The 22nd Session of the 19th Episcopal District RAYAC Convention
Rev. Thato Mere, Contributing Writer
History is defined as a “continuous, systematic narrative of past events as relating to a particular people, country, period, person, etc., usually written as a chronological account.” I believe that history does not make itself; rather, it is made by those who have control of events in their hands. This belief emanates from the fact that the 19th Episcopal District Richard Allen Young Adult Council (RAYAC) made history when they successfully held the 22ndSession of the Annual Convention on 26 September 2020.
For the first time since the inception of the Council, the Convention was held virtually through the Zoom platform. The ever-capable eighth elected president, Brother Thembinkosi Kumalo, Sr., who is also the corresponding secretary in the Connectional RAYAC, took the bulls by the horns and embraced the “new normal” way of doing things.
Indeed, history has been made. The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that flexibility and agility are the order of each day and the work of God cannot be put on hold because the conventional way of doing things is no longer there. The event was a huge success with participation by all the conferences in the District.
Brother Mzwakhe Shabalala, the Episcopal Chaplain and licentiate exhorted from Leviticus 6:11-12, under the subject: “Keep the Fire Burning.” It was a challenge to RAYAC members in the District to ensure that the fire does not die at the altar. This was an apt exhortation, especially during these times of uncertainty as people’s faith and spirits are tested. Treading uncharted waters calls for innovative ways, forward-thinking individuals, and brave soldiers.
The 19th Episcopal District’s RAYAC is hard at work to keep flames up. The Convention was graced by the Connectional RAYAC President, Sister Martinique Mix; Brother John Thomas, III, the editor of The Christian Recorder; the executive director of the Connectional Department of Christian Education, the Rev. Garland Pierce; Brother Gordon George from the 3rd Episcopal District; and the Rev. Lekubela Moobi, the BoCE Director of the 19th Episcopal District. If this does not concede that “out of disaster, comes great value,” then nothing does. This year’s Convention saw no borders, thanks to the power of technology. We made history and the trueness of a Connectional entity came to light.
As if that was not enough, the presiding prelate of the 19th Episcopal District, Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr. also challenged the ministry to establish youth and prison ministries to impact the community in a more positive and Christian way as another strategy to grow the ministry and the church. The challenge was then adopted as a resolution by the Convention.
The 19th Episcopal RAYAC remains the trailblazer of the Connectional RAYAC. This year’s Convention qualifies to be in the books of how history was made.
