AFRICA

Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA) Moderator unveils new theme at UPCSA General Assembly

The newly-inducted Moderator of UPCSA Rev. Lydia Neshangwe introduced the new UPCSA theme “Stronger Together” during the worship service at the UPCSA General Assembly on 25 June 2023, Sunday. Held at Highlands Presbyterian Church, Harare, Zimbabwe, Rev. Neshangwe preached her sermon themed “Stronger Together” with Scripture readings from Psalm 133: 1-3 and Acts 2:1-4. Using the acronym “PEST”, she spoke on Political, Economic, Social, and Technological divisions that afflict the world, and the church. In a world and global church affected by competition, criticism and hatred, she cautioned against having divisive hearts that discriminate and practise “classism, racism, tribalism, sexism, and ageism”.

Referring to the immediate past Moderator’s theme of “going back to basics”, she emphatically offered the panacea of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) that binds church members together. In the face of worldly forces and divisions that separate, disconnect and exclude, the Holy Spirit reconciles, connects, unites and includes. The infilling of the Holy Spirit also imbues us with joy, wisdom, healing, forgiveness, and building one another up constructively. In addition, blessings in church, families and marriages are bestowed by the Lord when there is unity, “when they learn to be stronger together”. Finally, she shared frankly that God had laid upon her heart the need for revival, led not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit (Zechariah 4:6), and by God’s leading UPCSA into the future.

During the service, fraternal greetings were received from ecumenical partners and churches such as the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) General Secretary Rev. Dr Fidon

Mwombeki, Council for World Mission (CWM) General Secretary Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum, United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) President Rev. Rupert Hambira, Reformed Church of Zimbabwe, Methodist Church of Southern Africa, and more.

CWM General Secretary Rev. Dr Jooseop

Keum extended heartfelt congratulations to Rev. Neshangwe, who is also the CWM Moderator. In his congratulatory message, Dr Keum commended Rev. Neshangwe’s outstanding leadership and expressed his confidence that UPCSA will flourish in God’s mission. He also affirmed her prophetic theme “Stronger Together” in a deeply polarised, post-pandemic world, as there is “immense power that lies in unity, ecumenical partnership and inclusivity”.

In addition, Dr Keum reflected the perceptible shift of world Christianity to Africa, making it significant for the African Christian community to lead the global church towards unity and reconciliation, and noted that it had contributed immensely to social and political movements in advocating for justice, peace and development during times such as the apartheid era.

UPCSA Moderator addresses Church of Scotland General Assembly in Edinburgh

Rev. Lydia Neshangwe,

Moderator of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA), a partner denomination of the Church of Scotland (CoS), and Moderator of the Council for World Mission (CWM), brought greetings on behalf of the overseas guests and delegates at the CoS General Assembly held in Edinburgh. In her address on 21 May 2023, she drew attention to the VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) conditions we all operate in.

The CWM Moderator said that volatility in politics and uncertainty in society have led to mental unwellness in all societies, and the complexity of business, technology, and relationships has been both beneficial and detrimental. The ambiguities of culture and religion and its multiple interpretations pose challenges in shaping church ministry and our service to God and society.

She explained that they came to the Assembly not because they lack their own assemblies but because they are members of one family – body of Christ – gathering to fellowship, celebrate, mourn, learn and discern alongside their brothers and sisters in Church of Scotland.

Bound by the love of Christ and shared hopes and dreams for the next generation, Rev. Neshangwe affirmed the General Assembly’s theme “remember who you are”, and urged delegates to “remember ‘whose’ they are”. She encouraged them to look past disheartening circumstances and be galvanized by God’s call to serve where they are placed and beyond.

Zambia government commends United Church of Zambia (UCZ) for its role in development

The Zambian government has commended UCZ for its efforts in promoting and advocating fitness and wellbeing among citizens, and recognized its role as a crucial partner in developing and contributing to the improvement of local conditions, said the Southern Province Deputy Permanent

Secretary, Yolanta Mutyambe. She was delivering a speech on behalf of Southern Province Minister Cornelius Mweetwa during the UCZ Corporate Sports Gala held at Choma Secondary School.

The event brought different denominations together and was aimed at raising funds for rehabilitating dilapidated mission stations and supporting evangelism, the UCZ Southern Province Presbytery Bishop Rev Elias Sinkala revealed.

“As a Church we have targeted to reach 500 souls annually and through this event, we will be able to raise money to buy equipment for the Mission and Evangelism Department to reach that target,” he said, during the event with 16 congregations participating in various activities.

Ecumenical Programme trains ambassadors on HIV/AIDS prevention strategies

The Theological Education by Extension in Zambia (TEEZ), an ecumenical programme which UCZ is a member church of, has taken strides in its 2023 operation plan through various nation-wide projects. Aligned with its strategic plan and focused on theological education by extension through church and community service, 49 HIV/AIDS Combat Ambassadors were trained in Lusaka to raise awareness and provide HIV/AIDS prevention strategies as part of the DECIDE HIV/AIDS Programme.

In addition, it engaged in environmental initiatives such as the WISE Green Church Project to raise awareness of creation care and sustainable usage of resources, as well as environmental stewardship. Over 7,700 trees of different species were distributed to and planted by churches and individuals in Ndola, Chililabombwe, and Kitwe, according to TEEZ Training and Capacity Development Manager Rev. Michael Kalito.