APRIL 2005 - PART ONE
Church Latest News
APRIL 2005 - PART ONE
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THE BIBLE ON LINE - YOU CAN SEARCH ANY VERSE YOU WANT
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REVIVAL CRUSADE WITH
Rev. Elijah Kimani
Date: Saturday 9th April 2005 and Sunday 10th April 2005 at 6.00 p.m.
Venue: St. Mary's Hall, High Street South, East Ham, London E6
ALL WELCOMED.
Contact 07985692292
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Scottish church backs gay priests
The Scottish Episcopal Church has said being a practising homosexual is not a bar to a person becoming a priest. It is believed to be the first time the Scottish church has publicly declared its position on the subject. The church's College of Bishops made the statement on its website and said clergy had occasionally responded to requests to bless same-sex couples.
The view differs from the Anglican Communion worldwide, which is arguing over the consecration of a US bishop. The Scottish church said it "had never regarded the fact that someone was in a close relationship with a member of the same sex as in itself constituting a bar to the exercise of an ordained ministry".
Gay rights group Stonewall welcomed the Scottish church's announcement, a response to a February meeting of 35 world Anglican leaders. Spokesman Alan Wardle said: "We are not theologians but we welcome the sensible approach taken by the Scottish Episcopal Church. "It strikes us as a real pity that the Anglican Church has been tearing itself to pieces over what seems a relatively trivial issue when they could be tackling more pressing matters like world poverty or the Aids epidemic."
The statement from the church is in contrast to the Church of England, which will only ordain homosexuals not in a physical relationship. Anglican leaders have criticised the US Episcopal Church over the consecration of Gene Robinson and the Anglican Church of Canada for its blessing of same sex unions, demanding they withdraw from the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) for three years. But the Scottish bishops said: "We are conscious that as a church we are much indebted in our life both to a significant presence of persons of homosexual orientation, and also those whose theology and stance would be critical of attitudes to sexuality other than abstinence outside marriage. "We rejoice in both." Most Reverend Bruce Cameron, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church and Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, said the church was simply stating its present position.
He said: "We do not have a synodical decision like the Church of England has, which it made a number of years ago, and therefore if someone who was of a homosexual orientation felt a sense of call to the ordained ministry then we would begin the process of testing that vocation. "We wouldn't bar him or her simply because they were homosexual." A spokesman for the Church of England said that the church condemned homophobia in all its forms. He added: "The clergy are held as models or examples of Christ-like behaviour. "Given the present understanding of active homosexuality it is not an acceptable mode of behaviour for someone who is ordained."
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A married man has been ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in Scotland for the first time in at least 1,000 years. James Bell, a former Scottish Episcopal Church minister, became a priest at a service in Inverness. Former Anglican priests, including married ones, have been ordained as Catholic priests in England. Some have been given posts in Scotland, but Wednesday's ceremony was the first ordination. The move was sanctioned by the Pope.
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Bishop Dr. Margaret Wanjiru at the
Swahili Service in London
Bishop Dr. Margaret Wanjiru from Kenya was the guest speaker at the Swahili Service at Calvary Charismatic Baptist Church in London on Sunday 20th March 2005. The bishop arrived at around 7.00 p.m. where she was welcomed to the venue with a Kikuyu traditional style song by a Kenyan from Oxford, Beatrice Muniu. The song matched well with every one including the bishop who followed the beat to the bit. The song "Shaitani etagwa atia? Etagwo Kimunya" was a hit to many around. The bishop preached from John 4: 23-24 and Joel 2: 23-29. The them of her message was "Anointing for Restoration". "After arriving in the in UK you have changed. You are too busy to worship or praise God. You no longer get time to go to church. I have good news for you today, Come Back into the Kingdom for the is lady to restore you former glory." Bishop Margaret explained.
The bishop continued to explain: "Rejoice and be glad, time for cursing is over, time for bitterness is over, time for boasting is over, time for self seeking is over. Time remaining now is for restoration."
"When you left Africa for you had a lot of expectations. What happened to your expectations? What happened to your breakthroughs. Come back to God for restorations and all you expectations will come to pass." concluded the Bishop. The bishop preached on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th morning at Proclaimers Sanctuary Church in Grays, Essex where she had been hosted by Rev. Joseph Karanja. The bishop continues to preach in London throughout the week endings on Sunday evening with her ministries partners dinner at Hour of Miracle & Prayer International Church, 1st Floor, 25-37 Rothbury Road, Hackey Wick, London E9 5HA at 5.00 p.m. All those interested to partner with her are requested to meet there. As from 25th to 27th March she will be preaching at the same venue at 6.00 p.m. on Saturday and 9.30 and 11.45 p.m. on Sunday.
 Swahili Service Choir in action at the service |
 Among the worshippers was Mr&Mrs. Joseph Koimburi |
 "Anointing for Restoration." was the them of her message |
 Miss Beatrice Muniu giving her gospel Kikuyu traditional style number |
 A cross section of worshippers at the Swahili service |
 When the rhythm is too good Richard Njega could not afford to be left out |
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Bishop Margaret Wanjiru the first African woman Bishop will be preaching at the Swahili Service on Sunday 20th March 2005 at Calvary Charismatic Baptist Church, London at 6.30 p.m.
Churches will be rated by undercover worshippers in a move inspired by store chains such as Asda and Tesco which send covert "mystery shoppers" to gather consumer feedback. Up to 100 of the volunteers will attend churches across London on Sunday, 24 April in order to judge the quality of the service. Using pen names such as "Church Mouse" to protect their identity, they will rate the warmth of their welcome, the length and content of the sermon, the music and even coffee. Ecclesiastical Oscars will be awarded in categories such as best sermon, best use of music and best overall church by Christian website www.Ship-of-Fools.com. Simon Jenkins, editor of the website, said: "Our volunteers go to a church they have never been to before and experience the service as an outsider. For the church being visited, the only clue is the calling card dropped discreetly into the collection plate, bearing the picture of a masked man in Lone Ranger pose."
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Mrs Ruth Nuna Muoria, aged 80 yrs, receives the World-Wide Mothers' Union Anglican Women Fellowship Certificate in London - she arrived in London in August 1954
“WE WILL FOLLOW AND OBEY THE WORD OF GOD”, SAYS THE ANGLICAN ARCHBISHOP OF KENYA.
By d.k.kamanu
The Anglican Archbishop of Kenya, The Most Rev’d Benjamin M. Nzimbi, on Sunday, the 27th February 2005, presided over the first and historical Kenyan Anglican Kiswahili Service ever to be held by a Kenyan Anglican Bishop in Europe. The Archbishop, who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Alice Nzimbi, also presided over a holy baptism, confirmations and admission of Christian Women into the World – Wide Mothers’ Union Anglican Women Fellowship. While addressing the well attended church service at St. Mathews Church, Stratford in East London, the Archbishop encouraged all the faithful Christians living away from their country Kenya to follow and obey the word of God. He requested them to stand firm in their Christian faith. He exhorted them to face the challenges of the New Millennium by the use of the word of God. He said that during their Primates Meeting of the Anglican Communion which was held in Ireland, they advised the church to face her challenges and solutions in the word of God.
 The Anglican Archbishop of Kenya, The Most Rev'd Benjamin M. Nzimbi with his wife Mrs Alice Nzimbi in London. Archbishop was in UK to attend the Primates Meeting of the Anglican Communion in Ireland and officially launch the Kenyan Anglican Swahili Service in UK. |
 With the Archbishop, (third left), during the official launching of the Kenyan Anglican Swahili Service were, from left, Archdeacon Kahare, the Co-ordinating Minister, Kenyan Anglican Fellowship East London, Rev'd E. Kamuyu of Nottingham and Deacon Lawson Kamau. |
 A section of the congregation who had come to witness the Anglican Archbishop of Kenya, The most Rev'd Benjamin M.Nzimbi inaugurating the Kenyan Anglican Swahili Service at St. Mathews Church, Stratford in East London by |
 Christian Shanley Kanyugi, a son to Esther Kanyugi, being baptised by the Archbishop during the inauguration service at St. Mathews Church, Stratford in East London. Assisting the Archbishop is Archdeacon Kahare. |
 Mrs Ruth Nuna Muoria, aged 80 yrs, receives the World-Wide Mothers' Union Anglican Women Fellowship Certificate from the Archbishop. Mrs Muoria was the oldest member to be admitted to the Fellowship. |
 Seen here cutting the Inauguration Cake are the Archbishop's wife, Mrs Alice Nzimbi (4th right) and the Kenyan High Commissioner's wife Mrs Cecilia Muchemi (4th right). Singing to the 'cake-cutting' tune are some of the members of the Mothers' Union. |
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Bishop (Dr) Margaret Wanjiru of Jesus is Alive Ministries (JIAM) in Kenya will be a guest speaker at Proclaimers Sanctuary, Conference in Grays Town, Essex, on March 19th and 20th March, 2005
The fastest growing Kenyan church in the UK
Victory Revival Christian Centre church in Oxford is the fastest growing Kenyan church in the UK. The church was started by Bishop John King'aru Gichiri in December 1998. A branch of his Heston Community Church in Hounslow is among several other Kenyans churches in London. Of late Oxford has become the hottest Kenyan spot in the UK from London. The resident pastor is Pastor Francis Irungu Maina who has been doing very well on his ministry duties in the area. He has coordinated several fellowships during the week which has greatly contributed strengthen his church. Recently they opened another branch at Banbury, 35 miles from Oxford and the church is also doing well. There has been a problem with several Kenyan churches in the UK of which some of them them are left with few members. The problem has been attributed to poor administration. Victory Revival Christian Church is buying a church building and the project is in its advanced stage and they expect to buy the building by the middle of the year. On his visit to the church on two weeks ago Mr. Seed noticed that the church has a balanced age groups with old as well as young people participating well in the church activities. If you would like to participate in the project of buying the church in Oxford you can contact them at info@fdmvrcc.org.
 Pastor Migwi (left) and Pastor Francis Irungu (right) during the services |
 A section of worshippers in the church |
 The resident pastor Francis Irungu Maina delivered the sermon of the day entitled "Know your Cost" as you are more previous than Silver and Gold as you have been bought by the blood of Jesus. |
 Among the worshippers in the church was Dr. Noah (centre) |
 A lawyer Canisius Kirugara who graduated here in the UK in 1968 and his wife were among the visitors that day. His contact is cmkirugara@yahoo.com |
 "Man of God" as is he is popularly known Mr. Joseph Njuguna and his wife Sophie are committed members of the church |
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