A Seminar, and a Tanzanian connection . . .

The seminar on preaching the Gospel in difficult times had a focus on children as a reminder first, of how vulnerable children are in the present economic environment, and secondly to remind us all of how vulnerable we are, as children of God, if we place our faith in gods other than the true God -- wealth, material things, the pursuit of material things for their own sake. The group together reflected on the increased emphasis currently being placed on relationships -- with one another and, together, with God. We also reflected on the fullness of the Gospel message -- rejecting a message that is only one of endless prosperity, conspicuous consumption and expenditure, and embracing the full Gospel of cross and resurrection, that "Jesus went not up to glory but first He suffered death." Particularly in this holy season of Lent, it is a time for us to recommit ourselves to that true Gospel message, and see in the present economic times the death of a former, misguided way of life and the opportunity to grow into a new life in Christ.
SURPRISE BLESSING: Before meeting Katie and some of my college friends for dinner on Friday evening in Washington, D.C., I decided to attend Evening Prayer in the chapel. I found myself sitting next to The Rev. Narcis John Sebikwekwe, a priest from the Diocese of Central Tanzania (east of Tabora diocese). He was the officiant for the evening, and conducted the service in Swahili from the Tanzanian Book of Common Prayer. He of course knows Fr. Isaya Mugaragu from Mbugani, Bishop Makaya and Trinity's old friend, the Rev. Sospeter Ndenza. It was definitely a "small world" experience, and a reminder how good it is to be a part of a worldwide communion that shares a common liturgy and, at its essence, a common faith.
Tomorrow, a bit on my visit to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+