LETTER TO ALL BISHOPS: ARCHBISHOP NTAGALI RALLIES DIOCESES ON YEAR OF FAMILY

THE CHURCH OF UGANDA

PROVINCAL SECRETARIAT

January 4, 2017

To:  All Bishops, Clergy,  Lay Readers,  Christians and People  of Uganda;

PASTORAL LETTER TO ALL CHURCHES ON THE YEAR OF THE FAMILY 2017 UNDER THE THEME “STRENGTHEN THE FAMILY, BUILD THE NATION” (JOSHUA 24:14-15)

Christian greetings to you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

This letter serves to communicate the message regarding the YEAR  OF THE FAMILY

2017.

We recognize that the family was created and ordained by God for a unique and special role in society for the development of God-fearing Nations,  namely:-

1. God’s desire and perfect design is to reveal Himself primarily and most substantially through the family institution which is founded on covenant marriage between one man and one woman. That  is why  He instituted the first family  on earth in the Garden of Eden and planned for our Saviour Jesus Christ to be born in a family of Joseph and Mary;

11. God created marriage and family relationships to be happy, sweet and fulfilling if they are conducted according to his wise and loving guidelines, and that the family provides the safest and most secure place to be and to belong for men, women and children;

111. The  family  is  the  natural  place where  the  next  generation  is  nurtured for  the perpetual procreation  of  mankind  so that  God’s  multigenerational  purposes are accomplished;

1. iv. The family is the basic unit of society from which the Church, communities and nations are built and that the state of any nation is a direct reflection of the state of the family in that nation; and that strong families bring about the best outcomes for men,  women and children physically, mentally, socially,  spiritually, economically and in  all  other  important  aspects  of  life; and that  strong  Churches,  authentic  and sustainable development and national transformation is only possible when a conducive environment exists for families to thrive.

1

We have reflected on the above and have realized that: –

1. The family  institution  in  Uganda  today,   is  under  unprecedented  attack,   is experiencing more and more brokenness,  is in a sorry state and we believe that “God’s   heart is filled with pain”, about it [Genesis 6:6];
2. ii. Little is being done to address this state of affairs in the families in Uganda;
3. This state of affairs regarding the family institution in Uganda is unsustainable and will lead the nation towards national catastrophe in the foreseeable future, if No concrete actions are taken by the Church and the Government.

Therefore,  in response to this serous situation,  the Church has decided to:  –

1. The 23rd Provincial Assembly of Church of Uganda declared 2017 the Year of the

Family

11. Play our prophetic role as mandated by God in Ezekiel 3: 18 and speak out and

warn the citizens and leaders of our nation of the grave danger we in,  if we allow the family institution to continue to deteriorate and do nothing about it;

111. 1 Take  advantage  of  God’s  special provision to  restore and  strengthen family

relationships which He gives to nations during the Jubilee Season which comes every 50 years of the life of a  nation.  During this season,  God gives opportunity to everyone to have their family relationships restored by calling on all citizens to, “…    every  man  (and  woman)  to  return to  his/her  family”,   (Leviticus  25: 10). Although we are now 54 years old as a nation, we believe that we are just within the closing moments of this unique and special window of opportunity,  when we can still claim the  blessing associated with the Jubilee,   and  have our family relationships restored and renewed.

1. rv. We take it that during this special season,  God wants us as a nation to reflect on our family relationships and the foundations upon which they are based.  This is with the  aim of deliberately  placing our families on the firm  and  unshakable foundation of God’s  TRUTH  and work towards forgiving  and  reconciling with each other in our families irrespective of the challenges faced in the It is  our firm conviction that when we take steps towards family reconciliation and restoration at this time,  God’s  grace will be poured unto the Nation and He will make possible what is otherwise humanly impossible, as Jesus said that what is impossible with man is possible with God [Matthew 19:26].
2. v. We believe that with appropriate guidance,  counseling and pastoral care,  there is no family situation,  brokenness or scenario which God’s  amazing grace,  mercy and forgiveness cannot

It is therefore with this understanding and sensing of God’s  divine timing that we took the step as your spiritual leaders to declare 2017 the YEAR OF THE FAMILY, to mark the beginning of a five year deliberate effort to lay a Godly foundation for our families. We are glad to note that the in response to our godly advice, the Government through the President on October 8, 2016, declared 2017 to be the YEAR OF THE FAMILY.  His

• Excellency the President further launched the Roadmap for the YEAR OF THE FAMILY

on  December  9,  2016   during  the  National Thanksgiving  Service  at  State  House, Entebbe under the theme,  “STRENGTHEN   THE FAMILY;  BUILD  THE NATION“.

It  is our hope and prayer that starting with 2017 as the YEAR OF THE FAMILY and continuing in subsequent years,  the family institution in Uganda will be strengthened and protected so that we can build a new generation of children and youth with Godly values,  character suited for family and National roles and responsibilities.  This is to be accomplished through  teaching  and  preaching sermons  on family  based  on  God’s perspective.  The various church activities,  projects and programs at all church levels and  networking  and  collaborating  with  other  congregations,  denominations,   other stakeholders as well as Government, over the next number of years shall also be based on Biblical foundations and in absolute respect of Church of Uganda Core Values.

It is our firm belief that God will honor our obedience as a  Nation if we heed His wise and loving counsel during this window of opportunity.   This will  enable  us to  have strong, sweet and fulfilling family relationships which will serve as the foundation for our genuine national reconciliation, unity,  stability, development and transformation.

While  there  will  be  some  joint   activities  involving  the   Government  and  other stakeholders where a cost-sharing system may be applied,  the Church will carry out its own activities funded through our own means with support from members and well• wishers. For this purpose we call on every Christian to support and actively participate in these activities.

We now recommend the following things and activities to be observed and carried out by all Churches and Christians in the Province of Church of Uganda using our own means:  –

1. Families/Christians

We recommend that: –

1. Regular family prayers be established in every family and household
2. Every family takes  the  necessary  steps  to  examine  and  establish  a  godly foundation for their families
3. Every person takes responsibility to reconcile with their family members irrespective of the problems and challenges faced in the past,  as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:12,   14 -15   and 18:15&22.
4. iv. Every person takes the responsibility to live in love and peace with other family members as the Scriptures teach in 1   Corinthians 13:4-
5. v. Husbands and wives should live in faithfulness, unity and harmony as one flesh and in agreement as Scripture teaches in Genesis 2:24  and Amos 3:3.
6. vi. Parents should take their God-given responsibility very seriously and should be willing to be equipped and empowered to nurture their children in the fear of the Lord as taught in  Proverbs 22:6  and Ephesians 6:1-3  Youth be challenged and encouraged.   to   Honor   God   with   their   bodies   through   sexual   purity   (1

Thessalonians 4:3-6)  and those caught up in sexual sin and other vices should be assisted towards  repentance  and  restoration  as taught  in  Galatians 6: 1.

Youth should also be taught and challenged to set examples for themselves and

others in speech, life,  in love and purity and to flee from evil desires and should pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace (1  Timothy 4: 12 and 2 Timothy 2:22)

2. Congregations/Churches

We recommend that each congregation should:  –

1. Have a “Family  Moment” every Sunday during the service.   This should be a

moment when something related to the family is said, read,  sang,  recited or

declared as a way of strengthening the family.

11. Make arrangements to  have the  Pastor/Clergy/Priest and  key church and

ministry    leaders   attend   Marriage/Family/Parenting   Seminar   with   their spouses.  This  can  be  arranged within  the  Church  or  by  having  several churches come together to have joint seminars.

111. 111. Prepare to observe and celebrate the International Day of Families on May

15, ·         2017,  together  with  other  churches  across  denominations  and  other stakeholders in the community.              ·

1. rv. Preach at least one sermon a month on the family and if possible the sermon should be in line with the theme of the month. However, more sermons aimed

at strengthening the family can be preached as the  pastors/clergy parish

Priest  deem  necessary.  The  sermons  should  also  address  issues  that threaten  or  destroy  families  such  as  alcohol,  drugs,   HIV,   pornography, negative  cultural  practices,  immorality,  deviant  sexual  practices  etc.  This should  be  done  in  such  a  manner that  brings  hope  and  restoration  to individuals and families affected by these vices.

1. Encourage couples that are co-habiting to put things right and get married, and if necessary a mass wedding can be conducted in the course of the year.

This should be after appropriate sensitizations, teachings and counseling.

1. vr. Establish a Church Family Taskforce [CFT] or revitalize/strengthen the Family Ministries e.g.    Mothers’  Union,   Fathers’  Union and  others  in  the  various Church  set-ups,  which  will  oversee  the  families  in   the  Church  and  will maintain a regular marrieds’ fellowship or

v11.        Every Church should establish a  prayer and intercession ministry that will pray for the families in the Church and in the community.

v111.        Incorporate within the youth ministry teachings on the family so that youth can understand the Biblical perspective of the family institution.

1. ix. Train resource people to assist in the pre-marital,  post-marital counseling and general  counseling  needs  of  the  Church  members  and  the  surrounding

community.

1. Choose a couple to be Church Coordinators [CC] of the YEAR OF THE FAMILY [YOTF] programs and activities in the church congregation and who will be the link between the Church leadership and coordinators of the YOTF

at the next level.

3. Congregations/Churcheast Village Level [LC1]

Churches operating at the village level [LC1] Sub Parish or Congregation should work together across denominations to:  –

1. Spearhead the holding of the Village Family Convocation in conjunction with other local leaders and stakeholders representing spheres such as political,

cultural,  business, NGOs,  Education etc.    The purpose of this  is to  bring reconciliation,  unity and harmony among families in the village

11. 11. Establish the Village Family Committee [VFC] for Churches in the village and beyond

iii.         Work with other stakeholders to establish a Village Family Taskforce for the

whole village

1. iv. Work with other stakeholders to conduct community based marriage I family I

parenting seminars  at  least twice  a year where  the  whole  community  is invited.  The  participating Churches should open their  doors to  become a place of hope and peace for ALL individuals and families in the community irrespective of their sex,  ethnicity,  race,  literacy,  and political affiliation,  social or religious background.

1. v. Work with other stakeholders to conduct community based youth conferences at least twice a year where all youth in the community who are in and out of school are invited,  irrespective of their sex,  ethnicity,   race,  literacy,  political affiliation and social or religious background.

4. Congregations/Churches at District/Diocesan Level

Churches  operating  at  the  District/Diocesan level  should  work  together  across denominations to:  –

1. Spearhead the holding of Joint District Family Convocation in conjunction with other district leaders and stakeholders representing spheres such as political, cultural, business,  NGOs,  Education etc.
2. 1 Establish the District Family Committee [DFC] for Churches
3. Work with the other stakeholders in the district to establish the District  Family

Taskforce for the whole district

May the Lord Jesus Christ bless and prosper your families and may His face shine upon you and restore your hope and fortunes in the Name of the Father,  the Son and the Holy  Spirit.

The Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali

ARCHBISHOP   OF CHURCH  OF UGANDA.

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