ARSSU rekindles with a glowing float at Tadzewu

ARSSU ON FLOAT

As parts of activities marking the 73rd Anniversary celebration of Apostles’ Revelation Society (A.R.S), the A.R.S Students’ Union (A.R.S.S.U) embarked on upon a lively float session across the principal streets of the City of the Lord Jehovah, Tadzewu on Sunday 23^rd December, 2012.

ARSSU ON FLOAT

The hilarious event was a success through the contribution of the ex-national executives, current national executives, alumni, members from various chapters in the country and associates of ARSSU as well as a vibrant brass band group that gave the occasion its bright glow.

A.R.S was founded by Prophet C.K.N Wovenu and other men of God through a collaborative effort and inspiration from Jehovah on 2^nd November 1939 and therefore means 2012 is her ripe age of 73.

Before the float the Public Relations Officer, Mr. David Amuzu announced to the participants who converged on the J.H.S Park of Tadzewu A.R.S School, the point of departure that the activity will revive the Unity and Peace of ARSSU which will sprinkle its speedy waves across the entire Nation of God as ARSSU is not meant to be divided.

The much awaited jubilating moment arrived at exactly 5:15pm amidst singing, dancing, clapping, trumpeting, drumming and whistling as the participants from the various Tertiary institutions and Second Cycle schools expressed their joy simultaneously.

The entire moment of joy took about one and a half hours after which the group of satisfied participants converged at the initial point of departure to receive the final message from the National President.

ARSSU ON FLOAT

Prior to the President’s speech, the Public Relations Officer, Mr. David Amuzu lead the Union into the singing of the ARSSU Anthem, a moment that reminded the members of the just ended National Congress hosted at University of Education, Winneba.

P.R.O ADDRESSING PARTICPANTS

In his final address, Mr. Etorko Israel Attipoe, the National President congratulated the participants on their contributions of the members of ARSSU to once again remind themselves about the Unity that dwells in ARSSU. He applauded the efforts of the Ex-National executives who took the courage and commitment to stand behind the Union through thick and thin.

Publicly announcing the hosts of the Fifth National Congress, President informed the members that the next 3-days’Congress will be hosted collaboratively by the Nurses’ Training College and Ho Polytechnic Chapters at Ho from 15^th to 17^th of March, 2013. He briefly disclosed the programme outline for the congress and urged all members to be present.

 

Reported by;

Israelmore Ayivor

(National Secretary)

University of Ghana, Legon Chapter marks a ten (10) years' anniversary

Having been organized in the year 2000 and successfully launched in March 2002, ARSSU Legon chapter is one of the vibrant tertiary chapters of ARSSU. The year 2012 marked the 10 years anniversary of the union and the patrons, executives and the entire membership of the union deemed it necessity to celebrate the 10 years milestones of achievement of the chapter on campus.  The celebration was well attended by National executives, members of ARSSU from other chapters, alumni from all other chapters, choirs, and a cross section of the clergy. The celebration was on the theme: “a decade of academic and religious growth, rising to the challenges of our time”. In preparing for the grand celebration, the anniversary was pre-launched at Tadzewu on 25^th December 2011 with a float and was officially launched on Legon campus on 25^th February 2012.

A BRIEF HISTORY ABOUT ARSSU-LEGON CHAPTER
 The union was formed around year 2000 and saw a successful inauguration in March 2002 at Akuafo Dinning Hall of the University of Ghana, Legon. Prior to its formation, the decision that led to the gathering and unionization of members of ARS on the campus became real after a conclave held at Thy Kingdom Come House, new Tadzewu. In its formative years, the union on campus did met in front of the Economics department but moved later to the front of Balmer Library. Currently, the union meets at top of Tacobel in Akuafo Hall. Medina central church serves as a mother church to which the union has been affiliated. However, the union embarks on visitations to Aayalolo, Abelenkpe, Pig Farm and other ARS Branches when necessary.

The union made remarkable achievements such as visitation to Legon Hospital on 23^rd October 2010 where they interacted with the Patients, prayed for them and presented assorted items to them. Also on 26^th February, 2011, the union visited Wovenu Secondary school where they presented books worth GH C 1000 to enhance studies on campus. Currently the over 40 membership union is being led by 12 executives.

ACTIVITIES OF THE TEN (10) YEARS ANNIVERSARY :

SATURDAY 24^TH MARCH 2012
This day was marked with fun games in the morning and film show in the evening. The fan games took place at the Sarbah Field of the institution as early as 10:30am with series of sports portfolios such as athletics, musical chairs, balloon burst, football games for males and female etc. participants included members and Alumni of the union, members from the various chapters, some patrons and National executives.

The fun games ended at about 2:00pm in preparation of the attendants for  the evening film show. In the evening, the activities resumed with the film show after preparation of the venue for the Thanksgiving service which would take place on the next Sunday.

SUNDAY 25^TH MARCH 2012
This day marked the climax of the celebration. For this reason, the programme was partitioned into three (3) catergories.

Part One (Thanksgiving Service):
The thanksgiving service commenced at about 9:45am with a call to worship led by  Rev…………………. interlude was given by choirs present such as Adenta ARS Choir and Madina ARS Choir. This was followed by the thanksgiving sermon which was preached by Rev. Mawutor Wovenu. The scripture was taken from Exodus 15:1-2. Preaching to congregation, Rev Mawutor was so grateful for the theme used for the anniversary and said it is the most appropriate since we have challenges that persue us daily in our church and it is the responsibility of the union to rise up against them.

Touching on the sermon, he said this scripture was the words of the song of Moses in thanksgiving to God when he was delivered from the enemies of Israel. He called the congregation to sing along with him “nye Mawue eyata makafui, fofo nye fe Mawue…”.  In conclusion, he pleaded with the celebrants to differenciate between celebration of age and celebration of achievement. According to him it is in vain if people celebrate the chronology of their anniversaries rather than the achievements.

After a song ministration by Legon chapter of ARSSU, there was an offertory which was commited to God in prayers by Rev. Christine Mensah. She also prayed for success of the first part of the day’s activities.

Part two (Speeches):
Part two of the programme was meant for speeches and commenced with the singing of the anthem of ARSSU. Fraternal messages were offered starting with a welcome address by the planning committee chairman. In his welcoming speech, Mr. Raymond Awadzi stated that “it is a commonly held view that any good initiative thatb any organization that is well grounde should have longevity”. With this he said he has the hope that the chapter will live to reign till there is no more time. He added that after the formation of the planning committee to co-ordinate the planning of the anniversary, they took the initiative to visit the church branches around to publicize the event. However as some branches received them wormly and pledged their support, others rejected them and questioned the “the basis of their existence in the church”. Though highly disappointed, they never got perturbed since they believed God wills the course of ARSSU. In conclusion, he confirmed that the Union had initiated plans toward the acquisition of a bus and as the day marks the climax of the celebration, “our aim is to raise funds towards the accomplishment of this project”

A message from the current president of the union also spelled the challenges  and achievements of the union. About challenges, Mr. Emmanuel Axorlu made mention of the union’s extension  of hands to the needy as said earlier by Mr. Awadzi Raymond. He also spoke on the union’s presentation to Wovenu Senior High Technical school and visitation to the various branches of the church around the metropolitan. He however lamented about the inability of some of the students who are the church members to surface and be recognised which affects their membership. Also talks about how some students play the role parents in paying their school fees and buying their own books ansd lecture materials that increases their stresses on campus.

Part three (Fund raising):
 Part three of the day’s activities was the fundraising ceremony towards the long awaited project of buying a bus for the chapter. Students, dignatories, members, patrons and alumni contribeted to the attainment of the project to raise a an amount of about GH C 7000. Part three of the programme was ended with a special song ministration by Legon chapter and the final benediction was given by Deaconess Christine Mensah. Refreshment, photography and socialization saw the activities to an end.

Long Live ARSSU

Ho Nurses' Training College Chapter lost an active member

The sad news of the death of Miss Magdalene Esiawonam Tsivanyo, aged 24 came unexpectedly on the morning of Sunday 19^th February, 2012. She was reported to have departed as a result of a relapse of an illness which occurred shortly after she was admitted, treated and discharged from the Volta Regional Hospital two weeks earlier.

Prior to the burial and thanksgiving service which to place on the 31^st March and 1^st April respectively, the union Chapters, both at Ho Polytechnic and the N.T.C visited the bereaved families of the deceased on frequent and successive trends to sympathize with them as a result of the great loss and also to inquire of updates about the funeral arrangements. Ho Poly chapter, led by Mr. Courage Mensah was present in the family house on 22^nd February and 10^th March, 2012 to mourn with the bereaved family. The bereaved chapter, N.T.C, led by Israelmore Ayivor was also present later on the 24^th February and 21^st March with their consolation messages to the bereaved relatives. However, various individual members also paid their respective sympathizing visits consequently.

During the 4^th ARSSU National Congress held earlier in March 2012, the former President of ARSSU, Mr. Aho Saviour officially announced the news of the death of the former member and called on their attendants to observe a one-minute silence in memory of her departure. The date for the funeral was also disclosed to the members of ARSSU during the congress.

As arranged by the bereaved family in consultation with the mother branch of the deceased, the funeral ceremony was scheduled to take effect from Friday 30^th March to 1^st April 2012 which was successful.

Friday, 30^th March 2012

The lifeless body of the deceased was conveyed from the morgue of the Volta Regional Hospital at about 5:00pm in a hearse, accompanied by relatives mourners, friends from the Nursing School, ARSSU members from the various chapters present, amidst singing of funeral songs.

Wake-keeping ceremony started at about 9:20pm, led by Rev. J.W.T. Gbloekpor and Rev. Mawutor Wovenu. The service was graced with singing from various the various church choirs, exhortation from the clergy and tributes from friends and loved ones.

In his sermon, Rev. Gbloekpor consoled the family of the departed soul with the words “God knows best”. He stated however every situation before it occurs and everything done by God. At 12:00pm, a prayer was offered and the wake –keeping service was ended with the corpse ready for viewing by sympathizers.

Saturday, 31^st March 20212

The Saturday marked the burial day in the morning ARSSU Members filed pass the body laid in state to bid their farewell messages. At 9:20am, burial serviced commenced, led by Rev. Gbloekpor. It lasted for three (3) hours  with activities such as singing, tribute reading and exhortations.

Her biography was read by a family member who touched on her devoutness to the work of God even when she was younger. In a tribute read on behalf of the father, she was describe as an honest lady with the spirit of humility and integrity. 

Magdalene worked at New Seed clinic as she was awaiting the results of her licensure examinations. For that reason, delegated staffs from the Clinic were at the funeral to pay their final respect. In their tribute, they indicated her as a lady who created a sense of humour in their working environment with her jokes and kept everyone smiling at work. The head of Community Health Nursing School of the Nurses’ Training College, Madam Akor, said she was a brilliant student and passed the competitive licensure examination held for the students few months ago.

The church of A.R.S, Central Branch also called her “a devoted Christian” who never goes lazy about her religious duties. The chapter of ARSSU, Nurses’ Training College chapter in a sympathetic mood with the family shared with the deceased family that Magdalene was a sister to them as they all behave as siblings in the union. Israelmore Ayivor, the former Secretary of the chapter and the former Secretary of ARSSU National, informed the relatives that she was equally a great loss to the union just she was a lost to the family. ARSSU’s tributes described Magdalene as “a sister, who single handled two ARSSU positions in the union without any noticed of drift in any of them…..as evident by many achievements of the union which can’t be captured on this small page”.

A presentation was made to the family by ARSSU National as a token of sympathy as well as a wreath in memory of her departure.

Burial was at the A.R.S Cemetery at 12:00pm.

May her Soul Rest In Peace.