St Aidan’s

In 2009, as part of our commitment to St Aidan’s ‘reaching out’, we began a partnership with Kadugli Diocese , Sudan . At a fantastic quiz night we raised over $5,000 towards the building of the first permanent structure for their newest theological college. We also received an additional donation of $1,000. All this means we sentaround US$3,500 to the Diocese. Bishop Andudu Adam Elnail, Bishop of Kadugli, writes …

The Institute is the heart of the diocese, in recent civil war we had 21 years when people were on run. There was no training for the Clergy. The Diocese was divided politically into two parts. The former Bishop in his time could not go to some parts of the Diocese for years because of political division. After the signing of peace we are able to visit all the Diocese so the Diocese administration decided to open the Institute in that marginalized area in Dabi. We have many tribes in Nuba Mountains that have not heard good news of Jesus. When we train these students some of them will going to those areas for evangelization. Also some will be ordained to improve services in the parish, especially Bible Studies. For example four of last year’s graduates were ordained for this and they have made great improvements in their churches. This is the fifth year of the Institute. At the beginning of every year the teachers and student will come for a week before the Official opening of the Institute to put up a class room, two rooms for teachers, kitchen, and some huts for students. Every hut accommodates two students. Because all this is done by the grass and wood, every year the white Ants eat that and students start again for the next year building new structures, and we hope one time we will build permanent buildings. The Student Fees, the church that sent the student will send student with a bag of Sorghum, beans, Ground Nuts and other local Crops, on addition to that some money which amount is differ from year to another, and the diocese will provide blackboards, Chalk, books and other stationeries, the diocese pay for the teachers allowances and this the most challenging area because the diocese can not provide always because of it limitation in the financial resources.

In the Institute the students start their day at 7:30 am.

8:00 – 8:30 am – Morning Devotion, where the students learn how to lead a worship, and how to give sermons. Every day two students are given leadership, one to lead the service and the other to preach. The teachers will be observing and make corrections later.

Morning Lessons start at 8:30 am – 2:00 pm. Evening Lessons Start at 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm. The day is very long because the Institute opens at the end of October and Closes on 15th May. This is seven and a half months, but the academic year has to have nine months. Therefore the evening lessons cover the rest of time so at the end the Institute teaches nine months per year and that’s a full Academic year by the Sudanese standard.

Students are learning in Arabic Language because that is the communication language in the area most of people learned in Arabic as the Second Language and English are third Language. In our Institute students take English lessons. But 10 years ago the Government started English Curriculum in the schools now our children learning in English.

On Sundays students go to different churches for their practices, especially when they are in second year. All churches have one service then students go back to college. All students are residents in the Institute therefore some times in the weekends some student are to go and visit their families. We have committed to run the Institute this way because it is very expensive for us to send students in other theological Colleges we do have some in neighboring countries but in small number. Our teachers are well qualified one is a degree holder, and the rest Diploma holders, the Institute is offering the certificate in theology for three years.

The Parish of Saint Aidan Fairtrade outlet

The Parish of Saint Aidan offers parishioners the opportunity to purchase Fairtrade products through the church. Fair trade is an organised social movement which promotes standards for international labour, environmentalism, and social policy in areas related to the production and distribution of Fairtrade labeled goods. The movement focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries. The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label which appears on products as an independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal.

Parishioners may buy Fair Trade products on Sunday mornings.