News & Messages

Companion Diocese of Newala: Progress on St Mary’s Newala Pre and Primary School

Here is the new sign for the school that was reported in the Diomil ENews last December. In brief summary, the CMM Sisters have had a daycare since 1982. That has expanded to a middle and upper preschool. Then came the Standard One class and the Standard Five class which will open this spring. They plan on expanding through Standard Seven in 2025. Please refer to our report in the December 1 newsletter to review the school’s record and success.

So the expansion construction continues as pictured above. Much has been accomplished and much needs to be done. To support projects in our Companion Diocese of Newala, you can send checks to the diocese with “Newala ” in the notation line or you can donate online with the diocesan website by clicking on the donate button and choosing “Newala” from the drop-down menu.

The Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee
804 East Juneau
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Neil Radtke
The Rev. Oswald Bwechwa
Companion Diocese Committee Members

P.S. Are you looking for a “small” Newala project? The Sisters CMM lost their cow due to stomach cancer. Cows are a much-needed commodity. Much work has been done investigating the best breed. Some of the best milkers don’t survive the local diseases and pests. It is a work in progress.

A cow would cost about $1,200.00. Any amount toward this would be appreciated.

The Freed Slave Settlement at Masasi by R.M. Heanley, 1888

 
The following is the Black History of the Diocese of Masasi/Newala. Remember that the Newala diocese, founded in 2009 is the eastern half of the original Diocese of Masasi. Masasi was founded by the work of Bishop Edward Steere, 55 freed slaves, and a working traveling crew. The slaves had been freed in Zanzibar in 1876.

Freed Slave Settlement at Masasi, Chapter XII

 
Christ Church, pictured above, is located at the old slave market. According to Wikipedia, “The altar is said to be in the exact place where the main 'whipping post' of the market used to be." This is also pictured above. Both pictures taken by me in 1968.

Neil Radtke

Bishop Miller Visits Tanzania

Dear Friends in Christ,

I write you having just returned from a visit to our companion Diocese of Newala, Tanzania for the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the diocese. I bring you greetings from our askofu rafaki (friend bishop), who asked me to convey to you his love and prayers along with gratitude for all we in the Diocese of Milwaukee has done with and for the diocese.

What made this trip especially important was that I also had the opportunity to meet over 20 other members of the Tanzania House of Bishops who were also present for the celebration liturgy on Sunday. Nurturing the relationship between the Church in Tanzania and The Episcopal Church is especially important as we approach the Lambeth Conference next summer.

As you will see from the picture the Archbishop and I have the same vestment maker, Sr. Helen CMM. When I saw his cope and noticed the same blue material on the orphrey, I asked him if Sr. Helen had made his and he responded, “yes.” I shared with him that mine was as well, a gift from you, the Diocese of Milwaukee, on the 10th anniversary of my ordination and consecration as your bishop.

Please continue to pray for the Diocese of Newala and our sisters and brothers there. Know that they are praying for you. Below are a couple of pictures from my visit.

+Steven

Archbishop Maimbo Mndolwa and Bishop Miller

The Rt. Rev. Oscar Mnung'a and his wife, Mama Agnes

 
The Rt. Rev. Oscar Mnung'a and his wife, Mama Agnes, and Fr. Oswald Bwechwa

The structures in the second and third pictures are a type of cistern. The Diocese of Milwaukee has assisted with some of the cost of building cisterns like there there.