Dear Synod,
Oct. 23-Nov. 11, five of us traveled to our companion synod in southern Tanzania, the Ulanga Kilombero Diocese. I am eternally grateful to Deacon Heidi and Dan Cryer (Lord of Life Lutheran, Kennewick) and Pastor Ethan and Carla Bergman (Grace Episcopal, Ellensburg) for being amazing travel companions. I tried to document the trip well in real time on my blog (megganmanlove.com), but I will share a few reflections here as well.
I always thought highly of the ELCA companion synod model. It means we have over 35 years of relationships (sending people back and forth, correspondence, and now social media) that we continue to build on. We in the NWIM Synod recognize we have as much or more to learn and receive than we can give. Accompaniment also means that instead of telling our friends how to run the UKD, we asked where we could help most, and they said support Tumaini (the secondary school for girls and boys). Everywhere the five of us went on our trip, we met Tumaini graduates—head doctor at hospital, accountant at hospital, first woman pastor, and the list goes on. It was powerful! I always loved that we gave scholarships for girls, and one-on-one conversations with Tumaini Director Moses Nwaka and Bishop Renard Mtenji both drove home the importance and long-term value of continuing to provide these scholarships, for the good of the UKD and the entire region. I have deep gratitude to the women pastors of the NW Ohio Synod-ELCA who, after a recent trip to their companion synod in Tanzania, encouraged me to have a time with just the women pastors (along with Heidi and Carla).
Here are some trip highlights for those who would prefer a list:
Dedication of the new Dining Hall at Tumaini! It really is quite something.
Visit to Lugala Lutheran Hospital, including the College of Health and Allied Sciences
Ordination of Frank Mauyo, headmaster at Tumaini
Visit to Kitete Dispensary (like a clinic, still waiting on government registration)
Visit to Strobelt Primary School in Ifakara
Staying at the Martin Lutheran Spiritual and Conference Centre in Ifakara
Time with women pastors
Bringing greetings from our synod and Q and A time at maybe 8 parishes
Receiving amazing HOSPITALITY every single place we went
Always building relationships—with the UKD staff, Tumaini teachers and management, and so many pastors and lay people
Thank you so much Northwest Intermountain Synod for years of hosting guests from the UKD and being part of this companion synod relationship. And thank you for entrusting the five of us to represent our synod. Asante sana (Thank you VERY much in Swahili) and have a blessed Advent!
Bishop Meggan Manlove
PS “Accompaniment is defined as walking together in a solidarity that practices interdependence and mutuality,” (ELCA website). Read more about the ELCA’s Accompaniment Model HERE. For an entire ELCA Bible Study on Accompaniment, follow this LINK.
Deacon Heidi Cryer addresses the assembly
Group photo with the Kilombero District
Q and A with a parish. Bishop Renard Mtenji and our group from NWIM Synod