 World Communion Sunday October 5, 2008 |
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by Lisa Katzenstein |
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On the first Sunday in October, Christians from around the globe will celebrate our oneness in Christ--in a world ever more in need of peacemaking. In the spirit of this celebration, gather with us on October 5 as we encourage our church's capacity to engage in mission. Through the commitment of the United Methodist family, funds collected on this day will provide scholarships for students whose future endeavors will directly impact four critical areas of focus: Ministry with the Poor, Global Health, Leadership Development, and Congregational Development and Revitalization. Here are some glimpses into the lives of just a few of our developing leaders: Ministry with the PoorWith all of the achievements that this world can boast, Susan Nkatha Murithi of Kenya believes there are dark sides that have not yet been mastered. "In Africa where I come from…a deadly monster is destroying communities. HIV/AIDS is a thorn in the flesh. Children are left without parents, spouses lose their partners, and grandparents are burdened with raising the grandchildren, though they may be too weak to feed the families left by the death of their own children…" Ms. Murithi believes that this, exponentially taking place amid high levels of poverty, is something that humanity should not be able to sleep with at night. "The levels of poverty and disease in my country are alarming and I believe this is not how God meant it to be. Something needs to change…and I feel called to be one of the people to make some of these changes. Poverty must be addressed." A member of the Methodist Church of Kenya, Ms. Murithi is a master's level pastoral care and counseling student at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey.
Global HealthSilvana Grandón is a medical student at the University of San Sebastian in Puerto Montt of southern Chile. She studies and interns all week and then works full-time in the emergency room at the local hospital, earning a bit of extra money to cover some of her expenses and putting into practice the skills she needs to develop into a fine doctor. Ms. Grandón worries about the great quantity of people who have no access to health care. She believes firmly that economic and professional resources must be brought together to serve this population. After her training finishes in 2012, Ms. Grandón intends to continue serving in the southern zone of Chile, especially in the rural areas. There people are affected by heavy rains and floods and are often without the means to reach professional health care. Ms. Grandón is a member of the Methodist Church of Chile. Leadership DevelopmentCourtney Teru Goto's United Methodist heritage is long and distinguished, and her goal is to assist in the development of the next generation of church leaders. She is the granddaughter of Rev. Taro Goto, the first Japanese-American appointed superintendent of the former Pacific Japanese Provisional Conference. In 1942, the clergyman was asked to meet the trains arriving in Topaz, a concentration camp of Japanese-Americans in the Utah desert. "Grandpa Goto was there to reassure them and later to preach about God's presence even in their desert exile, and about God's promise for justice even in the face of Executive Order 9066. "From the time I was young," Ms. Goto wrote, "I have dedicated myself to raising awareness of social justice issues because of what Thomas Groome calls a 'dangerous memory,' which never ceases to disturb and revitalize my sense of who I ought to be." Ms. Goto is a PhD candidate in Atlanta, Georgia, at Emory University's Person, Community and Religious Life Program and is specializing in religious education and practical theology. Her goal is to teach in seminary. She is a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Atlanta. Congregational Development and RevitalizationTinka Krsteva comes from Macedonia. She is the recipient of support from the Central Conference of Central and Southern Europe, the World Communion Scholarship, and the Tzevtan and Alice Litov Memorial Scholarship Fund. She is studying theology, with a specialization in ethics and social concern, at Martin Luther College in Graz, Austria. When she completes her studies in 2010, she will return home to pastor a Macedonian United Methodist congregation. Macedonia is a small Balkan country struggling to get an economic foothold. The United Methodist Church there traces its roots to 19th century mission work. Along with Albania and Moldova, Macedonia is one of the poorest countries in Europe. Most people in these three countries cannot afford to pay for advanced studies. Pastoral training requires the sponsorship of a church or other organization. Please, join us in support of these students and the many other rising stars yet to come. Gather with us as we form a circle of nurturing support around them. Be with us as we challenge both them and ourselves to serve in God's grace. Work with us as we plant today the seeds of mission for tomorrow. The World Communion Sunday funds collected are divided equally in support of the General Board of Global Ministries' World Communion Scholarship Program (formerly the Crusade Scholarship* Program), and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry's scholarship programs.
Lisa Katzenstein is Executive Secretary of World Communion Scholarships and Leadership Development Grants, Mission Contexts and Relationships.
Date posted: Sep 30, 2008 |
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Sessions with Scholars