[Anglican Communion News Service] Six Anglican Parishes in Malawi have united to help kickstart the construction of a church building for an Anglican outstation in the city of Blantyre in fulfillment of their obligation of “building the House of the God.”

Mpemba Anglican Church, an outstation of Manase Parish in Blantyre, Malawi, is the beneficiary of the offering that was collected on an Inter-Parish Way of the Cross procession which the six Anglican Parishes were involved in during this year’s Good Friday.

During the handover of the building materials last Sunday, Chairperson of the Organising Committee, Paul Kanthambi said: “We have an obligation to build the House of the Lord, and this is one of the ways of doing it. Our committee thought that the money should not be shared amongst the parishes or used in any other way other than assisting in this church project.”

Speaking during the same presentation, Manase Parish Priest, the Revd David Mponda said, “We are witnessing the oneness of the Anglican Church as we gather for the purpose of building God’s house.”

Fr. Mponda urged all Anglicans in the country to unite and passionately contribute to church projects regardless of which location the activities were taking place. He also thanked the Organising Committee and those that had materially contributed towards the initiative.

For a long time, the Parishes that have participated in the joint Way of the Cross have been sharing the money amongst them. It was only recently that a decision was made not to share the money but instead contribute it toward one cause.

Two years ago the money was given towards the medical expenses of a priest who was going abroad for treatment. Last year the collection was given to a different Parish to help repair their priest’s motorcycle.

In his sermon Daniel Baluwa from Soche Parish encouraged the congregation to forge ahead with the project, as it is an obligation. He asked both the leaders and the followers to accommodate and understand each other in order for the project to succeed.

He charged, “Just as everyone wants his house to be in good shape and of a high, good standard, so should the house of the Lord. Time has come to prepare the House of the Lord just as many others did in the Bible.”

According to the Organising Committee Chairperson, the gesture is meant to promote oneness and unity within the Anglican Church in the country. “Anglicans should be assisting in each other’s projects and not be looking up to politicians.”

He explained that it’s actually politicians who should be seeking assistance from church through prayers and blessings. The church also plans to build a Priest house and a multipurpose hall at their new site.

— With additional reporting from Manase Parish media team.