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South Annual Conference story
“Bringing back God’s Spirit to Continue Edifying the Church and the Society”
Cambine Mission once again remained the center of attention as hundreds of delegates from North and South conference gathered at this holy place. Special guests of honor from the Mozambique Christian Council of Churches, from the district and provincial government, from the United States, South Africa and Zimbabwe mingled for the occasion. The session could not have closed without rains, and they fell as sign of blessings for a productive session.
The session was historic in many ways as it witnessed the recognition of the largest number of graduates in both seminaries as candidates for deacons and another large group of ordained deacons and itinerants and elders. This session also brought together the female clergy in the celebration of the 30 years of women in ministry. There were daily inspirational and thoughtful devotions led by the conference chaplain, DS Benedito F. Mapswanganhe, who encouraged the entire conference to be united as one body, overcoming differences and working for church growth.
The vision of the United Methodist Church in Mozambique towards a sustainable church and spiritually oriented congregations, generated open debates, seeking ways to bring the church to where issues of transparency and accountability ought to be brought into consideration. Churches were encouraged to start developing small sustainable projects to help sustain their churches at the local level. District and Council on Ministries reports were presented before the participants, narrating activities, successes and challenges for the future.
The 54th session of the south annual conference coincided with the celebration of the 30 years of female pastoral ministry in Mozambique. Rev. Lea Mapswanganhe and Rev. Amina Isaias were the first female pastors in the United Methodist Church in Mozambique who began their service in 1979. Women full of powerful history of church involvement in ministry activities, and particularly in evangelization, they helped start churches and districts and bring more people to know Christ. Above all they encouraged other women to serve in pastoral ministry, helping make true disciples throughout the country. They opened ways for women in leadership in Mozambique, and Africa as female district superintendents and church representatives in global church meetings.
Because of this revolution in the Mozambique church, unique among the many denominations in the country, the increase in female clergy is witnessed throughout the conference with more than thirty (30) female pastors serving in various churches and leadership positions in the society today. Mozambique’s Episcopal leader, Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala, is the first to attain the most respected position in all of Africa as a female clergy.
Bishop Nhanala continues to bring more women to church leadership. Recently Bishop Nhanala assigned the first female district superintendant in the South Africa Provisional Conference which is under her leadership. There are more than six (6) female district superintendants serving in the church today. In her remarks, Nhanala mentioned that a new committee on the status and the role of the women in church was formed at the global church, and therefore the “Holy Spirit is also governing the Church in Mozambique. God is for us and we need to stand and be empowered to serve”. One can easily say that educating a man, you educate an individual and educating a woman, you educate the nation!
Rev. Jamisse Taimo made a presentation of “The Church Today- Challenges and Opportunities”. He provided a scenario of the past and present situation of the Church in Mozambique and the challenges and opportunities to meet the vision guiding the Church. His presentation demonstrated that there are opportunities for progress which will necessarily go through a process of improving human resources, financial resources with efforts on contributions from the local church to conference levels, tithing, development of sustainably managed income-generating projects, and improvement of working relationships with church partners.
As a congregation of joy, time was reserved for presentation of songs of praise by various groups from districts which animated the sessions.
Bright Sunday morning was the closing day. The Lord was praised in a wonderful worship service.
Thanks be to God for days of work, for protection and inspiration. Bishop Nhanala took the stage to call for the “called” people to serve, with appointments assigned by her cabinet. “Go and make disciples wherever you are asked to be”, and the people were dismissed, ready to serve and be instruments of change and “Bring back God’s Spirit to Continue Edifying the Church and the Society”.
December, 2009
Prepared by:
Mr Ezequiel Marcos Nhantumbo
The Mozambique Initiative Representative
Ao c/ Igreja Metodista Unida Em Mocambique
C.P. 2640 Rua D. Francisco Barreto, 229
Telef: +258-21485742 Mobile: +258-824995020
E-mail: enhantumbo@tvcabo.co.mz
Website: www.moumethodist.org/mi
Maputo - Mocambique