On Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, guests from around the globe (as far away as Cameroon), gathered together at Zion, Saskatoon to celebrate the ordination of the Rev. Dr. Ali Tote to bishop of Saskatchewan. Zion’s large sanctuary overflowed into the narthex and the balcony and almost 100 additional people gathered to watch a live-stream of the event on YouTube. The live-stream has had 725 views in the 24 hours since it aired. Blessings and prayers, as well as many congratulations, flowed on the livestream chat, as those who couldn’t be there in person were invited to join in the celebration.
The service began with an acknowledgement that even as we gathered to celebrate, there are those in the world for whom celebration is not possible. There was a beautiful land acknowledgement shared by Rev. Gordon Jensen, re-minding those gathered that we are all treaty people, and as such, are called to work together to root out continued injustice and honour the original inhabitants of these lands where we worship, work and play.
The service was a beautiful homage to Bishop Ali’s commitment to worship and work for a Spirit of wild inclusion, for a God who draws every person in, inviting us into a community of gathering and grace. The readings were done in five different languages, with translations written in the bulletin, and participants got to experience the beauty of being able to understand and participate in the liturgy even as it was spoken in different tongues. We heard English, French, Swahili (Tanzania), Ghomala (Cameroon), and English again (but in an Indigenous voice—as Archbishop Chris Harper read the gospel using phrasing and names in a way that his culture would speak them. The congregation was invited to imagine Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit gathered people from every tongue, race and nation, and brought them together through Jesus.
Archbishop Harper reminded us of this inclusion that we are called towards as he shared the message, “Too much divides us, too much separates us. We are called to be one in the family of God. That is why I called you my relatives, my brothers and sisters. Not turning anyone away, but drawing them in.”
He reminded the congregation that singing and praying draws people together, and gifted the following lesson to each congregant. While patting his chest in the rhythm of the heart, he shared this teaching: “Your song is this. It starts out with the life bringers, the mothers. All of us have moms. And we share a heartbeat with our mothers. When you took your first breath, that heartbeat became yours. And it’s one that you have with you every day, with every moment and every experience. It becomes your song.”
He then tasked Bishop Ali with the following: “You are the messenger, not the message. And as the messenger, you love, you bless and you pray for your people. And you listen to their song.”
After, Bishop Ali was led through the words of ordination into the Office of Bishop, complete with National Bishop Susan Johnson speaking in both English and French that she learned for the service. Current bishops and former bishops laid hands on Bishop Ali and the crowd broke out in clapping, cheering and ululation. The joy was contagious! Bishop Ali was then presented with a number of gifts which all held special significance. The cope and the mitre are Bishop’s vestments sent by National Bishop Jean Baiguele of Cameroon, a sign of solidarity between the ELCIC and the EELC. The stole is from Madagascar, gifted by Rev. Emmanuel Aristide, and the crozier was a gift from Bishop Cindy Halmarson. Bishop Ali also received a pectoral cross and a Bible, as a sign of his call to the ministry, and a ring.
Catholic Archbishop Don Bolen brought greetings and congratulations from our Catholic brothers and sisters. “It’s a special thing that the Francophone, the Lutheran and the Catholic communities, especially from Africa, know well how to celebrate and express joy. I hope we can all learn something of how to express joy and life, as you do. We celebrate with you, your call to bring unity—unity with the church in the past through the ages, unity across the Lutheran world, but also, to be an ecumenical bridge and a person of dialogue as you seek to bring unity with all the rest of us to Christ’s body. You have already shown that you are a witness to reconciliation, a witness to dialogue, a witness to humble service, and a witness to building relations and building bridges in the city of bridges….Bishops know better than anybody else their failings, their limitations, their brokenness and their struggles, but we also know deeply God’s grace,” he said.
After the prayers, the Cameroonian community surprised the congregation with a processional, accompanied by singing and dancing. They repeated the words Kola Yahweh Kola ee, which means “receive (our offering), Yahweh receive,” until the congregation knew it well and could join in. They danced to the front of the sanctuary and presented Bishop Ali with gifts. Of particular note was a dundum, a fruit which is a symbol of peace in Cameroon, and a horse’s tail, symbolizing courage and the wisdom to lead God’s people on the good path.
Bishop Ali presided over communion, and as the service came to a close, the celebration continued with a meal which included both Canadian and Cameroonian foods, continuing the theme of unity, community, and inclusion that had woven itself so beautifully throughout the entire day.
We congratulate Bishop Ali Tote, and we pray for him as he continues his good work among us in a new capacity, relying on God’s grace, and steeping himself in humble service.—Anno Bell