February 2013 Newsletter

COU CHILDREN’S MINISTRY NEWS LETTER 1^st Quarter 2013

Dear Friends in Ministry,

Praise the Lord, God and Greetings from the Church of Uganda;

With love from us all here at the Secretariat in Namirembe. 

We began a new year in an exciting way with the New Archbishop, Stanley Ntagali, following his enthronement in December, a week before Christmas. We are blessed to have him not just as our spiritual father; but also as a mentor, a friend and team leader who has encouraged us all to join his team, what an exciting person we have, we really feel a part of him already. Thank you for praying with us and kindly keep on as we work together as a team carrying on the Mission of Christ in his Church.

We, in the Ministry to Children continue to see the Lord’s favour since my taking office after Can. Janet’s ten years of service. I have now found myself fitting in the shoes; they are much smaller but I am sure they will keep growing as I grow too! In a special way I appreciate the support received from the Provincial Secretary, The Rev. Can. George Bagamuhunda and the Provincial Education Coordinator, Mr. Kura Vasco and my office team, Rosie and Fiona Kasule; they are the reason for my continued smiles. 

My first quarter in office saw us reach out to Diocesan Leadership, Church leaders, Children and Youth Teams with the new COU Children’s Discipleship Curriculum which was launched in the Provincial Assembly in August 2012. I am happy that it has received massive support so far in more than 12 Dioceses where it is being piloted; this is especially because of the issues it addresses on ‘Children at Risk’ which is its main focus. This has made it so timely considering the increasing child related abuses taking place as seen in the Uganda’s media every day.

As this year 2013, begins, it brings us challenges to focus and plan for the Ministry in Training, equipping, and sustainability within the 34 Provincial Dioceses. The following major Prayer, Action and Coordination support focus areas take centre stage;

1. Training and Focus on the Ministry Leaders:  We hope to do Children Discipleship Curriculum Training of Trainers (ToTs) in more 12 Dioceses throughout the Province in liaison with Diocesan Children’s Coordinators, Education and Youth Coordinators and equip School Chaplains in Primary and Secondary Schools, Colleges and Universities in the 4 Regions. 
2. Children, Church and Ministry Advocacy and Support: The Ministry to Children at all levels still faces great trials in the availability of both materials and personnel. I am focusing on developing more materials including the Discipleship Curriculum volumes 2, 3 and 4. The need to recruit and set standards has seen us come up with a CoU Child Protection Policy manual, to help in giving the Ministry guidelines on protection of Children against the increasing social, cultural, economic and sometimes religious exploitations in our Country.
3. Part of this also is focused on advocacy for the Ministry and Children since they are the ‘heart beat’ of the Church today and tomorrow. We would love to see the Children not only tolerated but accommodated, cared for and treasured with all the passion that makes them love and grow in the Lord’s way. This change in attitude at all Church leadership, Family, Community and National levels needs the involvement of everyone within our World. 
4. Resource Mobilization and capacity building for the Ministry:  The Ministry continues to look out and mobilize resources for its programs and personnel. We hope that more doors will be open to support the workers and the work of reaching out to children both at the Secretariat and in the Province.

This is my desire and I trust the Lord to guide us and all Ministry leaders, partners, friends, parents, and well-wishers. I am focusing on Christ   and the strength he gives me to be an achiever with the words of Peter in 2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him   who called us   by his own glory and goodness”.  

All God’s blessings in the Year 2013

Rev. Richard M. Rukundo.

Asst. Provincial Education Coordinator.COU Provincial Children’s Ministry Coordinator/