27.02.2017

Africa Regional Assembly closed with tears and joy

On the second day of the assembly the delegates of the 14 African churches exchanged their various ideas and elected new members to the executive board of the Africa region. In the course of the meetings the delegates dealt with strategies to make use of own resources. In three working groups the delegates discussed the recommendations which shall be given to the members and to UEM. The working group on partnership work for example recommended to the partnership groups in Africa to develop own resources more sustainable and independently stating that projects are not the only 'raison d'etre' of partnerships. Besides, the group also recommended to intensify the exchange of pastors between African and German churches for spiritually enriching the German congregations. Moreover, also young people in Germany shall be given the opportunity in terms of partnerships to see the everyday life in Africa. Besides, five new members of the Africa Regional Board were elected for the next four years term: Bishop Mothusi Letlhage (ELCB) from Botsuana, who is the chairperson of the governing body. Church president Eliki Bonanga (CDCC) from DR Congo as substituting chairperson. Church president Dr. Pascal Bataringaya (EPR) from Rwanda. Mapendo Sibomana, head of the youth work of the Congolese CBCA as well as Anania John Ndondole (ELCT-ECD), youth representative from Tanzania. The board is completed by the Council members from the Africa region who had been elected by the UEM General Assembly in Rwanda in 2016: Bishop Dr. Abednego Keshomshahara (ELCT-NWD), Tanzania; Bishop Dr. Jered Kalimba (EAR), Rwanda; Jane Ewoule (EEC), Cameroon and Rev. Daphne Guriras (ELCRN), Namibia. The Africa regional assembly closed with tears and joy. On the last day of the assembly the delegates of the churches experienced the reality of peace and reconciliation in the region of the Great Lakes. The young actors of the Badilika ensemble who had won the award of the Ecumenical Network of Central Africa in Berlin last year, did an impressive performance around the issues of peace, love, reconciliation and hatred. The impetus of the theater performance given by the youth from Rwanda, Burundi and DR Congo moved the whole audience. Fabian Daffa from the Northeastern diocese in Tanzania explained after the performance: „The play moved me to tears. The actors showed in an impressive way what the conflict means to the people who live in the region. To me the issue was not so clear before.“ The church president of the hosting church (CBCA) Dr Kakule Molo confirmed as follows: „Yes, the situation in Goma is calm and safe. But further in the North, especially on the countryside the rebels hide themselves terrorizing people and committing massacres to the inhabitants. These insecurities are always lighted-up by various forces.“ Tommy Solomons, Moderator of the Rhenish Church in South-Africa (RCSA) thanked the young theater group. He also prayed for peace and for the continued solidarity among the UEM communion with the churches affected. In the morning session the delegate received the outcomes of the pre-assemblies of the female and young delegates. The female delegates dealt in detail with the issue of women's ordination. Rev. Rose Marie Ibyishaka from the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda (EPR) reported as follows: „In some churches female pastors are allowed to have a pastorate but they are not employed according to their qualification. For us as women, we want to achieve equal treatment towards men in all UEM member churches and within UEM. On all levels the gender balance shall be respected. Gender balance shall be lived already in the kindergarden and in schools.“ Timo Pauler, responsible for the UEM finances and administration, commented the commitment of the young adults in terms of entrepreneurship as follows: „Dear delegates you shall be proud of the young adults of your church. Their recent discussion on the mobilization of resources is a promising beginning. Please support the idea. UEM is ready to assist you in this regard.“ Rev. Volker Martin Dally, General Secretary of UEM reminded in his sermon at the closing worship that God's kingdom has already started in this world: „It starts when people take care for each other. When people look at each other. When people worry about each other. Exactly like Jesus did, who knew about the everyday life of people and about their needs. This shall be the ideal for this church assembly. Go to the people like Jesus and share the good news.“ At the end the delegates experienced a spectacular performance presented by the dancing chorus called Amani which means 'peace' in their language. The dancers are devoted to the reconciliation process as well. Different dances of various ethnic groups from the Congolese provinces as well as impressive acrobatics were performed. Gatherings like the recent regional assembly Africa are not only a good opportunity for networking but offer an important platform for the exchange of experiences and to keep in touch with each other. On Sunday, the delegates took part in the services of various congregations before starting their homeward journey. The hosts was thanked for the excellent organization of the meetings and the warm hospitality. After the assembly a delegation around the General Secretary of UEM continued the journey to the city of Butembo in the North of Goma in order to visit projects of the CBCA church. Uli Baege, officer for partnerships and projects of the UEM Africa department
Translated by Martina Pauly