Women's Conference

Bridget attended a women’s conference at the church last week.  This involved some teaching, which was very good, on topics ranging from the Holy Spirit to requirements for wearing the uniform; hanging out with the ladies; eating her body weight in nsima!  She had a good time and is getting fat.

The gift of mass catering

Serving lunch

Lunch in the shade

The Pilgrim Wesleyan Church has a uniform for the ‘deaconesses’ which is intended to show that they are committed to service in the church and on behalf of the church.  This is taken very seriously, and if you want to be ‘bloused’ you have to go through training and a ‘blousing ceremony’.  The ceremony was the climax of the conference.  There was much discussion about the life-style expected of a ‘bloused’ woman, with many saying that the behaviour of these women often puts others of from being bloused, because they are gossips and generally not very well behaved.  It was interesting to see how open people were about confronting this issue and being very hard on themselves and each other about their behaviour.

The ladies parading into church

The 'newly bloused' being commissioned

The 'newly bloused' receiving a hug from every member of the congregation, watched over by the Pastor, his wife and his daughter.