The People's Congregational Church in conjunction with the African Resource Center, hosted on February 20, 2005 and launched the boat building celebration in its Hall of Nations for the Black History Month on the theme of "Remembering the Past and Building the Future."

The boat was built by the African immigrants and the African American youth residing in the District of Columbia. Most of the students, who built the boat came from Cardozo and Blair Multicultural High Schools.

This boat symbolized of the transition made by African and African Americans in their journey from the old world to the new world.

The certificate of completion was awarded to the boat builders by Dr. Bobby Austin and by Mr. Abdul Kamus.

Africans including Ethiopians joined in the celebration, with performances by the Debre Selam Kidest Mariam Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the Yared Choir group for over 500 people at the event, illustrating the partnership that was created on the occasion.

Dr. Zeki Ahmed from the First Hijra Ethiopian Muslim Center read the Quran at the occasion, explaining tea relationship among the Jews, the Christians and the Muslim communities.

Ethiopia has a tradition of welcoming and protecting Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities for centuries.

The head of the People's Congregational Church, Dr. A. Knighton Stanley, spoke to his members to continue the collaboration between the African and the African American communities through out the year.

The Ethiopian Ambassador's youth group read a ' Message from Africa', pledging in Amharic for the audience to keep their promises in building the nations. The Ethiopian Ambassador Kassahun Ayele, also spoke on the strong relationship between the African American community and Ethiopians.

The African Resource Center and the Debre Selam Kidest Mariam Ethiopian Orthodox Church provided a 'sTaste of Ethiopia 's, allowing people to experience Ethiopian cuisine.

The People's Congregational Church has also planned to work with the African Resource Center to engage in open dialogue around issues and relationships between African refugees living in America and African Americans.

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COME AND SAIL WITH THE ARCTEAM July, 2005 - September, 2005