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November 01, 2006
Opening Community Worship
Today, we the Council of Bishops, had our Opening Community Worship. It was a spirit-filled time with tremendous singing from the several choirs of the Central Conference of Mozambique.
The President of Mozambique welcomed us and thanked the United Methodist Church for preaching and teaching a gospel that helped the people of Mozambique and the rest of the world know that they are God's people. He spoke of Medical facilities, schools, and other social action agencies that were financed and staffed by missionaries and others who treated them as equals and how this helps the corporate and individual self-esteem of this country.
We were also welcomed by Bishop Machado the host bishop who celebrated that this was the first meeting of the United Methodist Council of Bishops ever outside the United States. He also told us that in the Portuguese language there is no word for a female bishop and therefore us United Methodists we were adding new words to the Portuguese language.
I am so proud of our work here in Mozambique and all of Africa and glad that I am a part of a church that helps to lift the burdens of sin and poverty. The dual message of personal piety and social holiness of the Wesleyan message was on display here today.
Praise God through Jesus Christ for his liberating power.
Posted by Bishop at November 1, 2006 03:43 PM