P.o. Box 31273

   Chichiri , Blantyre 3

   e-mail : skunthambuyo@yahoo.com

  

 

 
 
         

CHRISTIAN FAMILY MOVEMENT   

                  IN MALAWI   (C.F.M)   

 

 

 

10th July, 2007

 

 

 

REPORT FROM MALAWI – IN EAST & CENTRAL AFRICA

 

1.         Membership

-                     As stipulated in the ICCFM constitution and guidelines provided in the country format report we  wish to report on our activities as follows ;

-                     We are under the name Christian Family Movement (CFM) in Malawi, a country in East and Central Africa.

-                     Our membership comprises of families who seek to promote their Christian values and work together with our chaplains and all other groups in our church to promote mutual growth of the church and families.

-                     We meet as families once in every month, in all the parishes, and four times a year at Diocesan level and Three times a year at National level.

 

STRUCTURE AND STATISTICS

 

-                     We are still in the process of compiling the actual figures of our membership but in a nutshell, we have 7 Dioceses and CFM is in 6 of these Dioceses. Each Diocese has a separate executive committee of 10 families.

-                     We would estimate our membership to be in excess of 2,000 families.

-                     Each Diocese has executive committees at parish levels and others even at Deanery level with 10 families. They control activities of CFM at Parish, Deanery, Diocese then National Level.

-                     All the parish executive committees report to the Diocesan Executive Committees who in turn report to the National Executive Committee.

 

FAMILY MINISTRY SERVICES IN OUR COUNTRY

 

The most top three ministry services we do are as follows;

-                     We promote values and virtues of Christian marriage and family by encouraging prayers in families during meals , bible study, family meeting, conducting retreats where we can reflect on our spiritual and family life and participating fully in  all church activities, i.e. liturgical celebrations,   provision of basic necessities to our priests and parishes , recommendations to the church and government on combatant measures on domestic, social and physical violence etc through the Episcopal Conference of Malawi

(The Bishops committee on church issues) in the country.

-                     Provision of guidance to the youth since they are part of the family. This includes conducting of retreats for the youth, providing awareness to the youth in the wake of the HIV – AIDS pandemic, conducting briefings on how they can get perfect marriage partners etc, and the role of the youth in the family, the church and the society, since they are future leaders.

-                     We do carry out charitable activities every year where we provide assorted basic items to the poor, the needy and the sick in hospitals ranging from food stuffs, managing an HIV AIDS related fund for the needy and other families regardless of denomination.

-                     We also participate in a formative process of Observe, Judge and Act in the light of God’s word.

 

-                     At our last Annual General Meeting in October, 2006, we had tackled and discussed issues of Gender Based Violence especially Violence against women in the families. We also discussed Gender Equality issues in the Church and Country and how these affect us as members of CFM and the whole Christian community at large. We would appreciate if members who have ideas on the topic could forward them to us.

 

-                     Emerging issues from this discussion were that violence is not only physical, economical, social, but psychological as well as sexual violence. As Christians we were encouraged to avoid all forms of violence as it reduces intimacy and togetherness in the family. In a family where there is any form of violence, spiritual life is also affected.

 

-                     Members were also encouraged to counsel and provide support to families affected by violence.

 

-                     Issues of gender were also tackled whereby it was clarified what gender is, gender roles and how we can ensure that both men and women equally participate in the upliftment of the family.

 

COMMUNICATION

 

It is our wish to communicate to you and member countries and possibly get updated on ICCFM activities. We are in the process of implementing a web site for CFM in Malawi and once this is ready, we shall possibly communicate to you.

We are also privileged to inform you that one of our member families (Blazio & Judith Nangwale) will be attending the General Assembly.

 

CONCLUSION

 

-                     CFM in Malawi is well established and growing fast, penetrating into almost all the Dioceses, Deaneries, Parishes and sub parishes.

-                     The main problem faced is lack of understanding of our goals by Christians and also lack of support from some priests in our church.

-                     Our main challenge is to sensitize Christians on our aims and activities and the positive impact CFM has in the growth of the church, society , country and the family as well

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the full National Executive Committee for CFM in Malawi and their contact e-mail addresses for your records.

 

The National President Couple : Andrew & Bernadette Simango            -

           

The Vice National President Couple : Wictor & Christina Sajeni              -

 

The General Secretary Couple :  Symon & Patricia Kunthambuyo           -

           

The Vice National Secretary Couple : Mr. & Mrs. Limbani Nsapato –

 

            The National Treasurer Couple : Felix & Clara Chindime                         -

 

            The Vice National Treasurer Couple : Mr. & Mrs. Kapingasa          -

 

            Diocesan Chair Couples (Committee Members)

 

            Archdiocese of Blantyre  : Lucious & Nellie Kamoto        -

 

Lilongwe Diocese : Edward & Ruth Saizi               -

 

Zomba Diocese ( Mr. & Mrs. Mphedwa)

 

Mangochi Diocese ( Mr. & Mrs. Masamba)

 

Dedza Diocese ( Mr. & Mrs. Lole)

 

Meanwhile the contact person is the General Secretary Couple:

Symon & Patricia Kunthambuyo whose email address is as follows: skunthambuyo@yahoo.com.

 

 

We wish a wonderful Assembly and God guidance.

 

 

Symon & Patricia Kunthambuyo

National General Secretary Couple

CFM – Malawi.