Thursday 9th April 2015
Today was the first day of synod, which is being held at
Emmanuel Cathedral, and Bishop Joel & Canon Isaac kindly invited me to join
them. We arrived a little bit late, which is totally culturally normal, and
joined the group mid-way through a service of Holy Communion to open the
meeting. In a totally different culture there is something very comforting
about being part of the Anglican Church because I instantly felt part of the
congregation because the service structure and much of the liturgy and songs
are similar to the Church of Ireland. I knew when to stand, sit, pray etc. The
elements of Holy Communion are slightly different. They use wafers instead of
bread and it is dipped into the wine rather than drinking from the cup, to
prevent the spread of disease.
During the service I was welcomed by Bishop Joel, and
introduced to the congregation as his ‘dear sister from Ireland’. Ugandans
certainly know how to make you feel welcome! After the service I was invited by
Canon Isaac into the vestry for tea, bread and boiled eggs- which seems to be a
favourite here! After that we got into the formal business meeting. I had to
laugh to myself that I have travelled over 4000 miles to have a totally different
experience and I find myself sitting in a synod that could have been taking place
in any diocese in Ireland!
I was amazed to hear that last year, in that one diocese,
they baptised 10,000 new Christians!! The clergy appear to be run off their
feet but God is obviously moving mightily in that place!
During the break I had another first African experience-
eating with my hands, or my natural fork, as Rev Alice likes to call it! It
sounds easy but try eating rice, beans and pulling apart chicken with just one
hand (the left hand is considered dirty). The ladies had a wee smile to
themselves and commended me for my efforts!
Tomorrow is the last day of synod so I’ll probably be there
for part of the day at least. It’s long drawn out in parts but other parts are
really interesting and exciting to get a sense of what is happening right
across the diocese.
Definitely time for sleep!
Over and out!
Danielle x
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