Update as of October 2019

We give glory to God for the many activities going on in the Diocese of northern Uganda. The construction of the Archbishop Janani Luwum Vocational and Training Institute is on-course and some of the building are now under renovation while new buildings are also coming up. Already the former Library, Class rooms for Women Development Students and the Dormitories have got new roof.

Meanwhile from Friday 18^th to Sunday 20^th October, at the Janani Luwum Theological College we hosted a team from Uganda Christian University Main Campus led by Professor Christopher Byaruhanga, the Dean Faculty of Divinity and Theology, Dr. Joel Obetia former Bishop of Madi West Nile Diocese, the following campuses and regional colleges were represented: Bishop Barham-Kabale, Mbale, Arua Campus, Namugongo, BATC Arua, BMC Kyogyera and Kasinga Divinity School. This practical studies workshop forcused on the following areas: Harmonising recruitment of staff, students, service teaching and practice also harmonising practical activities in colleges ie, Daily office/Chapel, Devotion, Fellowship, mission and Evangelism, placement including Sunday, block and supervision reports and grading. Finally Prof Byaruhanga led us through striking the balance between Academic Excellence and Practical Competence.

 Just around the same time we also hosted a team from South Caroline led by Rev. Elisabeth Bumpas. We are grateful to Rev. Elizabeth for the friendship and hope to continue being in partnership for mission. We thank Sandra the principal of Janani Luwum Theological College for hosting the two groups.

Pray for students and Staff of Women Development Centre to end well. A number of students have not come back for the final term and even those who came are struggling with fees payment. Remember these are girls and young women who are from poor families and most of them have missed opportunity for further studies. Currently we are displaced and being accommodated by the Father House at St. Philips Cathedral due to the ongoing construction work at the former site now to become Janani Luwum Vocational Institute. We hope to get students for the new institute in a decent place with modern facilities come 2020.

Be Faithful Servant

Bishop Gakumba Johnson this morning visted Janani Luwum Theological College and appealed to the students to be Faithful servents instead of requesting to be in high positions. Preaching from Mathew 20:20ff " Promise me that these two sons of mine will sit at your right and your left when you are king" .... Jesus told her " I do not have the right to choose who will sit at my right and my left. These places belong to those for whom my Father has prepared" ...and If any one of you wants to be first, he must be your slave. GNB

23 Ordained by Bishop Johnson Gakumba

23 deacons and priests ordained in the Diocese of Northern Uganda by Bishop Johnson Gakumba during a colourful ceremony at St. Philips Cathedral Gulu.

In a wonderful service that was both joyful and solemn, the preacher was the Bishop of Kitgum Diocese, Rt. Rev. Wilson Kitara. In his sermon, Bishop Kitara appealed to the newly ordained to accept their call into ordained ministry. He urged them to remain faithful to their call: “Let the spirit direct your lives and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature”. He said those clergy who still get into immorality and indecent actions, worship of idols and witchcraft, jealousy, anger and greed for power – they are not born of the spirit.

The bishop cautioned the congregation against false teachers who appeal to people by using sweet sounding words. They say, “When you came to our church, you will get a car, a beautiful woman/a handsome man, money, jobs and promotions.” He said Jesus called the disciples by saying follow me (luba) and they followed him.

Preaching from Matthew 10, the bishop said what Jesus would say to the 23 ordinands: ‘Go and preach.’ “As you go, proclaim this message: the kingdom of heaven is near! Heal the sick, bring the dead to life, heal those who suffer from dreaded disease and drive out demons. You have received without pay, so give without being paid. Do not carry any gold, silver or copper money in your pockets, do not carry a beggar’s  bag for the journey or an extra shirt or shoes, or a stick, workers should be given what they need.”

Bishop Kitara appealed to the congregation to take care of the clergy by meeting their basic daily needs such as food, shelter and life’s other necessities in order for them to receive blessings from the clergy.  “Ka ce myero amini gum, ento aneno ni in aye ma i weko kec neka, adeno can ci amini gum nining.” This means ‘if you are the very one giving me a hard time and not taking good care of me, how can I whole heartedly give you the blessing which is required of me according to the Book of Numbers 6: 22-27?’ The bishop said one reason some Christians are not receiving blessings is because they do not take care of the priests posted to their parishes.

So wisely the Bishop of Kitgum had challenged both ordinands and laity to share together in the ministry entrusted to every member of the body of Christ. In contrast to the deceptive appeals of the false preachers, the newly ordained were urged to be directed by the Holy Spirit. They were encouraged to take to heart the liberating words of Jesus and to go as Kingdom workers in his mission. Like those first disciples, they would go on learning as they followed Jesus, clear in the knowledge that the way of Jesus is the way of joyful and costly self-giving not greedy and foolish self-accumulation.  At the end of it all the deacons were given bicycles for ministry, one Parish however managed to buy a motorcycle for their priest. How I would love to see the reverends on motorcycles and vehicle instead of bicycles. If you are challenged, please support at least the two female Deacons to have a motorcycle each to start with.