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Date posted: Thursday 10 September 2020
Where September marks the beginning of the school year for students and families in the United States, it signals the start of the homestretch for their counterparts in Tanzania – at least for those in Forms I-IV whose academic calendar begins in January and typically ends in November. For BKB congregations in both countries, now is the time of year when we take stock of the past year and begin making plans and commitments for the year to come.
At their meeting last week, the BKB Scholarship and Education Committee did just that. Gathered across continents by Zoom, representatives from Saint Paul Area Synod congregations met with Pastor Lusungu Msigwa (BKB-DIRA Director), Frank Mkocha (BKB Scholarship Clerk), and Deacon April Trout (BKB-SPAS Coordinator) in Iringa. Reviewing 2020, key highlights of their conversation included:
For partnership and mission committees in U.S. congregations, now is the time to begin assessing your scholarship commitments with your companions as well. By the end of September, you’ll receive current student lists and financial reports from your cluster leaders. In early October, we’ll host a couple of cluster meetings by Zoom to answer your questions and field your concerns – especially important as COVID-19 continues to impact the health and financial well-being of folks in the U.S. Pledges for the 2021 academic year will again be due by Nov. 1 with funds collected by Jan. 1.
As a year unlike any other continues to unfold, it is helpful to be reminded that life and learning roll on. It is also good to remember that, in Christ, we are together even when we are apart. All thanks be to God.
-peter
The Rev. Peter Harrits
Director of Bega Kwa Bega & Assistant to the Bishop
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