wau newsletter june 2016
DESCRIPTION
This is the quarterly newsletter for the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan Diocese of Wau, including Tonj and Gogrial Area Dioceses.TRANSCRIPT
One in Service, Faith and Fellowship
A Word from the Diocesan Bishop of Wau
By Rt, Rev, Moses Deng Bol.
Just A Glass of Water
I want to start by asking you a question and I am
sure that the answer will tell you something
about yourself. If you have a glass of water and
you drink exactly half of it, is the glass now half
empty or half full? What is your response? What
can you say to this. Are you feeling sad because
half of it is gone or are you glad because there
is still half left to drink?
Really, how you answer this question is
important because it reveals how you think and
your attitude to life. It is especially important if
you live in a country like South Sudan, where
you may not easily be able to fill the glass again.
Take a moment to think about how you
answered the question, what does it say about
you?
Using the same example of the glass some
people may say that in Africa and South Sudan
too many people cry out “my glass is empty,
please will you refill it?” There is much need in
South Sudan and I am truly grateful for all the
people that give their time and money to meet
these needs, may God richly bless them. Really,
some people are now only alive because of it.
But if you listen to us, the message we cry is
actually, “show us how to make glasses and fill
them for everyone”.
So many of the things needed to make our lives
here secure, safe and well for everyone are
missing that really we need to rethink and begin
again. I chose the example of a glass of water
because when we think of Jesus sometimes we
can think of the lessons he taught us as living
water. The difference here I mean is that if you
drink water you will soon become thirsty again, it
answers your need but not fully. If you listen to
Jesus and accept the living water you will never
thirst again. In the Gospel of John Chapter 4
verses 13 and 14 Jesus explains this to a
Index
A Word From The Bishop ....................................2
Two New Assistant Bishops..................................5
Nyieth Becomes a Town on its own......................8
Plans for St John’s College...................................10
St John’s College Mission Statement Updated...11
Ayien Parish Church Project................................12
Introducing the New Bishops..............................14
Working For Peace in the Community................16
Nyieth Primary School Dedication......................19
Food Distribution in Partnership with HART.......21
A Peace Agreement for Dinka communities.......23
A Letter of Appeal...............................................27
Contact Us ........................................................28
Please Pray with us ...........................................29
P a g e | 3 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal
Samaritan woman that has come to a well for
water. “13Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks
this water will be thirsty again. 14But whoever
drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed,
the water I give him will become in him a fount of
water springing up to eternal life.” Jesus is the
total answer. Even the Prophet Isaiah knew this,
we can read in the book of Isaiah Chapter 58
verse 11: "And the LORD will continually guide
you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And
give strength to your bones; And you will be like a
watered garden, and like a spring of water whose
waters do not fail.”
So that is what we really seek, the total answer,
sustainability and I truly believe that we can get
this.
In the Old Testament times the laws of Moses
required that farmers left part of their crop in the
field so that poor people could have it and they
would not starve. You can see this plainly in the
book of Leviticus Chapter 23 verse 22 “When
you reap the harvest of your land, moreover, you
shall not reap to the very corners of your field nor
gather the gleaning of your harvest; you are to
leave them for the needy and the alien. I am the
LORD your God.'"
Boaz the farmer in the story of the book of Ruth
made sure this was done and really sets a good
example for us. If you do not know this story you
can read about it in the book of Ruth in the Old
Testament. It is after the book of Judges and
before the first book of Samuel. I recommend
that you do because there are many lessons to
learn from it. But the horrible truth is, if there is
not enough food it does not matter how
generous a person is there will not be enough
and some will starve. I have seen starvation
here in South Sudan. Our land is fertile and
many people are willing to work hard so what
really makes a good harvest? The answer is
education. By learning better techniques and
methods a farmer can produce more food and
there can be enough. So just from this simple
example we can see that education is a vital
part to any peaceful future for South Sudan. It
makes a glass half empty, half full.
Education can be used in many more areas than
farming to help find the development we need.
In so many areas of South Sudan and even here
in Wau Diocese there are groups of people who
understand life in tribal disputes and solving
them through fighting and violence. So having
people trained in settling disputes and working
in the community to promote peace is a truly
good thing. Also many of my pastors and church
workers need better education to make more
use of the skills that God gives them. We need
also leaders in business and commerce to help
develop our society. All these people need
training and all of them need good numeracy
and literacy skills. But how can we do this?
Especially, how can we ensure women get as
much chance to be educated as men? In South
Sudan this is a real issue with many girls not
even finishing School. I am reminded of this
bible passage from the book of Genesis chapter
1 verse 27 that so many people forget, “So God
created man in his own image, in the image of God
he created him; male and female he created them.”
The challenges are great and the resources
small, it may be easy to think that our glass here
is half empty again.
Recently we were very blessed to have
Archbishop Daniel Deng come to consecrate
two new bishops, the Rt Rev Abraham Ngor of
Gogrial Area Diocese and Rt Rev Peter Yuol
Gur of Tonj Area Diocese. It was truly a special
day filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. Both Tonj
and Gogrial are new area dioceses under Wau
at the moment but that will not be forever. Soon
once the proper criteria is met they will be full
dioceses just like Aweil Diocese, that was once
part of Wau. Then both bishops will face the
challenge of getting the trained people they
need to promote the word of God and carry their
mission forward.
I mentioned the Holy Spirit and at this time of
the year we remember the Holy Spirit through
Pentecost and the great story of Peter preaching
P a g e | 4 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal
when the Holy Spirit came. If you do not know
this story you can find it in the book of Acts,
simply read chapter 2. Through this story you
will see the great power of the Holy Spirit as a
motivator and provider, transforming scared
followers of Jesus who were in hiding into
powerful preachers. So really we pray for the
Holy Spirit often because when we do then
things start to happen.
We have a college that we founded in Wau
which was originally just for theological training
of pastors. It is called St John’s College of
Theology and Development. But now it has
grown and it is able to provide training on many
subjects that benefit development in our society.
We have prayed for this and this year after
much struggle we have had help from our good
friends in Poole in Salisbury diocese UK,
assistance from a kind American woman called
Dr Susan Mead and much support from Bishop
Barham University College in Uganda. Dr Susan
works in a college in Virginia and so has many
important things to tell us and our friends from
BBUC have been able to help show us better
organisation and lead with teaching. So perhaps
with help from the Holy Spirit our glass is now
half full again.
Truly there is a long way to go but I believe that
we will be able to make a big difference to our
community by providing leaders and educated
professionals locally here in Bahr el Ghazel.
But things do not end here, I started with a
question that revealed something about you and
so I ask again, how do you see things? Are you
hopeful for the future or do you dread what may
go wrong next? In South Sudan politically there
is a real chance for peace and an opportunity to
turn away from violence. Reconciliation and
forgiveness will be important things for the future
we need to live in, but if we have no hope then
the glass will remain always half empty. But
where can we get hope? The answer for
Christians is easy, you can simply ask for it. If
you pray to God then your prayers are heard
and things can happen. The Holy Spirit that we
remember and celebrate at this time of year is
always with us and despite what you may want
to ask for, always willing to listen. So it does not
matter to the God who brings you the living
water in Jesus whether you think that your glass
is half empty or half full, it will always be filled up
until it overflows, just as is mentioned in Psalm
23 verse 5 “You serve me a six-course dinner right
in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping
head; my cup brims with blessing”.
So I ask you to drink deeply of the living waters
of Jesus, pray for us here in Wau, pray for our
needs for peace and your own needs too.
Perhaps also say a prayer of thanks giving too
whenever you drink a glass of water for the
blessings that God brings you.
I would like to share with you the prayer for the
Ephesians which you can see in the book of
Ephesians chapter 3 verses 14 to 28
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from
whom every family in heaven and on earth derives
its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he
may strengthen you with power through his Spirit
in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in
your hearts through faith. And I pray that you,
being rooted and established in love, 18 may have
power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to
grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the
love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that
surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the
measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably
more than all we ask or imagine, according to his
power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory
in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all
generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Every blessing +Moses
P a g e | 5 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal
Consecration of Two New Assistant Bishops
in Wau Diocese
By Rev John Bol
Dear all colleagues, friends,
partners and all worldwide
Anglican communion, we are
publically announcing to you
the new promotion and
upgrading of two Area
Dioceses, Gogrial and Tonj
once again after the past
creation of Aweil and Abyei
Dioceses of the Episcopal
Church of South Sudan and
Sudan from Wau the mother
Diocese that they were once
part of a few years ago.
Wau Diocese in terms of
P a g e | 6 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal geographical measurement,
has an area which is wide and a
long distance to cover. It is the
largest diocese in South Sudan,
which currently still covers two
older states of Warrap and
Western Bahr el Ghazal state.
These need the creation of more
administrative areas to help make
the Christian ministry work easier
in the Diocese.
We have celebrated the
consecration of two new assistant
Bishops in Wau Diocese today.
Both will help Bishop Moses to run
Christian ministry in their given
administrative areas. They will
also be working hard to fulfil the
provincial requirements of getting
independent Dioceses from the mother
Diocese in the near future.
The celebration was attended by a large
crowd of people from different areas such as
a team of Bishops from Juba who
accompanied Archbishop Dr. Daniel Deng
Bul Yak, congregations from different
denominations, community leaders, State
Government representatives and all ECSS
intellectuals.
Everyone here today in Wau Diocese after
the consecration service has a joyful feeling
that one can immediately smile when you
fixed your eyes direct to someone’s face in
order to notify whether you are in the same
good mood. All Sunday school and youth
choirs beat the local drums in a motivated
style which has captured the attention of
everyone and caused unknowingly nodding
of the heads. It was a very nice and colorful
event that we actually wish you could be
present at.
But unfortunately the geographical distances
and other circumstances made your
presence impossible, however you are all
part of our programs and initiatives by
developmental progresses, advice and
successful ideas in leadership styles
wherever you live, as many of you have
already contributed. Therefore we don’t want
to ignore both you and your productive
comments on such important events. We
convey it to you through news so that you
may also feel like you were present
(attending) it.
P a g e | 7 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal The primate and metropolitan of
the Episcopal Church of South
Sudan and Sudan his grace,
Archbishop Dr. Daniel Deng Bul
Yak was very privileged and very
much appreciated Wau Diocesan
Bishop, Moses Deng Bol Akoon
for his sufficiency and effective
hard work that he has done in the
Diocese by providing educational
opportunities that allow his pastors
to get quality education which
enables them to lead the Church
successfully with equivalent
knowledge.
The Archbishop also appreciated the Wau
Diocese educational partners for scholarships
that they have provided to help Bishop Moses
succeed with his vision that has made a great
impact to the Church and the community as
well. He further added that “your efficient
support and effective effort which you
contributed toward our evangelistic programs
which we have successfully achieved as we
have done with the consecration of two new
Bishops in Wau Diocese today is also
appreciated”.
The consecration of two new assistant
bishops is done for the expansion of ECSS
administrative areas in order to help run
some administrative issues in a given area
where each of the new assistant bishops has
been assigned in accordance to the
Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan
constitutional description. There are some
requirements that need to be met before
consecration of the new Bishop, which some
of them had been done and the rest must to
be done soon. This expansion has happened
through your tireless support in many kinds
such as prayers, financial or energetic
support that you have used to visit us in order
to teach and make fellowship with us.
Archbishop Daniel assured the congregation
that “the expansion of these administrative
areas will not bring any different changes
from elsewhere and enforce them into the
Anglican traditional systems but will empower
and protect Anglican traditional values”
The Archbishop commanded the
congregation to remain faithful in the
community, do their tasks and also welcome
all Wau Diocesan partners to remain united in
cooperative fellowships and walk hand in
hand with us. He added to the partners
that “since the Gospel approaching our
area was through your tireless support we
appreciated both your energetic and
financial support that you offered for the
Gospel spreading in these areas”.
Thank you for your time you used to read
our news, we are very happy for that and
May God bless you.
P a g e | 8 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal
Nyieth at last has become a Town on its Own
By Rev Peter Angui Akook
It was on December 27th, 2015
when two very important occasions
were conducted at Nyieth village,
namely the dedication of Nyieth
Primary School and declaration of its
upgrading into Boma status under
Akon South Payam.
Nyieth village was believed by the
ancestors that it would never be a
government seat at all. But all in all
God does his wonders to cut short
that sounded curse from the
ancestors. It was through an
Evangelist called Wilson Garang
Chan who in the 1990’s came back
from military struggle in Ethiopia and
begun church planting at Adoor in Aweil East
County. It then moved to Maker, a village under
Nyieth and he planted one church there where
almost everyone was baptized. The whole of
Gogrial including people from Twic came there
in search of baptism. Nyieth has Maker, Majok
Deng Akeen, Wun-Yiik and Jarbil sections.
Elders of Nyieth village saw this massive
baptism of their off springs and women as a
destruction of the family. They refused to marry
a baptized girl and un-baptized girls refused if a
baptized man wanted to marry her.
The great grandfather, Wol Ajolnok (estimated to
be around 1500-1600 AD); the father of Dhal
Maker married four wives. Marriage in Dinka is
exogamic up to several generations, meaning
that people marry outside their family or tribal
groups. Traditionally, marriage is everyone’s
goal and having a family is regarded as the
ultimate fulfillment in life. The Dinka
are patrilineal, which means that
ancestry is traced through the
father rather than the mother. The
term dhieth, in its most general
sense, refers to all kinds of
relationships that can be
established through bloodlines.
People establish blood relation by
reference to clan names. Those
who share the clan are considered
relatives no matter how distant
from each other. Members of a clan
share a totem and believe in their
common descent from that totem.
This is the basis on which strong
P a g e | 9 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal prohibition against marriage between people of
the same clan is enforced. But individuals are
considered to be related equally to other kin
through both the mother's and the father's sides.
Wol Ajolnok was married to the following
women;
1) Adut Pakak who born him Akeen
2) Akuc Goc who born him Tong
3) Athok Mayen who born him Wol
4) Adhuor Yel who born him Dhal.
But despite Dhal Wol (estimated. 1600-1700
AD) the last son of the last wife unlike the first
three sons of the first three wives, had managed
to get married to ten (10) wives.
1) Aluel Yor
2) Adhel Akoon
3) Abuk Akot
4) Atong Aguot
5) Mariam Lual
6) Awien Biar
7) Amel Deng
8) Ayar Luil
9) Abuk Abik
10) Adhel Deng Tong.
Dhal Wol when he was a chief of Awan all was
with four sub chiefs. and Chan Nyal was
personal assistant to Dhal Wol.
1) Akot Majok Akot- Pajokdit
2) Adhil Kuot- Agaaldit
3) Lual Agany- Rup
4) Dut Dau- Ayien
Dinka society is generally organized around sub-
sections (wut), clans (dhieth), family, or
patrilineage (mac thok). While the clan is used to
recognize blood relatives throughout Dinkaland,
the patrilineage dictates village structure.
Although people who belong to different clans
may share a village, the most common structure
is for people of a lineage to occupy their own
village. Every clan has a headman known as
nhomgol. These men are expected to exercise
leadership roles in support of the sub-chief who
sees over a section of Dinka. The traditional
Dinka political system is structured around the
concept of clan headmen. A collection of clans
headed by clan leaders form a higher political
body known as the sub-chief, and several sub-
chiefs fall under the position of the executive
chief, who serves as the liaison between the
government and the people. Throughout Dinka
history, the position of highest "tribal"
administrator has changed from "paramount"
chief to court president to executive chief.
Ideally, the paramount chief presides over
regional courts, which stand above the executive
chiefs, the sub-chiefs, and clan leaders. The son
of the first wife of Dhal Wol, Aluel Yor by name
Tong Dhal assumed the leadership from around
(1800-1900 AD).
Out of favor, the elder son of Dhal Wol by name
Akoondit had requested the British government
to instal Chan Nyal as a chief and the name
was written as “Chan Dhal”. This was also
around the 1990s. So many sons of Dhal Wol try
to reclaim their father’s chieftaincy but with no
success until recently in 2012 when a member
of the church council managed to win the
election and he was installed as a chief at Mabil
Pajok in Akon North Payam. But he was moved
from Mabil Pajok to Nyieth with his seat as chief
in Akon South Payam. Nyieth became a Boma
in December 2015 and the Payam Headquarters
of Ayien is now also located at Nyieth.
P a g e | 10 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal
Plans for St John’s
By Rev PeterAngui Akook
St John’s College was
established in 2011 by the
Episcopal Church of South
Sudan and Sudan, Diocese of Wau. It is situated
in Wau the Capital of Wau State. It is the only
Theological College in the whole of Bahr El
Ghazal Region, an area of 896606 Skm2 with
population of 3,156, 184 people.
The college is currently offering Diplomas in
Theology and is planning to start offering
Diplomas in Education, Business Administration,
Social work, Development Studies,
Environmental Studies, Guidance and
Counselling and Community Health from 2016
onward.
The College serves the following Dioceses and
Area Dioceses in the Bahr El Ghazal Region ;
Rumbek, Wau, Yirol, Chueibet, Pacong, Akot,
Aweil, Awerial, Malek Ruup, Abyei, Gogrial,
Tonj, Wulu, Nyang, Maper and Aluakluak.
It is also planning to serve the neighbouring
Dioceses of El Obeid (North Kordufan and
Darfur Region of Sudan), Bentiu (Unity State
Upper Nile Region of South Sudan) and Nzara
(Equatoria Region of South Sudan).
The college is also open to other denominations
in the region and has given special
consideration to women from any denomination
who want to study Theology and other courses
in order to promote women’s participation in
leadership in the Church and the wider society.
The college takes one student from each of the
dioceses and area dioceses mentioned above
and one from the sister churches (other
denominations) in the region each year, offering
free tuition and accommodation. It has also
given special places for five women each year
with free tuition and accommodation charges as
well. The College has an annual intake of 30
students.
We believe that bringing pastors from different
communities across the three main regions of
South Sudan will be become a part of peace
building. These pastors will build relationships
among themselves during their time in the
college which they can extend to their
communities when they return to their home
Churches. We also believe that having students
from the North Kordofan and Darfur regions is
an opportunity for us to reach out to the North
with the Gospel and support our sister Churches
there as well.
In addition to theological courses pastors take
other courses aimed at equipping them with
skills and knowledge that will enable them to
contribute to the development activities in their
own communities. These courses include
community development, peace building and
conflict transformation, management,
communications, sociology, psychology and
HIV/AIDS.
Needs and priorities of the College.
1) Sponsorship for Theological students at
the College cost $1500 per a year. The local
church pays for feeding, transport, books,
personal expenses and medical treatment for
students which cost $500 per a year. The
partners pay tuition and accommodation which
cost $1000 a year or $85 a Month. We are
therefore looking for 75 friends to sponsor the 75
students for three years beginning from 2016.
2) Sponsorship of four students to do a
Bachelors Degree and one student to do a
Master’s Degree at Bishop Barham University
College, Uganda cost $2000 each for the
P a g e | 11 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal Bachelors and $2500 for Masters Students
annually for everything including tuition, feeding,
accommodation and transport. Total for the five
students is $ 10,500 annually and $31500 in
three years. These students will come back to
teach at St John’s College upon completion of
their studies at BBUC.
3) Transport of Tutors from BBUC to Wau
(return tickets) is $700 by air and $500 by road.
The College needs Tutors to come from BBUC
for at least three years until those sent to study
there comes back to St John’s College.
4) Infrastructure development-Construction
of Classrooms and Dormitories, Installation of
Solar Panels, Digging of Boreholes and water
connections, Purchase of a pickup Land cruiser
are just some of the projects the College wants
to embark on in the next five years 2016-2020
The Mission Statement of St John’s College of
Theology and Development
Vision
Holistic and high quality education for
empowering church growth and community
transformation.
Mission
To encourage personal growth through
education and Christian spiritual formation,
producing servant leaders for Church and
community service.
Objectives
To train Clergy who were ordained
without Theological Training during the
war.
To build peace among communities
through understanding of the word of
God.
To reach out to unreached communities
through training of Evangelists.
To equip Church leaders and other
professionals with knowledge and skills
for spiritual and social transformation.
To seek to meet the needs of the local
community in general education,
business and development studies.
Core Values
Understanding.
Care for people's spiritual, social and
physical needs.
Respect for human dignity and rights.
A holistic approach to tuition.
Equal opportunities for men and women. Agape (Unconditional love).
P a g e | 12 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal
Ayien Parish Church Project
By Rev Philip Ajing Manyuat
St.Paul’s Church at Ayien Amuol it is one of the parishes that makes up Twic Archdeaconry in the Diocese of Wau. Ayien Amuol area is bordering Unity State from the North East and Abyei from the North West, which is part of Warrap State in South Sudan. Ayien Amuol area has been affected mostly by the civil war and political conflict that was fought out in Sudan for more than 21 years and involved Christian South and Muslim North. It is currently embroiled in another internal political conflict between the government and the rebels of former vice president Riek Machar. The Episcopal Church of South Sudan is growing in Twic Archdeaconry and the need for accommodating new members calls for developing the existing church infrastructure.
The priest of St.Paul Church at Ayien Amuol area is in line with the Archdeacon seeking for help to fix the windows, doors and cement for making the floor. The Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Moses Deng has already approved the request. Twic Archdeaconry is located in Turalei town, the proposed project location is St.Paul’ s Church at Ayien Amuol area in Twic Archdeaconry.
II.Background Information and Justification
St.Paul’s Church at Ayien Amuol area in Twic Archdeaconry was established in 1996 after many years of evangelism and hard work, and is summarized as follows:
4 Churches, 2 priests, 1900 Members within 204,905 Total Population and an area of 3,922.65(sq.kms)
Ayien Amuol has around 2500 households. The main livelihood activities are cattle keeping, fishing and farming. Around 100 families attend the church in Ayien regularly. This church was constructed with permanent materials but is missing windows, doors and cement for the floor.
This location is ideal for the church construction because of the ongoing spiritual, social, moral, economic and poverty crisis. With dominance of traditional beliefs in which the condition now reaches into alarming stage and highly threatens peoples life and community development. By having fixed windows, doors and cemented the floor of church, it will prevent thieves entering the church to steal chairs and other property that are kept there in the Church. It will also help Rev. Philip Ajing to be effective in the ministry and dedicate more of his life and time in prayer, counselling, door to door follow up to the people and by conducting social researches in the area, improve the local situation.
P a g e | 13 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal
The Church services are now conducted in a church with open windows, doors and un cemented floor. According to the research/survey conducted in the area, it revealed that majority of people around this area lack basic education, they do have severe and poor economic conditions, consisting of robbery, dirty businesses, family problems which cause street children, young drug addicts and prostitution.
The Area is dominated by the Dinka tribe, who are practicing traditional beliefs , but they only believe in spirits and gods. They are normally playing traditional dance, praying with evil spirits, calling evil spirits into their dances, drinking a lot of local beer/alcohol and sustaining laziness. This culture affects a lot of the spiritual welfare of these people and their perceptions at large. Moreover it affects even the social and economical wellbeing of other residents. Securing the Church in this locality is essential for the aim of preventing rain, winds and animals passing through.
Many crusades and door to door evangelism has taken place since the establishment of
St. Paul’s Church in the Ayien Amuol area in Twic Archdeaconry since 1995. The result is tremendous and to date many souls have been converted to Jesus due to this ongoing evangelism. But the big obstacle/challenge to our church growth to date is a church building. People who are saved from our crusades and our evangelism are moving away to other churches seeking for the church and leaving us stagnated in terms of numerical growth. Lack of a secure building restricts us from serving many born again
Christians effectively and efficiently.
The church as it is has allowed wind to go through the building which will cause damage the church. Fixing in windows, doors and a cemented floor in the church are very
important, instead of glorifying our God, we are having wind and rain passing through the place of praise and worship. The completion of St. Paul’s Church at Ayien Amuol will give glory to God. It is our prayer that you also can feel the same burden and have compassion to the perishing.
See the whole project proposal on the Wau Diocese website
http://www.wau.anglican.org/docstore/ProjectProposalofS.pdf
P a g e | 14 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal
Good Leadership Introducing the New Area Bishops
By Rev John Bol
It has come as good news
that The Episcopal church
of South Sudan and Sudan
Diocese of Wau
administration Is publically
announcing the expansion
arrangements of the
leadership in Wau Diocese.
The Diocesan Bishop of
Wau Diocese, Bishop
Moses Deng Bol Akoon has
created two administrative
area Dioceses from Wau
Diocese in which each area
diocese can be lead by one
of these two assistant
Bishops to help him run part
of his administrative area
before the requirements
have to be fulfilled to qualify
as independent Dioceses from Wau, the
mother Diocese, in the future.
It was in his visionary plan to create some
more area dioceses which will later become full
dioceses when the requirements of new area
diocese are met according to ECSS/S
constitutional guidelines. The administrative
areas which he created are Gogrial and Tonj
Area Diocese. We believe that Bishop Moses
Deng’s administration in Wau Diocese will
quickly improve because of good governance
and a productive administration system which
he has introduced since leading the
administration in the Diocese.
We therefore appreciated Bishop Moses and
these current incoming leaderships,
and especially, the provision of these
two opportunities. We also appreciate
the successful administration which we
all expect will be initiated by these two
qualified assistant bishops, who were
recently consecrated in accordance to
the Episcopal Church of South Sudan
and Sudan (ECSS/S). They will
backup Bishop Moses, his
administration in the given areas
where each of the two assistant
bishops has been assigned.
P a g e | 15 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal
Bishop Moses accompanied his
two assistant Bishops to their
respective administrative areas
where they are based. He
prioritized a second trip to Tonj
Area Diocese (Tonj) to meet both
the congregation and state
government officials. This was to
officially introduce the Assistant
Bishop of Tonj Area Diocese,
Bishop Peter Yuol Gur and Bishop
Abraham Ngor Mangong of Gogrial
area Diocese to them. On his
arrival to Tonj state capital, he met
on the way with a very large crowd
of people in the distance about 15
minutes away from St Peter’s
Cathedral in Tonj waiting to welcome him with
his two assistant Bishops. Three Bishops and
Dr. Susan joined the crowd from that end and
started walking with the crowd back to the
Cathedral. This was where Bishop Moses
Introduced his two assistant bishops and
addressed the public very nicely as well.
He then shifted from St Peter Cathedral there
and went to the state Governor’s office where
he met the deputy Governor and the state
ministers of different departments in the office.
He introduced the two new assistant Bishops
and further encouraged the implementation of
the recent peace deal between the
Government of the Republic of South Sudan
and the SPLA-IO. Bishop Moses strongly told
them, “let us educate our young people with
the knowledge of peace to avoid such
concepts of tribalism, hatred and violence in
our community but learn how to live in unity
and peaceful interaction in our community as
well as to our new nation as a whole.
Then finally they went to the radio station
together, Bishop Moses the new bishops and
Dr. Susan in order to publicly announce the
same message to those who listen to radio
because he is unable to reach all areas.
After all Bishop Moses briefly instructed his
new assistant Bishops to start their
Christian ministry with a peaceful heart
that can endure any difficulties in their
leadership. He also added “I believe that
the Lord has raised us up for His own
purposes so that we may fulfil the role He
called us to play for this period of time.
We trust that the Lord will bless the efforts
given in the past and much more fruit will
come through the ways we are serving”.
Thank you very much for your time you
used to read our news, we are very happy
for that and wish to receive your
productive comments as usual. God May
bless you.
P a g e | 16 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal
Working for Peace & Unity Among the Community
By Rev John Bol
The first public meeting called by
the newly consecrated Bishop of
Tonj Area Diocese of the
Episcopal Church of South Sudan
and Sudan, Bishop Peter Yuol Gur
has shown us a sign of peace and
willingness of the community
leaders to maintain peace in the
community when the Bishop asked
them for this.
Bishop Peter told the crowd that
“the peace is very important to all
of us in which we need to have
very committed people from all the
community leaders, church leaders
and government representatives who have a
gift of natural ability in the process of peace
dissemination in the community, to make a
successful lasting peace, so that the
community may get rest from tribalism,
hatred and violence among themselves”.
He further told the crowd, especially the
Church leaders and the government of the
state to remain in cooperation and join hands
together on the peace processes so that the
community will get advantages from it and
will take note about being in a peaceful
community. “The rest of the people always
get suffering from non-valuable things which
brings no credit at the end, like fighting with
each other in the same community rather
than discussing their small cases peacefully
at the community level”.
“And that attitude will not allow our
developmental progresses and other
social activities in the community if we
continue to keep on doing such things
among ourselves”. He strongly stated
that “the good fighting which remains
in active practice with other
communities elsewhere around the
world is dialogue. Two people or a
group of people can sit to discuss the
matter until they have come to an end
in a peaceful manner, which I wish you
all to adopt as your successful
systems in the community”.
P a g e | 17 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal After Bishop Peter finished
addressing the crowd then the head
of the church council explain the
requirements needed to be met
before getting full diocese status for
Tonj area Diocese. The four
requirements needing to be met are
as follow:-
1. Diocesan car for Bishop’s
Transport.
2. Diocesan account with 50,000
SSP and above.
3. Diocesan house of Bishop.
4. Cathedral
He had concluded his speeches with a public
announcement of fundraising which
welcomed every individual and the
community with any contribution on the
mentioned requirements to give as well as
possible.
The meeting was very well organized by the
Church development committee which makes
us so pleased for the great job they have
done and also appreciated the active
participations from the state government
officials who accompanied the Governor to
the meeting. It came to our great expectation
that the Church will work hand in hand with
the state government through the fruitful and
productive words they have delivered in the
meeting. They really acknowledged all the
efforts which the Church had offered since
we were in the war with the Khartoum
government which oppressed Southerners.
The church were the ones keeping on
expressing our voices until it had been heard
by international communities when they keep
on saying that “let our people choose
between unity and separation” the process
will be based of free, they choose what will
meet their expectations according to their
opinions.
The Deputy Governor mentioned what had
been put by someone who spoke before him
that “the South Sudan Council of Churches
(SSCC) has played a great role, that they had
put our right to be seen by the world analysts.
And it is very true that we are one in the
community. Church can do it’s part to help
the government with some challenges
P a g e | 18 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal because South Sudan is ours, we don’t want
any failure to happen. Our side as
government will work close with the church
leaders to make them our special
ambassadors because they have always
contributed to positive advice more than
anyone else”.
The meeting had come almost to the end
when in a little moment, the Governor of the
state stood up to address the crowd in the
closing minutes before the final blessing by
Bishop Peter, he possibly stated that “we
should be doing everything we can to save
lives and spare the community and families
from unpleasant experiences, the pain and
unimaginable loss too many South Sudanese
have endured since we fought with the
Khartoum government and restlessly, fighting
rose up again among ourselves within a few
years”.
“We don't want anything that will affect us
while you are not part of us, we will take you
as our right advisors so that you may show
us the weakness part that we cannot see,
the only thing I comment is that South
Sudan is ours, each of us must contribute
his/her last effort to bring peace back to the
community so that our civilians may move
freely as usual”.
He has put across the blame on the seat
lover especially those who create a war in
the community when they missed a
government position but don’t realize that
one position does not accommodate more
people in the same time. He has explained
that “what killed many people every time in
our community is lack of education, some of
our young people (youth) are usual ready to
join any person who attempted to use the
division advices (tribalism motivators who
used to encourage the community to fight
against other communities of the same area)
or to take a position by force from national
government or from any leadership in any
administration level which is so painful to
other innocent community (people) when
his/her expectation result has come out”. He
stated that he is ready to join any groups who
want to do the best thing in the community.
“We want to help our civilians to be well
educated with their roles so that they can be
able to know what will be better to choose
from many choices” Governor stated.
With regard to the ECSS provincial
requirements needing to be met before
enthronement of a full Diocesan Bishop in a
P a g e | 19 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal full Diocese, “I will just choose one from
those requirements recently announced by
the church council and work on it with my
team as well as possible.
Therefore we have a further announcement
on these requirements to all our individuals,
colleagues, friends, partners and all non -
governmental organizations who feel
interested to contribute what so ever they can
to help as part of support toward this project.
We will be grateful and thankful for any
contact about fundraising or any update
about progress in church development.
Nyieth Primary School Official Dedication
By Rev Peter Angui Akook
The ECSS/S Wau Diocese
administration is very excited to
publically announce to all our
colleagues, friends, partners and
communities, the dedication
ceremony of the complete building of
Nyieth Primary School’s six classes.
It marks the successful progresses
of this achievement through financial
support from the Humanitarian Aid
Relief Trust (HART) which is led by
Baroness Caroline Cox, whose is
more commonly known name as
“Lady Cox” all over South Sudan
and other disaster experienced
countries which she has visited for
her humanitarian aims in recent
years.
Baroness Caroline Cox had
provided a lot of humanitarian
aid to the people of South
Sudan especially returnees,
orphans, street children and
those whose property has been
captured or destroyed by the
enemy armed forces or by
other natural disasters across
the country, since the
Sudanese civil war.
P a g e | 20 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal Nyieth primary school is a Christian
community school which has been
serving the local area of three
counties, Aweil East, Aweil South
and Gogrial West county of Warrap
state which is the host. Nyieth
primary school according to
geographical situation. It is at the
South West of Gogrial West County
in between the border near Aweil
East and Aweil South County. It
has been serving these three
communities areas for some years.
The occasion was attended by
large numbers of people from these
communities because they were
happy for this achievement and they also
wanted to publically display their happiness
before the Diocesan Bishop of Wau Diocese,
Bishop Moses Deng Bol as well. One
representative the Chief from Aweil East
appreciated Bishop Moses Deng and blessed
him to continue with such visionary thoughts
and heart for development as usual. “We
have many Degrees and Diploma holders,
successful students in different fields
graduated from different universities who
have attended this school which is a great
achievement towards the community” the
chief stated.
The community very much appreciated
Bishop Moses for his good plan and
important decision to provide them with an
available education centre which allows the
young children and adult learners (who
delayed their schooling due to other
circumstances) to get involved in an
educational system and learning progress.
Therefore Bishop Moses concluded his
speeches when he addressed
the community saying that “the
complete building of Nyieth
Primary School is still in our
work plan to mobilize some
funds from ourselves, colleagues
and partners so that we may
continue with the construction
progresses until we will have
achieved our goal which is the
final construction of an additional
two classes, Head Teacher’s
office, staff kitchen, dining room
and a fence built around the
school compound.
P a g e | 21 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal
Food Distribution in Wau State for Farijila
Community (IDPs)
By Rev John Bol Angui
We are very pleased to inform you
that the ECSS Diocese of Wau
has once again successfully
distributed food items to the IDPs
living in Wau town. The IDPs very
much appreciated the Wau
Diocese administration for such
support. This was achieved
through a strong partnership, by
the donation of funds from
Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust
(HART) through (ECSS-CARD)
Christian Agency for Relief and
Development which is the
development wing of Wau
Diocese. The people who have
given this opportunity of food
distribution were actually exited to participate
in this kind of humanitarian assistance.
This is not the first time that the ECSS
Diocese of Wau has distributed food to the
needy community as it has happened now.
We are trusted partners and it was a usual
duty which had occurred through several
years of fighting. Humanitarian Aid Relief
Trust (HART) kindly provide the funds for
purchasing the food and non-food stuff items,
which are bought locally through the ECSS
Diocese of Wau administration and then
given out by CARD as required to ensure the
needy are supplied correctly.
This camp is comprised of different age
groups of men, women, children orphaned of
one or both parents, who were killed in the
recent fighting that has just ended. This food
assistance has happened just as the lives
need support and automatically turned as a
credit and special blessing of both HART who
donated the funds and ECSS Wau Diocese
which implement the project. The
IDPs have established a new system
that is based on the value of all tribal
tradition norms and human rights
that gives a voice and role to all the
people in the camp to exercises their
ideas in any meeting and contribute
their feelings on how to address
social harmony and interaction in the
camp.
P a g e | 22 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal It is a very organized camp which is
headed by a good old man who made the
camp become well organized and has had
very strong leadership, better than any
other camps in the area as well. They have
organized themselves and choose some
people who led them in the camp and take
a responsibility in solving any disputes that
happen in the camp. As an example they
organize the people in lines during the
distribution of food.
They have chosen very influential leaders
who have some leadership experiences in
the past. One of them was very much
appreciated the ECSS/S Diocese of Wau
administration for their willingness to support
any emergency need as it is certainly
happened now through the partnership with
HART. He also added that “if there has not
been the ECSS/S Diocese of Wau here our
suffering would not have been heard by other
merciful people who can help as it has
certainly happened now. He further stated
P a g e | 23 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal that “Your support from ECSS/S Diocese of
Wau has actually paved the way forward to
the restoration of social relationships and
good interaction considering human rights,
dignity and well-being for all of us here within
this camp. It also strengthen our hearts to
feel courage with the words of God and apply
the relationship needed by our Lord and
saviour Jesus Christ”.
Thank you all for your time you used to read
our news, we are very happy for that and
God bless you.
Work for Peace and Unity in the Community of
South Sudan
By Rev John Bol Angui
Wau Diocese has news about the
recent community peace conference
held in Pan-Nyuom/Abuokdit between
two communities the Apuk and Aguok.
We had successfully made a peace
conference between the two sections
of Dinka community as mentioned and
the conference has been facilitated by
the RT Rev Bishop Moses Deng Bol
Akoon, the Diocesan Bishop of Wau
Diocese of the Episcopal Church of
South Sudan and Sudan (ECSS/S).
Bishop Moses told the community to
equip and train themselves in order to
inherit successful systems that will help to
achieve a future self-confidence than
practicing non productive issues which drive
them back to older levels. Such as some
grow up now and are unprepared to handle
issues by themselves.
The conference was attended by a large
crowd of people from both sides of the two
conflicting areas as well as being attended
by National and State Members of
Parliament from the two communities
complete with neighbouring communities
such as Awan Chan, Twic Bol, Kuac
Ayook, Aguok Mou and Apuk Giir
community. The conference was also
attend by the Presidential Advisor on
Decentralization Hon Tor Deng Mawien,
Governor of Gogrial State Hon Abraham
Gum Makuach, Governor of Twic State
Hon Bona Panak Biar and Governor of
Wau State Hon Elias Waya Nyipoc and
P a g e | 24 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal State Speakers of both Twic and
Gogrial States, women’s group,
youth, business groups led Makiir
Gai Thiep from Aguok community as
well several State Ministers. This
was a very important gathering.
Bishop Moses stood before the
crowd for the opening prayer of the
peace conference and words of God
as part of our evangelism and further
told the two communities to accept
reform and be faithful in any
community issues and
circumstances, like conducting this
peace conference. Let’s train ourselves in
order to inherit successful systems that will
help to achieve a future self-confidence that
will not allow you to be involved such
practices which drive you backward to
the older levels. Such as still growing and
unprepared to handle the pressure of
issues like we have now.
The communities themselves had
become more exited through the way
Bishop Moses instructed them and
delivered the words of God before the
conference speeches. He has done this
to keep them going on well with the
peace conference because they were all
given a clue which controls them to talk in
the points.
The conference had actually led through
reconciliation processes between two
sections. A former SPLA General who
has now been appointed a National
MP, Hon Salva Mathok Geng and a
business man Makiir Gai Thiep
confessed to being behind the deadly
conflict between Apuk-Aguok
communities which has been active
almost 14 years now.
The youth who were involved in the
fighting were also reconciled and
requested funds from Bishop Moses to
work for peace as soon as possible so
that they spend them for transport and
food in order to convey a message of
peace in all the 8 counties of the Apuk
and Aguok communities preaching the
P a g e | 25 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal message of peace to those who did
not attend the peace conference.
The conference has gone well but we
had actually experienced some
needs from both communities such
as humanitarian assistance because
the fighting had erupted in these
areas every year during the rainy
season which is also the cultivation
period when the cattle riders return to
dry land for grazing. In fact, it is a
sad truth there is a need of
Humanitarian assistance because
these communities depend on their
cultivation and they failed to cultivate
due to continued insecurity. What happens
to these communities? Ii is really serious,
unless they are lucky enough to find
humanitarian assistance that will
enable them to eat in cultivate periods
they will have no food.
The communities explained their need
for peace because they were
thoroughly educated by Bishop Moses’
speeches about God’s need and
expectation that he deserved from
them and all mankind. They were
speedily encouraged and felt sorry for
their sins about fighting with each other
in the same community and losing
great faith in the sight of God.
As there had been several peace agreements
between the two communities but there has
been nullification of resolutions and the
fighting has restarted again, but for sure at
this time we expect a lasting peace.
Everyone who attended the conference
believed that a true reconciliation has
taken place and so there will be no conflict
between the two communities again.
One of the evident factors for this was
really brought up by Salva Mathok and
Makiir Gai when they had explained the
root cause of the conflict problem which
we had seen was really a political
motivation issue and it has been
completely addressed now. The other
evident factor was that, the conference
was facilitated by the Church leader which
P a g e | 26 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal was seen by all parties of the conflict
as a neutral person and was really
true.
The peace agreement between
Aguok and Apuk has given the
Church huge credibility among the
people of Gogrial and others States
which attended the conference.
Many prominent community leaders
include a former Chief Justice Riing
Thiik Madut from Apuk community
had openly confessed that they did
not believe in the ability of the
Church when they had heard that
Bishop Moses will facilitate this
conference, until they had attended the
Conference. Everyone who attended and
those who did not attend all glorified God for
this great achievement.
This was great for them to challenge and
overcome without any assistance from
Government and all organizational staff
which are providing emergency assistance.
It is also the reason behind that they were
happy when the conference was facilitated
by Church leaders (Bishop Moses) they felt
trust in the Church leaders for their usual
neutral position in any community cases
and quick intervention for a solution. It is
actually falling to the year which everyone
desired to get help for the causes of the
recently ended war between the Government
of South Sudan and SPLM-IO.
In regard to personal financial problems and
economic crisis all over South Sudan,
communities cannot find the whole sellers
who can and will give commodities for the
least price now in these days. The market is
levelling out and returning to the days of civil
war due to the high exchange rate of Dollars.
The communities registered their appeal to
Bishop Moses so that he may convey their
voice and feelings. It is an opportunity for
them to seek humanitarian support as well if
possible.
Thank you all for your time you uses to share
with us and get for reading Wau Diocese
news, God bless you.
P a g e | 27 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal
A letter of Appeal from Bishop Abraham Ngor
P a g e | 28 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal
Contacting Us: www.wau.anglican.org
By E-mail
Diocesan Bishop
Rt Rev Moses Deng Bol : [email protected]
Gogrial Area Bishop
Rt Rev Abraham Ngor : [email protected]
Tonj Area Bishop
Rt Rev Peter Yuol Gur : [email protected]
Diocesan Secretary
Rev Samuel Mabith : [email protected]
General Enquiries
Rev Samuel Madut : [email protected]
Mother’s Union
Mrs Mary John Garang : [email protected]
A full list of diocesan staff with contacts can be viewed on our website.
By Post:
Hai Mozephin, Opposite Wau Teaching Hospital,
C/o ECS Provincial Office,
P O BOX 110,
Juba,
South Sudan
By Telephone:
Tel +211 926954187 or +211 955602769
+254 716641233
Lord we give you praise for your Holy Spirit that came at Pentecost and
empowered your followers with courage and skill. We pray that courage and skill
from your Holy Spirit may be with all that work for you in Wau Diocese. Amen.
- Amen
Warrap State Peace Mobiliser
Mrs Rose Aciendhel Kacthiek
+211 914191558
P a g e | 29 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal
Please Pray With Us
Pray for the hardworking clergy and volunteers of Wau Diocese who work without pay in
difficult conditions.
Give thanks to God for people and agencies that regularly work with us such as the HART
organisation, helping us to reach out with aid to the starving.
Pray for the Archbishop of the ECSSS and all in South Sudan so that all violence may be stopped
and all peace initiatives be followed with vigour.
Pray for lasting peace and strong development in South Sudan through the new Government.
Pray for the recognition and removal of all corruption in South Sudan.
Pray for all refugees, that they may one day be able to go home in peace.
Give thanks to God for the generosity of BBUC and their staff working with us now.
Pray for St John’s College of Theology and Development and its Principal Rev Peter Angui Akook.
Pray for all farmers in our community in need of education particularly people new to farming.
Pray for the children in Wau Diocese and the schooling projects set to help them.
Give Thanks for the partners working with us in the development of our society through CARD.
Pray for the situation of food security in South Sudan so that people may have enough to eat.
Pray for the many South Sudanese recovering from fighting and violence at this time.
Church prayers needs
Pray for our Bishop the Rt. Rev Moses Deng Bol, who works so hard for the Diocese, pray that God
will help him to do what needs to be done.
Pray for Bishop Abraham Ngor – the new Bishop of Gogrial Area Diocese that God will guide him.
Pray for Bishop Peter Yuol Gur – the newly consecrated Bishop of Tonj Area Diocese.
Pray for Captain Rev Paul Lueth the first Church Army Africa Officer in South Sudan.
Pray for all pastors, priests, deacons and assistants working hard in Wau Diocese.
Pray for the Mothers Union in Wau Diocese and the good work that they do.
Pray for all schools and teachers in Wau Diocese and all those trying hard to learn.
Pray for the development of the Area Dioceses of Gogrial and Tonj becoming full dioceses.
Pray for Rev Peter Angui Akook the new Acting Principal of St John’s College.
Pray for Rev Angok Achuil Angok the coordinator of Tonj Area Diocese.
Pray for all Christians working hard to build and sustain peaceful development in faith..
Give thanks to God for the valuable work of CARD in our community and the development it brings
to make life better for the future.