2018 August Newsletter
in this issue Church Development: Reflections into the Future Truth Centred Transformation: Capacity Building for Bishops. Intercommunal Peace Building: ADS Organizes a Peace Building Meeting in Transmara Wholesome Health: ADS Mt. Kenya East Launches new Building Pictorials
Church Development: Reflections into the future.
“Development consists of more than improvements in the well-being of people, it also conveys something about the capacity of economic, political and social systems to provide the circumstances for that well-being on a sustainable, long-term basis...�
Prof. Galia Sabar
Prof. Galia Sabar adresses Delegates during the Theology and Philosophy of Development Conference in July. Photo/ADS Kenya
In 1983, a group of Church leaders and Develop-
ment Practitioners gathered at the St. Julians’ Centre, Limuru for a Development consultation. This was prompted by a decision of the ACK (formerly CPK) Provincial Board of Social services informing the need for the Anglican Church to “clearly define its theology and Philosophy of development to guide its Development Responsibilities and programmes. This, coming 13 years after ACK had become a province upon the subdivision of the Diocese of Eastern Equatorial Africa (which comprised of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania), there was a need for the Church to outline how its Social Ministry was to be spearheaded in the country. The then Archbishop (Now Late), The Most Rev. Manasses Kuria, pointed out that ‘the whole of Man’s Life becomes more perfect when it is offered in services to God” He added that CPK’s development work ‘must be promoted’ into all areas of the country. This would in turn enable the ministry of the Church to become more effective. The results of the meeting was the publication of the now famous green book that has been the reference point for ACK’s advancement of Development for the past 3 decades. With the ever-changing needs of people across communities, the Church has strived to compliment efforts by the Government(s) and stakeholder in uplifting the living standards of communities. This has been done through the Anglican Development Services and also at the local Church levels. Synergies have since been established and directed towards reducing poverty levels and empowering communities to live dignified and wholesome lives.
Strategic focus Areas:
1. Community Development 2. Advocacy 3. Climate change adaptation 4. Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Development
5. Availabilty and Sustainabili ty of Development resources 6. Research and Knowledge Management
Based on the Biblical models and values, ACK has transformed the lives of many Kenyans. This has also been an opportunity for the Church to reflect on how best it can engage in Social Transformation going forward.
Holy Communion being served during the Conference. Photo/ADS Kenya
From Limuru to Limuru.
In July this year, the ACK family gathered at the St. Paul’s University, Limuru for a similar conference. Its objectives were to enhance the 1983 Green Book by evaluating the current context in which the Church is operating in regards to development. Key players in the development field, some of whom were actively engaged in ACK’s work in the past came together and offered some insights on on this issue. In his opening remarks, The Archbishop-The Most Rev. Dr. Jackson Ole Sapit affirmed the Church’s position that “there can never be progress unless the holistic person is mentally and intellectually developed.” This means that Development by its form should be designed to take care of the needs of the all round human- Physical, Spiritual and Social. He expressed ACK’s desire to change the lives of people by understanding the reason why the people may be faced with the challenges they have and how they can find solutions to the same. He proposed that Good development, therefore, should seek to empower the communities.
Capacity Enhancement
The keynote speaker, Prof. Galia Sabar pointed out that real development should not be viewed in its entirety as offering help but also enhancing the capacity of the beneficiary. She challenged the Church to be deliberate in understanding how development must be executed and why it fails in some cases. Quoting Dr. Agnes Abuom, moderator of the World Council of Churches – and who has engaged with ACK on matters development in the past, Prof. Sabar said that the development Arena has been opened up to many players and so for efficiency, there needed to be 'good, devoted and selfless leaders' who would drive the process. She also underscored the work of the Church over the years, spanning from the post-independence era. She said that the conference signified that the Church is “working for the transformation of the society using all available means”
Truth Centred Transformation: Capacity Building for Bishops.
Participants, led by the ACK Archbishop and Bishops pose for a photo during the TCT Training in at the Imani Guest House in Nakuru. Photo/ADS Kenya
Over 13 Bishop’s and their spouses gathered at the Imani Guest House in Nakuru from the 6th -9th of August for a Truth Centered Transformation (TCT) Training that was organized jointly by ADS, World Renew and Reconciled world. The TCT training model seeks to reinforce the capacity of Church leaders’ and community members to use the Gospel as a tool to dispel myths about development and God’s work. It also challenges people to look at ways of getting out of poverty, using the locally available resources. Speaking at the training, ACK Archbishop, the Most Rev. Dr. Jackson Ole Sapit emphasized the need for Church leaders to preach the truth about God’s transformative works and love which takes care of the holistic needs of people. He also said that ACK endeavors to talk about the truth on hu- Ms. Heather Hicks from Reconciled World facilitates a session manity and God’s intentions for man. during the TCT Training. Photo/ADS Kenya Jenninah Kibiswa, Country Director -World Renew Country Director, lauded the partnership with the church adding that the Anglican Church ‘is an authority in the society and so it would be imperative to use it as a resource in community outreach.’ Bwibo Adieri, the ADS Kenya Executive expressed optimism that the Bishops and their spouses would use the knowledge they got to provide leadership in their Dioceses. The training targeted Bishops drawn from the Western, Nyanza and Rift Valley regions. The first one took place in May and brought together Bishops from the Eastern and parts of the Mt. Kenya Region. The ADS Kenya Programs Officer Charles Macharia said that the next phase of the training would cascade down to the community levels and Participants during a session. Photo/ADS Kenya would use those who have already been trained as trainers.
ACK Mt. Kenya East Hospital Gets a The ACK Mt. Kenya East Hospital got a major boost when it launched the Archbishop Gitari Block. The 200-bed canew Block
pacity building is set to usher in a new phase in the Hospitals quest to offer Quality Health services to the Community. The Hospital is managed by the ADS Mt. Kenya East. The launch was witnessed by three ACK Bishop’s drawn from the region, clergy, ADS Staff and other health stakeholders. The Bishop’s, Rt. Rev. Joseph Kibucwa (Kirinyaga), Rt. Rev. Charles Mwendwa (Meru) and the Rt. Rev. David Muriithi (Embu) lauded the facility’s management saying that the launch signified a new beginning for the community and Region as "more people now have an opportunity to access medical services." The Building costed Ksh. 30m and was constructed with support from the Diocese of Chelmsford in England. The ADS Mt. Kenya ADS Mt. Kenya East Executive Director Catherine Mwangi unEast Executive Director, Mrs. Catherine Mwangi appealed veils the Commissioning plague of the Archbishop Gitari Block of to the government and other well wishers to support in the ACK Mt. Kenya East Hospital. Photo/ADS Kenya equipping the new block.
ADS Kenya Finance Manager Charles Mugo(l)with the ACK Kirinyaga Diocese Administrative Secretary Benson Thungururu follow proceedings during the Commissioning service. Photo/ADS Kenya
ADS Mt. Kenya East Board Chair Lay Canon Rachael Mithamo adresses delegates during the Company AGM on the 16th of August. Photo/ADS Kenya
Intercommunal Peace Building: ADS Organizes a Peace Building Meeting in Transmara
that many households voluntarily handed over their illegal arms. However, many felt that the exercise threatened longterm peacebuilding since not all community members surrendered their illegal arms. On a positive note, the local District Peace Committee members presented to the ADS team, a group of young Kipsigis warriors that renounced violence. The Tom Ope (Transmara Rural Development Program) conducts a session young warriors said that violence among the Kipsigis and with youth during a recent peace meeting in Kilgoris. Photo/ADS Kenya Maasai communities is often facilitated by a network of inThese are the young men engaged in cattle theft, Anglican Development Services -Kenya and the dividuals. the transporters of stolen cattle and those who buy stolen Anglican Church of Kenya Archdeaconry of Transmara cattle. They vowed to work together with the Church, chiefs within the Kericho Diocese held a Peace meeting with Kipsiand the local police to sustain peacebuilding efforts among gis elders and youth at Emurua Dikirr from the 20th-23rd of the Maasai and Kipsigis community members. August 2018. The meeting was aimed at listening to commu ADS has set-up counselling sessions with the 15 nity needs and strengthening inter-communal peacebuildreformed youth from the Kipsigis community to prepare ing structures in light of recent disarmament exercise that them from a life away from criminality. The counselling was ordered by the Goverment and spearheaded by security sessions were led by priests from the Anglican Church and Officers in the area. local pastors from the larger Transmara area. During the meeting, elders shared their own harrowing experiences of police brutality. They pointed out
Church Leaders Decry the increasing Cost of Living, call for Increased Accountability.
Deputy President William Ruto (Seated -4th from Left) joins Delegates for a photo during the NCCK 63rd General Assembly in Mombasa. Photo/Courtesy
From Right: NCCK Chair, Archbishop Dr. Timothy Ndambuki , ACK Provincial Secretary Rev. Canon Dr. Rosemary Mbogo, Deputy President William Ruto and NCCK Gen. Sec. Rev. Canon Peter Karanja and Bishop Dr. Joseph Kilioba (General Overseer, PEFA) during the NCCK General Assembly. Photo/Courtesy
Members Churches under the Umbrella of the
National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) have added their voice to the growing pressure on the Government to tame the increasing cost of living being witnessed in the country. This was during the 63rd General assembly at the Jumuia Country Resort, Kanamai in Kilifi County. Coming at a time when the new 16% VAT on petroleum products comes into effects, Kenyans are currently being faced with hard economic times as the expected effect of this is an increase in the cost of basic commodities like food, Healthcare and transport. In a communique released to the Public, the General assembly noted that this was, partly, due to the ever-increasing public debt. They recommended that the Government reduces ‘the taxes and tariffs that citizens are required to pay, and rationalize the aptitude of government to borrow colossal amounts of money to set up roads and other service infrastructure in light of national capacities to shoulder the burden.”
They also called on the relevant authorities to prosecute those involved in corruption related vices so that Kenyans could benefit from their resources. Among other issues that were picked up during the conference were the state of Corruption of the Country, Devolution, respect for the rule of law, conclusive closure of the 2017 General Elections among others. They lauded the March 9th Peace reconciliation pact between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition Leader Raila Odinga after a very polorising political contest. They said that this had provided peaceful environment within the country for economic growth also an opportunity for the government to address some of the challenges that were affecting Kenyans. The General Assembly expressed NCCK's willingness to work with the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) to make the dream of a better country a reality. The ACK Provincial Secretary, Rev. Canon Dr. Rosemary Mbogo, who has been the NCCK Chairperson for the past 6 years, also retired during the assembly.
ACK Gets two new Bishops.
Freedom Sunday Launched
The Dioceses of Kitale and Maseno South have new Bishops. This is after the election of the Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chemengich (Kitale) and Rev. Canon Charles Ochieng Onginjo (Maseno South) on the 25th of August. The two take over from the Rt. Rev. Stephen Kewasis and Rt. Rev. Mwai Abiero Respectively, who retired after serving the Dioceses in the same capacities.
The ACK Archbishop, The Most Rev. Dr. Jackson Ole Sapit, joined the Interantional Justice Mission (IJM) for the launch of the Freedom Sunday, slated for the 23rd of September. The Day will be observed across ACK Churches Countrywide and seeks to rally Kenyans to champion for the coures of Justice and speak for the oppressed. Speaking during the event at the IJM offices in Nairobi, The Archbishop encouraged IJM staff to be brave as the work that they are doing won’t be without “its fair share of challanges as it involves speaking against people who have power and use it to oppress the others...”
Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chemengich. Photo/Courtesy
Rev. Canon Charles Onginjo (L) with Rt. Rev. Mwai Abiero. Photo/ Courtesy Chris Wamalwa Photo/Courtesy
The Archbishop during the Launch. Photo/ ADS Kenya Rt. Rev. Stephen Kewasis with MP Dr. Chris Wamalwa. Photo/ADS Kenya
Rev. Canon Charles Onginjo Photo/ Courtesy Chris Wamalwa Pho.to/Courtesy
ADS Kenya Executive Director Bwibo Adieri during the Launch.Photo/ ADS Kenya
Pictorials
Mumias Diocese Mothers’ Union Coordinator Brenda Wandera (L) with World Renew Country Director Jenninah Kibiswa (R) during the TCT Training in Nakuru. Photo/ADS Kenya
Bishops Praying during the TCT Training in Nakuru . Photo/ADS Kenya
Youth follow proceedings during the Provincial Annual KAYO Conference at Kabianga High School Photo/ADS Kenya
From Left: The Rt. Rev. Dr. Christopher Ruto, The Rt. Rev. Jacob Lesuuda, Ven. Dominick Sentetu and Rev. John Mark during the Annual KAYO Conference Photo/ADS Kenya
The Rt. Rev. Charles Muturi during the ACK Provincial KAYO Conference at Kabianga High School. Photo/ADS Kenya
Members of the Anglican Students’ Fellowship join Bishops in planting trees during the Provincial KAYO Conference. Photo/ADS Kenya
The Archbishop Serves the Holy Communion during the Mothers’ Union Cinference at Kabaraka University. Photo/ADS Kenya
Mothers’ Union Members during their Conference at Kabarak University Photo/ADS Kenya
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