Today I have had the particular joy of sharing a Mass with my very dear friends from the Zimbabwean community. Not in Britain by choice, they have moved here and made new lives, families often split even now. I asked them to repeat this hymn in their own language which is my favourite. In the best of time and the worst of times (and 'worst' as I could hardly ever imagine), their faith is summed up in the joy and passion of this hymn. As I said to them, as a result of knowing them I am glad and proud to apply the label of Anglo-Catholic Charismatic to myself. Zimbabwean charismatic worship is still very 'catholic' in flavour, and no-one there could deny the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Another wonderful, painful, joyful, devastating moment of goodbye - though I hope for only a short while. I sense that I will see these wonderful Christians some more.
Please do watch the video (forgiving my blunt direction to start them off) - this is the beat of my heart.
Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWell done David.
ReplyDeleteYour new toy works very well.
It was indeed a wonderfull and memorable service and their very obvious affection for you made it all the more so.
They are so free and uninhibited in performance yet quite quiet and circumspect in everyday conversation. A lovely community.