International outreach

St. Johns Church actively supports more than 50 children who attend the Msalato Preschool in Dodoma, Tanzania.

This relationship began through the friendship of our rector and the Rev. Dr. Sandra McCann while they were students together at Virginia Theological Seminary.  When the Rev. McCann and her husband, Martin, were assigned to Msalato Theological College as missionaries of The Episcopal Church,we found that there were many ways our church could support the McCann’s mission in Tanzania.

In addition to financial contributions by the parish and individual members, St. John's parishioners contribute educational supplies, sports equipment and personal items which are often in short supply in Tanzania.

The Rev. Palmer has made four trips to East Africa to bring these items to the school, to teach at Msalato Theological College, to preach and baptize at local Anglican churches, and to support the work of priests in the Diocese of Central Tanganyika.  Her husband, Dr. David Rorick accompanied her on one mission to support mission work in a local primary school outside Dodoma.

The children we support are fondly known to us as our Msalato Munchkins, and they and their teachers are remembered in our Prayers of the People every Sunday and Wednesday when we gather for worship.