For more than 40 years, United Methodists around the world have observed World Communion Sunday in celebration of our connectedness as the body of Christ. This year, it is being observed on Sunday, October 4.
World Communion Sunday is an occasion to support educational opportunities for both international students and racial-ethnic students in the United States.
Your gifts on World Communion Sunday, supports the Ethnic Scholarship which enables The United Methodist Church to equip gifted, qualified students from around the globe to become the world changers God created them to be.
The World Communion Sunday offering funds scholarships for graduate students studying for professional degrees in their specific fields. Since 2002, the World Communion Scholarship program of Global Ministries has awarded $11,166,931 to more than 500 students.
One of those students is Cleber Lizardo de Assis.
Lizardo de Assis attended Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and graduated with a degree in psychology. In 2008 and 2009, he received a World Communion Scholarship to continue his studies there and pursue a Master of Psychology.
“I got to know the program through a friend and missionary from the Methodist Church in Brazil. I wanted to pursue a master's degree but did not have the financial means,” says Assis.
“I was active in a church in Belo Horizonte and helped with several community projects in the Liberdade neighborhood: Juventude ao Extremo (Youth to the Extreme), for young people; Sombra e Água Fresca (Shade and Fresh Water), for migrant children from 6- to 14-years-old; and Third Age, for older adults.”
“At the time, I was a national agent and advisor for Sombra e Água Fresca of the Methodist Church of Brazil and helped to implement projects across the country.”
“The scholarship allowed me to pursue higher education, continue my service to the community and expand my commitment to social transformation in the world.”
“I have since received a Doctor of Psychology and a postdoctoral degree in philosophy. I spent years as a professor and researcher in psychology and have written articles in the field.
As a teacher in psychology, theology, philosophy and social practices, I have helped to train community leaders and current teachers in these fields of study.
I also enjoy creating and implementing social programs that promote justice and peace for often marginalized groups: street children, perpetrators, people addicted to drugs, indigenous people, women and older adults.”
“’Minhoca Benzoca’ is my first children's book, illustrated by my son Ângelo Kalein. The work invites everyone to taste the good things in life. I am in production on other books, too. You can read more about them here.”
“I am concluding the Mental Health Project for All, a service that provides face-to-face and online psychotherapeutic assistance, free lectures and patient visits.
The next project I am developing and hope to implement next year is called Clínica Livre, which aims to serve Brazilians around the world, in addition to supporting the efforts of nongovernmental organizations in several countries to promote mental health.”
excerpt from an interview by Sara Logeman, content strategist for Global Ministries.
World Communion Sunday
One of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church, World Communion Sunday calls the church to reach out to all people and model diversity among God’s children. The special offering provides World Communion Scholarships, the Ethnic Scholarship Program and the Ethnic In-Service Training Program.
When you give generously on World Communion Sunday, you equip gifted, qualified students from around the globe to become the world changers God created them to be. Give now.
