Mark you Calendar!

The next annual African Evensong will be at Trinity Cathedral on Sunday October, 28th at 3:00pm with a Reception following.  More information to come.

South Sudan: Episcopal, Catholic bishops ‘stand committed’ to end war

From: ENS:

Episcopal and Catholic bishops from South Sudan have said that together they “stand committed to do all in [their] power” to realize an end to war between Sudan and South Sudan.

Following a three-day meeting in Yei, South Sudan, lead by Roman Catholic Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro and Episcopal Church of Sudan Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul, the 14 bishops issued a “Message of Peace” which laid out their hopes and plans for an end to conflict.

Referencing the famous Martin Luther King Jr. speech, the bishop’s said: “We dream of two nations which are democratic and free, where people of all religions, all ethnic groups, all cultures and all languages enjoy equal human rights based on citizenship. We dream of two nations at peace with each other, cooperating to make the best use of their God-given resources, promoting free interaction between their citizens, living side by side in solidarity and mutual respect, celebrating their shared history and forgiving any wrongs they may have done to each other.

“We dream of people no longer traumatized, of children who can go to school, of mothers who can attend clinics, of an end to poverty and malnutrition, and of Christians and Muslims who can attend church or mosque freely without fear. Enough is enough. There should be no more war between Sudan and South Sudan!

“Blessed are the peacemakers; they shall be recognized as children of God (Matthew 5:9). We take this very seriously, and we stand committed to do all in our power to make our dream a reality. We believe that the people and government of South Sudan desperately want peace. We believe the same is true of the people and their liberation movements in the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile. We do not believe, however, that a lasting peace will come unless all parties act in good faith. Trust must be built, and this involves honesty, however painful that may be. We invite the International Community to walk with us on the painful journey of exploring the truth in competing claims and counter-claims, allegations and counter-allegations. We invite them to understand the peaceful aspirations of the ordinary people, and to reflect that in their statements and actions.”

The bishops’ document was, however, more than just aspirational — it included calls to both the international community and the nations of South Sudan and Sudan, specifically ones requesting the implementation of U.N. resolution 20461 and for protection for the marginalized.

The bishops — who welcomed to the meeting Archbishop of York John Sentamu and the Special representative of the U.N. secretary general, Hilde Johnson — also committed themselves to renewed ecumenical efforts to build peace. “During the civil war the strength of the churches’ role on the ground and in international advocacy lay in their unity and ecumenical spirit,” said the statement, “…since peace came in 2005 the ecumenical project has dwindled.

“The Catholic and Episcopal churches have much in common in their history, theology and praxis, both are founder members of the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC) and both are international institutions with a great deal of influence in the world for the well-being of all. Working together we believe we have much to offer to SCC as it restructures to meet the new reality of two nations, and as it faces new challenges due to the current military and political tensions.”

Bishops from the Republic of Sudan were unable to attend the meeting due to the current political situation.

The full text of the letter, along with its signatories, is available here.

APPEAL OF THE ARCHBISHOP ON THE PREVAILING SITUATION BETWEEN SUDAN AND SOUTH Sudan

23.04.12 

 “I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to 

his saints; but let them not turn again to folly” Psalms 85:8 

“Male and female created he them; and blessed them ...” Genesis 5:2 

“Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9 

The people of the Republics of Sudan and South Sudan are in their respective countries by 

the divine will of God. God created and gave them that land and blessed them to enjoy and 

live in harmony. But the developments of the last few months have created a worrying 

trend. 

Whereas the people of both countries: 

1. Want peace 

2. Have no grudges against each other 

3. Are the losers when war breaks out 

I am deeply concerned that: 

1. The conflict between the leadership of the two countries has escalated close to 

leading their respective armed forces to a full blown war 

2. The African Union High Level Panel failed to note the escalation and call of the 

international community in time to arrest the situation. The escalation saw the 

Government of Sudan close the border, stopping the flow of goods and services between 

the two countries and the subsequent shutdown of oil production by the Government of South Sudan. 

3. The signatories to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the 

International Community have lost the momentum follow through with their 

commitments regarding: 

a) South Kordofan 

b) Blue Nile 

c) Abyei 

d) Border demarcation and 

e) Other outstanding issues in the CPA 

4. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and friends of IGAD 

were not called in to arrest the escalating situation between the two neighbours in time 

5. The two neighbours were left to exchange a war of words which escalated into a 

serious conflict along their border. 

I recognize: 

1. The presence of the President of the Republic of Sudan at the declaration of the 

independence of South Sudan and his offer to work with and promote brotherly 

neighbourliness with his counterpart in the Republic of South Sudan. 

2. The action of the President of the Republic of South Sudan in embracing his 

counterpart and offering to pursue peace. 

The two aforementioned points, in my view, were a sign of forgiveness for the last 55 years 

and a commitment to write a new chapter of peaceful coexistence between the people of 

the two republics. The two presidents should not lose the great amount of goodwill from 

their people and that of the international community but should use it to build a strong 

bond between their people. 

My appeal 

1. To the Presidents of Sudan and South Sudan: continue with the pursuit for peace in 

spite of the challenges you and your respective governments face 

2. To the international community: follow through with your commitment and 

momentum which led to the signing of the CPA which granted the Independence of the 

Republic of South Sudan, to ensure that all outstanding issues are amicably resolved. Chief 

among these are: 

a) Border demarcation 

b) Abyei 

c) Southern Kordofan 

d) Blue Nile 

e) Others which were part of the CPA 

3. To the people of both countries: refuse to be incited to return to war by your respective leaderships 

In Conclusion 

It is incumbent on all people of goodwill to build trust between the people of the two 

countries for their peaceful coexistence. We should learn from the 55 years of war not to 

return to it so hastily. The blood of those who fought for peace should not have been 

poured in vain. We call on all sides to exercise restraint and pursue peace at all costs. God is 

on the side of those who seek peace. 

“Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace” 

Psalms 37:37 

 Yours in Christ, 

The Most Rev. Dr. Daniel Deng Bul Yak

Archbishop, Primate and Metropolitan of the 

Province of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan and

Bishop of the Diocese of Juba

Photos from the African Spirituality Retreat

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