That is why Shakespeare’s “Parting is such sweet sorrow,” makes great oxymoronic sense as I prepare to answer a call to full-time ministry in the United Methodist Church. I find sweet sorrow in leaving Rochester and the Democrat and Chronicle. The sorrow stems from leaving behind friends and colleagues of the last 15 years. The grief emanates from that missed phone call that was never returned, that lunch date that was cancelled, that chance to meet that did not materialize. The sweet oozes from that cherished letter, card or phone call to express gratitude about a story or a column.
For 15 years here, I have tried in different roles to highlight the global nature of today’s world. When Sept. 11, 2001, attacks occurred, we were able to put in the hands of our readers a newspaper at noon, barely three hours after the attack, educating our community about the rest of the world. Through internationalization of local stories and localization of international stories, I strived to help Rochester understand the world better.
Here at the Democrat and Chronicle, I served in various capacities and led several projects, including the revamping the Diversity Committee; leading the creation of the first-ever Ethics Code for the National Association of Black Journalists; founding the Rochester Association of Black Journalists and starting the Multimedia Academy for high school students studying journalism, which was instrumental in helping the Democrat and Chronicle be recognized by Gannett Inc. as the front-runner in reflecting the diversity of the community in staffing, outreach and coverage.
Where do I go from here? Answering God’s call to serve full time would be my humble way of thanking God for the many blessings showered on me and my family. For the last 20 years or so, journalism has been my religion, but now religion becomes my journalism.
Maybe the only word that can capture my gratitude to Rochester is: Natotela. (“Thank you” in Bemba — my language from Zambia.)
Mulenga, a native of Zambia, has been appointed director of communications for the Upper New York Area of the United Methodist Church. He will be based in Syracuse.
[Rochester Democrat & Chronicle]
congratulations ba Mulenga, ebwaume ubu. we need more of such. just like mr Pardon Mwansa who is the vice president of a global church of SDA with membership close to 11million. its nice to read about such progress in the international media instead of ministers shooting but no arrest made, 400 designer shoes by a short president, Zambian president breaks traveling record in 3yrs, Zambian woman found with cocaine in the vagina etc. we are just tired of bad stories please. give us a break
#1: I can appreciate your frustrations regarding the FTJ criminality but satirizing his height is unacceptable. This is an attribute he did not call on himself. You are sending kudos to a person who has ascended to some heights in religious circles yet in the same breathe you say the most unreligious thing one can think of. This is the kind of mentality that reigning in the politicians that you have done a good job condemning.
#2: I can’t appreciate your overprotectionist stance on FTJ over what #1 stated.
Maidstone? The dad worked for minestone? these are the names bembas call amashina ya ku chipata.
Way to go Maidstone,,,,, God guide and bless…
am not concerned about his height at all, that is not something he can control but on his stealing of our cash to buy himself closes as expensive as 5000 pounds a pair. this is ridiculous. am not going to apologize to a thief and if you are his brother, then to hell with your sympathy. we know the boutique where he used to spend money on. this short man is a thief. finish. take it or leave it, london judgement is there to justify this cause. chinyama is another idio.t that accepted to be influenced by rupiya to let chiluba go scot free. bonse fye fi colour fyenu.
All the best Maidstone. Hey we had such a nice moment at Evelyn Hone in the mid-80z.
Go further, Maidstone. Ichibemba achiti:”ababombesha e muchele wa chalo”.
could this be the gentleman who used to act with the late Greg Lungu from Ndeke sec school? surely Mr Mulenga this is encouraging, we are fed up with plunderers, wife grabbing and snipers stories.
Thanks guys. I did not know that this was published here. I wrote that column for my newspaper. Yes, I am the same guy who used to act with the late Graig Lungu. It is a blessing to be able to serve God at such a global level. Blessings to all.
Whoever must have composed or made this website should be a professional in this area of knowledge.