Young Christian Workers- Malawi, holds Council of Leaders meeting

It is common practice and tradition that leaders or heads of institutions take time off their daily duties and tasks to refresh themselves, by engaging in discussions meant to better their performance.

This is exactly why YCW Malawi convened a council of leaders meeting in Nkhatabay, Mzuzu diocese. The meeting which was held under the theme “Youths of dreams, youths of action” taken from the model of St Joseph, attracted leaders of YCW from all the eight dioceses in Malawi.

Speaking at the official opening of the meeting the vicar general for Mzuzu diocese Fr Chunda, standing in for bishop Ryan, welcomed all to Mzuzu diocese and expressed delight seeing that the church has a future in the young leaders that convened for this meeting.

During the meeting, leaders had time to get trained in how they can note and manage addictions of different kind. Presenting the matter as the guest speaker, Fr Martin Kumwenda, of Mzuzu diocese, took the leaders through his own experience of alcoholism, stressing so much on how he managed to come out of this bad experience. It was so clear after the presentation that many leaders were touched by the narrative.

When it was time for deliberations, leaders shared reports from their respective dioceses. They also had time to hear reports from the national executive, as well as other committees, such as media and investments committees.

Fr Valerian Mtseka who is the national youth chaplain thanked all leaders for coming to the meeting. In an interview after the meeting, the national chaplain lauded the meeting as a great opportunity for the leaders to realign themselves to right behaviors that will make their lives beneficial to many.

“The main thing was about mindset change. It was time to reflect on our dreams as young people and see if we are doing the right things and helping others as we seek to achieve our dreams” Said Fr Mtseka.

On his part, the national president for YCW, Light Burtone, stressed that such meetings are meant to help us reflect we are running the movement and help it as we move forward.

The meeting was also an opportunity for the investment committee to raise some funds for the implementation of different projects that YCW Malawi wants to undertake. Assorted YCW branded items were on sale like mug cups, caps, umbrellas, t-shirts, golf shirts and many more. It was pleasing to hear that the Episcopal conference of Malawi has approved a design for YCW cloth.

Council of leaders meeting is held every year prior to holding an Annual general meeting. This year’s council of leaders meeting was held at St Joseph Pastoral Centre in Nkhatabay from 25^th to 27^th June 2021.

Chikwawa diocese was represented by YCW diocesan president James Chimseu and Andrew Tembo who stood in for the diocesan secretary. They were accompanied by their chaplain Fr John Lockie.