ABC alumni are amazing in so many ways! This morning their ability to connect with congregations around Andover was raised up as alumni helped celebrate A Better Chance of Andover in seven local churches.
Friends came from near and very far to celebrate with our alumni. Current student Leannette Garcia '20 joined the host family of LaKisha Williams '92 who preached a powerful sermon at West Parish Church. Britta and Don McNemar and their daughter and grandchildren were all on hand as LaKisha shared the importance of Ubuntu:
I am what I am because of who we all are.
Laurin Banner '72 gave a compelling sermon filled with humor, gratitude and unexpected twists at Christ Church where Dan Hall, Julie Ireland Childs, and current AHS student Jenni Nguyen '18 were all on hand.
Dr. Anthony King '71 spoke very eloquently at St. Roberts Bellarmine about how ABC was "a gift from gracious God". There Judy & David Dlesk, who hosted ABC student Alexis Singh '09, were in church with their now graduated ABC student!
Anita Holmes '78 joined new host family Sharon & Craig Saline at Faith Lutheran Church and shared deeply personal stories of the influence Andover community members had on her life.
Mark Ayers '69 joined current student Nilda Vega '17 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Andover. Tony Pace '78 spoke to the South Church community where he was joined by his Host Dad Dave Corbett. Will Arvelo '79 shared his journey into higher education leadership with the North Parish of North Andover Unitarian Universalist community.
The alumni speakers and volunteers reconnected over Saturday night dinner and Sunday brunch where they were surprised by a number of other alumni guests, Clayton White '69, Ian Dowe '84, Alexis Singh '09, Justene Salomon '10.
All in all, it was a heartwarming weekend filled with gratitude.
For more information on the 50th anniversary celebrations, visit AndoverABC.org/50th.
Additional photos Speaking from the Pulpits photos
