The following notes have been edited to correct errors and to add explanations and updates. Parenthetical notes and remarks from the original are enclosed in parentheses. Present day [2022] updates are italicized and enclosed in square brackets.
Sunday, 13 October 1991 - Morning Worship
After the talk [Saturday evening] we have an orientation meeting to go over the schedule and house rules, then to bed around 9:00 PM, which is 11:00 PM according to our not-yet-readjusted body clocks. I sleep fairly well, but am up several times. Finally up for good, showered and dressed around 6:00 AM. Breakfast had been scheduled for 8:00, but we are all up and around well before that time, so we eat around 7:15, then hold a short meeting and walk to church, accompanied by Felicita's two younger children.
Because of the international conference just ending, there are quite a few visiting ministers and bishops in the congregation. The service begins almost on time – about 9:40 AM. As usual, Medardo forms the procession out on the sidewalk in front of the church, brilliant and vulnerable in his red chasuble. Linda has brought her service book, so we are able to follow the liturgy. The processional hymn is Ein' Feste Burg [A Mighty Fortress], with a Latin rhythm. Unfortunately, the Spanish words are not in the service book, so all we can do is hum along.
When it comes time for the lessons, they are read first in Spanish, and then in English, a warm, welcoming gesture of international solidarity for our benefit. The speaker for the morning is Rev. Santa Ana, the head of the Lutheran Church in Puerto Rico. She gives an animated, very liberationist interpretation, weaving the lessons from Mark and Amos together.
At communion Rev. Santa Ana and another guest pastor serve, while Medardo comes down into the congregation and joins the common procession to receive the elements. We are served wafer and wine by intinction, placed directly in our mouths.
After the benediction comes time for introductions and presentations. Linda introduces our group in Spanish. Those of us who are carrying letters of support make our presentations: Sally a letter from President Beekman of Gettysburg College, Lucy from Bishop Harold Weiss of the Northeast Penn Synod, and I, letters from Gordon Sommers, President of the Provincial Elders Board, Northern Province, Moravian Church in North America, and from our two pastors on behalf of Lititz Moravian Congregation. There are also brief remarks from the other visiting dignitaries. One man speaks very animatedly and at some length, but unfortunately, no one translates for him. There are people here from Nicaragua, Guatemala, Bolivia, Canada, and a group who appear to be Europeans, but who are not introduced.
An infant making her first appearance at worship is welcomed into the congregation. We are a bit confused by this, as it is clearly not a baptism, and baby dedication is not a common practice among Lutherans. Later an international church worker explains to us that this is the usual custom of this congregation, an informal way to make the baby and new mother feel warmly welcomed. The child will be baptized later, probably at about six to eight months of age.
The service runs almost three hours, so it is about 1:00 PM when we get back to the house. Felicita does not cook for delegations on Sundays, so we load into the van and head to Pollo Campero to eat a quick lunch. Because the restaurant is jammed, we order take-out and return to the guest house to eat. Then we climb back into the van and head to the church to pick up A. and her daughter, who will take us out to Exodo 29 Octubre.
No comments:
Post a Comment