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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Dear Friends,
The end of the year is rapidly approaching and we seem constantly to be running after ourselves trying to catch up. The increasing temperatures make it even more difficult to concentrate and focus at times. Summer is well on the way and it promises to be a scorcher. Unfortunately the rains are late and this is already causing concern. We experience a great deal of thunder and lightning in the evenings but little rain falls.
Since we moved to having our General Assembly every two years, the Executive Commission met in July this year. It met for almost a week and it seemed just like the Assembly except for the fewer commissioners. The Commission deals with business left over from the General Assembly and business that cannot wait until next year. Graham presented a report on congregations that are finding it difficult to work within the Uniting Church and the Commission has moved to deal effectively with this issue.
Graham still performs Moderatorial duties when the Moderator is not available.
Recently he attended the Silver Jubilee of the American Methodist Episcopal Church in Africa where he was asked to install its first Archbishop and consecrate him – a rare task for a Presbyterian to perform. It was a lovely, energetic service that lasted for seven hours without a break!
A few weeks ago we were involved in organising a charity lunch for Pretoria Community Ministries Akanani project for homeless people. A local Roman Catholic restaurant owner provided the lunch at cost so we were able to raise a good sum of money as well as enjoying good fellowship. This was an exceptionally busy weekend for us as Sandra was organising the visit of a group of American friends from the Presbytery of Donegal of the Presbyterian Church (USA) who were en route to visit their partner Presbytery of Umthatha. They were with us for the weekend and Sandra arranged for them to visit a game reserve before the lunch on the Saturday which was followed by a braai at our place in the evening.
On the Sunday we all attended our annual Valedictory Service for the students who leave us this year. The service was held in the Atteridgeville township, west of Pretoria and was hosted by our sister church, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church which is descended from the work of the Swiss Mission whose minister is Rev Prof David Mosoma, Registrar of the University of South Africa.
The service followed its traditional form and included the washing of the students' feet by our colleague Prof Maake Masango who also preached, the induction of the new Committee of the Tiyo Soga Community, and Communion which was celebrated by Graham. This was followed by a function at Sedibeng House of Studies where we also had the traditional braai! After that we were off to the airport with the Americans on the next leg of their trip.
Our work in the Mamelodi congregation continues well. The Session have set two priorities for the next two years – to renovate and extend their church building and, thereafter, to call a minister. We will be well pleased if these objectives are realised. The congregation is in good heart and the associations are working conscientiously. Our choir is often absent on Sundays as they are frequently invited to sing in other churches which, of course, affects our own singing though we manage to soldier on bravely without them!
Sandra's work at Sedibeng keeps her busy with counselling students, attending to repairs and improvements, organising menus and dealing with bookings for accommodation. Just now she is hosting a group of Congregational ministers who are doing a course on shepherding and healing here at the University.
We have just had a visit from our niece Nicola and her daughter Rebecca. This gave us an opportunity take a few days away. We went to Cape Town where we managed to get a little rest, despite the hectic sight-seeing.
In the Church History department, the Faculty and Presbytery we are busy with meetings to do our planning for 2006. We never seem to get an end of meetings, the value of which we constantly question, yet attend nonetheless!
Graham will be in Scotland from 12th November until 13th December on study leave. He is working on two projects which he hopes to complete next year; one is the History of the Federal Theological Seminary of Southern Africa where we worked from 1982 – 1987; the other is an article on the history of mission.
Best wishes!
Sandra and Graham
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