…….connecting hopes and gifts……….

American Friends of the Episcopal Church of Sudan

3^rd Annual Conference

Friday, April 13 - Sunday, April 15, 2007

Christ Church Cathedral

1210 Locust Street
St. Louis, Missouri  63103

Dear Friend:

We are writing to invite you to the third annual conference of the American Friends of the Episcopal Church of Sudan (AFRECS).  It is now time to sign up for the conference and we hope you will be there!

This conference promises to offer beneficial speakers and workshops, and many great opportunities to gather and talk with others who share your interest in Sudan.  Visitors from Sudan include:

• Rt. Rev. Peter Amedi, Bishop of Lainya and Chairman of the Financial Commission of the Province of Sudan (ECS)
• The Rt. Rev. Bullen Dolli, Bishop of Lui. Lui Diocese is in a Companionship Relationship with the Diocese of Missouri and St. James’ Church, New York City
• Mama Darias Kwaje, Provincial Mother’s Union Worker
• Rev. Canon Dr. Oliver Duku, Principal of Bishop Allison Theological College and a member of ECS’ Commission on Theological Education
• Pauline Walker, Church Mission Society Regional Manager: Sudan
• Rev. Enock Tombe, Provincial Secretary of the Episcopal Church of Sudan

Also coming: 

• Margaret Larom, Director of Anglican and Global Relations for the Episcopal Church of the United States

• Lucian Niemeyer, photographer and author of:  Africa, The Holocausts of Rwanda and Sudan, nominee for the Pulitzer Prize 2007

SPECIAL THIS YEAR:  We will host an AFRECS “members-only” session on Friday afternoon, April 13, at 1:00 PM with the Sudanese visitors.  They will share important feedback from the ECS planning Round Table which took place in November, 2006.

Workshops are still being organized and expected topics include: repatriation, funding projects in Sudan, the changing reality of women in the Diaspora and in Sudan, the ECS plan for theological education, Sudan companion relationships and partnerships, and microenterprises.  Check the website www.afrecs.org for finalized listings of workshops.

We heard you say you wanted workshops repeated and that will happen this year!  Open space groupings will allow for extended conversations on specific topics.

Enclosed please find our AFRECS brochure and a conference registration form.  We expect another large turnout this year.  So, please send the form and payment to us as soon as possible and take advantage of the early bird conference rate.  If you register before March 15, the discounted fee is $100.  After March 15, you will have to pay the full price, $125.

Please check out our website, www.afrecs.org, for more information about AFRECS and for conference updates.  Feel free to share this invitation with others. 

Meet us in St. Louis!  Register now.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Jones                                                           Nancy Frank

AFRECS President                                                      AFRECS Executive Director

Professor of Mission and World Religions                    

Virginia Theological Seminary