The Sunday News
Sunday News Reporter
THE African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME Church), Gumtree station situated at the Bulawayo Central Business District last week handed out Christmas grocery hampers to the church’s rural members.
The church held a presentation ceremony at the end of the church’s annual conference last Monday. The hampers, sourced by the Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) from its members and the Gumtree church congregation, had an assortment of groceries like cooking oil, washing soap, sugar, rice, peanut butter, salt, tea leaves, chunks and petroleum jelly.
Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Mother Nonsikelelo Dlamini said the initiative was meant to fulfil God’s command that Christians should assist the elderly and needy members of the community.
“We gave out 48 buckets today and they went to mostly members of the church from rural stations. The food was sourced from members of the WMS and also from general members of Gumtree church. We are going to give some food hampers to those who are in town towards the end of the year. We decided to take advantage of that most people were in town for the annual conference to distribute what we had already put together. We are glad the Bishop also chipped in with transport money so that people are able to carry the stuff to their rural homes. Our traditional end of the month feeding is still continuing at Gumtree,” she said.
The Bishop of the AME Church 20th District, Bishop Ronnie Elijah Brailsford, commended the church for taking a lead in assisting fellow members of the community.
“I want to thank the Pastor of Gumtree (Rev Eustice Ginya) and the entire Gumtree congregation for taking a lead in stretching out their hands to help others. I want to assure you that the more you give, the more God will give you as well,” he said.
