More than 500 people, both clergy and laity, met during the North Katanga Annual Conference and Tanganyika Annual Conference to review annual conference priorities and assess resolutions taken last year.
As everyone has learned to live with COVID-19, Bishop Mande Muyombo, chair of the Annual Conference meeting, said repeatedly, “Wear your facemask while seated in the tent and while waiting to talk to the microphone.”
Many preventative measures were taken to ensure everyone’s safety.
During the official opening, there were hand-washing stations and a nurse taking temperatures at every entry point of the tent. Billboards with written preventive measures were posted for community and mass awareness in order to avoid misinformation to the delegates from 24 districts.
“I get tested before I take a seat in the tent, I wear facemask to protect myself and others,” said women’s coordinator Mujing Mwad Honorine.
Eric Ngoy wa Ilunga, youth member at the medical coordination, made available hand sanitizer, washable facemasks and single-use facemasks. The distribution of hygiene kits happened on registration day.
Medical coordinator Alexis Ngoy Kasole shared that distributing such kits to conference delegates is a sign of respect. “A lot of people cannot afford to buy facemasks every day for such a long time that we are coping with COVID-19,” he declared.
He seized the opportunity to thank United Methodist Board of Global Ministries’ global health unit for the support to fund the purchase of hygiene kits for the conference.
“I am from Kabulo Kisanga district and I am impressed how the medical team and the Annual Conference organizers have prepared delegates for prevention and protection,” said Evariste Masimango, district superintendent.
Kasole reported that the testing measures identified 18 people with high temperature — 12 had malaria, six had typhoid fever, but none were diagnosed with COVID-19. All were taken to Lupandilo Clinic for treatment for three days.
Bishop Mande Muyombo shared the vision for the episcopal area by naming episcopal principles with the use of three S’s: self-supporting, self-propagating and self-determination.
He invited laity and clergy to join and own the vision. Every department within the episcopal area should present plans to put into action and activities to carry out the new vision.
For instance, aviation ministry for the conference is already sharing the vision and work on the use of three S’s after listening to their reports.
“We joined already the new vision of three S’s as we see the future of the church,” Gaston Ntambo, aviation coordinator, declared during both North Katanga and Tangayika Annual Conferences.
After the listening to laity report, Tanganyika lay leader Nsenga Londwa expressed commitment to follow up on church projects to double the effort to buy in the vision and see the future of the church at such a difficult time.
United Methodist Women leadership was given a time to read their report in detail as MOMA Kakudji Alphonsine, Tangayika women coordinator explained how women trained other women on COVID-19 prevention and pledged to continue inviting other women not only for The United Methodist Church but also other denominations to join United Methodist Women to embrace their endeavor for the prevention of COVID-19 in Tanganyika Province.
Local government authorities were present during the Tanganyika Annual Conference to join and support the work of The United Methodist Church in Tanganyika and Bishop Mande had an opportunity to meet Gov. Zoe Kabila Mwanzabala. He thanked Bishop Mande for what the church is doing for the well-being of people and for its impact on the community in Tanganyika. The governor cited the distribution of food and kitchen kits funded by UMCOR in Kabalo District because of flood.
In the closing worship, the Rev. Ngoy wa Ngoy Mubanga sent forth delegates from Matthew 28:18-20 by inviting delegates to go and use the three S’s — self-supporting, self-propagating and self-determining — so that each church member builds a better life where he or she is for the glory of God.
Other conference business
Resolutions or actions related to the delay of General Conference: Delegates were informed by the head of delegation about postponement of the General Conference due to COVID-19.
Resolutions related to General Conference 2019: none.
Resolutions related to General Conference 2021, including conference alignment: none.
Number of churches leaving conference: none.
Number of churches that closed due to financial issues related to the coronavirus: none.
Any special annual conference set: Delegates affirmed their ownership of the new vision and decided to share it through the statutory meetings of the church.
Wearing of mask should be a priority in public meeting.
Bishop Mande presented the new version of the Book of Discipline for Congo Central Conference.
Endorsement of episcopal candidate: none.
Number of people ordained, commissioned or received into associate membership: In Tanganyika, two ordained as deacons and four as elders. In North Katanga, 29 ordained as elders.
Number of clergy retired: In North Katanga, three; in Tanganyika, none.
Membership stands at 2,457,879 and worship attendance is up by 102 from the previous year.
Church school attendance stands at 50,015, up by seven from 2018.
Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2019 is 871, up by 13 from 2018.
Worshippers engaged in mission for 2019 is 3,346, up by 145 from 2018.
— The Rev. Betty Kazadi Musau, director of communications, North Katanga Conference
As everyone has learned to live with COVID-19, Bishop Mande Muyombo, chair of the Annual Conference meeting, said repeatedly, “Wear your facemask while seated in the tent and while waiting to talk to the microphone.”
Many preventative measures were taken to ensure everyone’s safety.
During the official opening, there were hand-washing stations and a nurse taking temperatures at every entry point of the tent. Billboards with written preventive measures were posted for community and mass awareness in order to avoid misinformation to the delegates from 24 districts.
“I get tested before I take a seat in the tent, I wear facemask to protect myself and others,” said women’s coordinator Mujing Mwad Honorine.
Eric Ngoy wa Ilunga, youth member at the medical coordination, made available hand sanitizer, washable facemasks and single-use facemasks. The distribution of hygiene kits happened on registration day.
Medical coordinator Alexis Ngoy Kasole shared that distributing such kits to conference delegates is a sign of respect. “A lot of people cannot afford to buy facemasks every day for such a long time that we are coping with COVID-19,” he declared.
He seized the opportunity to thank United Methodist Board of Global Ministries’ global health unit for the support to fund the purchase of hygiene kits for the conference.
“I am from Kabulo Kisanga district and I am impressed how the medical team and the Annual Conference organizers have prepared delegates for prevention and protection,” said Evariste Masimango, district superintendent.
Kasole reported that the testing measures identified 18 people with high temperature — 12 had malaria, six had typhoid fever, but none were diagnosed with COVID-19. All were taken to Lupandilo Clinic for treatment for three days.
Bishop Mande Muyombo shared the vision for the episcopal area by naming episcopal principles with the use of three S’s: self-supporting, self-propagating and self-determination.
He invited laity and clergy to join and own the vision. Every department within the episcopal area should present plans to put into action and activities to carry out the new vision.
For instance, aviation ministry for the conference is already sharing the vision and work on the use of three S’s after listening to their reports.
“We joined already the new vision of three S’s as we see the future of the church,” Gaston Ntambo, aviation coordinator, declared during both North Katanga and Tangayika Annual Conferences.
After the listening to laity report, Tanganyika lay leader Nsenga Londwa expressed commitment to follow up on church projects to double the effort to buy in the vision and see the future of the church at such a difficult time.
United Methodist Women leadership was given a time to read their report in detail as MOMA Kakudji Alphonsine, Tangayika women coordinator explained how women trained other women on COVID-19 prevention and pledged to continue inviting other women not only for The United Methodist Church but also other denominations to join United Methodist Women to embrace their endeavor for the prevention of COVID-19 in Tanganyika Province.
Local government authorities were present during the Tanganyika Annual Conference to join and support the work of The United Methodist Church in Tanganyika and Bishop Mande had an opportunity to meet Gov. Zoe Kabila Mwanzabala. He thanked Bishop Mande for what the church is doing for the well-being of people and for its impact on the community in Tanganyika. The governor cited the distribution of food and kitchen kits funded by UMCOR in Kabalo District because of flood.
In the closing worship, the Rev. Ngoy wa Ngoy Mubanga sent forth delegates from Matthew 28:18-20 by inviting delegates to go and use the three S’s — self-supporting, self-propagating and self-determining — so that each church member builds a better life where he or she is for the glory of God.
Other conference business
Resolutions or actions related to the delay of General Conference: Delegates were informed by the head of delegation about postponement of the General Conference due to COVID-19.
Resolutions related to General Conference 2019: none.
Resolutions related to General Conference 2021, including conference alignment: none.
Number of churches leaving conference: none.
Number of churches that closed due to financial issues related to the coronavirus: none.
Any special annual conference set: Delegates affirmed their ownership of the new vision and decided to share it through the statutory meetings of the church.
Wearing of mask should be a priority in public meeting.
Bishop Mande presented the new version of the Book of Discipline for Congo Central Conference.
Endorsement of episcopal candidate: none.
Number of people ordained, commissioned or received into associate membership: In Tanganyika, two ordained as deacons and four as elders. In North Katanga, 29 ordained as elders.
Number of clergy retired: In North Katanga, three; in Tanganyika, none.
Membership stands at 2,457,879 and worship attendance is up by 102 from the previous year.
Church school attendance stands at 50,015, up by seven from 2018.
Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2019 is 871, up by 13 from 2018.
Worshippers engaged in mission for 2019 is 3,346, up by 145 from 2018.
— The Rev. Betty Kazadi Musau, director of communications, North Katanga Conference
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