Where in the World is Father Milton?

Follow and stay connected with The Very Rev. Milton C. Williams, as he takes "A Journey of the Heart". Stay tuned here for updates on his 2022 sabbatical.

Father Milton Tracker

Updates:

7/8/22

Message from Father Milton to the parish:

"The international travel portion of my sabbatical has come to an end. I have returned home to Greensboro. Now the challenging part of my sabbatical begins. How do I discern and integrate my lived experiences in Brazil, Ghana, and South Africa into the life I have returned to? This is the challenge. This is my calling. This is my commitment. Thank God for the continued prayers we hold for each other. I look forward to sharing my stories with you. With much love. Fr. Milton+"

7/3/22

Message from Father Milton to the parish:

"This past Sunday was my last Sunday in Cape Town. In the absence of the Rector, Jo Tyers, I was the preacher and Celebrant at the Sunday Eucharist. "

This website gives some information about the church’s history.

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6/29/22

Message from Father Milton to the parish:

"Enjoying a most wonderful day in Stellenbosch, the heart of South African wine country. The Rev. Canon Natalie Simons-Arendse, priest of the Diocese of Cape Town, is with me to enjoy this gift of a moment."

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FAST FACT:

Stellenbosch, South Africa's second oldest city, is well known for its beaches, vibrant street life, foodie and wine culture as well as for its outdoors adventures. It enjoys year-round vacation appeal for visitors from around the world. The quaint town has oak-lined streets surrounding Georgian and Victorian architecture. Stellenbosch University is also located there and fills the town with lively college life.

6/23/22

Message from Father Milton to the parish:

"The Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, is on sabbatical. In his absence, he invited me to celebrate the weekly Mass for his staff. The chapel looks today as did when Archbishop Tutu was in office."

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FAST FACT:

Did you know... Cape Town is a city and a seaport, the legislative capital of South Africa as well as the capital of the Western Cape province. It also is where the 1st European settlements occurred in South Africa and is fondly known as the "mother city".

Cape Town is probably most famous for being the home of the country's treasured and former South African President, Nelson Mandela.

6/15/22

Message from Father Milton to the parish:

"Today I am leaving this South Africa city where Alexandra and Soweto are located. Alexandra is the oldest and largest of these two Black townships. In Soweto, you will find the private homes of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu on the same street. I was privileged to visit the Archbishop’s home and pray in his private chapel."

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6/9/22

FAST FACT:

Do you know the most iconic of the African Animals, generally referred to as The Big 5?

lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo

Message from Father Milton to the parish:

"When you are visiting an animal reserve without any fences in South Africa, this is what you can expect to find when you step out of your tent in the morning "

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5/30/22

Message from Father Milton to the parish:

"Today I am leaving this African nation, the first to gain its independence from its colonizer, the British, in 1957. It is from its Gold Coast that 10 to 40 million Africans, mostly men, were shipped to the Americans enslaved, first arriving in Virginia in August 1619. Today, this nation is the most stable, economically and politically on the continent."

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FAST FACT:

Up and down the Gold Coast of Ghana, are a plethora of ancient castles and forts, built as a result of the commodities trading activities for the Africans' vast quantities of gold and other items. These 'castles', which initially had served as fortified trading posts, became the beginning of slaves’ heartbreaking journey to the Americas and other countries during the slave trade era. The slaves, estimated between 10mil-40mil over time, were likely to be shackled and packed in the castle’s dank, poorly ventilated dungeons, possibly 1,500 at a time, with no space to lie down and very little light, water, or sanitation. The women and men were separated upon arrival. Rebellious slaves were dealt with by starvation, beatings and the women were raped. Meanwhile, the British officers and governor enjoyed large, airy living spaces with elegant floors, scenic views, and even a Chapel just above these dark holes.

The prisoners could be held for as long as 3 months before being lowered through a portal, known as 'the door of no return', loaded like cargo into boats, and 'shipped off'. These practices were followed until the mid-1800s when the slave trade was abolished, after many years the 'castles', became museums.

Today, Ghana is the second-largest world producer of cocoa, but only earns 2% of the 100 billion dollar industry. This has kept their farmers which are located at the beginning of the supply chain in poverty for many generations.

FAST FACT:

As the first capital of Brazil, from 1549 to 1763, Salvador de Bahia witnessed the blending of European, African, and Amerindian cultures. It was also, from 1558, the first slave market in the New World, with slaves arriving to work on the sugar plantations.

5/19/22

Message from Father Milton to the parish:

"This morning I am leaving the state north of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Here Afro life and culture is celebrated by all people and flourishes like no place on the planet outside of the continent of Africa. Here, "all" roots go back to Africa. Much Love."

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5/13/22

Message from Father Milton to the parish:

"Twelve days spent with "family" and dear friends celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and life events. Today I am traveling to my next destination. Much Love."