The ManicaPost
Post Reporter
THE Methodist Church in Zimbabwe’s Ruwadzano/Manyano is holding its annual Mutare convention at Gateway Gardens in Vumba.
The annual convention started yesterday (Thursday) and is expected to run until Sunday under the theme: ‘GOD IS WITH US ALL
THE TIME: ISAIAH 43:2.’
The convention is part of the church’s mission of transforming lives through biblical teachings, witnessing and nurturing believers into true worshipers of God.
Ruwadzano/Manyano meaning ‘fellowship’ which constitutes the largest number of congregants in the church was founded in June 1892 by the then Presiding Bishop Ndhlela’s wife, Sarah and Rev Musa’s wife, Ellen.
This was meant to give women a chance to contribute to the church and to afford them a platform where they could nurture fellowship, share experiences and advice one another on issues sensitive to the interests of women, the ultimate objective being to enable spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical development amongst themselves and to make Christ known in the community at large.
Each year the women come out of their comfort zone and into a place where they will receive spiritual upliftment through sermons, teachings and prayer away from the confines of the usual church buildings and the noise of the city.
The Vumba convention will be a convergence of two Mutare circuits: Eastern Highlands Circuit under the leadership of Mrs Rev Hilda Masendeke and Mutare Circuit under the leadership of Mrs Rev Joyce Sukulao.
The event is expected to have speakers who include church ministers and other invited guests outside the church. Apart from teachings and sermons, there are various activities that include competitions such as modeling in skilled tailor-made outfits made out of the church’s logo and Ruwadzano uniform. Choir competitions will also be part of the programme, with winners being crowned by professional adjudicators of the choir music genres.
As fulfillment of the organisation’s objectives for all women to be physically strong, there will be fitness programmes such as workouts and netball which will also serve as an opportunity to relieve one from stresses at home as well as re-live the past beautiful memories of their youths.
In this regard, Ruwadzano/Manyano leaders therefore extend invitation to all women across Mutare to come and be part of this spiritually uplifting yet exciting experience.
Historical background
As the backbone of the church, the organisation intertwines its objectives with the broader mission of the MCZ and plays a fundamental role in issues pertaining to social responsibility and church growth. This is accomplished by helping the needy, encouraging and re-assuring the broken-hearted, giving hope to the despairing, and preaching peace to those overwhelmed in conflicts. The organisation promotes the status of women through leadership and evangelism etc.
Structure
The organisation is administered by ministers’ wives designated as Ruwadzano/Manyano presidents and assisted by committees of lay people (full members of the Ruwadzano/Manyano who are not minister’s wives) democratically voted into leadership and these leadership structures are found at connexional (national), district and circuit levels.
The presidents have the responsibility of examining members to see to it that they adhere to the policies set out by the organisation. The president also administrates the work done by the organisation and to ensure their knowledge of God and their understanding of the objectives of the organisation are sound and practically achieved and contribute to the mission of the church.
Out of freewill, lay people go under months of trial in which they are taught the organisation’s objectives, aims and what it means to be a Christian woman in the society, a process which the president oversees. After completion, the women are then accepted as full members of the Ruwadzano/Manyano and are bloused in red blouse, black skirt and white collar and belt.
However, others who are not yet full members attend conventions and other gatherings of the organisation.
Conventions are held annually across the country during the month of August followed by conferences held every third year in January as stipulated in the organisation’s constitution where delegated committees all over the country under Ruwadzano/Manyano will report to the connexional president on successes and challenges faced by the organisation in their respective circuits or districts.
