Letter from the church council
Christ has come! Christ is risen! Christ will come again! During the advent season, we consider the paradox of expectantly waiting for the One who has already come, waiting for the One who already is here among us, of being between memory and hope.
The first Sunday in Advent is also the beginning of the church year, a turning of the page, a time to reflect on the past and consider what is to come. The covid-19 pandemic has changed what we have long considered to be ‘normal’. It is the first time in most people’s living memory that one thing has affected everyone all over the world at the same time, to one degree or other. This pandemic has shown us just how much we are all globally interconnected. Sadly, it has been through illness and death, unemployment and economic hardship, isolation and distancing from loved ones.
And yet, living in the hope and love of the risen Christ, the One who is with us now, and is to come, we can rejoice that we are so globally interconnected; that we have a way of reflecting Christ in our lives that goes far further than we ever thought possible. We have the opportunity to change what is ‘normal’. We can become more loving, more Christ-like people, in a more loving, Christ-like community, and in a loving, more Christ-like world.
My prayer for us at ACC is that we take the time to reflect within ourselves individually and as a community, to strive for new ways to ‘be with’ a world in pain, to wrap ourselves in the power of the Holy Spirit, to trust in God, allow ourselves to recognize how much we need Him, and do as Jesus commands us, to love God and to love the world around us.
– Susan Simonson
Message from the Council Chair
While we know we are blessed here in Tanzania with regard to covid-19, we do know that it is on-going and increasing in other parts of the world. As an international community that welcomes visitors and which seeks to love and protect those around us, we are continuing to follow health protection guidelines for the safety of all.
We ask that you continue to:
- Wash your hands before entering
- Wear a mask at all times, especially when singing (please don’t take off your mask to sing)
- Keep a degree of distance
The number of chairs inside the sanctuary will be increased a little bit in December; though we are keeping a gap between the chairs as a reminder of what is happening internationally. We are also starting to do Holy Communion again, but in ways that does not increase the length of time inside the building. We work and pray together as one community, sharing the love of Christ to all. – Susan Simonson
ADVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Advent season is here! You might be asking, what about our Christmas traditions? Will they still happen? The answer is mostly yes! But with a few slight alterations.
Finally! We will celebrate Holy Communion once more on Sunday, November 29, the first Sunday of Advent. At the end of our service we will all process outdoors to receive the elements and then form a big square around the courtyard for an outdoor blessing while maintaining our physical distance.
We will celebrate a baptism on Sunday, December 13 – again the baptism rite will take place outdoors so that our indoor service is not extended longer than an hour. Again, we will form a big circle outdoors to join in welcoming a new child to the family of faith.
Dr. Wendy Willmore has written a special Advent Liturgy for us at this link. You can download it and print it for yourself if you wish to worship from home, or carry it with you to church. We will not have printed copies this year, but the prayers will be projected on the screen each week.
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT is scheduled for Wednesday, December 23rd
come at 6:30 pm for a 7 pm start
This year, we will celebrate outdoors in the ACC courtyard, to reduce any risk to our International Community. We will pray for a clear night, and we might also enjoy the evening breezes more than being overly warm indoors! Please bring a bottle of water and your own mosquito repellent.
Peace makers for Albinisms and Community (PAC) will be the recipients of this year’s offerings from our Carols by Candlelight service. Please see the letter below for more information on how your previous donations to PAC will be used.
DONATIONS for Peacemakers for Albinism and Community – long sleeved shirts and blouses, long pants, wide brimmed hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are needed!
This year we will again be receiving clothing and other items which will be shared with the PAC (Peacemakers for Albinism and Community) organization. All items can be brought to the church office through the month of December and will be given to Sr. Martha.
Christian Education News: Sunday School offerings
Giving an offering is always part of the Sunday School activities and program. The children give with generosity, and each year an organisation working children is the recipient of those offerings. We are thankful that we could give, thanks to the Sunday School children, just over 1,500,000/= to Peacemakers for Albinism and Community (PAC). Sr. Martha runs this program and gives appreciation in her message below.
Greetings from Peacemakers For Albinisms and Community-PAC, We thank you for your donation amounting to 1,501,000/= which will enable our children to have a safe transportation home, for December 2020 holiday and stay with their family members or guardians. Most of our children are from single parent families (single Mother), some of the parents have skin cancer. We highly appreciate your donation that will facilitate the transportation to our children as some had to walk for almost 3 (three ) days along Ngorongoro National Park back to their home place and sometimes we are to stay with them due to shortage of funds. Through this Transportation Facilitation Fund, we assure you that all of our children will travel to their home places and have an enjoyable Christmas Holiday with their family members. May God bless you all for your love and kindness to our kids; this is a great job you have done. 1 Cor 15:58 Regards, Sr Martha Edmund Mganga, Founder & Director
Sunday School Christian Education committee is planning how to re-start the Sunday School program in the new year.
While there are many enthusiastic children who want to be in this program, we need to find the teachers! The SS team hopes to run a teachers’ seminar in January 2021, where those new (or well experienced) to teaching can sign up and learn about this program. More details will be sent out as available.
December 2020 Service Schedule
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December 6 |
December 13 |
December 20 |
December 23 |
December 25 |
December 27 |
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Church Calendar |
Carols by candle light |
Christmas Day |
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Service Type |
Baptism |
6:30 pm for 7 start |
Family Service |
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Service Leader |
Penina Oredsson |
Eric Mbelle |
Philip Mvungi |
Moira Brehony |
Elizabeth Hudgin |
Eliel Gideon |
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Preacher |
Mike Taylor |
Eamonn Brehony |
Paul Mosley |
Lisa Borden |
Derick Matthews |
Wendy Wilmore |
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Musician |
Rebecca Mosley |
Maryin’gida Severre |
Ruth Bach-Svendson |
Randy Stubbs |
Rebecca Mosley |
TBD |
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Duty Elder |
Doreen Marandu |
Monica John |
Rebecca Mosley |
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Michael Murray |
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Sound |
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Zoom host |
Jessica Shayo |
David? |
Sion Miraa |
Michael Murray |
David |
Jessica Shayo |
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Ushers |
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Flowers |
Rebecca Ndorossy |
Erwin Kinsey |
Dorine Marandu |
Irene Mchomvu |
Irene Mchomvu |
Irene Mchomvu |
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Scripture Readings |
To be filled by WoCo |
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ACC PRAYER CHAIN
If you have a prayer request and would like members of our community to support you in prayer, contact the four key persons – if possible by SMS- and they will inform the others from the prayer chain.
Erwin Kinsey 0754 480 184
Margaret Kenyi 0754 090 078
Susan Simonson 0754 266 559
Stella Karumuna 0754 281 337
Mission Statement:
Arusha Community Church seeks to bring Christian praise and witness to God through worship, service and study. The congregation provides opportunity for Christian fellowship, service and witness, community outreach, personal growth and family growth. Recognizing the close link between worship and culture, Arusha Community Church has an inter-denominational ministry to the international community in Arusha.
TITHES AND OFFERINGS AT ACC:
Thank you to the many who continue to give your tithes and offerings to ACC. Please know that these offerings are needed, appreciated and are used to help many within the community.
ACC BANK DETAILS:
For anyone who wishes or needs to transfer funds via bank deposit to ACC please find the following details here:
EXIM BANK
TSH: ACCOUNT NUMBER 00 300 23 252
USD: ACCOUNT NUMBER 578 067 0116
ACC MOBILE MONEY ACCOUNT DETAILS:
For anyone who wishes or needs to transfer funds via mobile money to ACC please find the following details here:
M-PESA DEPOSIT NUMBER: +255755992394
NAME: NASIEKU MOLLEL (Church Administrator)