2008 :: Fresh & Exciting

It's now official, we are down for another exciting year. The Launch: where the year's activities are layed-out, the cabinet presented and a guiding theme released took place on the afternoon of Sunday Feb 24th... and it promises to be an exciting year of growth in every aspect (mind, body and soul)... keeping in true spirit of the StAY Alive mission and vision.


Where to start? The calendar perhaps? OK... hold your breath

March

Strol-A-Bout – 09/03/08 (Roadshow Followup)
the Vigil - 28/03/08
Talent fest & Mr. & Miss KAYO personality – 29/03/08

April

KATAA retreat – 19/04/08

May

Funfair – 04/05/08
School Visitation – 18/05/07
Archdeaconry Drama Festivals – 24/05/08

June

Children’s Home Visitation – 01/06/08
Short course training on drugs and substance abuse – 7, 14, 28/06/08
KAYO exhibition and Cultural Day – 21/06/08

July

P2H – 13, 20, 27/07/08

Archdeaconry Sports Day – 26/07/08

August

Funfair – 24/08/08
KAYO Enrollment – 30/08/08
Youth Sunday & Down to Beracah, the Concert – 31/08/08

September

Diocesan Drama festivals – 06/09/08
Operation 25 – 27/09/08
Diocesan Youth Retreat – 27/09/08

October

Prayer Retreat – 18, 19/10/08
Diocesan Sports Day – 25/10/08
PhD prais-a-thon – 26/10/08

November

Excursion – 08/11/08
StAY Klean & StAY Alive Roadshow 29/11/08
KAYO Mission week 8-13/11/08

December

Dinner & Liberty Awards Nite – 12/12/08

Is that something or what?? There is no stopping us!!

The guys to help drive these agenda are as per the cabinet:

Prezzy
Anthony Kibigo
Minister – Sports, Recreation & Performing Arts

Veep
Dennis Wabukala
Minister – Praise & Worship

Secretary
Teresiah Nyaoro
Minister – Special Events

Treasurer
Martin Njenga
Minister - Missions, Outreach & Orientation

Barbara Maina – Member
Minister - Welfare & Hospitality

Geoffrey Waweru – Member
Minister - Spiritual Development

Kenince Mbithi – Member
Minister - Fundraising & Development

A new dimension for accountability involvement and execution has seen the establishment of three teams (A, Alpha and One... for now) with any new member joining in on the teams. This development has seen the establishment of a new award category in the annual StAY Alive Dinner & Liberty Awards... Team of The Year. Initial membership was established thus:

Team A:
Mary Nyambura, Daniel Munene, Harriet, Jane Wanjira, David Kamau, Steve Karanja, Isaac, Kate Kabura, Alex Karuga, Eddah (Ida) Wanjiru, Rachael Maina, John Kiarie (KJ), Andrew, Gasper, Teresiah Nyaoro, Anthony Kibigo.

Team Alpha:
Rose Njeri, Evelyn Muthoni, Lydia Ndwiga, Edgar Davids, Ednah Wabukala, Catherine Muthoni, Sam Wamukota, Dororthy Wakio, Zipporah Muiruri, Sarah Ngina, Sarah Nyateng’, Audreine, Thomas, Cris Mwangi, Wawira Geoffrey, Dennis, Martin.

Team One:
Floyd Omondi, Helen Muiruri, Gertrude Gatwiri, Fred Ndung’u, Harun Wokuti, Julie Nduta, Mary Wairimu, , Robert Njoroge, Charles Mbuthia, Evans Kombo, Mumba Sam, Esther Gachambi, Irene Wairimu, Juliet Njeri, Laban Kioria, Elias Wamae.

Top on their agendas will be coming up with team names, slogans and captains - who should not be officials currently holding office.

That done with leaves the driving mantra for the year... based on the theme... The theme is taken from Amos 5:4–6 ‘Seek the Lord & Live’. How profound and perfectly timed. Why say so? Due to our orientation and socialisation today, young guys today seemingly do not really understand true salvation. Infact wokovu ama kusema umeokoka ni kama fashion statement, yaani ni kama kitu ya kuvaa. Reality ya heaven na hell lazima ipate wasee. Indeed, as we seek to be changers of the generation we should seek to start with the change ourselves… become the change… au sio? Thus seek the Lord & Live, ukisleki??? Jijazie!!! So here's the theme and mantra

2008 goes down, the Lord be praised. Keep it here!!

AFLEWO 2008 Begins Choir Registration

Registration of choir members for the 2008 edition of AFLEWO began officially on 20th February. Running until 28th March 2008, the process will see recruitment of an inter-denominational choir that will spearhead this year's event. Full registration charges are 1,500/=, with a minimum non-refundable fee of 500/=. Registration is being done at IBS Bookshop (Re-Insurance Plaza) and Daystar Alumni Office, from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm everyday. This year's AFLEWO theme is healing and reconciliation.

Willing to participate??

Launching 2008

Ready for take-off?? Fasten your seatbelts, prepare for take-off ... StAY Alive is launching 2008. Keep it here for details.

The Praise Team Goes To Studio

A long running cherished dream of the St Andrews Praise Team (membership of which is almost 100% StAY Alive) is to place their talent on CD and use it to make a contribution in changing the world seems to be turning to reality.

News on the ground state that new songs and renditions are being currently worked on and its just a matter of time before the first single off the CD is released. Look out for the full CD launch later in the year... keep the faith!!!

2008 - Fresh Mandate , New Ideas

It has been a while, has it not been?? Well its 2-0-0-8 and here we are. In general there is a sombre mood in the country and the usual Kenyan optimism is conspicuously missing... but know what? We are believers in the Most High God and we are certain that God will hear our prayers.

So what is in store for StAY Alive in 2008... time will tell but for starters we have a new team of leaders to see us through the year. Some were given a fresh mandate while others in keeping with the StAY Alive tradition were allowed to take their sabbatical while a fresh crop of leaders was ushered in. It will be interesting to see the new cabinet appointments but as we stand this is the anointed team for 2008. Kazi kwenu!!

Chairperson: Anthony Kibigo
Secretary: Teresia Nyaoro
Treasurer: Martin Njenga
Member: Dennis Wabukala
Member: Barbara Maina
Member: Geoffrey Waweru
Member: Kenince Mbithi

Congrats to y'all and may you execute God's mandate with vigour and vitality.

… AND IT CAME TO PASS …

What a year, indeed what a season!! The curtains are finally coming down on 2007 and as StAY Alive we just are thoroughly blessed by what God has seen us through. The year’s theme - CAN’T STOP WON’T STOP - will resonate for days to come. From the powerful fellowships we have had, the hypertight Down To Beracah, the postponed Operation 25 and the ‘doubtful’ Roadshow, indeed as AStar would say it kweli Mungu we ni mwema…

The 2007 StAY Alive Dinner & Liberty Awards Nite went down in a specially erected dome outside St Andrews Church on December 12th. Although starting an hour later than scheduled there was no mistaking the evening was going to be warm and relaxed.

Starting off with a moment of thanksgiving and unadulterated worship all present were reminded of God’s faithfulness through out the year and were asked as individuals and as a group to lift up a thanksgiving praise. That done with, prayers for food were said and a sumptuous dinner was served. This being the 5th dinner the menu was getting better (and fairer, there were loads of it). With our very own resident techie / DJ Charlo doing what he does best (making noise) churning out some nice worshipful music, with pictures of the years activities rolling on the hurriedly setup big screen the mode was set for the next session of the night, the awards ceremony. And it did not disappoint.

The various categories were awarded thus:

SONG OF THE YEAR: Undoubtedly this jam got everyone within the larger St Andrews community praising, no lesser person than the Vicar himself has expressed his love for the song. Indeed I have heard some comments to the effect that StAY Alives version does sound better than the original [sic]. The award was taken by the song LEAD ME TO THE ROCK beating Ibada Yangu and the St Andrews Silver Jubilee theme song, Ebenezer.

ACTIVITY OF THE YEAR: As soon as this event was ending on Sep 2nd it was already being billed as the leading candidate for this award. With a stellar cast of guest artists and a thoroughly beautiful day all through Down To Beracah Concert finally lived up to its promise and scoped the award. See an independent review of the event by clicking here.

CHAIRMANS AWARD: This award was setup to recognise people who have offered great support to the group throughout the year or have been involved greatly in one way or another in helping in the growth of StAY Alive Fellowship. The jury is still out on whether the Patron qualifies for an award but this nights recognition went to one of the pioneer members of StAY Alive, a former chairman and the current Patron Cris Mwangi who was recognised for his continued support of the StAY Alive activities and for his direct participation in the groups activities as opposed to remote visibility that has been associated with previous Patrons.

BEST NEW MEMBERS: 2007 saw the group rake in several new members each joining and jellying with and growing within the group. The nights honors though belonged to Geoffrey Waweru and Barbra Maina who have undoubtedly played their part and deserve the title Rookies of The Year. We hope they will emulate some previous award winners who have gone ahead and become great StAY Alive officials and also scoped other subsequent awards.

OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR: StAY Alive is known for its vibrancy and noise, and sometimes its the noisiest things that get noticed, but guess what these are not necessarily the most important!!! The official who held the most essential docket working at it quitely through thick and thin, when there were many people and when he was solo, the guy who made sure our spirituality was propped deservedly took this award. A second time award winner, having scooped the 2006 Best New Member Male, Martin Njenga humbly accepted the recognition amid calls for fellowship and prayer.

MOST VALUABLE MEMBERS: Arguably the most prestigious of all awards, this category recognises the exceptional value and contribution made by the most ‘active’ members of the fellowship. And who more deserving than David Kamau and Treazer Nyaoro?

David has become synonymous with Logistics, the sheer energy and knack for wanting EVERYTHING done has stood out. At no occasion has he been found resting or folding his hands indeed even on this particular evening he was slacking it out… and as has been his custom he had some parable to share… meanwhile checkout Proverbs 6:9-11 that must be his inspiration. David took the Best New Member award when the awards were started in 2002 and went on to be Chairman of the group for two successive years, years that will be remembered for the setting up of StAY Alive evangelistic ministry with several mission trips and school visits.

Treazer is the joyful high soprano, the secretary to the KATAA Secretariat and the nearly incognito worker within the group. Treazer was joint winner of the 2006 Best New Member Female award. At this rate the sky is not the limit. Sad she was not present to collect her award but she was ably represented by the immaculately dressed Helen Mwihaki.

Speaking of immaculately dressed, the awards are themed as a formal evening outing aimed at celebrating the achievements of the group and recognizing the efforts made by several individuals & / or groups throughout a given year. The evening is also aimed at introducing the membership to formal events. I think it’s about time a new spontaneous award category was included for the most well dressed male, female and couple to spice up the evening. My parallel award nominations for the night for this 'new' category are: Female - Helen Mwihaki; Male - Alex Karuga / Anthony Kibigo; Couple - Mr & Mrs Elias Wamae; Pevu - Mrs Purity Wakubwa...

That said, we look back with gratitude to a great 2007 looking forward to what promises to be a monumental 2008… CAN’T STOP – WON’T STOP.

Enjoy The Pic's

Wedding Bells Rang

December 1st was not going to be any ordinary day!!! Decorate extraordinaire was getting hicthed, and hitched he was!!

The whole wedding was answered prayer... after heavy overnight and mid-morning rain guests all over had enough reason to be worried abut the outdoor wedding. But prayers had been said abou the weather and my was it not a beautiful afternoon.

Enjoy the pics as we wish Elias and Terry well into their future!!