The ELCZ Central Diocese is one of the three Dioceses of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ). The ELCZ was founded by the Church of Sweden Mission (CSM), who established the mission work in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) in 1903. The first mission station was Mnene Mission in Mberengwa District.
In the year 2006, the ELCZ passed a new constitution which established dioceses, giving birth to the ELCZ Central Diocese as one of the three dioceses in Zimbabwe. The other two are the Eastern Diocese and the Western Diocese.
The Central Diocese spans five districts in Zimbabwe, namely Gweru, Shurugwi, Zvishavane, Mberengwa and Mwenezi. The diocese has a strong presence in Mberengwa as it fully covers the district. There is more than 50% coverage in Zvishavane District. The remaining three have partial coverage. The diocese has also extended into some resettlement areas in Insiza South District.
When the Central Diocese was established in 2006, its first bishop was (then) Bishop Naison Shava. He served very well for 12 years upto his retirement in 2017. The current serving bishop, Bishop Kenneth Sibanda then succeeded him in 2018. The diocese is grateful for Bishop Emeritus N. Shava's service.
| DATE | EVENT | VENUE |
|---|---|---|
| 19-22 Sept | Chingezi Parish Visit | Chingezi |
| 12-15 Sept | Rutenga Parish Visit | Rutenga |
| 5-8 Sept | Mazetese Visit | Mazetese |
| 29 Aug -1 Sept | Chegato Parish Visit | Chegato |
| 01-30 August | Revivals | |
| 08-11 August | ELCZ National Revival | Chegato Mission |
| 27 July | Diocesan Council | Zvishavane |
| 17-21 July | Mnene Parish Visit | Mnene |
| 11-14 July | Zuruvi Parish Visit | Zuruvi |
| 4-7 July | Mapedza Parish Visit | Mapedza |
| 27-30 June | Mberengwa Parish Visit | Mberengwa |
| 13-16 June | Gweru North Parish Visit | Gweru North |
| 6-9 June | Mudzidzi Parish Visit | Mudzidzi |
| 23-26 May | Chabwira Parish Visit | Chabwira |
| 16-19 May | Shurugwi Parish Visit | Shurugwi |
| 9-12 May | Gweru West Parish Visit | Gweru |
| 4 May | Diocesan Assembly | Zvishavane |
| 25-28 April | Musume Parish Visit | Musume |
| 11-14 April | Masvingo Parish Visit | Masvingo |
| 4-7 April | Matabo Parish Visit | Matabo |
| 30 March | Diocesan Council | Zvishavane |
| 23 March | Meeting of Pastors, Treasurers and Chairpersons | Zvishavane |
| 1-16 March | Germany | |
| 21-24 Feb | Mwanezi Parish Visit | Mwanezi |
| 20 Feb | Hospitals Leadership Meeting | Mnene |
| 11-15 Feb | Kariba Trip | |
| 7-10 Feb | Zvishavane North Parish Visit | Zvishavane |
| 1-3 Feb | Zvishavane South Parish Visit | Zvishavane |
| 14 -17 Jan | Pastor's Planning Meeting | Masvingo Bible School |
Central Diocese pastors and their spouses at Gender Justice workshop held at Mnene High School in Mberengwa District, 1-5 September 2019. The workshop ran under the theme: Church Leaders Informed and Transformed for Transformation. The workshop had lessons on gender justice and skills for empowerment.
The following were some of the topics: Practical Life of a Pastor and Spouse In Applying Gender Justice, Marriage Enrichment, Gender Based Violence, Keeping the Personage Clean and Receiving Visitors, Hand Work & Detergents Making. This workshop successfully motivated pastors on gender justice matters. Pastors gained skills in detergents making. Pastors pledged to support gender justice issues as well as applying their skills for self reliance.
The ELCZ Central Diocese successfully held the National Revival which took place at Chegato High School in Mberengwa, from the 8th to the 11th of August 2019, under the theme “FRUITFULNESS John 15: 15-16”. Approximately 1300 Christians graced the occasion, with all the three dioceses fully represented. The attendance was great, considering the prevailing harsh economic environment which has seen transport costs sky rocketing beyond the reach of the majority of people...
We give glory to God for a blessing revival, as speakers rose to the occasion with glorifying messages. Once again, glory be to the LORD. We give thanks to the entire Chegato High School staff for the splendid job, they hosted with great passion and the food was good. We thank the Diakonia Stewardship and Evangelism Board which was responsible the preparations. The National Revival is an event which is held biannually and rotates among the three dioceses. Thank you.
The inception meeting for the recently adopted accounting computer system in the ducation Department.
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Taking photos after Baptism at Mnene Mission.
Left: Dean M Zhou and Rev L Mandinyenya leading the procession for Baptsim into the church
Right: People getting into the church for Baptism
Left: Central Diocesan Assembly 2020
Right: Bishop Sibanda and Dean Shumba following proceedings at Diocesan Assembly
Left: Ms Eny Mhaka who served the ELCZ for 34years signing handover-takeover forms at the diocese office.
Right: The new bookkeeper Ms Mutsikiwa
Left: Handover-Takeover
Right: Mr Tinashe Nhongo, the Finance Board Chair of the Central Diocese
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