Mathew 6:1-6, 16-21

The UCCSA Executive which will be held on 16-19 March 2015. The meeting will be held in Balaza Congregational Church, Inhambane Region, Mozambique.

The Executive members are expected to arrive on Monday 16th in the afternoon. The departure date is Friday 20th soon after breakfast. The synods are to present

written reports for all the standing committees; Ministeri-al, Finance and Mission Council. All the reports must reflect how each of the organs of the Church is seeking to live-out the theme of our denomination “Christ is Calling us; partic-ipating in suffering and struggle.” Kindly note that all re-ports that will be submitted after the 27th February will not be included in the book of reports. Members will be hosted by families and I would like to suggest that it might be a good thing to bring a little gift for your hosts. This way we can develop a culture of appreciation and hospitality that will hopefully spread thought the denomination.

UCCSA General Secretary ; Rev Alistair Arends

Newsletter Date: February 2015 Volume 1:Issue 2

Congregational Chronicle

Inside this issue:

Lenten Journey

Executive

Yes We Can

Churches To-gether for an Economy of Life

Stories from local churches

Invitation to a

pilgrimage and

Peace

Naming God in a Missional Congrega-

As we begin our Lenten journey, let us reflect on the reality that without God we

are nothing and to give thanks that God loved us into being. Let this be an oppor-

tunity to change what we ought to change but have not. Let this be about becom-

ing, doing and changing whatever it is that is blocking the fullness of life in us right

now. Let it be a summons to live anew. Let it be the time to let life in again, to re-

build the worlds we've allowed to go sterile, to "fast and weep and mourn" for the

goods we've foregone. If our own lives are not to die from lack of nourishment, we

must sacrifice the pride or the sloth or the listlessness that blocks us from begin-

ning again. It ought to be a self-emptying. It is learning again what it means to be

truly human, which is to worship God. Read this month’s articles and join the con-

versation. You can e-mail us at admin@uccsa.co.za or find us on Facebook at Con-

gregationalists (hyperlink)

Mthobisi Wellington Sibanda : UCCSA Communications Officer

We Can Do It, Yes we Can- By Rev Steve Titus( Former UCCSA General

J”I say that by the grace of God WE

CAN DO IT! The UCCSA can again become a

financially viable church.

Page 2 Congregational Chronicle

Recently we received a letter from our UCCSA General Secretary outlining the fi-nancial predicament in which our denomi-nation finds itself. I have since then paid an-other visit to our central office in Brixton and wish to report in just a few words that the situation is dire. Staff morale is at its lowest and our building in Caroline street is in a distressing state of disrepair. Our house

in Florida Glen is likewise dilapidated and deteriorating daily. And there is no money for repairs and maintenance. The UCCSA Executive is proposing that we increase our tithing with 2½%. The 2½% is to be paid directly to the UCCSA. This is theoretically a viable proposition, but will it ever be achieved in a constituency where so many local churches at present fail to pay the tithe, and where several churches do not state their full income? 12½% , by the way, is not a tithe, just as the 5 points goal in rugby is not a try. Many people will object that they are not able to increase their contributions in the way suggested. This is exactly what happened when I introduced the Executive’s proposal to the Samuels Memorial Congregational Church Council where I serve as act-ing minister. This is the alternative they suggested: For some time now we are taking two collections at every Sunday service. The first collection is for church funds. The second collection at communion services goes into our Poor Fund for the care of the aged and needy. The second collection on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays is for outreach work. Our church council has voted unanimously that these last named collections (for outreach) be paid direct-ly to our central office on a monthly basis from February 2015. This will mean that the S.A. Synod’s Planting the Seeds project will be losing out, but it is necessary that we reach out to where the need is most urgent. The Samuels Memorial congregation is sub-economic and their collections are small. So what would be the result if other bigger and economical strong-er churches in our denomination would do something similar? I say that by the grace of God WE CAN DO IT! The UCCSA can again become a financially viable church. Rev Steve Titus(Randfontein) For more detailed information on the statement you can e-mail us at ad-min@uccsa.co.za or gensec@uccsa.co.za find us on Facebook at Congregationalists (hyperlink).

Page 3

J

Churches Together for an Economy of Life: An African Initiative

John 10: 10: ‘I came so that they may have life and have it abundantly’ (RSV) Preamble As representatives of the CWM Africa region member churches, we have convened in Windhoek, Namibia from the 11-16 January 2015, to reflect upon the critical challenges of pervasive econom-ic, social and ecological injustice and widespread poverty which continues to devastate communi-ties and countries within our continent and the rest of the world. This gathering, being the first in a series of three colloquia on the economy of life within the Africa region, deliberated on and af-firmed the challenges highlighted in the Sao Paulo Statement, engaged with various presentations on the subject concerned, and undertook exposure visits to local community projects. Arising from this engagement the colloquium presents to our churches some of the more urgent and pressing challenges emanating from current global unjust systems that are shaping socio-political and economic environments. As an overall focus the gathering calls for a commitment towards a covenant process of ‘Churches Together for an Economy of Life: An African Initiative’. The Sao Paulo Statement – an Affirmation The Sao Paulo Statement which arises from a global ecumenical conference on a New Internation-al Financial and Economic Architecture (NIFEA), ‘seeks to engage the proponents of diverse pro-posals and solutions, set criteria and a framework and develop a plan of action towards construct-ing just, caring and sustaining global and economic structure’.The colloquium reflected critically on the overall message of the Statement, welcoming the theological, socio-political and economic affirmations contained therein. The colloquium further recognized that within the African con-text, particular attention needs to be paid to issues such as the wanton exploitation of natural re-sources; unjust tax and trade arrangements; land-grabbing; inequitable land distribution; capital flight; bad governance; lack of transparency in decision-making processes; brain-drain and sys-tems of indebtedness – all of which perpetuate grinding poverty, economic hardship and ecologi-cal destruction. Committing and Covenanting We commit and covenant to working together in: Advocacy that is evidence-based, grass-roots informed, prophetically inspired, ecumenically

supported and multifaceted in its approach Research on the root causes of the challenges concerned such as inequitable wealth distri-

bution and gender injustice. involvement of those communities most affected with the aim of, amongst other things, in-

fluencing policy makers. Celebrate and share stories of successful alternatives. Epilogue In prayerful humility and faith, we recognise our absolute dependence on the triune God in this undertaking designed to contribute to the on-going building of the Kin-dom of God. We recognise that we are partners with God, with God’s people and with all of God’s creation in the journey of transformation. We affirm that the poor and oppressed of this world should never be treated as objects of charity but as subjects of their own transformation in all initiatives and processes. We affirm our belief in the realisation of another world order in which justice, peace and the integrity of God’s creation becomes the lived reality This is a journey to which we wholeheartedly commit and joyfully covenant ourselves together with all of God’s creation. For more detailed information on the statement you can e-mail us at admin@uccsa.co.za or gen-sec@uccsa.co.za find us on Facebook at Congregationalists (hyperlink).

Stories from our local Churches-Rev Peter Anderson (Retired) Page 4

In the last newsletter we were told to be a Missional church and there must be Mis-sional transformation and somehow we must get some Missional DNA, and so on. What does this new word or concept mean? I would see Missional in this way. We are to link the gospel, the good news of Jesus for Salvation to practical caring as He did. He healed and fed the people, cared for women who were in trouble and scruffy kids on the streets. The good news must be illustrated in a practical way. This is what has happened over the years at East Claremont Congregational church. Some years ago the Sterrenburg family in the church bought a holiday cottage in Lamberts bay. They then noticed the abject poverty of the folk living there. There was simply no work for the vast majority of people. So they bought a huge trailer and started taking food and clothing and household goods to the people, and dis-tributing this through the Dutch reformed church. The church got involved and we put up a veggie tunnel to grow fresh food and then a jungle jim for the kids, work-ing with the DRC folk.We helped out with the local school providing bedding and stuff for the kids. All the time the DRC church shared the good news, with Ds Johan Phillips leading. Through contact with the social welfare, the ministry started spreading to other areas round Lamberts bay and continues to this day. The latest outreach is at Chatsworth near Malmesbury.Rev Grant Peers and our leadership got to work. Now the Local church could really get involved as we took food and other stuff to this township that is only about 40 km away. We worked with Adam and his wife a lovely Christian builder as we expanded his home to house a cre che for about 80 kids and facilities to cook for pensioners. We put in a borehole as the water sup-ply was unreliable and expensive. Again we put in a veggie tunnel, but there was still a great need for medical help. There are no doctors anywhere near this com-munity. Last year March we invited Rev Bob Naidoo, church of the Nazarene to lead a medi-

cal mission to this community over a long weekend. A medical team arrived from

the USA and together with members of Bobs church at Steenberg, we offered a clin-

ic and eye testing and free glasses. No one received medicine or glasses until they

had been to one of our counsellors to hear the good news for decision. More than

40 church members tried out their Afrikaans in counselling over the four days.

We ran a kids club in the yard surrounding the hall that we had hired for the occa-

sion so that the little ones could receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour. It is interesting

that when you reach out in love ,people are able to receive Jesus as Lord and Sav-

iour so much easier. You can see the gospel in action. This I believe is Missional.

When I race the Argus cycle tour, I take a first aid kit and tools, for I have discov-

ered that if you stop and give someone a hand, their ears are opened to the gospel,

so we can be missional in our personal lives as well.

An Invitation to the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace Page 5

“We intend to move together. Challenged by our experiences in Busan, we challenge all people of good will to engage their God-given gifts in transform-ing actions. This Assembly calls you to join us in pilgrimage. May the churches be communities of healing and compassion, and may we see the Good News so that justice will grow and God’s deep peace rest on the world.” – Message of the 10th Assembly The WCC 10th Assembly called the churches to join a pilgrimage of justice and peace. This call sets the direction for the WCC in the coming years. All WCC programmes aim to support the member churches and ecumenical partners to journey together, promoting justice and peace in our world as an expression of faith in the Triune God. Today the WCC focuses its work in three programme areas: Unity, Mission, and Ecumenical Relations, Public Witness and Diakonia, 3. Ecumenical Formation

The overall objectives of the Council for the coming period reflect basic di-mensions of a pilgrimage for justice and peace. These are:

Strengthening the fellowship: while walking and working together in the pilgrimage member churches and ecumenical partners experi-ence the gift of unity;

Witnessing together: while moving together churches and ecumenical

partners are able to advocate together for justice and peace; Encouraging spirituality, reflection and formation: while witnessing

together the fellowship is strengthened through building spirituality Building trust and understanding: while working together for justice

and peace, partnering with all ‘people of good will’ is needed; Inspiring and innovative communication: while journeying, witness-

ing, learning, and partnering, inspiring and innovative communica-tion is needed to become visibly effective.

Churches together and with their ecumenical partners, both in their own

context and cooperating internationally, will be the main actors of the pil-

grimage. Still, this pilgrimage is an invitation as well as an opportunity for

individuals, parishes, and communities to participate in the movement of

justice and peace. This process of transformation will include experience,

sharing, listening, praying, penance, witnessing, awareness-building, reflect-

ing and acting.

More information visit http://www.oikoumene.org/en

Ash Wednesday Reflection- Rev Dr Prince Dibeela( Former UCCSA G Secretary)

UCCSA Mission Council & Youth Executive Committee Members -February Meeting

Page 6 Newsletter Title

Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and penitence. Fast-

ing is the act of placing self-limitation upon oneself,

which includes denying oneself of food and all pleasures

of life. Jesus spent time in the desert fasting and away

from the comfort of family and friends. During that time

he wrestled with the devil and encountered all manner

of challenges and temptations. It is small wonder that

according to Mathews when he returns from the desert

he teaches about fasting. Jesus had observed that fasting

had become a mere ritual for many. They fasted in order to show the world their piety whilst in

actual fact they participated in evil deeds such as oppression of the poor and connivance with

the empire system. Some of the people who would have practiced fasting religiously could have

included people such as Zacchaeus, Nicodemus and Jairus. These are people Jesus later confronts

with his message of metanoia (repentance). Whilst Jesus does not condemn them he raises the

bar by arguing that true fasting should not be about a public display of what you are doing. Fast-

ing is about letting go of our preoccupation with the self. This text is a harsh critique of the

showmanship that is rampant in the modern church. Jesus says go in private when you pray, do

not seek to have the world see your piety or your religious gifts televised to the world. It is al-

lowing ourselves to go into that space where we can focus on qualitative relationships with our

neighbours and God.

NAMING GOD IN MISSIONAL CONGREGATIONS PARADIGM

Page 7

(The article is meant to challenge the missional congrega-tion as on of those theological gymnastics. You can en-gage the author sindisoj@yahoo.com the full article will presented to the Southern African Missiological Society {SAMS} annual conference 2015) It is in this context of missional Congregations that the human kind not only name God, but make a reflection on their participation in the missio dei and His salfivic plan.

Naming God in the poverty: Naming God challenges the tradition theology of the voice of the voiceless as absolute and against the Jesus Christ mission paradigm. The Jesus Christ mission paradigm was framed on the discourse of empowerment, giving those without voices their own voices and language. It argues that if missional congregations paradigm takes ones experiences as an expression of the relationship with God, therefore the poor must name God from their on language and voice. Naming God in the context of the empire” The concept of naming God is the opposite of the princi-ples of the Empire, whose political ideologies are but a program to see a poor and submissive community that will keep them in power and thus create a dependent on the system, with no program to empower them. The empire has taken away a polite and progressive voice of the poor and replaced it with the language of violence in service delivery protest. Naming God is contextual: The men, all must be able to recognize God in their context. The name do not always reflect the person’s assumed character of God, but how that character is perceived in a particular life setting. It argues that the poor, the oppressed, women and children, must fight the element of timidity and the gospel of the voice of the voiceless. It is through the lack of the voice that the Empire would name God on their behalf because they do not have the language to extract the name of God though they have the experience as the bases of naming. Therefore naming God is important in missional congregations paradigm as it refuses to accept poverty and social asymmetry as legitimate natural phenomena; it declares war on economic vandalism that has caused immiseration of the people of the world, creating stateless African in Africa (economic and political refugees) and that negates the positive principle of naming God. Rev Sindiso Jele

UPDATE NO. 1 The 38th Assembly of UCCSA will be held 19-25 August, 2015 at Windhoek, Namibia. The Assembly will be hosted by the Namibia Synod. Registration fee will be announced after the Executive Meeting. This biennial Assembly will bring together delegates from Botswana, Mozambique, Na-mibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. It is a special time of cel-ebration and worship for the whole church. The UCCSA President, Rev Phillip Strydom, will preside over the Assembly. President-Elect, Rev Mosweu Simane of Bot-swana, who was elected in 2013 will be inducted as Presi-dent of the UCCSA. The Assembly Planning Committee con-tinues the preparations for this year’s Assembly and contin-ues to request your prayers. Pray and plan with them by honouring special prayer on Sundays. Friends we thank you for remembering in your prayers the various meetings and activities for 2015 of the Denomina-tion, Synods and Regions; as well as the activities in your Local Churches. The upcoming denominational events to remember and pray for include: March 2015 16-19 UCCSA Executive (Mozambique) 21- Namibia Day 21 -Human Rights Day 29 -Palm Sunday 30 -Start of Holy Week

We want to here more stories from our local churches, Regions

and Synods on the next issue. As we look back over the years to-

gether in the UCCSA, we are profoundly thankful to God for the

way in which he has led us and for his power enabling us to walk

with him and with one another “according to all that he has made

known to us or will make known to us. We are so grateful to

those who have led the UCCSA at Denominational, Synodical, Re-

gional and local levels. Their vision, enthusiasm, courage, faith

and hard work have made it possible for us to celebrate this un-

ion with joy and forward-looking hope. Together we are THE

people of God, his worshippers, His workers and His witnesses in

the Church and in the world. We are dependent on Christ and on

one another and it is that INTERDEPENDENCE which has charac-

terised our life together in the UCCSA.

UCCSA Communications Officer Wellington

Rev Alistair Arends The General Secretary Email:gensec@uccsa.co.z a Rev Kudzani Ndebele Media Liason Officer Mr Wellington Mthobisi Sibanda Communications Officer Email: wellosa-cha@yahoo.com Tel: +27 11 837 9997 Fax: +27 11 837 2570 Email: tel-lus.uccsa@gmail.com Website: www.uccsa.co.za

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