15TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
"Let's Go Up" proves strong theme for uplifting planning session

(This is a report from the 15^th Episcopal Planning Meeting hosted at Bonner Chapel AME Church, Port Elisabeth, South Africa from January 10th - 13th, 2001 with Bishop Gregory Gerald McKinley Ingram Presiding.)

By the Rev. W. Simon Hanse 
Editor: The Call

 They came from far and near; from Luanda, Windhoek, Cape Town, Upington, Kimberley and Queenstown - old and young! Presiding Elders, pastors, officers, members and friends of the 15th Episcopal District met for 4 days to be inspired and to be blessing to each other under the theme: "Let’s Go Up!"

Upon arrival there was a positive mood and spirit in the air. Everybody was curious about the much anticipated Seven Point Partnership Plan the bishop advocated at all 6 annual conferences he presided over. About 13h00 the registration started and more than 550 delegates were registered whereas the prelate expected and prepared for only 400 delegates!

At 14h00 the bishop met with the Seven Point Partnership Team to finalize arrangements for the presentations that would follow the next day. No stone was left unturned to ensure and plan the efficient and effective presentation of this Plan in various workshops.

At 15h00 the bishop met with his cabinet not only to introduce his vision, the Seven Point Partnership Plan and the proposed budget for 2000 - 2004, but also to organize the 1st Presiding Elders Council. And the Rev. H A Joubert was elected the 1st President of the Presiding Elders Council of the 15th Episcopal District.

Also at 15h00 the Episcopal Supervisor, the Rev. Dr. Jessica Kendall Ingram met with Women’s Missionary Society under the theme: "Missionaries Building Up The Kingdom of God" based on Isaiah 62:10. The excited supervisor stressed that she will strive to develop and deepen the spiritual life of each missionary, provide opportunities for each missionary to identify their spiritual gifts and use them in the appropriate places, increase the membership of the Society by at least 50% and to use biblical principles for securing financial support for the missionary work. Three important projects were identified: (1) Joan Cousin HIV/AIDS Mission, the Charlotte Manye Family Life Center, and the International Women’s Conference in January 2003 with 1000 missionaries in attendance.

 Thursday, January 11th, 2001

At 09h00 Bishop Ingram introduced the Seven Point Partnership Plan. For many of us, it was the 1st time to witness a live motivational speaker on par with any international inspirational speaker. It was a completely different Bishop Ingram to the one we got used to in our annual conferences. The Plan is a vision received from God Himself based on I Kings 12:24 and it is about what is written by the prophet in Habbakuk 2:2. It is about restoration and hope, for look, the Lord has promised to do a new thing for us. Either we are happy with the present and accept the status quo, or we commit to change to new circumstances. The Seven Point Partnership Plan aims to rebuild and strengthen the 15th Episcopal District for the major challenges awaiting her beyond this present quadrennium.

 After lunch at 15h00 the introduction in the Plenary Session was followed up by seven workshops (components) as follows:

• 1st Component: Economic Development of the District, and was presented by Mother Norah Baduza, one of the pioneers of the district and a business woman in her own right.
  
• 2nd Component: Stewardship presented by Rev. M Mtswelo dealt with biblical approach on how we can sensitize our membership for improved stewardship on all levels.
  
• 3rd Component: Management, Administration and Communication was delivered by Sister Vidah Mayena, and this workshop emphasised transparent and accountable administration on all levels of the church.
   
• 4th Component: Resource Inventory Bank (RIB), presented by Rev. Adonis C Booyse, envisioned a day when the attitude of the heart and the depth of Christian love will compel believers to gladly reveal, freely share, and wisely leverage their gifts and talents to the glory of God and the building of His Kingdom.
   
• 5th Component: Church Growth & Evangelism was dealt with by Rev. Andrew B Lewin. The 15th Episcopal District has great potential for growth and different strategies were discussed to increase the overall membership with at least 20%.
   
• 6th Component: Education, presented by Rev. Willem Simon Hanse, and this group called for the revival of the Sunday Church School through the establishment of effective and efficient Episcopal BoCE (and Director), for an Episcopal Board of Examiners to co-ordinate conference ministerial training, for the unification of various scholarship programs in one Episcopal Education and Training Fund, called for a shift in paradigm that we begin to budget for programs (in contrast to our present budgets geared towards meetings), and to initiate pre-primary schools with a strong African Methodist Christian Education curriculum on local levels (also with income-generation in mind).
   
• 7th Component: Missions presented by Mother Katherine E /Goagoseb, outlined new areas in which we are also called to bear testimony.

About 19h30 followed the robing of Rev. Dr. Jessica Kendall Ingram in the "Africa outfit" of the Women’s Missionary Society. This was followed by her powerful preaching on the Episcopal Theme: "Called to Make A Difference" to about 1000 plus worshippers who stood on their tip-toes for almost the entire sermon. People flocked in numbers for the Invitation to Christian Discipleship and if that was not enough, more than R8000-00 (eight thousand ZAR) offering was the response of the crowd.

 Friday, January 12th, 2001

The morning session was given to the various auxiliaries (WMS, YPD, Lay, BoCE) to meet separately for their respective agendas. The clergy met with the bishop and was addressed on Protocol, Procedure and Policy. A very interesting and educating session in which a lot of emphasis was put on ministerial ethics and responsibilities.

Noonday Hour of Power was blessed with the preaching of Rev. J Sono, who preached on the theme: "I will give thanks to the Lord". We have many reasons to be thankful, yet so many of us have adopted a culture of moaning. The preacher cited numerous blessings from the Lord and encouraged us to be always thankful to the Lord.

The Afternoon Session was spent to hear the Episcopal Reports of the Women’s Missionary Society, Lay Organization, Board of Christian Education, Beverly Thomas Scholarship Fund, Operation Education, Quadrennial Travel, Episcopal Residence, AMEC Board (now changed to 15th Episcopal District HQ’s of the A.M.E. Church) and Pensions and Stipends Committee. Not only were the reports satisfactory, but one could already sense the Ingram-style in the manner in which these reports were presented and the financial blessings we have already received through his leadership.

For the Evening Session, in the absence of Bishop Garnett C Henning (Prelate of the 8th Episcopal District), the Lord provided Rev. Dr. Wilfredt J Messiah (President of R R Wright Theological Seminary in the 19th Episcopal District and also a Candidate for Episcopacy in 2004) who preached on the theme: "God’s way is the best way". It was the story of Naaman who was healed by dipping himself seven times in the river at the instruction of the provided. The application was the vision of God through Bishop Gregory G M Ingram, as manifested in the Seven Point Partnership Plan. Seven is the number of completion, of fullness, and indeed if we would follow these seven points, the Lord promises and the Lord delivers.

 Saturday, January 13th, 2001

After devotions, our Episcopal Supervisor, Mother Jessica Kendall Ingram presented the Seven Point Spiritual Plan:

• Daily meditation time.
• Study the Word.
• Fasting
• Worship
• Prayer Partners
• Keeping a Journal
• Lenten Consecration

The Rev. A Carelse was called upon to present the new budget for the 2000 - 2004 quadrennium. A completely new model and structure, replacing the previous 9 point budget with a new 4 point one. This new budget has effected the 22% budget increase as decided by the General Conference, and also makes provision for voluntary contributions to implement the Seven Point Partnership Plan.

Each minister is encouraged to voluntary contribute R365-00 per annum, with each spouse contributing R120-00 per annum. There are different categories, and we invite the reader of this report, both domestic and overseas, to get in touch with the 15th Episcopal HQ’s to make a voluntary contribution to make this plan work.

 The Episcopal Planning Meeting came to closure with the reading of Pastoral Appointments and the commissioning prayer for the following officers of the district:

Rev. Andrew B Lewin, Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Sarah Gordon, Episcopal President, WMS

Ms. Angelica Sauerwein, Episcopal Director, YPD

Ms. Esmeralda Kooper, Episcopal President, YPD

Mr. Jerry Majinja, Episcopal Lay President

Rev. Jerome C Gordon, Episcopal Director, BoCE

Rev. H A Joubert, President, Presiding Elders Council

Rev. W Simon Hanse, Editor - The Call

 

Event Date Location

Joint Midyear Session 25-26/05/2001 Bethel Memorial, Hazendal, RSA

Episcopal Planning 14-15/12/2001 St. John’s, Walvisbay, Namibia

Namibia Conference 3-7/10/2001 Purity, Windhoek, Namibia

Angola Conference 12-14/10/2001 Luanda, Angola

Kalahari Conference 24-28/10/2001 Edith Ming, Pampierstad, RSA

Queenstown Conference 7-11/11/2001 Makwili Memorial, Sterkspruit, RSA

Eastern Cape Conference 14-18/11/2001 St. Matthew, De Aar, RSA

Cape Conference 5-9/12/2001 Trinity Chapel, Grassy Park, RSA

The Call is the name of the new newsletter for the 15th Episcopal District. If you wish to share any news, please contact me:

Rev. W Simon Hanse
Editor: The Call
P O Box 62292
Katutura
Republic of Namibia

Tel. +264-61-222226 (Residence)

+264-81 247 3022 (Mobile)