A letter from Debbie Chase in Malawi
November 2012
Dear Friends,
Warm Greetings and Thanksgiving Blessings from Malawi!
Amidst the challenges and uncertainties of these days there is nevertheless much for which we give thanks!
We give thanks for the 2012 University of Livingstonia Graduation, hosted for the first time by the College of Theology. It was a time of rejoicing and countless blessings as the University conferred the following diplomas and degrees to graduates from the Colleges of Theology and Education: 8 Licentiates of Theology, 6 Diplomas in Theology, 17 Bachelor of Arts in education degrees as well as 4 Bachelor of Science in education degrees.
The theme of this year’s graduation was “Set Free to Love and Serve,” and indeed that is what these graduates are already doing as they now serve in congregations and secondary schools throughout the northern region of Malawi. We give thanks to God. We also express our gratitude to you, God’s faithful people, whose prayers, encouragement and ongoing commitment to the training of ministers and teachers has made this possible!
We also give thanks that the 13 spouses of our College of Theology graduates received a certificate for successful completion of the Spouse’s School course of study. This includes Old and New Testament courses, theology and church history, human sexuality, pastoral counseling, and other important subjects that prepare the spouses to share in congregational ministry with their clergy husband or wife.
The crowning moment of the Graduation Celebration was when the guest of honor, the Vice-President of Malawi, announced that the University of Livingstonia had been granted full (no longer provisional) accreditation. This was hard fought for and long awaited as faculty along with local and overseas partners labored tirelessly these past 10 years to fully equip science labs and bring technology to the classrooms at the Laws Campus–College of Education. Thanks to so many of you for your undying devotion that has brought this to fruition.
We also rejoiced as blessings overflowed at the ordination of Rev. Margaret Kalimanjira, the fifth woman to be ordained to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament in the Synod of Livingstonia. Margaret is the pastor of Msongwe Congregation (Mzuzu), a growing congregation, where she has been serving faithfully for over a year.
There is much more I would like to share with you and I will be available to do so in person while I am in the U.S. on Interpretation Assignment, January through August 2013, based in Tulsa, Okla. I would be greatly honored to receive an invitation from your church or organization to tell you more about Malawi. There are many ways to fit mission interpretation into the program of your church or organization. The following are some suggestions:
- Potluck Dinner, Luncheon, Prayer Breakfast or Bible Study group gathering for a mission presentation on Malawi. This will include a PowerPoint presentation and other visuals. Any day of the week would be fine.
- Sunday School Class, Confirmation Class, Youth Group, Young Adult Group, Presbyterian Women, or other gathering for a mission presentation on Malawi with PowerPoint presentation that is adapted to your group and your requests and possibly a simulation game that youth often enjoy.
- Preaching during worship with a focus on Malawi.
- Message to the Children during worship with a focus on Malawi or Vacation Bible School or Church Camp.
- Minute for Mission on Malawi during worship. This would hopefully be in addition to one of the other options such as a Potluck Dinner presentation or meeting with a Sunday School class or Youth Group.
- Presbytery Meeting, Congregational Meeting, Mission Committee meeting, or Other Church Group gatheringsat which I would be glad to do a PowerPoint presentation on “Sharing the Journey with the People of Malawi” with other visuals on display.
- Community Organization or Service Group meetingat which I would be glad to do a “Sharing the Journey with the People of Malawi” PowerPoint presentation with other visuals on display.
To date I am scheduled to speak at churches and gatherings in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Washington state. There still remain many weekday slots to fill and the following weekends remain open awaiting your invitations.
February 3-4
March 9-10
March 16-17
May 11-12
May 25-26
and all weekends in June and July
To schedule a speaking engagement to learn more about Malawi and the blessings of partnership you can contact me directly through e-mail dachase26@africa-online.net (or use the "Write to" link below), or you can contact Julie Burton, Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery Director of Congregational Resources, telephone 1-800-533-1324, julie.a.burton@cox.net. Julie graciously and efficiently assists with scheduling and is able to answer many questions that might be more easily expressed and answered in a telephone conversation.
The host church, group or organization is responsible for travel expenses, lodging and meals. Auto mileage reimbursement is at the government standard reimbursable rate and airline travel is reimbursed for the cost of the round-trip airline ticket. If I am visiting several churches/groups in your area the cost of travel can be shared. I am salaried for this interpretation assignment so there is no need for honorarium.
I look forward to being with you to renew old friendships and meet new friends as we share the blessings of being one people, one family of God, in Malawi, in the U.S., and throughout the world,
Thank you for sharing the journey!
Grace and Peace,
Debbie
The 2012 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 106
Write to Debbie Chase
