This week I have been involved in visiting various schools in the surrounding area for the ongoing health assessment. The majority of schools have children boarding as so many of them have to travel huge distances. The school day starts at 6.30am and doesn't finish till around 4.30pm!! Despite the long day, all the children and young people I met are extremely friendly and seem very committed to gaining an education. As one headmaster said to me "A father will often sell his last cow if it will provide education for his child". What a lot we take for granted in the UK!
As one drives along the very rough dirt tracks, one passes scores of children walking sometimes miles to and from school. No one thinks anything of walking 10 miles with a baby on their back to access basic health care. At home (UK) I have had parents reluctant to take the trouble to catch a 5 minute bus to their local child health clinic!
On Sunday I was invited to preach at "All Saints" Bushenyi during the 8am English speaking service. (My Ankole isn't sufficiently fluent as yet!)
This was quite a challenge as I had brought no commentaries with me other than my bible but with God's help, spoke on "Jesus the light of the world" and how we, regardless of where we are from, need to be light and salt in the world. In the afternoon I was invited to attend the confirmation service for the children from Bweranyangi Primary School, presided over by the Bishop Yona of West Ankole diocese. Approximately 80 young people were confirmed and the service also involved dedicating all the Year 7 children (top primary) who were about to undertake their final exams prior to secondary school. Following the service (2+ hours) I was invited to join other guests for a celebration meal at the school. Once the meal was over, the music started and I went across to some of the children and suggested dancing. At first they were shy but within minutes we were "bopping" away as if we had known each other for a lifetime. I think of all the experiences and people that I have met, it will be the children who will remain with me forever.
Tomorrow I'm of to Lake Mburu National Park for a few days where I will endeavour to complete my report for the bishop. Then back to Bushenyi for a day before returning to Mukono Christian University in Kampala prior to flight home.
Wednesday 28 October 2009
Wednesday 21 October 2009
Daphne on safari
What a wonderful day on Saturday! Geoffrey, one of the drivers for the West Ankole Diocese and I set off at 5am before the sun was up from Bushenyi and took the road west toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. We were no sooner in the vicinity than Geoffrey pulled over to the side of the road and said "Look! lion!". There in the long grass was a lioness and as I endeavored to steady my camera, she stood and I realised that it was not just one lion but two lionesses with cubs. Within minutes another shape ambled out of the early morning light and it was a male complete with a full mane. We noticed that they had perhaps the previous day made a kill of a buffalo and were obviously staying within the vicinity to have what remained. Within minutes, a hyena crossed in front of our vehicle and approached the carcass but realising that the lions were still there kept its' distance.
I could spend the rest of this update listing the animals which I was fortunate to see these included lots of elephant, hippos, buffalo and amazing bird life along the Kazinga Channel which links Lakes Albert and Edward.
On Monday I enjoyed a wonderful day at a local primary school who will be twinning or linking with Christ Church School in Hanham. The children were delightful and made me so very welcome. I spent the time speaking with the children, recording their songs and taking lots of photographs which I will be sharing with Christ Church children on my return.
My days have been very full as I continue collecting peoples' views and information toward the health assessment and my final report. Please continue to pray for me. I am so grateful for the experience which I know will remain with me for ever. May God bless you as he continues to bless me.
Daphne:)
I could spend the rest of this update listing the animals which I was fortunate to see these included lots of elephant, hippos, buffalo and amazing bird life along the Kazinga Channel which links Lakes Albert and Edward.
On Monday I enjoyed a wonderful day at a local primary school who will be twinning or linking with Christ Church School in Hanham. The children were delightful and made me so very welcome. I spent the time speaking with the children, recording their songs and taking lots of photographs which I will be sharing with Christ Church children on my return.
My days have been very full as I continue collecting peoples' views and information toward the health assessment and my final report. Please continue to pray for me. I am so grateful for the experience which I know will remain with me for ever. May God bless you as he continues to bless me.
Daphne:)
Friday 16 October 2009
Uganda update
Despite intermittent internet access due to rainy season and subsequent power cuts, life continues to fascinate and thrill!
This week having met with Bishop Yona Katoneene, I started visiting various outlying villages and met with people to conduct the health needs assessment. Thanks to having the excellent digital recorder loaned to me by Chris, I have been able to conduct some semi structured interviews with the assistance of an interpreter (unfortunately I'm not sufficiently fluent in Ankole!!!)
Everyone I have spoken with have made me feel extremely welcome and despite having so little in material goods are anxious to share what they have with me.
Yesterday I visited two hospitals and was made aware of how busy they were. Beds are crowded in the rooms and in the Children's Ward, some were having to sleep on mattresses on the floor. The majority of the children are suffering from malaria and one little girl of about 3 years was having a cannula (needle into vein for a drip) inserted as I arrived. She was obviously upset and crying despite her mother trying to comfort her. Fortunately the strange appearance of an old white woman (Musunga) speaking and smiling at her seemed to distract sufficiently. A visit to the maternity wing was also extremely interesting and I had the great pleasure of being introduced to twin girls who had been born just 1/2 an hour before our arrival.
Tomorrow, Saturday I'm off to Queen Elizabeth Park. The intention is to leave at about 5am as then we will have a good chance of seeing lions!!!
God Bless,
Daphne
This week having met with Bishop Yona Katoneene, I started visiting various outlying villages and met with people to conduct the health needs assessment. Thanks to having the excellent digital recorder loaned to me by Chris, I have been able to conduct some semi structured interviews with the assistance of an interpreter (unfortunately I'm not sufficiently fluent in Ankole!!!)
Everyone I have spoken with have made me feel extremely welcome and despite having so little in material goods are anxious to share what they have with me.
Yesterday I visited two hospitals and was made aware of how busy they were. Beds are crowded in the rooms and in the Children's Ward, some were having to sleep on mattresses on the floor. The majority of the children are suffering from malaria and one little girl of about 3 years was having a cannula (needle into vein for a drip) inserted as I arrived. She was obviously upset and crying despite her mother trying to comfort her. Fortunately the strange appearance of an old white woman (Musunga) speaking and smiling at her seemed to distract sufficiently. A visit to the maternity wing was also extremely interesting and I had the great pleasure of being introduced to twin girls who had been born just 1/2 an hour before our arrival.
Tomorrow, Saturday I'm off to Queen Elizabeth Park. The intention is to leave at about 5am as then we will have a good chance of seeing lions!!!
God Bless,
Daphne
Tuesday 13 October 2009
Update from Daphne
Apologies for the long silence but being the wet season there has been a number of power cuts and therefore no net connection. I arrived here in West Ankole last Wednesday having crossed the Equator en route. I'm afraid I did the "touristy" thing and had a photo taken with my feet in each hemisphere.
Received a very warm welcome from those at the Mothers' Union Centre which is my home for the next three weeks. On Independence Day (Friday) I met Edidah Mary (MU Provincial President) who took me to visit her home in the village. This involved a long drive on a very bumpy dirt road through a number of villages and banana plantations. We eventually arrived high in the mountains to the north of Bushyeni with spectacular views. It was good to renew our acquaintance as we had met in June when she was in the UK and I collected her from Swindon station and took her to her hosts near Malmesbury.
On Sunday I attended the English service in Bushenyi. Needless to say the singing was wonderfully uplifting, amazing harmonies and everyone so joyful. I was asked to give an address and although I was totally unprepared, God as usual came to the rescue and found some words to say which appeared to be appreciated. In the afternoon I was invited to join a prayer meeting at the local prison. This was a truly humbling experience as we were met by at least 100 Christian prisoners sitting on the floor of the 3 sided building about a further 100 were standing outside.
The meeting consisted of wonderful singing of gospel songs accompanied by a single drummer. I was asked again to speak and with the help of an interpreter was led to speak on Psalm 139. Having never expected to give unprepared addresses before this was indeed a learning experience which I will not forget.
Yesterday I met with Bishop Yona who sends his Christian greetings to everyone in Bristol and after a rather slow start I think I will now be starting to do what I had come to do....Well hopefully!! I'm certainly learning to slow down to Africa time!!
God bless,
Daphne
Received a very warm welcome from those at the Mothers' Union Centre which is my home for the next three weeks. On Independence Day (Friday) I met Edidah Mary (MU Provincial President) who took me to visit her home in the village. This involved a long drive on a very bumpy dirt road through a number of villages and banana plantations. We eventually arrived high in the mountains to the north of Bushyeni with spectacular views. It was good to renew our acquaintance as we had met in June when she was in the UK and I collected her from Swindon station and took her to her hosts near Malmesbury.
On Sunday I attended the English service in Bushenyi. Needless to say the singing was wonderfully uplifting, amazing harmonies and everyone so joyful. I was asked to give an address and although I was totally unprepared, God as usual came to the rescue and found some words to say which appeared to be appreciated. In the afternoon I was invited to join a prayer meeting at the local prison. This was a truly humbling experience as we were met by at least 100 Christian prisoners sitting on the floor of the 3 sided building about a further 100 were standing outside.
The meeting consisted of wonderful singing of gospel songs accompanied by a single drummer. I was asked again to speak and with the help of an interpreter was led to speak on Psalm 139. Having never expected to give unprepared addresses before this was indeed a learning experience which I will not forget.
Yesterday I met with Bishop Yona who sends his Christian greetings to everyone in Bristol and after a rather slow start I think I will now be starting to do what I had come to do....Well hopefully!! I'm certainly learning to slow down to Africa time!!
God bless,
Daphne
Saturday 10 October 2009
Ki Kali or Hello! from Daphne's Ugandan Trip
Ki Kali or Hello!
What an amazing day! Arrived safely this morning to glorious sunshine and was met by a Patrick the driver from Mukono Christian University. Once he had helped me to exchange money and buy a local SIM card we set off, but not before we had prayed for our journey and thanked God for my safe arrival. We passed throught Entebbe and Kampala, including some shanty towns on the outskirts where many refugees from the north of the country have settled to avoid the troubles with the "Lord's Resistance Army".
Met at the university guest house by charming housekeeper, Rebecca who made me feel extremely welcome. There is also an Australian couple staying who have been spending a year in the country teaching at a local school and the husband advising on maintainance at the university. They then introduced me to a delightful elderly Bishop from the North of Uganda (Bishop Tim). They are helping him to write his memoirs of the time when many of his fellow bishops including Archbishop Luwum, were killed by the Amin regime. He excaped to Kenya where he lived in exile for a number of years.
I have also spoken to a number of very interesting people at the university, including the administator for the "Safer Motherhood" program.
Then this evening some hymn singing by William, a school teacher, visiting the Australians. He played the "Thumb piano" an amazing local instument with quite an evocative sound, especially as he continued playing as he left us. I could hear the sound fading into the night as he made his way across the surrounding lawn.
So a very tired, but delightfully happy and blessed English Lay Minister is on her way to bed. Must remember to tuck the mossie net under the blanket!
Much love and God bless,
Daphne
What an amazing day! Arrived safely this morning to glorious sunshine and was met by a Patrick the driver from Mukono Christian University. Once he had helped me to exchange money and buy a local SIM card we set off, but not before we had prayed for our journey and thanked God for my safe arrival. We passed throught Entebbe and Kampala, including some shanty towns on the outskirts where many refugees from the north of the country have settled to avoid the troubles with the "Lord's Resistance Army".
Met at the university guest house by charming housekeeper, Rebecca who made me feel extremely welcome. There is also an Australian couple staying who have been spending a year in the country teaching at a local school and the husband advising on maintainance at the university. They then introduced me to a delightful elderly Bishop from the North of Uganda (Bishop Tim). They are helping him to write his memoirs of the time when many of his fellow bishops including Archbishop Luwum, were killed by the Amin regime. He excaped to Kenya where he lived in exile for a number of years.
I have also spoken to a number of very interesting people at the university, including the administator for the "Safer Motherhood" program.
Then this evening some hymn singing by William, a school teacher, visiting the Australians. He played the "Thumb piano" an amazing local instument with quite an evocative sound, especially as he continued playing as he left us. I could hear the sound fading into the night as he made his way across the surrounding lawn.
So a very tired, but delightfully happy and blessed English Lay Minister is on her way to bed. Must remember to tuck the mossie net under the blanket!
Much love and God bless,
Daphne
Monday 18 May 2009
thought for the day
Somebody once said :
If we are to unite, we must love
If we are to love , we must meet.
Many of us will have a variety of meeting schedules for this week, either at work, socially or at home. but do we meet at a deeper level? On Saturday Daniel and dave cemented a new garden bench to the ground by the 12 Apostle trees outside Christ Church. Yesterday the bench was duly blessed , baptised by the rain, photographed, dried and sat upon.It is our prayer that the bench will find a place for many positive meetings either with another person or quietly as we imagine God sitting alongside of us encouraging us with whatever we have got to face in life. In the midst of our busyness, may the bench remind us to slow down and in the process to stop, look and listen. above all may the bench be a symbol to remind us of the importance of meeting with God and our neighbour at a deep level on monday morning, Wednesday afternoon and Friday evening as we did yesterday in worship at Christ Church.
Every blessing
Simon
Friday 15 May 2009
A challenge
"What we are asked to do at present is not so much to speak of Christ as to let him live in us, that people may find him by feeling how he lives in us."
(Thomas Merton - 1968)
I wonder how this challenges us to become more fully disciples of Jesus in this Easter season.
(Thomas Merton - 1968)
I wonder how this challenges us to become more fully disciples of Jesus in this Easter season.
Tuesday 5 May 2009
Vicar’s report to APCM 2009
Thank you enormously for all the support and encouragement you all bring to life and ministry of Christ Church with St Mary’s in the Old Town Partnership of Churches. We have lots to be thankful for and strong foundations on which to build for this coming year. I would like to offer you a picture for your reflection; a typical act of generosity shown to us in the gift from a family in the parish, of a large enclosed trampoline which stands in a previously dead part of the garden behind the garage and the kitchen. Hours of fun have been had by the Stevenette boys, occasionally their parents, and many of their friends. Bouncing up and down – a word for us all not original to myself is "bounce back ability" We live in challenging times in our country, the Church of England and in Swindon. It is not clear where we will be in one year, five years or ten years. However God is clearly with us and he wants us to grow in these 3 areas:-
1. Community - from what has been said to me by Christ Church pilgrims who just spent a week on Iona -community is one of the key features there. Our vision is connecting the community with Christ. In countless ways people are looking for a community which will nurture and support them and in which they can make a difference in people’s lives and grow in Christian confidence. To give some examples: the Friends of Christ Church, especially in bringing housebound people to worship and their 100 club; the Thursday Fellowship for adults with learning difficulties; the Friday evening curry club and the gatherings at 9am at daily morning prayer with coffee afterwards - these are all nurturing our God given humanity as we support and encourage each other.
2. Trust – we live in a world with so much governance, form filling, and checks and balances, much of which is good and helpful however let us not lose sight of what it means for us as a Christian community, to trust God, to trust each other and trust that God will work through us. God needs us to show resilience, courage and maturity. As we face up to the challenge of Church finances, so clearly presented by our Treasurer Ian Walters, we are being called to be more generous and sacrificial. Bishop Lee at the Maundy Thursday blessing of oils Eucharist in the cathedral talked about a poster in Uganda – the church in Uganda belongs to God – what does it mean for us to say the church of England belongs to God, Old Town Partnership of Churches belongs to God, Christ Church with St Mary’s belongs to God?
3. Wholeness – our Bristol Diocesan vision encourages us to create communities of wholeness with Christ at the centre. We have tried over this last year to develop what it means to be an active member of Christ Church. The Methodist and United Reformed Church have a clear understanding of membership; we need to unpack further what it means for us to be disciples of Jesus Christ and his followers in the whole of our lives.
In conclusion; community, trust and wholeness mean that our spiritual foundations are vital as we focus our hopes and dreams in Jesus Christ and his gospel. Our parish bible verse for the year – Be strong, take heart all who hope in the Lord. Let us in the silence hear God saying this to us personally and together – Be strong and take heart all you at Christ Church and St Mary’s who hope in the lord.
1. Community - from what has been said to me by Christ Church pilgrims who just spent a week on Iona -community is one of the key features there. Our vision is connecting the community with Christ. In countless ways people are looking for a community which will nurture and support them and in which they can make a difference in people’s lives and grow in Christian confidence. To give some examples: the Friends of Christ Church, especially in bringing housebound people to worship and their 100 club; the Thursday Fellowship for adults with learning difficulties; the Friday evening curry club and the gatherings at 9am at daily morning prayer with coffee afterwards - these are all nurturing our God given humanity as we support and encourage each other.
2. Trust – we live in a world with so much governance, form filling, and checks and balances, much of which is good and helpful however let us not lose sight of what it means for us as a Christian community, to trust God, to trust each other and trust that God will work through us. God needs us to show resilience, courage and maturity. As we face up to the challenge of Church finances, so clearly presented by our Treasurer Ian Walters, we are being called to be more generous and sacrificial. Bishop Lee at the Maundy Thursday blessing of oils Eucharist in the cathedral talked about a poster in Uganda – the church in Uganda belongs to God – what does it mean for us to say the church of England belongs to God, Old Town Partnership of Churches belongs to God, Christ Church with St Mary’s belongs to God?
3. Wholeness – our Bristol Diocesan vision encourages us to create communities of wholeness with Christ at the centre. We have tried over this last year to develop what it means to be an active member of Christ Church. The Methodist and United Reformed Church have a clear understanding of membership; we need to unpack further what it means for us to be disciples of Jesus Christ and his followers in the whole of our lives.
In conclusion; community, trust and wholeness mean that our spiritual foundations are vital as we focus our hopes and dreams in Jesus Christ and his gospel. Our parish bible verse for the year – Be strong, take heart all who hope in the Lord. Let us in the silence hear God saying this to us personally and together – Be strong and take heart all you at Christ Church and St Mary’s who hope in the lord.
Sunday 19 April 2009
Reflections on Life's Road,
Some people travel in straight lines;
sat in metal boxes, eyes ahead,
always mindful of their target,
moving in obedience to coloured lights and white lines
mission accomplished at journey's end.
Some people travel round in circles:
trudging in drudgery,
eyes looking down, knowing only too well their daily, unchanging round
moving in response to clock and to habit
journey never finished, yet never begun.
I want to travel in patterns of God's making:
walking in wonder,
gazing all around, knowing my destiny though not my destination
moving to the rhythm of the surging of his spirit.
A journey which when life ends, in Christ has just begun.
by Julie McGuiness
sat in metal boxes, eyes ahead,
always mindful of their target,
moving in obedience to coloured lights and white lines
mission accomplished at journey's end.
Some people travel round in circles:
trudging in drudgery,
eyes looking down, knowing only too well their daily, unchanging round
moving in response to clock and to habit
journey never finished, yet never begun.
I want to travel in patterns of God's making:
walking in wonder,
gazing all around, knowing my destiny though not my destination
moving to the rhythm of the surging of his spirit.
A journey which when life ends, in Christ has just begun.
by Julie McGuiness
Friday 20 March 2009
What God taught us last Sunday
On Sunday 15th March we had a focus on the work of Street Pastors. They provide ministry to those in the pubs and nightclubs of Swindon Town Centre from midnight - 4am on Friday evenings. Street Pastors work as a collaboration between local churches, the police and the Local Authority as a pastoral response to neighbourhood problems, engaging people where they are on the streets. Several members of Christ Church are Street Pastors. A new training course is beginning on Friday 27th March, further details from -www.streetpastorsswindon.org.uk
The Thursday Fellowship of adults with learning difficulties led our Searchlight worship brilliantly on The Armour of God, Ephesians 6. Further info about this group from John Roe 01793 485082. .
Together we are all part of God's living church and we all have a special part to play.
What is yours?
Prayer for the week:
on Tuesday we celebrated St Patrick's Day - these words were used at Christ in Quiet and have helped many in our ministry this week:
Christ be with me, Christ within me
Christ behind me, Christ before me
Christ beside me, Christ to win me
Christ to comfort and restore me
Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger
Christ in hearts of all that love me
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
Why not learn these words off by heart?
The Thursday Fellowship of adults with learning difficulties led our Searchlight worship brilliantly on The Armour of God, Ephesians 6. Further info about this group from John Roe 01793 485082. .
Together we are all part of God's living church and we all have a special part to play.
What is yours?
Prayer for the week:
on Tuesday we celebrated St Patrick's Day - these words were used at Christ in Quiet and have helped many in our ministry this week:
Christ be with me, Christ within me
Christ behind me, Christ before me
Christ beside me, Christ to win me
Christ to comfort and restore me
Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger
Christ in hearts of all that love me
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
Why not learn these words off by heart?
Wednesday 11 March 2009
Thought for the Week
The gospel reading Mark 8.31-end challenges us about what it means to be Christ's disciple in the whole of our lives. The words from Jesus "if any want to become my followers let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" need to be applied to the whole of our lives.. During Lent we have the opportunity to reflect on the meaning of Jesus' life and particularly why he died on a cross. The word sacrifice may be counter cultural but it is certainly true that God wants us to be wholehearted and joyful as followers of Jesus. At the end of the sermon we heard a modern setting of the Lord's my shepherd psalm 23 why not use these words to inspire your prayer this week? In the evening Simon and the choir went to help lead choral evensong at Malmesbury Abbey. We had a wonderful evening and would encourage you to visit the Abbey during Lent if you have the opportunity. There is much we can learn from their ministry in particular praying on the streets for healing between 10 and 12 noon in all weathers each Saturday morning; which can inspire our mission in Old Town Swindon. Each Tuesday lunchtime during Lent we are having Christ in Quiet between 12.30 and 1pm. Why not see if you can find half an hour of quiet this week when you could receive God’s refreshment and Holy Spirit to enable you to be the person he made you to be. Please be assured of our prayers, God bless you as you follow Jesus.
Simon
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