United Methodists in Upstate NY celebrate Africa University Sunday March 25

More than 900 United Methodist churches in the upstate New York will mark Africa University Sunday on March 25 with worship and special services.
Zimbabwe-based Africa University is the only degree-granting institution in Africa sponsored by The United Methodist Church, and is celebrating its 20th anniversary – and its transformation into world-class university – this year. Currently, the university has 1,634 students from 23 African countries.

During Africa University Sunday, 28 United Methodist churches in the Upper New York Annual (regional) Conference will host Africa University alumni, members of the AU Advisory Development Committee and others who will tell the story of Africa University.

The Upper New York Annual Conference encompasses 49 of the 62 counties in New York, and ranges in area from Plattsburgh to Jamestown and Albany and includes the cities of Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse.

Beginning in June 2011, the 932 churches of the conference embarked on a three-year Africa University Scholarship Endowment Campaign to raise $1 million to support eight scholarships in perpetuity.

Africa University is one example of how United Methodists are helping to encourage and strengthen the next generation of Africa’s leaders with scholarships and endowments to provide long-term sustainability of the institution.

Telling the story of Africa University in your area will be:

• Ruth Ellen Stone, a member of the AU Advisory Development Committee and chairperson of the Indiana Friends of AU Committee, will speak at 9 a.m. at Lansing United Methodist Church, 32 Brickyard Road, Lansing.
• James H. Salley, AU’s associate vice-chancellor for institutional advancement, will speak at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. at Penn Yan United Methodist Church, Main and Chapel streets, Penn Yan.
• Cheryl L. Walker, director of Black Congregational Ministries for The United Methodist Church’s General Board of Discipleship, will speak at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s First United Methodist Church, 402 N. Aurora St., Ithaca.

To learn more about Africa University, visit www.africaau.edu. For a complete list of Africa University Sunday speakers and locations see attached.