KENYA: Lumko Program Steering Small Christian Communities’ Meetings toward Bible Oriented Approach
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| Sr. Ephigenia Gachiri, IBVM, Coordinator Lunko East Africa |
The Lumko
East Africa Waumini Pastoral Plan held a month-long training workshop in
Nairobi Kenya to help Small Christian Communities (SCCs) share their faith with
others. The Workshop which was held at Mary Ward Center in Karen Nairobi under
the theme: “Towards Communion of Communities” started on 7th September
to 3rd October, 2015
East Africa Waumini Pastoral Plan held a month-long training workshop in
Nairobi Kenya to help Small Christian Communities (SCCs) share their faith with
others. The Workshop which was held at Mary Ward Center in Karen Nairobi under
the theme: “Towards Communion of Communities” started on 7th September
to 3rd October, 2015
According to
the Coordinator of Lumko East Africa, Sister Ephigenia W. Gachiri, IBVM, the
main activity of this year’s training was to offer skills in the pastoral use
of the Bible, which is aimed at helping SCCs to reflect on the deeper understanding
of the Church communion of communities.
the Coordinator of Lumko East Africa, Sister Ephigenia W. Gachiri, IBVM, the
main activity of this year’s training was to offer skills in the pastoral use
of the Bible, which is aimed at helping SCCs to reflect on the deeper understanding
of the Church communion of communities.
“The training
workshop was based on the way of being Church through SCCs, so that people work
as units and each SCC becomes a mini-church,” she said adding that it is
through SCCs nearly everybody in the Parish and beyond can be reached; taking
into consideration the fact that SCCs are neighborhood communities. Members can
easily minister to their neighbors who may not necessarily be Catholics not
just through preaching the word of God but by living the example of the Gospel
teaching.
workshop was based on the way of being Church through SCCs, so that people work
as units and each SCC becomes a mini-church,” she said adding that it is
through SCCs nearly everybody in the Parish and beyond can be reached; taking
into consideration the fact that SCCs are neighborhood communities. Members can
easily minister to their neighbors who may not necessarily be Catholics not
just through preaching the word of God but by living the example of the Gospel
teaching.
AMECEA, through its Pastoral department, sponsored 4 participants from the Archdiocese of Tororo, Uganda. These include one Priest and three lay people.
“Lumko has
eight methods of praying for SCCs using the bible such that the Bible becomes
the Sources of all activities. When People pray, the Risen Lord will inspire
their hearts to care for their neighbor and the Lord will tell them what is
needed within their Parish for the benefit of their neighbors. So the
activities have to stem through praying using the Bible.”
eight methods of praying for SCCs using the bible such that the Bible becomes
the Sources of all activities. When People pray, the Risen Lord will inspire
their hearts to care for their neighbor and the Lord will tell them what is
needed within their Parish for the benefit of their neighbors. So the
activities have to stem through praying using the Bible.”
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| Participant of 2015 Training Group during Eucharistic Celebration at Mary Ward Center in Nairobi |
Sr. Gachiri
explained that the Lumko Pastoral Program was developed at the Lumko Missiological
Institute in South Africa, near Johannesburg. The founders have since developed
more than 30 books and kits on Pastoral Activities of lay people in a Parish
that is seen as an ideal Parish. It covers the lay people’s participation
within the activities in the Parish.
explained that the Lumko Pastoral Program was developed at the Lumko Missiological
Institute in South Africa, near Johannesburg. The founders have since developed
more than 30 books and kits on Pastoral Activities of lay people in a Parish
that is seen as an ideal Parish. It covers the lay people’s participation
within the activities in the Parish.
“During the
workshop we tried to go through all the books at least to initiate the
participants in their usage so that if they purchase them, they can go and
follow the instructions. For instance, if the lay people feel that they have to
visit the sick then they have the books for the trainer and the trainee to
guide them,” she explained.
workshop we tried to go through all the books at least to initiate the
participants in their usage so that if they purchase them, they can go and
follow the instructions. For instance, if the lay people feel that they have to
visit the sick then they have the books for the trainer and the trainee to
guide them,” she explained.
Sister added
that the books offer skills on various activities of the Church which includes
the pastoral council, social activities of the church, liturgy, catechesis,
visiting the sick and looking at the pastoral needs of their neighbors among
many others.
that the books offer skills on various activities of the Church which includes
the pastoral council, social activities of the church, liturgy, catechesis,
visiting the sick and looking at the pastoral needs of their neighbors among
many others.
Sr. Gachiri
was commissioned by the Lumko institute in 1988 but they began holding the
annual workshops in 1992 for East African Countries. In addition, they have also
been organizing workshops to various dioceses, parishes, Seminaries and Church
groups on request. She works hand in hand with Mr. Joseph Waswa from the
Archdiocese of Tororo who was also commissioned by the institute in South
Africa.
was commissioned by the Lumko institute in 1988 but they began holding the
annual workshops in 1992 for East African Countries. In addition, they have also
been organizing workshops to various dioceses, parishes, Seminaries and Church
groups on request. She works hand in hand with Mr. Joseph Waswa from the
Archdiocese of Tororo who was also commissioned by the institute in South
Africa.
“Participants
are supposed to be priests, religious men and women involved in Pastoral work
at the parishes or diocese, and lay faithful leaders of various Parish groups. This
year’s workshop had 24 participants, among them eight priests, one religious
brother and one religious sister and various lay church leaders. Participants
were drawn from Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan,” she said.
are supposed to be priests, religious men and women involved in Pastoral work
at the parishes or diocese, and lay faithful leaders of various Parish groups. This
year’s workshop had 24 participants, among them eight priests, one religious
brother and one religious sister and various lay church leaders. Participants
were drawn from Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan,” she said.
For the last
four years, an overseas organization has been partially sponsoring the program
while the rest of the expenses are catered for by the participants. They intend
to hold a similar training next year tentatively in August.
four years, an overseas organization has been partially sponsoring the program
while the rest of the expenses are catered for by the participants. They intend
to hold a similar training next year tentatively in August.
For More
information about Lunko Programs, invitation letter, application form and more,
please contact:
information about Lunko Programs, invitation letter, application form and more,
please contact:
Sister
Ephigenia W. Gachiri IBVM (Coordinator)
Ephigenia W. Gachiri IBVM (Coordinator)
Email:
ephigachiri@yahoo.co.uk
ephigachiri@yahoo.co.uk
Cell:
0721-532858
0721-532858
By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
