Chippenham Deanery News
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Chippenham Deanery News |
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The Deanery Newsletter for February 2010 can be found here.
Chippenham Deanery hosted a visit from Mukono in June-July 2007. The following is reproduced from the Deanery Newsletter.
It was wonderful to be able to host a group of seven Ugandans for nearly three weeks this summer. For those of us who spent time with them we felt we learnt so much from them. Their enthusiasm for proclaiming the Gospel and their acceptance of the power of prayer made us feel very humble. We asked some of our visitors to give their impressions of their recent stay in Chippenham.
Canon James Batte, their leader, writes: “We think the programme was carefully done and benefited all of us individually. We were pleased to share in the church’s weekly programmes and we discovered such important ministries as Crossnet, the deaf and the mission education strategies of the Diocese. The individual placements suited each one of us. We learnt a lot and were challenged as regards our home situation. Our spiritual discussions in the Bible studies and the retreat at Glastonbury nurtured our souls. We noted out of them three significant features, namely: the careful selection of the people who conducted them, the two cultures that were at dialogue, and the similarities we shared in our challenge. We also noted a few things we considered to be challenges for Chippenham. For example, the enthusiasm to witness personal faith, the declination of church attendance, the acceptance of youths to express their faith in the church fellowship in their own way.”
Jennifer Metcalfe was fortunate to be able to entertain three of our young visitors from Uganda in her home and had gained some interesting insights into their backgrounds. She asked Joshua, Daniel and David to write their impressions of England.
David: “Warm reception, expression of genuine love, beautiful flowers everywhere, lovely trees and well maintained grass. Heavy breakfast and hot coffee all the time and many other good meals. Excellent time management. Welcoming motorways and high road discipline.”
Daniel: “Independence; no nosing into someone else’s life – apart from their friends; too much care for personal health / hygiene; warm reception, openness and sharing freely with guests; short prayers; discipline paramount on the road and respect for traffic signs.”
Joshua: “England is quite opposite from Uganda – if I am to talk about the roads you are far ahead – in summary I say we don’t have roads. Your villages are quite posh and disciplined. Not many Christians compared to non-Christians. No youths and young adults in church. All homes are self-sufficient, flowing water, constant electricity. Things are expensive in shopping centres. I love the architectural designs. It's been quite an experience.”
Aurea Hart; Lay Chair, Chippenham Deanery Synod
01225 891453
If you would like to be involved in the Mukono-Chippenham Link please contact Aurea Hart.