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St. Paul's Church by-the-Lake Parish Missionary
Work
Democratic Republic of the Congo
We have a sister parish in Goma, Congo. Goma was the site of the
2001 Volcano which destroyed a large part of the city. Our sister
parish, St. Paul's Anglican Church, Goma, is in the Diocese of Bukavu,
in the Province of the Anglican Communion known as the Anglican
Church in the D.R. of Congo.
For almost a decade we have assisted St.Paul's, Goma, with a variety
of missionary work. We have helped put a member of the parish through
Seminary, provided new choir vestments and vessels used in the celebration
of Holy Communion. We have provided two priests with motorcycles
for their work in the bush areas surrounding Goma, and have provided
the funds to make major repairs to the Rectory and funds to redecorate
its interior for the priest and his family. Most recently we have
raised the funds (through our Lenten 2007 offerings) to start a
Bakery to employ 17 women of the parish in baking bread for a living.
We continue to use our Lenten Sacrificial Offerings to support the
work of this parish in one of the least known and most needy place
in the world. The priest and people of Goma are daily in our parish
prayers. (pictures)
Archbishop of the Congo
For many years we financially aided the work of the Bishop of Bukavu.
Bishop Fidele Dirokpa visited St.Paul's by-the-Lake in 2004
and became our close friend. Shortly after his visit to the USA
he became the Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo. We have continued our monthly
support of his ministry now as Archbishop of that Province of the
Anglican Communion. For Archbishop Dirokpa's 25th Anniversary of
Consecration as a Bishop our parish took up a collection to honor
him. Our offerings went to purchase the chapel chairs in the Church
House in Kinshasa. That building serves as the focal point of the
work of the Anglican Church in the Congo. We keep the Archbishop
in our daily prayers.
Kenya
The Reverend Robert Barasa, a priest of the Anglican Church
in Kenya, became an honorary assisting priest in our parish during
his doctoral studies at Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston,
IL. Upon completing his doctorate he returned to Kenya to found
the Ember Project. The Ember Project provides assistance and help
to Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren due to the HIV/AIDS
epidemic in Africa. This project is supported by our parish and
many individual parishioners. We provided the computer technology
and equipment to begin the projects record keeping. We continue
to support the projects operations and event to help start a Clinic.
Fr.Barasa keeps in touch with the parish and visits here when he
makes return trips to the USA.
Sudan
Indirectly our parish supports the work of the Episcopal Church
of the Sudan. The Diocese of Renk in our diocese's companion and
Bishop Daniel Deng Bull, Bishop of Renk has visited St.Paul's
by-the-Lake many times. Our parish is the home of many of the Lost
Boys of Sudan who are Episcopal/Anglican. Our parish hosts the young
men for many events, including a Prayer Service in Dinka on Sundays
at 1pm. . Many of the young men have gone on to support their families
back home and the work of their home parishes, schools and Bible
Colleges.
Donations
All donations accepted as either 'checks'
or 'money orders' made out to
"St. Paul's Church by the Lake".
Enter the name of the
fund in the memo area
of the check that allocation is to be used for.
Address:
St. Paul's Church by-the-Lake
7100 N. Ashland Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60626-2502
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