The Anglican Diocese of the Amazon was installed on 14th October 2006, with Saulo Maurício de Barros as its first bishop. The creation of the Diocese was the result of a maturing of the work of the Anglican Church in the region, which was established in 1912, initially as a chaplaincy for English speakers. This Diocese covers five states in the region: Acre, Amazonas, Amapá, Pará and Roraima. An imense geographic area of Amazon Forest, covering over 3.5 million km2, and with a great ethnical, cultural and biological diversity and a few peculiarities in terms of transport (many areas are only accessible by boat or by plane). Our mission is to proclaim and to live the Gospel bringing people to an intimate relationship with God and with each other through preaching, teaching, caring for the needy, changing unjust structures of society and preserving the creation, in an inclusive manner.

The Diocesan Plan for 2007-2009 has the following guidelines:

1. Training and deepening of the spritual lives of the laity, aspirants for ministry and clergy;
2. A greater visibility and involvement of the Church in the socio-political and spiritual life of the Amazon; 
3. Implant methods of work that facilitate Institutional sustainability.

 Projects

As a new Diocese, we are still in construction phase. The Anglican Church in Brazil is very small and does not receive support from the government, and, therefore, depends on fund-raising events and donations. If you would like to support us in any way, please read the following ongoing projects and get in touch with us at ieabamazonia@gmail.com. Please do specify which project you would like to support.

1. Bishop´s house. In order to avoid further spending through rent, the Diocese is looking into purchasing a house/apartment for the Bishop. House prices in Belém are high in comparison to the rest of Brazil. Appropriate housing n the Amazon region (3 bedroom apartment, for example) is approximately R$200,000 (US$100,000 on date of publication).
2. Social Projects. Brazil is a land of contrasts where the very wealthy live alongside the very poor. This causes far more conflict than in a very poor country where most people are in the same boat. In the Amazon region this difference between the rich and the poor is very dramatic. Many people work in slave-like conditions. The Anglican Church is aware of its role to reach the need and “halve poverty”. We can only do this with partnerships and support from other organizations. In Pratinha, a particularly poor area of Belém, the church is setting up an NGO whose main aim is to offer training, structure and support to social projects in the region involving particularly income-generation, education, professional training programmes and health programmes. This project is just beginning to sprout and there is very little funding, but with support it can become an umbrella for outreach work in the Amazon.

These are some of the projects that are already running:

1. Kai-sara jewellery - a group of youth and women who make jewellery using seeds and other natural materials as an alternative income.
2. Rosa de Saron embroidery Group - Women and youth producing embroidered goods, including towels, tablecloths, stoles, t-shirts, with the local designs.
3. Reading Room - Libraries are few and far between in the slums of Belém. So in Pratinha the church organised a library, or reading room, with books, magazines and videos to help the local children with their studies.
4. Literacy classes - MOVA is a government supported project for teaching adults to read. The level of illiteracy among adults in the Amazon region is one of the highest in the country. As we have churches in many of the poor areas, their halls are being used as classrooms so that this project can reach those who need it.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR POSTS IN THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF THE AMAZON.

The Anglican Diocese of the Amazon was formed in 2006. Its 6 working clergy face the huge challenge of spreading the work of the Church in this region that covers 3 and a half million km2. In the region there are many areas which need special attention. In the urban areas poverty, unemployment and violence are high. In the more rural areas issues of land and ecology are among some of the few challenges. In order to move forward in the mission of the church, the Diocese is looking for mission partners to join us. Below are what we believe to be our priorities at the moment:

1. Priest-in-charge - Gurupá
Where is the post situated?
Until today the Anglican churches in the Amazon are all situated in the metropolitan area of Belém, the See city, in the State of Pará. However, about two years ago, work began in the town of Gurupá, 343 nautical miles from Belém. This community began through contact between Rev. Fernando Ponçadilha and leaders of the Maria Ribeiro Quilombo (community of descendants of black slaves).
Today there is a mission post there, St. Peter the fisherman, and a Lay Minister who is from the region itself, Vanilce Castro. Assistance to this mission has been through regular visits from clergy and seminarians. In some services over 200 people took part.
Gurupá is a small town in the interior of the state of Pará, along the banks of the River Amazon, in an area of forest, with a population of about 30,000. The town still lives basically on extractive farming and fishing. Gurupá is an important town and in a strategic position, making it possible to reach several islands and other towns in the region known as Baixo Amazonas (Lower Amazon).
What work is involved?
This work involves the common tasks of community life, pastoral attendance, visits, services, etc, and also reaching out in mission to the islands and towns around Gurupá. This area is being supervised by the Cathedral of St. Mary.
How long is the post for?
Two years, with possibility of renewal.
What are the necessary requirements?
a -  clergy (male or female)
b - recognized skills in pastoral work
c -  openness to inculturation (willingness to adapt to local culture)
d - ability to speak Portuguese, or willingness to learn (in Brazil the official language is Portuguese, very few people speak another language)
e -  concern for ecological issues
f - ability o cope with a certain isolation… The journey to Gurupá can only be made by boat (about 30 hours) or by plane – very expensive, and the communication services do not always work very well. Perhaps a partner with family would fit in better in these circumstances – but not necessarily.

2. Priest-in-charge and Trainer – Belém and Santa Isabel
Where is the post situated?
The role of the Priest-in-Charge will be carried out in the town of Santa Isabel, just 38 km from the Diocesan Headquarters in Belém, in the State of Pará. Santa Isabel is a town of about 50,000 inhabitants and is in a strategic part of the region. From here we hope to reach other places nearby such as the towns of Vigia (57 Km) and Castanhal (31 Km).
Here there is an Anglican Community, the Mission of the Ascension, which is eight years old, with 40 confirmed members, who are particularly noted for their dynamism and for the participation of the youth. Some of the families in Santa Isabel are originally from British Guyana.
What work is involved?
The work involves common tasks in community life, pastoral attendance, visits, services and, especially, a missionary spirit to begin new Anglican communities. This area is under the supervision of the Cathedral of St. Mary and, at the moment, there is a postulant responsible for regular activities there.
The second part of the job involves theological training in the Diocese. We have a diocesan study centre, the Anglican Centre for Theological Studies, coordinated by the Revd. Lilian Linhares. We urgently need someone who can work with clergy, aspirants to the ordained ministry and lay leaders, on themes to do with Anglicanism. We do not need a “specialist”, but someone who is able to dedicate him/herself to this role and transmit basic principles in this area.
How long is the post for?
Two years with possible renewal.
What are the necessary requirements?
a -  Clergy (male or female)
b - recognized ability in pastoral work
c - knowledge of Anglicanism
d - openness to inculturation
e - concern for ecological issues
f - ability to speak Portuguese or willingness to  learn