By Rev. Maria Shadibo Diale, the Pastor of Mogwase AME Church, M.M. Mokone Annual Conference TCR Contributor
Presiding Elder Mandisi Albert Mexico opened the Capital District of the M.M. Mokone Annual Conference from May 13-15, 2022, at Darie Mae Robinson African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Saulsville. This District is the largest in the 19th Episcopal District, with 18 churches in the Northwest Province, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga. This conference was the first fully attended meeting after three years of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. From each of the 18 churches, members of the church left the comfort of their homes in numbers to experience worship services and educational sessions.
The opening worship service started on Friday, May 13, 2022, at 13:30, following a going-home service of one of the Lay Organization’s stalwarts and a Darie Mae Robinson Steward Board member, Brother Setsopi Harold Senosha. The Reverend Modikoe Amiel Mpye, the Pastor of Ebenezer AME Church in Atteridgeville, opened the service with a sermon based on the Gospel of Luke 24:29 with the heading, “O seka wa mo dumella a fete” translated “Don’t let Him pass.” In the evening, the Reverend Thabang Kobue, a newly ordained deacon from the host church, gave the Educational message from Luke 10:35.
Mother M. L Morewane, the District Health Commission Director, gave a presentation pertaining to health and emphasized the importance of vaccination. She further encouraged members to take care of their health and have flu vaccines/shots to strengthen their immune system, as these vaccines are free at government hospitals. The guest speaker, Ms. Molebogeng Mavimbela, came to teach about the importance of herbal medicine as a daily supplement. Among other activities, we were blessed by the presence of Presiding Elder, P.J. Mengoai (Retired), who used his rare and interesting skills to officiate the pastoral reports
Presiding Elder Mexico, a father and mentor, introduced the Pastor’s Appreciation service. Members of each church came to appreciate their pastors. The service was an important moment for pastors as it was the first time for some to feel appreciated loudly by their members. We thank the Presiding Elder for this wonderful gesture, and may the good Lord continue to bless him.
The Reverend B.M. Mokgoko comforted the families of the departed members with the word from the book of Paul to the people of Corinth, 1 Corinthians 15:25-26 “Death is the last enemy to be defeated.”
Members of the Women’s Missionary Society under the leadership of Mother XF Mexico came in numbers to be a part of the Conference. They participated in the service that Mother Mpye led. The Reverend M.M. Kgositlou led a service of the installation of the Office of the Capital District Sons of Allen, which is under the leadership of Brother P. Mushatu and his executive team: Vice-President Brother L.M. Buys; Secretary Brother.C. Mahlangu; Corresponding SecretaryBrother K. Reid; Treasurer Brother Ernest Leeuw; Financial Secretary Brother Kago Seleke; and Chaplain Brother Michael Matabane.
The Conference closed on Sunday with a message from one of the Women in Ministry members, the Reverend B.M. Ntsepe. She gave us a message from the three books about love, and her subject was “Ratanang/Love thy neighbor.” This service also included a high celebration with participants sharing the table of the Lord, with Presiding Elder Emeritus, P.J. Mengoai as chief celebrant.
The District Conference is the third and the most important Conference in the AME Church. It finalizes the important decisions from the local church before endorsement at the Annual Conference. Hence the delegates to the district conference must be the local Church Stewards. Their active participation in the local church leads to the building of the entire African Methodist Episcopal Church.
