The hymn sandwich is dead; long live worship among our brothers and sisters in East Africa! After a great presentation about worship by our UK colleague David Usher, we had a wonderful opportunity today to hear about how the differing African congregations structure their own worship services; both the similarities and the diversities were striking.
Take this outline from one of the lay-led fellowship groups in Nairobi: “We light the chalice, and one of us says a short prayer. Next, there is a reading from the Bible. We focus on issues pertinent to the time; now that our country in turmoil, our reading is on reconciliation and healing. Next, there is a song; if you feeel edified enough, you can dance. Depending on how prepared we are, one of us may choose to give a short sermon based on the reading, though it doesn’t have to be from the Bible. Then we end with a short prayer and extinguish the chalice.
In the outlying Nairobi areas of Tena and Ruira, things are different. Church members arrive at 9 a.m for a service that begins at 10:30. They visit with one another, then receive introductory words from the minister. Members introduce themselves, speak of the congregation’s programs and projects, as well as any joys or concerns among them. Finally, the chalice is lit, followed by a reading, a song, and a story. Then the congregation’s children leave, while preaching and discussions continue, along with hymns. By the time the chalice is extinguished, it’s 12:30 p.m.
In Burundi, the leaders explained that “we dress formally to respect each other; we make a circle, light the chalice, read from the Bible. Then we exchange commentaries on what we have read, then meditate. There is an ending prayer.” The delegation assured us that they practice solidarity among their members, and that any one of the members is capable of conducting the service.
The constant, it seems, is the chalice. All other elements are in flux. But what a wealth of information and ideas we have covered on this Saturday afternoon.
