The second Sunday in Advent is a popular day for ordinations
in Uganda; both Mukono and Kampala had their ordinations Sunday. I had been invited to the Mukono ordination,
but it began at 10 (and apparently went until 2 or 3), and I had already been
coopted to celebrate both services at UCU.
However, to make up for my not attending the service, I did attend David’s
thanksgiving at his father’s house that evening.
in Uganda; both Mukono and Kampala had their ordinations Sunday. I had been invited to the Mukono ordination,
but it began at 10 (and apparently went until 2 or 3), and I had already been
coopted to celebrate both services at UCU.
However, to make up for my not attending the service, I did attend David’s
thanksgiving at his father’s house that evening.
It’s always a joy to see my students be ordained; this is
what they’ve been studying and working towards.
Several of David’s classmates also came, and it was simultaneously odd (because
I’m not accustomed to it) and right (because they’ve been training for this) to
see them in their collars!
what they’ve been studying and working towards.
Several of David’s classmates also came, and it was simultaneously odd (because
I’m not accustomed to it) and right (because they’ve been training for this) to
see them in their collars!
 |
| My goddaughter, Makable, in front of two of David’s classmates, John (front) and Joshua. They were also recently ordained. |
There were at least 100 people at the thanksgiving, and we
were seated under tents on the compound.
When we arrived, the police directed us to the neighbor’s compound to
park. I have no idea how one goes about
getting police to direct traffic and guard the cars, but I’m grateful they were
there.
were seated under tents on the compound.
When we arrived, the police directed us to the neighbor’s compound to
park. I have no idea how one goes about
getting police to direct traffic and guard the cars, but I’m grateful they were
there.
While talking with David, he told me that UCU should have
prepared him for his ordination. I asked
what he meant (because everything we do is geared towards ordained ministry),
and he said that we had not prepared him for the vows he took. I laughed, but I know exactly what he meant.
prepared him for his ordination. I asked
what he meant (because everything we do is geared towards ordained ministry),
and he said that we had not prepared him for the vows he took. I laughed, but I know exactly what he meant.
I had read the ordination service several times in advance
of my ordination, but nothing can prepare you for actually taking those vows in
front of God, the bishop, and the congregation. It is truly awesome: inspiring awe, admiration, and wonder, that
God would call someone like me to this ministry. It is also absolutely terrifying that God would
call someone like me to this ministry.
There’s absolutely no preparing for that.
of my ordination, but nothing can prepare you for actually taking those vows in
front of God, the bishop, and the congregation. It is truly awesome: inspiring awe, admiration, and wonder, that
God would call someone like me to this ministry. It is also absolutely terrifying that God would
call someone like me to this ministry.
There’s absolutely no preparing for that.
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