Member Church News

AFRICA United Church of Zambia (UCZ) releases fourth pastoral letter on COVID-19

Following the Zambian government’s implementation of heightened measures to curb escalating cases of COVID-19, the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) has issued an updated COVID-19 advisory to its congregations.

This pastoral letter by UCZ General Secretary Rev Chipasha Musaba explained that the government had proposed measures to limit frequencies and durations of religious meetings, as COVID-19 super-spreaders were large gatherings. While they continue their mission of witnessing for Christ, the church leaders agreed that they need to live cognisant of the reality of COVID-19, and the time and season they live in.

Rev Musaba also reminded them of safe distancing and hygiene measures, and to continue to pray for healthcare workers on the frontlines.

Detailed measures for worship services, fellowship group meetings, funerals, weddings and more can be downloaded in this letter: https://www.cwmission.org/ wp-content/uploads/2021/0 6/4TH-PASTORAL-LETTERON-COVID-19.pdf

Appeal for famine response by Money for Madagascar

Union of Welsh Independents (UWI) is currently raising funds for UK-based charity Money for Madagascar (MfM)’s emergency appeal, as a developing food crisis in Southern Madagascar which is facing its worst drought in 40 years, has pushed over a million people to starvation. For its Bicentenary Appeal 2018-2019, UWI had raised over £156,000 to support several projects in Madagascar, an island where two Welsh missionaries were sent by the London Missionary Society (LMS) over 200 years ago.

MfM’s famine feeding programme is run in partnership with ALT MG (Andry Lalana Toahana), a reputable Malagasy NGO who has run food security, education and emergency feeding projects in the South for over a decade. To date, MfM has delivered over £20,000, and is seeking famine aid to continue providing nutritious meals daily to all 650 children in 2 primary schools in Amboasary Sud. For more information and to donate, please visit https://moneyformadagasc ar.org/famine-appeal/

PACIFIC Etaretia Porotetani Ma'ohi (EPM) continues call for emancipation for Maohi Nui

During the 136th Synod of the Etaretia Porotetani Ma'ohi (EPM), it called for the Maohi people to be emancipated from “the plundering of its resources, nuclear experiments and bribes of millionaires”, according to a report by RNZ (Radio New Zealand).

The call for indigenous Maohi people to be free from enslavement is one that has been reiterated for at least a decade. In 2011, EPM affirmed its support of the re-inscription of Maohi Nui on the United Nations’ list of Nations to be decolonised.

EPM has also appealed to the United Nations Human

Rights Commission on behalf of the people affected by French nuclear testing in the Maohi Nui islands. Under its “Waves of Destruction: Nuclear imperialism and anti-nuclear protest in Maohi Nui” project, a delegation consisting of EPM President Rev François Pihaatae and a youth delegate tabled petitions at the UN 4th Committee for Decolonisation and denuclearisation issues in October 2019.

Pacific Climate Justice Summit 2021: Just Recovery from COVID-19 requires climate justice and environmental stewardship, says Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) General Secretary

During the Pacific Climate Justice Summit in early August, Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) General Secretary Rev James Bhagwan said that any just recovery from COVID-19 must incorporate facets of justice such as life-changing advocacy for the marginalised; and institutional, civil, corporate and political responsibilities to end unjust systems and structures.

Climate Justice and Environmental Stewardship were likely to be the Pacific’s biggest challenge, with diverse policy responses required for the different forms of climate-induced migration, Rev Bhagwan opined. For example, community relocation due to extreme events calls for different support and protection compared to what is provided when slow-onset environmental pressures lead to staggered migration of individuals or families,” he said.

In the process of renewing and strengthening the sacred cords of ecology, economics and ecumenicity, the Pacific Region needs to develop its own indicators based on the wellbeing of the whole community, an alternative to the unbridled capitalism that the world chases.

EAST ASIA Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) and Kiribati Uniting Church (KUC) collaborate to provide wheelchairs for children with disabilities

The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) and Kiribati Uniting Church (KUC) have made a joint effort spanning close to a year for physically challenged Kiribati children to receive wheelchairs. The Kiribati School and Centre for Children with Special Needs (KSCCSN) Pastor Iuti Teeruka and Director of PCT Welfare and Service Centre for the Disabled (Pingtung County) Chen Fen-Chin had met at a CWM event in November 2019.

Later in September 2020, Ms. Chen learnt about the ministry in Kiribati. Located in Tarawa, KSCCSN caters to children with disabilities from the preschool up to primary level. Established in 1991 as a non-government institution, KSCCSN relies on external grants and contributions from parents to fund operations. Existing wheelchairs for physically challenged students were unusable and beyond repair, yet without domestic wheelchair manufacturers, there was no way to purchase replacements.

Over the next nine months, various parties rose to the occasion to serve, overcoming logistical and administrative challenges. These included staff who coordinated the donation of wheelchairs by a Taiwanese assistive device manufacturer in Kaohsiung, and a logistics company which arranged for overseas shipping. 12 wheelchairs arrived in KSCCSN in June, a step towards the children gaining mobility and independence.

SOUTH ASIA Church of Bangladesh (COB)’s Barishal Diocese provides free healthcare services in community

Earlier this year, Church of Bangladesh (COB)’s Barishal Diocese served its community through an eye camp at the St Mary’s Clinic of Jobarpar, in partnership with Islamia Eye Hospital. They were able to provide free medical assistance to over 53 people, and under the Diocese’s supervision are five health clinics to care for those unable to travel to the cities for a regular checkup.

Over at Narikelbari Health Clinic of St Jacob’s Church, they pay door to door visits to provide healthcare for the villagers. In particular, they aim to ensure that the elderly is getting proper medical attention and children are receiving regular vaccinations. The Koligram Health Clinic in St Peter’s Church conducts similar door to door services in its local community as well.

Church of South India (CSI) initiates climate-resilient churches, schools and communities

Since May, the Department of Ecological Concerns of the Church of South India (CSI) synod has been organising virtual classes with resource persons for clergy, students and teachers to develop a strong theological and theoretical foundation in climate resilience.

In the CSI-initiated campaign for Climate Resilient Churches, Communities and Schools, these stakeholders are encouraged to practise CSI’s green protocol of carbon neutrality, mitigation and adaption. Students are challenged to apply these lessons in their homes, paving the way to community transformation.

EUROPE First virtual conference of the International Congregational Fellowship

During the Reformation in the 16th century, some English Protestants motivated by desire for a change in worship, became Separatists who sailed in the Mayflower to New England.

To commemorate the 400th anniversary of the sailing of Mayflower, Congregationalists around the world were invited to join International Congregational Fellowship in its first online Conference on 23 – 25 July this year. Besides sharing “Mayflower stories” of Congregationalism worldwide, the virtual conference was also a time of fellowship and learning from the current activity of Congregational churches around the globe.

Seeds of church reform possibly sown during the pandemic, says Union of Welsh Independents (UWI) General Secretary

In the Spring issue of Union Welsh Independents (UWI)’s Union Matters, the UWI General Secretary Rev Dyfrig Rees shared his reflections on rethinking church during the pandemic. Rev Rees opined that when Congregationalism was going strong in the mid-twentieth century, a church-centred framework had worked for at least four generations of Christians. However, the pandemic has allowed many congregations tired and frustrated by this framework of entrenched ministries and a multiple meetings and events to ask, “what and where next?”

The UWI General Secretary saw the blessings that came in the wake of many churches mastering

technology and venturing into alternative events during the pandemic lockdown, freed from enslavement to tradition and adherence to church buildings. With borders transcended and the gospel readily available onscreen, the church is aware of its place, responsibility and contribution as a medium in God’s plan for the world, he wrote.

He was hopeful that reform may now have begun in the land, if worshippers are prepared for a vision that will enable them to be a faith community that strangers to the faith might want to belong to.

Presbyterian Church in Wales (PCW) shares short videos on lessons learnt by ministers during COVID-19

Ministers and workers of the Presbyterian Church in Wales (PCW) will be revealing their experiences and lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic in a series of short video clips over the next few months. In these videos, they discuss the future of their ministry, the adjustments they have made over the past year and a half, and how they intend to act on what they have learnt.

View videos at: https://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=Vy_F0tv39CA&list=P LH4JpblhvRT5zIGFcl65-ruq WLp46CVCI

Mask wearing no longer legally required, but recommended: change in guidelines for churches in UK

With a relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions in England from 19 July, the United Reformed Church (URC) has summarised and updated its guidelines for churches. Also included is a response addressing those weary of using face coverings, by Moderator of the URC’s West Midlands Synod, Rev Steve Faber who has been leading the church’s advice during the pandemic.

Wearing face masks in public buildings are no longer legally required and local churches are unlikely to decline entry to those who do not wear masks. However, their continued use is highly recommended, to protect those who are at risk from COVID-19 yet are unable to get vaccinated for various reasons. Having received the Director of Public Health’s report that the case rate in their borough has reached a peak, Rev Faber expressed his hope that only when they reach a phase of declining case numbers will they make the choice to remove face coverings.

Read URC’s updated guidelines at https://bit.ly/3ARgakW

CARIBBEAN Youths Rising to Life in the Face of COVID-19: Joint Youth Initiative by CWM Caribbean & Europe regions

Conversations on mental health awareness and coping during and beyond the pandemic will be the theme of this year’s joint youth initiative by the CWM Caribbean and Europe regions. Held from 2-3 September, 10 am (Jamaica), 4pm (UK) time, this year’s initiative is for youths struggling with mental health challenges and wish to dialogue and seek advice from peers.

Themed “Youths rising to life in the face of COVID-19”, this Zoom event provides a safe space for participants to be guided in conversations on the life-denying reality of mental health challenges, practicing mindfulness during the pandemic, and coping while remaining committed to formal education.

Please contact your member church leadership or CWM regional staff at sainimili.kata@cwmission.or g or vickeisha.burke@cwmission .org for more information or to register.