CEC Convo REPORT

[HelenaZF]

The ZionFire team (which this time out consisted of Dean and me) provided pageantry ministry for the CEC (Charismatic Episcopal Church) Northern Convocation of the Central Province this week. There were day classes and services all three evenings.



The host church was Bread of Life in Dousman, Wisconsin, a church that has come into the CEC within the last five years. Beautiful, sweet group of people who love the Lord and want to move on with Him. The church building is an old, probably Lutheran origin, church with a round nave, some gothic windows and various ceiling obstacles. (Something of great importance to flag and banner ministry!) For instance, one of our challenges was maneuvering around a suspended wooden cross that hung over the front of the middle aisle. Yikes.



Nevertheless, we were able to bring some effective ministry, working with the Bishop so that our pageantry offerings reinforced the messages he was bringing to the attendees. We did a mix of things, but each had a common denominator: every thing was prefaced with a small teaching nugget, focusing people on the symbolic message presented.



The first night I did a solo interpretive piece, "In the Shadow of His wings", dancing with tallit and wing flags, and Dean gave a short teaching on the symbolism of the tallit, and specifically the fringes.



The second night we did an interactive drama supported by the song "Earthen Vessels", in which people were encouraged to write things that were preventing them from going on with God and seeing themselves with His eyes. The papers were gathered in an unglazed pottery vessel and then the slips were burned with fire from the altar, mixed with incense.



The third night, we offered a banner processional with 4 of the 8 Covenant Names banners to the song, "O Lord God of Israel", which exalted God as a maker and keeper of covenant. It was presented after the ordained clergy there had a ceremony renewing their covenant vows.



I believe our ministry was effective and carried a prophetic anointing. I heard comments from people from our own congregation, some who had never voiced anything to me before, about how they were touched and ministered to, and many comments from other convocation attendees.



So thank you all who prayed for us. It was physically exhausting, but spiritually satisfying to see the whole offering consumed with such sweetness and holy fire.