At the July 10th parish picnic at St. Paul’s, Montrose, Father Paul Walker, and host/senior warden, Lynn Graham, prepare to cut the cake celebrating the Republic of South Sudan’s birth day. The South Sudan national anthem was played to a thoughtful group. - Al Leigh
From: sudan-john-ashworth@googlegroups.com on behalf of John Ashworth Sent: Mon 7/11/2011 5:33 AM To: Group Subject: [sudan-john-ashworth] Fwd: Independence Day 4
1. The birth of South Sudan brings with it hope and freedom
The Mercury (South Africa) July 11, 2011 By Fr Chris Townsend
We have never been a country before
On the eve of independence in South Sudan, I was sitting under trees with a small community of neighbours in an area called 'High Jerusalem' The afternoon leading to the evening had an atmosphere I can only describe as high point south african - the sort of feeling we had during our own transition in 1994 and the feeling of the World Cup 2010. I had even heard vuvuzelas. Flags everywhere.
Sitting near the Nile, in the insect dark, we were celebrating a meal. The South Sudanese had decided on this night of liberation that there would be a type of passover seder.Stories of pain, oppression and slavery were followed by stories of hope. Bread was shared, songs and the new national anthem was sung, candles were lit and there was dancing - the quiet, eager dignity of a people set free.