Companion Synod/Diocese Covenant

2. Companion Synod/Diocese Covenant Vision This Companion relationship exists for the purpose of strengthening one another for life and mission within the body of Christ.

3. Companion Synod/Diocese Covenant Vision Through prayer, study, communication, and exchange of persons and resources, it offers mutual benefit for our respective churches.

4. Companion Synod/Diocese Covenant Vision It opens our eyes to the global challenge that Christ sets before us, calling us to deepen our commitment and discipleship as communities of faith and as individual disciples.

5. Companion Synod/Diocese Covenant Mission Through the Companion Synod/Diocese relationship, we will: • Join one another in the vision, life and mission of Christ’s church; • Be renewed and empowered in faith and commitment to Christ’s mission by one another’s witness to the Gospel; • Be educated and challenged by encounters with one another’s joy and sorrows; • Encourage one another to participate in each other’s ministries through prayer, communication, and thoughtful exchange of persons and resources.

6. Companion Synod/Diocese Covenant Expression Bishops provide oversight for this companionship and establish the tone and manner by which the relationship comes to expression. With the members of our respective churches, we commit to: • Pray for one another; • Share with each other statements of vision and mission for greater understanding; • Be alert to the needs of each other as we communicate regularly, always seeking to embrace transparency and mutual accountability as partners;

7. Companion Synod/Diocese Covenant Expression Bishops provide oversight for this companionship and establish the tone and manner by which the relationship comes to expression. With the members of our respective churches, we commit to: • Consider support of project possibilities as mutually agreed upon by the bishops; • Exchange communications and other materials that enhance the relationship; • Review annually this covenant as an expression of our ongoing partnership.

8. Accompaniment To walk together in solidarity that practices interdependence and mutuality. In this walk, gifts, resources and experiences are shared with mutual advice and admonition to deepen and expand our work within God’s mission.

9. Stories Name(s) and Congregation Partnership highlights in the pastor 2 years How have partners experienced accompaniment? To walk together in solidarity that practices interdependence and mutuality. In this walk, gifts, resources and experiences are shared with mutual advice and admonition to deepen and expand our work within God’s mission.

10. Companion Committee To maintain and strengthen relationships in the companionship between the Pare Diocese and the Southeastern Iowa Synod, and to support the growth of relationships between individual congregations within the larger Synod/Diocese Companionship.  All functions of the committee are as directed by the Office of the Bishop.

11. Companion Committee • Maintain open communication with the Office of the Bishop. • Report activities to and receive support from the Commission for Global Relations. • Adjust policies when necessary in response to experience or changing circumstances. • Oversee and provide support for the working groups. • Provide liaisons to each working group. • Facilitate coordination of workgroups when the work overlaps. • Propose the establishment of new working groups to the commission.

12. Companion Committee Working Groups • Congregation/Parish Relationships • Mutual Ministry Projects • Communications • Invitation to Participate!

13. Vision of Pare Diocese Having a Peaceful Community that is socially and economically empowered believing in God through Jesus Christ.

14. Mission of Pare Diocese Improving social, economic and spiritual well being of the people in Pare Diocese through Evangelism Provision of Social Services Capacity Building Economic and Institutional Development

15. Mission of Pare Diocese The Diocese is one of 22 Dioceses in ELCT which are considered less privileged in terms of resources materially to fund her Mission and Evangelism obligations. This situation is influenced by climatic conditions which prevail in Pare. For this reason people in Pare have weak economic base because of low crop and animal productivity. Their offerings for church activities can’t sustain funding Evangelism to continuing Christians and non-Christian believers in its service area and mission areas outside Pare.

16. Mission of Pare Diocese To manage the situation, the Diocese is trying to undertake Income Generating Projects to attain income to supplement offerings from the Diocesan Members. Presently, there is a Bookshop, Amani Hostel (meanwhile under renovation by support from Church in Mecklenburg Germany), a tour vehicle and farming project growing grain amaranth, ginger and sunflower.

17. Mission of Pare Diocese For the purpose of diversifying the income generating projects this new project proposal of modifying 3 residential Houses at same Town to become Modern Guest Houses is presented. The project is viable as Same Town is growing so fast by the contribution of the newly started Mkomazi National Part located in Same District.

18. Renovation and Modification of Three Residential Houses at Same Town to become Modern Guest Houses.

19. Renovation and Modification of Three Residential Houses at Same Town to become Modern Guest Houses. • Three Phase Plan January 2014 – December 2016 • Donor Contribution = $160,000 • Local Contribution = $8,500

20. Mission of Pare Diocese This project would contribute significantly towards attaining the Diocesan Vision.

21. A congregation/parish relationship can help establish more personal relationships with a larger number of synodical members. Developing Partnerships

22. The goals of such relationships are to: • increase global awareness in the congregation; • build support for global mission; • pray faithfully for global sisters and brothers; • bring home the dynamic witness of Christians in other countries; and • personalize global mission for members of the congregation. Developing Partnerships

23. The goals of such relationships are to: • increase global awareness in the congregation; • build support for global mission; • pray faithfully for global sisters and brothers; • bring home the dynamic witness of Christians in other countries; and • personalize global mission for members of the congregation. Developing Partnerships

24. A congregation prepares for partnership by: • Read, research, discuss, build interest • Work with synod committee to present proposal to congregation council. The council/congregation “owns” the relationship. • The congregation completes an application of interest form and ministry description. • Office of the Bishop sends to Pare Diocese • Bishop in Pare assigns partner. Developing Partnerships

25. Cluster Relationships Agencies & Institutions Developing Partnerships

26. VISION TRIP Summer 2014Details coming in December!

27. Goals of A Vision Trip • Be renewed and empowered in faith and commitment to Christ’s mission by one another’s witness to the Gospel. • Be educated and challenged by encounters with one another’s joy and sorrows. • To enhance and increase understanding about the work of the Companion Synod Ministry.

28. Goals of A Vision Trip • To increase individual understanding of the concept of accompaniment, especially for those who have not had the opportunity to visit the Pare Diocese. • To enlarge and deepen understanding of the work of the Pare Diocese in areas that include but not limited to: evangelism, education, agriculture, and health and human services.