The Most Rev Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Rev Dr Hamilton Inbadas, Convener of the Provincial Global Partnerships Committee (GPC), and Mrs Jane Strange earlier this month undertook a visit to India to explore the historic links between the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) and its mission partners, re-affirming the enduring connections between them.

The journey began during the COVID-19 lockdown when the Rev Dr Inbadas, Rector of  St john’s in Forres, was researching the history of the Scottish Episcopal Church global mission initiatives over the years.

He writes: “This trip to India is part of the ongoing work of the Global Partnership Committee to reconfigure the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Global Mission. The SEC’s involvement with the global community has evolved since its origins in the 19th century. There have been changes such as diversification of activities since the 1950s, focusing on supporting our partner churches’ ministries in their own communities. The Primus’ visit to Chandrapur and Thiruvananthapuram marks a significant moment in our engagement with global mission, reviving historical links and strengthening current ones. It recognises our companionship with partners who are all engaged in God’s mission wherever they are in the world.”

The mission in Chandrapur is now St Andrews Church, Chandrapur, in the Diocese of Nagpur in the Church of North India. This is where the visit began. The Primus and Dr Hamilton shared with local church leaders and dignitaries in blessing the ground for a new St Andrew’s Church and inaugurating a community centre. During the service they were escorted by drummers from one of the former SEC mission stations who had travelled many miles to greet the Primus and to perform during the worship.

Bishop Mark preached at the service, reflecting on the SEC efforts to support the mission in Chanda. He said: “For most of my childhood I would attend coffee mornings as we raised money for a place we’d never seen, a place we’d never been, and a place I never thought I would see. We had pictures of the former mission station at St Andrew’s Church, Chandrapur. We prayed for St Andrew’s Church, Chandrapur. Women still knitted things for St Andrew’s Church, Chandrapur, and as a choir boy I remember singing hymns to raise funds for St Andrew’s Church, Chandrapur.

“As a child I just thought I was part of St Andrew’s Church, Chandrapur. This place grew with love and hard work from yourselves, your ancestors, and mine. The missionaries wanted people to walk with God, to know Jesus, and to love the Lord… And as I grew you took on the tasks of running your whole church and we withdrew.”

Bishop Mark went on to say: “When I walked into this church last night I was weeping… We as a church have remembered that we’re not here to tell you what to do, but to learn from you what it is to be church. Your liveliness, your need to build a new church: they are things we need to learn, for without learning that, we might struggle to find new growth. But if I’m only here to remember the past then we will fail. I’m here because of our life now and our hope for the growth of the church both here and in Scotland.”

After the service, Bishop Mark wrote: “It was an emotional day. The congregation was simply overjoyed to welcome us. We were here to bless the ground on which will be built a new, larger St Andrew’s Church to accommodate the congregation who currently often meet outside the old building, and to open the new church community centre. It was a joy to see the growth of the congregation and their work in their community so visible.”

The visit also included stops at St Thomas’s and Holy Cross churches: mission stations established by Scottish Episcopal missionaries. These visits were opportunities to witness the growth of ministry in these villages as well, with prayers and thanksgiving offered at each site.

The next leg of the journey took the group to Nagpur, where they were welcomed by the Rt Rev Paul Dupare, Bishop of Nagpur. The visit included a meal with his family, a reception by the Diocesan Council, and a visit to All Saints’ Cathedral. While in Nagpur the group from Scotland met with the staff and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in India where there were discussions about ecumenical relationships in India, and how ecumenical relations have been developing in Scotland.

The following day there was a day of rest, including a visit to the Taj Mahal, kindly organised by the Diocese of Nagpur which was followed by travel to Delhi, where the Primus met with the Executive Council of the Church in North India. He preached at their morning staff service and took part in conversations about shared hopes for the future of both churches.

The trip concluded in Thiruvananthapuram where Bishop Mark and Mrs Strange were guests of the Kerala United Theological Seminary which has strong ties with the Scottish Episcopal Institute. Bishop Mark preached at the Mateer Memorial Church (part of the Church of South India) and the Seminary Chapel, where he thanked the Rev Dr C.I. David Joy, the staff, and students for their warm welcome.

On the final day, Bishop Mark addressed a seminar at the Kerala United Theological Seminary, speaking on the theme of ‘the Radiant and Inclusive Church.’ Later they visited a local school where Mrs Strange, a teacher in Bishop Eden’s Scottish Episcopal Primary School in Inverness, shared conversations about Church schools and religious education across the two countries.

Reflecting on the trip, Bishop Mark wrote: “Everywhere we went, we were reminded of the love for God, the church, and those who came to them from Scotland. This visit has strengthened the historic friendship between the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Nagpur, especially St Andrew’s Church, Chandrapur; and begun new friendships with our sister and brothers in the Churches in India.”