Are you aware?
In 1998, many Nuer-speaking people from South Sudan arrived in Calgary looking for a worship space. As Presbyterians in South Sudan, they found a home at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. They have been worshipping at St. Andrew’s and integrated into the work of St. Andrew’s minimally, usually through a liaison member or group.
While at times St. Andrew’s has seen the Nuer congregation as a mission sharing space, St. Andrew’s has also baptized and ordained elders, led communion, and been the fiscal agent for donations for the Nuer congregation. We have now created a Covenant between our communities to clarify our relationship. We trust that God is in our midst. “There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. One God and Father of all who is above all, through all, and in all.” (Ephesians 4:5-6).
As we grow into relationship, the covenant clarifies how we will intentionally integrate our ministry with youth, mission, communication, celebration, and leadership.
Here are some things that you might find interesting about the Nuer Community:
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There are 35 youth in the Nuer youth group who meet on Saturdays. They learn the Nuer language through song. This is one way to keep the language alive because most children/teens born in Canada are more fluent in English. There are 12 youth and 5 leaders from both Nuer and English communities attending the Youth Collective Conference in St. Catharines this August. There are up to 20 youth in the weekly Friday English youth group. Plans for joint youth gatherings are being made – quite a group with a potential of 55 youth!
- There are approximately 75 people in the Nuer community who worship weekly Sunday afternoons (most often in Trinity Hall, occasionally in the Sanctuary). The Nuer congregation has more children and youth than adults, and seniors are the minority.
- There are 5 women elders, with Thomas to be ordained shortly. The elders’ primary role is leadership and pastoral care of the community. Two elders from the Nuer congregation will now be invited to participate in our session meetings. The primary mission for the Nuer congregation is to support refugees from South Sudan, both sponsoring and welcoming new arrivals as well as supporting those who have lost family in Sudan.
- We intend to support this work and our Sudanese brothers and sisters.
- The minister of St. Andrew's will support the Nuer worship and communion (4 times per year), ordination, and special functions as needed. We anticipate a joint service in early fall to celebrate the covenant and to hear from the youth and leaders returning from the Collective Conference.
We seek to be a blessing to each other and to the world as one community: St. Andrew’s Presbyterian. As an inclusive community, we make space for different languages, cultures, and expressions of worship.
~ Rev. Laurie
