Webster UCC’s ministry recognized in Ghana

by Global Ministries | published on Oct 10, 2014

Webster Church has been traveling to Ghana on a spiritual pilgrimage since 2002. As we embark upon our fifth trip in 2007, there will be a celebration of the work that Webster United Church of Christ has done over the years with the Krisan/Sanzule Refugee camp, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and the Christian Council of Ghana.

To: Former Ghana Delegates and to the 2007 Delegation:

I hope this letter finds you wrapped in God’s Grace.

As you know Webster Church has been traveling to Ghana on a spiritual pilgrimage since 2002. As we embark upon our fifth trip in 2007, there will be a celebration of the work that Webster United Church of Christ has done over the years with the Krisan/Sanzule Refugee camp, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and the Christian Council of Ghana. To acknowledge our work, Dr. Anne Adams, the Executive Director of the W.E.B. Dubois Museum has scheduled a special program to honor Webster’s contribution to Ghana.

As a part of this celebration, I would like to have a plaque placed on the wall of the Museum to recognize the Webster delegations of years past, as well as the eighteen people participating in the 2007 spiritual pilgrimage. I am attaching a list of the Webster Delegates since 2002, please let me know whether we have permission to place your name placed on the plaque. You can email me at lmgill2309@yahoo.com with your response.

As I am certain you know, Dr. Dubois was one of the leading sociologist in America. He was the first African American to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University in Sociology. As he approached his later years, he moved to Ghana and made it his home. His tomb is there and so is that of his second wife. Many of his original works are housed in the museum. The Ghanaian government has been keeping the museum running with its meager budget. However, since the “forgiveness” of IMF (International Monetary Fund) loans, many developing countries were forced to discontinue their funding of “cultural” institutions. The Dubois Museum has suffered because of that. Last year, following a year as a Fulbright Scholar in Ghana, Cornell professor Dr. Anne Adams, retired from the university and became the director of the museum. We were blessed to meet her during her Fulbright tenure in Ghana and our relationship has grown. She is aware of what Webster has done and wanted to make that known to the Ghanaian government and the American diplomatic corps during this celebration. We are appreciative of her efforts and we know that she has an uphill battle to keep the museum funded and to refurbish the facility as well as preserve the valuable artifacts that represent the best years of Dr. Dubois productive and long academic life.

Some members of the past and present delegation have voluntarily decided to make a contribution to the work of the museum. If you would like to join in this effort so that we can make a presentation during the ceremony, please make your checks payable to the: Phelps Stokes Foundation, with a notation that it is for the Dubois Museum. If you mail it to the church, we can make the presentation during our visit. The Phelps Stokes Foundation is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization. All funds go directly to the museum.

There is no relationship between your name appearing on the plaque and any voluntary contribution that you may choose to make or not make.

The plaque will also include the names of Webster Church members who may have made other contributions to the improvement of life in Ghana. The inscription on the plaque is enclosed.

Thank you for being a part of this life-changing ministry.
Blessings
Rev. LaVerne M. Gill
Pastor, Webster United Church of Christ

Webster United Church of Christ Ghana Ministry

Webster United Church of Christ began its spiritual pilgrimage to Ghana in 2002, following a 2001 trip of its Pastor Rev. LaVerne M. Gill. Rev. Gill’s trip was under the auspices of The Africa Office of Global Ministries, a joint overseas witness of the United Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ. Since 2002, Webster United Church of Christ has worked with the Krisan/Sanzule Refugee Camp, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ho and the Christian Council of Ghana. Webster’s work has included: scholarship support, support for the EP Street Children’s program, EP’s Leprosarium, micro-economic development loans and projects for refugees and the provision of support for the digging of wells and rainwater harvesting projects in Ghana. The greatest gift has been the development of our relationship with the people of Ghana and the many friends we have made in the process. Many members and friends of Webster Church made this ministry possible.

The following delegates have participated in the spiritual journeys over the years:

Delegation Leader: Rev. LaVerne M. Gill 2002-2007

1) Connie Bank, 2002
2) Elizabeth Bariclow*
3) Denise Moyers Banks, 2003, 2007
4) Judy Bemis, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 & 2007
5) Steve Bemis, 2002
6) Vesta Smith Campbell, 2003
7) Mary Chamberlain, 2005, 2006, 2007
8) Dr. Donna Champine, 2003
9) Jerry Champine, 2003, 2005
10) Rev. Dr. Diane Christopherson, 2007
11) Rev. Dr. David Cleaver-Bartholomew, 2007
12) Klara Dannar, 2003, 2007
13) Jessie (Bradley) Darko, 2002, 2003, 2006
14) Moses Darko, 2006
15) Leslie Desmond, 2005
16) Dr. Brenda McGadney Douglass*
17) Dr. Richard Douglass*
18) Nielie Ann Gill, 2007
19) Dr. Tepper L. Gill, 2007
20) Tepper McCain Gill, 2002
21) Daniel Gourdet, 2002
22) Rev. Sandra Gourdet, 2002
23) Tara (Lostetter) Fischer, 2002
24) Dr. Theodore Fischer, 2002
25) Kirby Fisher, 2003
26) Daniel Jackson, 2006
27) Rev. Gregory Johnson, 2007
28) David Ketchen, 2007
29) Mattie King, 2005
30) Karen Kulp, 2002
31) James Kulp, 2002
32) Barbara Lee 2005, 2007
33) Wiete Liebner, 2007
34) John McCain, 2005, 2006
35) Rasaun McCain, 2007
36) Nila McCullough, 2007
37) Dylan McCain McDuffie, 2005
38) Jelani McGadney*
39) David Meyer, 2005
40) David (Oggi) Ogburn, 2006
41) Eddie Poteat, 2005
42) Michael Redding, 2003
43) Blake Reetz, 2007
44) Bernadine Rice, 2007
45) Gertrude D. Sherman, 2007
46) Alison Stoffregen, 2005
47) Dante Vasquez*
48) Edda Williams, 2003
49) Frances Wright, 2006

We thank the many friends and members of Webster United Church of Christ for the gifts of prayer and financial support for these spiritual journeys to Ghana, without their support we would not have been able to have the tremendous impact that we have had for this ministry.

*These are members and friends of Webster Church who have worked in Ghana on special projects and research.

Webster United Church of Christ, Dexter, Michigan, USA