Bemvu and Netherlorn

Striking up Partnership

Why Partnership?

• Church Global as well as local• Church draws life from connectedness• Netherlorn Churches Gathering 2010 led to

group looking at global dimension• One initiative - let’s form a partnership with a

church in a different context

Why Malawi?

• Long-standing links with Scotland, in particular Argyll

• Links currently rejuvenated at national level• One of the world’s poorest countries• Malawi-addicted minister (?)

Netherlorn and Malawi

• Donald Fraser’s Ardfern visit 1922• Craignish – Mary’s Meals; Malawi rice• Lindsay and Kate Robertson of Kilninver

working in Malawi 1957-86• Kilbrandon and Kilchattan – Malawi mission

partners Andy and Fliss Gaston 1997-2009• Kilbrandon and Kilchattan – links with Raven

Trust, Strachur

Bemvu Congregation

• Located in a hilly district of central Malawi• Enthusiastic about partnering with Netherlorn• 905 communicant members• Covers 26 villages in an area with high levels

of poverty• 3 “prayer houses” (additional church buildings

serving outlying areas)

Bemvu Congregation

Rev Picklen and Mrs Edith Chafulumira

84 Elders on Kirk Session

Very Active Women’s Guild

Primary School with 1,136 pupils