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Communications association formed in Africa

Aug. 19, 2005

NOTE: Photographs, audio and a related report, UMNS story #460, are
available at http://umns.umc.org.

By Kathy L. Gilbert*

MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) - Thirteen United Methodist communicators from
nine African countries braved traveling nightmares, struggled with
language barriers and forged new friendships that ended with a
communications association.

The United Methodist Association of Communicators - African region was
formed at the end of a two-day communications consultation sponsored by
United Methodist Communications and held at Africa University July
20-21.

"Even though we are expressing ourselves in different languages we can
go back and tell our people, 'God loves us all, there are no
communication barriers,'" said the Rev. Konah Parker, director of
communications for the United Methodist Church's Liberia Area.

The United Methodist Association of Communicators in the United States
is a voluntary professional organization designed to:

"	provide recognition, fellowship and vocational enrichment for
professional and volunteer communicators of the church;

"	plan, participate in and support training and continuing
education events;
"	develop standards and seek to enhance the professional quality
of work by United Methodist communicators; and
"	assist in keeping members informed about developments in the
communications industry and in promoting dialogue and discussion on
technology and communication advocacy issues.

An interim executive committee was established and officers were
elected. Officers are Parker, president; Bulelwa Makeleni, South Africa
Provisional Conference, vice president; Taylor Walters, North Katanga
Area, Democratic Republic of Congo, secretary; Gladman Makwenya,
Zimbabwe Area, assistant secretary.

The African chapter was formed so the communicators could stay in touch
with one another and reach out to other communicators on the continent.
The members agreed to work together to establish a network, exchange
ideas and hold regular meetings.

Other communicators at the meeting and members of the association
include John Kaumba Makalu, South Congo/Zambia Area; the Rev. Elias
Zacarias Massicame, Mozambique Area; Marie Manisha, Burundi; Samuel
Suuti Mukwaya, Uganda; Arthur Mpoyo Mbuya, North Katanga Area,
Democratic Republic of Congo; Francisco Joao Manuel, West Angola Area;
Domingos Joao Cambala, East Angola Area; the Rev. Louis Loma, Central
Congo Area, Democratic Republic of Congo; and Phileas Sapha Jusu, Sierra
Leone.

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in
Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470
or newsdesk@umcom.org.

********************

United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org

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