United Methodists Elect Bishop for Sierra Leone
December 20, 2008 was a red letter day for our Regional Missionary, Rev. John K. Yambasu. The following extracts from a United Methodist News Service release explains.)
By Phileas Jusu* Dec. 22, 2008 | MONROVIA, Liberia (UMNS)
The Rev. John K. Yambasu, 52, has been elected bishop of The United Methodist Church in Sierra Leone by delegates of the denomination's West Africa Central Conference.
During the Dec. 20 election in Monrovia, Yambasu was elected on the first ballot, garnering 45 of the 68 votes cast, or 66 percent of the votes. Yambasu, a regional missionary with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, will succeed Bishop Joseph C. Humper on Jan. 1. Humper is retiring on Dec. 31 after 16 years of service.
Bishop Rosemarie Wenner of the Germany Annual Conference, who presided over the election, declared Yambasu the new bishop amid cheers and ululations from supporters.
Until his election, Yambasu was a regional missionary for sub-Saharan Africa for the Board of Global Ministries, with support from the Women's Division. His assignment included youth leadership development, education and training, with a particular focus on providing ministry to young people affected by war. Since August, he had been working in New York -- where the Women's Division and Board of Global Ministries is based -- on building a network in the denomination's African conferences related to ministries with children, including issues of child safety.
Born in Bo in southern Sierra Leone, Yambasu received his primary and secondary education at United Methodist mission schools. He was ordained a United Methodist deacon in 1987 and an elder in 1990. Yambasu holds a master of theology degree from Candler School of Theology, Emory University in Atlanta, and a bachelor's degree in agriculture from Njala University College in Sierra Leone. He and his wife, Millicent, have five children – Rebecca, Adima, John, Emmanuel and Elizabeth.
Mission and Social Responsibilities Commission
Commission for Mission and Social Responsibilities brings mission needs of the church and community to the attention of the congregation to act on.
There are many projects in mission the group is currently working on.
Whether you look at it as a mission or social responsibility, we would like to step up our efforts to take care of the earth and our children's futures by becoming a "green" church. The Missions and Social Responsibility Commission would like input from the congregation on ways you feel we could become green. Ways to save energy? Ways to "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle"? Suggestions can range from inexpensive, simple, easily implemented ideas to more complex (and, possibly, initially expensive) ideas.
Thank you to the Sharing the Growing Experience 2009 participants
Dana Barsalow, Logan Barsalow, Grant Beale, Beth Berkun, Kaylee Berkun, Luke Calyer, Susie Calyer, Betty Collins, Joe Collins, Charlie Comstock, Mary Comstock, Kyle Gronostaj, Ryan Gronostaj, Lois Heyer, Olive Felio, Carrie Larson, Karen Larson, Mathew Larson, Peter Larson, Susan Larson, Julie Lettrick, Mike Lettrick, Rickey Lettrick, Toni Lettrick, Joy Lowenthal, Linda Marschner, Mary McIntosh, Dick Pearce, Aleta Schweigert, Florence Skiff, David Smith, and Mary Smith. You helped by planning, preparing the soil, planting, weeding, watering, harvesting or delivering. Despite the late planting, heavy rain and blight, much produce was grown and provided to Concerns-U. They were thrilled to get what we had on a regular basis. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
ECO-TEAM TO ORGANIZE NEW GROUPS
Last spring, a group of 5 or 6 got together to determine what we could do to help with global warming. Using the workbook, Low Carbon Diet – a 30-day program to lose 5000 pounds, by David Gershon, we learned many ways to reduce our carbon footprint as families. Although at the beginning all of us felt we were doing a good job of conservation, after we worked through the book we discovered many other ways to help. We became increasingly aware of how much energy we waste, and how we can be better stewards of our world.
We are all enthusiastic to share what we learned, by starting 1 or 2 new groups this fall. It is fun, challenging, and a great family activity. If you are interested in joining a group, contact Matie Flowers at 477-5645, or the church office at 477-9693. Become an eco-friendly family!