The Rt. Rev. Grant LeMarquand, area bishop for the Horn of Africa, writes about visiting two churches in Gambella, Ethiopia:
Neither congregation previously had a building — just a tree to worship under. And neither congregation had been given a name (names are only given to churches when the Bishop visits!). So, after walking through fields, we reached the first church in the village of Pietiel, where we dedicated St Martha’s Anglican Church. Then after slogging through shin deep, we reached the village of Waken, where we dedicated Holy Trinity Anglican Church.
Both congregations are small, but have a long, faithful and enthusiastic ministry in their area. Both are delighted to have a building to meet in, even one constructed of mud and sticks and thatch.
Matthew Townsend is a Halifax-based freelance journalist and volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Anglican settings. He served as editor of the Anglican Journal from 2019 to 2021 and communications missioner for the Anglican Diocese of Quebec from 2019 to 2022. He and his wife recently entered catechism class in the Orthodox Church in America.
