St Marc Sunday

May 28, 2007

We were invited to St Marc for church on Sunday; let me tell you of a few things on the agenda. Church in Haiti is like no other anywhere and is well into the interactive mode of worship. At any given time there are at least three things going on; constant music, musicians tuning their instruments, announcements and/or preaching, singing, parents disciplining children, someone chasing the goats out of the entry – there are no dull moments in church in Haiti.

The day started with a review of the baptismal candidates; a few questions and then a procession of some 45 minutes through the streets on the way to the beach of St Marc that is truly beautiful. The procession included a brass band; three sets of choral ensembles; the candidates and approximately 4-500 additional congregation members to witness the baptisms. It was a unique service in a wonderful beach setting with all in attendance singing and praising God for each who participated.

Returning to the sanctuary we were guests of the pastor today and as such were requested to sit on the platform – within a foot of the drummer. After a rousing rendition of several songs that were unfamiliar we were recognized by the pastor to the congregation; followed by an additional set of familiar hymns followed by three to five numbers by each of the three choral groups – within a foot of the drummer.

Hardly had we finished when it was time to recognize the new members (20+) and those newly baptized followed by recognition of those visiting from sister churches and those in church for the first time. Following this was an opportunity to sing again – within a foot of the drummer.

A short recognition of the Mothers in the pews (it was Mother’s Day in Haiti) by a poem read by one of the older children – translated it was quite emotional and was a wonderful experience. Now that the prelude was out of the way it was time for church – a message preached out of Malachi (foreshadowing for the launch of the building fund to come later) and from what I could understand quite intense.

Next on the agenda was Communion – a wonderful presentation and we were grateful to partake of the Lord’s Supper with our Haitian friends. Then comes a few more songs – yes, the drummer is still quite nearby. Now it is time for the message (the Malachi text was just to make all aware that a building campaign was coming) out of Matthew to the newly baptized. In anyone’s mind now it is certainly time to call for an offering and wish everyone a joyous Sunday – did I mention the drummer?

It is now time for Celebration of the First Fruits – as only the Haitian community can celebrate! There was dancing and singing; conga trough the aisles; offering of first fruits of the harvest; more singing, more dancing. By the end of this I was certain we were heading home; it was after 1PM and we had arrived at 7:30AM; the drummer was about out of drumsticks…

Next came the finale of the day; the launch of the building campaign. This is done somewhat differently in Haiti as it becomes a challenge between the men and the women as to who can raise the most of launch day. Singing, dancing, more singing, more dancing; the men pass a basket; the women pass a basket. Monies are tallied and the baskets are passed a second time – and the drummer drums onward… By now I am trying to understand what is going on to explain it to a visiting gentlemen from Michigan here training at the hospital; I realize that it is being explained to me but that I can no longer hear anyway.

The counting occurs a second time; the tallies are announced and the women win again – the choral groups are going wild by now; the intensity is something one only sees in the States with the score tied in the Super Bowl with 4 seconds left on the clock and it’s fourth and thirty yards. The pastor calls the offering to a close amid shouts for yet another passing of the baskets from the men and fortunately all make it out of the church, conga style, with the music at an incredible decibel and the drummer trying to be heard above it all. “Film at Eleven” – I can simply do it no justice in writing. Pastor Ross would be amazed. Total time in the service: 7:30AM – 3:00PM.

As we are passing out the pastor sends for us and we find lunch has been prepared by the congregation for us as appreciation for our attendance. Haitian food is among the best I’ve eaten and I cannot tell you how much I’m enjoying it here currently. It is unfortunately extremely high in those things that cause blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. but one only lives once on this Earth…