Congregational

Chronicle
UCCSA : Youth Edition

Newsletter Date: June 2015

#BlackLivesMatter. This is Not a Moment, but a Movement

Inside this issue:

#Black-

#IAM76
#BlackLivesMatter
beyond a social
media hash tag

Nominations

BDS press
statement
UCCSA Youth

LivesMatter.

WCC Executive 5

News Brief

67

Land Issue

An overwhelming grotesque display of the current events of police brutality,

racial discrimination, and also the outcries for social and political justice led
to an inevitable standstill between minority and the people that protect and
serve "in the USA . These
horrid cases of racial profiling and stereotypical opinion
has evoked an alarming rate
of people of color to have a
strong sense of urgency to
produce social consciousness
amongst the world. However,
the only question was at the
moment, whats next? What
would be the defining moment to overturn the negativity that people hear in
the media? The answer to that would be the infamous movement of
#BlackLivesMatter, which was created in 2012 after Trayvon Martins murderer, George Zimmerman, was acquitted for his crime, and dead 17-year old
Trayvon was tragically placed on trial for his own murder. When people say
#BlackLivesMatter they are not dismissing the truth that #AllLivesMatter
they are standing for lives not usually included in All.
I have chosen to use this logo as part of our June youth month Chronicle reflections. I use it with its original wording because it is a statement of solidarity and support for this important struggle. It does carry with it however a responsibility to represent it faithfully and with the political perspective that
conceived it. This movement is a part of the struggle for fundamental change
in our society but its primary character must remain the struggle for the democratic rights and humanity of African American people. Never has there been
a moment in American history more honourable and more inspiring than the
pilgrimage of men and women, children and adults, of every race, gender expression, class, and faith pouring into public spaces to die-in and live-out the
American dream: We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are
created equal. We are the leaders of the new movement, and Dr King would
expect for us to be great
Wellington Mthobisi SibandaUCCSA Communications Officer

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#IAM76 - June 16 beyond a social media hash tag

"None of us are free until all of us are free"

UCCSA and the nation at large spent the day remembering all those brave young people who took to the
streets of Soweto June 16 1976 to protest unequal education. They forged a new path and the whole continent today also celebrate this day as, "The day of an African child". Thousands of children across the
African continent are married before they turn 18. This has to STOP! June 16 2015 was a day we recalled
the events of 1976 with great admiration for the bravery and contribution of the class of '76 and on that
day we challenged the youth to
go to school, college and university to acquire skills that they
would use for their advancement
and the development of our countries, the continent and the
world.

The SACC is driven by the gospel of

Jesus Christ who was a baby-refugee
with his parents in Africa;

June 16 is our day ,bequeathed to

us by our fore parents, and may
our prayer be ,"May all who come
behind us find us faithful" .

The parallels between June 16 1975 and June 16 2015 and #Black Lives Matters now and then, are quite
startling and downright discouraging when viewed through a progressive lens; and yet theres hope in
history. Our past informs our present, and history tells us that before we can cure cancer, we must first
identify and address its symptoms. The greatest accomplishment of apartheid/slavery was not what it
did to the people physically, but what it did to them mentally. If people knew they were slaves, they
wouldnt have been slaves for as long as they were. Mental subjugation breeds internalized oppression
and internalized oppression permeates generations .The whips and chains have changed, but the slavery/
apartheid is still the same. Every time the brutalization of a black and brown body is justified by 5 words,
I feared for my life fear is repurposed. Whips become (un)lawful brutality by militarized law enforcement; chains become the criminal (in)justice system, but
the slave remains the same.
On 25 March 1965, Martin Luther King, Jr. led thousands
of nonviolent crusaders to the completion of a 54-mile
pilgrimage from Selma to Montgomery. The march,
which King described as a shining moment in the conscience of man, was the culmination of a three-month
campaign to eliminate African American disenfranchisement in Alabama.
WCC Youth Executive member Ulysses Burley III after
watching Selma said this I thought I knew what to expect when I took my seat in the movie theatre on the
opening night of Selma, but I was wrong. I didnt expect for Selma to feel like yesterday. I didnt expect the
image of unabated violence against black bodies by law enforcement in 1965 to resonate yet and still in
2015. I didnt expect wed still be marching for equal rights under the law for people of colour. I certainly
didnt expect yet another small U.S. city would be the epicentre of such a big movement to combat racial
inequality and injustice in America. -

Page 3

Congregational Chronicle

Assembly Nominations-Letter from the General Secretary

08 June 2015
To All: Synod Secretaries ;Regional Secretaries ;Local Churches
Dear Colleagues and Friends
Dear Colleagues and Friends In the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, I greet you all from
the UCCSA Central Office. I am writing this letter as an urgent appeal to all courts of the church to
please let the Assembly election process be a serious and prayerful experience. There are SMSs going
around suggesting to Regions whom they should nominate. I have become aware of this as I have
been copied into one of these SMSs (probably by mistake) and others have also informed me of similar messages received by them. This behaviour is highly unethical and against the guidelines of our
nomination procedures. It is difficult to trace the perpetrators as the messages come from a private
number. Please let us not make a mockery of this very important process in the life of our church. Do
not allow anyone to influence your decisions as regions or Synod as to whom you want to nominate.
Let us be led by the Holy Spirit as to who the people are God want to use to lead the UCCSA at a time
like this. Regards
Thanking You.
Rev. Alistair Arends
UCCSA General Secretary

Reminder to the UCCSA Executive Committee Members

DATES AND VENUE
The 38th Assembly of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa will be held
From Wednesday 19th to Tuesday 25th August 2015, at Windhoek High School, Namibia.
The pre-assembly Executive meeting
will commence on Wednesday 19th August 2015. The Assembly itself will
commence on Thursday 20th August
2015 and will conclude with the closing service at 19h00 on Tuesday 25th
August 2015.
ASSEMBLY AGENDA/REPORTS
Items for the agenda of the Assembly
and Reports to the Assembly should
reach the Office of the Secretariat not
later than 26th June 2015.

Items not submitted in writing will not be placed on the agenda of the Assembly.
Your co-operation in these matters will be appreciated.
Yours in Christ
Rev. Alistair Arends
General Secretary

UCCSA : Youth Edition

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BDS PRESS STATEMENT: Israeli settlers attack historic Church where Jesus broke bread
19 June 2015
The human rights and Palestine solidarity organisation BDS South Africa condemns yesterdays attack by 16 Jewish Israeli settlers on the Church of Multiplication of Loaves and Fish. Any attack on a religious site is unacceptable but this Israeli attack on a historic site of such importance to Palestinian Christians and Christianity more generally is reprehensible.
The Church of Multiplication of Loaves and Fish near the Sea of Galilee in Palestine-Israel is on the site
where Christians believe Jesus Christ performed the biblical miracle of feeding 5000 people with five loaves and
two fish. The Church stands in the destroyed Palestinian
village of al-Tabigha, ethnically cleansed of its indigenous Palestinian inhabitants by Israeli forces in the
1948 Nakba. The village is where Jesus is said to have
plied his trade as a carpenter.
According to reports, the church building suffered extensive damage, with the roof partly collapsed and stone
walls charred. Several members of the clergy suffered
smoke inhalation, and one 80-year-old monk was reportedly hospitalised. Several bibles and prayer books
were also destroyed. Some Israeli officials have criticised the attacks, however, analysts are skeptical suggesting that no action will be taken against the Israeli settlers. Richard Silverstein, an online writer commented that: "In any other country the assault
would be dealt with severely. It would not be tolerated. In Israel, its not only tolerated - by refusing to
investigate or punish the crimes - Israel [also] encourages them. Can you imagine if a Palestinian exploded a bomb that destroyed the Kotel [Jewish Western Wall]? What would happen? The [Israeli] State
would turn itself inside out till it found the perpetrator/s and hed either be shot dead on sight or spend
the rest of his life behind bars...But, you see theres a double standard for Palestinians. Jews are born with
a 'get out of jail free card.' Palestinians are born with a 'shoot on sight' card. Of course, the usual suspects
(prime minister [Benjamin Netanyahu], [Israel's] president, etc.) will express their shock and horror.
Theyll promise the culprits will be brought to justice. They claim this doesnt represent the views of the
mass of Israeli Jews. But their subsequent inaction will speak volumes about their real views.
Silverstein further added that: "No Israeli media outlet will call this what it is: an act of terror. It is a hate
crime. Just as there is anti-Semitism among non-Jews, there is both Islamophobia and anti-Christian hate
among many Israeli Jews. Lets not pretend otherwise. "Israeli settlers have increasingly been launching
attacks on Palestinian Muslim and Christian holy sites. Earlier this year, a Palestinian mosque was set on
fire in a village near Bethlehem, with the Star of David and the word revenge painted on one of the
walls. Last year, Israeli attackers defaced a Palestinian Catholic church in Jerusalem, daubing the
words, Jesus is garbage.
Last years in Israels attacks on the Palestinian Gaza Strip, Israeli missile fire destroyed a Catholic
school for disabled children, along with the parish priest's office and other church facilities. A primary
healthcare clinic run by the Near East Council of Churches (NECC) and funded by Christian Aid was also
destroyed by Israeli missile fire. Previously Israel also damaged the Gaza Baptist Church.
Senior member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Dr. Hanan
Ashrawi, strongly denounced the Israeli settler attack of the historic church saying: This is an outcome
of racist ideologies, and constant incitement, as well as the discriminatory laws of Israelthis is yet another example how Israelis act with impunity, without fearing any legal prosecution.
The sixteen Jewish Israeli settlers who were taken in by authorities for the attack were released later the
same day due to lack of evidence".
ISSUED BY KWARA KEKANA ON BEHALF OF BDS SOUTH AFRICA.

Page 5

UCCSA Youth Ministry Brochure

Page 6

WCC Executive Committee releases statement on Armenian genocide

11 June 2015
Denial, impunity and the failure to remember such events encourage their repetition. This warning was
issued by the WCC executive committee in a public issues statement on the Armenian genocide of the early 20th century. Meeting in Armenia from 7 to 12 June at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, home to the
Armenian Apostolic Church, the 20-member committee paid its respects to this years commemoration of
the 100th anniversary of the tragedy.
The statement was read aloud by WCC moderator Dr Agnes Abuom at a public service of remembrance
in Yerevan on 10 June and shared by WCC leadership in a meeting with the president of the Republic of
Armenia on the same day. "The WCC has played a key role over many years in accompanying the Armenian church in speaking out and working for recognition of the genocide, and for appropriate responses
to the genocides continuing impacts on the Armenian people, the statement reads in part. The executive committee concludes, In this centenary year, we call the international community, the WCCs member churches and all people of faith and good will to remembrance, and to re-commit to the prevention of
genocide and all crimes against humanity.

25th African Union Summit

Agenda 2063 : Towards a paradigm shift

Africa must do things very differently to take advantage of the current momentum towards 2063.In order to achieve the African
Unions vision of An Integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in
the global arena, significantly more action is still required on a number of fronts. Aiming to encourage discussion among all
stakeholders, Agenda 2063 is an approach to how the continent should effectively learn from the lessons of the past, build on
the progress now underway and strategically exploit all possible opportunities available in the immediate and medium term, so
as to ensure positive socioeconomic transformation within the next 50 years.

UCCSA : Youth Edition

Page 7

UCCSA WOMENS FELLOWSHIP CONFERENCE

UCCSA Women's Fellowship Conference took
place at Weiss Memorial Service .Rev Yolanda Willemse brought the message, also in attendance
was the Algoa Region Combined Choir as well as
the Praise and Worship teams of Bethesda and
Weiss. We also want to wish Mrs Barbara Berkatt
(UCCSA DWF President) and Shirley Loff (UCCSA
DWF Secretary) and the entire committee a job
well done during their tenure

Dancing in the Babylon: a journey of hope

The Council for World Mission (CWM) Meeting was held from
the 13th -18th June and this was attended by the Directors of the
31 member-churches.Rev Alistair Arends represented the UCCSA
The Opening Worship for the Council Meeting of the Council for World Mission (CWM) was held on14th June
2015. This was hosted by the Falmouth United Church, of the United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands at Trelawney, Jamaica. In the sermon delivered by Rev Samuel Tiavelea, CWM Moderator, he enjoined that this year's theme required us that as Christians -- despite the odds and circumstances -- need
to dance to tell the stories to affirm the power of God in our midst and His love for us.

CWM Face to Face Programme

India
rd
3 October 16th November 2015
To apply for this Programme, you must be a student preparing for ministry and must not be already ordained

Interested applicants may contact the General Secretary of the Denomination Church or the Principal
of the Theological College. Application forms may also be downloaded from the CWM website at:
www.cwmission.org. You may also contact Sudipta Singh, Programme Secretary for Empowerment
and Training at (email): empowerment@cwmission.org. Duly completed application must be submitted via email at the above-mentioned email address or at hard copy to this address:
Deadline of application is on 15 July 2015.

Page 8

Emmanuel AME Church reopens with display of faith, hope and unity

On the evening of June 17, 2015, a mass shooting took place at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in
downtown Charleston, South Carolina, United States. The church is one of the United States' oldest black churches and has long been a site for community organization around civil rights. Nine people were killed, including the
Senior Pastor, Clementa C. Pinckney, a state senator. A tenth victim was also shot, but survived. In the immediate
aftermath, police sought a white male, later identified as Dylann Roof, who was captured the morning after the attack in Shelby, North Carolina. The United States Department of Justice is investigating the possibility that the
shooting was a hate crime or an act of domestic terrorism, among other scenarios.

Everyday it is becoming
hard to focus with so
much tragedy. The feeling of hopelessness is
overwhelming and infuriating!! When does it
stop?
A remarkable display of
joy, sorrow and trust,
worshippers at Emanuel
AME Church on Sunday
morning honoured slain
parishioners by celebrating the power of faith and community. When a woman sang Jesus Said You Can Lean on Me, joined by a
young trumpet player and the church choir, the building shook. Worshippers clapped and danced and cried. It
was hard to ignore the message: strength comes in numbers and healing begins in the cradle of community.
The Rev. Norvell Goff, presiding elder of the AME Churchs Edisto District, which includes Mother Emanuel,
stepped into the pulpit. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice, he said, and everyone was on
their feet, applauding again. The service was uplifting, demonstrating grace forgiveness & love are the antidote to hate. Rev Norvell Goff's gave a moving sermon from Psalm 46 which is a sermon on its own .After this
service it's clear why Emmanuel AME is called Mother Emanuel. That's a mother's love right there -"When the
battle of life is over, may we all hear 'well done.
He did not avoid speaking about the Wednesday night shooting, asking on this Fathers Day that all should
remember that nine families require love and support. He celebrated the way Charleston has come together,
and he offered thanks to civic leaders present and to the members of law enforcement who have shown the
church great respect. A lot of people expected us to do something strange and break out in a riot, Goff said.
Well, they just dont know us.
He called on those in attendance to remain vigilant against bigotry and hold elected officials accountable.
The blood of the Mother Emmanuel 9 requires us to
work until not only justice (is served) in this case, but for
those who are still living in the margin of life, those who
are less fortunate than ourselves, that we stay on the battlefield until there is no more fight to be fought, he said.
And for that we say thank you.
Photo Credit : Worshippers fill the pews at Emanuel AME Church on Sunday morning
after the church reopened for the first service after pastor and state Sen. Clementa Pinckney and eight others were slain Wednesday night during a Bible study at the historic black
Charleston church.STAFF/MELISSA BOUGHTON

UCCSA : Youth Edition

Page 9

The Isililo/Manyano/Bomme will be having their bi-annual conference in Mosi-Oa-Tunya (The smoke
that thunders) Victoria Falls Zimbabwe 6-9th August 2015.

Members of the UCCSA Executive visited the grave of

Rev Asserone Listure
The UCCSA Executive took time from their meeting to pay their respect to the late Rev .Asserone
Litsure.The prayer session was led by the UCCSA President Rev Phillip Strydom who conveyed condolences to the Listure family and the Mozambique Synod on behalf of the UCCSA
In one of the previous General Secretary
address at the Executive meeting that
was held in Mozambique ,he said Over
the years the Mozambique Synod has
had many ambassadors who have represented them well in the wider structures
of the Church. But one person that we all
remember with fondness is the Rev.
Asserone Litsure who was always reminder that we have a family in Mozambique. He has been honoured by the
church, by being enlisted in the UCCSA
Roll of Honour, for his many years of diligent and faithful ministry.
I mention him here-because I am convinced that had it not been for his outstanding ministry and
continued participation at denominational levels
that we could have easily forgotten our churches
in this country. But he was always there and as a
result here we are meeting in the 36th Assembly of
our beloved church.

We pray that God's love continually shepherd him and

God's peace which surpasses all understanding will
continue to guard over his soul, his family and entire
UCCSA.

THE LAND ISSUE AN OPEN LETTER

As a group of concerned Christians in Tshwane, who gather regularly to reflect on contemporary and critical
socio-political issues such as xenophobia, injustice, inequality, corruption, and violence, the ongoing challenges related to the redistribution of land has been particularly exercising our minds. With regard to the need for
fair and equitable redistribution of land, we take note of 2 quotes: Firstly, The earth is the Lords (Ps 24:1).
And secondly, When the missionaries came, we had the land and they had the Bible. They said, Close your
eyes and let us pray. When we opened our eyes again, they had the land and we had the Bible (old saying
among Black Theologians). The above quotes reminded us how intimately we Christians and churches are
inextricably linked with the critical issues of distribution and redistribution of land. Christian missionaries,
for instance, were historically often intimately involved in cases of alienation of land, while some older
churches may still own large tracts of land alienated from the traditional owners during the colonial era.
We are well aware of the complexities of the issue, as well as ongoing consultations and discussions. We recognize that the national government is engaged in attempts to address the challenge. We are also acutely
aware of how important stake-holders, such as the original inhabitants in this country, are being marginalized
in the equation. Moreover we have taken note that many land owners, such as commercial farmers organized
in agricultural unions, have expressed their willingness to co-operate in attempts to solve the problem. It is
for these and other reasons that we wish to call upon fellow Christians and fellow South African citizens to
engage more fully in the debate. We are particularly concerned that churches are not on the forefront of the
engagement, especially given the fact their historical involvement with this issue. In the light of our conviction
that the earth belongs to God in the first instance, such a passivity and absence of meaningful engagement on
the part of Gods people is morally and theologically indefensible.
Before 1994 many individual Christians as well as some churches were strongly involved with the struggle
against apartheid for a just, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society. Why are so many of those Christian
voices so quiet now about this huge injustice in our beloved land? There is, after all, little doubt that unjust
distribution of land is indeed an injustice. We are of the view therefore that the issue of land in South Africa
constitutes another kairos moment in our collectively journey. By ignoring this urgent crisis and opportunity
we are doing so at our peril. We feel that it is not too far-fetched to sound the prophetic alarm that the negotiated settlement of 1994 can break apart upon this rock.
We do not pretend to know all the facts, understand all the issues, or have the solutions. We believe however
that it is incumbent upon us to speak out, and at the very least, to engage fully in the debate on a compelling
matter of national, regional and local concern. Many landless people, for example, are not agitating for access
to land in order to get rich quickly; neither are they necessarily inspired by a desire for revenge or for
driving whites into the sea. They are simply longing for a safe and secure dwelling place for them and their
children. We are as such disturbed by an uncaring and callous attitude among more well-off citizens (white
and black) who often wish to justify themselves by claiming that they have not achieved ownership of land
illegally, and therefore have nothing to repent from, answer for, or effect restitution. Against the background
of our capitalist colonialist history such lack of compassion for people who are homeless and landless should
shame us all.
It is to be note that informed observers predicted already in the 1980s that the redistribution of land would
be the litmus test for any settlement in South Africa, a bigger problem than the sharing of political power.
Whilst the open letter is addressed to all parties concerned, we speak especially to our Christian brothers and
sisters, inspired by our shared belief that land never truly belongs to human beings, for the earth is the
Lords, and we are his stewards for a time only. For this reason alone, Christians dare not stand aloof. Moreover it is also about our shared future as citizens of this beloved land. We are convinced that our shared Christian faith, with our conviction that the earth is the Lords can serve as a compelling theological basis in our
search for a truly just solution for all. If we keep quiet about this important issue, we would also make ourselves guilty of hypocrisy if we speak out against other injustices such as corruption, dishonesty and maladministration. In this communiqu therefore we extend an invitation to our fellow believers, to people of faith,
and to the general public invite to engage, for the sake of our shared future. Time is of the essence. If we do
not collectively and more seriously address this major challenge we are putting our country and its future at
risk of falling apart.

Pentecost, 2015

Rev Professor N Botha ,Rev C Goeiman, Dr Mrs N Davis,Rev Dr S de Beer,Rev Dr G Duncan,Rev Professor S.
Hendricks,Rev Dr R. Meyer,Rev. M Nienaber,Mrs F Norris,Rev Professor J. Pillay,Mr J Terblanche,Rev Dr D van
der Water,Rev Dr V. Vellem

Business Tagline or Motto

Rev Alistair Arends

The General Secretary
Email:gensec@uccsa.co.za
Rev Kudzani Ndebele
Media Liason Officer
Mr Wellington Mthobisi
Sibanda
Communications Officer
Email: wellosacha@yahoo.com
Tel: +27 11 837 9997
Fax: +27 11 837 2570
Email: tellus.uccsa@gmail.com
Website: www.uccsa.co.za

OBLIGATIONS OF CHURCH MEMBERS

The main obligation is to bear in mind that the church was founded, not by
humans, but by Christ. Christ is the head of the church, its life and its authority. From this fact originates the church members duties.
To join in worship regularly
Members should make a point of being at services, with heart and mind prepared. The goodness of God greatness of Gods mercy in Jesus Christ call for
our praise. As we worship, we receive new strength and vision, and at the
same time contribute to the spiritual strength of the Church.
To share in the work of the Church
One cannot expect to obtain the benefit of Christian fellowship if you leave all
the work to others. The Church has many and varied activities. There is
enough to do for everyone to offer their gift, develop skills and experience
the joy of service.
To join in governing the Church
Congregationalist sees the running of the affairs of the church as part of their
worship. The Church meeting is its governing body, under Christ; it is our
duty and privilege to take part.
To support the Church financially
Consecrated giving is part of discipleship. The Church cannot fulfil its mission without financial resources.
To create a pattern of private devotion
If we are to receive what the Church fellowship has to offer, we must first be
prepared to give to it by deepening our own spiritual lives. We should learn
to live in Gods presence by having a daily quiet time of prayer and reflection,
of studying the Bible systematically and receptively until it becomes the
Word of God to us.
To attend the celebration of Holy Communion
This is the feast of those who love the Lord, not of those who are worthy of
his love. in it we celebrate the gift of Christs sacrifice made once and for all.
It is also the meeting-place where we renew communion with him, at his invitation.
To assist in creating a loving spirit in the Church
The Church is a body of people who have responded to Gods call in Christ. In
fellowship with them we learn the kindness, patient, thoughtfulness and
courtesy, which we owe to all people
To maintain our Church membership when we move to a new region The local
church is part of the UCCSA. We must link up with it wherever we go
To value our Congregational heritage
We accept the unity of all who believe in Jesus Christ, Lord and Saviour,
while also regarding our Congregational tradition as a unique and vital part
of the church Universal. We are thankful for a heritage, which gives us so
many opportunities to serve. The UCCSA is part of a great company consisting of sister churches throughout the world all linked together by the council
for World.
UCCSA Communications Officer: Mr Wellington Mthobisi Sibanda