About Us
The AFC of SKD is a faith-based organization
uniting individuals and families of African descent who are parishonners of the Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic church in Frederick, Maryland.
vision
To be a strong and exemplary community of faith, unequivocally within Saint Katharine Drexel’s parish and beyond
Mission Statement
The African Faith Community (AFC) strives to help its members grow in faith and love,
as part of the larger Saint Katharine Drexel (SKD) community of faith, through prayer,
fellowship, mutual support, as well as involvement in a variety of church and the larger
community outreach activities.
To be a strong and exemplary community of faith, unequivocally within Saint Katharine
Drexel’s parish and beyond
Core Values
- Love: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 IpsumLove is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does
- Mutual respect: Philippians 2:3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above
yourselves.
- Truth: 1 John 3:18Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
- Integrity: Proverbs 2:20-21So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the
upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it.
ANTHEM
AFC has adopted as its anthem, the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis of Assissi, which is
also used as the opening prayer during the Sunday meeting.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE
The leadership committee is the governing body of AFC composed of 10 members, of whom 5 are ministry leaders: The president, vice-president, treasurer, assistant treasurer, recording secretary, social ministry leader, children and youth ministry leader, prayer and intercessory ministry leader, men’s ministry leader, and the music ministry
Term of Service
The term of service of each committee member is two years, renewable once (1x) through elections.
Roles of the Committee:
• formulates rules and regulations governing AFC.
• provides overall direction (spiritual and otherwise)
• develops an annual or biannual strategic plan to guide AFC’s achievement of its goals and objectives
• decides annual budget priorities for the implementation of AFC activities
• ensures that activities are in line with AFC’s as well as SKD’s overall mission
• serves as the official liaison between AFC and SKD parish
• fully supports AFC’s ministries
• fosters a climate of love, understanding, mutual respect, and collaboration among its own members, ministries as well as all AFC members
Decision-making process
AFC operates in a decentralized manner, wherein ministry leaders have the latitude to develop and implement activities related to their respective ministries; as long as these have been vetted by the leadership committee.
In instances where a decision has to be made, and committee members fail to unanimously agree, a vote would take place and the majority rule would apply to resolve the issue. When there is a tie after a vote, the president steps in to break the tie in order to advance the agenda.
As the head of the AFC, the president has the authority to make certain management/executive decisions.
Committee meetings
The leadership committee holds quarterly face-to-face meetings to discuss issues pertaining to the management of the group. Between these meetings, the committee regularly uses its WhatsApp forum to conduct business.
Emergency in-person meetings may be scheduled, as needed. A quorum of 6 members must be met in order to hold a
meeting. The president prepares the agenda for this meeting ahead of time and submits it to committee members for input. S/he presides over the meeting but allows time for discussion of agenda items and formulation of recommendations to be communicated to the rest of the group.
AFC MINISTRIES
Currently, AFC has five Ministries: Social, Music, Prayer and Intercessory, Men, and Children/Youth. Each ministry is defined with objectives, services, and/or activities, and is headed by a ministry leader, who has specified roles and responsibilities. The leaders are assisted by ministry members.
Social Ministry
Purpose: To spread the love of Christ to others through corporal works of mercy; to keep each other’s company during joyous as well as difficult times.
Music Ministry
Purpose: To share the gospel of Jesus Christ through singing and to spread awareness about the richness of African liturgical music.
Activities: AFC’s choir, under the leadership of the SKD music director, sings weekend mass once a month and on special occasions (i.e., Taste of Africa, church feasts such as the Epiphany) as well as at other events outside SKD parish.
Anyone who has the gift of singing or wishes to develop it can join the choir, as long as s/he is willing to
commit time to rehearsals and performances.
Prayer and Intercessory Ministry
Purpose: To offer an opportunity for prayer, fellowship, and spiritual growth; to support one another in times of difficulties.
Activities: Coordinates
• AFC biweekly Sunday prayer meetings
• AFC weekly evening prayers at a member’s home.
• Intercessory prayers for AFC and non-AFC members, as per need or request.
• wake keeping prayer gatherings for AFC members and others in the community.
• AFC and other spiritual retreats and conferences
• prayer gatherings at SKD (i.e. adoration, rosary recitation, devotion to the sacred heart of Jesus, weekly mass) or surrounding parishes (i.e., charismatic prayer meetings).
Get in Touch
If you are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and exploring whether you would like to
join the Catholic church,