Companion Synod

Companion Synod
Pare Diocese and Mwanga Diocese, Tanzania

The companion relationship exists for the purpose of strengthening one another for life and mission within the body of Christ.  Through prayer, study, communication, and exchange of persons and resources, it offers mutual benefit for our respective churches. It opens our eyes to the global challenge that Christ sets before us, calling us to deepen our commitment and discipleship as communities of faith and as individual disciples.

  • The Imani Moja Companionship between the Southeastern Iowa Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, Pare Diocese began in 1988. Former bishops, Werger and Mshana, initiated the companionship and visited each other’s territory between 1988 and 1993.  Companion Congregation relationships began in 1998. Over the years, bishops have continued building relationships by visiting each other’s country.  

    Many people from congregations have visited and corresponded, building upon the foundation principles of accompaniment: “Walking together in solidarity that practices interdependence and mutuality.”

    Companion Synod Staff Liasion: Bishop Amy Current

  • Process for sending funds to companion congregations and ministries in the Pare and Mwanga Diocese in Tanzania. 

    All gifts to companions and partners in Tanzania should be sent to the Southeastern Iowa Synod office. These funds are then sent to the ELCA Churchwide organization and then sent quarterly to companions in Tanzania. 

    This allows working in finance ministries and companion engagement ministries at the ELCA churchwide organization and those in our companion dioceses to ensure the prevention of fraud, the safe transfer of funds, and better recordkeeping both in the USA and Tanzania. If your congregation chooses not to follow this new protocol, there is a financial risk with global fund transfers that your congregation assumes. 

    Gifts are sent to companions at the end of each quarter in which they were given:

    · March - First quarter grants are sent

    · July - Second quarter grants are sent

    · October - Third quarter grants are sent

    · January - Fourth quarter grants are sent

    To summarize, gifts that are received the month prior to the sending of quarterly remittances will be included in that quarterly transmission. However, if a gift is received in the month of the transmittal or shortly thereafter, the ELCA will hold the gift until the next quarterly remittance. 

    If there is an urgent or time-sensitive need to send a gift to a companion church, this should be communicated to Amy Van Dyke at the synod office. This process can be expedited and funds arrive in time for a particular project or need. If funds are transferred outside of the ELCA protocol, due to expediency, the congregation/donor will need to provide for the transfer fees.

    For questions, contact Amy Van Dyke or call 319-338-1273