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Sudan missionary to speak to Highlands congregation Sunday
HIGHLAND - The Rev. Lauren Stanley returns to the Highlands this Sunday to speak to two Episcopal congregations that have supported her and the school where she teaches in the Sudan.
She will preach at St. Luke's in Hot Springs at its 11 a.m. service. Then, after a coffee hour in the St. Luke's parish hall, lunch will follow, with members of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Blue Grass arriving after their 11 a.m. service. All who are interested in attending are welcome.
Both congregations provided financial support for the Stanley and the Renk Theological College which she conveyed on her return to Renk (a town south of Khartoum) in early August. According to the principal, the Rev. Joseph Garang Atem, the timing was perfect: "The money came at exactly the right time for us, while we are looking for funds for the feeding and care of the students, as well as to prepare to send them back home for their yearly break."
At the lunch, Stanley will describe the college and its work, giving a picture of it through photos and possibly a video. The college has been expanding to meet the needs of a church which is growing quickly despite the aftermath of a long civil war and the fear of more unrest. Its purpose is to train leaders for the church, many of whom have already been ordained even though they have not received formal theological education.
Stanley has been the only missionary of the Episcopal Church appointed to serve in the Sudan. For the past two years, she has traveled back and forth between the U.S. and the Sudan, spending some months in each country. While in the U.S., she has traveled and spoken extensively about the Sudan.
A priest of the Diocese of Virginia, she first came to St. Luke's over a year ago, whereupon the parish made a financial commitment to support the college. Since then, she has returned to preach, speak, lead a quiet day, and meet with parishioners.
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