Bishops' Christmas Appeal for Uganda
Bishop Viv says:
"I recently met with Archbishop of Uganda, Stephen Kaziimba over Zoom and amongst other things we discussed the impact of Covid-19 in Uganda. The Archbishop expressed his deep concern for the struggles of many clergy who have been particularly affected by the pandemic."
"Ugandan clergy are reliant on the Sunday offerings for their stipends, but the doors of their churches were closed between March and October. Their congregations are also struggling financially due to a loss of jobs and income. As a result, many clergy are finding it hard to provide for their own families. It is distressing to hear of clergy families eating only one meal a day.
"Through this appeal we will raise money to go to the Archbishop’s Emergency Fund. Archbishop Stephen will make sure that much needed supplies are distributed fairly across the dioceses of Uganda.
"The appeal will run until Sunday 29 November and offerings need to be returned to the DBF by Monday December 7th so that we can send it to Uganda in good time for Christmas.
"Today I am asking you to stand with our Ugandan sisters and brothers in this time of crisis and support this appeal as generously as you can."
Background information
Archdeacon Godfrey Kasana in Luweero explains some of the social background to the current Covid 19 crisis:
Average income is too low to allow people to save for the future and with no social security system the family is the main support in a crisis. A sudden loss of income affects every generation. Clergy have been particularly badly hit by the Covid 19 crisis as they rely on offerings from their congregation to support them but churches have been closed since March. This has led to great hardship. Some clergy families can eat only one basic meal a day. We are thankful that churches have recently started to reopen for limited numbers of worshippers, but clergy families are likely to continue to lack the most basic needs as their congregations too are struggling to make ends meet.
Clergy living in rural areas can grow food in their gardens. Because urban clergy do not possess land, this resource is closed to them. Those working in the poorest areas and those serving in the slums are especially vulnerable.
The people who so often bear the burden of care in their own communities are themselves now in desperate need of encouragement and support.
What difference can we make?
- Even a small gift of £10 can provide maize meal and beans for a family to survive on for a week;
- £20 would mean that basic essentials such as salt, sugar, soap and cooking oil could be provided along with the food.
- £50 would allow a family to meet a simple medical emergency.
- £200 could provide food for ten families.
How can we Give?
You can give through your church, using gift aid if you can and your treasurer will pass your gift on. Or you can give directly through our Give A Little appeal page.*
More information and resources to support the appeal
Watch a video where Ugandan pastors tell their own story.
Download a poster in support of the campaign: version 1, version 2.
Download a PowerPoint about the appeal here.
*(Note- all churches are able to set up their own Give a Little online giving page for free- just contact one of your stewardship advisers for details).