19-01-2010
with those involved in ministry and mission in South Africa
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Biographies: Graham, Sandra, Together
 Rev. Prof. Graham A Duncan BEd BD (Aberdeen) MTh DTh (Unisa) A native of Aberdeen, Graham was brought up in Northfield Parish Church where he was ordained to the Eldership at the age of 21 and became Presbytery Elder a year later. At that time he became a Primary School teacher before becoming involved in Special Needs education. In 1974 he returned to Aberdeen University to train for the ministry and after a time at St. Colm's College, Edinburgh was called to the Bantu Presbyterian Church of South Africa which ordained him in 1978 and appointed him Missionary-in-Charge of Lovedale Institution. In 1982 he was transferred to the Federal Theological Seminary of South Africa (FedSem) where he served in Albert Luthulu College and taught Practical Theology. The Duncans returned to the UK in 1988 and Graham was called to Cumbernauld Old Parish Church as Minister. In 1998 Graham & Sandra were recalled to South Africa and Graham was appointed to teach Church History at the historic black University of Fort Hare. He was deeply involved in the negotiations which led to the union which produced the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA) in 1999. Graham was elected Moderator of the General Assembly in 2003. In 2002 the UPCSA moved its theological training to the University of Pretoria where he is now. Graham's Current Work: University of Pretoria Teaching Church History and Practical Ministerial Formation; Researching and publishing from the archives of both Church of Scotland and former RPCSA, ensuring that the histories of both churches have been retained; External examiner for Universities of South Africa, Stellenbosch, Natal and Potchefstroom; Involved in bridging work with ministers to make it possible for them to do post graduate work; Preparing a Presbyterian Church Historian to take his place at the University of Pretoria. This will take some time as the student has to first reach PhD level of studies; Approached by Presbyterian Church in Malawi to assist in arranging post-graduate opportunities for their ministers at Pretoria University; Theological Education |
Sandr a Duncan Also a native of Aberdeen... Sandra's Current Work: HIV/AIDS Member of HIV/AIDS Committee of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA); Member of Tshwane Presbytery HIV/AIDS Committee; Member of HIV / AIDS steering group of Church Unity Commission; Member of the Pretoria Community Ministries Steering Committee; Teaches Aids awareness to students as part of their Ministerial Formation; Teaches Aids awareness within the Presbytery by conducting workshops in churches in the townships; Teaches AIDS awareness to the homeless, sex workers and street people for Pretoria Community Ministries. House of Studies Manager and Member of the Management Committee of Sedibeng (House of Studies) for UPCSA students; Conducts worship, prepares family meals and arranges spiritual activities for the students at Sedibeng, e.g. regular courses on Transactional Analysis, Bible study and Reformed Tradition; Assists with the organising of Sedibeng and advertising it as a place for guests who wish a quiet reflective break away from the busy-ness of life. There are plans to have a library of spiritual resources as well as workshops, conferences, etc during the student vacations; Sedibeng will also be a place where we will encourage transformation between white and black people training for the ministry. In 2007, there will be 2 or 3 white candidates as well as 5 Malawian ministers living within our community. Ministry Member of the Ministry Committee of UPCSA; Arranges student placements in Pretoria on Sundays; Arranges student placements during holidays; Administration for students and UPCSA, including minutes of Ministry Committee meetings; Liaise between UPCSA, Pretoria University and UPCSA students. top |
 Graham & Sandra overlap in much of the work they do. They work as a team whenever they can. Some examples include: Hospitality We have a ministry of hospitality for overseas visitors as well as ministers of UPCSA from Zambia and Zimbabwe, many of whom are registered for Postgraduate studies at the University of Pretoria. These ministers need to stay over for sometimes as much as a week. Part of this involves arranging visits to places which they would otherwise not see on a visit to SA, e.g. UPCSA congregations; projects we work with and support; areas of historical interest relating to the Church and mission; and areas of historic interest related to transformation. Transformation Encouraging transformation is the biggest part of the work we do in SA. It is possibly equally as important as the HIV / AIDS work. The UPCSA still has a long journey to travel in terms of transformation. We have the unique opportunity of being a constant catalyst in this journey because of our long experience in the black church where we have long been accepted. Because we are white, this enables whites to be comfortable with us and even begin to trust us. Graham's Moderatorial year was a testimony to how effective we can be. Many of our colleagues thanked us for giving them a "window into the former Reformed Presbyterian Church of South Africa (RPCSA)" and enabling them to have a better understanding of how black people operate within their churches. It was even suggested that Graham be re-elected as Moderator to continue this valuable work of transformation. 'Faith share' between our partner congregations in Scotland and students and congregations in South Africa, e.g. students doing practical work within Presbyteries in Scotland, visits to SA from church groups and, most recently, Joyce and Caroline from Alva teaching Palliative Care to families living with AIDS. top |