Choirs in Celebration

“Sing to the Lord, you saints of His; praise His holy name.” Psalm 30:4

The Choirs here in Tanzania are wonderful to both to hear and watch. They are in constant movement, in unison and in rhythm! Performing for the Celebration of the service of the retiring Archbishop Mtetemela where three Choirs; the choir from the parish h that meets in the Chapel at SJUT:

Two choirs from the Anglican Cathedral.

The Choir below preformed in two styles, one traditional with matching dark navy suits, men and women, very conservative. They then broke and “changed” into the traditional Gogo tribal performance costume which for women was a strapless black shift with beads and for the men a large red plaid cloth tied at the shoulder.

The Leader added feathers on the arm and danced and played the trumpet. I have a very bad picture as he was moving very fast! I am hoping one day to see a village performance. Yesterday I was invited to see another Gogo choir perform as they where being filmed on a hilltop as the sun was setting, lovely. They also preformed in a simple navy skirt/pants and blue shirt and tennis shoes. I have no pictures to share but hope to at some point as they will be joining in a celebration of an upcoming opening for a local company.

Celebrating at St. John’s University of Tanzania

“Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” Philemon 7

Our Multi-purpose Hall at St. John's University was the site of the recent celebration held for the retiring Archbishop of Tanzania, Rt. Rev. Dondald Mtetemela and His wife Gladys, pictured above.

The staff which worked hard to prepare was very proud of the decorations. The Purple is the traditional color for he Bishops, so everything was purple and white, chairs, balloons anf flowers are typically expressive of the theme!

The Archbishop and his wife recieved many gifts of thanks from the Diocese all over the country. Everything from a car to a cow to a kanga (fabric) and refrigerators! Wonderful celebration to watch as some sang and danced as the gifts where presented. The celebration was to start at 6:30 in the evening and went on until past midnight, with three choirs entertaining the crowds.

The SJUT chapel was the host of the recent election of the new Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Tanzania! WOW! The Retiring current Archbishop Donald Mtetemela (http://www.acn-us.org/archive/2006/04/an-acn-interview-with-the-most-rev-donald-mtetemela-province-of-tanzania.html ), head of the Anglican Church of Tanzania and a Primate of the world wide communion ( http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/index.cfm) , the of the Episcopal Church in the US is also a (1) primate of the World wide communion) is the Chancellor of St. John’s University. The provision of Christian Higher education for Tanzania is a passion and commitment for Archbishop Donald Mtetelmela (http://www.acn-us.org/archive/2006/04/an-acn-interview-with-the-most-rev-donald-mtetemela-province-of-tanzania.html. The process of election takes place every five years, Archbishop Mtetemela has served for the past 10 years, was very CLOSED DOOR! The entire chapel was closed off and no one heard a thing although all where watching until the decision of the bishops was reached! The Archbishop elect is the the Rt. Rev. Valentino L. Mokiwa, Bishop of Dar es Salaam in the Anglican Church of Tanzania, elected archbishop of the province Feb. 28 during a special session of the General Synod in Dodoma, at SJUT.

Bishop Mokiwa (speaking to the crowd, above) will be installed in Dodoma on May 25. He succeeds the Most Rev. Donald L. Mtetemela, whose second five-year term concludes in May. Primates in Tanzania are limited to a maximum of two five-year terms under that province’s constitution. Archbishop Mtetemela will continue as Bishop of the Diocese of Ruaha for the next five years, while also serving as chancellor of St. John’s University in Dodoma.
Needless to say bishops arrived from all over the country. A celebration of the ministry and service of the Archbishop Mtetemela followed the days events.