03 Jul UK Mission Area gears for UMC Bishop’s inaugural visit
By Eunice Kadiki
Bishop Gift Kudakwashe Machinga, overseeing the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, and Botswana Episcopal Area is set to make his maiden visit to the United Kingdom (UK) as a bishop of the United Methodist Church on the 2nd of July, 2025.
Plans and preparations are underway in the Mission Area (MA) to receive and welcome the Bishop. The charges, clergy and laity are ready.
Rev Kudzanai Honourable Mudambanuki who is the District Superintendent of the UK MA said the visit by the Bishop is very important for the Mission Area.
“We feel honoured and excited to host our Episcopal leader during his first months in office as bishop.
We as the UK MA feel very much accommodated to be acknowledged in that way. His visit is a blessing and we are eager to learn from his experience and wisdom. We do not take this visit for granted as it is a very important time in our church considering what is going on around the world e.g contentious issues etc. ”
“We feel the visit will reassure members who had questions and those that were sitting on the fence. The Bishop will have opportunities to meet with UMC members and to address various issues. We hope that after meeting with the Bishop, those who were on the fence will reaffirm to serve God in the United Methodist Church.
During the Bishop’s visit, as he meets and greets with clergy and laity, we are hoping that this will help and those with questions “vobatsirwa”. So that we can move on and focus on the most important thing which is to bring souls to Christ and making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the word,” said the DS.
“As a DS who is fairly new in the role, I feel this is a good time to have him (the Bishop), so that we know and share his leadership philosophies. That as a DS – who is representing his office here in the UK – we are able to foster good relationships together as a church.”
The Bishop will be able to meet members of the church during the RRW Revival which will be held in Blackpool form 4-6 July 2025.
DS Rev Mudambanuki said that the MA is well informed about the visit.
Regular meetings have been and are being held. All charges are also holding meetings in preparation for the charge visits by the Bishop. This will be the charges’ interface with the Bishop.
Itinerary
The Bishop is expected in the UK on the 2nd of July. He will lead a delegation of four which will include; Mai Dr Mazvita Machinga, Area Chancellor for the UMC – Mr Theophilus Gambe, and the Episcopacy Chairperson for the Zimbabwe East Annual Conference,
– Mrs Lonkina Mhlanga. The Bishop’s arrival will be followed by a meet and greet session.
3 July
The Bishop will meet the DS and family at the parsonage. He will later head to Blackpool where he will meet with all pastors and Mission Area executives. The Bishop will also meet members from the Republic of Ireland, and Scotland charges, which he will not be able to physically travel to during this visit.
4 July
The RRW Revival kicks off in Blackpool. Bishop and Mai Dr Mazvita Machinga will have an opportunity to greet the revival.
5 July
There will be time dedicated for the MA to welcome the Bishop. The Bishop’s address to the MA will follow after the welcome.
6 July
There will be send off by the Bishop after Holy Communion.
The Bishop will visit the North Charge on Sunday.
7 July
The Bishop will travel to and visit the Midlands Charge and the South Charge.
8 July
The Bishop will dedicate the District Parsonage in Kettering which is located in the Central Charge.
Indeed, the Mission Area is ready to host the Bishop!
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