Christmas Party 2023
Original reporting by Solome Kalagala. Edited by Wendy Allyss and Will Law.
What a party!
The eagerly anticipated Christmas Celebration was held on Thursday 14th December at St Luke’s Ntinda — attended by 450 people from all six linked churches.
There was praise, worship, testimony, and of course… cake!
Praise and worship
The families arrived to soothing music performed by the ‘Sold Out’ band who incorporated beautiful worship and Christmas songs.
St Luke’s was covered in festive decorations of gold, red and green, creating the perfect mood for a Christmas celebration. Also in attendance were the vicars and priests from our link churches, the Church Community Mobilisers (CCMs) as well as some special guests.
Rev David Serujangi welcomed everyone to his church.
The Sold Out band welcome the attendees to the festively decorated St Luke’s, Ntinda
Time to dance!
The celebration kicked off with energetic worship from the Sold Out band.
There was much singing and dancing by all the attendees. The children especially danced with great excitement and freedom. Ugandans really know how to move.
A sight to behold!
Worship was enjoyed by all ages!
Great thankfulness
Next, the families who were Finishing Well shared their stories.
Seven families "Finished Well" this year. The carers recounted their journeys from before joining Karis until now:
Those who used to be ill testified about their healing through prayer and support from Karis.
Some shared how their children overcame the odds to pass their exams and graduate school.
Others shared about the growth and success of their businesses.
Some sang, some danced, and others cried. They all conveyed a deep sense of gratitude by kneeling down and giving glory to God. They expressed heartfelt thanks to the UK link families who supported them all these years.
God has changed their lives.
Khadijja, Esther, Noreen and Rose offer their sincere thanks on their knees
A message of life
Rev Samuel Kanyike (St Nicholas Kalerwe) spoke from Isaiah 9:6-7.
He encouraged the families to live their lives in such a way that demonstrates the ‘wonderful counsellor, mighty God, everlasting father and prince of peace’ is alive within them every day.
He made an altar call. Some carers gave their lives to Christ while others recommitted to their faith. Hallelujah!
A word from Ketrah
Next, it was our beloved Ketrah’s turn! (KLFM Programme Director)
She invited the families to rise up and do a celebratory dance! It was a day of celebrating God’s goodness in their lives. She shared her own story of how she was saved and how faithful God has been since that time.
Ketrah thanked God for the 96 families being supported and welcomed the four new families that started that year — three from Kamwokya and one from Wandegeya.
Ketrah welcomes our new families and says farewell to those Finishing Well
Choose thankfulness every day
Mrs Ruth Owino (Coordinator for the Dept of Planning, Health and Social Services Transformation) gave the final word of the day.
She thanked all those involved in the KFLM, especially the carers and the parents. She concluded with a message from the Diocesan Secretary encouraging everyone to be thankful every day and to help others as they have been helped.
The cake was cut 🎂
Enough speeches… time for cake!
The stunning Christmas cake was cut by the clergy and the families this party was for. All 96 families received Christmas gifts, before the day concluded with a shared meal together.
Our thanks to all those who helped make this wonderful celebration happen.
The hope and joy of Christmas was shared by all.
