World Mission
Circle the World - A celebration of God’s world and our place in it on July 21 2012 Ely Cathedral
See November 2011 Letter from Bishop David.
The World Mission team have been focusing their attention on a wide range of issues this year.
The Bishops’ Lent Appeal 2005 raised a magnificent £13,000 for long-term support to survivors from the tsunami devastation on Boxing Day 2004.
The money, which has been administered by Christian Aid, was raised by parishes across the Diocese as part of their charitable giving during the Lent season – together with help from individuals, Colleges and Societies in the University of Cambridge.
The Diocese of Ely was one of the first to offer support to the Christian Aid Appeal and our contribution has gone towards Christian Aid’s long-term recovery programme in India.
A party led by Bishop John Inge visited our link diocese, Vellore in South India, in January 2005 to see for themselves the work being carried out by the local church. Bishop William and other representatives from Vellore have visited on several recent occasions.
Children from church schools in our diocese, supported by friends and local churches across the diocese raised over £12,000 – enough money to re-roof 12 schools in the diocese of Vellore in South India.
Altogether thirty schools in Vellore were facing closure after the Indian government ruled that all schools with palm leaf roofs should replace them with solid roofs. The gift from Ely diocese together with local fundraising in South India means that all thirty schools have been saved.
Each year we ask people to give a present at Christmas to buy something special for a community in South India. Could you give a Christmas present to help some of the poorest people in Vellore?
The Bishops' 2006 Lent Appeal 2006 supported AIDS victims in Vellore. The money raised helped to fight ignorance and develop a better understanding of the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS.
Further information about Vellore can be found on our Facts and Figures page.
These and many other issues have been the focus for a Celebration of the World Church in Ely Cathedral. The one-day event in November took up the theme Hidden Saints and Hidden Kingdom – God at work across the world.
The Bishop’s Advisor for World Mission is Canon Fiona Brampton