SharingT h e N e w s l e t t e r o f S O M A U S A • V o l u m e 2 6 • I s s u e 1 • M a r c h 2 0 1 0

At a festive dinner February 9, the SOMA USA Board celebrated the ministry and the person of their departing National Director, Edwina Thomas. Their sadness at facing the end of Edwina’s leadership was lightened by the joyful recounting of episodes in her far-flung work for the Kingdom during her twenty-three-year association with SOMA. Thomas’ nineteen-year leadership as National Director was celebrated for its impact on the Anglican Church around the world and the strength and dynamism she had built into the organization. The gathering, including Edwina’s successor Dr. Glen Petta and Board Chairman the Rt. Rev. John Guernsey, was hosted by historic Christ Church in Savannah, GA. Edwina launched her SOMA career in November 1986 as a member of a mission team to Kenya and Uganda. In 1991 She was named SOMA USA’s first full-time executive—perhaps the first lay person, and the first woman, to head a mission agency within the Episcopal family. Her ministry

then took her to sixty-nine dioceses in twenty-seven different countries, returning to a number of those dioceses several times. In a typical year she spent about three months traveling in the Anglican Communion—that is, a cumulative total of five and three quarter years between 1986 and her retirement.Quickly after her appointment as National Director, Edwina set about to develop three internal supports for SOMA’s ministry that have proven of lasting value. Working with trained specialists she devised a team training program that has been recognized as a model for short-term missions. She saw the vital importance of organized, consistent intercessory support for mission teams, as well as for herself personally, and SOMA’s administration operations. And she instituted a communications and fundraising program based on training provided by a major US teaching faculty.Invited by a senior officer of the Anglican Communion Office, Edwina committed SOMA’s support to the Communion‘s “G-CODE” conference, held at the Kanuga Conference Center to mark the mid-point of the Decade of Evangelism in 1995. From that experience she initiated a new field in SOMA activity: bringing two

or three Missions to the USA a year led by Spirit-filled evangelists from abroad, especially Africa, to minister in Episcopal dioceses in the US. Edwina’s warm personality, spiritual depth and wisdom have won her friendships among Anglican Communion leaders around the world. She was, for example, one of only a handful of Western World leaders to be invited to attend the gathering of all the African bishops at the CAPA Conference in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2004. She served as a member of the Executive Group of SOMA International from its inception in 1998 until last August.At the Board dinner, Edwina and others recalled several of her more adventurous missions in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Her good humor, patience, resilience and, above all, her reliance on God served her and her teams well in many unexpected and challenging situations. No matter what the challenge, she blessed all she met—whether in foreign places or here in the U.S., friends and strangers alike. Please pray for Edwina and her husband, David, as they settle into their new home in Texas and walk into the new ministries the Lord has for them.

Farewell to Edwina

Emotionally Free®, developed by Rita Bennett, which have been adapted for use in Africa and translated into Kiswahili for use in Tanzania. Bishops John and Jacob have been key leaders in the Tanzanian ministry and the mantle for Emotionally Free® has been passed to them.They rejoiced at the opportunities to share their testimonies and to witness to the great and miraculous things that God is doing among their people. Much of the joy of ministry occurred in many different small groups where they were invited to minister in prayer and healing after they made presentations. People were eager to hear what Jesus is doing!The bishops prayed in unusual places such as in a school for children with disabilities and in a town center mall—what we call prayer walking!Their visits in the USA allowed them the opportunity to meet and spend time with four bishops, including Archbishop Duncan. Of him they said, “He preached the Word and we were very uplifted.” They left with a much greater understanding of the Church in America, and a great burden for prayer for us.Bishop Jacob commented, “Our presence in places was like a seed God wanted us to plant.”

In December, a SOMA team visited the Diocese of Mount Kenya Central where God began healing for Kingdom work to proceed to a new level.The most awesome thing about going on a short-term mission is how God reveals what He is doing and allows us to be a part of it. It is so easy to say “God showed up,” but in fact we show up in the midst of what God is doing.Both Americans and Kenyans saw the enormity of God’s grace on this trip. In the baptism of the Holy Spirit His power was poured out to bring refreshment and anointing for mission. In confession we saw forgiveness and the beginning of reconciliation and affirmation. We saw the love of God transform relationships and create new bonds of partnership between team members, clergy, and the bishop. In fellowship and in worship, we saw the community of believers drawn together in the common bond of being followers of Jesus. Most of all we became closer to Jesus.The way that God knits together all of the details so that the Holy Spirit can do a powerful work among His people is amazing. Only God could do it. He softened the hearts of the clergy of the diocese and brought together the team that ministered to them. After the conference one priest said, “There was real repentance and reconciliation going on between clergy that I thought would never happen.” To God be the Glory, for it was the Holy Spirit who brought conviction, confession, reconciliation, and the beginning of healing in the diocese that by His grace will continue. The Bishop courageously set an example for forgiveness that began the process.Another priest said, “This was the first time I have seen fellow clergy shed tears which is a true sign of

remorsefulness.” Over and over again we heard how it was a new day in the diocese. Barriers of all kinds were broken down, deep healing occurred, a revitalized vision for mission was made possible by the love of God for His people. What a blessing to be a part of “thy Kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”Team list: Dr. Glen Petta, team leader, SOMA USA; the Rev. Lawrence Harrison, Christ the Redeemer, Garland, TX; Edwina Thomas, SOMA USA; Jane Williams, St. Marks, Arlington, TX; Anne Wright, Christ Church, Overland Park, KS.

The Rt. Rev. Jacob Chimaledya of the Diocese of Mpwapwa and the Rt. Rev. John Lupaa, Dean of the Anglican Church of Tanzania and Diocesan of the Diocese of the Rift Valley, were invited to visit churches in the USA in order to shine the light of Jesus through their witness. Since 1999, SOMA has sent five mission teams to either the Diocese of Mpwapwa or the Diocese of the Rift Valley in Tanzania. Our work there has been to train clergy and laity in ways of praying for the emotional wounds of the past so that individuals are more effective representatives of God’s Kingdom. The work has primarily used materials of

God Sent Us to Plant Seed

“Our church family was deeply touched in lasting ways. Their reliance on their faith in Jesus was phenomenal. From the discussions with our Youth Group to late night conversations with their hosts they showed us firsthand that with God all things are possible! Their faith continues to shape our thinking and is having a ripple effect within our church community.”Maggie Hall, Fox Chapel, Pittsburgh, PA.

Only GodCan Do It

God showed up

The Rt. Rev. JacobChimaledya

The Rt. Rev.John Lupaa

SOMA USANational Director Dr. Glen PettaAdministrator Carol UpdikeMissions Coordinator Christine BrownAddress 5290 Saratoga Lane

Woodbridge, VA 22193Phone 703.878.7667 Fax 703.878.7015e-mail office@somausa.orgHome Page http://www.somausa.org

Board of DirectorsChairman The Rt. Rev. John Guernsey

All Saints’, Woodbridge, VAChief Financial Officer Kerry Walters

All Saints’, Woodbridge, VA Board MembersThe Rev. Phil Ashey

Holy Cross, Loganville, GAThe Rev. Christopher Culpepper

Christ the Redeemer, Fort Worth, TXRon Davis All Saints’, Woodbridge, VACynthia Drennan St. James, Newport Beach, CARose-Marie Edwards-Tasker St. Luke’s, Akron, OHThe Rt. Rev. William Love Diocese of AlbanyClark Smith Christ Church, Savannah, GAThe Rev. Dr. Margaret Short, The Chapel at Memorial Hospital, Las Cruces, NM

SOMA International Chairman The Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Kwashi

Jos Diocese, Plateau State, NIGERIA

With great sadness we mourn the death of SOMA’s founder, the Rev. Michael Harper, and yet we also take great joy in the certainty of his life in the eternal presence of our God.MICHAEL CLAUDE HARPER, a pioneer figure in the charismatic renewal in Britain, became a leader in worldwide renewal. He was also a prolific author. Converted as an undergraduate at Cambridge, Harper was ordained a priest of the Church of England in 1956. In the fall of 1962 he had an enlightening and empowering experience of the Holy Spirit. These experiences shaped Harper’s career: he pursued goals and ideals for spiritual

renewal, focusing on new life in the Holy Spirit for Christians in all churches and the renewal of the body of Christ.In July 1978 Harper convened a charismatic conference for Anglicans immediately before the Lambeth Conference held in Canterbury England, which led in 1979 to the formation of Sharing of Ministries Abroad (SOMA). As International Director, Harper organized several world conferences after which conferees visited various dioceses to share charismatic renewal. This launched SOMA into short-term mission. Requests for visits were so numerous that Harper founded several national SOMA bodies including SOMA USA in 1985. Increasingly troubled by a doctrinal permissiveness in the Anglican Church, Michael and Jeanne Harper joined the Orthodox Church in March 1995. Harper was made dean of a new Antiochian Orthodox Deanery for Great Britain. Throughout his ministry Harper was supported by his wife, Jeanne, herself musically gifted and an anointed minister of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Harper was, effectively, “Father of Renewal” in the Anglican Communion. In his later years he worked ecumenically to bring together significant renewal leaders within the worldwide Church. His literary output was prodigious. His writings, coupled with his public speaking, leadership, and strategic thinking, informed, instructed and inspired the Church on every continent.

The Rev. Michael Harper (1931-2010)

Honoring Edwina

Sharing about Our HistorySOMA International was launched in 1979 as a result of the renewal conference held in conjunction with the 1978 Lambeth Conference.SOMA USA was established in 1985, sending short-term missions to Latin America, Africa and Asia. Since 1996 it has also been bring-ing teams from abroad to minister to the Church in the USA.At present there are nine other SOMA national bodies, located in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, Southern Africa, Uganda, and the United Kingdom.

Contribute a story and submit photos to Edwina’s Memory Page

at www.somausa.org

Edwina, Sam Ewou and Archbishop Robert Duncan

Taking a much-needed rest

On a wing and a prayer

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PAIDOrange, VA

Permit No. 97SOMA USA

5290 Saratoga LaneWoodbridge, VA 22193

R e t u r n S e r v i c e R e q u e s t e d

Director’s Corner by Glen PettaGod has amazing and interesting plans for our lives that many times take us by surprise. He works through circumstances, relationships, and desires, as we trust in Him. The desires we may think are our own, He often puts in our hearts, as He knows us more deeply than we know ourselves and has wonderful plans for us that bring joy and satisfaction.

As I write my first column as the National Director of SOMA, I can say that He has certainly worked through my desire for mission and for His people and through relationships with many people, but most especially through Edwina. I first met Edwina when she stayed in our home in 1994. In the years that followed, Debbie and I have had many occasions to participate under her leadership and to enjoy times of fellowship. We have shared the love of Jesus together. We have shared burdens and joys. We have prayed, laughed, cried together. Edwina helped me understand cross-cultural relationships.

She challenged my daily devotional life and the importance of seeking the leading of the Holy Spirit. God developed our relationship through His grace, neither of us realizing that she was discipling me to become the next National Director of SOMA. She invested in me as a person and a leader. She was my Paul, and I, her Timothy.

Where does God want you to invest? To whom will you be a Paul? Before you answer, remember it takes time, energy, and work, but the rewards will be great for both of you. SOMA will continue to invest in people and ministry around the world, mentoring leaders to continue His work for the Kingdom.

Edwina has run the race of endurance all over the world. The baton has now been passed to me in full stride without a missed step. But, SOMA can continue to answer the call of bishops around the world only with your support.