In early August of this year, the Rev. Cindy Larsen will travel to Uganda to represent the ADOSC at the consecration of the new Bishop in the Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese. Cindy served in that diocese from 2009-2016, as the Principal at Bishop Ruhindi Theological Seminary, and she eagerly awaits the opportunity to re-engage with her many friends and co-workers in that region.
For context, the Bunyoro-Kitara Diocesan Headquarters is located in Hoima, which is a four-hour drive from Kampala, the nearest large city. Around 110 priests serve approximately 500,000 church members in the Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese. The clergy are spread very thin and are paid very little. When the churches were forced to shut down for an extended period during COVID, the clergy were not paid at all.
As she prepares to make this trip, Cindy is asking all clergy in our diocese to look for extra clerical collars that no longer fit or that they no longer need or want. She would like to take as many collars as she can, to distribute to their clergy. Please note that many of the clergy there have been making collars for themselves by cutting old bleach bottles to fit. These makeshift collars are uncomfortable, and they also retain the smell of bleach.
If you have collars you would like to donate for this effort, please contact the Rev. Cindy Larsen at vicar@graceanglicanparish.org or call/text her at 843-475-2772.
Alternatively, donations are being accepted to purchase new collars at $12 each. Checks may be made payable to Grace Anglican Parish, with “Uganda Mission,” in the memo line and mailed to 9911 Highway 90, Little River, SC. 29566.
Also, Grace Parish, where Cindy currently serves as vicar, has traditionally purchased hard-bound English Bibles for the new seminary students there. These Bibles cost $15 each and are purchased through the Uganda Bible Society. (Cindy is a life member of that group.)
Finally, Cindy will be taking funds to purchase food for the hungry families in the villages and churches where she will be preaching during her stay in Uganda. Bishop Samuel Kahuma is arranging opportunities for her to preach at churches where her former students are currently serving as rectors. It is Cindy’s prayer that our clergy and laity will show the love the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina has for our sister diocese in Hoima, Uganda.
