The Revd Luther Fiaz Samuel - Report for Bishop’s Staff
This is my first opportunity to present this report to the Bishop’s Staff, which covers the whole year of 2005. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Mission Division and Evangelism Team for the prayers and support to make my ministry, among the Asian Community, in line to aim at achieving the diocesan four primary purposes:
1.Worship and Prayer
2.Teaching and Nurture
3. Evangelism and Outreach
4. Justice and Care
I have a dual role. This includes 0.5 post as Asian Missioner for the Mission Division in the Diocese of Lichfield. I am also Non Stipendiary Minister with the clergy team at St Matthew’s Walsall with responsibility for the Asian congregation.
This role of Asian Minister to the Asian communities in Walsall is a new initiative. The St Matthew’s Asian Congregation was officially started on my licensing on 11 January 2004. In the beginning it was having only three families. But after the official announcement of the start of this congregation it made a significant growth. It grew up to 110 including children (57 Adults and 53 children). The congregation displays a diverse range of church backgrounds. Now it is learning more and more about the church tradition in the UK; its language, liturgies and day-to-day life. There is pleasing acceptance by the English community at St Matthew’s. There is also a strong feeling among the Asians that they are integral part of the St Matthew’s Church. I very clearly see success in my role as minister to help Asian community to be fully represented in the decision-making processes at St Matthew’s.
A. Points of success of Asian Congregation
i. Representation There is two Asian members on the DCC, also two are licensed to assist at the Eucharist and other is pursuing vocational training. Four members from the Asian community had completed the Evangelism Course and 1 person is in the process of being considered for the Bishop’s Certificate Course. One person is pursuing for proper theological training. Two children got confirmation after having a confirmation classes at St John, Pleck. This year more children are looking forward to having confirmation. In the morning most Asian members attend 10 am service with the main congregation at St Matthew’s Church.
ii. Services It meets every Sunday at 5.00 p.m. at St Matthew’s Hall and from 3 July 2005 at Blue Coat Comprehensive School Hall. The services attract good number of members, half of whom are children, and worship in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi with singing in the same languages with Eastern music and sermons in Urdu. This service is truly multi -cultural. Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi speakers are usually able to understand one another. When English-speaking preachers are invited their words are translated into a mix of languages. It presents a heavenly foretaste. People attend this service from a variety of denominational backgrounds. The services reflect this, although Holy Communion services are conducted using an Anglican rite. Other services like mid-night, watch night, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Sunrise services are being held. Offering taken during the services is being deposited with the main congregation. Asian Congregation also did Carol Service on 18 December, Christmas Eve and Watch Night together with the main congregation.
iii. Family visitations In order to provide a close pastoral care to the members, a visitation programme is being followed up. It is in accordance with the convenience and invitation from the families. On the other hand members have all time access to their pastor in his house and on telephone. Pastor is available if he is not already committed somewhere else. Early Morning Prayer time at the doors of the houses and then Christmas Carolling were also having the same essence of houses’ visitation.
iv. Children’s groups There are 53 children in the congregation. Children participate in the main act of worship and nurtured on weekdays. Three geographic areas have been identified and children are encouraged to meet together in house groups. These three children’s groups meet on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with the titles of Palm, Olive and Vine groups. Being nurtured by one lady and by myself. These were started in June 2004. But during this year in August the pattern had been interrupted because of the move of the families on different places in Walsall and my own transport problem.
v. Special Prayers, Worship & Social Programme During the year 2005 this congregation organized various special prayer, worship and social programmes. The year 2005 was started with prayer chain of 24 hours in January and was closed with prayer chain in December. There were also special prayer sessions for one person Thomas Bhatti who was facing court trial of indecent assault to a lady. During the Lent a project to visit homes early in the morning from 5 to 6 o’clock to pray with residents at the front door was organized with the name “Prayer at the doorsteps”. There also was organized an “Asian Food Festival” on 12 June to raise funds in aid to church hall construction project. Two bilingual services were organized. On 29 October Precious Testimonies (one Muslim male and one Sikh lady converts told their conversion stories) and on 26 November Bible Kahani (how the Bible was translated in Urdu language). Both the main and the Asian congregations participated in it. The participation of Asian youth was very inspiring. Revd Mark Ireland brought the main message on this event. From 10 to 23 December the Christmas Carol party sang carols in may houses every evening in and across the Midlands. All these programmes had been well attended and responded by English and Asian communities and especially Asian youth made them a success.
vi. Prize wining participation The singing group of this congregation participated in different conventions, concerts and programmes across the Midlands during the year. It won several trophies and prizes at inter denominational Asian concert in Wolverhampton and Nottingham. Recently on 3 October this congregation won one runner up trophy, first prize, one solo singing medal and two musician’s medals at Christmas singing competition in Slough. These entire awards are in the St Matthew’s church for display. On 3 December Asian Congregation singing Group participated in a carol service organized by the Indian Christian Organization Midlands at United College of Ascension Chapel Selly Oak Birmingham. It has made this congregation well-known to the point that different churches always long for participation of this congregation in their programmes.
vii. Radio programmes The members of this congregation are providing finances generously for out-reach evangelism through radio. Since its start in January 2004 it is regularly giving special donations to broadcast from the XL Radio Birmingham on every Good Friday, Easter and Christmas in Asian languages. The ladies of this congregation broadcasted Good Friday special programme. On the anniversary of Radio Voice Solihull Birmingham on 20 August this congregation was especially invited to introduce herself on the stage. Our group performed very well and brought good recognition of St Matthew’s Asian Congregation to other congregations present there from the other parts of the UK. This Christmas broadcasting was opened with the Christmas message by the Rector of St Matthew’s, Walsall followed by a talk on the topic of “The Reality of Incarnation” by the members of this congregation and received tremendous feed back by the Radio listening Asian community. On 16 December BBC Asian Network recorded our carols during our visit to Gloucester and then they broadcasted repeatedly during Christmas season.
viii. Attending Workshops & Conference There is always a good response by the members to attending workshops and conference. This year members attend three important events. On 11 June four members attended Wolverhampton Episcopal Area Workshop at Blue Coat Comprehensive School, Walsall