07.06.2024

Connecting Music and Theology

Rev Dr John Wesley Kabango, Executive Secretary Division Afrika/Germany of UEM and member of the Management Team, in the conference with the participants, Foto: ELCT-ECD

The participants of the conference, Foto: ELCT-ECD

In the conference: Jörg Spitzer, Officer for church music of UEM, Foto: ELCT-ECD

From 30 May to 5 June 2024, the Africa Region of the UEM organised a programme for International Church Music in cooperation with the Evangelism Department of UEM. The programme was hosted by the ELCT-ECD* in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, a member church of the UEM. The official opening was broadcast by the church's own ECD television station, Upendo Television Network.

In the Africa region, the UEM Sunday and the 28th anniversary of the UEM as an international communion of members from Africa, Asia and Germany will be celebrated on 2 June 2024. On behalf of the UEM, Bishop Mothusi Jairos Letlhage, Chair of the Africa Regional Board and UEM Vice Moderator, conveyed the greetings of the UEM Moderator, Bishop Dr Abednego Keshomshahara and the UEM General Secretary, Rev Dr Andar Parlindungan. In his speech, Bishop Letlhage emphasised the importance of this 5-day intensive exchange on the topic of church music: "This workshop is going to bring new insights in practicing theology, planning liturgies and composing Church Music. In UEM Africa Region, members made it a tradition, the first week of June every year to celebrate the UEM anniversary. With such important theme of Church Music, it is a great opportunity this week to remember that UEM is celebrating 28 years as an international communion of 39 members: 17 in Asia, 7 in Germany and 15 in Africa."

The participants of the consultation are  committed church musicians and met to exchange ideas and learn together. The main topics were:

• Global Trends on Liturgy and Music
• Church Music goes Pop 
• Challenges and Opportunities for the German Churches
• Music in the ELCT: Yesterday, today and tomorrow
• Challenges for the Education of Musicians today
• Music Traditions in the Philippines and today's challenges for the Church
• Traditional and popular Music in the Church in Indonesia
• Traditional Music in today's Music Scene in Tanzania

"In implementing the UEM holistic mission, Music and Theology have to go together if we aim to positively change people and ensure positive sustainable transformation. UEM members have to keep the Christian faith that is pleasing God, promoting a visible church growth and using contemporary native art forms to interpret and witness the Gospel”,’ says Rev Dr John Wesley Kabango, Executive Secretary of the Division Africa/Germany of the UEM and member of the UEM Management Team, summarising the importance of church music within the UEM communion.

UEM-Sunday was celebrated with a concert by 12 choirs in the Boko congregation of the ELCT-ECD. All participants of the music workshop, students of the International Master of Arts Diaconic Management (IMADM), visiting pastors of Iringa Diocese as well as ECD leaders and members were invited.

“The 2024 UEM celebration in Africa is special as we are honoured to have UEM international participants interacting on the theme: Contextualization of classical church music with traditional music. UEM leaders and Co-workers at all levels are invited to implement the results of this workshop in practicing theology, planning liturgies and composing Church Music!", concludes UEM Vice Moderator, Bishop Mothusi Jairos Letlhage.

*ELCT-ECD = Eastern and Coastal Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania