Another Sunday in the Pulpit

Elijah is an Episcopal priest in the Episcopal Church of Sudan and has two female students at Abukloi Secondary School.  He is also the chairman of the Community Development Committee – the local group who built the school facilities we are using.  The Board’s relationship with him is important.  When I was here before he was assigned to the English-speaking service at the church near the market.  Of the approximate 60 people who attended those services many were from local NGOs so it was a good service for us to attend, make connections.  In 2013 he had other people preach for him because of his cataracts.  I was one of those people.  He has since had the cataracts removed.  However, the church he serves now is in Dinka and in the Akuac community where Nancy’s Garden is located.  Friday he asked me to preach this Sunday and I agreed. 

Justin picked me up around 8:00 and then stopped to pick up Elijah, then dropped us off at the Episcopal Church.  The service began around 8:30 with music led by “a girl” and 2 drums.  Elijah, called “Father” by his congregation, coordinated with people who were to lead the service.  We met with about 8 women in white robes and carrying crosses before the service for prayer.  A little after 9:00 we went into the sanctuary.  It is considered an old church having been built by the British in 1947/48. It is made of block with plastered walls and a very high ceiling.  The “pews” are made of concrete blocks with no backs – every pew was filled. That building and its people have seen much history and lost many lives because of their faith.  I estimate over 200 people present.   “Father” asked me to preach and pray for their nation and their church.  He translated the sermon but not the prayer.  After the service we went to the children’s Sunday School.  It was a group of about 20 children meeting under a tree.  Following some time with them we went back into the church.  The same group of women in white robes made a circle with Elijah around a woman who knelt in the middle of the circle.  He said she had applied to be one of the leaders (not sure of their title) in the church but was not accepted for “various reasons”.  She hopes to be accepted the next time.  So we laid hands on and around her and prayed.

Some observations:

During the offering the people come forward rather than having the plates passed.  Everyone comes forward.  If they have money they put it in the basket but if they do not they simply put their hands in the basket.  It is a way to offer themselves.

The same handicapped man (walked on his knees) who was at karaoke at Freedom Square was at church this morning.  He had a bike made for him where he could use his hands/arms to turn the chain. The music was electric with joy and hope.   

-Marg