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Celebrating 25 Years of Partnership
September 23, 2019
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF PARTNERING WITH THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
IN THE PHILIPPINES IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORK
This year ABM celebrates 25 years of cooperation with the Episcopal Church in the Philippines (ECP) on an extraordinary range of programs in an extraordinary set of communities.
Over those 25 years, the nature of the partnership has blossomed in ways that could not have been expected at the beginning. Perhaps most significantly it is the fact that the ECP has now moved to a place where it no longer requires financial support from ABM as the principal means of partnership. In its place, the ECP seeks to work closely with ABM in supporting the capacity building of other partners.
A delegation of three people – representing the Prime Bishop of the Philippines, the Most Rev Joel Pachao – travelled to Australia for the occasion. The delegates from the ECP were the Right Rev’d Brent Harry W. Alawas from the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines; the Right Rev’d Nestor D. Poltic from the Episcopal Diocese of North-Central Philippines and Atty Floyd Lalwet, Provincial Secretary and National Development Officer.
While in Australia, the delegates met with the ABM Board and were able to visit a number of ABM supporting parishes – their time with us was deemed to be productive and generated much goodwill.
ABM looks forward to a continued and mutually rewarding partnership with the ECP.
Here are some highlights from their visit:
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SOUTH AUSTRALIAN PROVINCIAL DINNER On Friday 6 September, the bishops were special guests at the South Australian ABM Provincial Dinner held at Saint Francis’s church hall in Clarence Gardens. |
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ST SAVIOUR’S GLEN OSMOND On Sunday 8 September, Bishop Nestor spoke at St Saviour’s in Glen Osmond with parish priest the Rev’d Dave McDougall playing the organ, and Rev’d Lesley McNeil officiating and presiding. |
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CANBERRA On Tuesday, 10 September, ABM Board member, Colin Bannerman and his wife, Lyn hosted an informal dinner at their home where a gathering of around twenty-five local ABM supporters had a chance to meet Bishop Brent and Bishop Nestor. Guests included Bishop Mark Short of Canberra-Goulburn, retired Bishop Sarah Macneil, retired and local clergy and supporters. |
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THE ABM NATIONAL AUXILIARY CONFERENCE On Thursday 12 September, Bishop Brent and Bishop Nestor met with and spoke to members of the National Auxiliary during their annual conference in Sydney. |
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A WELCOME AT THE ABM OFFICE Our partners were welcomed at a small gathering in the ABM office on Thursday afternoon. |
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ABM BOARD & SUPPORTERS’ DINNER, SYDNEY On Friday 13 September, ABM hosted a dinner where Bishop Brent, Bishop Nestor and Atty Floyd were the guest speakers. It was a great celebration of the 25 years of partnership between ABM and the Episcopal Church in the Philippines. |
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ST LUKE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH ENMORE The visitors joined the congregation and local Filipino community members at St Luke’s Church in Enmore on Sunday 15 September. The service was followed by Pot-Luck lunch and everyone enjoyed the display of traditional dancing accompanied by the playing of gongs. |
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