A Little Taste of Home for Everyone: A New ADNE Church with a Welcome for All Nations
One of ADNE’s newest churches, less than one year old, with a congregation of around two hundred people, gathered from countries around the world. On April 30th, Bishop Andrew (together with ADNE’S Standing Committee Chairman, Josh Vanada) made his third episcopal visit to the remarkable Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity in Auburn, led by Reverend Eliud Mwangi and his wife Leah.
Bishop Andrew commented, “At the inception and planting of this exceptional church, Reverend Eliud and his committed leadership team, made a clear and strategic decision to hold their overflowing worship services and mid-week meetings in English. Although many of the members of the church have Kenyan origins, the Lord gave them a clear vision to be a church for all nations. In their faithful response, English has provided a common entry point for a vibrant church family that is now drawn from Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sudan, Liberia, the USA, and the Philippines. The Church of the Holy Trinity carries a remarkable charism to welcome the stranger. Many of them have come from overseas and are immediately made welcome in this global family.” In his greeting from the Diocesan Standing Committee, Josh Vanada quoted the Kenyan Prayer Book liturgy that asks the question, “Is the Holy Spirit here?” To a roar of applause and loud “Amen”, Josh gave the emphatic answer, “Yes He is!”
The service was also attended by Archdeacon, Venerable Michael Kafeero (St. Paul’s Waltham), Canon Peter Gatchati and his wife Nelly from St. Paul’s Lawrence, Reverend Amos Kimera (St. Peter’s Belmont), Reverend Christine Nakyeyune and Reverend Mary Tusuubira from St. Luke’s Wayland. Bishop Andrew thanked them for their wholehearted support of Reverend Eliud and the new church. He commented, “I am witnessing the most extraordinary unity and desire to work together and support one another from within our East African clergy. The recent installation of Venerable Michael Kafeero, the appointment of Paul Githinji as Canon for East African Mission, together with the ADNE’s support of Ugandan missionary Audrey Patra in Kampala, the re-establishment of the East African Festival, and my return trip with the ADNE team to Uganda and Kenya this year – all of these rich blessings have heralded a renewed zeal and momentum in our partnership in the Gospel.” Referring to the gathered clergy he continued, “In the past four years of my episcopacy we really have been through a lot together. But the challenges of bearing the Gospel in the Northeast have brought us even closer together. I am deeply privileged to have these faithful ones as colleagues in the diocese, and very blessed to count them as friends.”
After the morning worship service, the church hosted a lavish banquet and even here the theme of international welcome could be witnessed and tasted. The gifted culinary team chose dishes from Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sudan, Liberia and the Philippines so that everyone would enjoy something from their country of origin. From behind a mountain of pots and pan that were being washed and dried, one of the hospitality team remarked, “In our eating together, our heart was to show everyone that they are loved and for every family member (wherever they are from) to have a little taste of home in their new church home.” Members of the church had been making preparations at the church meeting place the night before the service, working until 2:00 am in the morning. Bishop Andrew commented, “This truly was like walking into a little piece of heaven, a place where every tribe and nation gather in the presence of Jesus.”
During the service, five ladies were admitted into the Mother’s Union and sixteen men were admitted into the Men’s fellowship. Reverend Eliud’s wife, Leah Mwangi, explained to the congregation that the women had been prepared for their installation in prayer and instruction over many weeks, led in part by Canon Peter Gatchati’s wife Nelly Gatchati, from ADNE’s St. Paul’s Lawrence, (led by Reverend Morris Mungai). The men were similarly prepared for their ministry in the Men’s fellowship. Bishop Andrew remarked, “This is a wonderful and effective piece of leadership development bringing many people into the mission and values of the church and the ADNE.” In testament to this, Leah Mwangi had designed a new Mother’s Union headscarf out of fabric that now depicted the ADNE logo and Mother’s Union motif. Leah had been working on this project for some time and this was the day when the finished design and scarves were formally unveiled. Every member of the Mother’s Union was presented with a new scarf that had been prayed over by the Bishop that morning. The men were presented with a splendid red tie, bearing the new logo of the church.
Senior Warden Stephen Kagotho, also a member of the ADNE Standing Committee, spoke movingly of how he had witnessed God’s faithfulness and goodness in the planting and growth of this new ADNE church. With customary honor and gratitude, he thanked many church members for their faithful service in establishing Holy Trinity and for making the day such a celebration. There was a special vote of thanks for Canon Ross Kimball who was described as a true and beloved friend of Holy Trinity church. Planting a new church is never easy and Canon Ross had stood valiantly with them in all the challenges and all the joys of this new venture. At the end of the service, Mr. Kagotho called for a special vote of thanks. He described a man of exceptional Godly character, whose courage and faith had made a way for the Lord to establish this new community. He was referring of course to their beloved Rector, Reverend Eliud. The church rose to its feet in a heartfelt standing ovation.
