The DMF honors 2024 graduates
By the DMF News Team
On the pleasant summer evening of July 14, 2024, the Distant Members Fellowship held a virtual program to honor its members and their families who graduated from kindergarten through graduate school.
The emcee, Albertine Austine commenced the program and set the tone by welcoming everyone in attendance and offering words of support and encouragement to all. After the opening prayer by Min. Olivia Browne, chaplain of the DMF and welcome remarks by Annie Kesselly, those in attendance were treated to an inspirational song by Mardea Kamara, president of Tubman UMC Family Reunion, an organization the DMF recently established a partnership with.
A screenshot of some DMF members in attendance at the virtual celebration for 2024 graduates
Rev. John Punni, pastor of Cornerstone One UMC in Oklahoma, was the keynote speaker. An astute, inspiring preacher and an active member of the Fellowship, Rev. Punni motivated the graduates from Proverbs 3:5-6 on the theme, “God’s Path.” Reminding them that life will offer them many different paths, he invited them to accept the path of God as the one true path of life. This divine path encourages all to commit to God completely, rely on God’s support to remain upright, submit to God, and allow God to lead them on a straight path.
Rev. John N. Punni, Pastor of Cornerstone One UMC in Oklahoma and keynote speaker at the DMF virtual graduation celebration.
Rev. Punni recommended ways to remain on the path of God by giving all worries to God, connecting with God regularly, following God’s wisdom, and living in community. After concluding his message, Rev. Punni offered a special prayer for all graduates.
Each member of the graduating class was recognized through a PowerPoint presentation. The president of the DMF graduating class of 2024, Dave Gondoun, son of Emmaline and Saye Julius Gondoun who graduated with a Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management and Policy from the University of Maryland Global
Campus made remarks on behalf of the honorees. He reminisced on his journey from kindergarten to the present, reflecting on experiences all graduates likely shared.
Also speaking on behalf of the graduates was Louise Dwanah, daughter of Yar Boayue Yini and Dwanah S. Dwanah. Louise graduated with the Bachelor of Technology Civil Engineering from Technical University of Kenya. She thanked the DMF for the recognition and described the educational journey as an incentive to keep running the race of life to professionalism.
Dwanah S. Dwanah, chairman of the DMF Finance Committee, offered the vote of thanks. He expressed appreciation to the graduates for their academic achievement and to everyone for attending. Joseph D. Stewart, who spoke on behalf of the parents and families, extended gratitude to the DMF for the honor.
Rev. Levi Williams gave the closing prayer. It was truly an auspicious occasion that celebrated and honored 32 graduates. There were 8 that graduated from kindergarten, 9 graduated from high school, 10 earned undergraduate degrees, and 5 received master’s degrees. The graduates studied in Liberia, the United States, China, and Kenya. Congratulations to the graduates! The future of the Church and the world looks bright because of graduates like these.
