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.