Church Responds to Senseli Disaster
By Samuel Phiri, The Times
African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) 17th Episcopal District Presiding Bishop David Daniels has directed all the 506 AME Churches in Zambia to contribute a special offering for the Senseli open pit mine tragedy.
In a letter circulated to all the AME Churches dated December 17, 2023, Bishop Daniels described the Chingola disaster as a heavy burden on the families of the deceased, President Hakainde Hichilema, the Government, and the entire community.
The Bishop, based in the United States of America, said he has keenly followed how President Hichilema has led the government and the people of Zambia through the tragedy and says the church feels obligated to help in both prayers and resources.
Earlier in the month, Bishop Daniels assigned Rev Royd Mwendu from the South West Zambia conference where the tragedy occurred and a team of church members to be part of the recovery efforts team of the over 30 miners.
“We, as African Methodist Episcopal Church, will continue to be part of the programme. Kindly allow me to also, on behalf of the 17th Episcopal District and indeed on behalf of the connectional church to also pass our heartfelt condolences to the South West Zambia conference on the loss of lives of the hard-working who each day went out to work for their families” the Bishop said.
Bishop Daniel further directed that each local AME church in Zambia should, by December 18, send all the Special offerings to the Episcopal Treasure, who will present the money to the Government structures coordinating the programme upon completion of all formalities.
