12^TH WORLD ASSEMBLY OF WORLD FEDERATION OF METHODIST & UNITING CHURCH WOMEN

‘Bambelela’! Never give up, Christ is our Hope

                            – Methodist women told

JOHANNESBURG (South Africa) – “Bambelela! Bambelela!” This African affirmation reverberated throughout the five days from the World Federation of Methodist and World Uniting Church Women who gathered for their 12^th Assembly here from Aug 10 to 15, 2011.

The African word, which means “Never Give Up” or “Hold On” because Christ is our Hope, bound more than 730 women present in a rich diversity of colour and cultures in South Africa.

At such a time like this, the theme inspired a living hope for all present.

The World Assembly offered numerous venues for creative workshops (of African culture) and issue workshops led by Ms Meleana M. Puloka, to discuss the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDG) as set by the United Nations. 

The workshops, facilitated by leaders from various countries, were actively participated in and action plans were accepted by the Assembly.

Issues deliberated for action were: Hope for the Poor (MDG1a), Hope for the Hungry (MDG1b),  Hope for the Learners (MDG2), Hope for Equality (MDG3), Hope for the Children (MDG4), Hope for the Mothers (MDG5), Hope for Wellness/Wholeness (MDG6), Hope for Creation (MDG7), Hope for the World and the Elderly (MDG8).

Daily morning and evening prayers and all-night vigils were observed as the women united in spirit to renew their strength for a new day.

Music led by Ms Alison Adam (Britain) and Ms Mara Louw (South Africa) moved worship to greater heights as the women sang in their own languages and moved to the beat of the African drums.

The keynote speaker was Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhalana, the first female Bishop elected in Africa. She delivered the theme message “Bambelela – Christ is our Hope”.  

Dr Fulato Moyo, a church historian and activist-academic in gender, HIV and Aids, led in Bible Study. She is currently the Programme Executive for Women in Church Society in the World Council of Churches.

Ms Renate Bloem, a past UN Representative for the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women and past president of the Council of Non-Governmental Oganisations in the UN, also spoke.

So too did Ms Harriett Olson, Deputy General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, who leads an 800,000-member organisation within the United Methodist Church in the United States.

Ms Olsen delivered a challenging message to all Methodist and Uniting Church Women at the Assembly.

She said: “Critical to United Methodist Women is the combination of spiritual formation, leadership development, and personal engagement in mission work and social advocacy.

“Women do mission in a unique way. They are sympathetic on the ground, standing side by side with women, children and youth. Helping women know they are loved by God, empowered by God and equipped to live and work for the new creation to which we are called, is close to my heart.

“This requires a blend of political intervention, practical assistance and loving support that I believe United Methodist Women are well positioned to deliver through active units in local congregations.”