The Parish of Kidlington with Hampton Poyle is looking forward to welcoming a group from their link parish of All Saints, Montshiwa, in the NW Province of South Africa, at the end of June for ten days. Close friendships with our partners were forged last September when sixteen members of the Kidlington congregation attended the Diocesan Family Weekend held in Mmabatho and reunions are eagerly anticipated. Individuals have visited here before, but this is the first time so many of our African friends have come at one time.
A programme is planned, including visits to London and "The LIfe of Christ" at Wintershall, Surrey . Nearer to home, we hope to visit Oxford University and Christchurch Cathedral together, and also local schools and hospitals. We will not be forgetting to show them around our local area and enjoy the benefits of our rich and fertile countryside , which is in such contrast to the semi-desert conditions in which they live.
Among other events in Kidlington our Mothers Union branch are holding an open meeting on Friday, 7th July at St.Mary's Church, followed by a "Bring and Share" lunch. Sunday, 9th July will undoubtedly afford much joy as our visitors lead us in a truly African service of worship at 10 am. Social evenings are planned, and we anticipate our friends will enjoy singing and dancing in their customary way and may even learn something from taking part in a Barn Dance and a watching some local Morris Men!
However the main purpose of the time spent in each other's company is to create a greater understanding of our differences and, emphatically, what we have in common, and to continue to build on this very special opportunity to bring people together and illustrate the motto of the Diocesan Family Weekend - "Oneness in Christ".
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