Diversity Forum

(Monthly On Wednesdays)

September 24, 25     Abraham Waya

The Reverend Dr. Abraham Waya made his way from Nigeria to Moscow to study and receive his PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Military Sciences.  Because of regime change in Nigeria, Dr. Waya was not able to return to his home and chose instead to come to the United States and to enroll in Boston University where he received the Master of Divinity degree and ThD (Doctor of Theology).  He is ordained and serving in the United Methodist Church.

October 22, 23     Lehlohonolo Henrietta Montjane

Born in Soweto, South Africa, The Reverend Lehlohonolo Henrietta Montjane grew up under apartheid which had a significant impact on her race, gender, and class.  Moving to the United States, Henrietta attended college and returned home where she served as the Director of Human Resources with the South African Postal Service.  Currently Rev. Montjane is ordained and is serving the United Methodist Church in New England.  In her free time, she is finishing a PhD in Social Work and continues to be active in ministries of social justice and equality.

November 19, 20     Effie McClain

The Reverend Effie Elizabeth McClain was born in Atascadero, California and later moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina.  After finishing high school, she attended Appalachian State University in which she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.  She is a graduate of Boston University School of Theology and an ordained Elder in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.  She has taught at Bennett College for Women, a traditional UMC school and has served her annual conference in many different venues.  She is a proponent for social justice and the rights of all people.  Rev. McClain believes that the love of God transcends an individual's station in life regardless of how much or how little they have, the color of their skin, the language they speak, who or whom they love, or the lands from which they come.  Currently, Rev. McClain is honored to be serving two churches in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that gives her opportunity to be in ministry with different racial communities and still proclaim the gospel of Christ.

January 28, 29     Hailani Chan-Williams

The Reverend Hailani Chan-Williams has varied experiences in the life of faith.  Growing up in New York City, he was a singer with the Harlem Boys Choir.  As an undergraduate student, Rev. Chan-Williams was a member of the Nation of Islam (Black Muslims in America)  where he worked for community action and social change.  This passion for change led Rev. Chan-Williams to a different tradition.  Now ordained in the United Methodist Church and having served as the Director of Community Relations at Marsh Chapel, Boston University, Rev. Chan-Williams is known for building communities of faith from the ground up.  Currently he is serving as Community Director with the South Florida Urban Ministries.

March 25, 26     Alex Musoke

The Reverend Dr. Alex Kasirye-Musoke grew up in Uganda and traveled to England to study at the London School of Economics where he met his wife who is now deceased.  Together they had eight children and spent a lot of time living and working between England, Kenya, and Uganda.  After immigrating to Canada, Dr. Musake was ordained in the Anglican Church through which he served both rural and urban communities in the Province of Ontario.