The first part of our Synod theme talks of ”fostering Children and Youth ministries”. In our Diocese we have, for a number of years, focussed on a ministry to our children and youth – through Sunday Schools, the Diocesan Children’s Council, the Anglican Young People’s Association and the Diocesan Youth Council. We intend to intensify this ministry. I intend that the School of Evangelism should be revived, as one way of helping to achieve this. For example, new courses could be offered for Sunday School teachers, together with the design of a Diocesan syllabus for Sunday Schools. The School of Evangelism could further offer specialised training for people such as Bible Study leaders of Youth camps. Furthermore, I am delighted to announce that $20,000 has been set aside for fostering our ministries to children and youth. All Early Childhood Development Schools of our Church will be assisted to establish adequately resourced playgrounds, with a portion of securely fenced areas where standard playground apparatus will be installed for use, both during school hours and for a limited supervised period after school. A Children and Youth Service Director will be appointed, together with a Deputy Director for Children and Youth Service (technical). The primary role of this latter position will be to train young people in communication skills – TV, radio and related work. A new Diocesan TV / Radio studio will be part of the process of transforming the Old Bishop’s House, Bishopscourt, into a four-room Guest House. Three or four full scholarships will be offered each academic year to qualified Anglican students, and others, to attend the University of The Gambia in compliance with our theme to empower young people of the Diocese.

Our talk of education and training for our young people leads us into the second part of our theme for this Synod – deepening Christian / Muslim relations. It has often been recognised that The Gambia enjoys very good interfaith relations. Different faiths (specifically Christian and Muslim) co-exist peacefully. One stated reason for this is that, during the time when there were no secondary schools in the provinces, children were sent to the urban area for secondary education. They were often Muslim children, who stayed with Christian families. Our current State President is a case in point. These Muslim children experienced Christian family upbringing, and learned something of the Christian faith and way of life. In fact, in the days of the national Bible Quiz, it was not uncommon for a Muslim child to win it! Conversely, the Christian Council of The Gambia has been pro-active in promoting dialogue between Christians and Muslims – initially by explaining what dialogue is, then holding seminars on aspects of Islam, and later conducting more comprehensive courses on the Muslim faith. In our Diocese, training courses in theology have contained a component on Christian / Muslim relations. We are blessed to have such cordial relations in our land. However, we must not become complacent. We generally live very peaceably, with both faiths often in the same extended family. It can all feel quite natural. However, we do also know the dangers, and have seen examples of religious strife even in our region of West Africa. We must consciously promote and deepen good relations with our Muslim brothers and sisters, at all levels of our society. We challenge all parishes and institutions of our Diocese to reflect on this during the coming year. People of both faiths in our land face similar social and economic challenges. We have much in common. Let us pray and act to maintain this. Let us remember the advice of St. Paul to the Church in Rome: “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12: 18).

My dear friends, it has been my pleasure and privilege to present this Charge to you, and preside over Synod, each year – for the past twenty years. Yes, this is the twentieth anniversary of your Bishop – the sixth Anglican Bishop of Gambia. It was 20 years ago today that I was enthroned at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Banjul. I give thanks to almighty God for the way in which He has walked with me each step of the way. We have faced together many challenges. I can say in all humility, that we have been blessed with many successes (at home and abroad). I give thanks for each and every person the Lord has called to work alongside the Bishop over the past 20 years. We continue in confidence that God will continue to be with us – to guide, guard, protect and inspire us, in a way that only God can do.

Our theme for this Synod presents an example of the challenges we face. These are two very important areas that affect the lives of every person of our Diocese. As we again state and own our theme:

“Fostering Children and Youth ministries and deepening Christian / Muslim relations over the decade in the Diocese of Gambia”

let us now reflect on the ministry of our Church during the year under review; and seek the Spirit’s guidance as we plan for the coming years in the life of our Church, under God.

NECROLOGY
We had no past or present Synod Members or Parish officials among the departed during 2009. Nevertheless, we pray for the repose of the souls of the ten parishioners who were transported from labour to reward during the period under review.

Though not within the period under review, the recent devastating events in Pakistan and Haiti were such that we must act in solidarity immediately. In the Diocese of Faisalabad, in the Church of Pakistan, and the Episcopal Church of Haiti, thousands of lives perished either as a result of terrorist activities or severe earthquakes. Our hearts go to all who have been affected by the disasters, and pray fervently for the continued repose of the souls of the departed. I call on Synod assembled to send letters of condolence and solidarity to Bishop John Sammuel of Pakistan and Bishop Zac Duracin of Haiti.

EPISCOPAL ACTS
Under the protection of Almighty God, Ordinands Frederick S. J. Oldfield and Victor A. Clayton-Johnson were made Deacons during the Closing Service of Synod 2009, in the Samakat Jean Rigal Elisee Multipurpose Hall in Farafenni. This was the first ever Anglican Ordination Service held on the North Bank.

Confirmation Services were conducted at the Parishes of St. Mary, St. Paul, St. Andrew and Christ Church. A total of 12 candidates received the Sacrament of Laying-On of Hands. Parish Church Councillors and Wardens of the above named Parishes were duly received and installed. Sub-Dean Samuel G. Danquah was also conferred with a Non-Residentiary Canonry of St. Mary’s Cathedral.

The Priest-in-Charge of the Church of the African Martyrs, the Rev. Fr. Edward Brima Conteh, and the Director General of the Anglican Mission Institute, Farafenni, Bro. David Nicoll were duly inducted in May 2009.

Chrism Mass was conducted with all the Clergy present at Christ Church, Serrekunda.

The following Speaking Engagements overseas were fulfilled:
• Bible Study Leader on “Greed and the Global Economic Crisis” at the invitation of the World Council of Churches held in Toronto, Canada, in June 2009
• Guest Preacher at the Wycliffe College Chapel, University of Toronto, and Guest Speaker at a Fund Raising Dinner for the proposed Gambia Theological Institute, to be jointly managed by the Christian Volunteer Movement, Wycliffe College and the Gambia Christian Council.
• A Paper entitled “Picking up the dropped Relay Race baton” was presented at the 50th Anniversary Conference of the Programme for Christian / Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA), held in Nairobi, Kenya, in November.
• A Response Paper entitled “An African Response to the Asia / Pacific Poverty, Wealth and Ecology Concerns” was presented in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in October, at the invitation of the World Council of Churches.

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES
The Rev. Fr. Edward B. Conteh joined our Diocesan Clergy Team in February 2009, on secondment from the Diocese of Freetown. Fr. Eddie was posted to the Church of the African Martyrs, Farafenni, a week or so before Synod 2009, as Parish Priest, Chaplain to the Anglican Mission Institute (AMI) and Interim Manager of the AMI Guest House.

Mother Margaret Danquah joined her dear spouse, Canon Samuel Danquah, in 2009. Her arrival boosted the morale of the Sub-Dean of our Mother Church.

In October the Rev. Fr. Stephen Addo arrived in our Diocese from the Diocese of Cape Coast on a sort of sabbatical. Fr. Steve was offered a temporary appointment, effective All Saints’ Day, to replace Fr. Edward B. Conteh, who had had ‘to return to base’ for acute family reasons.

Dr. Robert and Sis. Esther Koops, professional Bible translators for many years with the American Bible Society, have been part of our Diocesan family since their arrival in The Gambia sixteen years ago. They have not only carried out translation work in The Gambia and in other countries of Africa, but, during their sojourn with us, they have been very active Mission Partners in association with this Synod. They have served on various Synod Committees – chiefly the Diocesan Liturgical Commission. In fact, Dr. Rob was an Assistant Synod Secretary for some time. They served faithfully as Sunday School teachers in this Parish of St. Andrew. Sis. Esther, an accomplished organist, was Music Directress of St. Francis’ Chapel, Bishopscourt, where she enriched the Midweek Mid-day Staff Eucharist music and singing week by week, with her great choice of hymns and songs, and her smooth playing of the chapel organ. Well, the Koops have a way of reappearing after saying “Goodbye”; so, until their ‘reincarnation’, I wish to propose to Synod that we acknowledge their tremendous contribution to the progress of the Lord’s work here, and to wish them well back in New Mexico, USA.

STATE OF THE CHURCH
As in former Charges to Synod, we will primarily leave full scope to the Committee on the State of the Church to make a comprehensive report on this area. We also await a report from each Parish.

For the part of the Bishop, I wish to report that the clergy on the Bishop’s Advisory Council have consented to my proposal to divide our unique three countries in one Diocese into three Archdeaconries. The new configuration is as follows:
• The Archdeaconry of Northern Senegal and Cape Verde Islands
• The Archdeaconry of Upper Gambia and Senegal Orientale
• The Archdeaconry of Lower Gambia and the Casamance
It is worthy of note that our Diocese covers three Republics (The Gambia, Senegal and Cape Verde)! We shall establish Archdeaconries one after the other, under God.

Also, on the part of the Bishop, I wish to offer sincere and heartfelt thanks to all the clergy of our Diocese, as well as their spouses and families who have given them such support and encouragement. I wish to announce three clergy preferments:

• Rev. Fr. Stephen Kofi Addo as Rural Dean for the Ecclesiastical Area of Upper Gambia and Senegal Orientale;
• Rev. Fr. James Sigismund Cole as Non Residentiary Canon of the Cathedral of St. Mary, Banjul;
• Rev. Mother Priscilla M. G. Johnson as Archdeacon of Lower Gambia and the Casamance.
  

PARTNERSHIP IN MISSION
During the year under review our desire to reduce our financial dependency on well meaning and generous Partners in Mission advanced in a very pronounced way. 2009 was the year in which our Diocese received the highest locally generated income since its inception in 1935. The local income generated in 2009 was D6,921,026.00 (six million nine hundred and twenty one thousand and twenty six dalasis).

We have been reviewing old partnership patterns, and are beginning to explore ways in which the emphasis will no longer be on financial support, but on how our partners could offer ideas and human resources, in our bid to make Christ known in The Gambia, Senegal and the Islands of Cape Verde.

This being the new direction in Partnership, we are pleased to draw attention to the fact that the Inter-Diocesan West African Link (IDWAL), through the English Diocese we have been paired with – the Diocese of Chichester – have made it possible for Brother David Nicoll, a retired Agricultural Economist and veteran Banker, to serve as the new Director General of the Anglican Mission Institute in Farafenni. Bro. David has brought our Mission on the North Bank a long way along the road to revival, and restoration to its former glory.

May I seize this opportunity to congratulate my brother Bishop of Chichester – the Right Reverend Dr. John Hind - on the occasion of his being awarded a Doctor of Divinity (DD) degree, by the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury, for his life work in Ecumenism and Christian Unity, and in recognition of his work on the Doctrine Commission. Bishop John has also been duly elevated to the House of Lords. This Synod will, I am sure, be delighted to convey our felicitations and prayers to Bishop John, his wife, Janet, and the entire Diocese of Chichester.

During the course of last year, a new partnership was established with the Christian Volunteer Movement (CVM) – a faith-based NGO (non-governmental organisation) from Canada. The CVM, inter alia, identifies talented Christian volunteers in Canada, and arranges for them to come over to The Gambia to serve. In 2010 we are expecting a University Professor and trained Agriculturalist to serve as volunteers in association with our Diocese, but not limited to serving within the Diocese. Bro. Steve Hewko, the Head of CVM, is quite a visionary and determined Mission Partner. Consequently, I ask Synod to send CVM and our other Partners-in-Mission - CMS (Church Mission Society), USPG, IDWAL, EDF, Trinity Grants and the Mothers’ Union (Mary Sumner House) – fraternal greetings and prayerful good wishes for God’s continued benediction on their work.

HONOURABLE MENTION
For the first time, our Honourable Mention this year will be posthumous. We are honouring two people. This married couple were very instrumental, under God, in ensuring the survival of a small congregation. After their death, the congregation has still continued, in a large part due to their descendants. As a witness to their perseverance, this year we are holding our Synod in this parish I speak of - the Parish of St. Andrew. The couple I speak of are none other than the late Bro. Samuel Johnston “Rainbow” Cole and the late Sis. Marian Jestina “Dowou” Cole (nee Harding).

Pa Cole – born 10th December 1919, and died 12th January 1984 – had been a Corporal of the Royal Air Force regiment based in The Gambia during World War II. He went on to be one of the first Gambian Air Traffic Controllers with the then International Air Radio Limited (IAL – UK) in 1970 at Yundum Airport – now Banjul International Airport.

Mama Cole – born 10th December 1921, and died 12th January 1998 – worked as a traditional birth attendant, seamstress, petty trader and housewife.

Bro. Samuel and Sis. Marian married on 2nd March 1944. The seed of St. Andrew’s Church was sown in 1958 in the living room of their home in Banjulnding, where the congregation met in the early days. This congregation later moved to its present site at St. Andrew’s Church in Lamin. Both held numerous church offices at St. Andrew’s. Mama Cole was one of the pioneers in the establishment of the Mothers’ Union Nursery School in Banjulnding. This school had also started in the family compound. The contribution Pa Cole and Mama Cole to the Christian community, and wider community, at Banjulnding and Lamin cannot be over-stated.

As I said formerly, this major contribution to our Church has continued through the family of Pa Samuel and Mama Marian Cole. Their son, Father James Cole has been, until recently, Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of St. Andrew, Lamin. His contribution has been of enormous value, not only to this church, but to the Diocese of Gambia. This is recognised by the presentation to Father Jimmy of a Canonry of St. Mary’s Cathedral.

CONCLUSION
We are now set to commence the business of Synod 2010 – a review of the synodal period 2009, and preparation, under God, for the coming year and decade. It is our deepest prayer that the Spirit of God will indwell and inspire each and every one of us and all our deliberations.

As is our tradition, I cannot end this Charge without acknowledging, with deep appreciation, the support and encouragement of my family. The love and support freely given by my life partner, Reverend Mother Priscilla, is beyond estimation. Her unconditional love, patience, encouragement and wisdom have enriched my life and ministry beyond measure. I also recognise, with thanks, the love and support I have always received from my younger family – Njilan, Jeggan and Dado. May God bless and reward you all.

Let us now commence Synod 2010, keeping in mind the theme,

“Fostering Children and Youth ministries and deepening Christian / Muslim relations over the decade in the Diocese of Gambia”

In the name of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. AMEN.