United Methodist Church Zimbabwe Episcopal Area

2010 Annual Conference Calendar

(Click for all the scheduled conference events for 2010)

MINISTERING STRATEGICALLY IN MAKING DISCIPLES FOR JESUS CHRIST IN THE SPIRIT OF CHABADZA

Zimbabwe West Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Clergy, Delegates and Observers gathered at Murewa Mission Centre on 18 – 20 December 2009 deliberating on what has transpired throughout the year.  The Conference which consists of 550 members started with Holy Communion led by Bishop Hope Morgan Ward and Bishop A.T Muzorewa gave benediction in closing the service.

Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa officially opened the Conference defining The concept of Holy Conferencing  from John Wesley's teaching that when Methodists meet for a Conference they are participating in a means of Grace. By means of Grace Wesley meant that God's Grace reaches the individual and the whole group through the event of meeting together in a Conference. A conference should be seen as an opportunity of meeting and joining together in fellowship, worship and ministry. For Wesley although spiritual growth is personal it is not private.

Further Wesley regarded Conferences as forms of religious conversation through which God channels His blessings on the people. We meet to receive reports, but for Wesley, we meet to receive God's grace. With this belief of Holy Conferencing a number of factors come into play. There is need to be good custodians of what we say and we say it as we engage other in this religious conversation. We are expected to respect each other as God's children. Holy Conferencing is guided by the constant search for holiness which has guided Methodists for ages.
During his Episcopal Address- Ministering strategically in making disciples for Jesus Christ in the Spirit of Chabadza Bishop Nhiwatiwa highlighted on  Vision  of the church ie to be continously  transforming UMC that claims higher ground spiritually, physically and morally. Core Values as per Strategic Planning Document centred on:  Experiencial Christian life , Love your God, Social responsibility, Do good and Do no harm.

Some of the highlights were as follows:

• Death of our Spiritually Mother – Mai Maggie Muzorewa wife of Bishop Muzorewa – Appreciated the support rendered by Clergy and lay members.
• Condolences to clergy and laity who lost their beloved ones.
• Political and Economic environment – need for National healing.
• Encouragement on the use of 2009-2012 Strategic Plan Document was made.
• Pastors' school – Support given by Baltimore Washington Conference
• Summit of Partners -hosted at Africa University – Zimbabwe
• New partners – West Kansas and West Pennsylvania
• The third session of the College of African Bishops took place on September 7-10, 2009 at Africa University. Among other things, the College had two actions;

1. First, the Bishops wrote a pastoral letter addressed to the United Methodists on the African continent. The letter expressed thanks to our clergy and laity for the good work the denomination is doing and has achieved. Further the letter urged our members to keep focused and remain as one for greater joys to happen and continue to be experienced in the denomination throughout Africa.
2. Second the College decided and agreed to build one staff house estimated to cost $60,000 at Africa University. For the 12 Episcopal Areas this means an allocation of $5000 each. We shall find ways and means of not only meeting the allocated amount but going beyond that sum. Zimbabwe West has already committed  $2500 as pledged during the Consultative meeting on October 3 at Craneborne.

• Spiritual Formation workshop led by Steve Bryant and Kara in October 2009 at Resthaven.
• Laity Academy – 60 leaders attended at St. Mark UMC. Highfield
• Visits to Retirees in the Episcopal Area
• 21 groundbreaking and dedications of church sanctuaries and parsonages.
• Visit to Zimbabwe congregations in South Africa on 23-27 September 2009 where 31 children and 6 adults were baptized, also Holy Communion was served.
• UMCOR Office – have done great work. Mealie meal and Cholera medication were supplied.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
• Bishop's Mobile Wesleyan College-  The Bishop will visit each district for a day and conduct lectures on the topic: “:Spirituality”
• Pictorial Tour:  Video clips were shown indicating the activities done by Bishop Nhiwatiwa.

Councils, Boards and Committees reported as follows:

1. Composite  - district vehicles, motorcycles, parsonages, generators, circuit vehicles were bought. New labour and Intensive Care Unit at Nyadire Hospital has been built.  Mentioned the success of the Chabadza outreaching.
2. Conference Layleaders – thanked the support rendered by laity.
3. Board On Ordained Ministries – 15 students has been sent for theological training.
4. Connectional Ministries -  we have 144 circuits, 170 clergy.  808, 3 and 210 souls has been won through UMYF, MUMC (Men)  and Ruwadzano (RRW) women respectively through holding Revivals, crusades and all day prayers.  Over 275 laytrainings were held. Works of charity were carried out by all our districts.  Feeding for pupils in elementary school, school fees, uniforms and school kits for orphans and vulnerable children were given through ZOE, Harvest =453 543usd.  Pass rate in our Mission centres were excellent.
5. Episcopacy – rendered full support to our Bishops.
6. Board of Trustees – maintained conference inventory, need to construct new Head Office
7. Committee on Finance and Administration –  Common Pool ongoing. 
8. United Kingdom- great mission work is being done
9. Board of Pension – Pension for clergy and lay done
10. Equitable Salary Compensation Committee – working out to have a church funeral assurance.

Conference Calendar, Appointments, Recommendations and Resolutions see www.umczimbabwe.org

Glory be to God.  We had seen what the Lord can do through us with every hope that we make steps into the New 2010.

Story prepared by:   

Chenayi Kumuterera

Zimbabwe Communicator

Cell: +263 913 873 086/ +263 733 3 331 885

ckumuterera@yahoo.com

(Posted: 3 Feb 2010)