We went along with our friend Jenny Featherstone, who also lives in Mindolo. She brought a truckload of visitors: Ryan and I, along with two visitors from the Church of Scotland--Jennie and George, as well as a Zambian woman, Beatrice, who was our UCZ Buchi host, as she is a member of that congregation. After picking everyone up, we arrived and the service was already in progress, and the sanctuary was packed. So we were escorted around to the door which led to the chancel, and given the place of honor, to sit there in front of everyone. We were heartily welcomed, and invited to introduce ourselves. At Ryan's suggestion, I was the main speaker for the two of us, greeting them in Bemba "Mwashibukeni mukwai!" (Good morning), and bringing greetings from TEEZ and from Madison Avenue PC in New York.
The service was alive--4 different choirs sang, and during a few of the more lively songs there was drumming and some of the women deacons and others danced up to the choirs waving their chitenge (traditional cloth). Our camera was sadly out of battery that day, but George, visiting pastor from the Church of Scotland, took some great video of the service. I will try to upload it here for you to see. Unfortunately, I don't have a photo of George himself!
Things you'll see in the video:
The Baptisms-- the pastor performing the Baptisms was actually our next-door neighbor. She is the administrator of the UCZ Theological College, which is next door to the TEEZ office. We were surprised to see her when we came in! Before then, we knew her only as "Mrs. Nachilembe" but now we know she is "Rev. Mrs. Nachilembe"! She is not the pastor of UCZ Buchi, but is a "floating" minister, meaning she is available to preach, perform the sacraments, or otherwise participate in worship as needed and invited. Kind of like a "minister at large" in a US Presbytery, I suppose.
The men and women to be baptized were all wearing white shirts or blouses. The women were mostly wearing chitenge wrappers as skirts. Rev. Nachilembe told us though sprinkling is an approved method in the UCZ, she prefers to baptize at a river or other body of water. However, this congregation didn't have provisions for that. Then she told us she wanted to have a whole bucket of water for each person--but the congregation didn't really have provision for that either. So she merely poured a bowlful of water over each. Even still, the floor was pretty soaked and everyone pretty drenched using this method.
Joining the Church-- each of the newly baptized, or newly confirmed (those who were already baptized as infants) is officially joining the church as well. After being baptized/blessed, they receive a certificate of membership and a stack of offering envelopes--which I believe has an individualized number on it. Often proud deacons, mentors from the girls brigade, or family members will come up to the front to greet the new member with hugs, gifts and "snaps" (taking photos).
Deacons-- Here they can be distinguished as wearing red blouses or sport coats. They lead a great deal of the service.
Offering-- (not seen in this video) was collected by district. While choirs sang, everyone filed to the front, one pew at a time, and placed their offering cards in the proper slot. There was a basket for visitors like us. I estimated there were 20 or 30 cubbyholes for all the different districts.
Jenny Featherstone, our friend and neighbor, with Jennie who works for the Church of Scotland building partnerships in Africa and the Caribbean.
Jennie with Rev. Nachilembe, administrator, and Rev. Dr. Musonda Bwalya, principal, UCZ Theological College
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