By the Rev. Bill Marx
(Adapted from Roseleaf, Newsletter of Santa Rosa First UMC)

Santa Rosa -- January 19, 2006

Connection between the Methodist Annual Conference in Angola and the California-Nevada Annual Conference began in the mid-19th century. The Rev. William Taylor was the first Methodist Bishop to California in 1848 and was also the first Methodist Bishop of Angola from 1885 to 1896.

Their development paths were quite different. California is the most populated state in the U.S. Angola is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. Methodism has not flourished to its potential in the California-Nevada Conference, which could be attributed to comfortable and affluent economic conditions and its political stability. Angola has seen almost no stability in its modern history, creating an atmosphere of widespread upheaval and religious fervor. In a nation with all Christian denominations experiencing an incredible zeal and growth, the followers of the United Methodist faith represent the second largest and fastest growing denomination.

From the time the Portugese first stepped on Angolan soil in 1482 (ten years before Columbus "discovered" America) until the early 2000s, Angola has known little peace. Portugal held Angola as a penal colony and warred against its indigenous tribes. Angola was the largest source of forced slave labor in the history of the world. Most recently there were 26 years of civil war (1976-2002).

When the American Council of Bishops was asked to partner with African conferences, our Bishop Beverly Shamana agreed upon West Angola, as no other Annual Conference was adopting this forgotten land. We have now had two UMVIM (Volunteers in Mission) teams go to Angola to investigate needs and implement activities of assistance.