Uganda newsletter: 27 January 2012

On the seventh of January, Bishop Nathan hosted his annual Diocesan Children’s March and Celebration; and, I must tell you that this year’s celebration was the best Children’s March we have ever experienced. Churches from all over our Diocese sent teams of children delegates to Hoima to participate in this joyful annual event.

The day’s program began early in the morning at St Peter’s Cathedral with over an hour of joyfully exuberant “Praise and Worship” led by the children themselves. St Peter’s Cathedral was filled to overflowing with happy and happy excited children giving praise to their Lord and Saviour. At the conclusion of the service, the children marched, following our Diocesan Marching Band, from the Cathedral to the Bishop’s House and the line was nearly a mile long. It was truly a glory to see. Once everyone had arrived at the Bishop’s House and seated, each of the individual Sunday Schools had the opportunity to perform their own special prepared programme for all of their peers and supporters. I was amazed and extremely proud of all of the children.

The children’s programs made me understand how Jesus must have felt when he said "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Next, came the Bishop’s and guest of honour’s speeches and acknowledgements, which led directly into the celebration’s huge feast and there was plenty of food for everyone.

Following please find a few photos to help you join with us in the Joy we all experienced.

Children’s Prayer March and Celebration

B. Dedication and Commissioning of our Diocesan Theological College’s new Multi-Purpose Hall and of their New Kitchen and Storage Facility

On the twenty third of January Bishop Nathan and the entire Diocesan Synod officially dedicated and commissioned a brand new multi-purpose hall and office building and the college’s brand new kitchen and storage facility. For all of you who have had the opportunity of visiting the campus of our DTC here in Hoima you are very well aware of just how critically we needed these two new and wonderfully beautiful and functional new buildings. Please join with us in our prayers of thanksgiving to our Lord and Saviour and to one of his faithful servants whose loving heart he used to make this long held dream a reality.

DTC - new hall

DTC - new hall DTC - new kitchen

new hall and (lower right) kitchen at the Diocesan Theological College

C. The 17th Bunyoro-Kitara Diocesan Synod

On the twenty third of January, Bishop Nathan officially called to order the 17th Bunyoro-Kitara Diocesan Synod. Our diocesan synod sits only once every two years and its members include all of our diocesan clergy and representatives from all of our diocesan parishes. The diocesan synod is our diocese's overall governing body and at this year’s synod many very important matters were discussed, debated and voted on. The theme of this year’s synod was “Walking in Unity” (Ephesians 4.4-5).

a) Ten New Cannons were named

New Clergy Canons
1. Revd Francis Barongo
2. Revd Godfrey Buro
3. Revd Eric Twine
4. Revd Karen Sabiiti
5. Revd Geoffrey Matata
6. Revd Herbert Twijuke
7. Revd Emmanuel Businge
8. Revd Charles Kyomukama
9. Revd Christopher Matovu

New Lay Canon
1. Mr Desteo Kyeyune

b) The Diocesan Health Centre

Since its reopening in August 2003, the name (The Azur Christian Health Centre) of the Diocesan Health Centre has been a point of contention and controversy among a growing number of our Christians and much of the surrounding community as well. The basic problem is that its current name gives no recognition whatever to one of our most faithful and benevolent early Christians, the Princess Alexandria Komukyeya. Princess Alexandria generously and lovingly gave our diocese all of the land our health centre currently occupies as well as one of its original buildings (the doctors’ house that is still in use today, and which was totally refurbished in 2004 by our good friend and partner Mr Azur). Please know that all of those who are disappointed with this lack of recognition of a member of the Royal Family are gratefully indebted to Mr Azur who made this reopening a reality and to all of the additional unbelievable overseas friends and supporters who have financed all of the remaining buildings and improvements to our diocesan health centre.

After a lengthy debate, our synod voted to change the name of the diocesan health centre from the Azur Christian Health Centre to the Princess Alexandria Health Centre. However, to be fair to all of our wonderful overseas friends and supporters who have made all of our improvements possible Bishop Nathan requested that the synod pass the following motion: That all buildings would be named after the people or organization who constructed them, but that the entire health centre be named "Princess Komukyeya Health Centre" because she is the one who gave our church the land where that health centre stands and whoever shall build any structure on this land for our people shall have it named after him/her unless he/she feels contrary.

Diocesan Synod - 23 January 2012

Please know that we are all humbly grateful for all of your prayers and support; and we are amazed at all that our Lord and Saviour is accomplishing here in this small part of the world.

On behalf of all of our Christians and all of the rest of our neighbours, we pray that our Father in Heaven holds each one of you very close to his heart throughout all of 2012.

Yours in Jesus,
Bishop Nathan Kyamanywa and Thad

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this page was last modified on 27 January 2012.