Connor renews its partnership with Yei for five more years

Friday October 5th 2012

Connor’s partnership with Yei Diocese in South Sudan, which commenced in 2007, has been renewed for a further five year period from 2013.

Canon Sam Wright, Lisburn Cathedral, proposed a Notice of Motion to this effect at Diocesan Synod on October 4.

Sam recalled his journey to the village of Mongo when he and a team from Connor went to Yei Diocese to officially open Mongo Primary School, funded by Connor Diocese. “Although that road was only 15 miles, there were so many ruts and divots it took two hours to get there,” he said.

“When we arrived an impressive crowd of children and people from the community was there to greet us and the opening of that school lasted all day.

“It has made a real difference to people in South Sudan. We are seeing lives transformed and made new by the work that is being done there.”

Sam said the group had also led training for pastors and church leaders during that visit to Yei in July 2010. “They were so hungry to learn,” he said.

Referring to South Sudan’s independence and a recent peace agreement, Sam urged Synod to support the motion for continuing partnership with Yei. “This is something that should really be touching all our hearts,” he said.

The motion was passed unanimously. The Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, said: “It is lovely that I can take that good news to Yei when I visit in January.”

He extended his thanks to Archdeacon Stephen Forde, chair of Connor Council for Mission, for his work on the partnership between Yei and Connor.