Rev. Cn. Paul Githinji Installed as New Canon for East African Mission
Sunday, February 12th marked an historic moment in the life of the Anglican Diocese of New England when Bishop Andrew traveled to Delaware to install The Reverend Paul Thuo Githinji as Canon for East African Mission for the ADNE.
The service of installation was attended by Canon’s Paul growing congregation of St. Veronica’s in Bear, Delaware, and joined by clergy and friends, locally and from across the ADNE (including Archdeacon Dorcus Albrecht from Faith Anglican, Archdeacon Michael Kafeero from St. Paul’s Waltham, Canon Peter Gatchati and his wife Nelly from St. Paul’s Lawrence, Reverend Eliud Mwangi and his wife Leah from Holy Trinity Auburn, Reverend Christine Nakyeyune and Reverend Mary Tusuubira from St. Luke’s Wayland) together with Kenyan Anglican clergy and their spouses from Missouri, Seattle, and Virginia.
The service included presentations from clergy, in addition to St. Veronica’s choir, men’s group, and Mother’s Union. The presentations also included a moving tribute from Canon Paul’s eldest daughter, Valarie Mumbi. Bishop Andrew commented, “We have some very gifted and experienced leadership within our ADNE East African churches. It was very moving to see so many of them come so far to celebrate and honor Canon Paul’s appointment including Kenyan clergy and their spouses who traveled great distances, from Seattle, Missouri and Virginia. I very much see Canon Paul, working with our Archdeacons, as a catalyst in releasing and empowering the immense strength that our East African brothers and sisters bring to the diocese in New England and our shared mission. I have many times said that our East African churches carry a very special charism in the Holy Spirit to welcome the stranger – especially those who have newly arrived in the US from East Africa and find themselves distanced from their church families back home and disorientated in a radically different culture. Canon Paul is leading a fast-growing church in Delaware because he has leaned into this gift of welcome and invitation, mobilizing his people to embrace the newcomer as family. I see the same gift and growth in evidence across the diocese and Canon Paul’s experience can really come behind and support their mission.”
Canon Paul’s senior warden, Jesse Ndungu, said, “I am excited, and truly rejoice with Reverend Paul in his appointment as Canon! We are thankful to the Lord for the great things He has done in our parish since it was started under his leadership. We prayed to God to give us a priest according to His own heart, little did we know He would grace us with one, and appoint him as a Canon to the Anglican Diocese in New England. Bishop Andrew’s visit to Delaware this weekend for the special installation service of our Rector as his Canon meant three things: We are loved. We are heard and our contribution towards the diocesan global mission counts! We are very grateful to Bishop Andrew for making St. Veronica feel proudly at home in the Diocese. We might be geographically at a distance but we are very close to the heart of the ADNE. Asante sana!! (thank you so much)”
Canon Paul added, “The refrain of the song, I Must Have the Savior kept singing in my heart throughout the installation service! Thank you Bishop Andrew for appointing me to be the Canon for East Africa mission in the Diocese. I’ll execute my duties diligently by God’s help and in your wise counsel! It is a win for the East African mission, a win for us all!!” Quoting from the great hymn writer, Fanny J. Cosby, Canon Paul added, “My soul shall fear no ill, let Him lead where He will, I will go without a murmur, and His footsteps follow still!”
Photos by Uncle B Photography
