By Vanessa Cort

IT was a bright and breezy Sunday, two weeks ago, when I visited the Assemblies of God Church in Mocha Arcadia on the East Bank of Demerara.

The church is housed under a shed extension alongside the home of Denise Bobb, who gave her permission for this.

Intended to be a temporary arrangement, it soon became permanent – over ten years – as the householder enjoyed the vigorous services and lively presence of the children, who gathered for Sunday School, prior to the main service.

They came in steadily, sitting in the front rows of seats, while the adults sat in the rows behind them.

The Sunday School lesson, about Joseph and his coat of many colours, was a treat, given by Sister Elize, who made it enjoyable, with explanations – some in Creolese – that kept the children interested.

It was the first time I witnessed a Sunday School class where the children paid such rapt attention, held in thrall by the teacher who clearly enjoyed her role.

This being Education Month, three children were invited to make presentations on what education meant to them. They did so with a clarity that aptly displayed their youthfulness.

I, too, spoke on education, both in this country and abroad, where schoolchildren were now using AI (ARTIFICIAL Intelligence) to do their work for them, thus preventing them from thinking for themselves.

There followed some gusty hymn-singing, led by Pastor Zoe Forde, who did not remain at the podium, but strode down the centre aisle, leading the congregation in a succession of hymns.
Then the lead pastor, Pastor Bhoejadt, took over, talking about South African leader, Nelson Mandela, who studied while incarcerated for over two decades and suffering the evils of the South African apartheid system.

The Pastor pointed out that even in harsh conditions, a determined person could still seek to elevate themselves.

It was a pertinent and succinct lesson, which left the congregants with much ‘food for thought’.

After the service, sweets, snacks and drinks were served as members mingled, discussing matters of interest to them.
I thoroughly enjoyed the service and my first visit to a church, paving the way in a low-income area and gaining the support and respect of residents.

I volunteered to hold short classes on English language arts for the children after the main service, and I look forward to doing so in the coming month.