The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, one of the oldest Christian churches in the world, boasts a rich history and a vibrant community. With a membership of between 45 and 50 million people, the majority of whom live in Ethiopia, the church plays a significant role in the lives of its followers. This article explores various GoFundMe campaigns dedicated to supporting Ethiopian Orthodox Churches, highlighting their missions, challenges, and the impact of community support.
Ethiopian Orthodox Priests
Debre Meheret Kidus Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Debre Meheret Kidus Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Oakland, California, is a nonprofit religious organization that has been serving the Ethiopian and Eritrean community in the Bay Area for over 12 years. The initiative to establish the church was taken by a very few dedicated and faithful Ethiopian people under a good leadership and established as a nonprofit religious organization in the state of California in 2006. The church is an affiliate of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
Initially, the Church was serving its congregation in a small chapel rented from Central Serbian Christian Church in downtown Oakland. The church started its services with only one priest assisted by two deacons. At present, there are three priests and several deacons who regularly provide sacramental and other spiritual services to the community. Over the years, Church attendance has shown a steady rise. Today, the Church serves its regular Sunday mass and spiritual services to all bay area Christians.
Mission Statement
The mission of Debre Meheret Kidus Michael E.O.T.C is rooted in spiritual growth and service:
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- Reaching families for Christ through excellence in praise and worship.
- Manifesting the unity of faith in Jesus Christ in the celebration of the Eucharist.
- Fostering Christian love and extending a helping hand to those in need.
- Preserving the true faith, order, and tradition passed down by the Holy Fathers and Martyrs.
The church offers religious education for children, youths, and adults, as well as counseling, youth support groups, job training, and community gatherings.
Current Issues and Fundraising Needs
Since its establishment, the Church has taken the lead in providing services to meet the spiritual, cultural, and economic needs of the Ethiopian immigrant population in Oakland area by upholding the centuries-old tradition and values of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo religion practices. However, as the size of the congregation grew faster than expected and the Church was unable to provide essential services for many hundreds of Ethiopians immigrants. Because of those reasons, members of the church encouraged by their strong conviction and deep religious dedication, the church rented from Jewish Chapel which is the current location in 2010 for weekend service only.
The Current Landlord and city of piedmont constraints have limited the types of services that we can offer and greatly restricted the number of persons served due to time restrictions. Because of those reasons, we are conducting our church services under extreme difficulty. At the same time, the church adopted a revised By-laws and the general assembly elected a Board of Trustees from the priests and members to administer the overall management of the Church. Our Church is therefore, a people’s Church managed by board members who are elected for two year-term.
Throughout the last decade, Deber Meheret Kidus Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church activity has intensified both quantitatively and qualitatively. Besides proclaiming the Gospel and make disciples of all nations, the church empowers the community in strengthen the body of believers and equip them for works of ministry because the church should be an atmosphere of spiritual edification, where believers (nations) are grounded, discipled and led toward maturity. Since then the church becomes a focal point and plays a significant role in the community.
Currently, the church provides numerous services including the usual liturgy, Christening, prayer for the dead (requiem), and Sunday school for children and adults. A committee was set up to accomplish our primary goal of having our own Chapel were to facilitate a corporate environment of worship that express our love toward one another, and to provide consistent Christian religion service without any interruptions. However, because of the current Oakland area housing inflation and our community (Church’s) income we can’t accomplish or achieve our goals yet.
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Finally, we members and Executive Board of Deber Meheret Kidus Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Church by considering our fellowship in Christ and our challenges, writing this short church history were hoping that you would be willing to help us by donating any amount to buy our own place to worship. Thank you in advance in name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for your time and consideration and May the Almighty richly blesses the Church in all endeavors.
Bisrate Gebriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Bisrate Gebriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church embraced this space as its new spiritual home 10 years ago. Once the largest parish church in the country when it was dedicated in 1929, this stunning Italian Renaissance landmark has long been a beacon of faith and community. When Sacred Heart closed its doors in 2010, the future of this grand building was uncertain. But preserving such a large and historic structure is no small task. Please consider giving what you can, and sharing this campaign with others.
Bermel Giorgis Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church
For nearly two decades, Bermel Giorgis (Barrel Giorgis - a revered holy site in west Gondar, Ethiopia known for its mystical holy water that offers spiritual healing) Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church in West Gondar's Quara Wereda has been a beacon of hope, healing, and divine intervention. In 2015, the church faced a major disaster from a cholera outbreak, caused by lack of inadequate sanitation and water treatment which resulted in loss of lives on these holy grounds. This is why Terbinos Travel & Tour, in partnership with the West Gondar Archdiocese (EOTC), has spent three years doing meticulous research, planning, and designing a transformative revival project. We call on all Ethiopians, Eritreans, and global faithful to act now.
Kuk Yelesh Gedam: Preserving a Beacon of Spiritual Devotion
Kuk Yelesh Gedam, nestled in the heart of Ethiopia, is more than just a monastery - it is a beacon of spiritual devotion, a guardian of Ethiopian Orthodox heritage, and a sanctuary for community and culture. Today, this treasured site faces critical disrepair. Time and the elements have worn down its ancient walls, damaged its historic structures, and left essential facilities inadequate for the monks, pilgrims, and community members who depend on it.
Whether you are part of the Ethiopian diaspora, a devotee of Orthodox Christianity, a supporter of historical preservation, or someone who believes in the power of faith and culture, your donation can make a lasting difference. Let us come together as stewards of our faith and culture. Donate Today.
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Ethiopian Cultural Garden in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland’s International Cultural Garden Park, a beautiful riverine park given to Cleveland by Rockefeller in 1898, stretching from Lake Erie to University Circle, evolved into a large multi-cultural peace garden. First was the Shakespeare Garden in 1916. Since then, plots have been granted to many cultural communities to develop gardens. This is the world’s only multi-national, multi-cultural peace garden park. We seized the opportunity: Ethiopia is the 37th nation, the first from Africa, to be awarded a site.
Phase 1 of our garden project, a ‘Grand Mosaic’ on both sides of a wall 12 x 18 ft., was envisioned, developed and completed by our Design Committee after six years of discussion, community planning and fund-raising, and in spite financial shortages: the cost was higher than anticipated. But on August 24th, 2019, we had a wonderful Unveiling Ceremony. Among those present were Ethiopian Ambassador Fitsum Arega, Mayor Frank Jackson of Cleveland, and other dignitaries. Our guest of honor was Artist Professor Zerihun Yetmgeta of Addis Ababa University, who designed the Grand Mosaic and conceptualized the Stele Arch (to be Phase 2). Our Mosaicist, Ernesto Spinelli originally from Kulubi, Ethiopia, who fabricated the Mosaic from Zerihun’s paintings was present, and also Art Historian Dr. Ray Silverman from the University of Michigan, to introduce Artist Zerihun, his long-time friend, having introduced his art to America in the 1990’s.
In a traditional style, this Mosaic depicts six million years of the history of Ethiopia - ‘The Land of Origins’- from the dawn of humanity to globalization. It is the world’s only monument to Ethiopia’s remarkable history, unity, and diversity. Among the Cultural Gardens, it is a unique work of art.
Ethiopian Cultural Garden Mosaic
Mosaic Content
The mosaic comprises five panels illustrating Ethiopia's unique history and contribution to the independence of nations:
- Cradle of humankind: Depicts Lucy (Dinknesh), the 3.2-million-year-old hominid fossil, and ancient rock paintings.
- Diversification within Ethiopia: Showcases the Konso People, representing Ethiopia's 86 ethnic groups and diverse languages.
- Ancient Civilizations, Religions of Ethiopia: Highlights the Axumite Empire, Queen of Sheba, Emperor Ezana's proclamation of Christianity, and the asylum given to early followers of Mohammad.
- Nation-Building, King of Kings, Independence: Illustrates the rule by Emperors from Menelik I to Haile Selassie and the victory at the Battle of Adwa.
- Globalization: Features the 'T'beb' (Eye of Wisdom) and a message about the imperative of art.
Mosaic Side 2: Loss of Habitat, Global Environmental Change
The other side of the Mosaic Wall displays Professor Zerihun’s painting from 1987, “When the Sun Gets the Moon”, indicating destruction of forests (e.g. Ethiopian forest coverage once 60% is now less than 1%), and large polluted cities. We have made the Sun a destructive force in spite of technology that enabled travel to the Moon. Environmental decay, habitat loss, fossil fuels, other pollutants, yielding climate change, crop failures, extinctions, zoonotic diseases (SARS, Covid 19), population movements, hostilities, reactive leaderships, destructive military responses- all are intertwined. We have come to the unthinkable possibility of the collapse of civilization as we know it.
This painting is a plea, from the land where human life began, to redirect efforts, work together in peace, restore the environment.
Amplifying Global Impact: Phases 2 and 3
It is desirable to build the next 2 Phases together: Phase 2, a 35 ft. tall stone arch, an Axum Stele in Silhouette, and Phase 3, a stone replica of a Lalibela church doorway and patio in the shape of a map of Ethiopia. We have hopes for this Garden - a ‘Monument for the Ages’ - attracting worldwide attention and functioning as a unique gathering place. We are determined to complete Phases 2 and 3 as soon as possible. The plans are made, the groundwork laid, with funds we could proceed…..but……
The bottom line is that there are no funds available, just the hope and trust that you will generously support this meaningful project!
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church Explained
Costs
Phase 1 Mosaic……….$95,880 ($89,500 paid to date: a $10,000 grant + $54,000 community donations & sales, but $6,380 is still due in installments and another $20,000 was financed and also owed, with interest.) But Phase 1 still needs water and lights. Installing water lines….$4,000, & Lighting….$2,500 (estimates) Therefore, to finish & pay off Phase 1= 27,880 + 6,500 =$34,380 Phases 2 and 3………..$160,000 estimate
Please help us with significant donations…as soon as possible. We thank you for previous donations that enabled completion of this Mosaic, and hope you will consider further donations as able. Donor plaques will be added for donations of $5,000 and for smaller amounts if we can. Any amount is appreciated and helpful-together ‘we can’. We thank you - Betam Innamesegenallen!
Supporting Abenet Schools in Ethiopia
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has been the center of excellence for traditional, religious, and modern education for thousands of years. Over the last few years, Ethiopia has been a war-ridden country, as a result of which many schools and churches destroyed, leaving students and citizens with no ability to learn nor to provide basic needs and services. Ethiopia's Abenet schools are educational institutions established under the custody of the regional Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church: the Orthodox Clergies led, educate and support children of Ethiopia for thousands of years. History tells us Abenet schools have been around for centuries under the church's umbrella.
In Los Angeles, the Mgbare Senay Committee (MSC) of the Kidist Mariam Orthodox Tewahedo Church has initiated a fundraising campaign to support and rebuild Abenet schools in Ethiopia that have been affected by conflict. They call upon all Ethiopian Orthodox followers and patriots to join their efforts in providing essential educational resources to these institutions.
MSC urges donors to avoid adding an additional "tip" on GoFundMe, as these tips do not go to the MSC account.
| Project | Description | Status | Needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debre Meheret Kidus Michael E.O.T.C | Acquiring a permanent place of worship | Ongoing | Funds to purchase a chapel |
| Bisrate Gebriel Church | Preserving a historic landmark | Ongoing | Donations for maintenance and restoration |
| Bermel Giorgis Church | Cholera outbreak recovery | Ongoing | Donations for sanitation and water treatment |
| Kuk Yelesh Gedam | Restoring an ancient monastery | Ongoing | Funds for repairing walls and structures |
| Ethiopian Cultural Garden | Completing Phases 2 and 3 | Incomplete | $160,000 for stone arch and replica of Lalibela church doorway |
| Abenet Schools | Supporting education in Ethiopia | Ongoing | Funds for rebuilding and providing resources |
