Mission - Tanzania, Africa
At St. Mary’s we seek to share the love of God with others through our support of mission organisations and our giving, both globally and locally. Our Church’s income is tithed to support organisations which reflect the interests of members of the congregation. These organisations are:
Tear Fund, Scripture Union, Interserve, CMS. We also sponsor an ordinand in training in Tanganyika.
Our congregation takes an active role and strongly supports the Teams4U gift-filled shoe box collection for Eastern Europe at Christmas.
We give annually through our collection to the Poppy Appeal and encourage people to give to the Children’s Society.
Our mission links to other churches and groups is found on the ‘Mission - others’ web page
The mission to our link church - St.Paul’s in Muyama, Western Tanzania is described below:
New Link church - St. Paul’s in Muyama, Western Tanzania
The Diocese of Gloucester is linked with the Anglican Diocese of Western Tanzania, a large and mainly rural diocese.
As part of this relationship a direct link has been formalised between St.Mary’s, Woodchester and St.Paul’s church, Muyama in Western Tanzania.
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It is bordered by Uganda to the northwest, Kenya to the northeast, the Indian Ocean to the east, Mozambique and Malawi to the south, Zambia to the southwest, and Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west (Google Maps link). Muyama is in Western Tanzania close to the border with Burundi (Google Maps link).
The formailisation of our link with St.Paul’s, Muyama took place when the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Western Tanzania, Emmanuel Bwatta visited St.Paul’s on 3rd August 2026.
The letter posted below from Bishop Emmanuel introduces us to St.Paul’s and to their mission contact there - Mariamu (Mary). Our mission contact for this link in St.Mary’s is Richard Spencer who will provide us with more details as our relationship with St.Paul’s progresses.
Richard Spencer’s contact details are Telephone | Email
Letter from Bishop Emmanuel 03-08-26
Dear Richard,
Today I had the opportunity of visiting St Paul’s church at Muyama village. I went to tell of their partnership with Woodchester parish. There was a good number of the church elders (vestry). The partnership announcement was received with gratefulness and joy. They asked me to extend their appreciation to you all especially to Woodchester church. They are ready and happy to walk together with you in this path of partnership and friendship in building God’s kingdom together.
They have nominated Mariamu (a member of the vestry) to be a communication person for their side. Mariamu (Mary in English) is a university graduate with a bachelor degree in teaching career. She is a choir singer, a church elder. A beautiful girl with talents and humble. Her father Mr Joseph is also a church elder in the same church. I have included Mariamu in this email for her acknowledgment.
Mariamu, welcome to this partnership between your church at Muyama and Woodchester church in Gloucester, England. You will love working with these new friends. What you need to do is to frequent communications and updates.
I am attaching some photos from today’s meeting with St Paul’s elders. Their church is old but they are building a new one. They will send a history of their church shortly for you to know when it started up to now.
Emmanuel Bwatta, Kasulu, Tanzania.
Letter from Rev. Enock Mkula Mapepe at St.Paul’s Church 04-08-26 - click here to open the letter
Photos of St.Paul’s Church showing the existing building and work on the new extensions to the sides
Ordinand Sponsorship in Tanzania
Another form that our link takes is the sponsorship of the training of ordinands so that Christian ministry can be sustainably developed and the Christian gospel brought to the population of Western Tanzania.
As part of its contribution to Christian mission St Mary’s provides half-yearly grants for the training of two students named Redemta Stephano Mvahagumye and Obadiah Gershon Mpomo.
Redemta comes from Muyama parish (our link parish). She is unmarried. She was a choir member, church elder, Sunday school teacher and is a trained evangelist.
Obadiah comes from Kiyange parish. He is married with six children. He was the choir secretary and is a trained evangelist.
Please pray for them in their studies, and for their families at home.
We look forward to Redemta and Obadiah being “fledged” as ordained ministers, and for St Mary’s in turn to support the training of another ordinand(s).
Can you help give a Bible to our College students in Tanzania? Please see our News Blog here for further information on how you can help
In February 2026, a small team from the Diocese of Gloucester visited the theological college in Tanzania where our two sponsored ordinands are studying.
The team visited the theological college a couple of times, observed some teaching, and had some conversations with the tutors.
The new college site is beautiful, it has been landscaped well with an avenue of trees and crops growing around the site, and the staff are keeping pigs!
Currently there are 45 students, 7 women, 9 lecturers. Last year there were 32 students. 11 are graduating this year. There should be 60 students next year.
A new tutors’ block is being built. There are also plans to build a larger kitchen area.
The main challenge discussed with the English team was the size of the library, the lack of computers and of internet access. The library is small and most of the books are in English.