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African clergywomen find voice, claim rights

 
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7:00 A.M. EST May 10, 2011



Plans are under way for the first African United Methodist Clergywomen’s Consultation in 2012. Clockwise from bottom left are: Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala of Mozambique and the Revs. Beauty Maenzainise, Kabamba Kiboko and HiRho Park. UMNS web-only photos by Grace Nakajje.
Plans are under way for the first African United Methodist Clergywomen’s Consultation in 2012. Clockwise from bottom left are: Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala of Mozambique and the Revs. Beauty Maenzainise, Kabamba Kiboko
and HiRho Park. UMNS web-only photos by Grace Nakajje.

In traditional African settings, women were regarded as being behind the doors – voiceless, with no defined rights in economic, social, political or religious affairs.

However, efforts to lift up women have become visible. Plans are being made to host an African United Methodist Clergywomen’s Consultation Feb. 1-4, 2012, under the theme “Clergywomen Moving from Isolation to Collaboration.”

Those leading the planning efforts include Mozambique Area Bishop Joaquina Nhanala, the first woman to be elected a United Methodist bishop in Africa; the Rev. Kabamba Kiboko, pastor of Bethlehem United Methodist Church and mission interpreter for the Southern Congo Area; the Rev. Beauty Maenzainise, dean of the faculty of theology at Africa University in Zimbabwe; and the Rev. HiRho Park, director of continuing education, United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

Previous meetings of United Methodist clergywomen did not have enough time on the agenda to discuss issues directly related to Africa, the women said, adding having such a consultation in Africa will strengthen the network of clergywomen on the continent.

The major objective is to provide a forum for clergywomen to share their stories and open avenues for leadership development. The gathering will allow participants to name the challenges faced by African clergywomen and reflect on those challenges from a theological and biblical perspective.



Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala of Mozambique will be honored with a reception during the first African United Methodist Clergywomen’s Consultation in 2012.
Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala of Mozambique will be
honored with a reception during the first African United
Methodist Clergywomen’s Consultation in 2012.

“We expect clergywomen from every episcopal area on the African continent to attend this first-ever African United Methodist Clergywomen Consultation,” said Kiboko. “We expect 300 to 500 people, which will include our guests from around the world.”

Park said the consultation is part of a plan by the Board of Higher Education and Ministry. During the 2008-12 quadrennium, the agency is sponsoring clergywomen consultations in both the United States and the denomination’s central conferences outside the United States. A consultation for the Philippines is planned for Oct. 5-7.

Among the activities at the Africa consultation will be a reception in honor of Nhanala and recognition of Maenzanise’s work at Africa University.

*Nakajje is a United Methodist communicator with the East Africa Annual (regional) Conference.

News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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