Charles Smith's Blog

One Body, different Cultures

shikstua — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 04:29:19 +0000

One of the questions I was asked shortly after arriving in India was how are the church services. Are you comfortable? Do you understand the service?

Let me answer the second question first. Do you understand the service? Do we understand the mystery of God? Fortunately for me the question was a reference to the language being used which was Telugu. I learned some Telugu (a very little) through the service because I did understand the service.

There is a bit of discomfort not understanding the language being used for the service; however, I was able to take comfort in the liturgy and in the occasional use of English for one or more readings and occasionally mixed in to emphasize key points of the sermon. The comfort in the liturgy came from the strong similarity to Rite 1 of the book of common prayer (of the Episcopal Church of USA). I frequently found myself following the service using Rite 2 and then jumping to Rite 1 for certain prayers like the prayer of humble access.

What was different? The Decalogue was almost always said (not just on the first Sunday of the month). There were several collects at the beginning of the service (more than we are used to). A sermon is not less than thirty minutes unless there is a need to shorten the service (for example a 10:30 service following an 8:00 AM service.) The confession of sin just felt different. It took me months to translate enough words to realize it was closer to the 1929 prayer book version. Announcements were always read by the clergy from notes submitted prior to the service or passed while announcements were being read. They were usually read in the middle of the service because those who had not been confirmed tended to leave after the offertory. (Only those who have been confirmed receive communion; however, everyone in the community including those of different faiths can and sometimes do attend the liturgy of the word.)

During communion the biggest differences were people leaving before Eucharist and the lack of involvement of the laity. The passing of the Peace began at the altar and proceeded through the congregation using a method very similar to way we pass the light of Christ at a vigil service. Once Bishop Devamani learned about my lay Eucharistic Minister license and had asked Bishop Greg for permission I was allowed inside the altar rail to assist as a chalice bearer. With this one exception, only clergy went passed the altar rail and they all knelt for the communion prayers unless they were the principal celebrant.

I have focused on the differences because this article would be very lengthy if I had focused on the similarities. With so many similarities I was able to move past the language differences and worship. Thanks be to God for all His blessings.

Filed under: Church

The Journey Home

shikstua — Wed, 19 May 2010 01:58:18 +0000

The Journey Home

As I wrote the title of this entry I started thinking of “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” by C.S. Lewis. However, my journey involved just about every means of travel except boat.

I knew the 11th (of May) would be a long and busy day (36 and a half hours after time zones) with two long airplane flights; however, I underestimated Monday the 10th. The day began by finishing setting up the computer skills lab for next term. Then I went to the diocesan office for what I thought was an 11 o’clock meeting. One of the persons who needed to be present for turnover of the computer skills lab materials was on a train returning to Dornakal so the meeting had to wait.

Next came moving out of the hostel and traveling (with luggage) by foot the one block distance to the bishop’s house where I was to have lunch and ultimately where I would depart from. The students may have left for the summer; however, there are still the superintendent’s children and the hostel staff, so I didn’t get to carry my luggage any farther than the hostel gate before every piece was being carried by someone else. Okay, thank you but I really can do it.

The turnover of the computer skills lab had to be delayed until after lunch. Following lunch there was a great eagerness to make sure I had the letter I am to had carry to Bishop Greg and then to get into a meeting with all of the heads of institutions; so much so that we almost didn’t get the computer skills lab key turned over! This was a sign of how the whole trip would go, rush, wait, rush…

The first ten minutes of the meeting were used to give the heads of institutions a chance to say a few words about their opportunity to work with me. Thank you one and all, I enjoyed working with you too. Then it was a quick dash to the train station – so quick that Bishop Devamani sent me in his car for the five block trip – in case the 3:30 PM train to Hyderabad was on time. It was delayed. It was 45°C. (Well May is the hottest month in Dornakal, India.) That A/C coach felt good when it arrived at 4:15.

I arrived in Hyderabad (or I should say a suburb of Hyderabad) around 9 PM. Deacon Sricant, my guide for the trip to the airport, negotiated and ultimately secured a taxi that was willing to make the hour drive to the airport (instead of waiting until midnight to make a trip that far). I was checking in at the airport 3 hours ahead of my 01:15 AM flight, just like the recommendation. With the visits to multiple airline desks (my tickets had been changed from an April departure so I knew there would be some running around) and currency exchange and customs, it was good to have those three hours. Initially they didn’t give me the customs forms because I needed to visit other airline desks, but an agent noticed when I turned in my baggage cart so everything was taken care of before I reached customs. I am grateful to Deacon Sricant for staying until everything was settled. It was great to have an Indian who could help if needed. Everything was fine. This just speaks to the great hospitality I received.

The flight from Hyderabad to Frankfurt departed on time and there were no events to report. The flight from Frankfurt started boarding on time but for some reason boarding took longer than expected so we left Frankfurt late. The pilot said they were going to fly faster to make up the time (and we did). The flight to Seattle took the polar route, just like the flight from Seattle to Frankfurt did in January; however, we were much farther North. Traveling North through the Scandinavian countries we passed a good distance to the North of the Iceland volcano. We stayed North, North of Hudson Bay, coming over the Canadian Territories, British Columbia, the Olympic Peninsula and then over the sound into Seattle. We landed on time and I made it through the paper part of customs relatively quickly (within ten minutes despite being in the next to last row on the plane); however, my luggage must have been the last off the plane too! I met mom and Aunt Penny just outside of baggage claim with a hug.

Filed under: Travel

Dornakal, the village

shikstua — Wed, 19 May 2010 01:42:45 +0000

This is the trip that I had anticipated as my first excursion outside the Cathedral Compound. It turned out to be the last one prior to returning to the United States.

Upon returning from the trip to PV Colony I went to see the old compound and the town of Dornakal. With a member of the diocesan staff and the superintendent of my hostel as guides, we visited the first church property in Dornakal. There is still a church there which is why we don’t see very many people from the town for morning and evening prayer; however, Sunday services are held at the Cathedral. One of the buildings on these first four acres is being prepared for a tutoring center to be opened in June.

We visited the market which is much bigger than I was expecting. We visited a few shops because I was window shopping. We also visited the tailor who had made an Indian outfit for me. On the way back I saw one of the students from my hostel (who graduated this year) working in one shops.

Filed under: Diocese of Dornakal, Travel