Dispatch Easter 2012, Part II

The Anglican Church at Rock Sound Harbour stands proudly at the waterfront. It was locked when I had gone by the day before to find out the times Easter services. Easter morning about 07:00 I went ashore and walked the short distance to the church. The door was open and the inside was decorated ready for the service. I walked forward to the altar rail for a brief prayer. While I was kneeling a man came out from around back of the altar with communion silver in his hands. We acknowledged each other, and each went about what we were doing. When I walked out he met me at the door, and introduced himself as the rector, and that the service would be at 11:00.
 That started a discussion that lasted 30 minutes, 45 minutes, maybe an hour, much too long for a busy priest on Easter morning. We talked about many things. About his parish: he explained that the parish is a geographic stretch of Eleuthera, and that he had six churches in the parish. His father was also a priest, and they shared the duties. We talked about his congregations, the Dioces of Bahamas and Turks & Caicos. The Province of the West Indies, The Anglican Communion, The stepping down of the Archbishop, Rowan Williams. (The rector went to school in England, at the school where Rowan Williams did his undergraduate work. He would come back and give seminars, etc.) We discussed the American Episcopal Church, and the effects actions of the American church has on his parish, the diocese, and the worldwide communion. He said that all he, and his people, know about the US church is what they see on big cable networks, CNN and MSNBC. And the
 consternation felt at what they saw. He asked me to tell him what was really going on, what is the American Episcopal Church? We talked, and talked, and talked; personal, conceptual, spiritual, biblical, liturgical. When his time was getting short he dumbfounded me by asking if I would like to read one of the lessons at the 11:00 service! It was perhaps one of the greatest honors I have ever received. The thought of being asked to read for the most important service of the year.... I declined, and am glad I did, because I would have usurped one of his people who were already being honored by reading. Later, in the service, seeing the people who read, my decision was reinforced. As we parted, he took my hand, and said,"Thank you for coming here. Your presence tells us that we are OK, that the rest of the world respects us, and that we are not alone. You do not wear a collar, but you are a minister, a missionary of the Church."

   I was proud that, of the 25 or so boats in Rock Sound Harbour, six came to the service. And amongst them were six children, all blond no less. The church was crowded, and there was lots of wonderful singing. The service was the familiar Rite II service that we all know, with bells and smells. After the communion, before the dismissal, all the children were asked to come up to sing their song, words written in the bulletin. Well children came up, and children came up, and children came up. I guess there were about 75 black headed youngsters up there, and five with blond hair. (One shy youngster stayed close beside his mother. His two blond siblings went forward.) The white faces sang with as much joy as the black faces. These youngsters were undoubtedly being raised by cruising parents, and were totally comfortable in this celebration. It was beautiful to behold.
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
  Easter 2012
Bill Doar