The 19thEpiscopal District Pastors and Spouses Retreat: Excellence in Ministry
By Rev. Gaborone P. Lesito, 19thEpiscopal District Field Representative
The date was 29 May-01 June 2018 and the 19thDistrict pastors and spouses came in numbers for the second time in its lifetime (the first one having been in May 2017). The Pastors and Spouses Retreat was honoured, promising to be a fulfilling experience. As expressed in the executive summary, they first “laid a foundation for pastors and their spouses to gather as leaders of our Zion to prepare themselves spiritually, biblically and educationally to impact the communities where the African Methodist Episcopal Church is ministering.” Now, there we were in May 2018, all excited and ready for “ukuhlehla”—a Zulu word meaning “retreat!”
All who made it expressed how much they needed this break from the world and how much they were looking forward to it. They hoped the program would leave them rejuvenated and refreshed. We were accommodated at The Square Boutique Hotel and Spa. The ambience in the hotel hallway as we walked in got us feeling relaxed already. The rooms and facilities of the hotel—the gym, spa, and unlimited Wi-Fi—made us feel right at home. Rejuvenated and refreshed do not even begin to describe the mood and mode of this experience.
The 19thDistrict Board of Christian Education (BCE) Director, the Rev. Lekubela S. Moobi, welcomed us with worship. The next day, everyone was welcomed and housekeeping rules were established. The early mornings were dedicated to personal reflection with the Lord, with the rest of the day open for the topics, praise and worship, discussions and evaluation, accentuating the core focus of the 2018 Retreat which was stated as creating an excellent prayerful atmosphere to bring pastors and their spouses to a personal cuddling relationship with God and creating warm relationships among pastors and their spouses. The topics and all that was outlined in the Guidegave a clear directive that it was time to let go of all that burdened us and go on to Hlehla.
On the panel of speakers, we had our father, Bishop Paul JM Kawimbe and two guest speakers, Pastor Humbulani Vhulahani and Professor Maake J. Masango of Pretoria University who led us in the topics and exercises selected. The speakers were light on their feet, approached the topics with humour, and kept us tuned in throughout the week. One of our senior elders, the Rev. Mthunzi Mzangwa even described Professor Masango as “an ethical soul-searching comedian.” Indeed he shared his life story in a way that helped us reflect on our own.
Married couples renewed their vows in a beautiful ceremony. Single, divorced, and widowed hopefulls received their expected spouses in faith. We were all anointed with holy oil as we prayed for our hopes, taking the blessing home and trusting in God’s special touch.
Echoing those who were called on to give a word of thanks, we thank Bishop Kawimbe and Supervisor Lister Kawimbe for their presence and leadership; the BCE Director, the Rev. Moobi for organising the retreat; Pastor Vhulahani and Professor Masango for their careful deliverance of the selected topics; the Rev. Sebego Z. Moremi for bringing the presentations alive on the big screen; the staff of The Square Boutique Hotel and Spa for their dedication for going beyond their working hours to make us feel comfortable; the Rev. Manqele for coming in when a different venue was needed; and pastors and spouses of the 19thEpiscopal District for the presence and participation. More than anything, we thank God for His presence and guidance throughout the retreat, for His protection to and from the retreat, and being with our families in our absence.
We are rejuvenated, refreshed, and given a new eye with which to look at our walk. We are definitely looking forward to the Retreat 2019. We look back today and say with pleasure, indeed we retreated—siye sahlehla!
