Spring 2013
In this issue:
Conferences Exceed 100 Percent Giving to Africa University Fund
Heather Peck-Stahl Twenty-seven annual conferences paid 100 percent of their 2012 asking for Africa University Fund; four of them exceeded their goal.
Leaders Gather at Africa University for Evangelism Summit
Ngonidzaishe Dapira Summit focuses on the words of John Wesley, “who experienced the movement of the Holy Spirit in his heart.”
Member of First Graduating Class Recalls “Really Great Memory”
Joey Butler For Ana Carvalho, life changed the minute she set foot on AU’s campus.
United Methodist Church of Vista Creates $100,000 AU Scholarship Barbara Dunlap-Berg Reaching out, both locally and globally, is in the DNA of the 355-member United Methodist Church of Vista, Calif.
Charitable Giving Is in Warren E. Covell’s DNA
Elaine Jenkins Covell’s youthful giving of five cents from his weekly allowance set the stage for a lifestyle of generosity.
one scholarship at Africa University. Warren was serving as chair of the Conference Committee on Global Ministries at the time and accepted the challenge. He and committee members, with the support of Bishop Violet Fisher, coordinated the effort to raise $65,000 to endow a scholarship. The annual conference exceeded its goal by nearly $5,000. Warren is now a member of the task force spearheading the Upper New York Annual Conference’s campaign to raise $1 million for scholarships at Africa University. The campaign is unique in that it is the first endowment campaign with a planned giving component. It comes as no surprise that Warren made the first major planned gift for the campaign. “I want to see Africa University become a great institution, making a strong contribution to the leadership pool on the African continent,” he said. “Besides,” he continued, “missions and outreach are central to the Christian faith, and charitable giving is a part of my DNA.” Warren E. Covell
—Elaine Jenkins, AU Development Office
Religion was central in Warren E. Covell’s life during his formative years. Warren’s parents participated fully in their local Methodist church and instilled in their four children a lifelong love for the church. Born in Barre, Vt., Warren was reared primarily in East Hartford, Conn. He was an active member of the Methodist Youth Fellowship and began tithing at a very early age, a discipline that has continued throughout his adulthood. Warren said every Sunday he joyfully gave 5 cents of his weekly 50-cent allowance, secure in the knowledge that his gift was doing good somewhere in the world. Warren felt a strong pull to the ordained ministry at an early age. After he earned his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Connecticut, he enrolled at Hartford (Conn.) Seminary. There he met his future wife, Phyllis Storrs,
who was studying to become a Christian educator. The couple married several years later. Warren earned his bachelor of divinity degree and was ordained an elder of the Southern New England Annual Conference in 1959. Phyllis had earned her master’s degree and was employed by the Connecticut Council of Churches as director of ministry to children. One year later, the couple transferred to the former North Central New York Annual Conference, which merged with several other annual conferences in 2011 to form the Upper New York Annual Conference. Warren officially retired in 1996 after 40 years of service in pastoral ministry; however, he continued to serve in part-time appointments for another 10 years. Phyllis was for many years active in the annual conference camping program, creating curricula for older elementary youth and writing the 40th anniversary history of Camp Casowasco. Africa University first came within Warren’s missional and philanthropic gaze when the 2000 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference challenged each annual conference in the jurisdiction to endow Family photo
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Charitable Giving Is in Warren E. Covell’s DNA
Celebrating the Connection between Africa University and United Methodist Congregations 100 Percent Support
Thank you for supporting Africa University through your 100 percent remittance of the Africa University Fund apportionment in 2012. Jurisdiction Total Support and Annual Conferences with 100 percent or more in 2012 (includes 2011 performance)
100% 100% 100% 100% 100.57% 100% 100% 102.86% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 169.31% 151.51%
2011 North Central Jurisdiction East Ohio Illinois Great Rivers Iowa Minnesota Northern Illinois West Michigan West Ohio Wisconsin
100% 100% 104.69% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 112.46% 100% 100%
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 113.58% 100% 100.06% 100%
Illinois Great Rivers, Kansas West, Minnesota, New England, New York, North Carolina, Northern Bishop John Schol Illinois, Oklahoma Indian Missionary, PeninsulaDelaware, Red Bird Missionary, Southwest Texas, Tennessee, Upper New York, West Michigan, West Ohio, West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania. Wisconsin Conference has maintained a longtime relationship with Africa University. “Our churches,” said Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, “celebrate the level of higher education advancement that Africa University has accomplished.” According to Lisa King, conference treasurer, five local churches and a couple donated funds above the 2012 apportioned amounts to Africa University. The largest donations came from Bethany United Methodist Church, Madison; First, Whitewater; and Community, Elm Grove. “Africa University is a wonderful example of what The United Methodist Church can do together connectionally,” said King. “The entire denomination has established a university that provides critical education for Africans, who will then go back to their various nations and
Spring 2013
—Peck Stahl is a freelance journalist living in Nashville, Tenn.
provide leadership through the church and continent. (The school) has amazingly continued in this mission throughout the devastating and crippling economic circumstances in Zimbabwe over the past decade and now appears to be stronger than ever.” In the Greater New Jersey Conference, the Rev. Robert Costello, superintendent of Gateway South District, said Africa University has been the “favorite” missionary project of the Greater New Jersey Conference since the school opened. Greater New Jersey Bishop John Schol encouraged support of Africa University. “The development of leadership to serve within Africa,” he said, “is a priority for us as we seek to be faithful in our mission as a global partner.” The bishop has made seven trips to Africa University. “I have seen and experienced firsthand how the school is making a difference in the lives of students, the church and the region where it’s located,” he says. “Graduates . . . are leaders in business, the church, agriculture, education and economic development and an example of what United Methodists can do when we work and give generously together.”
Conferences Exceed 100 Percent Giving to Africa University Fund
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung
Heather Peck Stahl
“Africa University is an example of how the connectional system can make a difference in the world,” said John Cardillo, treasurer and director of administrative services of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference. “By supporting the university, we are enabling the growth of well-educated leaders and helping to provide the tools for a better socioeconomic future for communities in Africa.” Support of Africa University, now celebrating two decades of preparing leaders for Africa and the world, is gaining momentum. In fact, 27 annual conferences paid 100 percent of their 2012 asking for the Africa University Fund, with four exceeding their goal. Wisconsin Conference paid a whopping 169.31 percent, followed by Greater New Jersey, 104.69 percent; Iowa, 100.57 percent; and Louisiana, 100.03 percent. Other conferences paying 100 percent were Alaska United Methodist, BaltimoreWashington, Desert Southwest, East Ohio, Florida, Holston,
UMNS – Mike DuBose
2012
Northeastern Jurisdiction Baltimore-Washington Greater New Jersey New England New York Susquehanna Peninsula-Delaware Upper New York West Virginia Western Pennsylvania
Southeastern Jurisdiction Florida Holston North Carolina North Georgia Red Bird Missionary Tennessee
100% 100.02% 100% 100%
South Central Jurisdiction Central Texas 100% Kansas West 100% Louisiana 100.03% 100.01% North Texas 100.50% Oklahoma Indian Missionary 100% 100.05% Southwest Texas 100%
Western Jurisdiction Alaska United Methodist Desert Southwest
As Africa University celebrates 20 years of realized dreams, we look forward to your full support in 2013.
• Africa University is located in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, and is the first fully accredited United Methodist–related educational institution on the African continent, established by action of the General Conference. • Africa University offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in six faculties of learning: agriculture and natural resources, education, health sciences, humanities and social sciences, management and administration and theology. The Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance offers postgraduate diplomas and master’s programs.
UMNS – Mike DuBose