Presbytery of Aberdeen Partnership with Blantyre

	The Church of Scotland Presbytery of Aberdeen
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	THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND PRESBYTERY OF ABERDEEN AND THE CHURCH OF CENTRAL AFRICA PRESBYTERIAN BLANTYRE CITY PRESBYTERY COVENANT OF PARTNERSHIP We the presbyteries of Aberdeen of the Church of Scotland and of Blantyre City of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian covenant together in a partnership in which Jesus Christ binds us together. We affirm that as members of the world-wide Church of Jesus Christ, engaged in God’s mission to the world we belong together and wish to learn from each other’s experience. We also wish to share our understanding of the faith we hold in common and our vision for the future so that we may become more faithful and effective witnesses in the work of God’s Kingdom. During the next three years we will seek to express this partnership through Regular Communication Exchange Visits Congregational Linkages Exchange of Special Gifts Exploring other areas of Cooperation Informed Prayer, all as outlined in the attached Vision for the Partnership 2003-2006. At the end of three years the Partnership will be reviewed as specified in the attached Provisions for Administration of the Partnership. Rev J H A Dick Rev Misheck Nasiyaya ………………………. …………………………. Moderator Deputy Presbytery Clerk The Presbytery of Aberdeen Blantyre City Presbytery A VISION FOR THE PARTNERSHIP 2003-2006 We envisage our partnership being expressed through activities which may include:- Regular Communication Efforts will be made to establish and ensure regular communication between the Presbyteries at various levels, exchanging news of developments and issues of concern and including prayer requests. Exchange Visits Our initial goal will be to have at least one exchange visit per year, from each Presbytery in alternate years. These visits may be individual or group visits. Each visit will have a defined purpose such as:- *Evangelism* – which may include preaching, bible study, music and pastoral counselling *Leadership Development* – which may include opportunities for pastors, elders and other church leaders to acquire skills *Education* – which may include the promotion of primary and secondary school education Health Services – which may include the exchanging and sharing of health services and resources We would encourage where possible the sending of volunteers from the Presbytery of Aberdeen under the World Exchange programme to live and work within Blantyre City Presbytery and the sending of bursars and faithshare partners from Blantyre City Presbytery to study and work in the Presbytery of Aberdeen. Congregational linkages The Presbytery of Aberdeen and Blantyre City Presbytery will explore and facilitate congregation-to-congregation partnerships, including providing guide-lines for communication links, exchange visits and reviews of such linkages. Exchange of Special Gifts The Presbytery of Aberdeen and Blantyre City Presbytery and their congregations will exchange spiritual or material gifts that will assist in reaching out to the needy and encourage one another. We recognise that giving expression to our partnership will require resources of time and money, and that while we cherish our equality under God, we must recognise the disparity of material wealth that there is between us and that it will take a special effort on behalf of both partners not to allow this, at present, unavoidable fact, to detract from the development of mutual respect and understanding. Exploring Other Areas of Cooperation The Presbytery of Aberdeen and Blantyre City Presbytery will together explore areas of cooperation for the growth and benefit of the partnership as the Holy Spirit may lead us, especially in the areas of worship, evangelism, social concern, ecumenical ventures, Christian education, women’s organisations, youth work, ministerial and lay training. The Presbytery of Aberdeen and Blantyre City Presbytery will also encourage and facitiate where possible the linking of schools and medical centres. Informed Prayer Informed by the above activities the Presbytery of Aberdeen and Blantyre City Presbytery undertake to engage in and deepen their partnership through prayer for each other. PROVISIONS FOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE PARTNERSHIP 1. The Presbyteries shall hold an inaugural service to establish the Partnership. This service shall include the signing of this Partnership agreement. 2. The Partnership will be reviewed after three years and where appropriate renewed. It will be further renewed and reviewed every three years thereafter. Congregational and other linkages will be subject to review concurrently with this Partnership.


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