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On the weekend of January 12th and 13th, FUMC hosted Rev. Herbert and Mrs. Mary Zigbuo for a series of events at the church to learn more about their lives and their work as United Methodist missionaries in Liberia, West Africa. FUMC entered into a covenant relationship with the Zigbuos in 2000, and has been supporting their work in Liberia financially and spiritually as one of about 30 congregations in various parts of the east and Midwest.
This is the first visit the Zigbuos have been able to make to our church. We were lucky that this was their furlough year (actually 6 months). They will be returning to Liberia in the spring.
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On Saturday night, about 50 of our church members gathered for a Pizza Party to welcome the Zigbuos and to learn about their lives and their work. The Zigbuos shared many stories and anecdotes about their work in Liberia through a display of Liberian Folk Art and a carousel full of slides. A few Wesley Student Center students and others unrelated to the church were also in attendance for the presentation. Our church members had many questions about the daily life, customs of Liberians that Zigbuos work with both in urban Monrovia and in the bush.
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On Sunday, Rev. Zigbuo preached at both the 9AM and the 10:30 Service. Mary Zigbuo worked with our Sunday School kids during the 9AM Service. Following the 10:30 Service, approximately 70 church members and friends met in Fellowship Hall where our pastors Mary Jo and Barbara Jean, joined by Herbert Zigbuo performed a communion ceremony reconfirming our
church's relationship with the Zigbuos and commitment to their work "in the spirit." The communion ceremony was followed by a potluck lunch.
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Chris Thompson, Chairperson of our Missions Commission
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History was made when Marcus Dahn, a student of Max Evans' who first introduced the Liberian situation to our congregation paid us a surprise visit. He had just arrived in town (1 a.m.) to visit family in Athens from South Dakota where he now lives.
The potluck concluded with a few words from Marcus, and closing remarks from both Herbert and Mary who were whisked off to the airport promptly at 12:45PM.
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Barbara Jean, Marcus Dahn, Herbert, Chris, Mary, Mary Jo
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