Dear APUMC Family,
Jambo! Bwana Asifiwe! Asante Mungu!
Believing that a picture is still worth a thousand words, I’m happy to share a few more images from our recent adventure in east Africa.
Tanzania 2025
Hopefully, these pictures tell the story of an incredible experience for me and my family, rich with the beauty of culture and wild creation. In addition to the breathtaking landscapes, we were greatly blessed by the hospitality and friendship of the faculty, students, and future servant leaders at Wesley College in Mwanza, TZ.
When I first visited the college in 2018, there were a little over 30 students training for pastoral ministry. Now, there are over 200 students currently enrolled, with a variety of programs in theology, entrepreneurial leadership, business, and technology. This is an exciting development! For more information on the history and mission of the school, go to www.wesleycollegetz.com
All the same, it is good to return home to Ashland Place UMC. My thanks to the Rev. Jennifer Porto for her leadership in our worship services while I was away. It was nice to receive so many rave reviews of her sermons while on the other side of the world!
As I was making my way through the Atlanta airport, it dawned on me that yes, sure enough, our summer vacations are drawing to a close and the new school year is right around the corner. Now it is time to rebuild our fellowship right here at home!
Therefore, I ask you to help share the word on the many opportunities for future engagement in this newsletter: blessing of the backpacks, kickoff cookout, flag football tournament and community tailgate, a new Beatitudes study, the presentation of 3rd grade Bibles…
…and don’t forget the Joseph Project! We are in need of a few additional volunteers for the 1st and 3rd Wednesday and Thursday of the month. We are currently providing food distribution for 150+ households every month, and the need appears to be growing.
This is vital work, friends. Let us hear the call of Christ in our community. Contact the church office for more details on how you can be of service to this particular outreach.
I am also proud to announce that we will be getting our existing parking lot repaved, sealed, and restriped in the next couple of weeks. Special thanks to our Board of Trustees for their oversight on this project and for the generosity of the congregation that has made such initiative possible.
As you make plans to be in worship with us on August 10, I recommend arriving a little earlier than usual since the available parking area will likely be relocated on that Sunday.
I look forward to returning to worship with you this Sunday, as we continue to hear the teaching of Jesus in the Gospel according to Luke (12:13-21).
Until then, take care!
Darren