SUNDAY SERVICE

By Sophie Vandenberg

From left, Agnes Koroma, Sheku Koroma, 

Feremusu Koroma (daughter), and 

Rev. Dirk Evans.

Agnes and Sheku Dickson Koroma, who were married in Sierra Leone in 1988, had always wanted to have their marriage blessed in a church ceremony, but war in their country made that an impossibility. "But we thought, how ever long it takes, one day we must do that," Sheku said.

This past July, the refugee couple finally exchanged vows and rings during a Sunday morning worship service, witnessed by their four children and the congregation of Second Christian Reformed Church, of Brampton, Ontario. After the ceremony the congregation, which had filled the sanctuary to overflowing, broke into spontaneous and sustained applause. "I found it extremely moving," said Alice Stassen, a member of the Second CRC. "We feel we have a renewed spirit and now we are confident we are part of the Christian community," said Sheku.

From The Banner, September, 2004.  Used by permission.