Lenten Retreat

Come for a day centered in the Daily Office and for Holy Communion with African music. There will be four sessions focused upon worship, meditation, community life, and healing.

The retreat will provide witness, advocacy, and prayer for justice for the people of Sudan and South Sudan in this continued time of crisis and war. You will learn from teachers of African Spirituality and prayer.

Leaders (more information about all of the leaders found below): The Rev. Canon Martin Oguike, The Rev. John Thompson-Quartey, The Rev. Dr. Augustine Unuigbe, Ngozi Martin-Oguike.

When: Saturday March 10, from 10AM to 3pm

Cost: $15, lunch provided

Where: All Saint's Church, Princeton, NJ

Registration: Register online here or email spaige@newjersey.anglican.org, fax registration form to 6093949546, or mail for to the diocese.

Contact: the Rev. Dr. Hugh Brown

Leaders biographies:

The Reverend Canon Martin Oguike is the vicar of St. John's Church, Woodbridge. Canon Oguike was born and raised in Nigeria, West Africa. He completed his undergraduate work in Birmingham University, UK. He holds a Master of Philosophy degree in Theology from the Birmingham University, UK and a Ph

.D. in Church History from the University of Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. Can

on Oguike lived through a genocidal civil war in Nigeria similar to the situation in Sudan/Darfur from 1967-1970 on which his dissertation on "The Roll of the Church in Nigerian Civil War" is based.

The Reverend C. John Thompson-Quartey is a native of Ghana, West Africa. He received his Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University, Newark NJ in 1993, and earned his Masters of Divinity from the General Theological Seminary, New York City, NY in 1997. He was ordained to the diaconate in May 1997, and to the Sacred Order of Priests in December of 1997. He served as Associate Rector for Youth and Family Ministries at Christ Episcopal Church in Ridgewood, NJ from 1997 until 1999. Then as Chaplain for Pastoral Care and Director of Community Outreach Programs at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire from 1999 until July 2005. He is presently the Rector of St. Mary's-by-the-Sea in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, where he has served since 2005.

The Revere

nd Dr. Augustine Unuigbe is the Priest-in Charge of St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Atlantic City. He is both a priest and a medical doctor, and has recent passed his medical boards in the United States.

Ngozi Martin-Oguike was born in Benin city, Nigeria. She holds a BA from the University of Benin, an MFA from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and an MA in Special Education from Kean University. She is author

of Lyrics of the Gong: Poems, as well as Called Together (1998) and Feminism in Nigeria: a Perspective in Visual Communication (2002). She is an educator with the

Roselle School District the wife of Martin Oguike.

An appeal to Episcopalians

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

A recent article from the New York Times reports: “South Sudan, the world’s newest

country, was born in July in ceremonies pulsating with pride and jubilation. Now, it seems to be

exploding in violence. More than 1,000 people have been killed in the past several months in clashes

between rival ethnic groups….” And as we follow the coverage, we read of brinksmanship over

oil along the jagged and disputed border with Sudan, a growth of inter-communal violence, the

forced exodus of Christians in the north, and a grim situation over humanitarian aid.

And so we on the Sudan Committee, and we hope also in your churches, continue to offer

a prayer composed by women in the Episcopal Church of Sudan that begins: O God, into the

pain of the tortured, breathe stillness. Into the misery of displacement, breathe comfort. Into the

hunger of the very poor, breathe fullness. Into the death of the innocent, breathe life. Into the

pain of the widowed and orphans, breathe hope.

Even as the largest country in Africa is now split, the Episcopal Church of the Sudan

remains unified. It has a strong network of organizations and people working collaboratively

through the Sudan Council of Churches to promote healing and ensure peace. It provides leaders

in mediation processes, aids in trauma counseling, discourages factionalism and the formation of

civil mercenary groups. In most of its dioceses, the Church maintains and seeks to expand health

clinics and schools during a time when Government services in many areas are still in their

infancy.

The Sudan Committee of the Diocese of New Jersey invites you to continue to pray for

the people of Sudan and Southern Sudan and to contribute generously to fund the multi-year

education in Africa of a future priest from Sudan/Southern Sudan. Our effort is modest, yet filled

with hope and trust in the redeeming and transforming love of Christ. Costs for one year of

theological education in Africa are over $6,000 and we have raised to date close to $7,000. Your

contributions can be made payable to “Diocese of New Jersey” with a memo “Attn: Sudan” and

sent to 808 West State Street, Trenton NJ 08618.

We also invite you to join us for our second Day of African Spirituality on Saturday,

March 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at All Saints, Princeton, and to register through the Diocese of

New Jersey’s web site with your $15.00 contribution which includes lunch. Our day of

refreshment during Lent will be centered in the Daily Office and include a Holy Eucharist with

African music. Sessions offered by The Rev. Canon Martin Oguike, Ph.D., the Rev. C. John

Thompson-Quartey, and The Rev. Dr. Augustine Unuigbe will focus on worship, meditation,

community life, and healing. Those of you who were able to be with us last year will remember

how captivating and inspiring the presentations from some of the African priests in our Diocese

were. The retreat will provide witness, advocacy, and prayer for justice in this continued time of

crisis and hope.

We thank you for walking in love and solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ in

Sudan/Southern Sudan. We look forward welcoming you on March 10.

Grace and peace,

The Rev. Hugh E. Brown, III, D.Min.

Chair (and Members of the Sudan Committee) and

Rector, All Saints Church, Princeton

P.S. We are very grateful to the St. Martin’s House committee for its renewed grant underwriting

the expenses of this day.

P.P.S. You may also wish to consider a one-day seminar on Friday, March 9, at Princeton

Theological Seminary: African Women Extraordinaire: Lectures and Conversation with

Christian Leaders which includes presentations by Dr. Mercy Oduyoye, described as Africa’s

first and foremost woman theologian, and Dr. Sarojini Nadar, senior lecturer and director of the

Gender and Religion Department at the School of Religion and Theology at the University of

KwaZulu-Natal (Durban, South Africa). The fee of $50 includes lunch. Scholarships available

for students. Registration through Princeton Seminary’s website: www.ptsem.edu/offices/coned.

Africa: Anglicans Appeal for Harmony, Understanding Between Muslims and Christians

Anglican Communion News Service:

Anglican leaders from across the continent of Africa have made an emotional appeal to Muslim faith leaders to stand with them in opposition to "tragic violence that is destroying our communities".

The appeal was issued at the end of a three-day meeting of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa in Burundi where conflict between the two faiths was high on the agenda.

The statement read: "The Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa...has noted with much sadness the increasing deterioration between Muslim and Christian communities in different parts of the world, specifically our Provinces of Sudan, Nigeria, and the Diocese of Egypt.

"As a council, coming from communities diverse in religion and culture, the present circumstances have forced us to ask whether the violence we see and experience is driven by religious intolerance from our brothers of different religions with whom we have lived together for generations, in some cases centuries, or whether in fact it is a result of a much greater problem of exploitation of ignorance and religious beliefs for political gain.

"Whatever the cause, the subsequent violence is devastating. In most cases, this societal decline has resulted in bloodshed, loss of life, livelihoods, poor living standards, and has bred bitterness and hopelessness."

Highlighting conflict in Sudan, South Sudan, Egypt and Nigeria the statement--signed on behalf of CAPA by the outgoing Chairman Archbishop Ian Earnest--called for an end to violence that "destabilise whole communities".

"As CAPA, we reach out to Muslim faith leaders of these affected communities to stand with us in solidarity opposed to the tragic violence that is destroying our communities in Africa. We call upon individual Christians and Muslims in Sudan, Egypt and Nigeria, especially the youth, to join hands united against religious extremism and respectful of religious and cultural differences."

Celebrating the initiative by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to make peace by creating "Bayt al-'ila" or a "Family home" from Muslim and Christian leaders to deal with the sectarian strife in Egypt, CAPA also urged governements of affected countries to grant Christians and other religious groups, equal rights and freedom to enjoy the benefits of full citizenship.

"We also call on our respective governments to introduce appropriate measures to guarantee freedom of citizens to live and practice their religions by providing security to their lives and property."

Spirit-filled Evensong a Success

A thank-you to the 100 attendees who braved the uninviting weather and joined us for this spirit-filled afternoon. About $2000 was raised for our Scholarship fund, and through God's grace, we accomplished our goal for the event, providing rich funding for our scholarship fund and providing a voice of the Diocese and wider church for Sudan! We were overjoyed by the generosity of the attendees.

The service was VERY successful and inspiring ...with marvelous and uplifting music (thanks to Deborah Ford), great preaching (thanks to Canon Sabune), great support from Bishop Councell, the Diocese, volunteer choristers, Dean John and the people of Trinity Cathedral and Clara Gregory from the Cathedral who coordinated the reception the awesome team-work from the Sudan Committee, and all of the people of the Diocese!

October 30th, African Evensong

Leaders: The Right Reverend George E. Councell, Eleventh Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey, The Very Rev. Rene Rory John. Preacher: The Reverend Canon Petero A.N. Sabune,The Episcopal Church, Global Partnership Officer, Africa & The Middle East

Please join the people of the Diocese of New Jersey and the Sudan/Darfur Committee of our Diocese for an African Evensong featuring traditional African worship, music, dance, drums and other instruments, attire — and the fervent joy and praise of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The service will be followed by a reception featuring African dishes and a visual presentation on theological education in Africa. In addition to offering a powerful witness for the people of Sudan and Darfur in this continued time of crisis and war, we will be requesting a free will offering for the new Scholarship Fund of the Sudan/Darfur Committee, to provide theological education/seminary education for a leader for the Anglican Church of Sudan, and the power and presence of the Christian church in the work of justice, peace and reconciliation. Don't miss this remarkable and inspiring evening of worship, education and fellowship as we provide a powerful voice of advocacy for the people of Sudan and Darfur! Sponsored by the Sudan/Darfur Committee.

When: Sunday, October 30th at 3 pm. Reception follows.

Where Trinity Cathedral
801 West State Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08618

609 392-3805
Contact: The Reverend Dr. Hugh Brown, 609 921-2420 or at Rector@allsaint.org

Petero A. N. Sabune is the Global Partnership Officer for Africa and the Middle East for The Episcopal Church responsible for serving as a liaison between the church and its partners in Africa and the Middle East. Before joining the Episcopal Church Center, he was the pastor and protestant chaplain at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York. Born in Uganda and the son of a priest, he came to the United States through the American Field Service (AFS) exchange program in 1969. He returned to Uganda 1970 and, fleeing the ruthless dictator Idi Amin. He earned a BA from Vassar and graduated from Union Theological Seminary with an M.Div. Ordained in 1981, Sabune has served churches in the Dioceses of New York and Newark.

He has visited 28 African countries and 10 of the 12 Anglican Provinces on the African continent. Internationally, he is a trustee of the Episcopal Seminary in Haiti, a founding board member of the Business and Technology Institute of Haiti, and was chair of the Forgiveness and Reconciliation Project. He has been a board member of Forward Movement Publications. Among his awards and honors, he received the Minorities in Criminal Justice Leadership Award, the NAACP Community Service Award, and the Caribbean American Families Incorporated Community Service Award.

George Edward Councell graduated from the University of California, Riverside and from the Episcopal Divinity School. For two years he served as Vicar of Grace, Colton and St. Luke’s, Fontana, California. In 1977, he became the first rector at St. George’s, Riverside, California.

In 1986 he was called to the Diocese of Western Massachusetts to serve as Canon to the Ordinary and then in 1995, to be the ninth Rector of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest, Illinois. In 2003, he was elected the Eleventh Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey. He is a trustee of the General Theological Seminary in New York and in 2010 was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, from the seminary.

Africa’s newest nation emerges as South Sudan overcomes

Special to USAfricaonline.com

July 8, 2011, Juba: South Sudan became the world’s newest country early Saturday, officially breaking away from Sudan after two civil wars over five decades that cost the lives of at least two million people.

Residents of the new Republic of South Sudan danced in the streets, banged on jerry cans and chanted the name of the world’s newest president, Salva Kiir.

South Sudan earned independence at 12:01 a.m. Saturday (5:01 p.m. EDT Friday), the culmination of a January independence vote guaranteed in a 2005 peace deal that ended the most recent north-south war.

The 193rd country recognized by the United Nations and the 54th UN member state in Africa, South Sudan is one of the poorest and least-developed places on earth. Unresolved problems between the south and its former foe to the north could mean new conflict along the new international border, advocates and diplomats warn.

The young government faces the huge challenge of reforming its bloated and often predatory army, diversifying its oil-based economy, and deciding how political power will be distributed among the dozens of ethnic and military factions. It must also begin delivering basic needs such as education, health services, water and electricity to its more than 8 million citizens.

A draft constitution passed this week lays the groundwork for President Kiir and the legislature, who were elected last year, to serve out their five-year terms. The legislature’s few opposition lawmakers are unhappy with the draft, but it now serves as an interim constitution until multiparty elections are held.

Guests for the country’s inauguration include UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice and General Carter Ham, commander of the U.S. Africa Command. Sudan President Omar al-Bashir, a deeply unpopular man in Juba, also is expected.

A $1 billion yearly UN peacekeeping mission with a 10,000-member peacekeeping force has monitored implementation of the 2005 peace deal. The mission has drawn criticism for its failure to protect Sudanese civilians caught in violence along the north-south border and in the south, where conflict has killed nearly 2,400 people this year alone.

The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously approved a new peacekeeping force for South Sudan, authorizing the deployment of up to 7,000 military personnel and 900 international police, plus an unspecified number of U.N. civilian staff including human rights experts. ref: AP

A Call To Prayer and Fasting to End the Nuba Genocide, and for the Peace of all Sudan

From: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2011/6/21/ACNS4883

To all my brothers and sisters in Christ,

On behalf of my people in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan we are asking all Sudanese Christians wherever they are, and the Church throughout the world to join with us in a day of prayer and fasting on June 26, 2011.

Once again we are facing the nightmare of genocide of our people in a final attempt to erase our culture and society from the face of the earth. It is not a war between armies that is being fought in our land, but the utter destruction of our way of life and our history, as demonstrated by the genocide of our neighbors and relatives
in Darfur. This is a war of domination and eradication, at it?s core it is a war of terror by the government of Sudan against their people.

As we approach the July 9 day of independence for the New South Sudan, President Bashir has declared for all the world to hear that Sharia will be the law of the land for the North, refusing to recognize the legitimate presence of the Christian minority. It is a declaration of their determination to also end the remembrance of our Christian heritage that dates back two thousand years to the story of the Ethiopian eunuch (who was from modern day Sudan).

At this moment, there is a meeting in Ethiopia with the different parties of Sudan, the African Union and other international parties seeking to find a true path of peace that recognizes our right to survive and thrive as a people, both Muslim and Christian alike, with equality and justice for all. Please pray and fast with us as you are able for a solution to this crisis.

Please forward to everyone.

Rt. Revd Andudu Adam Elnail
Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Kadugli, Sudan

Archbishop of Canterbury's statement on South Kordofan, Sudan

Posted On : June 14, 2011 11:56 AM | Posted By : Admin ACO
ACNS: ACNS4878
Related Categories: Lambeth Sudan

From Lambeth Palace

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has released the following statement regarding recent violence in South Kordofan, Sudan:

"Along with the Christian leaders represented in the Sudan Ecumenical Forum and Council of Churches and many more throughout the world, we deplore the mounting level of aggression and bloodshed in South Kordofan State and the indiscriminate violence on the part of government troops against civilians. Numerous villages have been bombed. More than 53,000 people have been driven from their homes. The new Anglican cathedral in Kadugli has been burned down. UN personnel in the capital, Kadugli, are confined to their compound and are unable to protect civilians; the city has been overrun by the army, and heavy force is being used by government troops to subdue militias in the area, with dire results for local people. Many brutal killings are being reported.

This violence is a major threat to the stability of Sudan just as the new state of South Sudan is coming into being. The humanitarian challenge is already great, and the risk of another Darfur situation, with civilian populations at the mercy of government-supported terror, is a real one.

International awareness of this situation is essential. The UN Security Council, the EU, the Arab League and the African Union need to co-operate in guaranteeing humanitarian access and safety for citizens, and we hope that our own government, which has declared its commitment to a peaceful future for Sudan, will play an important part in this."

ENDS

Church leader and Anglican Alliance call for immediate support for civilians in Sudan

From:

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2011/5/25/ACNS4870

Posted On : May 25, 2011 12:45 PM | Posted By : Admin ACO
ACNS: ACNS4870
Related Categories: ACO - Anglican Alliance Sudan

By Laura Payne, Anglican Alliance

The Anglican Alliance has received reports of civilians fleeing from the contested Abyei area in Sudan after Northern troops swept through the town over the weekend. Civilians, many of whom fled on foot, headed further south, towards towns which are also being deserted amidst fears of an imminent attack.

A local church leader sent the following report from the region:

“Sudanese forces attacked Abyei town on Saturday at around 8pm. The whole town was completely set on fire and approximately 20,000 people fled towards the bush and towns in Warrap State. The situation on the ground is worsening. Displaced people and children are seriously affected living under trees in Agok. Civilians are down on streets and in bushes, no food, no shelter, no water and no medical assistance.

A local school has accommodated 2,800 displaced people despite the fact that there is very limited space for such a huge number of people. There is no other option, the deteriorating conditions force us to accept them in. The majority are still under trees with children, sick people and elderly people. People with communicable diseases are forced to sleep together with healthy people.

We are now calling for urgent support for civilians, who are lying on the ground without medical attention, shelter, food and water. We are left no choice but to raise the voice of the voiceless for relief assistance”.

The humanitarian situation, already critical, was compounded last night by heavy rainfall and the cancellation of a planned food distribution due to lack of security.

A fertile area claimed by both the North and the South, Abyei was due to vote on its future during a referendum on independence in the South earlier this year. The vote was postponed because of disagreements over eligibility and fears over increasing tension. Continuing ambiguity over the town’s final status has contributed to ongoing friction and conflict.

The Anglican Alliance, which brings together the Anglican family of churches and agencies for development, relief and advocacy, has received requests for advice on how Anglicans can respond to the humanitarian need. Sally Keeble, director, recommends Anglicans contact the government departments in their country with responsibility for foreign affairs and international aid. Ask them, preferably by email, to press for an end to the violence and to support appeals for emergency relief for the victims of this conflict. Then contact your own elected representative where you live and ask them to raise the issue publically and with government.

Anglicans who would like to donate money to the relief efforts in this emergency are encouraged to do so through the Anglican aid agency where they live.

Anglican are also asked to provide prayers of support and sympathy to those who need assistance.

Over the coming days, the Alliance will liaise with partner agencies over the crisis.

Laura Payne
Anglican Alliance
Office: +44 020 73133928
Email: laura.payne@aco.org

Renewed Unrest in Abyei Threatens Sudanese Peace

From: http://www.er-d.org/SudanUnrestMay2011

Unrest in the town of Abyei, situated on the border between Sudan and the soon-to-be independent state of Southern Sudan, is raising concerns locally and internationally about a possible reprise of the civil war that ravaged the country for decades between 1955 and 2005.

Northern troops invaded Abyei on May 21, taking over the city and causing an estimated 20,000 Southern Sudanese residing there to flee. Burning and looting are reported to be ongoing, in spite of calls from the United Nations Mission in Sudan and members of the UN Security Council for Khartoum to rein in its troops and establish control over armed elements operating in the area. Southern Sudanese officials are calling the invasion and occupation of Abyei illegal, and protesters are rallying in the Southern capital of Juba.

Juba is also the seat of the Episcopal Church of Sudan (ECS), headed by the Most Rev. Daniel Deng Bul. The ECS has been very active in responding to the needs of internally displaced people (IDPs) and returning refugees during all stages of the peace negotiations and the 2011 referendum on independence. Episcopal Relief & Development has reached out to Archbishop Deng Bul to offer assistance in this time of renewed turmoil.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of 2005 put an official end to the North-South conflict and mandated the referendum on the secession of Southern Sudan that was held in January 2011. Although the referendum passed by a wide margin – Southern Sudan’s independence will take effect on July 9, 2011 – conflict in Abyei prevented voting from taking place there, and the status of Abyei was left to be decided at a later date.

Episcopal Relief & Development stands with the ECS during this difficult time, and encourages prayers for those living in the midst of this unrest.