​Today's Program: The Gift of Storytelling for Building Community
Presented by Reverend Brandon Wrencher and Service Leader: Kathy Parham

Reverend Brandon Wrencher is a BUUF friend who previously served as the Executive Director of Blackburn Community Outreach and the pastor of Blackburn’s Chapel UMC in Todd. He is currently the Vice Chair of the Justice and Reconciliation Team in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. In this presentation, Rev. Wrencher will talk about the importance of storytelling and shared myths as he works to build a church from the ground up in Greensboro. 

Today's Program: The Mandela Fellows
Presented by Connie Green

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative that empowers young people through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking. In 2018, the Fellowship is providing outstanding young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. higher education institution with support for professional development after they return home. The cohort of Fellows studying at Appalachian State this summer represent a variety of careers: agriculture and food security, community development, disability advocacy, education, girls’ and women’s empowerment, law, non-profit management, and youth advocacy. Several speakers from the App State cohort will share their Ignite Talks, that explain and advocate for the work they are doing in their countries.

After the Service: A brief congregational meeting will be held to consider and vote on the procedure for facility improvements related to the capital campaign. 

Today's Program: Singing the Journey: Celebrating Community with Song
Presented by Linda Larson

For many of us, one of the greatest gifts of a faith community is the opportunity to hear and participate in singing. A choir of BUUF members and friends will lead this singing-focused service, with choral performances, congregational singing, and even a few special solos and duets. We will introduce a few new songs from the hymnal supplement Singing the Journey, as well as repeat some favorites. We are choosing pieces to celebrate community, family, love, and friendship. If you are interested in participating as a member of the choir, please contact Linda Larson at lindalarson917 (at) gmail (dot) com. We will have rehearsals on Sunday, July 1 (optional) and Sunday, July 8 before the service; women/upper voices arrive at 9:30 a.m., men/lower voices at 10 a.m. for each rehearsal.

Also as part of the Program: Community Giving for the Back to School Festival’s Fill the Bus Campaign. In addition to money collected during the Offering, the Social Action Committee is also looking for donations of composition books (the black-and-white marbled type) and colored pencils for students of limited means.