Annual Festival 2008

(Click on photos above to enlarge)

On Saturday 5th July 2008 the Belize Church Association celebrated its Festival, with a Eucharist, lunch and AGM at St Anne's Parish Church, Brondesbury, London. We were all delighted to welcome the President and Preacher, the Rt Reverend Philip Wright, Bishop of Belize, in England for the Lambeth Conference. There was a good turnout, with people coming from various parts of the country, an opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones. As always, the chicken, rice and beans were excellent, as were the desserts to follow; the catering team certainly put on a very good meal for us all.

In his sermon, and in a presentation after lunch, Bishop Wright spoke of his vision for the Anglican Church in Belize. He told us of the many good things which were going on in the Diocese, and offered this slogan: By celebrating what is right the Church may find the energy to fix what is wrong'. He suggested that this slogan was useful for us as individuals as well as the church collectively; we need to focus on the positive aspects so that we do not get weighed down by the problems. The Anglican Church in Belize is producing a Five-Year Plan around five focus areas - Finance, Ministry, Youth, Outreach and Fellowship, with projections looking further ahead.

Diocesan 125 Appeal

2008 is a significant year as the 125th anniversary of the Diocese, founded in 1883. The Bishop has launched a 125 Appeal in order to try to get the finances of the Diocese on a firmer footing. Everyone is asked to be involved, from the youngest schoolchildren, who are requested to raise $1.25Bz, to the highest earners, invited to contribute $1,250Bz. Here in the UK we are each being asked to donate £25, which, if gift-aided, will produce $125Bz. Please send your donations to Hon Treasure, Mr C Stuart, 36, Clevedon Rd, Kingston, KT 3AD.

The Chairman paid tribute to the Belize High Commissioner, the Hon Lawrence Sylvester and Mrs Pauline Sylvester, for the active support they have given to the Association during their two-year appointment in London. They complete their tour at the end of July, and will be returning to Belmopan in August. We wish them, and their son, Paul, every blessing.