Children's Ministry in Church of Uganda

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;

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.

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.

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.

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 powerhas 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/

Letter from Rev Richard Rukondo

The new Children's Ministry Coordinator

12 November 2012

Dear Friends of COU Children's Ministry,

Praise the Lord for the year 2012 and for the grace bestowed on us all through.

The Rev. Can. Janet Muhindo our former Coordinator retired officially last Month, and we had a blessed rainy day on 9th November to bid farewell to her and the Retiring Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi.

We are so proud for the work she did among the Children and their teachers and church leaders on which we are now going to build as we take the Ministry to another level.

We still have challenges in the Ministry to Children which remains a marginalized Ministry among most of our Dioceses.

Currently I am in the planning process with the available 16 Children's Coordinators leaders out of the 34 dioceses to see that the work is not only sustained but expanded to all, while growing the passion and skills needed to run it.

My focus is mainly on how we can equip the leadership at all levels of Church work ie the Dioceses, Archdeaconry and Parishes and have a clear retention strategy for those trained to work with children.

Over the many years we have seen many Leaders trained, but not retained in their role as Children's leaders, living major gaps in the ministry.

The presence of many children who come to our churches is a major motivation in the Ministry although my campaign is aimed at creating a conducive environment for them to stay and grow through a purposely discipleship process.

I am hopeful that the campaign will see most dioceses have teams that advocate for children's work and their rights in the church and community.

Last but not least am having a task of increasing the presence of chaplains in schools where most of our children spend most of their year.

There is a great need to have more spiritual leaders, mentors and counselors.

I realise that because of the few ordained Ministers we can never have this done by them alone.

It is an urgent need with many vices as homosexuality and drug abuse cropping in our schools where most children board.

All these will need all support from friends and patterns near and far through prayers and financial contributions.

I am believing God who has kept the Ministry growing from its humble beginnings to continue to enable us as we grow to maturity in Christ.

May the love and grace of God be with you as we look forward to Celebrating Christ's Birth and his presence among us this December.

Yours in Christ's Service

Rev. Richard M. Rukundo

COU Children's Ministry Coordinator/ Asst. Provincial Education

handover and Farewell of Can. Janet Muhindo our Outgoing Coordinator

Janet's to trip UK September 2012

Meeting........

Barbara in Taunton

Val in Exeter

Coffee Morning in Seaton

Margaret, Janice and Peter at Little Hallingbury

Speaking........

Speaking at CMS head office

Janet and Steve Burgess

Enjoying the sun with Pat and Allan at Goring on Sea

Rosie Janet and Katy in Winchester

Fellowship with the ladies of Danbury Chelmsford

Alison in Beverley

Brenda Janet and Merrin at East Ham, London

And eating! ........

Apple Pie ....Thank you Jane!

Sunday lunch in Kendal

Richard and Heather in Perth

Dorothy, Steve, Rosie, Jeff, Peter, Susan and Janet in Glossop

Nick in Middleton

Ian, Dorothy, Rosie, Christine and Janet in Middleton

Meeting with UCA and CMS folk in Salisbury

Church of Uganda Children's Ministry UK team

Church of Uganda Children's Ministry UK (CUCMUK) team 2012

Left to right: Rev'd Janet Muhindo, Rev'd Elizabeth Kerr, Allan Plumpton, Fiona Lowther, Steve Mitchell, Rosie Giles, Jenny Ottewell.

Janet gets a big thank you from the CUCMUK team whilst in London during her visit to the UK.

We acknowledge the fantastic work Janet has done in Jesus name and the support many churches in the UK have given for over 20 years. May God bless Janet in her retirement.

Provincial Secretary's Welcome Note

Provincial Secretary's Welcome Note

The Provincial Secretary welcomes Rev Richard to the post of Provincial Children's Ministry Coordinator for the Church of Uganda.

Rev Richard Rukundo

September 2012 - Rev Richard Rukundo gives us his vision for the work of the Children's Ministry in the Church of Uganda,

The four main areas are-

Advocacy and intentional ministry - actively supporting children through the ministry

Personnel - increasing numbers of full-time Children's Leaders to work alongside Volunteers and developing recruiting and training for them.

Developing and mobilising resources - ensuring the priority is the children

Focus on School's ministry - ensuring more schools are encouraged by Chaplains and churches