Black Lutherans Conference Meets in Zimbabwe

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe -- Some 100 African and African American Lutheran theologians attended the second Conference of International Black Lutherans (CIBL) Dec. 12-19, 1996, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The theme of the conference was "Poverty and Plenty: Bridging the Gap."
"Dispersed Africans are deeply rooted here," the general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, Ishmael Noko, told the participants. "This is your continent and no one will take it from you -- neither can we." About 50 members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) attended the event.
Noko, a Zimbabwean theologian, made his remarks at the planting of three symbolic trees during a welcoming event for the African American participants. Each participant was given a basket and a bit of earth.
The Rev. Will Herzfeld called the welcoming ceremony his "moment" from the event. "In the midst of all the discussions of theology and sociology and ecology, this moment touched both Africans and African Americans in a special way." Herzfeld is associate executive director of the ELCA's Division for Global Mission.
One ELCA pastor had to leave the event early due to a death in her congregation. Noko sent along the earth of Africa for her to use at the graveside in Chicago.
Herzfeld said, "Africa is the largest refugee camp in the world, but it's more than that, it's a place of culture, science and deep spirituality. For us, Africa becomes more than just a big continent where beautiful cloth is manufactured, something more real and at the same time something spiritual."
The first CIBL was Sept. 5-12, 1986, in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare. The organization's structure is made up of steering committees for Africa and the United States.
During the conference, the Rev. Ambrose Moyo was consecrated bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe. CIBL participants took part in the Dec. 15 service. Moyo was previously a theology professor at the University of Zimbabwe.
Moyo was a keynote speaker at the CIBL event, together with Dr. Albert P. Pero, Jr., of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, addressing the conference theme of "a Lutheran perspective on bridging the gap between rich and poor."
Other presentations were on topics such as the nature and function of God in a world divided by poverty and plenty; the significance of the Lutheran heritage, ethical implications of a globalized economy, the psychological implications of poverty and plenty, and understanding the dynamics of power and racism and their implications.
The Rev. Wyvetta Bullock, director of the ELCA's Division for Congregational Ministries, called the event "historic."
Bullock said, "Our brothers and sisters from Africa talked about issues of dependency and self-sufficiency. Not that they desire isolation, but they want to celebrate and share the gifts they have, financial and spiritual gifts. It was a striking correlation to the ELCA's ethnic-specific ministries."
During a recent visit to the United States, Moyo told members of a Lutheran congregation that U.S. Lutherans need to update their view of partnership with overseas churches, according to The Lutheran, the magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Zimbabwean Christians can offer U.S. Christians encouragement to remember their roots, especially in the present post-Christian era, Moyo said.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Dir., (773) 380-2958 or AHAFFTEN@ELCA.ORG;
Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Dir., (773) 380-2955 or FRANKI@ELCA.ORG;
Melissa Ramirez, Assist. Dir., (773) 380-2956 or MRAMIREZ@ELCA.ORG