History and Narrative Summary

Tumekutana, “We have come together”, began as a dream of a few people in PC(USA) who worked closely with the women’s leaders of partner churches in Africa. Though we had the privilege of visiting various countries and meeting the different women, seeing their work, hearing their joys and challenges, we realized that very few of these leaders themselves ever had the chance to do the same.

 

The women often asked, “Are our Presbyterian sisters in other countries facing the same challenges? What are they doing to work against poverty? Does HIV/AIDS look the same in other countries? Are we the only ones suffering? Can you teach me something new that works in another country?” We also saw that women’s leaders are often isolated. They are the point person for women’s departments which work with and serve 100,000 to 2.5 million women, in some countries. They have huge demands placed on their shoulders, in the churches, in their families, and even from us as partners. And yet, where do they get encouragement, support, renewal and inspiration? Where do they find a kindred spirit? These realities, and a direct request for a gathering by African women who gathered at the Presbyterian Women’s Gathering, prompted the organization of Tumekutana.

 

In September 2006 the Africa Office of PC(USA) agreed that a women’s gathering should be organized for 2007. For this historic venture, Caryl Weinberg (a former mission co-worker and current Missions Director at FPC Evanston) was named coordinator. By enlisting the help of 3 African women’s leaders: Rev. Mrs. Bridget BenNaimah from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana; Mme. Monique Misenga, from the Presbyterian Church of Kinshasa, DR Congo; and Mrs. Veronica Muchiri, from the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, the core planning team of Tumekutana was formed.

This team, with the support of several others met in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2006 and again in July 2007 to establish and finalize the themes, speakers, schedule, and conference venue. Content of the workshops was determined by the planning team, but was also based on surveys, which were sent to each of the Women’s Departments of the PC(USA) partners in Africa, prior to the conference. The Rev. Janet Guyer and Debbie Braaksma (PCUSA mission co-workers in Southern Africa and Sudan) provided valuable support to this process through their gifts and abilities and experience working among African women.

 

It is important that the African women determined the theme, name, speakers and venue for the conference. They also determined the list of attendees for the conference: the Women’s Department leaders of each of the PC(USA) partners in Africa, plus at least one other woman, a pastor if possible, from a partner church in the country. Of eighteen countries identified with strong PC(USA) partnerships 16 were able to send representatives. (Equatorial Guinea did not respond to any correspondence; the women of Cameroon were not able to obtain visas in time.) We hosted 50 official participants, and several more Kenyan “informal” participants.

 

The American women served as advisors, facilitators and support people. In limiting US visitors, each of the Africa Networks (8) were invited to send one representative; Ghana, Sudan and Congo Networks were represented. Other PC(USA) groups invited and represented were Presbyterian Women, and the PC(USA) Africa and International Health Ministries Offices (as sponsors, speakers, and facilitators). Several congregations had a key role in facilitating and sponsoring the conference and also sent volunteers. In all, 18 American women attended. [Please see the directory, for a complete listing of African and U.S. participants, on the enclosed disk. Surveys completed by each of the women, are also included on the disk. They are listed by country.]

 

The conference format was designed to provide information and facilitate honest discussion in a Christ centered atmosphere. Each day began with worship. The speakers, Dr. Mercy Amba Oduyoye and Dr. Agnes Aboum, provided insight and expertise on the issues African women face from the socio/cultural/spiritual context or the economic and political realities in which they live.Due to an emergency, Dr. Isabel Phiri was not able to speak. But her materials were presented by Dr. Oduyoye, and were well received by everyone. Workshops were practical and became the primary forum for sharing one another’s experiences. Site visits gave concrete examples of how to answer various common challenges. Meals served became a joyful time of getting to know each other personally.

 

Every evening, “Tumekutana Time” helped one another relax and fellowship together. More details of the conference are further described in the cover letter. The program, conference testament, evaluations, and a letter of appreciation from the African Women also give a picture of the conference. These can be found on the enclosed disk and/or printed materials.