A visit to Musalaba " the Cross" in pictures

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A team from St. John's Church visited the Hills of Keyo where 107 years ago the first missionary established a mission station. The Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda and the Retired Bishop Allan Gideon Oboma led the team. At least 37 members of the community welcomed the visitors. A stone with an inscription “The Gospel was preached to the Acholi People in 1904" could be seen in pieces. According to Muzee Okwonga Andrew Enoci said " I kare ma wan dong waringo wacito i camp aye jo ma gitye ki miti me lim gubino gubalo kabedo man" Meaning the Monument was destroyed by some people who had a desire for money during the period when people where in the camps because of the war. “I am privilege to be here for a pilgrimage to this holy ground" Said Rev. Dr. Greg Snyder the team leader of the USA, St. John's Church. Bishop Allan Oboma appealed to the community to start rehabilitating this place. While Bishop Johnson said with prayers and support from everybody by November 26th 2011,a structure will be erected on this land and that the annual celebration will no longer take place at Keyo Primary School but on Musalaba hill. The community listed the following needs: - Church building, Theological /Primary School, and Water. At Keyo Parish Headquarters a church building has reached roofing stage

Never be defiled as you start the New Year says Bishop

Group Photo with Bishop,visitors from St. John and Staff of the Diocese,

Today Monday 3rd January 2011 is when we officially opened office at the Diocese of Northern Uganda.
The day started by staff sharing their experiences of last year and their plans for this year 2011. The staffs were very grateful to the Diocese and the Bishop for work well done. While giving his remarks, the Bishop said this year is going to be a year for rebuilding family foundation and this would begin with the staff at the headquarters. He also encouraged those who have the calling to serve God in the ordain ministry to come up.
One staff Moses Otim caused laughter when he said he had been ordained informally-meaning people call him Reverend and that he would like to be ordained before he dies. Another staff appealed to the rest to own a Bible for themselves and read. One other staff said working with the diocese helped him to stop drinking alcohol. A driver said “when driving the bishop you must apply maximum skills" Others appreciated the saving and loan scheme which had helped them to build their capacity in a number of ways, like starting a business, building houses and paying fees for themselves and their children.
We also had a team of visitors from St. John's Church South Carolina USA. The visitors said it was time to rebuild, rehabilitate and reform this diocese and that they have been praying for this to happen and be part of the diocese.
The Bishop Concluded by urging staff to remain undefiled, faithful and with integrity quoting from the book of Daniel chapter 1:8
“But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating food and wine given to them by the King. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods"

St. John’s, John’s Island team is here in Northern Uganda

Clair Miller taking picture in the Bishop's garden under construction.

At Christ Church
Fr Greg Snyder handed over a Holy COmmunion Cup to the Dean of St.Philips Cathedral Rev. Canon Ayela in the presence of Bishop Johnson and many christians.

A team from St. Johns Church South Carolinea is finally here in Northern Uganda for a visit.Team members includes ;Fr Greg Snyder, Emily Rudolph, Thom Pennington,Leila Baldwin ,Clair Miller, and Peter.
Sunday 2nd January 2011 they attended a service at St. Philip's Cathedral Gulu where Fr Greg was the preacher and therafter they went to Christ Church for the English service. Fr. Greg encouraged the Christian to make use of the different spiritual gifts that God has given them. He said God is faithful and will restore the people in Northern Uganda who are just coming out of the war situation. He said St.John's has been praying for the Diocese for the last three years and that Bishop Johnson made them aware of the situation in this diocese during his visit to them early this year.Continue to pray for this team so that a stong partnership is built.

Welcome to 2011

The Bishop’s Guest house now at roofing stage

You are all most welcome to the Year 2011. Thanks you very much for being part of us during the year 2010.

One year of Bishop's Johnson Gakumba Ministry 20th December 2009-20th December 2010
DIOCESE OF NORTHERN UGANDA
The Presidential handshake: Bishop Johnson shakes hands with the President of Uganda His Excellency Yoweri
Kaguta Museven, while His grace Henry Luke Orombi and Mama Christine look on.
First Deacons to be ordained by Bishop Johnson on
26th November 2010: Olara James, Olweny Kevin,
Kibwota Samuel and Otto Zachariah
CONSECRATION
Bishop was consecrated and Enthroned as the 7th Bishop of the Diocese of
Northern Uganda in a colourful ceremony officiated by His Grace, the Archbishop of
the Province of the Church of Uganda Henry Luke Orombi, and in attendance was
His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,
Ambassadors, and many dignitaries .
A cross section of Bishops who attended the
consecration
Confirmation Candidates Koro parish at
Lakwatomer
Part of Sacred Heart Confirmation Candidates.
Pope Paul 11 Laliya, Confirmation Candidates.
Christ Church
confirmation candidates
PASTORAL VISIT TO ALL THE PARISHES.
A group photo with goats and confirmation
candidates at Christ Church
Nwoya church building at foundation level.
New St. Philip Cathedral under construction.
With support from the Bible Society of Uganda the talking Bible is handed over to clergy for Bible study
The biggest tree planted by Bishop Johnson
during the first year of his ministry in the
Diocese of Northern Uganda
The Diocese handed over two cars to retired Bishops, Gideon Allan Oboma and Nelson
Onono-Onweng




Dennis and Phoebe at their reception venue
Inside St. Michael Obiya Confirmation Candidates in front of Bobi Church
Cwero candidates
Layibi sub-Parish in Christ Church Parish
Confirmation Candidates in front of Bobi Church
Part of Keyo Church under construction
Awere only the foundation dug Koro Parish, Lakwatomer Sub-Parish candidates


KEY ACHIEVENMENTS OF THE YEAR 2010

• Launched four years Strategic plan
2010-2014
• Provincial quota arrears worth 28.7
million paid.
• Retreat with the clergy and their
spouses
• Youth conference
• The first Lay readers and pastors
conference
• Clergy wives fellowship
• Handing over of sewing machines to
students at the Women Development
Centre
• Public Address system for mission
work
• Cars for retired bishops
• Visit to all parishes except Pakwelo
• Wall fencing of Bishop’s residence
• Theological Students at University
• Maintaining a minimum stipend of an
average of 50,000 Uganda shillings
about 22 US$ per month
No Parishes Status of the Church
Total 1360 12 2261
TOOK PLACE DURING THIS ONE YEAR
1. NEW PROJECT SIGNED/STARTED
1. THE FATHERS HOME OF OUR ONE HUNDRED ORPHANS
2. BISHOP’S GUEST HOUSE
3. BISHOP’S GARDEN
4. COMMERCIAL FARMING OF GROUNDNUTS
5. IRCU NWOYA PROJECT
6. EXTENSION OF PIPE WATER TO GULU PRIMARY SCHOOL/COLLEGE BY CED
7. DRILLING OF BORE HOLE
The Bishop’s Guest house now at roofing stage
South Caroline; St. John’s Church USA Hanover -Germany
2. FOREIGN VISITS
1. USA ESTERN MENONITE UNIVESIRTY
2. NC-CONFERENCE
3. GERMAN VISIT,
4. NAIROBI NEW BISHOP’S ORIENTATION BY CAPA ,
5. BURUNDI GREAT LAKES PEACE INITIATIVES
3. VISITORS COMING TO THE DIOCESE
a. ST.JOHNS TEAM S.CAROLINEA DECEMBER –JANUARY 2011
b. NORDEN-GERMANY JAN 2011
4. CHALLENGES/PRAYER REQUEST
1. WEAK FOUNDATION IN SUB-PARISHES AND PARISHES NEED FOR IRON
SHEETS FOR ROOFING PASTOR HOUSES /CHURCHES. Most of the Parishes do
not have church building and so prayers are conducted in classrooms or under
trees. Some are grass thatched building which can be easily burnt down like
the one in the picture.
2. NEED FOR BIBLES/PRAYER BOOKS. Currently the number of Christians who
have Bibles and Prayer books is less than 10%. In the past it was requirement
for every confirmation Candidate to own a Bible, now it is not happening.

THE LOST SHEEP AND THE LOST COINS

Rev. Canon Ayela Okot Introducing Rev. Olara James, Rev Olweny Kevin, Rev. Otto Zachariah, Rev. Kibwota Samuel and Rev. Eunice Opok.

Rev. Captain Titus Baraka and Mary trying the new skills of praising the Lord -see the techniques of holding hands while jumping.

Bishop Johnson handing over bicycles to the Newly ordained clergy.

Visiting the home of Alex Okello who was a prominent witch doctor the children also accepted Jesus Christ; here the bishop is leading them in a prayer of confession. Rev. Canon Titus is taking pictures

Five people were ordained in a colourful ceremony held at Keyo Church of Uganda by the Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda Johnson Gakumba on Friday 26 November 2010. The Rev. Canon Captain Titus Baraka who led the retreat as well as preached during the occasion called upon the newly ordained to look for the lost sheep then they would find the lost coins. Rev. Canon Titus said “The lost sheep has also gone with the lost coins” Once you get the lost sheep you will also get the lost coins the Rev. Canon said. Preaching from the Gospel of Mathew 9:37ff Titus said the field is ready but the labourers are very few. Rev. Piloya Eunice was ordained priest while Rev. Kibwota Samuel, Rev. Olweny Kevin, Rev. Olara James and Rev. Otto Zachariah were orained Deacons. This is the first lot of clergy to be ordained by Bishop Johnson during the first year of his ministry in the Diocese of Northern Uganda.
The Diocese gave each one of them a bicycle to facilitate their transport as they begin the ordained ministry in the various places. Rev. Eunice Opok was posted to Lukodi Child Voice International as a Chaplain, Rev. Kibwota Samuel posted to Gulu Core Primary teachers’ College as chaplain, Otto Zachariah posted to Keyo Secondary School as a chaplain and Olara James is the Chaplain of Koch Goma Secondary School.
Keyo is the first mission station in Acholi land when the missionaries came in 1903 and officially opened the station in 1904. While reading the history of Christianity in Acholi land the Rev. Wilson Atine mentioned that among the key challenges in the spread of the Gospel in Acholi land is the lack of support to the clergy, he said the clergy in the diocese do not have stipend and when asked how much each one gets the Rev. Wilson Atine said the response from clergy is that they will know their salary when they reach Heaven. It was because of this that Rev. Canon Titus Baraka said the clergy stipend is also here on earth except that the lost sheep have also gone with the lost coins. He challenged the clergy to look for the lost sheep and in them they would also find the lost coins which will in turn provide them with the physical needs like food, shelter and many others.


Alex Okello from a witch doctor to a preacher

In another related development, Mr Alex Okello a prominent witchdoctor in Gulu who recently accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour, appealed to the other witchdoctors to turn away from their evil practices and receive peace of mind and freedom from bondage. Alex said people used to fear him instead of respecting, him. A detail story about Alex is coming soon.


The first official appearance of the Clergy’s spouses in their uniform, Rev. Captain Baraka and Mary (C) squatting down


Mrs. Christine Gakumba made history in the Diocese of Northern Uganda by being the first to form the Clergy Women Fellowship. The group of women now has a saving scheme and out of that they to start keeping poultry, tree planting, outside catering just to mention but a few. They need your prayer and support.