A Moment for Mission
"Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." —2 Timothy 1:13, NRSV
"The United Methodist Church," said Makalah Cannon, "has supported my upbringing by giving me a church home, a foundation and a doctrine grounded in structure, which helps me in my daily studies."
Now a student at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia, Makalah has already taken the Certified Nursing Assistant course, which offered hands-on experience. She recently applied to nursing school.
Growing up in Lithonia, Georgia, the young African-American woman recalled, "my life was very fun." Her mother worked for the school system so she always had summers off. Makalah, her brother and their mom traveled and participated in activities at Stone Mountain and the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta.
"My childhood was a great time in my life," she said. "The joys included camping trips with the Girl Scouts and vacations with my family. The challenges involved maintaining my GPA while participating in various school activities."
Makalah is grateful for her faith family's role in her life. She heard about the Ethnic Scholarship through her church, Andrews Chapel United Methodist, Jonesboro, Georgia. Receiving the scholarship, supported by generous gifts on World Communion Sunday, "has helped my life tremendously," she said.
"My church has been my support throughout my childhood years and has ingrained in me the importance of praying, biblical teachings and United Methodist beliefs. They have given me the mind-set that I am able to do anything I put my mind to do."
Offertory Prayer
Loving God, teach us, your children, to learn from our mentors in the church and to grow in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Bless our scholars. In your name, we pray. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
An Ethnic Scholarship, supported by generous gifts on World Communion Sunday, played a major role in connecting Chinese adoptee Anna Ling O'Donoghue with her roots.
"I was dropped off at the Nanping Orphanage when I was four days old and raised by the orphanage staff until my adoption in 1999," said Anna, now a student at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.
Anna's adoptive mother joined The United Methodist Church in 1990. "Mum has a law degree and has worked in corporate, nonprofit and federal government service," Anna said. "She has always stressed our faith community, participation in community and church projects, education and time with family. My life has been very full and blessed."
Active at Foundry United Methodist Church, Washington, Anna received Ethnic Scholarships in 2017 and 2018. The financial aid allowed her to participate in January interim courses in China and Japan.
"The biggest difference I can make in the world today," she said, "is to show kindness, compassion and love."
Barbara Dunlap-Berg, freelance writer, retiree of United Methodist Communications