Written by Daisy Dube
Monday 8 February 2010
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) has proved her commitment to gender equity when her Central Diocese inducted Rev LA Kasper as the Dean of Soweto Circuit, the Diocese’s biggest Circuit on 7th February 2010 at an event that was attended by hundreds of well-wishers from across the country and beyond. Dean Kasper is the Diocese’s first female ever to be elected to this office. She joins her two colleagues in the Botswana Diocese and one in the Northern Diocese.
Dean Kasper was elected by the Soweto Circuit Meeting on 12th September 2009 under the recently Amended Constitution of the Church. She has been in the ministry for 7years and been described as a person who “truly has a pastor’s heart.” She has the welfare of the people at heart and really made inroads in the development and improvement of the people’s lives. Through her strong believe in collective leadership, her Circuit has seen more positive changes that she, her team of pastors and the lay leaders have brought about and her vision for 2010 is Healing and Transformation.”
She has been in the forefront of women empowerment, Christian Education and the HIV/AIDS battlefield. She is the Secretary of the LUCSA Female Theologians Forum that serves the Southern Africa Region. She is playing an important role in the fight against HIV and AIDS and brings with her a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of the Diakonia Ministry. She is working closely with the youth in her Circuit in the fight against HIV and AIDS. The newly elected Dean sees her position as a platform to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS, poverty, human trafficking for commercial sex and crime.
Bishop Dr NP Phaswana, who conducted the service, displayed his pleasure at the progress that the Church is making by responding positively to gender equity and women empowerment. He however indicated that more still need to be done to meet the quota as expected by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). During his charge, the Bishop encouraged Dean Kasper as the good shepherd to stay committed and continue focusing on the proclamation of the gospel. He further called for mutual respect and urged her colleagues and congregants to support her.
Delivering the sermon after her induction, Dean Kasper set the house on
fire, echoed the words of Bishop Phaswana telling the congregants that they are all called and are set apart for a purpose. She urged the congregants to heed God’s call, have a relationship with Him and work for Him while time still permits. She encouraged the congregants to be visible by faith and deeds to contribute to a better world for all.
The Dean expressed her humble gratitude to her colleagues and congregants for showing their confidence in her. “I acknowledge that I did not get here by myself and that I could not have reached this point without the support of my colleagues and congregants, I am much humbled” she said. This assertive woman of faith said she enjoys a healthy relationship and support of her colleagues. It was obvious that she was looking forward to working with her team in her diverse Circuit.
