A hundred and eleven delegates from the 12 districts that make up the Methodist Church of Southern Africa meet in East London, South Africa from the 05 – 08 July under the theme: ‘Dare to Dream’. Each districts sent through delegates that were elected from 12 Youth Synod that sat in each district earlier in the year, along with the executives of each of the District Youth Units. This meant that all aspects of Youth ministry was represented at the CYC ranging from Children’s Ministry, Wesley Guild, Girls and Boys Brigades, Youth formations, MethSoc (Methodist Students Society – representing Methodist Young People at Tertiary institutions) and Youth Pastors.
The incoming Connexional Youth Unit Executive (who where elected in 2011 at Botswana) where inducted for the upcoming term from 2012 – 2015. The new executive is headed by the Rev Luxolo Mantini (Connexional Youth Unit Co-ordinater), Mr Ayanda Gogobala (Connexional Youth Unit Secretary) and Miss Zoleka Maki (Connexional Youth Unit Treasurer). The new committee shared their vision for their term:
- To establish a MYU (Methodist Youth Unit) Educational Fund (launching in Jun3 2013)
- To establish a Youth Unit Investment Initiative (launch in 2014)
- To increase the visibility of the Methodist Youth Unit
- To deepen our initiatives of Mission and Spirituality
- To increase Capacity Building among young people
CYC heard reports from the different districts pertaining to youth work and also heard reports about the YEE (Youth Economic Empowerment) project that was started by the previous executive of Rev Moagi Sekhejane. A R 139 000 was distributed to young people across the connexion to help start businesses.
We also welcomed the news that next year’s CYC will be hosted in Namibia (by the KNB District).