Ugandan Archbishop Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Ministers to ADNE Churches During Visit
People of God were overwhelmed with joy when the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Uganda, His Grace The Most Rev Stephen Samuel Kaziimba visited the Anglican Diocese in New England.
His visit was too short but well planned with The Bishop of New England, the Rt Rev Andrew Williams, his beautiful wife Maama Elena Williams, the Archdeacon of Ugandan Archdeaconry Ven Ezekiel Michael Kafeero, the Archdeaconry clergy Rev Amos Kimera of St Peter's Church Winchester and Rev Christine Nakyeyune of St Luke's Church Wayland.
The program was designed that the Archbishop will first have a visit to the Bishop and spend the night in their home. There followed meetings with the Diocesan Bishop, ADNE Ugandan clergy and then meeting Ugandan ADNE church members, leaders and then conducting a baptism and celebrating Holy Eucharist.
On Friday morning, all Ugandan clergy went to meet the Archbishop at the Bishop’s residence where they were welcomed in a very special way. There was joy, laughter, testimony, the word of God and enjoying an excellent Indian meal together – including a very wonderful goat curry. All the eating and drinking was prepared and served by Maama Elena with her wonderful smile. It was a time of giving thanks for what God has done in our lives; reflecting on how far He has brought us in our shared ministry today.
After this time together, the Bishop and his wife served their guests a delicious meal. There was a time of prayer and the Lord was in the midst His people. The joy that was seen in the house of the Bishop was really Godly. The bishop and his wife cared for us and served us as servant leaders. We are really blessed to have Bishop Andrew as our shepherd.
Later that day the Archbishop attended a men’s meeting at St Peter's Church Winchester.
This was a wonderful time for the Archbishop to meet all the men from the entire Ugandan Archdeaconry. The Archbishop encouraged them to be committed in taking their positions as men in church and the diocese. Many men attended.
Visiting with Rev. Samuel Seremba.
On Saturday morning, The Archbishop was able to visit the family of the retired Clergy Rev Samuel Seremba in New Hampshire. Rev Samuel retired 30 years ago. He was instrumental in the province of the church of Uganda. He is remembered for his great work in the Church of Uganda. The Archdeacon led the Archbishop to St Luke's church to meet all leaders, and all of the women. It was such a wonderful time of interacting one another and learning about the chain of leadership which was explained with reference to three P"s: (1) Policy. (2) Protocol and (3) Procedure. The Archbishop quoted Exodus 18 in identifying Godly leadership qualifications.
Later that same day, the Archbishop met all the of the archdeaconry women and made ample time for them to questions. There was a time of praying for families that were left behind in Uganda and praying for marriages that were separated by the physical distance between the US and Uganda. There was a cake organized by the women and a shared dinner together.
On Sunday, the Archbishop worshipped at St Paul's Church Waltham. The service included baptism and Holy Communion. One child was baptized from the Royal family. He taught on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit as it was Pentecost Sunday.
This Sunday also marked the time when the Floodgate Cross travelled from St Paul’s, where it had been situated for a week of prayer and many people gave testimony to being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Archbishop prayed for the people who all came forward to the floodgate Cross at the cross to be prayed for.
The Archbishop then moved on to St Peters Winchester, where the church was full to capacity to receive him. He baptized a child and celebrated Holy communion. Upon leaving the Archbishop shared that this was the first visit he had made to Boston where he felt such peace. The Ugandan churches were being well shepherded by the Bishop and he congratulated the clergy for working well together as a Ugandan Archdeaconry.
I want to thank the following; Bishop Andrew and Maama Elena, you are really a blessing to the African Churches. Thank you for receiving His Grace, from the airport, accommodation, hospitality and all your many kindnesses. I would like to thank my fellow clergy for a well-organized program and for working together as a team. Finally, I would like to thank the church committees of the entire Archdeaconry who were instrumental in this visit of His Grace and all the congregations for the preparations.
To God be the glory.
Ven Ezekiel Michael Kafeero
Archdeacon
