The East Tennessee
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Vacation Sundays by Jane Pickering While on vacation, the natural temptation is to skip church; however, some of the most memorable and meaningful Sundays can be spent in worship as a visitor in far-flung places. Over the Christmas holidays, I spent several weeks in Okinawa to play new grandmother. While there, my daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, and I attended eight wonderful worship services at the only English-speaking Episcopal church on the island. All Souls’ Church traces its history to the early 1950’s when it was dedicated in memory of those of every nation who die during the Battle of Okinawa. The church celebrated the 50th anniversary of the battle by the Reading of Names—234,183 in all—from April 1 to June 23, 1995. Subsequent readings have raised the total to 237,357. The Okinawa Memorial Pipe Organ, the only pipe organ on the island, was dedicated as a follow-up to the Reading. The congregation is small but friendly and enthusiastic. Led by the Rev. Bob Walden who preaches in English, the parishioners then hear the same sermon in Japanese, thanks to a member-translator. The announcements are also translated to Japanese. Otherwise, everything is in English. In a lifetime of worship, these services were, I believe, the only ones I have attended with three races represented. Once that notion struck me, the services became doubly Christ-like for me. All Souls perches atop a ridge with a vista view of the South China Sea. The grounds are lush with tropical plants, including ten foot tall poinsettias in full bloom. The columnaria is a striking feature in the prayer garden. The ashes resting there are mainly those of lepers whose own families rejected them. Lepers, therefore, are much a part of the church’s ministry. On Yagaji Island, easily reachable by a short bridge on the northern part of Okinawa, is a large leper colony. Although leprosy is now a curable disease, those whose bodies were ravaged before the cure are more comfortable living together, segregated from the rest of society. Having been rejected by their own culture, most of these wonderfully warm people have embraced either the Episcopal or Catholic faith. All of the members of All Souls contributed ten wrapped gifts for presentation on Christmas evening to residents of the colony. Meeting at the church, we carpooled for the one and a half hour drive to Yagaji. The colony resembles a small college campus. We were ushered into a large gymnasium with a stage. Long rows of tables were lined up and down the length of the room. Green tea, saki, and Orion beer were grouped periodically on the tables. Each place setting included sushi, tofu, seaweed, purple sweet potatoes, chicken, tangerines, and a set of chop sticks. Although few people were bilingual, smiles and bowing were abundant and the unifying Christmas spirit was unmistakably present. The food was blessed many times over in each language. As we began to eat, many Japanese were having a good-natured laugh over my inept use of chop sticks and my brave attempts at local cuisine. Then, the real entertainment began. First the residents began to go to the stage in various groups to serenade us. Costumed girls danced native dances with beautiful grace and poise. Teenagers did an intricately choreographed modern number. Young children played musical instruments—and then WE were told to mount the stage and sing! A motley crew at best, we doffed our shoes and climbed the stage for a rousing rendition of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” After all the fun, the gifts were passed out to the delight of the recipients. As Christmas evening faded away, we felt especially blessed to have been part of such a unique and Christ-filled experience, one which we would have missed had I taken a vacation from church while on vacation. Therefore, as you travel this summer, be adventurous, visit a church wherever you may find yourself on Sunday morning. You may be in for a real treat. Jane Pickering is a communicant of Grace Church, Chattanooga.  |
