December 2021 | Vol 416

Letter from the Church Council

Happy New Year!

Perhaps an odd thing to say at the beginning of December, but not for the Church Year which starts at the Advent season, which is usually the end of November or beginning of December.

So Happy New Year! In the secular world, New Years is often used to reflect on the year past, and consider the year to come. So, as a church, entering a new church year, how has our past year been? What criteria do we use to evaluate this?

If we are to reflect only on our ‘statistics’, it would be grim reading. Most within our congregation have been affected through illness and death due to covid. Families and individuals who were actively involved in many aspects of our church life have moved away from Arusha. Our attendance is basically half what it was before. Our offerings and income are down considerably, and we are barely meeting our mandatory payments. Two of our committees, Evangelism and Outreach (E&O) and Projects and Benevolence (PBC), which reach out externally into the community to support evangelical efforts and support those most in need, are dormant due to lack of funds. Many key programs, such as Sunday School, are not happening. Not a pretty picture!

And yet …. And yet, I come to church each Sunday and see a faith community worshiping God together in a meaningful way. I see energy and enthusiasm. I see people, many different people, giving of their time and talents to the church in service to God. I see new people come to join us. I see individuals who reach out to those in need, and encourage everyone to be involved with evangelism.

Which picture is the ‘real’ one? Both, I would think. One laid on top of the other; with the reality of the statistics causing Council to reflect and consider how best to serve the congregation in these difficult times. Yet always with faith and trust in God’s love for us individually and as a community which allows us to see, recognize and give thanks for the Holy Spirit at work in our faith family.

During the past almost 2 years, I have leaned heavily on the words Be still, and know that I am God, Wait upon the Lord, and other Scriptures such as Ecclesiastes 3: 1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. All these seem to say that it really is OK to be inactive, to wait, to ‘poa kidogo’.

That thought brings us back to the season of Advent. Advent comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’ or ‘coming’; and is the time of waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ celebrated at Christmas. This implies being both passive (waiting) and active (preparing).  It takes real discernment and a lot of talking and listening with God to know how to both ‘wait’, and yet, continually consider how to move forward; to ‘poa kidogo’, and yet, know when it is time to move.

I pray that all of us in the ACC community seek God’s guidance and wisdom; that we take the time to listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and continually follow in the footsteps of Jesus. As we ponder this Advent season of preparation, and then celebrate the gift of Jesus Christ, may we truly feel God’s love in our lives, and reflect that out to the community around us.

–     Susan Simonson on behalf of the ACC Council

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.

Upcoming Hike

ACC  Evangelism & Outreach committee  will  host  a   hike   up   Sambasha   Hill   above   Olmotonyi, /Ngaramtoni Juu on 12th December, a chance to see Hartlaub’s Turacco, Kilimsnjaro Colobus, Red Duiker, Golden winged Sunbird and tree orchids among native trees, for hikers who walk quietly and share sightings. Karibuni! Please inform Erwin Kinsey if you can take anyone in your car and we will rent Dala dalas as needed. We all should carry picnic things to share with others, wear good walking shoes, carry a full water bottle, and please do not go home first after church as we cannot wait again for people who forget to come prepared!!

WELCOME … KARIBUNI!

Carol Service Offering

It has always been a tenet of our faith community to reach out, support and assist those most in need around us, just as Jesus taught us to. Sadly, we have not really been able to do that in the past year. It is a priority of Council, and hopefully the congregation, to begin to do so again, starting with this year’s Carol Service.

The Carol Service offering will be given to Peacemakers for Albinism and Community (PAC), a grassroots organization which ACC supports. May we all give generously.

https://www.albinism-tz.org/

Our Services

We are continuing our in-person worship services at 10:30 am every Sunday. However, we have a limited number of chairs available in the sanctuary to follow appropriate social distance guidelines. We encourage anyone with risk factors to stay at home and participate in worship by Zoom.

To prepare yourself: Download Zoom on a computer or mobile device by going to zoom.us Click on these links to watch a tutorial on how to download the Zoom App and how to join a meeting from a computer or a phone.

Joining on mobile

phone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8JaUEORjSo

Joining on

computer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMUxzrgZv ZQ

Confirmation & Sunday School Teachers Needed

The Christian Education committee is considering starting Confirmation and Sunday School classes again, if that can be done in a safe way. All the teaching materials are there.

We are seeking committed people who want to be a part of this very important ministry. If you are interested to help teach, please give your name and contacts to Vivi in the ACC office, who can pass on the information to the Christian Education Committee.

ACC Income and Expenditure through 31st October 2021

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

TITHES AND OFFERINGS AT ACC:

Your OFFERINGS are important, needed and appreciated. It is easier for accounting purposes, and without charges, if offerings are deposited directly into our Exim Bank Account (please see details below).  While the MPESA number remains available for receiving offerings, please consider making a deposit directly into our bank.

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 00 300 35 020

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: +255 755 992 394
NAME: NASIEKU MOLLEL (Church Administrator)