08 May 2018

Participants at the 10th anniversary Celebration of Women’s Fellowship have been encouraged to let history be part of their movement into the future as Jesus had commissioned and sent them into the world with a mission.

Addressing the women fellowship, which comprises being United Congregational of Southern Africa (UCCSA), Anglican, Methodist, Lutheran and Spiritual Healing Church, Judge of Industrial Court Ms Annah Mathiba said by coming together, they remember the history of the women’s fellowship in the community and the traditions they have created.

“Today we are proud to say that we are part of the whole history just as Jesus was part of the whole history of Israel, all 42 generations from Abraham on down,” she said.

A staunch member of Methodist Church, MS Mathiba related the celebration to Janus of Roman mythology who she said looked simultaneously backward and forward.

“Our look back at 10 years of this women’s fellowship gives courage and hope for the next century.”

Ms Mathiba, who is also head of Disciplinary Committee of the Methodist Church in Southern Africa, said as a fellowship group, they are formed and identified by their history and by where they have been in the past, noting that the meaning of history is determined by the future and where their history is leading.  

She said the church is more clearly defined by its history.

She noted that the Christian faith is based on collection of writings that dates from antiquity and the Bible is a historical book in which ‘God is telling us about his people’.   

Ms Mathiba, who is also a member of the Correctional Trust Properties Committee responsible for all the buildings of Methodist in Southern Africa and a member of the Connectional Mediation Committee in the Methodist

Church of Southern Africa noted that the event was also focused on donating to children living with albinism.

She reminded the fellowship members that they a have responsibility to the children.

“Prepare them for what they will face in life.

You have a responsibility to the old people to help them meet their needs in the changing world.

Let the stories of faith commitment and service that are told today as we recite the history of this group strengthen you, prepare you, and propel you into the next century ministry,” she added.    

Meanwhile, chairperson of the fellowship, Ms Anna Kangunde  said the mission of the five -member  churches was to source funds to renovate their churches.

Ms Kangunde believes that as a fellowship group they had accomplished their mission since they were now giving to the community.

She noted that they have given to organisations of charity such as SOS and People living with Albinism.

The organisation had previously gathered youth from the five churches and invited Botswana Substance Abuse Support Network to caution them about the danger of drugs.

“We have never had divisions. When you have the Holy Spirit, you have this type of love that helps you to accommodate everyone.

We might have had differences, but we are still pulling together,” she said. The celebration was held under the theme ‘Break Walls, Rebuild the Church’. Ends