East Africans Gather in Oakland

NEWS RELEASE
June 2, 2006

EAST AFRICANS GATHER IN OAKLAND

A group of Africans and friends are inviting Bay Area East Africans to a social event in Oakland to consider a program for primarily Swahili-speakers to “enrich our spirits” while in this part of America. The event begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 10 at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 397 Euclid Avenue in the Adams Point neighborhood of Oakland.

Ezra and Christina Chacha are leaders of the Bay Area Tanzanian Society and co-founders with members of the church of the proposed program called Africa Outreach. Mr. Chacha estimates there are 150 to 200 Swahili-speaking Africans in the area who have been seeking a common place to “unite ourselves to help each other and to enrich our spirits” in this country. The Rev. Lucy Kolin, pastor of the congregation, reports that one-third of its members are from Africa itself and are partners with two “sisters parishes” in Tanzania and Rwanda and one in El Salvador.

The Africa Outreach program for June 10 includes statements from the founding committee and Reverend Kolin, an African dinner prepared by committee members and a general discussion about the needs and resources of the Bay Area for such a group. Dr. William E. Lesher, a committee member from the congregation, will be moderator for the evening. Representatives of the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, located in Oakland, will attend. The Synod and the Chicago-based ELCA are considering financial support for this outreach program. The Church has a long history of missions in Africa. Reverend Kolin and the Bishop of the Synod along with 10 other persons will visit parishes and programs in East Africa in July.

“I’m very excited to see how we can bless and serve one another,” Reverend Kolin said. “This program is definitely not a one-way street! We understand that what touches one of us touches all of us – whether trouble or joy. We are created and called to share all that we are with one another as a reflection of God’s heart.”

After the June 9 event, members of the committee will consider activities for the future based on discussions with those who attend. The congregation has agreed that its facilities may be made available to the group as needed and available.

East African countries with Swahili-speaking populations include Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Zaire, Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique.


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Contact Persons: Mr. Ezra Chacha, 510-691-7446 (cell)
Mrs. Christina Chacha, 510-691-2881
The Rev. Lucy Kolin, 510-444-5382 (lucyk [at] pacbell.net)
Mr. Chuck Ruthroff, 510-430-0500 (ruthroff [at] spselca.org)