To Kitgum for a Canoning

Monday has been an eventful day. We left Gulu at around 7.30 am together with Bishop Godfrey Loum and Malcolm Pritchard. As we traveled our prayers were with three of our group who had remained due to feeling a bit poorly. A short journey later we arrived in Kitgum to be welcomed warmly by Bishop Wilson Kitara. After a second breakfast we headed to the cathedral for the main event. Chris Dobson, Janet Lee, Chris Evans, Sarah Thomas and Alison Rowe all robed for the occasion. For Ali it was the first time since being admitted to the office of Licensed Lay Minister that she had worn her new blue stole in action. Godfrey Loum generously gave Chris the gift of a new Canon's stole. During a long and moving service of Holy Communion, Chris and Rev Conyi and three lay canons were installed at the Cathedral. The service was a mixture of English and Luo worship, and Chris Evans was right at the forefront of all the dancing and celebration. As the prospective new Canons walked up the aisle the wave of sound that greeted them was pure celebration. We learned something today about corporate, shared joy and a depth of hospitality that ensured that no one went unwelcomed.

After the service we all enjoyed a lunch of Acholi dishes, with millet, peanut and greens, pureed cow peas, posho, beans, rice, millet, cassava and different kinds of meat before the Bristol West team returned to Gulu.

The Kingswood and South Gloucestershire team stayed on to visit two church schools - the highlight was some wonderful dancing from a group of young women to entertain us just before the heavens opened. After a lovely meal at the Acaki Lodge with Bishop Wilson and his team they opted for an early night before heading for Kampala in the morning,