Please Remember Africa University in Your Will Issue: 04 Vol: 21
July - August 2016
Africa University Development Office | P O Box 340007 | Nashville, TN 37203 Tel. (615) 340-7438 | Fax. (615) 340-7290 | Email: audevoffice@gbhem.org
California-Nevada Sets New Record in Giving It’s the middle of the financial year and there are already two firsts for the California-Nevada Conference and Africa University to celebrate. California-Nevada has invested 100 percent of its asking to the Africa University Fund (AUF) apportionment. It is also the first annual conference to achieve this milestone for 2016. “Africa University is one of those ministries that really touches people’s hearts and helps them to see the impact of their giving,” said Bishop Warner Brown, Jr., who will retire on August 31st after serving the San Francisco Episcopal Area for eight years. The California Nevada Conference took deliberate steps to strengthen giving to Africa University and other connectional ministries. The conference prioritized support for general church funds in its budget process. Led by Bishop Brown and its Council on Finance and Administration, California Nevada implemented a tithe model for local church giving in 2014.
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Instead of being given a fixed apportionment figure based on operating expenses, each church was asked to tithe—to invest 10 percent of its operating Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. income at the general church level. “The tithe model has created goodwill that motivates more churches to participate more fully in their connectional giving,” said the conference treasurer, Diane Knudsen. With success on its goal for Africa University, comes a growing confidence in California-Nevada that if every church participates in tithing, the goal of investing at 100 percent in all of the general church funds will be realized.
Dormitory and Student Union Refurbished
Two major refurbishment projects were completed at the campus this month. The ground level of the Ndorimana Bonaventure building—an area that serves as the Student Union at Africa University—got a facelift. A gift from the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, helped the university to update the flooring, repaint the area, and refresh the bathrooms with new fixtures. The university has also refurbished the common areas of the Bishop Edwin C. and Mrs. Betty Ann Boulton Hall of Residence. The building is one of four dormitories that were gifts from the former North and South Indiana Conferences.
AU Leaders Visit Alumni and Friends in Mozambique Senior administrators from Africa University (AU) paid a visit to the alumni in Maputo, Mozambique in late June. The AU delegation was in Maputo from June 23-26 to re-engage with graduates and encourage support for the institution. The trip was made possible by an ELMA Foundation grant to Africa University that supports capacity building in the area of alumni affairs. About 30 Maputo-based alumni met with university leaders to discuss strengthening the Mozambique Chapter of the AU International Alumni Association. The chapter is organizing efforts to “give-back” by the university’s 200 Mozambican graduates, many of whom serve in leadership roles in government, the business and education sectors, and in The United Methodist Church. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Munashe
Furusa was accompanied on the trip by Mr. James H.Salley, the associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement; Mr. Wehnam Dabale, alumni affairs director; and Ms. Sandra Munhumwe, the student recruitment officer. The delegation met with Bishop Joaquina Nhanala of the Mozambique Area to thank her for her leadership, hospitality and support. AU Board member and alumnus, Rev. Anastacio Chembeze, also facilitated discussions with the Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Ms. Vitoria Diogo, and with the Rector of Eduardo Mondlane University, Prof. Orlando Quilambo.
SAVE THE DATE March 24-26, 2017 Plan to attend the celebrations at the Africa University main campus at Old Mutare, Zimbabwe. Educational Opportunities Tours is offering a trip itinerary that includes an excursion to the Victoria Falls and Game Safari. Visit www.support-africauniversity.org to sign up or review the EO itinerary.