Building relationships with Zimbabwe

The West Norfolk Methodist Circuit has been strengthening its relationship with its twin circuit in Matjinge in Zimbabwe.

An event held at London Road Methodist Church, Kings Lynn, on Sunday 8 March raised £500 and featured performances from FenSong Performing Arts, Dersingham Choir and the Zimbabwean Singers from Heacham. The money raised will be split between the Matjinge Fund and Methodist World Mission Fund.

The West Norfolk Circuit minister, Revd Dr Richman Ncube, grew up in Matjinge in Matabeleland South. He trained at Cliff College and worked for many years as a minister in Zimbabwe and as a bishop in Harare, before coming back to the UK with his family.

The West Norfolk Methodist Circuit contacted the Matjinge Circuit in 2022 to establish a relationship with the superintendent and the High School there. Prayers were exchanged and the Matjinge Circuit was included in the West Norfolk Circuit prayer diary.

Around that time, there was a terrible drought in Zimbabwe with no water supply at the school. The West Norfolk Circuit helped raise £700 with a crowdfunder towards supplying water, power and internet to its twin circuit. “We have talked about the impact of climate change in Africa and that has resonated with the Climate Change and Eco Church agenda of our Climate and Justice group here in Norfolk,” says Rosemary Rayner. Convenor of the circuit Climate and Justice Group and safeguarding officer at Hunstanton.

A borehole was restored with West Norfolk’s help and they were able to install a new solar pump and new water tanks. “We had to learn to try not to organise things from the UK, to let the local people work to find the contractors and get the estimates for the work.  Even when things went wrong, we trusted the local people to sort out the solution,” says Rosemary. “We exchanged videos of the celebrations in Matjinge after this project was completed last year, and of some of our circuit services here in Norfolk.”

“The connection with Zimbabwe has been a very positive thing for our circuit. This has been a two-way converstaion and the church in Matjinge know that we are a predominantly white and elderly congregation with very few young people. In Matjinge, they have many older ladies (known locally as Gogos) who often have their grandchildren with them while the children's parents are working in other countries such as South Africa and Botswana.

The Facebook page for Hunstanton Methodist Church now has more than 200 followers, with many of them Zimbabwean, along with some Zimbabwean families who live and work locally in West Norfolk.

Rebecca Boardman-Neilson, Deputy Director of Global Relationships, commented, “It is inspiring to see how the West Norfolk and Matjinge Circuits are nurturing a relationship built on mutual encouragement and shared faith. This is the heart of Twinning: two communities discovering Christ’s presence through one another.

“If your circuit is twinned, we would love to hear about it. The Global Relationships Team is here to resource and help you flourish in that partnership. Contact us at gr.admin@methodistchurch.org.uk