Sunday, August 26, 2007

Pious Adventures

I went to church this morning for the first time since I've been in Africa. It was certainly different and interesting! I normally attend Catholic services when I go to church back home, but I couldn't find a convenient Catholic church here. I'm sure there is one, but I haven't yet figured out where it is or how best to get there on a Sunday morning. So instead I decided to attend the service at the Methodist church on the corner near my house.


The congregation was quite small... maybe thirty people in a church that could hold over a hundred. And 90% of the congregation must have been over the age of 60. But it was a very friendly, personal service. It was quite obvious to me that the whole congregation knew each other, and for example, when we rose from our pews to "offer the sign of peace" to each other, I think I shook hands with literally every other person attending the mass. And I don't know how much this is a function of the service being Methodist vs. Catholic or in the US vs. Africa, but the congregation was much more active in the service than I had expected. People rose to tell the congregation about the good and bad news in their lives, to announce important family happenings, and to remark on the activities of the church organizations. I can't even explain how all the details differed from my expectations, but it was certainly an interesting experience.

I think next week I will try to attend an Anglican service at a larger church about a 45 minute walk from my house and compare the two. That is, as long as I can get myself out of bed so early on a weekend to walk that far! And sorry to disappoint all my marimba friends, but no Siyakudumisa hymn this week. I'll keep looking!