Bishop David has launched a pre-resignation appeal to assist in the rebuilding and refounding of Bishop Gwynne Theological College in Juba, the Episcopal Church of the Sudan’s main college for training ministers and priests.
Housed in temporary accommodation due to the Civil War, BGC had fallen into a state of disrepair. In early 2009 Archbishop Daniel Deng closed the college and invited Canon Trevor Stubbs, then Rector of Bridport, to re-establish the college’s teaching, plan new buildings, and expand its work.
Twenty students recommenced their studies in February, but BGC needs to take another fifty students, which means moving to a new site.
A location has now been found next to Juba Model Secondary School and its sister primary schools.
Substantial fencing needs to be erected to secure it before debris from demolished buildings can be removed, existing buildings upgraded, a new construction erected to house the chapel and library and water borehole.
Sanitation needs to be established as the first stage of development.
It is hoped that the full redevelopment can be completed by 2012.
The first phase will cost £66,000 and Bishop David has appealed to parishes, organizations and individuals to help him raise this as quickly as possible, and by June at the latest.
“I recognize that some of you will already, perhaps long ago, identified projects to support as Lent appeals. It is not my intention that you should replace them with this appeal. Instead I do hope that you might consider supporting BGC’s re-foundation instead of donating to a resignation gift for me.”
Donations are welcome preferably using a Gift Aid Form to increase the amount collected. A copy of the Bishop’s letter and accompanying Gift Aid Form can be found at the spire crossing table in the Cathedral. Cheques made out to ‘Salisbury DBF - Bishop David’s Sudan Appeal’ should be sent to the Diocesan Accountant at Church House, Crane St, Salisbury SP1 2QB.
For further information about donations or a Gift Aid Form please call (01722) 334031 or visit www.salisburyanglican.org.uk.
Bishop David’s farewell takes place in the Cathedral on Saturday 3 July.
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