The Salisbury Sudan link has flourished for over 45 years at Diocese-to-Province level, but early on it was suggested that the partnership could also work at a more local level, between deaneries in Salisbury Diocese and individual Dioceses in the Sudan’s.
The Diocese is divided into 21 Deaneries (groups of parishes). Each Deanery has a Synod chaired by the Rural Dean and an Elected Lay Chair.
Sarum: Alderbury, Chalke, Heytesbury, Salisbury, Stonehenge.
Wilts: Bradford, Calne, Devizes, Marlborough, Pewsey.
Sherborne: Dorchester, Blackmore Vale, Lyme Bay, Sherborne, Weymouth and Portland.
Dorset: Milton and Blandford, Poole and North Bournemouth, Purbeck, Wimborne.
Channel Islands: Guernsey, Jersey.
As with the Diocese-Province level, the basis of the partnership is always a friendship link, in which mutual prayer is recognised as the first step; relationships develop, usually at first through electronic communication, then wherever possible by visits. The developing shared interest very often leads to the deanery befriending or adopting a school or other project in the Sudanese or South Sudanese Diocese and raising funds for it – but always by mutual agreement and within a spirit of partnership and sharing.
Often close friendships are formed, especially with the Bishop. Deanery interests include support for a primary school or a theological college, tree-planting, corn grinding, bicycles for clergy, extending a clinic, and supporting single events such as a conference or training seminar.
Currently 14 of our deaneries have links with a diocese – some very well established, with some just developing the relationship. Bradford Deanery is linked with Kadugli in Sudan, and Calne with Khartoum; other links are all in South Sudan. Three more deaneries have a possible link under discussion.
Some deaneries also work alongside small charities based within the deanery, e.g., CRESS (working with Liwolo, Kajo-Keji and other South Sudanese Diocese refugees), Projects Delivering Hope (also working in Kajo-Keji) and St Timothy Foundation (working with Nzara). A few enthusiastic individuals can achieve a great deal!
If you are based in the diocese, there is probably an active link near you – please enquire from your Rural Dean.