19-01-2010
A locally supported partnership of churches and individuals in Scotland
with those involved in ministry and mission in South Africa
with those involved in ministry and mission in South Africa
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South Africa Link Annual Report 1st April 2008 – 31st March 2009
Introduction
South Africa Link is a partnership of several Church of Scotland congregations and individuals with individuals engaged in mission and ministry in South Africa. Our mission partners in South Africa are Graham & Sandra Duncan. Our formal Statement of Activities appears in the appendix to this report. We are managed by a Steering Group, established in July 2006, from which six people serve as Trustees.
Steering Group (see the Appendix for a list of members)
The Group met five times in the year with a full agenda at each meeting. Although minutes of these meetings are not posted on our website (www.southafricalink.org.uk) or circulated to partners as a matter of course, copies can be requested from the secretary (details at end).
Towards a Trust
In the past twelve months, South Africa Link was formally established as a Trust. An application for charitable status has been made to the Office of the Scottish Charity Register (OSCR) and this is currently being processed. At the time of writing, however, the Steering Group is reconsidering whether or not to continue with the application.
Support for South Africa
The Group had previously agreed to fund the National Insurance contributions for Sandra & Graham Duncan from November 2006 onwards and that process continued throughout the year. Other than the above, our major expenditure for the year was to enable two ministry students from South Africa to visit Scotland in December 2008. South Africa Link paid for their air fares, digital cameras to allow them to record their visit and spending money to be used while they were here. Donations were received from three partner churches and there were further donations from two donors whose details we have been unable to establish. Our Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2009 are appended. Three Partner Plan newsletters were received, sent to all partners and published on the website. We were also delighted to pass on news of Graham's appointment as Head of Church History and Church Polity at the University of Pretoria. We were sorry to learn of Sandra's resignation from her post at Sedibeng but pleased that she will continue to exercise her many gifts through her membership of the Justice and Social Responsibility Committee of Tshwane Presbytery.
Exchange Visits
Graham visited us in November 2008 and accepted a number of invitations to preach, as well as carrying out an extensive series of other engagements. Graham attended one of the Steering Group meetings where he provided valuable insight into developments within the UPCSA and the University of Pretoria as well as about the general situation in South Africa. We were delighted to provide accommodation and hospitality to Vuyo Mbaru and Sibu Zungu in December 2008. A full itinerary of engagements was arranged for both visitors and a review of that visit is currently underway to see what lessons can be learned to improve the experience for any future visitors (and their hosts).
Twinning
We were pleased to learn that the Guild of Falkirk Presbytery had formed a link with their counterparts in Mamelodi East congregation of the Presbytery of Tshwane. Discussions continue within Stirling Presbytery on the possibilities of a partnership with Tshwane.
Appendix - Members of the Steering Group (* denotes a trustee)
| Rev. Maxwell Craig* | (Chairman) |
| Ivar Struthers* | (Secretary – Cumbernauld Old) |
| William Scott* | (Treasurer – Redding & Westquarter) |
| Beth Hamilton | (Solicitor) |
| Joyce Bell* | (Alva) |
| Rev. Willem Bezuidenhout | (Balfron l/w Fintry) |
| Jean Cowan | (Haggs) |
| Caroline Izatt* | (Alva) |
| Lorna Paterson* | (Bridge of Allan) |
| Derek Turner | (Laurieston) |
| Rev. Gillian Weighton | (Bridge of Allan; Chaplain at Stirling University) |
Statement of Activities
The main activities of South Africa Link are encouraging, developing and maintaining regular contact between partner individuals and congregations in Scotland and South Africa through exchange visits, newsletters, a website and informal correspondence. Where appropriate it provides travel costs to Scotland, and hospitality within Scotland, for students training for the ministry of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA) at the University of Pretoria and for ministers and members of that church.
It also encourages members of partner churches in Scotland to make reciprocal visits to South Africa. Working in partnership with colleagues in the UPCSA and at the University of Pretoria, it provides spiritual and financial support for approved religious, educational and social welfare projects in South Africa and, in turn, seeks to gain deeper understanding of the community and religious life of that country.
South Africa Link encourages congregations and members of the Church of Scotland, especially those in Stirling and Falkirk Presbyteries, and also the wider community to develop an interest in its aims and provide support to its activities.
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