One of my students from last semester, Gerald, was preaching on Sunday, and he asked me some questions about how he was handling the text (very well), and he also asked me to come hear the sermon. The church is in Kampala, so I agreed to go (and only had to stop and ask three people for directions).
Hopefully, one of these days i will learn that I can never just slip into a church and enjoy the service. After the reading and the Apostles’ Creed, one of the wardens [ushers] asked me to come with her. She took me outside and around the back so that we could enter the sanctuary via the vestry – I was to sit up front.
Since I was sitting next to Gerald, I gave him my best stink eye, and he promised he had nothing to do with this. Then it came time for first-time visitors to stand and be recognized. I started to stand, but the vicar [rector] waved me off, indicating that I was to sit.
Then the vicar proceeded to introduce me. By name. He introduced me as Rev. Jessica from Mukono, and asked me to greet the congregation, which I am always happy to do.
I have absolutely no idea how the vicar knew me – I don’t recall ever meeting him. I think he has some ties with UCU, but still. I’m starting to think that absolutely everyone in the country knows me, even if I don’t know them.
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