Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Forward in Africa Report #1




Brother Nathan Dunlap(MSJ) and family arrived in Tanzania on May 15 for a six-month mission in Nyakato, on the outskirts of Mwanza. Here is their first report:

Jamba (Hello):
We are now on our third full day and staying briefly in Dodoma, the capital city. There have been so many experiences in these few days it feel as though we have been here weeks:
Our projected six hour drive from Dar to Dodoma turned into ten hours but was incredibly interesting. We were able to see just about every Tanzanian landscape and lifestyle - from city to far out country to mountains and valleys to deserts. It is difficult to describe this wonderful place. Everyone is working. Hands are busy. People are living. There are no TV’s, no video games. A boy is welding gates, and another building beds. There are others selling food and drinks on the highways. There are the little girls and boys returning from school. There are the young people learning trades from elders. There are the ladies cooking, men working hard, and little boys herding cattle. Everyone is busy. Everyone is unique and different, but all still similar. There's vegetation everywhere; Big trees, pretty flowers, food, bushes, etc.... This land is beautiful!
We have been busy: our first day here we attended the consecration of a Bishop. The Archbishop of Canterbury and the president of Tanzania were present. The service was five hours long, almost completely in Swahili, and half way through I decided I'd never complain about an hour and a half church service in English again!
Sunday we worshipped in a small village Anglican church in the town of Kongwa. Since we had Bishop Kwangu with us, the worship was over four hours. (they usually get a visit from the Bishop maybe every couple years).  Later,  we visited St. Phillip's Theological School where Bp. Kwangu was a student and staff for many years.
We love Tanzania and ask your prayers as our work begins………..

Monday, May 20, 2013

Episcopal Visit - St. John the Apostle (Clinton Twp, MI)



On Sunday May 19th the people of St John the Apostle Anglican Church of Clinton Township, Michigan were doubly blessed to have Bp William Ilgenfritz (MDAS) and Bp Fredrick Fick (MSJ) join us for our celebration of Pentecost and the Confirmation of nine of our members.  Beginning with fellowship at an informal reception and dinner with the vestry Saturday evening and continuing on to Sunday’s worship with the color red in prominent display, we sang, we prayed, and we worshiped our God and King. 

Six of the nine confirmed had attended weekly confirmation classes since last September.  The other three, as adults, had a less structured approach to their coursework and exam. All were supported by family, friends and sponsors, making the day a reunion of faith expressed and renewal of old friendships. Bp Ilgenfritz preached on the birth of the church at Pentecost being the undoing of the work and curse of Babel. He also took time to personally charge the confirmands to take up as their own the promises made for them or made by them in Baptism.  The luncheon and fellowship that followed provided not only ample food for the journey, but also generous amounts of encouragement and opportunities to get to know our Bishops.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Episcopal Visit - St. Andrew Anglican Church

Bishop Fick, Father General of the Missionary Society of St. John, and wife Jan, made an Episcopal Visit to Spring Grove, IL on the Sunday, May 5.

Enjoying great fellowship with Fr. Scott and Lisa Keenan and the people of Saint Andrew Anglican Church, the weekend was highlighted by the Spring's first barbecue picnic and the blessing and dedication of St. Andrew's new altar.




Contact Information

11195 S. Grayling Rd.
Roscommon, MI 48653

Telephone: 586-264-6044
msjanglican "at" yahoo.com