Bolivia Appeal

Since 2008 when the first contacts were made, an increasingly important companion relationship has developed between the Church of England Birmingham and the Anglican Diocese of Bolivia. Our South American partner is the newest in the Anglican Communion. So far it has established five congregations in four major cities and three or more church plants are in formation.

The present priority is this Christmas Appeal

Bishop Michael writes……..

'I warmly endorse the Christmas appeal for Bolivia which will contribute to Bishop Walter's clergy welfare fund and to three specific projects which you can read more about below. Followers of Jesus are called to attend to the needs of others, and so I encourage us to respond with warmth and generosity to the significant needs of our siblings serving God in our partner Anglican diocese of Bolivia. And even as we give to meet the financial need, let us keep our brothers and sisters in Christ in the forefront of our prayers. May we continue to be faithful partners in our shared gospel work.'

Our Anglican Partners in Bolivia are bearing their witness of hope and life through Christ in a crisis situation in their country. Through a collapse in the national economy people are out of work and living costs are rising steeply. Children are especially affected by the increase in poverty. Remuneration of clergy is increasingly difficult, and many are working voluntarily. Responding to Bishop Walter's concerns for Christmas 2024 we are inviting contributions to his Clergy Welfare Fund, and support for these three Christmas programmes for children.

In La Paz a programme run by the congregation of Cristo Redentor based in a local school and involving 100 children in a programme of Bible teaching, nutrition, hygiene, prayer and praise
La Trinidad, the central church in Cochabamba and Cristo Senor de Mayo in Sacaba in an outlying district are planning Christmas clubs for a total of 180 children offering a similar programme
A new outreach is now extended to Ajaria Grande, a village in the challenging conditions of the Altiplano. 80 children are to be invited to a 'Chocolate Event' bringing joy to young lives.

The budgets for these programmes make a combined total of £890. The Clergy Welfare Fund will benefit from whatever support we can give. Please use this link for your donation.

Recent visits

Through a series of reciprocal visits between Bolivia and Birmingham strong cross cultural friendships have been forged. The most recent visit in August 2023 involved an 11 member team from Birmingham. The programme included engagement in worship and witness, and a short residential training conference. The photos shown below give a picture of this visit and offer an idea of what the partnership is, and can become. Please view these pictures, and see an opportunity to participate in this link with Bolivia.

A Birmingham team receive a Bolivian welcome

The Anglican congregation in Tarija

A house church in El Alto

Prayer ministry on the Altiplano

A training conference in Cochabamba. Distribution of books written by Bishop Maurice.

Bishop Walter celebrating communion

Opportunities for Sharing

We share with the Anglican Church in Bolivia through prayer and interchange of visits, but also with gifts to create opportunities and meet needs. Donations can be received for Bolivia through the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) that many of you will be familiar with. Once you access PGS using this link, you will be able to choose which area you wish your donation to support.

On a regular basis the categories for gifts and corresponding references in the Parish Giving account are as follows:

This page will be updated regularly to let you know what our priorities are.