This Weekend: S. Sudanese Bishop Abraham Yel Nhial to visit RI Parishes

The Rt. Rev. Abraham Yel Nhial, Bishop of the Diocese of Aweil and Abuei in the South Sudan, will be visiting a few Rhode Island Parishes this weekend, October 21-23, 2011.

 Bishop Nhial is the author of Lost Boy No More, A True Story of Survival and Salvation  with DiAnn Mills.

“As a nine year old child, Abraham found himself orphaned as civil war in his homeland of Sudan ravaged his entire village because they refused to embrace Islam. His journey is one of a perilous walk, along with 35,000 lost boys of Sudan, who fled to Ethiopia. Abraham and others like him made it to the border, but hard times were not over as he endured the refugee camps of Ethiopia. Abraham becomes a lost boy no more when he discovers real salvation through Jesus Christ.” From the back cover: Lost Boy No More A true story of survival and salvation by Abraham Nhial and DiAnn Mills

You are invited to meet and greet him at one of the following gatherings:

Grace Episcopal Church
When: Friday October 21, 2011 6:00pm
Where: 175 Mathewson Street Providence, RI 02903
Description: Come to Meet Bishop Abraham, Reception with light refreshments in Grace Church followed by a brief presentation by Bishop Abraham

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
When: Saturday October 22, 2011 7:30pm
Where: 325 East Main Road Portsmouth, Rhode Island 02871
Description: Brief Presentation and Conversation with Bishop Abraham

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
When: Sunday October 23, 2011 9:30 am Holy Eucharist Followed by Educational Forum
Where: 55 Main Street, Wickford, RI 02852
Description: Bishop Abraham will preach at the 9:30 service and offer a brief presentation and the opportunity for conversation at the educational forum.

Ezo Update: Secession seems likely for S. Sudan

Our companion diocese of Ezo, along with the rest of the Southern Sudan, is in the middle of a historic referendum. January 9th through 15th polls were open for the largely christian and animist Southern Sudanese peoples to vote for their independence from the Islamic northern government in Khartoum.

Votes are still being tallied, but according to the New York times, it is clear that "the referendum on independence last week was transparent and credible and that southern independence was likely." read the full article here.

This is good news for our brothers and sisters in Ezo! The results of the vote will be announced at the end of this month, and the South Sudan would move towards full independence in June, if that be the result. Pray for peace between North and South Sudan throughout the process!

Christmas Greeting from our Companion Diocese of Ezo in the Sudan

Diocese of Rhode Island,



I wish to extend the Ezo Diocese Christian Community's Christmas greeting to their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in the Diocese of Rhode Island.



"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you (set you apart) completely; continue to unite us altogether, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, Who also will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).



God bless you all,

Levi

Assistant to Bishop John Zawo of Ezo

A Season of Prayer for the Sudan: Advent Meditation 4

For my brethren and companions' sake I pray for your prosperity. Psalm 122:8

Click here for Advent Meditation 4

As we all await the coming of the Prince of Peace this Advent, our companion diocese of Ezo prepares to vote for the freedom of the Southern Sudan on January 9th, in a potentially volatile referendum. This season, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori exhorts us to join our voices with the people of the Sudan in prayers for peace.

Each Friday during Advent, The Episcopal Church will provide a new meditation which you can download here on our blog and our Facebook page. You are encouraged to join in prayer at noon (Eastern Standard Time) in the United States, as the people of Sudan pray at six o’clock in the evening. Our simultaneous prayers will join the hope of God for a world filled with peace. Click here for Meditation 4.

Thank you for your continued support of our brothers and sisters in Ezo. For more information about our Companion Diocese Relationship with Ezo click here.

A Season of Prayer for the Sudan; advent Meditation 3

For my brethren and companions' sake I pray for your prosperity. Psalm 122:8

Click here for Advent Meditation 3

As we all await the coming of the Prince of Peace this Advent, our companion diocese of Ezo prepares to vote for the freedom of the Southern Sudan on January 9th, in a potentially volatile referendum. This season, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori exhorts us to join our voices with the people of the Sudan in prayers for peace.

Each Friday during Advent, The Episcopal Church will provide a new meditation which you can download here on our blog and our Facebook page. You are encouraged to join in prayer at noon (Eastern Standard Time) in the United States, as the people of Sudan pray at six o’clock in the evening. Our simultaneous prayers will join the hope of God for a world filled with peace. Click here for Meditation 3

Thank you for your continued support of our brothers and sisters in Ezo. For more information about our Companion Diocese Relationship with Ezo click here.

Season of Prayer for the Sudan Meditation 2

For my brethren and companions' sake I pray for your prosperity. Psalm 122:8

Click here for Advent Meditation 2

As we all await the coming of the Prince of Peace this Advent, our companion diocese of Ezo prepares to vote for the freedom of the Southern Sudan on January 9th, in a potentially volatile referendum. This season, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori exhorts us to join our voices with the people of the Sudan in prayers for peace.

Each Friday during Advent, The Episcopal Church will provide a new meditation which you can download here on our blog and our Facebook page. You are encouraged to join in prayer at noon (Eastern Standard Time) in the United States, as the people of Sudan pray at six o’clock in the evening. Our simultaneous prayers will join the hope of God for a world filled with peace. Click here for Meditation 2

Thank you for your continued support of our brothers and sisters in Ezo. For more information about our Companion Diocese Relationship with Ezo click here.

Season of Prayer for the Sudan, Advent Meditation 1

For my brethren and companions' sake

I pray for your prosperity. Psalm 122:8

(Video: Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori's Sudan update)

Here in the Diocese of Rhode Island we have entered into a companion relationship with Ezo in the Southern Sudan. As we all await the coming of the Prince of Peace this Advent, our companions in Ezo prepare to vote for their freedom on January 9th, in a potentially volatile referendum. This season, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori exhorts us to join our voices with the people of the Sudan in prayers for peace.

Many of you met Bishop Zawo of Ezo when he came to RI in November of 2009. Many of you saw the slideshow of our own Bishop Wolf 's visit there in December 2008, or bought a 2011 Ezo Calendar to help support projects there (You can learn how to buy one here! ). Now there is something you can do at home to help.

Each Friday during Advent, The Episcopal Church will provide a new meditation which you can download here on our blog and our Facebook page. You are encouraged to join in prayer at noon (Eastern Standard Time) in the United States, as the people of Sudan pray at six o’clock in the evening. Our simultaneous prayers will join the Hope of God for a world filled with peace. Click here for Meditation 1

Thank you for your continued support of our brothers and sisters in Ezo.