A few weeks ago the Lutheran Church of Senegal gathered in the town of Fatick for a very special event, the annual “Fête de l’Eglise”.
Translated into English as the “Church Festival”, this weekend was a time full of fun, festivities, prayer, and reflection. All of the parishes from around the country gathered together in one place to celebrate the church and also give thanks for the year’s harvest.
Much like Rally Day many are familiar with in US churches, the “Fête de l’Eglise” had activities for the children, a ton of food to go around, and a feeling of joy which permeated the atmosphere.
Although the “fête” is a time to gather in community, with friends and family from other parishes, another one of the main themes for the day is giving. Each year, the Lutheran Church of Senegal uses this time to encourage its members to participate in offering. In fact, the theme for this year was “My Presence, My Offering.” However, when it came time at the church service to pass the collection plate, I was not prepared for what came next…
Dancing! Singing! The expression of pure happiness! These are not the usual actions I usually associate with giving/donating money in America. But, this is what happened here in Senegal. Each parish walked down the aisle together, celebrating in every step the act of their giving. Even I danced down the aisle with my parish, giving what I could to a church that loves and cares for so many. It was a weird feeling, I’ll admit, at first. But I think it’s time to break out of the comfort zone to show our appreciation.
Consider giving as an act of joy the next time you see the offering plate. How would this shape how you currently contribute to you congregation? If you don’t go to church, challenge yourself to give to an organization that you are passionate about. You might not be able to give a lot, but as long as it comes from a place of joy, you are helping make a difference in the world. It can be difficult to give up what many consider an in-expendable resource, especially living on a fixed income. However, by challenging ourselves with this act of selflessness and devotion, it is possible to be one step closer in supporting our neighbors and communities. And isn’t seeing a healthy and thriving community a joyous thing?
Here are some of my favorite images from the festivities at the beginning of February, enjoy:)
Peace friends, be kind to yourself and be kind to others!