The Methodist Church in Kenya, a member church of the World Methodist Council and World Council of Churches (WCC), consecrated its second woman bishop, Rev. Alice Muthoni Mutuma, on 31 January in Meru, Kenya.
The consecration was attended by Christians from the Methodist Church in Kenya, as well as Christians from Uganda and Tanzania. Government leaders also attended the service.
In addition to leadership positions in the governing body of the Methodist Church in Kenya, Mutuma has served the church in different capacities as a circuit minister, superintendent minister, synod secretary and as a chaplain in Maua Methodist Hospital and Meru University of Science and Technology.
She is known as a trainer of church leadership, a counselor and a motivational speaker.
Mutuma, who earned a bachelor of divinity from St. Paul’s United Theological College in Limuru, Kenya, also holds a bachelor of arts in social sciences from Egerton University in Kenya and a master of theology from Queen’s University in Belfast. Before joining the ministry she was a high school teacher. She is member of the Circle of Concerned African WomenTheologians.
Rev. Pauline Wanjiru Njiru, East Africa regional coordinator for the WCC Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy, attended the service and brought greetings from WCC.
“I affirm with joy the ministry of Rev. Mutuma, and with her genuine courage and zeal, may she serve God and lead the church through its challenges and opportunities” said Njiru.
Professor Esther Mombo, former deputy vice chancellor of St. Paul’s, brought greetings from
St. Paul’s and congratulated Mutuma for helping to lead the way for women striving to be in church leadership positions. Mombo, also a member of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians, teaches church history and theologies from women’s perspectives.
This story was originally posted at http://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/methodist-church-in-kenya-consecrates-second-woman-bishop.
