A reflection by Andrew Tomkins, on Bishop Isaac and Nora from Ezo Diocese, South Sudan, visit to Sherborne Deanery Churches
We had a wonderful, inspiring visit from Bishop Isaac and Nora! It was facilitated by St Francis Church, Virginia, USA. They wanted Bishop Isaac and Nora to visit them, but the current ban on visitors to the USA from South Sudan prevented it – so the St Francis Team generously paid for them to visit Sherborne Deanery, and four of the St Francis Team came to meet them here. We are extremely grateful to Rev Weston Mathew, Rev Nancy Searby, Jack and Leslie Mathias and others in St Francis Church for enabling this visit.
The first few days of the visit were used to get to know each other, including the exchange of information on how the St Francis Team and Sherborne Deanery Churches are supporting various activities in the Ezo Diocese. The St Francis Team has recently provided a 4x4 vehicle and a lorry, as well as supporting the ECSS Masumbu Primary School.
27 February: Nora and Celia Tomkins spoke at the Mothers' Union meeting in Sherborne. There was much interest in the widespread activities of the Mothers Union in Ezo Diocese, including the new Sewing Machine Project, supported by ladies’ groups in Sherborne Deanery, enabling poor, often widowed, women to earn some money. In the evening, the clergy and Lay Staff of Sherborne Deanery meet up with Bishop Isaac, Nora and the St Francis Team.
1 March: Bishop Isaac and Nora attended the Choral Communion at Sherborne Abbey. Rev Martin Lee led a Q&A in the service – asking Bishop Isaac a range of questions so he could describe activities in Ezo Diocese and his vision for the future. After a quick coffee and meeting up with people after the service, Bishop Isaac and Nora went to St Paul’s church at the Gryphon School. Bishop Isaac was introduced by Rev Jim Edie, and Bishop Isaac summarised some of the ministries running in Ezo Diocese. In the afternoon, Bishop Isaac and Nora spoke at the worship service at St Francis Church, Virginia, USA, via a Zoom Call!
2 March: Bishop Isaac and Nora spoke at the Gryphon School, Sherborne – arranged by Rev Jim Edie. They spoke to 2 separate assemblies (lasting 30 mins each) of 250 students, followed by a group of 70 students studying RE/philosophy (lasting 60 mins). There was much interest and many questions from the students. They have subsequently raised funds towards the building of St Paul’s Secondary School, Ezo.
4 March: Bishop Isaac attended the committee of the Sudan Medical Link. It was very helpful to learn from him about some of the challenges and how they have been overcome. Bishop Isaac expressed how grateful the ECSS clinics in Ezo are for the regular deliveries of medicines. Bishop Isaac emphasised how appreciative congregations and communities in Ezo are for their support. In the evening, Bishop Isaac and Nora spoke at the Digby Memorial Hall, Sherborne. There was much interest in a range of issues – especially the support of “Bricks for New Classrooms” for St. Paul’s Secondary School. The Ezo Christmas 2025 Appeal has now raised £6,480. This is terrific! These funds have been sent to Ezo, and the building has already started. This is also supported by St Francis Church, Virginia, USA.
5 March: Bishop Isaac and Nora spoke at the very well-attended “Impact” Lunch at Corscombe Village Hall. There was a wide range of issues discussed, including the reason for the closure of most government schools and clinics. Bishop Isaac described the plans for the new ECSS St Paul’s Secondary School, aiming to take over 500 students. A key challenge will be how to recruit and keep qualified teachers who can teach the wide range of specialist subjects to be offered.
6-10 March: Bishop Isaac and Nora visited CMS Ireland in Belfast. They met up with the staff of CMS Ireland and have started planning to raise support. This is likely to be “Bicycles for Clergy”, enabling them to visit people in their homes in the 22 scattered parishes in Ezo Diocese. In addition, Bishop Isaac and Nora spoke at a Primary School in Ballynahinch, where there was keen interest in their work. They also spoke at services in the Ballynahinch church and the Londonderry church.
11 March: They flew from London to Entebbe and then on to Juba, South Sudan.
It was an outstanding visit! Not only did Bishop Isaac and Nora communicate so well about life in Ezo Diocese and their vision for the future, but they were genuinely interested in the situation and welfare of people in Sherborne Deanery churches and communities and in Virginia, USA. They consistently prayed for us in the meetings they spoke at. The Ezo-Sherborne Deanery Churches – Ezo Link Team are enormously encouraged by this visit and will be reviewing how we can build on the enthusiasm for the support of Ezo Diocese, which has been generated by this visit. We are deeply appreciative of all who attended the various meetings and helped organise them. We really enjoyed getting to know our friends from St Francis Church, Virginia, USA.