Uganda children’s choir awes General Conference
By Kathy L. Gilbert
“I was just praying to God in my heart that I would perform well,” said Solomon Mutende, 10, of Uganda.
Thousands of teary-eyed United Methodists know God answered that prayer after watching Solomon and the Hope for Africa Children’s Choir perform before a worldwide gathering of United Methodists during the 2008 General Conference at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
The appreciative crowd gave the youngsters an impromptu standing ovation after the children sang and danced to one song during a planned “celebration moment.” The audience even demanded an encore.
If their performance at that gathering is any indication of what the people of South Georgia can expect, then they are in for a real treat. The Choir has several appearances around the country during the month of May, but on Tuesday, June 10, at 7:30 p.m. they will be wowing delegates and friends at the South Georgia Annual Conference gathering in Columbus. Other appearances before and after Annual Conference throughout South Georgia are listed in the box to the right.
At General Conference Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher of the Illinois Area introduced the “special guests” with a video that provided a glimpse into the children’s lives in Uganda before they became part of the choir.
Uganda Bishop Daniel Wandabula and his wife, Betty, have become “Mommy” and “Daddy” to the 23 “orphan and vulnerable” children in the choir organized by the United Methodist East Africa Annual Conference. Many of the children came from Internally Displaced Person’s Camps established by the government during 20 years of civil war that has ravaged Uganda.
The camps are hot, miserable places where thousands of people are forced to live in mud huts crammed tightly together. Many of the children are orphans who have lost their families to violence or AIDS.
“When we saw all the children and the conditions in which they were living, we had to do something,” said Betty Wandabula. “They don’t deserve to suffer.”
‘God just blesses us’
“God just blesses us more and more,” said Winifred Acibo, 11, after performing at General Conference.
“I felt they loved me,” said Sandra Namuleno, 12. “I wanted to sound good so maybe my friends at Humble School and myself could get someone to sponsor us,” she said of the United Methodist-supported school.
Asked how the experience felt, 11-year-old Sawiya Lakareber gave a broad smile. “I feel at peace,” she said.
Bishop Michael Watson, of the South Georgia Annual Conference, was swarmed and hugged by the children after their performance. “I am the luckiest man in the world,” he said.
Humble United Methodist School in Mukono was commissioned in August by Watson and members of the South Georgia conference. It was started in 2004 to serve children from war-ravaged areas and homes affected by HIV/AIDS. An outgrowth of the school is the recently launched Hope for Africa Children’s Choir and Academy.
The vision for the school came through a partnership of the East Africa conference and the Ugandan church, the South Georgia conference, United Methodists from Virginia and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. After the East Africa conference purchased the land in 2001, South Georgia raised $140,000 to erect the first two buildings. Support also has come from United Methodists in Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
The South Georgia conference paid for the children and their teachers to fly to Fort Worth from Uganda. The choir will remain in the United States through July and will sing at United Methodist churches in Arkansas, Georgia, Wisconsin, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Performance Schedule Friday, June 6 Saturday, June 7 Sunday, June 8 Tuesday, June 10 Saturday, June 14 Sunday, June 15 Monday, June 16 Tuesday, June 17 Thursday, June 19 Sunday, June 22 |
For information contact Reverend Denise Walton, denise@sgaumc.com,
(912) 638-8626
Kathy Gilbert is a news writer for United Methodist News Service based in Nashville, Tenn.
Renovations and Re-Consecration
Trion UMC in Chattooga County in North Georgia recently completed a church renovation project which features a redesigned chancel area, new heating and cooling and lighting systems. Four new chandeliers; new paint and carpet enhance the beauty of the stained glass windows and worship area. A new sound system and vastly improved acoustics highlight the excellent music and total worship experience. Energy efficient windows, new paint and new flooring in the downstairs education space completed the project. As part of its commitment to reaching the county for Christ in the 21st century, the church re-consecrated the building on April 27 and celebrated with a special luncheon following worship.
The St. Marys UMC Church Foundation recently hosted a meeting at Epworth By The Sea with MAP International, Church World Service, ZOE Ministries and Connectional Ministries of the South Georgia Conference to discuss ongoing and potential collaborations between these organizations working in East Africa. Discussion participants included representatives from Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.
North Georgia Delegates, Reserves, Marshals and Pages
Vacation Bible Schools
Harmony Grove UMC in Lilburn will hold Vacation Bible School July 20-24, 6-9 p.m. Themed “Surfing Through the Scriptures,” the school will include Bible stories, music, discovery, crafts and recreation. A community beach party will be held July 24, 6-9 p.m. For more information, call (770) 921-7747.
Cannon Church in Snellville will hold Vacation Bible School June 16-20, 9 a.m.-noon. Performance in worship will take place June 22. Register online at www.cannonchurch.org. Cost is $25 per child until June 1; $30 after that. Discounts for children of adult volunteers. For more information, call (770) 921-1457.
Upward Football & Cheerleading
Flag football and cheerleading for grades 1-8 will be offered by Cumming First UMC. The cost is $90; $105 after July 6. Registration deadline is July 26. Cost includes flag football shorts or cheerleading mock turtlenecks. There will be Fri. and Sat. p.m. games. Must attend one evaluation/orientation. Practices begin week of Monday, Aug. 4. First game is Sat., Aug. 23. Awards celebration will be on Oct. 18. For more information, call (770) 887-2900.
Worship at Lake Lanier
Sundays through Aug. 31, informal worship will be held at 9 a.m. at Bald Ridge Marina Chapel on Lake Lanier. The service will include prayer, worship and music brought by Cumming First UMC. Dress for the weather. Call (770) 887-2900 for more information.
Gospel Concert
Campbellton UMC in Fairburn will present Southern Gospel recording artists the Lumber River Quartet in concert June 1 at 6 p.m. at the church. The group was established in 1986 and has traveled extensively spreading the good news. There will be a love offering at the event. For more information, call (770) 941-8584.
Benefit
Hillside UMC in Woodstock recently hosted a Car & Truck Show Benefit for Never Alone Domestic Relief, Inc., a Woodstock-based Christian outreach which assists family units with food boxes and funds for past due power bills. Some of those assisted (mostly single moms and children) were referred by Hillside and Liberty Hill UMCs for help beyond the availability of “Good Samaritan Funds.” Hillside pastor, the Rev. Doug Thrasher, accepted an award for Outward Christian Love from Never Alone’s president, Lamar Green.
Breakthru House Alumnae Picnic
On June 7, the board, staff, clients and alumnae will gather at noon at Breakthru House for an alumnae picnic and art studio dedication. The open house will begin at 11 a.m. for those interested in a campus tour. For more information, call (404) 284-4658 x 2.
At Lake Junaluska, N.C.
During July 24-27, the seventh annual Sacred/Liturgical Dance workshop will be held at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. Beth Teegarden will be the leader for the event, which is designed to help the worshipper and dancer experience God in a new and different way. View the brochure at www.lakejunaluska.com For more information, call 1-828-452-2881, ext. 795.
Charlotte Rabun | Dublin
Funeral services for Charlotte Rabun, wife of the Rev. Lamar Rabun, a pastor in the South Georgia Conference, were held April 28 in Chan Stanley Memorial Chapel with interment following at Boiling Springs United Methodist Church Cemetery. The Revs. Myron Wise, Ed Dean, Richard Warnell, Joel Dent and Kelly Maddox officiated.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son, Lamar Rabun Jr.; two daughters, Shelia Johnson and Betty Phillips; eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Serenity Hospice in Dublin.
Rev. Carlos Herrera | Alajuela, Costa Rica
The Rev. Carlos Herrera, a faithful servant of Christ and the Methodist Church in both Costa Rica and South Georgia’s Thomasville District, died April 29. Funeral services were held May 1 at the Methodist Church of Alajelua in Alajelua, Costa Rica; and the graveside at the Alajuela Cemetery. Cards may be sent to: Damaris Herrera Duran, Apartado Postal 115-2120, San Francisco, calle Blancos, San Jose, Costa Rica.
