The last 14 hours are a bit of a blur. Arrived at the Accra airport after midnight local time and took just 15 minutes to clear customs. The passport service folks were very efficient, and I imagine, tired.
Luggage was more of an adventure because I had checked a bag as a last minute simplification measure, and it turns out my bag got to Ghana hours before my plane, so that was eventually terrific. Got to the hotel and to bed around 2am local time, and set an alarm to make a 10 am church service in Jonestown (about 15 minutes by car from the hotel).
I rolled into St. ANDREW’S ACCRA at 9:58 am and was Beyond Surprised to see someone wearing a Bishop’s Mitre at the end of the procession that was forming in the courtyard. He scowled at me, which seemed premature, and the next thing I knew a man was saying “follow me – this way Miss” very warmly and walking very quickly. So I followed him. Eventually we were scooting into the Sacristy/Robing Room.....my guide’s next sentence cleared quite a lot of the confusion up: “you can get dressed in here”......to which after trying to sort out what was expected, I demurred and explained that I’d not brought my alb or any vestments. This confused my kind crucifer greatly, so I tried to explain that I was looking forward to ATTENDING church, at which he scurried through another door, and planted me in a close pew, while the procession had begun and was about mid-center aisle!
I tried to settle in as inauspiciously as possible, which turned out to be absolutely IMPOSSIBLE, because I was in the front row, and the people behind me patted me a welcome on the shoulder, and the woman next to me was equally kind, all while the procession was making its joyful way up the aisle.
Turns out October 20th was a super exciting service at St. Andrew’s Accra – confirmation of THIRTY young people and the reception of 2 quite senior adults (80+). It was an enormous and joy filled, music buoyed, marathon service!
More about the mechanics of the service later, for now, I am very grateful to be outside in Ghanaian air making my best guesses about which of the hotel guest are and are not Echoing Green conference participants.
Grateful to be part of this organization and to each of you who are staying connected while I’m in Africa!
Rev. Amy+
Luggage was more of an adventure because I had checked a bag as a last minute simplification measure, and it turns out my bag got to Ghana hours before my plane, so that was eventually terrific. Got to the hotel and to bed around 2am local time, and set an alarm to make a 10 am church service in Jonestown (about 15 minutes by car from the hotel).
I rolled into St. ANDREW’S ACCRA at 9:58 am and was Beyond Surprised to see someone wearing a Bishop’s Mitre at the end of the procession that was forming in the courtyard. He scowled at me, which seemed premature, and the next thing I knew a man was saying “follow me – this way Miss” very warmly and walking very quickly. So I followed him. Eventually we were scooting into the Sacristy/Robing Room.....my guide’s next sentence cleared quite a lot of the confusion up: “you can get dressed in here”......to which after trying to sort out what was expected, I demurred and explained that I’d not brought my alb or any vestments. This confused my kind crucifer greatly, so I tried to explain that I was looking forward to ATTENDING church, at which he scurried through another door, and planted me in a close pew, while the procession had begun and was about mid-center aisle!
I tried to settle in as inauspiciously as possible, which turned out to be absolutely IMPOSSIBLE, because I was in the front row, and the people behind me patted me a welcome on the shoulder, and the woman next to me was equally kind, all while the procession was making its joyful way up the aisle.
Turns out October 20th was a super exciting service at St. Andrew’s Accra – confirmation of THIRTY young people and the reception of 2 quite senior adults (80+). It was an enormous and joy filled, music buoyed, marathon service!
More about the mechanics of the service later, for now, I am very grateful to be outside in Ghanaian air making my best guesses about which of the hotel guest are and are not Echoing Green conference participants.
Grateful to be part of this organization and to each of you who are staying connected while I’m in Africa!
Rev. Amy+
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