[The Drums] The 72nd Diocesan Convention of the Episcopal Church of Liberia (ECL) was held at the beginning of February. This is the first time since Liberia was torn by civil war that the Convention, hosted by St John's church in Buchanan, has been held outside Montserrado County. Over 100 delegates attended from all over the country.
At last year's convention, Bishop Edward Neufville had stressed the importance of spiritual and structural rebuilding following the destruction cause by seven years of conflict. In the Bishop's Charge on 4th February, Bishop Neufville reviewed the activities of the church and encouraged "faith, hard work and determination" for building the future.
Important areas of the church's work are evangelism, education, health services and agriculture. Bishop Neufville declared, "The church cannot grow, sustain and perpetuate herself without these major thrusts."
In the last year several delegations from overseas have visited Liberia to assess the needs of the ECL. Considerable sums of money are needed to rebuild and re-equip. Of the 26 schools sponsored by the church before the war, fewer than half of these have been rehabilitated.
A grant of $68,000 from Trinity, Wall Street, helped with the purchase of communications equipment that has been installed at Cuttington College and the Diocesan Office.
The ECL still faces enormous problems, but the improving political situation in Liberia, links with parishes and provinces overseas, and the faith and determination of Christians, give cause for hope.