Ecumenical meeting

Nairobi

(Staff)-Ecumenism continued apace with an international meeting in Nairobi in January of Anglicans and Baptists.

The Anglican Church of Canada’s director of faith, worship and ministry, Canon Alyson Barnett-Cowan, attended what were called Anglican-Baptist International Conversations.

The meeting followed two others in Norwich, England in 2000 and in Yangon (formerly Rangoon) in 2001.

At the Africa session, participants represented churches in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The Baptist World Alliance is the international organization coordinating Baptist attendance at the conversations.

Anglicans and Baptists shared stories of their churches in Africa. The 18 participants heard presentations on aspects of baptism and mission and ministry in the African church.

Ms. Barnett-Cowan said in an interview that a particularly interesting presentation was given by Rev. Sam Harrell, who is involved with a program called “Kids to Kids” that involves Anglicans and Baptists. The program provides food and schooling for about 60 of Nairobi’s street children every day and is run out of the Anglican All Saints Cathedral.