Consultative meeting for Africa Clergy women opens in Nairobi

By Grace Nakajje February 21, 2011

Share |

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

However, signs to uplift a woman have become visible. And so! a consultative meeting for Africa Clergy women has today opened in Nairobi Kenya.

The aim is to discuss ways of how best clergy women can conduct their workshop at central conference level rather than having it at general conference level as it has been.

These women maintain that, by having the gathering at central level will strengthen the network of the United Methodist Clergy women in Africa.

 

That, it will provide opportunities for continuing education and support for clergy women.

That, there has been inadequate sharing of direct issues about African clergy woman and the gatherings in America could not fully give room to articulate issues in the African context.

Therefore, they are consulting on venue, date and the overall logistics of running such a gathering

A serving form has been distributed to the leaders in the concerned Episcopal Areas to establish the numbers of serving African clergy women; those who are ordained.

The African Clergy Women’s Association was scheduled to run every four years since its establishment in 1986. So once achieved, the women say will run every four years at Central and eight at General.

This consultative meeting is to running for three days and it is chaired by Bishop Nhanala Joaquina Filipe of Mozambique Area.

Bishop Nhanala is also the first UMC female Bishop in Africa. Attending is; Rev. Kabamba Kiboko from Bethlehem United Methodist Church and Mission Interpreter South Congo Episcopal Area, Rev. Dr. Beauty Maenzainise Dean Faculty of Theology Africa University and HiRho Park Director Continuing Formation of Ministry General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.