“We are called to become a community that accepts and welcomes all people equally”: Bishop Dr Abednego Keshomshahara, Moderator of the United Evangelical Mission (UEM), opened the 11th General Assembly of the UEM in an international service in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).
Representatives of the 39 members from Africa, Asia and Germany as well as around 1,000 other visitors attended the service in the Mbezi Beach congregation, which was held under the guiding motto from Matthew 7:3: “The Beam in our Eye. Discrimination in Church and Diaconia.”
In his sermon, the Tanzanian theologian called the assembly to become an inclusive community. He thanked Bishop Dr Alex Malasusa, head of the hosting Eastern Coastal Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT-ECD), for the invitation to the East African coastal metropolis, which is known for its peaceful coexistence of religions.
Surprise gift from the Tanzanian government to the UEM
Vice President Dr Philip Mpango conveyed the greetings of the President of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan. She was unable to attend due to the election campaign ahead of the presidential elections in October. In his speech, the committed Catholic emphasised the immense spiritual and social importance of the ELCT-ECD for Tanzania. Particularly in the fields of social affairs, health and education, it makes indispensable contributions, which the government acknowledges and will continue to support. Mpango also expressed his admiration for the Mission Statement of the UEM, which clearly names the challenges of a world shaped by crises. “Religious organisations must face the challenges of a changing world in the midst of global inequality and moral decay by igniting the light of the Gospel with their message of love, hope and care,” said Mpango.
As a special surprise, the Vice President handed over the deed which transfered to the UEM the plot of land in Kigamboni (Dar es Salaam) for the construction of its new Africa Regional Office. The project, which is already in the planning stage, can now be implemented concretely.
The Vice Moderator of the UEM, Annette Salomo from the Evangelical Church of Westphalia, thanked on behalf of the international community both the hosting church and the Tanzanian government for the invitation and the warm welcome of all participants.
The 69 delegates of the UEM will continue their deliberations until 19 September. The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the UEM and meets every three years.
Read our press release on the General Assembly here.
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