United Methodist Church Zimbabwe Episcopal Area

Dear UMCOR Staff and Church Friends,

On behalf of the Zimbabwe. Episcopal Area let me express our word of sympathy to the family of Sam Dixon and to the United methodist Church through the Board of Global Ministries. Sam had become a friend and one who was always ready and willing to share and listen to suggestions. We have been robbed of a gallant servant of God. The Zimbabwe Episcopal Area has worked with Sam through the way he participated in imparting skills to our people in various settings. May his soul rest in peace. We are indeed cognizant of the many lives lost in Haiti and our prayers are with the families as well.

Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa
Resident Bishop-Zimbabwe Episcopal Area

A  Time for Celebration

     December is the time for the annual conference sessions for the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area. This year we have a number of benchmarks to celebrate.

     We celebrate the forging ahead with a Strategic Plan, which is guiding the ministries, and plans throughout the Area. 

OUR VISION: To be a continuously transforming United Methodist Church, in the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area, that claims higher ground spiritually, physically and morally.

OUR MISSION: The United Methodist Church in the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area is committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ through witnessing, outreaching, networking, and nurturing for the transformation of the world.
OUR CORE VALUES: Experiential Christian Life; staying in Love with God, Social Holiness, Do Good, Do no Harm.

     We shall celebrate the evident high spirit of giving among our people. It is now common to hear that a circuit has received a donation of a vehicle from a couple. What can we say about bicycles and motor bikes?
     Indeed, we celebrate the Summit of Partners that was held at Africa University, July 31-August 1, 2009. It was a time to share information about ministries in which we are partnering with friends.
     Together we celebrate the inauguration of the Laity Academy through which our laity takes lessons meant to deepen their undestanding of the church and other theological dimensions. The academy is based on a well thought out curriculum.
     Further, we celebrate the Spiritual Formation Workshop under the auspices of the Board of Discipleship with a facilitator from the Board of Discipleship in Nashville. This is in line with the strategic plan that calls for claiming higher ground spiritually. A follow up seminar will take place in 2010.
     Everyone shall celebrate the growth of the church as evidenced by the many groundbreakings and dedications conducted during the year.
     We celebrate the vibrant activities in our instituions especially schools.  For the first time, the Conference Secretaries of Education have vehicles purched by schools combined. Talking of vehicles, one can say the year 2009 has been one of purchasing vehicles. Many circuits managed to buy vehicles for their use.
     We celebrate the ongoing process of establishing an UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Reflief) office here in Zimbabwe. This follows long negotiations that have been going on between us and our New York office.
     A new congregation of Zimbabweans in South Africa to which a Pastor will be sent is a cause for celebration. We are moving in close consultation with Bishop Nhanala who is responsible for South Africa.
     Indeed one can celebrate knowing that Hartzell High has joined those with bakeries. We are told that as we meet for the conference at Old Mutare we will be treated to having bread coming from our bakery ovens there and wheat from our mission farm. What a celebration!
     There are many more events for which we shall celebrate but we cannot put them all on paper. Finally, we celebrate the presence of Bishop Hope Morgan Ward who is going to grace the two annual conference sessions.
      May you all join in these celebrations and God bless you all.

ZIMBABWE AREA EPISCOPAL COMMUNIQUE Nr 2 of 2009

It is with joy that I write this brief message for our pioneering website. True to the spirit of the strategic focus of claiming Higher Ground, this website has done just that.

It is with joy that I write this brief message for our pioneering website. True to the spirit of the strategic focus of claiming Higher Ground, this website has done just that.

As an Episcopal Area we are poised to do everything better than yesterday. Disciples made for Jesus Christ should be more than our last figure. Sermons preached in our churches should improve Sunday after Sunday. This is to say The Zimbabwe Episcopal Area will not do business as usual. We commit ourselves to the process of “Go and tell it On the Mountain”, that the United Methodist Church is vibrant.

In the midst of all challenges we manage through your prayers and support from friends like you. We also invite all of you our friends to join us in the ministry of Chabadza.

You are all welcome to come share, experience, learn, practice, pray and walk with us in the faith Journey in the spirit of Chabadza!

This website shall keep us connected and updated as we join hands and minister together in Chabadza.

Bishop E.K. Nhiwatiwa

ZIMBABWE EPISCOPAL AREA

ZIMBABWE AREA EPISCOPAL COMMUNIQUE Nr 1 OF 2009

 INTRODUCTION

Greetings in the name of God Almighty. I don’t remember when the last communiqué was out. Do you? Well, whatever is the case let us be thankful that at least this one is before us.

AREA STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP APRIL 16-19, 2009.

I bade farewell upon departing for the Council of Bishops and for the renewal leave to the Area leadership gathered at the Strategic Planning Workshop at Rest Haven. This is the right bench marker to begin this communiqué. We all give thanks to the job well done under the able leadership of Mr. Nyatanga and Mr.Zisengwe and their team members.

Here we just lift the vision and the mission statement agreed upon.

OUR VISION

To be a continuously transforming United Methodist Church, in the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area, that claims higher ground spiritually, physically and morally.

OUR MISSION

The United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe Episcopal Area is committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ through witnessing, outreaching, networking, and nurturing for the transformation of the world.

COUNCIL OF BISHOPS

The council of Bishops held its regular meeting in Bethseda, Maryland May 3-8, 2009. Episcopal Areas are urged to implement the four focus areas now familiar to us.

COLLEGE OF AFRICAN BISHOPS

We held a side meeting of the College of African Bishops that is for the whole of Africa comprising the three Central Conferences: West Africa, Congo and the Africa Central Conference. I was elected the President of the College of African Bishops with Bishop Nhanala as the secretary.  Bishop May was elected as the Consultant. The college of African bishops now meets annually and will meet September 7-11 this year at Africa University . Your prayers are needed as I take up this important responsibility in presiding over this august body.

RENEWAL LEAVE

Renewal leave came to me and Mrs. Nhiwatiwa true to the term “renewal.” It was a blessed time which came to us as a gift from God. Let me quickly express hearty-felt thanks to you all for making this leave possible. You carried on with the work of God in His vineyard diligently. Special mention goes to the Cabinet, the Administrative Assistant, Rev Dr. Marewangepo and the Deputy Admin Assistant, Rev Musharu for holding on the reins of leading the church well and faithfully during my absence. To the conference lay leaders and all the leaders at conference level, and District to the circuit levels, I say thank you very much. To the brothers and sisters who actually bandage the wounds in the trenches-the clergy-I give my unfathomable word of thanks. Many thanks go to Bishop Muzorewa who stood for me when events called for his presence.

The main focus of the renewal leave was the study of SPIRITUALITY with special reference to our Wesleyan heritage. In addition to readings and note taking at home, I spent sometime at Duke University, Divinity School, Chapel Hill, in Durham North Carolina. I shall forever be thankful to the warmth, meticulous planning for my visit and for the depth of hospitality which the Dean and the faculty of the Divinity School gave me. During my stay there I was privileged to attend the Wesley Summer Seminar under the world renowned professor of Wesley Studies, Richard Hatzenrater. It was indeed an intellectual and spiritual revival to be accorded an opportunity to interact with scholars and academicians from all over the world who came specifically for that seminar at Duke. I felt soaked and absorbed as I reflected on conversations with professors and on a variety of resources to which I was exposed to.

GUEST PREACHER AT THE WEST VIRGINIA CONFERENCE

I took sometime off from the routine of study to attend the West Virginia Annual conference under Bishop Ernest Lyght, June 11-14, as their guest preacher. The world became smaller as Africa University choir provided music during preaching sessions. God was with us.

On a conference business note, they voted against all the world wide church amendments which were approved by the 2008 General Conference.  It was the general pattern of voting in most conferences as news filtered through. These are the amendments which would have reorganized the Central conferences into Regional bodies and other related matters.

ALDERSGATE RENEWAL CONFERENCE

On July 1-5, we attended the Aldersgate Renewal Conference in Greensboro, North Carolina.  This is a United Methodist Church Movement under the umbrella of the Board of Discipleship. Here United Methodists gather for a time of intense prayer. Apart from participating with others, I was given the honor of being the celebrant of Holy Communion on the closing service.  Our time at the conference was indeed inspiring.

JOINT PASTORS SCHOOL

A joint pastor’s school with Baltimore-Washington Area was held on July 27-31, 2009 at Africa University as is now our practice every other year. Bishop Schol led his team. We thank those who planned for this important event. For this year’s pastor school focused on the themes highlighted by the General Conference: leadership, congregational development, poverty, self care and health.

SUMMIT WITH PARTNERS

A summit with partners to the Episcopal Area was held soon after the Pastors’ School July 31-August 1, at Africa University . This summit was the first of its kind in the history of our church here in Zimbabwe.  We should all be thankful to God and pray that it was a success. Seven conferences in the United States were represented, GBGM, UMCOR, the Mission Board in Norway, the Mission Board of Switzerland, groups and individuals  attended. The purpose was to celebrate the accomplished ministries and to map out ways and means of pushing boundaries further for future ministries in the spirit of CHABADZA.

WELCOME TO A NEW PARTNER

By the grace of God the Pennyslvania Annual Conference, under Bishop Tom Bickerton, voted at their June 2009 session to be  in partnership with the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area. In my numerous conversations with Bishop Bickerton, he had this to say: “Pennyslvania would like to join with other partners to expand ministries in your area.”  This conference was represented at the summit.

A MACEDONIAN CALL FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Zimbabweans residing in South Africa have gathered themselves into a vibrant congregation numbering over 300 members who are listed by name as information has been sent to me by the leaders there. I have conversed with Bishop Nhanala on the dynamics over their request that they would like to be supervised from Zimbabwe.  I am already in regular correspondence with the emerging leadership there. The Cabinet is yet to hear the details and deliberate. We let you know so that you pray for the growth of these plants and fruits of the Holy Spirit during our times together.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN NEW ZEALAND – REGISTERED

DS Mapfeka and Rev Mukata, the Pastor-in-Charge for New Zealand and Australia have worked hard to see that our church is registered. I am happy to report that the United Methodist Church there is duly registered and work is progressing well.

MALAWI MISSIONARY CONFERENCE

An interesting story of what happens when a church is alive and touching peoples lives happened in Malawi and it is worth sharing. A Malawian heard about the United Methodist Church in Malawi and the good work the church is doing. He did not know how to be connected with the leaders of the church he was hearing about. He went on to Google and got addresses in Nashville. Upon contacting those in Nashville, he was redirected to me. His request can be summarized as: “Bishop I have heard of the many great things your church is doing in Malawi. How can I be connected to your leaders here in Malawi? I cannot wait to belong to that revivalist church, full of life.” I connected him to DS Mhone. Who says that the United Methodist Church has no fire in the belly?  May the Church say, Amen?

The other good news about Malawi is that, with the partnership the church has with Belmount United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, they conducted a groundbreaking for a retreat and skills training centre in Blantyre recently.

A TEAM OUT FOR COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP

A team of three from among us is currently in the United States in Ohio attending a communication workshop organized by UMCOM. These are Mrs Kumuterera, Mrs Muzerengwa and Pastor Maforo. We hope that they will add to their evident and latent skills in information technology of which they have already shown among us. Such capacity building should indeed enrich the church back home by leading and sharing with the rest of us.

DEDICATION OF MURADZIKWA CHURCH

On Sunday July 26 at 11:00am, there was a dedication service of a new and larger church building at Muradzikwa. In 2007 Bishop Schol and I conducted a groundbreaking ceremony and now we dedicated this church jointly.

HARVEST THANKSGIVING

As we ponder about our forthcoming harvest thanksgiving let us reflect on Chronicles Ch. 29 vs: 13-14. This text says in part “---we give thanks, and we praise your glorious name---everything is a gift from you, and we have only given back what is yours already.”

This is our first full fledged hard currency sourced basket for the harvest thanksgiving.  One thing I know for sure: “HARD” currency is in the wallets and purses of a people with “SOFT” hearts when it comes to giving and thanking their God. Yes we can!!

CONVENTIONS

Plans for conventions and conferences “Dumbas” are going on. Let us pray that the Spirit of God will touch the tongues of our preachers and the hearts of us all to receive the message.

CALLED TO THE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT

During the renewal leave, I received numerous sad news on the deaths of our pastors, spouses, particularly Mai Bishop Muzorewa as well as among our laity. Thank you all for standing with these dear families in the Kingdom of God. May the fruits of their labour continue to nourish our souls as they rest in peace?

CONCLUSION

All I can say in conclusion is that another communiqué will come but I cannot promise when that will be.  For now continue to be good people before your good God.

In the name of God the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa