Sounds continue...the universal sounds of jubilent victory when Brazil won Sunday's World Cup game against the Ivory Coast 3-1 were unbelievable. Fireworks! Horns! Yelling! Honking! Music in the streets! It was an amazing sound scene. There will be another game later this week when we hope once again to hear the sweet sound of a Brazilian win. But in the meantime, let me tell you about some of the things we are seeing here.
Yesterday we were struck by the sight of Inamar and Noelle, two young priests, both young women, standing side by side celebrating Eucharist in the lovely, old Cathedral of Sao Paulo. Symbolically they represented for me genuine hope for our greater church and our world. Inamar explained to us prior to the service that she often stands down in the center aisle of church as opposed to up in the pulpit in order to be closer to the parishioners. She suggested that this might be something women can do more easily than men. This action and Inamar's words speak volumes to me about who she is and what her leadership style is all about. While I couldn't understand Inamar's sermon (probably should have taken a few Portugese lessons before this trip in retrospect!), I think we all agree that Noelle's remarks (translated for the congregation) were absolutely perfect. We were so proud of her. There were many colors in yesterday's sights, especially yellow worn by many parishioners for Team Brazil and white roses memorializing those who had recently died. Small hymnals and prayer books were handed out. What appeared to be a green felt bag was passed for the collection. Everyone who took communion was also blessed by Inamar. Karol played a flute beautifully with the organist and his friend who led the congregation in music and song. Karol, who never ceases to surprise me with her talents, is yet another amazing woman leader. Tonight we learned that she will send postcards to her choir members at All Saints'. Wow. After the service yesterday, we posed for pictures on the church steps, visited with each other in the small courtyard, sipped hot Brazilian coffee and tasted delicious sweet breads, baked by the music directors, from their homemade breads that
were for sale. All of this before lunch!
Lunch was a delicious meal prepared by the church for us. Hospitality abounded. Then most of us scattered out into the bright Brazilian sunshine to watch the national team play football. The sky was blue. The view from our hotel perched on a hillside was spectacular. We see water, vast expanses of sky, city skyscrapers and a distant long bridge connecting the mainland to an island. We see mountains and hills in the distance. We see a densely populated urban area with approximately 15 million residents. The extremes of wealth are visible by simply observing residences: beautiful homes tucked in certain areas and poverty-stricken favelas, hillside communities where ther very poor reside. Inimar has told us of the devastation caused by recent mudslides which rendered thousands homeless. We've seen today large birds flying overhead, tiny lizards sunning themselves. We've seen lush, tropical trees and green plants. Inamar arranged for drivers to take us to tour one of the community garde
