| |
| |
 |
Media |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
News |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
Message to the Church |
| |
We came from the five member countries of the UCCSA family and gathered for the work of the Executive in Windhoek, Namibia. We were warmly welcomed by the people of Namibia under the able leadership of brothers Jimmy Heyman, Chris De Wee and the team with which they work.
The UCCSA Officers, as has become custom, led in advance with a visit to the land of Namibia. They went to Osire Refugee Camp, about 300kms north of Windhoek. The Camp is home to refugees mostly from Angola; however, there are others from Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe. The Officers could not evade the reality of pain and suffering even beneath the brave faces and smiles of the people at Osire Refugee Centre.
This experience was a reminder that we live and do the Mission of God under huge challenges to our faith, in the midst of suffering and struggle. The people of Osire welcomed our Officers with jubilation, praise and a guard of honour. Despite the harsh conditions of being far from home and living on the edge of mainstream life, the people of Osire continue to sing the Lord’s song!
Besides Osire Camp the Officers also visited the Windhoek and Rehoboth churches. They celebrated grandparents’ day with these communities and shared in the work and witness of these local churches.
We took part and immersed ourselves in worship that was led by members of the Executive Committee. We were challenged through the Bible studies that were the basis of our days together. The first one focused on Healing and obstacles to mission while the second one focused on Transformation through God’s grace. The final one focused on Accountability.
With such a foundation laid for the day, we rose into each day’s business having enthused ourselves with the word and felt the presence of God as we deliberated on the business.
|
| |
|
| |
From the reports of the ministries, committees and commissions we were confronted with some very troubling issues such as: |
| |
- A culture of conflict threatening to tear our church apart
- Poverty for the majority of our people
- The strikes or threat of strikes and their impact on society, especially the education of the children of the poorest
- A sense of insularity and intolerance that seems to be creeping into some of our communities and countries.
- The failure of our governments to offer just wages to workers
|
| |
|
| |
We also noticed the uplifting moments of the meeting, such as: |
| |
- The incisive reflection from the General Secretary’s address
- The vision of the upcoming Kuruman House of Ministerial Formation
- Children’s participation in Holy Communion
- The unrelenting attraction of building a justice church that reaches out in loving service and care for the environment
- The vision of re-structuring of the structure and work of the UCCSA.
|
| |
|
| |
As we depart from Windhoek, after three days of intense work, done under the leadership of the President, Rev H Pillay, we do so happy to have achieved the work set before us. However, it is the follow-up work that needs to be done in order for our missional goals to be achieved. We leave this land assured and convinced that it cannot be ‘business as usual’ any longer as we stand at crossroads as church.
Our thanks go to the synod of Namibia for providing the space and hospitality for such a successful meeting. May the blessing of God be with us all. |
| |
|
| |
[Back to other news ] |
| |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
Social Media |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
| |
| Devotional |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
