Mersey Synod of the United Reformed Church

1 Fingall Road, Wavertree, Liverpol L15 9JE  Tel: 0151 722 1883

Events & information

MALAWI TASK GROUP

Visit to Malawi by eight women from the Mersey Synod

A group of eight women from different Churches across the Mersey Synod visited Malawi for two weeks during August. The purpose of our visit was to continue developing the partnership between our Synod and the Churches of Christ Malawi, (COCM), with a particular focus on women and children’s issues. For much of our visit we were accompanied by the chairs of the two COCM District Women’s Guilds, Nellie Mipando and Alice Kamkwamba, which we trust was as much an encouragement for them as invaluable as it was to us.

Wow, what a privilege and experience the trip proved to be. We were warmly welcomed by all we met; by the leaders of the COCM, by the women at the two COCM women’s conventions at Gowa and Namiwawa Missions, by the ministers and Church Leaders of the various churches we visited, in Lilongwe, at East Soche (twinned with Oak Vale URC) and churches in the Blantyre area and at Balaka; by the women both leading and being trained at the women’s training centres at Chigodi (Presbyterian) and the Lydia project (Baptist); the enterprising women who have set up and are running income generating projects such as briquette making and wine making; and by the delightful and constantly smiling children who greeted us at the various children’s projects - FOMO (Friends of Mulanje Orphans www.fomo.co.uk/), who support around 5000 AIDS orphans within their community, CHISOMO, a project supported by UNICEF which works with street children in Malawi (www.chisomotrust.org/), Joyce Banda School in Zomba which works with AIDS orphans, and Mary’s Meals (www.marysmeals.org) which provides a porridge for primary school children as well as providing pre-school care for younger orphans in the southern half of Malawi (The food constitutes 40% of the children’s daily nutritional intake and improves school attendance as well as performance). 

One of our initial challenges was around how many toys we could pack into our luggage (both within our regular and excess allowance)! It was a delight to give these toys out as we went around, most particularly for use at the two Missions and by a Mother and Toddler group that is being established in the Women’s Centre at East Soche Church Blantyre. It was also a privilege to actively participate in events; we led a number of workshops during each of the women’s conventions and two of us, Dorothy and Anna preached at Sunday morning services.

I am sure that we each have our particular favourite memories but it is fair to say that we were all very struck by the inspirational faith of the women of COCM, their resilience and hospitality. The sound of 500 women singing as they streamed down the path into Church - amazing!

Since our return, we have given much consideration to the way forward; there is so much material need in Malawi and there are very real issues in trying to help from long distance. However, we have been particularly exercised about the role of women within the COCM; whilst other denominations in Malawi offer training to women in leadership roles, COCM does not as yet. There is a fantastic resource of potential waiting to be mobilised.

It is our recommendation that Synod support the training of women within COCM for eldership and lay women leadership particularly Pastor’s wives; for leaders of mother and toddler groups; awareness raising about domestic violence; and adult literacy and income generating for women. It is our view that such training can be bought in initially from the Women’s Training Centres already established by other denominations but within 1-2 years COCM could provide their own. We also confirm the view, recorded in previous reports, that the Women’s Centre at Blantyre should be developed and that Family Centres are needed for the two missions of Gowa and Namiwawa.

If any group within your Church would like to hear more about Malawi and its amazing people we would be delighted to come and share some of our experiences with you in illustrated talks.

(See appendix)   Judi McGowan

 

UP DATE FROM MALAWI TASK GROUP

It has been reported previously that COCM has experienced tension between its two districts and this has produced problems for the leadership. However at the end of July, a General Assembly was held (with an African CWM member who facilitated the elections) and new leaders were elected. The chair of the board of trustees is Mr Joseph Milner and Mr Jodder Kanjere, former chair, is now vice chair. Revd Johnstone Ndogolo is General Secretary and Revd Goodwin Zainga, former General Secretary, is now vice General Secretary. A new constitution and a four year strategic plan have been produced and COCM are hoping to receive the renewed support of the Council for World Mission. It is planned that there will be two Synods and six districts – three for North Central Synod and three for South Synod. A consultation process with churches is currently under way and is proceeding well. During the synod women’s visit, a request was made by the leaders of the women’s guilds for a women’s desk and a paid national women’s co-ordinator post and assurance was given that this would be discussed by the Board of Trustees. There is an African regional meeting in November and it is hoped that this may lead the way to a four way meeting taking place between COCM, CWM, COC California and the URC (London and Synod) in 2009.

Water Project – unfortunately there has been a delay in receiving information from Namiwawa Mission but it is anticipated that two more estimates for drilling a bore hole and installing a water pump will have been received as well as details about the management of the project and will have been considered by the Task Group before Synod meets.

Computers and Financial System – Dale Rominger International Relations for the URC has made an offer to COCM to help introduce a system of financial accounting and to train treasurers. COCM would like some computers to assist with this process and it is planned that 10-12 will be sent in a FOMO container that leaves in early 2009.

2009 Visit by Young People from Malawi

Plans are already underway for a group of six young people and two youth leaders to make a two week visit to the Synod in August next year. We need to find hospitality for the group. If there are problems with the young people not being able to obtain visas then we shall have a contingency plan.

Membership of the Task Group - Unfortunately in the summer Mary Chinkwita died and a memorial service was held at Toxteth URC at the time when Mary’s funeral and burial was taking place in Ntcheu Malawi. Mary was one of the first women to be trained in theology at Zomba Theological College and wrote two socio-psychological books. She also supported her family in Malawi as well as young people here who came to study. She will be greatly missed. We are also indebted to John Dewing who has given faithful service to the former International Relations Committee and the Malawi Task Group covering fifteen years. He wishes to retire and we give him our grateful thanks.

We are pleased to report that we have some new Malawi members Boyd and Merrity Mithi together with Joyce Msiska. Following their recent visit Judi McGowan and Sue Ainscough offered to help and we are exploring the possibility of two young people who went to Malawi last year joining the group. We need this new support as we have lost three members and it is uncertain whether Peter Thomas will be able to continue in the foreseeable future because he is working outside the area. 

Susan Flynn (Revd)