{UAH} Finally, a female bishop in Uganda - Full Woman

http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/Finally--a-female-bishop-in-Uganda/-/689842/2895412/-/5tycixz/-/index.html

Finally, a female bishop in Uganda - Full Woman

A jolly woman, who loves a good joke, the warmth in her smile envelopes you like the embrace she is quick to give.

That hug was a surprise. One would expect a bishop to be aloof. Instead, she is grandmotherly, telling me that her handsome son is looking for a wife, if I am still single.

The Rt Rev Aidah Namirengo, Bishop of Dorcus for Christ Diocese, intimates that throughout her life she has been a leader, taking full responsibility of those around her.

"In baptism class, in 1954 at the Native Anglican Church in Namwiwa, Kaliro, I lead the class, teaching them to recite the Catechism," she says, during our meeting at Holy Comfort Church in Bugembe, Jinja District.
"I was the head girl in primary school, and in secondary, a welfare officer, head forester, and chapel warden. These positions groomed me into the person I am today."

The school teacher
"Teaching was the only career path open to me. It is what I dreamed of. I graduated as a Grade Two teacher from Bishop Willis Teacher Training College, Iganga, in 1966."

Namirengo had made up her mind to practice for at least five years before getting married. For a rural young woman, this was a bold dream.

Educated women were in demand. So much so that Namirengo's school calendar was keenly followed by a neighbour.

"On the last day of my final examinations, that old man asked my father for my hand in marriage," she narrates, laughing at the memory.

"My father was shocked! This man had many wives. But the surprise was that he was asking on his son's behalf." The young woman returned home to wedding preparations. Her pleas to her father to allow her practice her profession first, fell on deaf ears. "My father betrayed me. But I made them swear that my husband would not confine me to the kitchen."

In 1966, a few months after her traditional marriage, Namirengo graduated and she began teaching in schools around Busoga sub region.

In 1968, she joined the Madhivani Group as a teacher and headmistress, spending 14 years teaching in the Group's schools, among them, Ntinkalu Primary School.

Entering ministry
"As a headmistress, I led church services, preached, and offered counselling to the teachers and community. For me, ministry was not a matter of choice; it was a call from God," says Namirengo.

In 1976, she joined Kattonte Church of Uganda (COU) where she preached every Sunday. "I had no position but because of my knowledge in the Word, I was selected by the congregation to be a lay leader."

A lay leader is a member of the congregation chosen to perform some of the duties of the ordained clerical officials.

These can be preaching the sermon, chairing church committees, taking scripture readings, reading announcements, and leading non-sacramental services such as the morning, evening and burial prayers.

Sent from Gook's iPatch!

"What you are we once were, what we are   you shall be!"

An inscription on the walls of a Roman catacomb.