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Member Church News
AFRICA South African Council of Churches (SACC) launches campaign against COVID-19 corruption
The South African Council of Churches (SACC) led a delegation to meet with o cials of African National Congress (ANC) in their call for societal action against COVID-19 corruption on 24 August. Together with the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Foundation for Human Rights and the Council for the Advancement of South African Constitution (CASAC), they called on the ANC and all political parties to enter into a covenant based on a public commitment to accountability, responsiveness and openness.
Years of state capture, unethical governance, and recently, large-scale looting of Covid-19 emergency funding, had compelled them to take a stand against “moral depravity of some in positions of authority that undermine the very notion of nationhood and the underlying value of public service”, according to a statement.
SACC o cially launched its anti-corruption campaign with an online midday service of lament and protest on 30 August, where leaders of its membership of churches delivered messages and prayed together. Subsequently, the SACC and its partner organisations will work with academics and legal experts to mobilise a comprehensive societal response against corruption. This includes the reopening of an “Unburdening Panel” for whistle-blowers and public servants to report corruption, as well as a national call for the public to demonstrate their outrage at not only the looting, but also the lack of consequences for it.
“We refuse for corruption to de ne who we are and our heritage… therefore we want to stand up against those who are corrupt to the point of stealing money that provides essential service to people who are dying,” said Church and Community Liaison Director of the Council of Churches, Rev Mzwandile Molo.
South African church leaders hold countrywide silent prayers against corruption
As part of this nation-wide campaign, South African national church leaders participated in a “performance of silence” in all its provinces on 15 September. They stood in silent prayer for an hour, carrying anti-corruption messages on placards in front of various key national and provincial locations, including the Union Buildings where the
SACC General Secretary Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana led the performance.
(UPCSA) also released a statement in support of initiatives and campaigns against corruption, imploring all in the UPCSA to stay away from corruption and to report any form of corruption to the relevant authorities.
Denouncing the scourge of corruption and how it disproportionately a ects the poor, especially women and children, UPCSA General Secretary Rev Lungile Mpetsheni encouraged churches to factor this into their liturgies and put up posters as churches re-open for public worship.
The wearing of orange masks on Fridays is a campaign to ensure that all those who are found guilty should be granted the opportunity to wear orange overalls in prison, added Rev Mpetsheni.
EAST ASIA Become competent watchmen of the city, says Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China (HKCCCC) General Secretary
With Hong Kong beset by recent challenges and anxieties, how should its churches be witnesses of Christ’s love to those in despair? How can Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China (HKCCCC) as a church body demonstrate Christian commitment to the community?
HKCCCC General Secretary Rev Dr Eric So addressed this question in a recent pastoral letter, urging churches to persevere as competent watchmen of Hong Kong in the current situation by seeking strength and con dence from God. Taking a leaf from the watchmen of Jerusalem in the Old Testament who monitored the city’s stability and safety for a peaceful start the next day, Rev Dr So said: “When churches function as watchmen, they should not only passively monitor the environment and give comments, but more importantly to exercise the teachings of the Bible”.
Rev Dr So encouraged them to “do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8), which are recognised by Hong Kong Christians as fundamental virtues. In conclusion, he exhorted them to unite in mutual encouragement to o er themselves as watchmen of Hong Kong, as in “carrying out the mandate of justice, kindness and humility”, the oppressed can be liberated, and respect and inclusiveness can be upheld.
Presbyterian Church in Singapore (PCS) discusses new normal, encourages churches to apply for solidarity fund
The New Normal English forum of The Presbyterian Church in Singapore (PCS) – the rst of its kind – gathered 75 PCS church leaders and sta virtually in August to discuss making the transition between online and onsite church services; rethinking church; ful lling the mission of the church; and what it means to be a Presbyterian church.
A church was part of the pilot project by Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) to re-open physical services with up to 100 persons, and they shared about usage of an online ticketing system for church members to sign up to attend.
Discussions on ful lling the church’s mission included evangelism, where they spoke about the need to truly empathise with and understand the needs of those they reached out to, as well as equipping themselves in theology and self-re ection. A concern raised was the extra workload from video production for online services.
Through the COVID19 Solidarity Fund provided by Council for World Mission (CWM), the PCS General Secretary Rev Teo Yew Tiong invited churches to apply for support as they began housing rough sleepers in their church compounds through their Homeless Ministry; purchased video equipment for live-streaming services; and provided needy families with Wi-Fi and devices to attend online services.
75% of PCS church members surveyed attend online worship service weekly
Earlier this year, a PCS survey among 940 church members to better understand and address their concerns and needs during the stay-at-home period found that at least 700 church members attended at least one online worship service every week. This was even though around 24% of those surveyed only took part once every few weeks. Reasons deterring them from online worship included poor video or audio quality (26%); inability to relate to the sermon message (22%); followed by technical problems and distractions such as having young children at home. Majority (78.5%) of all who were surveyed participated in online cell group sessions, and nearly 30% in online theology-related seminars from May to July.
The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) mission worker joins thanksgiving celebration of Amis aboriginal culture
The Amis tribe is the largest of 16 o cial tribes in Taiwan, and the Western Amis Presbytery of The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT), where Rev John McCall from PC (U.S.A) serves,
includes most of the urban Amis churches. Every year, this group of urban aboriginals leave the city to join in an intergenerational thanksgiving and celebration of the Amis culture, with traditional song and dance by the river. Rev McCall had served as mission co-worker for over 20 years, and was invited to speak and conduct baptism at this event.
Re ecting on his experience, he said: “As marginalised people in Taiwan, they embody dignity in their identity as indigenous people and as God’s children. Their natural sense of belonging and community is powerful in our isolated world.”
Recognising the oppression of the indigenous people, one is working on a PhD in Political Science in Hawaii, with a focus on the self-determination of Taiwanese aboriginal people, including the issue of land rights.
The tribal chief told youths who had grown up in the city about traditional ways of shing and hunting, passing wisdom and faith from generation to generation in authentic ways. Throughout the weekend retreat and Sunday service, Rev McCall was witness to the love they share with one another, with a depth of joy worshipping, praying, and responding to God’s Word.
SOUTH ASIA
Bishop of Barishal Diocese, Church of Bangladesh (COB) urges parishes to take steps towards creation care
Bishop Shourabh Pholia, of Barishal Diocese, Church of Bangladesh (COB) met with local church committee members of Christ Church, Jessore to discuss matters on self-su ciency and how the church’s local assets could be used for its upkeep. Similarly, among his pastoral visits to several Jobarpar and Khulna deaneries in August, he discussed various church issues with local church individuals and pioneers, especially stewardship, and self-reliance of the local parish and the Diocese. Through awareness programmes and tree-planting programmes, Barishal dioceses took steps towards creation care. An example was the Micro-Credit programme o ce in Indrokani. He encouraged church members to start a tree plantation programme, converting the idle land into a fruit orchard, and to repair a tin-shed house to make it usable and income-generating.
Church leaders in various geographical locations sought his advice on local matters during his visits to parishes, villages, hostels, and several projects. He inaugurated the Rahutpara Compassion Project, and encouraged attendees at children, youth and women seminars to grow in faith and respond to the needs of under-privileged people, as well as assuring them of God’s care. Health and nutrition programmes continued, teaching participants proper handwashing and wearing of masks to stay safe in the pandemic.
The Bishop also visited a graveyard to pray for the departed faithful, and inspected church building repair work and construction work for a local school.
Finally, the Bishop thanked local sta for their hard work in distributing humanitarian aid. Through the Shalom eld o ce,
the Barishal Dicoese had received support for families a ected by Cyclone Amphan from Methodist Church of Britain, and from Compassion International Bangladesh (CIB) which supported its children and their families during the pandemic.
Transform homes into sacred worship places, says Church of North India (CNI) Moderator
As India commemorated its 74th Independence Day on 15 August, Church of North India (CNI) Moderator Most Rev Dr P. C. Singh shared his heart’s burden about the mounting COVID-19 infections and deaths in the country, especially in areas of CNI’s ministry, and requested them to join in prayer.
Closely related to Independence Day was CNI’s theme for August - “Freedom in Christ” (Galatians 5:1), which comprises two facets: freedom from the love of the world and freedom from sin, wrote Rev Dr Singh in the Moderator’s Message as he reminded them to avoid large gatherings for Independence Day in line with the government’s advisory.
An adverse love of the world shows up in “materialism, greed, licentious life, and lack of concern and compassion for fellow (human) beings”, and there is a dire need for resources to be shared with daily wage earners in India who have lost their livelihood during the pandemic, and helping hands to ease their su ering.
As for freedom from sin, Christ’s main focus on earth was reconciliation of the relationship between God and man, and Christians should invent and improvise new ways of strengthening life in families and communities, he added. He encouraged congregations to maximise the usage of technology to enrich their spiritual lives, to transform their homes into sacred worship spaces and “keep the light of prayer burning” since the world is unlikely to be freed of COVID-19 soon.
CARIBBEAN
From May to July this year, The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJCI) provided grocery baskets of essential food items for 200 families and elderly who had lost their jobs or their principal support or income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The distribution was done through the local UCJCI congregations, and administered by Regional Mission Council – a project funded through a donation by the Caribbean and North America Council for Mission (CANACOM), and the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA). Grocery baskets of love with an estimated value of J$2,500 each were received by bene ciaries, including those previously employed in the tourism sector. In the Cayman Islands Regional Mission Council, grocery vouchers were given to both members and non-members of the UCJCI who were hard hit by the pandemic.
The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJCI) joins the call for Reparatory Justice
Through its process of renewal and transformation over the years, the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJCI) has re ected on its complicity in a system propagating and pro ting from the enslavement of African for centuries. During that time, slavery not only enriched families, family-owned businesses and nations, but also churches in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. In fact, the Colonial Church Union existed in the 19th century to quell slave resistance or uprising.
Seeking true emancipation and social justice for the captives, UCJCI rmly supports the call for reparations from relevant state authorities, and is seeking to set an example of
introspection, repentance and restitution through their global network. Also, it is calling on former colonial masters to compensate formerly enslaved people and the lingering legacies that sti e their development. With an upsurge of consciousness of the historical damage done to black identity and lives in the world, there is now greater acceptance that slavery has been one of the greatest atrocities of human history.
UCJCI holds its rst Young Adults e-conference
Over 100 youths attended the rst United Church Young Adults Action Movement (UCYAAM) e-conference, which was themed “Mobilised to Act: For Such a Time as This” based on the biblical story of Esther and the talents. Joining their opening session was the UCJCI General Secretary Rev. Norbert Stephens, who directed them to be “clear in their direction, con dent in their desires, committed to their decisions, corrected by their defeats, and conscious of God’s dependability.”
Over four days in mid-August, Bible study sessions challenged them to think about and use their talents to serve, to be advocates, to stand up for justice when opportunities arise, and to be mentored by the right people, while presenters from varied backgrounds equipped them in the areas of church ministry and the workplace.
Rounding up a time of spiritual nourishment and inspiration was the 48th Annual General Meeting and Elections, where
EUROPE
Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PKN) collaborates on online platform linking those in need to local initiatives
Earlier this year, Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PKN) partnered with other churches and local aid organisations to collaborate on #nietalleen, an online platform where those in need can seek help with day-to-day tasks, and facilitate those who can lend a helping hand to do so. Over the next few months of partial lockdown, thousands of requests for help were linked to churches, and organisations that had registered with #nietalleen.
People saw the best of Netherlands as groceries or medicines were delivered, dogs were taken for a walk, telephone calls were made to older congregation members and food was collected for the food bank. The #nietalleen telephone line continued to be kept open to link requests to local initiatives, or for those who simply need a chat. Visit https://nietalleen.nl/ if you are able to o er or need assistance.
Installing “hope” and conducting online baptism in United Reformed Church (URC)
St Andrew’s Church - a local ecumenical project including the United Reformed Church (URC) in Skipton, North Yorkshire – installed a six-foot-high, rainbow-coloured artwork outside its building over summer. The wood installation spells out the word “hope”, as a reminder to the community as they made plans to re-open for worship.
The church’s Minister Rev Andrew Webb said: “The rainbow has become a powerful message of hope during these last months. We decided to display it in this way, in our church grounds, as a reminder that despite all the di culties we face, there is always hope. Our church’s hope is that when people see our artwork, they will know that wherever they are, the God of hope is with them.”
Baptised on Zoom
Many celebrations of life’s milestones may have been put on hold this year, but for United Reformed congregations of Andover, Hampshire, Salisbury, and Wiltshire, witnessing a nine-year-old child’s baptism was not something postponed.
Prior to the baptism service on Zoom for Ryan Fai, the church font had been delivered to his home. With Ministers of
Andover, Broad Chalke and Salisbury URC Rev Ana and Tod Gobledale leading the service, Ryan’s family repeated sacramental words, and later lifted a scallop shell and poured the waters of new life upon him.
“Truly, our ‘cup’ over owed with the palpable presence of God. Family and godparents from Sweden, America and Cameroon were in good supply, creating a fantastic circle of faith surrounding Ryan. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Not even a pandemic lockdown!” said Mrs Gobledale.
Union of Welsh Independents (UWI) encourages churches to observe Recovery Sunday
Union of Welsh Independents (UWI) will be observing the ninth “Recovery Sunday” on 25 Oct, a day set aside to encourage churches to think about those su ering from various addictions, to learn more about their situation, their needs and the help o ered by centres such as the Living Room, CAIS and Adferiad Recovery. Churches may also take practical action such as making a nancial contribution to the work, as they mull over how addiction to alcohol, drugs, food, sex, pornography, gambling and so on is a prison for so many people today.
A service has been prepared by Elin Maher based on meditation on our surroundings and how we can be used in this world. It is available in English and Welsh for the churches’ usage, and can be downloaded at www.cynnal.wales
PACIFIC
Paci c Conference of Churches (PCC) calls for day of prayer for Kanaky Referendum
Paci c Conference of Churches (PCC) General Secretary Rev James Bhagwan asked those in the Paci c to pray for Kanaky’s sovereignty and self-determination in a pastoral letter to member churches. Speci cally, he called on churches in the Paci c to observe a day of prayer on 27 September for an honest, free and fair referendum in Kanaky (New Caledonia) and a second one on 4 October, the day of the referendum itself.
The referendum is based on the Nouméa Accord, signed in May 1998 by the French government, as part of a negotiated transition to independence. The agreement included ending New Caledonia's status as a French overseas territory; electing new political institutions and transferring administrative powers; recognising Kanak culture and identity; and a further transition before a referendum on self-determination.
In seeking to contribute to making self-determination part of a new normal, Rev Bhagwan requested for them support in prayer to Kanaky member churches, youths and other communities for the feasibility of building a multicultural nation outside the French constitution. During the 2018 PCC General Assembly, PCC had endorsed a statement of solidarity and call for prayer in the lead-up to the rst referendum on independence from France for Kanaky.
Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ) church property trustees advise churches on vital concerns
The Church Property Trustees of Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ) have reminded parishes of their responsibilities as landlords, as they shared about regular issues of property maintenance, the Presbyterian Investment Fund and residential and commercial leases recently.
The Trustees also updated about the newly introduced ability for parishes to borrow from the Presbyterian Investment Fund (PIF) for major capital works or re nancing. With rising property
maintenance costs and falling income, parishes face budget cuts for property repair, and some even spent capital on strengthening for earthquake resistance.
PCANZ Trustees revealed the new long-term investment option for the PIF, which o ers parishes the option to receive a better return on their funds. They have elected to use Mercer Socially Responsible Investment Balanced Fund as the investment vehicle for the Long Term Fund, even though they cautioned that higher returns require higher risk.
Lastly, they reminded parishes to keep up with new residential tenancy requirements. Many parishes lease out property to raise income for mission, such as former manses for residence or buildings for commercial operations. Legal amendments were recently made, which means rent can only be increased once every 12 months.
PCANZ Moderator urges churches to embrace new era of virtual communication
Having successfully halted community transmission of COVID-19, a fresh outbreak in New Zealand’s largest city prompted the government to place Auckland back in lockdown in early August. Schools and businesses reopened when the Auckland lockdown was lifted at the end of August, and face masks became mandatory on public transport across New Zealand.
Throughout the pandemic, PCANZ Moderator Rt Rev Fakaofo Kaio has released several pastoral messages to reassure the churches and their members with God’s sovereignty and encourage them to hold on in faith. “This pandemic, the invisible invader, is a game changer. The landscape has moved. Normality is no more. Almost everything has been turned upside down. There are powerful forces at play. Destruction, mayhem and annihilation is taking place. Our world and its many nations are being brought to their knees. The past speaks to us of such pandemics, the present tells us to work together, and the future is unknown,” wrote the Moderator in his September message.
Acknowledged that it would be easy to lose focus, become disoriented and feel overwhelmed by the restrictions, lockdowns, and life being put on hold, Rt Rev Kaio reminded them to “be still and know He is God” (Psalm 46:10), and to be rooted and established in Christ. Finally, he urged them to not lose the human touch even though physical meetings and contact are being relegated to the past, and to try to embrace the new era of virtual communication
and technology.
