The
Dar es Salaam Edition
 |
| Big photography, a day to remember |
The
19 bishops pose in a group photograph outside St. Albans Anglican Cathedral,
Diocese of Dar es Salaam, in this 25th Feb photograph. The bishops in dialogue, especially in
partnerships and missions, came from the USA, Africa, Canada and UK. They are: Julius Kalu (Mombasa) (third right
front row), on left of Kalu is Michael Perham of Gloucester, Trevor Mwamba of
Botswana, Gerard Mpango (Rtd) of Central Tanganyika and Garth Counsel of Cape
Town. On the 2nd left is Sixbert Macumi of Burundi.
Back
row (2nd right) Anthony Poggo of Kajo Keji Diocese in Sudan, Mary
Gray Reeves of Diocese of Elcamino Real (Canada), Daniel Sarfo of Kumasi Ghana
partially hidden, Mdimi Mhogolo, Central
Tanganyika and Shaddock Makaya of Western Tanganyika. The Bishop of Niagara, Michael Bird, is
behind the Bishop of Botswana (with a blue spotted shirt). Bishop Tenga Tenga of Southern Malawi (smiling
and with full clerical collar), while next to him is Canon Jamie Callaway of
Trinity Wall Street, next to him is Dr. Eileen Scully, director of Faith and
Worship, Church of Canada and Bishop George Bruce of Ontario.
On
the extreme right is the communications officer, Mombasa diocese, and behind
him Isaac Mukasa coordinator for dialogue Church of Canada.Other bishops are
Bishop of Virginia, Shannon Johnston, Collin Johnston, Toronto, Terry Dance,
Huron among others.
As
the bishops listened to each other in partnership and relationship around the
wider table, they discovered a lot about the contexts of the churches in which
they serve in different countries all across the world. The realities, including the burning issues
of poverty and peace, emerged as the deepest concerns. The bishops also devoted time to sharing and
reflecting on the aftermath of slavery, slave trade and colonialism.
EDITOR’S NOTE
How quickly the seasons
move! The Easter edition of the Glorious
Awakening 2011 remind us of the death and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus
Christ who died in our place making a full atonement for our sins. During this Easter season the Church
commemorates four principal fundamental doctrines which every Christian is
entitled to practice: the vigil, the service of light, baptism and the
Eucharist. The Vigil is perhaps the
oldest of all the celebrations which means watching or waiting throughout the
night, which the early Church observed, as revealed in the scriptures, praying
till dawn when Jesus Christ was acclaimed.
Some Episcopal Churches still observe the same custom even today, either
for the whole night or just part of it or even hold a brief vigil service
either immediately before the Service of Light or on Saturday evening in preparation
for the celebration of the Easter festival.
During the Service of
Light the resurrection of our Lord is the main theme while the word is
proclaimed dramatically, and the Easter candles are lit, symbolizing the
passion of Christ in his true nature as the Light of the World, risen from the
darkness of death and the grave.
The main characteristic
is the jubilant procession around the church when the light is progressively
passed round to all believers present, culminating with the singing of the ancient Easter song of praise.
Baptism and Easter were
traditionally intertwined in the days of yore of the early Church. Sources from
the early church fathers say that this was the only season within the church
year during which baptisms were regularly performed in the early church. The new believers were thus sacramentally
admitted into Christ’s redeeming death and resurrection. That is therefore why
the early church fathers administered baptism and confirmation during the
Easter liturgy. There was too the renewal
of baptismal vows by the entire congregation as the final part of the Lenten
fast as an affirmation of their union with the risen CHRIST.
The climax of the entire
Easter liturgy is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in which we are
sacramentally united with risen Lord.
During the ancient days, the Eucharist was celebrated very early, at
dawn, on the Easter day while the Congregation faced East in token of him who
is referred to as the Sun of Righteousness.
Happy Easter to you
all over there.
Reverend Kennedy
Ofundi
Editor
Sub-Editor Marlene
Reid.
19 Bishops of the
Anglican Communion Meet in Dar es Salaam!
19 Anglican bishops from
the Anglican Communion, from both parts of the Atlantic, converged in Dar es
Salaam, Tanzania, from Feb 24th to early March 2011.
11 Provinces from all
over the Anglican Communion were well represented. These were: Tanzania, Sudan, Burundi, Ghana,
South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Canada, Botswana, England and the United States of
America, excluding the six observers.
The 19 Bishops, representing the 11 provinces of the Anglican Communion
were:
The Rt. Rev. Shanon
Johnston from the diocese of Virginia, The Rt. Rev Julius Kalu from Mombasa
diocese, The Rt. Rev. Sixbert Macumi from Burundi; Rt. Rev. Shaddock Makaya, Bishop
of West Tanganyika; Rt. Rev. Mdimi, Central Tangayika; Rt. Rev. Gerard MPango,
Western Tanganyika (retired but not tired); Rt. Rev. Musonda Mwamaba, Botswana; Rt. Rev. Michael Perham Bishop of
Gloucester; Rt. Rev Anthony Pogo of Kajjo Kejji Sudan; Rt. Rev. Daniel Sarfo ,
Bishop of Kumasi; Rt Rev James Tengatenga
Southern Malawi; Rt. Rev. Michael Bird Bishop of Niagara; Rt. Rev.
George Bruce, Bishop of Ontario; Rt. Rev. John Chapman Bishop of Ottawa; Rt.
Rev. Garth Counsel, Bishop of Cape Town; Rt. Rev. Terry Dance, Bishop of Huron;
Rt. Rev. Mary Gray-Reeves Bishop, of Elcamino Real; Rt. Rev. Michael Ingham, Bishop of New West
Minister; and Rt. Rev. Collin Johnston, Bishop of Toronto plus the six
observers. These were, Rev. Benjamin Sabune, Canon James Cooper and Canon Jamie
Callaway from Trinity Church, Wall Street, Rev. Kennedy Ofundi, Diocese of
Mombasa Communications and Canon Petero
Sabune of the Episcopal Church of Canada.The members of staff were Canon Isaac
Mukasa, Church of Canada.Coordinator for Dialogue, Anglican Church of Canada
and Dr. Eileen Scully, Director oFaith and Ministry, Anglican Church of Canada.
The Dar es Salaam Bishops
in Dialogue Conference traces its origins way back to the Lambeth Conference
during which partnerships and relations in missions and commitment to dialogue
were established.
The 19 bishops meeting in
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, engaged themselves in a process of patience and holy
listening, to one another. It was also
noted that the present challenges in the wider communion have presented a good
forum to renew commitments to each other.
It is therefore significant to state that the church leaders need to
turn to one another within the Body of Christ; to know one another and trust
one another as brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Challenges are disease, poverty, and wars,
being just some of the factors.
The 19 bishops plus the
six observers who gathered in the City of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, through
Bible studies, guided by the Holy Spirit, and the Indaba groups, revealed true
friendship and commitment to relationships with diocese to diocese partnership
in mission work and continued support of one another.
The
Bishops and the six observers worshipped together, praised God for the gift of
partnerships, praying for the Church and the needs of the world, the Church of
Christ across the globe , being mindful of the calamities, disasters and crises
happening in the world, during the five day Indaba Bishops in Dialogue
Conference in Tanzania.
It was a very impressive thing
for the bishops of the Anglican Communion, sharing testimonies from the
partnerships’ mission and dialoguing together.
At the same time, the bishops visited and inspected church development
projects in the area in the educational sector;
these being St. Augustine Preparatory School and St. John’s University
in Dar. (pictorial news elsewhere)
EACH OTHER’S
COMPANY!
During the Bishops’
Consultative Conference in Dar, Tanzania, it was evident that all the bishops
enjoyed each other’s company, sharing both pain and joy right from the bottom of their hearts with laughter, jokes,
testimonies, walks and travelling together inside the Dala-dalas. Every activity - you name it. The bishops also engaged themselves in deep
serious theological reflections and dialogue.
DIALOGUE-INDABA
It was crystal clear that true
dialogue is not just about convincing the other party to agree with the other
person’s opinion! True dialogue or
negotiation and discussion is all about turning to one another and paying
attention; listening attentively to the other with openness and with a clear
heart and mind. True Christian dialogue
is turning to one another within the body of Christ, knowing one another and
above everything trusting each other with confidence and love as brothers and
sisters in Christ. There are moments in
life where human beings develop judgmental attitudes against one another,
behaving as if we are in a court of law!
This definitely is not Indaba or true dialogue. We rather need to understand one another
better and enter into holy negotiations, diversifying our understanding of one
another and of the Church of Christ as well as understanding Christ’s call to
all of us and the Church’s missions.
‘Get rid of all
bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of
malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as
in Christ God forgave you’ (Eph: 4:31ff)
‘Be imitators of
God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as
Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice
to God.(Eph:5:1-12)
Bishops Share
Testimonies during the Indaba Conference in Dar es Salaam.
It was evident that
during the Indaba Bishops conference in Dar the testimonies offered by the
bishops from both sides of the Atlantic, within the Anglican Communion,
revolved around partnership in mission work from where a common trend arose
through cross cultural experiences, across the world, around the Anglican
Communion whereby it was discovered that they are indeed stronger in
relationship than when they are apart.
Thus this will steer the work of engaging in communion building to avoid
the expense of breaking apart of the whole communion. We are engaged in living in mutual
responsibility and interdependence.
(1963: Toronto Congress)
Contexts Of
Churches Revealed.
As the 19 Anglican
bishops sat at the round table during the Indaba Conference in Dar es Salaam in
March this year, a lot was revealed about the nature and the context of
churches in different parts of the Anglican Communion around the globe.
The realities of poverty,
disease, famine, HIV/AIDS and peace emerged as the most contentious issues and
of deepest concern. The bishops, during
the Indaba, shared stories and testimonies of the common mission of Christ that
takes different dimensions in different parts of the Anglican Communion
worldwide
The bishops focused on prayer;
sharing and reflecting on the aftermath of colonialism, the repercussions and
horror of the slave trade that left many African communities homeless,
fragmented with a lot of insecurity and hopelessness. (see separate story from the Bishop of
Kumasi, Ghana). The story of slavery and
the slave trade in Africa is a sad tale of atrocities committed against
humanity. Its legacy touches us
all. The bishops agreed that it would be
a healing for all of us as a Communion to get engaged in broad based
negotiations concerning the harrowing history and its ramifications in order to
work toward communion building, solidarity, togetherness, perestroika and above
all turning towards one another with the love and compassion and kindness of
Christ.
‘All this is from God,
who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of
reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not
counting men’s sin against them. And he
has committed to us the message of reconciliation’ (2 Cor: 5:18-21)
Global to local
It is very significant to
report here that the Episcopal ministry of Jesus Christ joins up the global and
the local communities.
This is indeed a
theological understanding of the incarnation that shows our faith in its true reality. It was also noted
during the Indaba, that global partnerships can have a profound impact on the
poorest communities all over the world: just as is it is written in Acts
Chapter 4. V 32/34
‘All the believers
were one in heart and mind. No one
claimed that any one of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything
they had. …. There were no needy persons
among them. From time to time those who
owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it
at the apostles’ feet, and it was
distributed to anyone as he had need’
Going by this the bishops
witnessed immensely the impact of our faith through the visits we made to the
MEA (Maendeleo , Elimu Afya) -
Development , Education and Health, a charitable organization, St Augustine’s Preparatory School and St.
John’s Anglican University on the outskirts of the City of Dar es Salaam, where
the bishops interacted with pupils, students, orphans and patients in need of
health care; those with HIV/Aids as well as those PLWA.
All of the local projects
toured by the 19 bishops are being financed through partnerships between the
Anglican Church and some other charitable organizations.
Global Economic
Crisis
The bishops also learned
that because of the economic crisis facing the whole world, some ministries and
other charitable organizations will, soon or later, cease to exist or are on
the verge of being phased out! If or
when this happens, who the will care for the HIV/AIDS patients? What about the orphans? What about tropical illnesses like
Malaria? Mosquito nets? Who is going to
provide them? The Church has a great role to play in ensuring that these people
are holistically cared for.
The bishops engaged
themselves in the process of holy listening to one another in the spirit of
unity and togetherness concerning our common work and witness coming into deep
conviction that they have been collectively called at such a time as this to
serve the Church of Christ around the globe in its dire need of this kind of
work and above everything praying to have the zeal and the power to undertake
such a noble and divine task. The 19
bishops displayed a very high degree of enthusiasm to commitment to push
forward with talks and thus agreed once again to continue on the same safari
from where they had left off and move
on even further.
Tributes.
The editors, the glorious
awakening would like to pay their glowing tribute to the following that made
the indaba Bishop’s consultative conference a success:
The Most Rev. Valentino
Mokiwa, Primate of Tanzania, for a warm and hospitable welcome and for his
beautiful Tanzanian Swahili.
Testimony of Grace by
Bishops:
The Rt. Rev. Mdimi Mhongolo
Has been a bishop since 1990. He is
the Bishop of Central Tanganyika. Central Tanganyika was carved from Mombasa
and many other dioceses have been created out of it.
The diocese of
central Tanganyika has 246 parishes and 900 congregations. Central Tanganyika
diocese has partnership relationships with the Diocese of New York. The Diocese
of New York supports primary education for the Central Tanganyika children and
PLWA.
His diocese is
predominantly Anglo Catholics.
The Rt. Rev. Julius
Robert Kalu
Julius Robert Kalu is the
Bishop of Mombasa. Mombasa Diocese is the mother of all other Dioceses in this
region.
The Diocese of Tanganyika
was carved out of Mombasa, others being Uganda, Boga and Zaire. Though there is
a fast spread of Islam, which is a great challenge, the diocese is trying very
hard to have dialogue with Muslims. The
diocese of Mombasa has an assistant Bishop.
Despite drought and famine in many areas, Mombasa Diocese is doing well.
The Rt. Rev. Daniel
Sarfo
The Rt. Rev. Daniel
Sarfo, is Bishop in the Diocese of Kumasi, Ghana. Bishop Daniel hails from the
Asante people in coastal Ghana. He has been a Bishop for 15 years.
The Diocese of
Kumasi is reported to be growing very well. The Bishop of Kumasi has a great
passion for the Anglican Communion at heart. He has shown great enthusiasm and
was very happy to be in Dar to dialogue with other Bishops in the Anglican
Communion. Bishop Sarfo is a retired
armed forces chaplain with the rank of major.
He was ordained priest in 1980 and was consecrated bishop in 1999.
The Bishop gave a
harrowing testimony of the story about slavery and the slave trade that
affected the West African Coast during the 17th and 18th
Centuries in what became known as the Trans Atlantic slave trade. The slaves
used to be shipped across the Atlantic to the Americas to work in the tobacco
and sugar plantations before the raw material was taken to England. The bishop
also spoke about the triangle of hope between the diocese of Kumasi in Ghana,
Virginia in the US and Gloucester in England. A monument has been erected in
the diocese to commemorate this.
The Right Rev. Michael
Bird
Michael is the Bishop of
Niagara which includes the famous Niagara Falls. The diocese of Niagara is
cosmopolitan in nature. Geographically
speaking Niagara is the smallest of all dioceses in size, but ranked number
three in terms of the population of Anglicans.The Niagara Cathedral is located
in Central Hamilton which is characterized by unemployment and extreme poverty
due to the drying up of the steel industry.
This is one of the
poorest regions in Canada. This has given the diocese a great focus on missions
here. Niagara is a diocese in decline
that needs to rediscover itself and try to discover what God is calling them to
do!
The Bishop has travelled
extensively across the diocese which has over 40 congregations. The Bishop
affirms that dialogue is the solution to the problems facing the communion.
The Rt. Rev. George
Bruce
The Rt. Rev. George Bruce
is perhaps the oldest of all the 19 Bishops who turned up for the Bishop
Consultative Conference in Dar. George
Bruce is the Bishop of Ontario and is on his way to retirement in May 2011.
His diocese is
largely rural and cosmopolitan with small congregations.
The diocese is trying to change
the youth’s attitude from survival to disciple making.
The Rt. Rev. Anthony
Poggo
Anthony Poggo is the
Bishop of the Episcopal church of Kajo Keji in Southern Sudan. Kajo Keji is a few Kilometres from the
Ugandan border in a place geographically called Equatorial Sudan.
He has been the
Bishop for four years now. His diocese
has 58 parishes and has a partnership with the diocese of Bethlehem and
Pennsylvania. The Bishop said that the
guns have fallen silent in the Sudan and the referendum is a great welcome. The
New Republic of Southern Sudan will be promulgated in July 2011.
The Most Rev.
Valentino Mokiwa
The Most Rev. Valentino
Mokiwa is primate of the Anglican Church of Tanzania and is also the Bishop of
Dar es Salaam which has 76 parishes.
Dar es Salaam has a population of about 5 million people, of these only
4% are Christians! The whole area is
predominantly Muslim.
The primate said that his province and
diocese are involved in evangelism, church planting missions and discipleship
training.
The Tanzanian Prelate
said that over 100 people were killed during the recent Dar es Salaam bomb
blast and many others were left traumatized.
The Diocese of Dar has a formal relationship with the Diocese of
Hereford and is looking forward to establishing another partnership with the
Diocese of Arizona.
The Anglican Province of
Tanzania comprises of 28 dioceses, the majority of which are Anglo-Catholics
while others are evangelicals.
The primate of the
Anglican Church of Tanzania, commenting again on the recent military bomb blast
that killed many and left others traumatized, asked the prime minister of the
Tanzanian republic to shut down some military installations within the city
central district for the safety of the people.
At the same time he conveyed greetings from the house of Bishops,
Anglican Church of Tanzania, to all the Bishops in Indaba conference.
The Rt. Rev. Trevor
Musonda
Trevor Musonda Mwamba is
the Anglican Bishop of Botswana.
Botswana became a diocese of its own after being separated from the
Diocese of Central Africa. Botswana is
perhaps the largest diocese in Africa!
It is predominantly rural and desert, including the famous Kalahari
Desert.
The diocese of Botswana
has 16 parishes with 50 outposts which are several miles apart.
The Rt. Rev. Mary
Gray-Reeves
Bishop of the Diocese of
Elcamino Real in Canada; the only lady
Bishop! Her diocese includes a very large agricultural area in the Canadian
prairies. Elcamino Real diocese is diverse,
with many Latino and Asian Americans.
Theologically speaking, she describes her diocese as fairly moderate.
She loves dialogue which has been enriched since the Lambeth conference.
The Rt. Rev. Makaya
Sadock Makaya is the
Anglican Bishop of Western Tanganyika, Diocese in Tanzania. He has been a bishop for five months
now. Bishop Mdimi of central Tanganyika
was his professor and tutor during college days. Bishop Makaya also worked with Bishop Gerald
Mpango (now retired) as assistant Bishop of Central Tanganyika before being
elected as a bishop in his own diocese in West Tanganyika.
His first confirmation
service was 203 people in a single Sunday.
He reports firmly that the church is growing well despite the challenge
from the Muslims. He also affirms that
there is a good relationship between Christians and Muslims in the area!
The Rt. Rev. Garth
Counsel
The Rt. Rev. John
Chapman
Chapman is the Episcopal
Bishop of Ottawa Canada. Ottawa is the
nation’s capital city.
The Bishop describes his
diocese as the coldest place on earth.
The diocese is officially secular, though people have began to embrace
the gospel of Christ and the mission of the church.
The Rt. Rev. Michael Ingham
Bishop of the Diocese of
New West Minister, Canada. He has been
in office as bishop for 17 years. The
challenge facing his diocese is the increase in secularism; a situation where
many people are turning away from God to other false religions. Four percent of the people in New West
Minister have no religion. His Episcopal
administration is trying very much to address the spiritual needs of the people
who think they have no God. There is a proper teamwork in missions and
ministry, at all levels, from the street to the government.
The Rt Rev. Sixbert Macumi
The Rt. Rev. Sixbert
Macumi is Bishop of Buye in Burundi. His
diocese is partnered with the Diocese of Montreal, Canada. He was very much delighted to come to the
Bishop Consultative Conference. He
believes in dialogue and partnerships to strengthen relations within the
communion.
The Rt. Rev. Terry Dance
Suffragan Bishop of the
Diocese of Huron, Canada. He is also referred to as the Bishop of Norfolk. Bishop Terry is responsible for the pastoral
care of two thirds of the Huron Diocese.
The Diocese of Huron has 235 congregations, with 150 ordained priests
and 35 deacons.
It is reported that in
the past there were many millionaires per capita in Huron but that is now
history. London and Windsor are the
largest Cities in Huron and have the highest rate of the unemployment and
poverty in Canada. Two thirds of the
diocese is typically rural and the diocese of Huron is trying to deal with the
depopulation in the rural areas. There is the greatest need for spiritual
renewal in the diocese after many years of strategic planning. The Diocese of M’thatha is their companion
diocese.
The Rt. Rev. Sharon
Johnson
Johnson is the Bishop of
Virginia in the state of Virginia USA. The diocese of Virginia is by far the
largest Episcopal diocese in the USA. Johnson first began Episcopal ministry as
Bishop Coadjutor in 2007. His coming to
Dar was principally to set off relationships already put in place between his
diocese and other African dioceses. He
calls himself a centrist, a centre where relationships are established and
nurtured.
The Rt. Rev. Gerard
Mpango
Formerly the Bishop of the Diocese of Western
Tanganyika, recently retired. The Rt.
Rev. Mdimi, current Bishop of Western Tanganyika invited him to speak on his
behalf.
The Rt. Rev. James Tengatenga
One of the most
outstanding Bishops during the Indaba conference in Dar! He is the Bishop of Diocese of Southern
Malawi. He gave a very good speech on
language and a theology of discourse very much committed to dialogue.
Canon Jamie Calloway
Calloway hails from the
Trinity Street grants’ programme in New York City. Canon Jamie Calloway puts it clearly that if
we centre our ministry and mission on partnership, then the rest of the world
will come into focus and we can live in hope and affirmation of acceptance of
one another within the body of Christ.
Canon came to Dar es
Salaam as an observer.
The Bishop of Mombasa, Julius Kalu (second right), has a word with the primate of Tanzania, Valentino Mokiwa (left), during the Bishops’ meeting in Dar in March. On the extreme right is Garth Counsel, Bishop of Cape Town, while Bishop Mdimi of Central Tanganyika (with white shirt) looks on.
Dar es Salaam
Cathedral
An outside view of Dar es
Salaam Cathedral. It was here that we
held all our Eucharistic services during our stay in Tanzania, during the
Bishops’ Consultative Conference. This
is Tanzania’s most modern cathedral in the Diocese of Dar es Salaam of the
Anglican Church.
Aerial View of Dar es Salaam
This is an aerial view of
Dar es Salaam as seen from Holiday Inn Hotel that hosted bishops during the
Bishops’ Consultative Conference. Dar es
Salaam in Swahili (derived from original Arabic language) means ‘harbor of peace’; Bandari ya Salama
Dar es Salaam city has a
population of 5 million people of which 5% is Christian. It is Tanzania‘s most modern city!
Preaching During Eucharistic Service
The Bishop of Ontario,
Canada (left) George Bruce, in green liturgical regalia, flanked by the provost
of Dar es Salaam cathedral, is speaking to the 19 Bishops and six observers
during a Eucharistic service organized in their honor during the Bishops’
Consultative Conference in Dar es Salaam recently. Bishop Kalu of Mombasa was among the 19
bishops who attended the Indaba conference.
Gathered as
Friends
The Bishop of Mombasa,
Julius Kalu, (left), the Bishop of Kumasi,
Listening to Each Other Around the Table
The Bishop of Elcamino,
Real Mary Gray-Reaves (left), Bishop of
Kajo Keji, Sudan, Anthony Pogo (centre) and the Bishop of Ottawa, John Chapman
listen to each other in the Bible study and scripture expositions. The 19 bishops, throughout the conference,
engaged themselves in a process of patient and holy listening, being
considerate of one another’s theological opinions. As true Anglicans coming from different
backgrounds and from a wide diversity of contexts, have chosen to listen to one
another. “Therefore, as God’s chosen
people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness and patience.” (Col 3:12ff)
Reasoning Together
“Come and let us reason
together says the Lord. Though your sins
are like scarlet they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah. 1:18)
The Bishop of Central
Tanganyika (left), Mdimi Mhogolo, Bishop George Bruce of Ontario Canada, and
Bishop Michael Perham of Gloucester, England, in deep and serious dialogue
during the Indaba bishops’ conference in Dar. True Indaba, or dialogue, is not about
convincing the other person about the rightness of one’s own theological
opinion, but rather turning to one another with openness within the body of
Christ. We need to understand each other
by entering into deep holy conversation thus broadening our understanding of
one another about our missions and of Christ’s call to us all.
The BHI Spectacular
Sunrise!
The beautiful scenario of
a coastal sunrise as seen from the roof of Bishop Hannington hostel in early
January 2011, during a one week refresher course for the clergy of Mombasa
Diocese. A question was asked during the seminar why most congregations turn
towards the East when reciting the creed.
Just as the sun rises in the east, lighting the whole world, so it was
believed that Christ, who is the light of our souls, would appear in the east
at his 2nd coming. Jesus is
also referred to as the Sun of Righteousness in the Gospels.
Best Ordination
Priest.
The Rev. Mary Micere,
youth pastor at the Mombasa Memorial Cathedral, was the most outstanding of all
the priests during a recent ordination service at the MMC. Rev. Mary is a former BHI alumni and a BD
holder from St.Paul’s University, Limuru!
She is seen dressed in pink standing next to the Bishop of Mombasa
singing, during the recent ordination service.
Nyali’s Connections with the past:
On the Mkomani side of Nyali, Mombasa, stands a simple monument
consisting of a masonry wall. It is a
memorial to Mrs Krapf – wife of Rev. Dr. Ludwig Krapf – who died on September
13th 1844. Her newly born
daughter died on the following day. The Krapfs were the first missionaries sent
by CMS to preach the Gospel in Mombasa. A sad start to their mission!
“One
hundred and eight years later (1952) the first St Peter’s Church, Nyali, was
dedicated in the midst of a growing community of people who found that they
needed a church of their own. Thus those
who have worked for St Peter’s took up the task that was started by the first
missionary to come to East Africa”.
The Story of the First St Peter’s:
On
the 4th May 1952, St Peter’s Church, a temporary structure, (built
from old timbers of a dismantled army structure) full to overflowing, was
dedicated by the Rt. Reverend Leonard Beecher, M.A. Archbishop of East Africa
and Bishop of Mombasa which was the only diocese in Kenya at that time.
From the day of dedication, services were held in the church. As the
congregation continued to grow there was need for an extension in 1955. By 1958
the temporary building was being eaten by termites and in danger of falling down
and a new more permanent church was needed!
An appeal for funds was made by the then Bishop of Mombasa, Bishop
Beecher, in 1959, for the present church building. It was not without regret that the original
church was abandoned but the needs of the growing Christian community had to be
met.
The
only person I spoke to who remembers the first church building is Rev Newman
Mwangombe who said that when he was a little boy living in the Cathedral
compound, there was a missionary lady called Miss Cam who would come in her
Landrover from Taita where she was a teacher and she would take him and other
little boys swimming at Nyali Beach, parking the car in the St Peter’s
compound.
Quotation
from Provost Miles on the demise of the old building: “I suppose there is nobody who will not be
sorry to see the last of the present St Peter’s Church. It has real charm and presence, which we
shall all miss. But if it is not quickly
replaced, it will probably fall down”.
“Since
the church was built in 1952 it has served St Peter’s people very well. But a
building larger and more permanent is now needed. According to the 1958 census there are 912
Europeans living on the north mainland within the boundary of Mombasa
Municipality, besides 11,000 Africans.
In the next few years the European population will very probably be much
increased. The new St Peter’s is
designed to have a seating capacity of 160, which is not excessive in view of
the figures quotes. And when you plan
for churches you must look ahead – not five but fifty (years)”.
“At
least 7000 pounds is needed to complete the church. Christian people are greatly helped in their
worship if they have a beautiful church.
This is what we want to provide at Nyali; and it is our hope that all
who read this appeal will want to have a share in this task”
It
would seem that the fairly grandiose plans for the new church were never fully
realised as one can see from the description and the architects drawing. No doubt money was the problem. 7000 pounds was a huge sum in those
days. The membership at St Peter’s was
at this time exclusively European, and was expected to grow! The church was part of the Nyali Estate, the
chairman being Mr Greenwood and all things in Nyali were “ruled” by this
hierarchy. In fact the consecration of
St Peter’s was somewhat delayed due to this attitude and it was not until 1969
under Bishop Mwangombe that the consecration took place. There are no records of this, only of the
application but I am assured that the consecration did take place. Things
ofcourse changed after Independence and today St Peter’s is the epitome of a cosmopolitan community with many visitors
from overseas joining in the services and fellowshipping with both local and
expatriate members. Also by this time things had changed in all areas of life
not excluding the church. Mombasa was no
longer the only diocese in Kenya, new dioceses had been formed in Nakuru,
Maseno and Fort Hall and African assistant bishops from Mombasa had been sent
to lead Fort Hall and Maseno. Nairobi
became the next large diocese and Bishop Beecher became Bishop of Nairobi while
Rt Rev. Peter Mwangombe (until this time an Archdeacon) became the first
African Bishop of Mombasa.
For
a glimpse into the past I managed to unearth some old minute books (most,
unfortunately, seem to have been destroyed) dating from 1968 to 1981. It is clear from these minutes that St
Peter’s has always had a dedicated team of members who have been committed to
serving the church and looking after all her needs.
Until 1977 St Peter’s was under the care of the Mombasa Cathedral
and depended on an ordained minister coming from there to carry out Holy
Communion and any other liturgical duties.
Bishop Mwangombe decided that St Peter’s would be much better served by
Emmanuel Church, Freretown and Rev. Pande (who later became an army chaplain)
became very much involved with St Peter’s.
James Mbotela was also an active part of the Nyali PCC. Transport of a pastor to St Peter’s was a
problem, someone had to pick him (no her in those days) up and eventually a
bicycle was bought for Rev Pande! St
Peter’s remained under the care of Freretown parish until 1990 when it was made
a parish by Bishop Julius Kalu.
The
church, due to falling numbers, was however struggling. Total cash balances often show less than
Shs1000 in the kitty with little in the reserve fund. They could not afford to install fans and in
fact it was not until 1981 that some members donated and paid for installation
of fans. There was no toilet which one
preacher complained was “an inconvenience”, somewhat of a pun! In 1980 there was a serious shortage of money
to meet the increased quota and a diocesan demand for money to invest in flats
being built in Makupa, and to pay for the Bishop to attend the Lambeth
conference. A situation with which we
can identify today! Coffee was being served after the main service and cake was
being sold to help the kitty! A
tradition still in place! There were regular burglaries when the chalice and
salvers, (which had to be replaced) the Sunday collection, Communion wine etc
were stolen. The only time anyone was apprehended was when one of the thieves
was caught with the box of communion wine.
Perhaps he drank too much of it before making a clean getaway! Windows, presumably attempted robberies, were
broken on a regular basis. Good security could not be afforded and it was
difficult to pay the verger on a full time basis. In 1981 Sunday School was in danger of being
closed due to falling numbers, lack of teachers etc. However God was still
there and someone else arrived and the Sunday School carried on. Despite the constant lack of funds St Peter’s
were still making donations to the Mission to Seamen (on whom the church came
to rely heavily for a pastor to conduct Holy Communion), Bishop Hannington
Institute and at harvest festival food was donated to the Little Sisters of the
Poor. The same spirit of generosity which
still prevails today at St Peter’s! By the late 80’s the H.C. service was down to
a few “old ladies” and hardly justified sending a pastor. Morning Prayer services were often conducted
by Rev Newman Mwangombe (then plain Mr) and lay reader Paddy Purchase. Around this time however there was an influx
of people from the Cathedral, now living and wanting to worship in Nyali. In 1989 Bishop (Rtd) Paltridge came to St
Peter’s and so there was a vicar for the first time. This was the ‘turning point’ which we are
told God always gives us and was the start of the church as we see it
today. In 1990 St Peter’s was made a
parish by Bishop Julius Kalu.
The late 90’s saw the building of a new church hall with offices, 2
flats and praise be to God – toilets.
Considering that Shs 3,500 to build a banda for the Sunday School in
1978 posed a great economic challenge we can say we have come a long way. We
have the last word in sound production, lovely pews, fans, every mod con. We have had our first Vicar, Henry Paltridge,
our first African Vicar, Josphat Murutu and now we have a lady Vicar Dorcas
Kiundu. What next? I wonder what St Peter’s members will say
about us in another 50 years? Will we
travel as far as previous members travelled?
We move from one generation to the next through political and other
secular changes and we have to face up to many challenges in this modern world,
many of which threaten to shake the very basis of our faith! But God is good and he never changes! A strong faith for St Peter’s Church, Nyali,
the body of Christ, on which to base the next 50 years!
Marlene Reid – Warden St Peter’s
- adapted from a longer history
read at the actual anniversary service.
(My sincere
thanks to Peter Rodwell who unearthed much of this information from Roddy’s
archive and to Rev. Newman Mwangombe who took a morning off to come to my
house, drink tea and eat muffins while he educated me on church history and
hierarchy).
In Threes
The bishops, in the group
of threes, sat down and shared a lot through dialogue and Bible studies about
the nature of their churches in different parts of the world. As is evident in this picture, Canon Jamie
Calloway of Trinity Church, Wall Street (left), Bishop Garth Counsel of Cape
Town (centre with crossed hands) and one of the Bishops from Canada share theological
reflections with one another in Dar.
Offering each other a
sign of peace!
The peace of the Lord be
always with you! The Bishops offering each other a sign of peace during a
Eucharistic service organized in their honour by the Dar es-Salaam Cathedral. Each of our busy days in Dar began with the
breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup. Dr. Eileen is seen sharing the Peace of God
with the Bishops; the provost of the Cathedral (back to the camera) is seen
going back to the altar.
Relaxing after a busy
day!
The Bishop of Buya,
Burundi, the Rt. Rev. Sixbert Macumi (left) and the Bishop of Western
Tanganyika Diocese, Rt. Rev Sadock Makaya, relax after a busy day of Bible
study and scriptural exposition outside the Dar es Salaam Cathedral.
Common language - Lingua Franca
The Bishop of Niagara
Diocese, Michael Bird, and the Bishop of Botswana, Trevor Mwamba, in dialogue
with each other! The bishops engaged in
a quest for a language that would bring the whole communion to mutual understanding
for a better dialogue.
“That does not mean that
we agree or that we seek an agreement on particular issues. What we do intend
is to take our responsibilities of Episcopal leadership in the life and work of
the church with seriousness, to engage in our calling to bringtogether the
local and the universal so as to connect
brothers and sisters across provinces.
We are taking responsibility as bishops to lead our people forward in
the baptismal call to deepen relationships with Jesus and with each other in love
and service. This is the work of the
Holy Spirit leading the whole people of God”
Bishop Michael Bird comes from the
Province of Canada, while Bishop Musonda Mwamba hails from the Province of
Central Africa; they speak different languages.
What do they have in common?
Boarding a “Dala-Dala
in Dar
The Bishop of Mombasa,
Julius Kalu, is seen boarding a dala-dala in Dar, Tanzania to go
places. The dala-dalas are equivalent to
Kenya’s matatus on the public transport system. The bishop was among the 19
bishops who toured the outskirts of Dar es Salaam city to inspect the various
development projects sponsored through partnerships between the churches in the
North Atlantic i.e. Canada, USA and England.
Bishop Kalu asked for partnerships between countries South of the Sahara.
Inside a
“Dala-dala - going places!
The bishop of Mombasa,
Julius Kalu, on board a dala-dala, a public transport vehicle in Dar together
with other bishops en route to inspect various development projects on the
outskirts of Dar sponsored by the Anglican Church.
Embracing Others
We arrived for a
spectacular reception at St. Augustine’s Anglican School on board a dala-dala.
For the majority of us who are not good Swahili speakers the word ‘Karibu’
typified the hospitality of the Tanzania people who cared for us wherever we
went.
The Rt. Rev. Mary Gray
Reeves, Bishop Elcamino Real, embraces a classroom teacher, and gets the taste
of the word ‘Karibu’ during the bishops visit to the school. Other bishops are in the background.
With Teachers
The Bishop of Niagara,
Michael Bird. in a group photograph, with the school teachers in Dar es Salaam.
Bishop with Pupils
The Rt. Rev. Julius
Kalu, Bishop of Mombasa with standard
two pupils in Dar es Salaam. The Bishop being a teacher by profession loves
children. Other two bishops are Garth
Counsel of Cape Town (left) and Bishop of Burundi, Sixbert Macumi. The Bishops were impressed by the impact of
MEA foundation here.
Education
The Bishop of Mombasa,
Julius Kalu, speaks with other Bishops in Dar es Salaam during the Bishops’
visit to a school in Dar. Bishops in the
picture are Michael Bird, Niagara, James Tenga Tenga, Southern Malawi, Garth Counsel,
Cape Town and Terry Dance of Huron.
Three classroom
bishops
It was not Bible study or
theological reflection and Indaba all the time!
Here three bishops from Ghana (left), Daniel Sarfo, Botswana’s Mwamba
(centre) and Tenga Tenga of Southern Malawi share a classroom desk with grade
II pupils in Dar es Salaam. An historic occasion to the glory of God!
Admiring best
handwriting!
Bishop Garth Counsel of
Cape Town and Bishop Sixbert Macumi of Buye Burundi admire a grade 4 pupil’s book
with the best handwriting in Dar. The
pupils as well as the teachers in the School felt loved and accepted. It was a very rare visit!
Signing visitors Book
Bishop Julius Kalu signs
a visitor’s book in St. Johns University in Dar es-Salaam. The Bishop had a
busy day after inspecting various church sponsored development projects with
other bishops.
Praying for the sick
The Rt. Rev. Anthony
Pogo, Bishop of Kajo Kaji Diocese in the Sudan, prays for an HIV/AIDS patient
on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam. The conditions in which we found this
patient were just horrible. The housing was in a bad state and dilapidated
Visitation to the sick
The Bishop of Central
Tanganyika speaks to other Episcopal bishops from both sides of the Atlantic
about the condition of the HIV/AIDS patients living on the outskirts of Dar es
Salaam city. These AIDS patients and
some others are sponsored and cared for by MEA, a charitable organization
within the Anglican Church of Tanzania.
Purple! Purple people
everywhere!
The 19 bishops in their
purple attire listen to instructions from the MED director in Dar es Salaam
during their entry to the community cared for by MEA, a charitable church
organization. Bishop Julius Kalu of Mombasa is among them. The bishops
witnessed the impact of their faith through the visits to the MEA foundation,
orphans, PLWA among others.
Queuing to sign VIPs’
book
The bishops queue and
wait for their turn to sign the VIPs’ book.
Bishop James Tenga Tenga of Southern Malawi is just about to finish
while Bishop Garth Counsel of Cape Town looks on.
A building with a
collapsing roof hosting HIV patients!
The bishops, as you can
see in the picture, had a very busy itinerary during their stay in Dar. Here
they had an opportunity to visit a home of HIV/AIDS people living in very
dilapidated conditions. Surely from the
look of things the church has a bigger role to play! The occupant of this collapsing building had
no bed and was sleeping on stones and rugs.
No food, no
medical care! Which AIDS orphan will not
be cared for? Which person in need of health care will not receive it and who
will sleep another night without a mosquito net to protect them from Malaria?
The great three
friends meet.
Rt. Rev. Trevor Mwamba,
Bishop of Botswana (right), Rt. Rev. Mdimi Mhogoloof Central Tanganyika
(centre), and Canon Dr. Isaac Mukasa of the Anglican Church of Canada, greet
each other in the morning after a Eucharistic service organized by the Diocese
of Dar es Salaam. Cannon Dr. Isaac Mukasa is the Coordinator for Dialogue in
the Anglican Church of Canada. The three are great friends and partners in
Christ’s ministry.
Local News
Holy Communion for Mr.
Kenneth Matiba and Family
The Jadini vicar, Rev
Kennedy Ofundi, during 3rd week of ordinary time in our Anglican
liturgical calendar, took Holy Communion to Mr. Kenneth Matiba at the request
of his wife, Mama Edith Matiba.
During a brief
interview with Glorious Awakening, after the communion service
organized in his honor, Mr Matiba was full of life and love and shared his past
life with us.
Mr Matiba made us
feel valued in his manner of affirmation to people of all walks of life. Uncle Ken is a very sympathetic gentleman
with an extensive life experience and an incredible memory about great events
in life.
Mr Matiba shared his
profile with us: Kenneth Stanley Wa
Njindo was born on June 1st 1932 at Kahuhia, Weithaga location,
Kiharu division, present day Muranga county, in Central Kenya. He was educated at Mariira primary school and
Alliance High School, Kikuyu. He holds a
Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in English History and Sociology and a diploma in
Education from Makerere University in Uganda.
Mr. Kenneth Matiba above
(right), in a brief interview with the GA editorial staff in his Jadini home
during ordinary time this year after taking Holy Communion.
The smiling face of
Kenneth Matiba!
Mr. Kenneth Matiba,
(centre) in the next photo, flanked by his beloved wife Edith (left), smiles to
the camera with Jadini Christians in a group photo during the vicar’s Holy
Communion visit to the Matiba home. In
the picture Machani is on the right; Annie Omusungu, Kenneth Matiba, Mrs Edith Matiba, Mungai and
Susan Kimathi. Mr. Kenneth Matiba who is
very photogenic, remained at ease during our interview with himMr Matiba
recalls his days at Alliance High School where he took a keen interest in
sport becoming Hockey Capt, playing
volleyball and doing gymnastics.
Applicants for
ordination training appear in the panel.
Two
applicants for ordination from Likoni deanery appeared before the Kwale
archdeaconry panel during the ordinary time 2011.
 |
| Esther Were |
 |
| Sabina Omututi |
The two ladies Esther and
Sabina looked composed, alert and undisturbed as they responded articulately to
the interviewers nagging questions.The college opens its gates in Sept. Good luck ladies.
Obituaries
November 2010 and March
2011 were dark and sad moments for the Jadini Christians. It was a moment
during which death rocked up and robbed us our beloved ones!
In the month of November
Reuben Kamau Wamola, former peoples warden, succumbed to diabetes after a long
illness. He was buried in his Ukunda
home. Rev. Dr. Bryson Samboja was the
chief missioner during the burial. He
described him as an intelligent and hardworking man. Kamau leaves behind a
widow and several children.
Reuben Kamau’s widow,
Elizabeth, withher son Mungai during her husband’s passing on.
Mama Winnie Muthani went
to be with the Lord in March after many years battling with cancer. She was a
staunch member of the Mothers’ Union and youth patron. She was buried in Mbaraki Cemetery. The requiem was in Mombasa Memorial
Cathedral.
Rev. Festus Kiseu was the
celebrant. Winnie leaves behind a daughter and several grandchildren. Rev. Dr. Samboja, Rev.
Ofundi and Rev. Mburu were present at Reuben’s funeral. The three men in collars have one thing in
common: all were at one time Jadini Vicars.
Nice to have you guys.Global Teams’ Horizon for Women
The Global Teams’ Horizon
conference for women was held in Kwale in November 2011. Women from far and
wide in Mombasa diocese were in attendance.
The ladies were equipped with skills and knowledge to take good news to
Muslims. At the end of the one week
conference the participants were awarded with certificates. The organizer of the event was Rev. Dr.
Bryson Samboja’ Director of Global Teams Africa.
Certification
Women who took part
during the horizon conference from 28th November to 3rd
December display their certificates of attendance ready to face the challenge
of taking the gospel to the unreached communities in Kwale.
Anticlockwise Rev. Baya,
Grace Mwashombo, Helen Dzimba, Annie Ofundi
Rev. Elizabeth Agumba
Back row, Evelyn Manjewa
(with spectacles) Mrs. Kalama and two others.
Global Teams’ Leader
prepares couples for marriage
The Three Ships!
couple and their best couple
arrived to a spectacular reception on board MV Furaha as is seen in the
picture. The next photo is an agape
meal prepared in honor of Jimmy and Emily.
Mr and Mrs. Alex Leteipan, from St.Peters, Nyali, were among the
VIPS. It was nice meeting up with the
Leteipan family after a period of almost seven years. What a coincidence!
Brand new car for
Bishop Dena
DON REID:APPRECIATION
Don Reid, husband of Marlene Reid died on Jan. 1st 2011 soon
after his 90th birthday. Don
was, together with Marlene, a member of St Peter’s Church, Nyali and also
worshipped at the Mission to Seafarers.
Don was born in the East End of London in Poplar, within the sound of
Bow bells, therefore qualifying to be called a ‘Cockney’.
His Father was Scottish, his mother
English. Don’s father died when Don was
7 and consequently Don and his sister were sent to an austere boarding school
where he was given a totally classical education which only qualified him to
doing a ‘gentleman’s’ work in the City of London. Don’s first such job lasted a very short time
when he was sacked, and after which he became employed as an apprentice
electrical engineer When World War 2
came in 1939, Don enrolled in the Royal Air Force as a navigator and was shot
down over Holland in 1941. He was
confined in a German Prisoner of War camp until the end of the war when he
returned to his apprenticeship. Don
became an associate of the Institute of Electrical Engineers (UK) after 9 years
of study at night school and was elected as a Fellow after many years of
professional work first in UK, then in Ghana, Nigeria , Tanzania (with EAHC)
and finally Kenya, working first in Ministry of Transport, Nairobi before
coming to Mombasa in 1983 where he took charge of an electrical contracting
company, at the same time also opening his own consultancy. He was a Fellow of both Kenya IEK and
Tanzania IET. He was responsible for
electrical installations in many of the Coastal Hotels as well as many other
companies and organisations. Don carried
on working until his eyesight began to fail when he was 83 but always kept a
keen interest in what was going on in the electrical world and never stopped
missing his “job”.
Murder most foul!
Bishop Kalu’s son,
Benjamin was killed in cold blood during Christmas!
In the wake of Christmas
Eve 2010, the Christians of ACK, Mombasa Diocese, received with shock, the news
of the sudden death of Benjamin Baraka Kalu, son of the Bishop of Mombasa,
Julius Kalu. Killed in cold blood, the
horror of this destruction of a young life, by his murderers, will take a long
time to come to terms with. Bewilderment
is what everyone feels. It will take a
long time before his parents, brothers, sisters and the whole family, friends
and relatives and indeed all the Christian community can fully adjust to
reality of life without the young and the pragmatic Baraka.
Baraka was barely 25
years when he met his death. He was an
enormously popular young man, vigilant, motivated and with focus. His
popularity has been amply demonstrated by the spontaneous outburst of grief and
anger all over the diocese.
Addressing hundreds of
mourners who had gathered in Kakuyuni, Malindi, the Primate of the Anglican
Church Tanzania, the Most ARCH
BISHOP VALENTINO: Talking tough.
Bishop Valentino Mokiwa
said that there are moments in life of overwhelming passion, when the
desolation of the moment may provoke violence and despair. He emphasised that although the cry for a
rational explanation of who killed Benjamin, and why, is understandable and
right, but the urgency of the matter should not precipitate negative actions
Archbishop Wabukala
In his words of
encouragement and condolence to the mourners, parents, family and friends of
the deceased, the Primate of the Anglican Church of Kenya, the Most Rev. Dr.
Wabukala, remarked:
‘Little consolation
for the grief stricken family of the Bishop of Mombasa, Julius Kalu, his wife,
Mama Rose Kalu, is that the whole Christian Community, the Anglican Church in
particular,
shares in intense
anxiety and curiosity to know why Benjamin was murdered and who are his
killers. The messages of condolence
pouring in from all over the world bear true testimony to this’.
In his final remarks the
Primate of Tanzania, the Most Rev. Valentino Mokiwa said that it is imperative
that Christians remain united in prayer and disciplined throughout the mourning
period. In unity is the strength of
Christ that the Bishops family, relatives and friends and the entire Anglican
diocese of Mombasa need to stitch their lives together after this horrific
happening. In collective Christian unity
lies the moral justification to accept the salvation in Christ Jesus. Let us bury young Benjamin, with the dignity
he so richly deserves and let the scar start healing as we forgive the killers
wherever they may be as we wait for the truth to unfold.
Clergy refresher course
for Mombasa Diocese held
At the end of the
five day workshop all the participants were awarded certificates of completion,
sponsored by the Multi-Church Pastor Institute.
Following the
proceedings
During the weeks
preceding epiphany 2011, at the ordination service, at the Mombasa Memorial
Cathedral 18 ordinands were admitted to Holy Orders of deaconate and priest by
the Bishop of Mombasa, Julius Kalu; the highest number ever, in the history of
this diocese.
Of the 18, 8 were
ordained as deacons while the remaining number were ordained as priests. During the swearing-in ceremony, presided
over by the diocesan chancellor, the ordinands made three different oaths, in
the presence of the Bishop of Mombasa and any bishops that will come after him
Ordination Register
The Bishop of Mombasa,
Julius Kalu, in full liturgical regalia, is seen signing the ordination
register to confirm the true names of all the ordinands being admitted into
Holy Orders of deacons and priests during epiphany 2010, a total of 18.
Thus, an oath of
Canonical Obedience
An Oath of declaration
of assent.
I James Okinyi about
to be priested in the Diocese of Mombasa, do solemnly make the following
declaration: assent to the 39 articles of religion and the Book of Common
Prayer, and ordering of bishops, priests and deacons.
I Believe in the
doctrine of the Anglican Church of Kenya, in the Mombasa diocese; to be
agreeable to the word of God, and in public prayer and the administration of
the sacraments. I will use the form in
the said book prescribed and none other, except so far as shall be
ordered by lawful authority.So help me God.
VIPS during
Ordination.
Holy Orders.
Lift up Your
Hearts-Rev Charlotte.
Appreciation.
The Editor has just
learnt with profound shock and sadness the passing on of Mr. Don Reid, the
loving Husband of Marlene Reid. Marlene
Reid is the Sub-Editor of the Glorious Awakening Magazine. I would like to most sincerely, from the
bottom of my heart, pass my message of condolence and goodwill to all the members of the Reid
family, friends and relatives in particular the widow, Marlene and her children
during this challenging moment of Don’s passing on. May the almighty God, who reigns with the
Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, strengthen and give you peace of the
heart. Memories are treasures no one can
steal, separation is a wound no one can heal except for those in Christ Jesus.
The Glorious Awakening pays tribute to you all at this time.
The Glorious Awakening
Magazine is specifically published for the enlightenment of the Christian
family and for the glory of the Church of Christ. The Glorious Awakening reports news, informs,
educates, it tells about people in many places and above all examines Christianity
in relation to other social sciences. It
probes beneath the surface and reveals the meaning of life and does not exalt
one race against the other. Most
important of all, the GA builds in the reader’s mind God’s promise of peaceful
coexistence as we wait Jesus’ Second coming.
