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Joy and sadness

The Mathetes Trust Christian discipleship, Uncategorized ,
We have some good news and some not so good news.

Here is the good news:

Until now, Rooted in Jesus had been adopted by Anglican dioceses in 19 African countries. We are proud to share that in 2024 that number became 20, thanks to the ministry of Growing the Church, which oversees Rooted in Jesus in South Africa under the direction of Revd Bruce Woolley.
We have just received their latest newsletter, in which Ven Amenlenge Alleta Shikwambi reports how the first Rooted in Jesus training conference took place in the Anglican Diocese of Namibia (photo above left). You can read the report here.
Namibia
Meanwhile we have received joyful photographs from the Diocese of Nzara, S Sudan and the Diocese of Bunyoro Kitara, Uganda, (photo below left) where groups have been awarded certificates for completing part or all of the Rooted in Jesus programme; and from the Diocese of Fianarantsoa, Madagascar (photo right) where members of the cathedral youth group have been appointed to lead new groups. We’ve posted their reports on our Facebook page.

However, for every moment of joy the world seems to offer us also one of pain:

As you will be aware, the people of eastern DR Congo are going through a time of great insecurity and turbulence due to the advance of the M23 militia, first to Goma and then to Bukavu. The M23 fighters are now continuing towards Uvira – just as the USAid programmes have been suspended. Many people in these areas are Christian, and many are (or were) using Rooted in Jesus. The latest message our team leader Amanda Johnson has received from her contact Justin reads (translated into English) as follows:
  • Monusco closed, agents unemployed;
  • USAID closed, agents unemployed;
  • Looting at Bralima, unemployed agents;
  • State office closed, agents unemployed;
  • NGO office closed, agents unemployed;
  • Looting PAM office, unemployed agents;
  • Banks closed, agents unemployed;
  • Looting Kadutu market, shops, boutiques, etc. traders at home.
  • Added to this are rapes, killings, thefts, kidnappings, etc.
  • Lord, if you do not intervene, who will come to our aid?
It is hard to take on board the depth of suffering that this is causing – but what is clear is that we must continue to pray for them.
Posted 11th March 2025

Updates from Rooted in Jesus

The Mathetes Trust Christian discipleship, Rooted in Jesus, Uncategorized

It is always encouraging to hear from those using Rooted in Jesus. Recent news includes:

The Diocese of Morogoro, Tanzania

Anne Curnow reports that the Diocese of Morogoro has just held a further conference in Berega to train 14 people to use Rooted in Jesus Junior in Sunday Schools and church schools. The training was conducted by RinJ Coordinator Josephine Semwenda, Rev Samuel Magaza & Rev Phares Mwegoha.

News from the Diocese of Fianarantsoa, Madagascar

Keziah Rateloson reports: Last week we were in Apasimanjeva for a Scout and Mothers Union meeting. The Sunday after the celebration I took time to meet with the Rooted in Jesus Group in the Church, and they have a great group of Children and adults. Itwas so good to see how they are so motivated at Church, God is really working with them. We passed a wonderful week in Apasimanjeva as everything was going well and knowing that their Rooted in Jesus Group is going well is making it even better.

News from the Diocese of Nyamlel, South Sudan

RinJ coordinator William Tong writes: We are committed to implementing Rooted In Jesus in Nyamlel Diocese. As the work is going on at Nyamlel Diocese yesterday we have opened the office for Rooted in Jesus in Langic Archeaconry for returnees who came from northern Sudan, and they’re truamised by the war which is going on in Sudan. I am requesting you to pray for me and people of South Sudan. May God bless you all. Rooted in Jesus has brought change to our churches.
To keep up with recent news check out the Rooted in Jesus website, or visit our Facebook page.

Tribute to Ian Cripps

The Mathetes Trust Uncategorized
We would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Ian Cripps, a longstanding member of our EQUIP programme, following his death a couple of weeks ago.
Ian was diagnosed with cancer more than four years back, at which point he was given six months to live. Many people prayed for Ian, and he was able to enjoy many more months of active life than expected – partly expressing his love for his family, partly pursuing his passion for golf, but also coming with us on various parish missions, including his last one to Slough.  Ian was an enthusiastic and tireless evangelist, and he was always very fruitful on these missions and an example to everyone. It was a particular joy a couple of months ago to listen to Ian sharing his faith on the Nicky Campbell programme.
Ian and Sue have asked Roger to take Ian’s funeral, which will be held in Uppingham Parish Church on Tuesday 5th March at 12.30 pm. All who knew and loved Ian are welcome. Please visit Ian’s tribute page here.

“And they shall name him Emmanuel”

The Mathetes Trust Uncategorized
Nativity by Domenico Gagini, 16th century
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
 ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall name him Emmanuel’,
which means, ‘God is with us.’
Gospel of Matthew, chapter 1.

Be Bold! A new resource

The Mathetes Trust Being church, Evangelism, Uncategorized
Roger Morgan writes:
I share the leadership of our EQUIP ministry with John Benson, who spent many years running a very effective Anglican mission in Singapore. From time to time we each write EQUIP booklets aimed at helping church leaders, and these are available from the Mathetes Trust. John’s latest booklet, which he calls Be Bold, seems to me to be particularly relevant in the present times.
John begins with Habakkuk 3.17-18:
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the sheepfold and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.
Though the Covid restrictions continue and the churches are struggling, though restructuring brings no improvement and our mission bears little fruit, though the churches are nearly empty and there are few children or young people, though synods make ungodly decisions and people see no need for God or the Good News, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.
Starting from there, John calls us to recover the dynamic boldness that was a prominent characteristic of the early Church. He includes a Bible study which directs us to the boldness of Peter and John in Acts 4.13, to Paul’s description of the outcome of his bold preaching described in 2 Corinthians 3; and to many other places. Filled by the Holy Spirit, Paul, Peter and John were bold to speak the word of God at every opportunity, and bold to approach God’s throne and pour out their hearts and appeal for his power to accompany their preaching.
Bold to preach, bold to pray; needed for our churches in our times just as boldness has been needed every time the church has been overwhelmed with difficulties. If you would like a copy of John’s booklet please get in touch, and we will be pleased to pop one in the post for a nominal donation of £2.50 to cover costs.
To find out more about our EQUIP programme click here.
Posted 1st November 2021

What Happens When We Die?

The Mathetes Trust Christian discipleship, Uncategorized
We are delighted to announce that we have just published our first e-book. Alison Morgan’s What Happens When We Die? has been out of print for some time. It has helped thousands of people to find a new and life-changing confidence as they face up to the reality of death, and has sold many copies both here in the UK and in China, where it was published in 2007. There has been renewed interest in the book due to the anxiety caused by the pandemic, and we have responded to this by publishing an updated edition as our first e-book.
Starting with ancient ideas on death and the afterlife, the book explores the teaching of the major world religions, considers near-death, psychic and paranormal experiences, and examines the case for reincarnation. The strengths of the various religious claims are then tested by reference to the character of the prophets of each tradition, and this is followed by an objective summary of the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. Alison, who had begun her journey as an atheist, brings everything together by sharing her decision to place her faith in the Christian hope – it is, she concludes, the only one which seems to stand up to rigorous examination.
It’s available from our publications page for just £5, and can be read with any standard e-book reader. For a Church of England newspaper review click here.
Posted 27th January 2021

Light in the darkness

The Mathetes Trust Uncategorized
Have you ever, by any chance, received a startling and unexpected announcement, perhaps one which changed your plans for Christmas??? Here in England we are all thinking again about the next few days – for, they tell us, something bigger than family, more far-reaching than mid-winter feasts, is happening among us: the coronavirus is once again expanding its reach, our hopsitals are full, and we must stay at home.
From the 15th century Book of Hours illustrated by the Limbourg brothers
It may occur to us that this is not the first time ordinary people have sat down and listened to news they didn’t expect to hear. What would it be like, to be looking after your animals in the hills, to be welcoming people to your inn, to be gazing at the night sky – and suddenly to discover that something so momentous was going on that it would change everything? That was the experience of the shepherds in the biblical story, the publicans in the towns, the wise men observing a new star. Perhaps it’s not so hard for us to imagine after all, as we too are forced to change our plans. Perhaps this is a time to pray that we will be able to enter more deeply into the story which we remember at this time of year, to trust more profoundly in whatever future awaits us, and to give thanks for the coming of Jesus into our lives.
But however tough things may be, we are not alone. Bad news paves the way for good news – and that is, after all, what Christmas is all about. Perhaps we will be able to see the ‘Christmas star’ due to brighten our skies for the first time in hundreds of years as Jupiter and Saturn line up this week, and perhaps we will remember that once, a star just like it led the wise to Jesus.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
All of us at the Mathetes Trust wish you a very happy and blessed Christmas.

Posted 23rd December 2020

A World Turned Upside Down

The Mathetes Trust Uncategorized
We would like to take this opportunity to let you know what we are doing to ensure that we remain faithful to our calling at this time of unexpected challenge. For us, as no doubt for you, life has changed radically. We are just over a week into making adjustments, and here is our first report.
Taylor-MadFashions-1642 cr
World Turned Upside Down, 17th century woodcut

EQUIP

EQUIP is a ministry which aims to support church leaders in the UK. It has meant a lot of travelling, and of course this has had to stop for the time being. We need a new way of working, and so in the last week we have set up 11 new groups which will meet via video conferencing using Zoom. The 11 groups will also be in touch with each other through a new closed Facebook page.
Roger has now had a lengthy conversation with each of the EQUIP members he works with (just over 50). We are greatly encouraged by their resourcefulness. Two have set up a hub – a place that is continuously manned and in touch with increasing numbers of people in their community, including many who do not normally attend church. One of our churches is in touch with lots of children who now receive messages and materials which will provide them with spiritual input. Lots of our churches are developing pastoral teams who will maintain contact with all their church members by phone and by email. Some churches have successfully involved their whole congregations in a virtual morning service. One of our members is sending out a regular ‘thought for the day’. We hope to share these ideas so that they can be used more widely.

ROOTED IN JESUS

Rooted in Jesus is our discipleship programme for Africa. We are grateful that the three teams due to travel to Ethiopia and Kenya (providentially early in the year!) were able to complete their missions; feedback is good, with groups growing in these dioceses. Unusually, all the rest of our conferences are scheduled for the autumn. We were expecting to travel to six dioceses with both the adult and the Junior programmes; planning is ongoing, with postponement perhaps the most likely outcome.
In the meantime we have been taking the opportunity to focus on the ongoing work of translation. We have received the Rooted in Jesus Junior Team Manual in Swahili, and a new version of Rooted in Jesus in Masai which will be printed in Arusha for use with the 300 new churches planted in the last few years by the Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro. Translations are ongoing into various other languages too, both of the later books for dioceses already using the course, and into new languages for those looking ahead. We cannot tell what the impact of Covid-19 will be in Africa. Many African countries do not have well-resourced health services, but on the other hand the population is much younger than in the West, so may prove to have greater resilience. We hope and pray so.

PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES

The third strand of our work is the production of books and resource materials. Alison is now able to spend more time writing her book on the Psalms, which has a working title World Turned Upside Down (since before the coronavirus!!). She hopes to finish it by the end of the year.
Roger is designing a series of spiritual exercises. If you would like to receive these regularly please do let us know, and we will either mail them out or post them online, depending on the demand. It will be vital for all of us to remain spiritually buoyant as we cope with this virus.
rainbow-764189_1920 copy
It seems likely that this situation will go on for some time. We are confident that God will use this time to change the church, strengthening it and equipping it to face the future once the virus has gone. In the meantime we remain trustful in our faith and steadfast in our prayers, ready to support and care for others. Every crisis, as we know, brings with it an opportunity.
Posted 1st April 2020