By Rev. Lerato Pitso, AME/WIM Connectional Statistician, 19th Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal/Women in Ministry (AME/WIM) of the Central Southern African (CSA) Districts (Districts 14-15, 17-20) virtually convened their monthly empowerment session on May 21, 2022. The session for May was themed “Your Credentials Matter” under the Triennial theme of “Iron Sharpening Iron.” The Rev. Beatrice Mamphethe Motokoa, Presiding Elder of the North District in the Lesotho Conference, 18th Episcopal District, also serves in the Connectional AME/WIM as the CSA Coordinator, was the convener of the session.
The session was attended by members of the CSA Districts, including a few WIM members from the Bermuda Conference and the Jamaica Conference, including supporters of AME/WIM from across the CSA District. In addition, the session was blessed with the presence of the Her Majesty the Queen (HMQ) of the Kingdom of Lesotho, HMQ ‘Masenate Mohato Bereng Seeiso, the wife of King Letsie, III of Lesotho.
The first presenter was the Rev. Lerato Pitso, the Connectional Statistician and pastor of AME Church, Ivory Park in the D.S. Modisapodi, East Conference, 19th Episcopal District. She urged AME/WIM members and attendees to work on their education, thus sharpening their credentials and widening their theological worldview. In addition, education helps to establish credibility in the church of Allen and their work in the kingdom. The Rev. Pitso used Paul as an example, as his education prepared him to contribute to the writing of more than half of the New Testament.
The second presenter was the Rev. Audrey Ngamlana, Presiding Elder of the Beaufort West District and Pastor of Calvary AME Church in the Cape Conference, 18th Episcopal District. Her first theological diploma was from RR Wright Seminary in the Vaal, South Africa, and her recent Master of Divinity in 2020 is from Payne Seminary. The Rev. Ngamlana shared how her education opened doors through an internship with the Church of Canada, Sault Saint Marie, and the opportunity to pastor a few churches in the 19th Episcopal District before moving to the 15th Episcopal District. The Rev. Ngamlana acknowledges that credentials give one credibility within the Connectional AME Church.
Through the CSA Coordinator, Connectional AME/WIM will be working on an initiative to equip WIM in the Continent on topics like AME Polity and Governance, and Church Administration, to meet the training needs of AME/WIM in the Continent. AME/WIM is the official professional organization for women pursuing excellence in ministry in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. It is the prophetic voice for parity and justice through advocacy and activism for women in ministry. For more information on AME/WIM or the work of the CSA, please visit www.amewim.org.
Submitted:
Rev. Lerato Pitso, AME/WIM Connectional Statistician, 19th Episcopal District
