Papers for the Executive Commission 2015

THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

PAPERS FOR THE EXECUTIVE COMMISSION 2015

King Edward High School, Matatiele 7 th July - 10th July 2015 LIST OF CONTENTS OF EXECUTIVE COMMISSION 2015

REPORT PAGE

Agenda iii Art and Science of Facilitation Supp Assembly Business Committee: Supp Changes in the Ministry: 25 Church Associations: 166 Church Associations Report of Working Group 60 Church & Society: 179 Appendix 1 – Harm Reduction 183 Appendix 2 - Zimbabwe Taskforce Report 184 Appendix 3 - SA Taskforce Leaders 186 Church Office: 144 Clerk of Assembly: 29 Appendix A – Records 31 Commissioners: 1 Court of General Assembly and AARP: 148 Communications: 164 Education and Training: 155 Appendix 1 – PEF Report 157 Ecumenical Relationships: 168 Appendix A – SACC Condemns Growing Intolerance And Prejudice 174 Appendix 2 - SACC Report 175 Faith and Order: 188 Manual Report: 190

Confessions of Faith Report: 191 Appendix A - Amendments to the Confession of Faith to be Enacted in 2015 193 Appendix B – Belhar Confession: Liturgical Form 200 Appendix C – The Belgic Confession 201

Human Sexuality 203 Appendix D - Report on Training of the Trainer (TOT) 204 Appendix E - Crimes against Children 208 209 Appendix F - “Making Space for the Vulnerable Child”

Service Book Report 211 Appendix G - Order for the Public Profession of Faith and Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant 215 Appendix H - Order for a Funeral or Memorial Service 218 225 Appendix I - Direction for the conduct of Funeral and Memorial Services Appendix J - Order for commissioning to the Order of Lay Ministries 230

Finance: 63 Appendix 1 - Dutch Reformed Church Comparison 69 Appendix 2 - CEA Loans 70 Appendix 3 – Audited Financial Statements – 30 June 2014 71 Appendix 4 - Unaudited Accounts to December 2014 91 Appendix 5 – Audit Convener’s Report 93 Appendix 6 – Risk Analysis 94 Appendix 7 – Audited Financial Statements Of Sedibeng for Period Ended 31st December 2014 99 Appendix 8 – Presbytery Assessment Analysis for 10 years 113 Appendix 9 - Congregation Assessment Analysis for 10 years 114 Appendix10- Unallocated Assessments 128 Appendix11 – Budget 2015/2016 131 Appendix12 - Assessment Ranking 132

General Secretary: 32 Appendix A - Inclusive Youth Consultation Report Back 39 Appendix B - Statement by UPCSA Women Ministers – March 2015 42 Appendix C – Consultation of Ordained Women Ministers from Mara to Naomi 44 Appendix D – Aide Memoire for the Consultation of Presbytery Moderators, Clerks and Treasurers 2015 55 In Memoriam Minutes: 7 Insaka Groups: Ministry: 151 Ministers Emeritus: 9 Mission and Discipleship: 235 Appendix 1 - MSM Courses Currently Run In 2015 240 Appendix 2 - CWM Programme: Partners In Mission 240 Moderators of UPCSA: ii Overtures: 13 Pension Funds UPCSA 139 PEPF 142 Priorities and Resources: 149 Proposals in Decision-Making Sequence: Supp Returns to Remits: 14 Appendix A – Report from Presbytery of Central Cape 20 Standing Orders: Supp Stewardship: 234

Transactional and Missional Proposals: Supp Tributes to Retiring Ministers 10

UPCSA MODERATORS OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY

GENERAL EXECUTIVE NAME OF PRESBYTERIES

YEAR ASSEMBLY COMMISSION MODERATOR VISITED 1999 Port Elizabeth Bryanston The Rev CW Leeuw Drakensberg & FICB Zambia 2000 Gordon’s Bay Pretoria The Rev AD Vorster EGoli BD, MTh 2001 Benoni Parkview The Rev MT Chigwida Limpopo & BA, MDiv E.Griqualand 2002 Pretoria Strubensvalley The Rev MK Boshomane Thekwini DipTheol,BTh(Hons) 2003 East London Mulbarton The Rev GA Duncan Zimbabwe & Bed, BD. MTh, DTh Zambia 2004 Bryanston Benoni The Rev J Pillay Mthatha BTh.(Hons) MTh, PhD 2005 Kempton Park The Rev J Pillay Transkei BTh.(Hons) MTh, PhD 2006 Botha’s Hill, The Rev J Pillay Western Cape Kwa Zulu Natal BTh.(Hons) MTh, PhD 2006 Livingstone The Rev WD Pool BA (Hons) 2007 Orlando The Rev WD Pool Thukela BA (Hons) 2008 Gcuwa, The Rev WD Pool Butterworth BA (Hons) 2008 Eston, Kwa The Rev C Mkandawire Zulu Natal DipTh, BTh 2009 Moregloed, The Rev C Mkandawire Free State Tshwane DipTh, BTh 2010 No Exco The Rev C Mkandawire Tshwane DipTh, BTh 2010 Vereeniging, The Rev Dr G Lekoa Marchinkowski BA BD DMin 2011 The Rev Dr G Lekoa Marchinkowski BA BD DMin 2012 Perridgevale, The Rev Dr G Central Cape Port Elizabeth Marchinkowski BA BD DMin 2012 Stellenbosch, The Rev RJ Botsis BA Amathole Western Cape 2013 Kimberley The Rev RJ Botsis BA Limpopo

2014 Limpopo The Rev ME Ramulondi Zimbabwe BTh (Hons) 2015 East The Rev ME Ramulondi Mthatha Griqualand BTh (Hons)

THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA EXECUTIVE COMMISSION

(THEME: The Church Jesus prayed for)

DRAFT AGENDA

Tuesday, 7th July - Friday, 10th July 2015

SESSION TIME EVENT LENGTH

MONDAY, 6 JULY 2015:

14h00 Arrival and registration (KEHS Matatiele)

18h00 SUPPER

19h00 Orientation

TUESDAY, 7 JULY 2015:

FIRST 09h30 Constitution/Opening Service (KEHS) 90

Welcome Roll of Commissioners Moderators Address Holy Communion In Memoriam Minutes

11h00 TEA (School) 30

SECOND 11h30 General Session 60

Local arrangements Assembly Business Committee Changes in the Ministry Overtures and Petitions Notices of Motion Clerk of Assembly

12h30 LUNCH 60

THIRD 13h30 Listening Session (1) Executive Session 150

General Secretary 30 Working group on Associations 25 Finance 30 Pension Funds 15 Church Office 25 Court of Assembly and AARP 10 Priorities and Resources 15

FOURTH 16h00 Insaka Session (1) 120

18h00 Closing devotions 30

18h30 SUPPER

iii

THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA EXECUTIVE COMMISSION

(THEME: The Church Jesus prayed for)

DRAFT AGENDA

SESSION TIME EVENT LENGTH

WEDNESDAY, 8 JULY 2015:

07h30 BREAKFAST 60

FIFTH 08h30 Morning Devotions 30

09h00 Decision Session (1) 90

General Secretary 20 Working group on Associations 15 Finance 20 Pension Funds 5 Church Office 15 Court of Assembly and AARP 5 Priorities and Resources 10

10h30 TEA 30

SIXTH 11h00 Listening Session (2) 110

Ministry 25 Education and training 20 Communications 20 Church Associations 20 Ecumenical Relationships 25

12h50 Ecumenical delegates 40

13h30 LUNCH 60

14h30 Fellowship Event 90

TEA

SEVENTH 16h00 Insaka Session (2) 90

17h30 Evening Devotions 30

18h00 SUPPER 60

THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA EXECUTIVE COMMISSION

(THEME: The Church Jesus prayed for)

DRAFT AGENDA

SESSION TIME EVENT LENGTH

THURSDAY, 9 JULY 2015:

07h30 BREAKFAST

EIGHTH 08h30 Morning Devotions 30

09h00 Decision Session (2) 90

Ministry 20 Education and training 15 Communications 20 Church Associations 20 Ecumenical Relationships 15

10h30 TEA 30

NINTH 11h00 Listening Session (3) 120

Church and Society 20 Faith and Order 40 Stewardship 20 Mission and Discipleship 40

13h00 LUNCH 60

TENTH 14h00 Recognition of Retiring Ministers 60

15h00 TEA 30

ELEVENTH 15h30 Insaka Session (3) 120

17h30 Evening Devotions 30

18h00 SUPPER

TWELFTH 20h00 Open Session 30 (Celebrating our theme) (Rev D Gevers Bible Society)

20h30 Possible unfinished business 30

THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA EXECUTIVE COMMISSION

(THEME: The Church Jesus prayed for)

DRAFT AGENDA

SESSION TIME EVENT LENGTH

FRIDAY, 10 JULY 2015:

07h30 BREAKFAST

THIRTEENTH 08h30 Decision Session (3) 70

Church and Society 10 Faith and Order 25 Stewardship 5 Mission and Discipleship 25

Records 5

FOURTEENTH 09h40 Closing Service (KEHS) 60

Moderator’s Address

10h40 TEA AND COLLECT LUNCHES (SCHOOL)

11h00 Departures

Administration LIST OF COMMISSIONERS FOR EXECUTIVE COMMISSION 2015

Ex Officio First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname The Rt Rev Mukondi E M P O Box 219, [email protected] 082 758 5937 Ramulondi Witkoppen, 2068 The Rev R Munthali M P O Box 397, [email protected] 082 831 9654 Vhufuli, 0971 m The Rev Lungile M P O Box 96188, [email protected] 011 727 3500; Mpetsheni Brixton, 2019 g.za 082 254 6679 Mr Tom W Coulter M P O Box 96188, [email protected] 011 727 3500; Brixton, 2019 011 727 3506 The Rev Siba Loni M P O Box 1684 [email protected]; 082 784 8558 King William’s Town, 5600 Mr Doug Anderson M P/Bag Box 14, [email protected]; 011 727 3500 Bryanston, 2021

Amathole Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname The Lulamile Obose M PO Box 320, [email protected] 082 947 1559 Mdantsane, 5219 Alternates The Rev Xolani Vatela M P O Box 5005, [email protected] 071 093 7140 Mlungisi PO Queenstown, 5320 Elders First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Mrs Novayi Jekwa F PO Box 4026 [email protected] 0437483883 Duncan Village, East London 5216 0823356636 Alternates Mrs NW Pona F P O Box 1167, [email protected] 082 690 9154 East London, 5200

Central Cape Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname The Rev Howard Hans M P O Box 21725, Port Elizabeth, [email protected] 083 321 2044 6000 079 490 0548 Alternates The Rev Dean Bachelor M 1 Alfred Terrace, Central, PE 6001 [email protected] 083 530 9832

Elders First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Ms Irene Myataza F 42 Mdingi Street, [email protected] 073 151 6112 Zwide, 6201 Alternates Mrs N Mananga F 660 Nadaba Street, Kwazakhele, c/o ccpresby@gapchurch. 083 355 3051 Port Elizabeth 6205 co.za

Copperbelt Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname The Rev Abraham Nkhata M P O Box 290350, [email protected] (0)97 784 5735 Ndola, Zambia Alternates The Rev Chala Habasila M P O Box 21062 [email protected] (0)97 725 1931 Kitwe, 10101 Zambia Elders First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Mr Manuel Harawa M [email protected] (0)97 490 6258 m Alternates Mr Malaro Nyirenda M P O Box 240583, Ndola, Zambia

Drakensberg Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Rev A Zolani Stuurman M P.O. Box 210, [email protected] 074 114 4469 Ixopo, 3276 Elders First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Ms LP Madela F 121 Retief Street, Casbro Centre, [email protected] 082 422 7159 Pietermaritzburg. 3201

East Griqualand Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname The Rev David D Monokoane M P O Box 19, [email protected] 072 322 4232 Mount Fletcher, 4770 Elders First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Mr S Figlan M c/o P O Box 19, [email protected] 072 542 0634 Mount Fletcher, 4770

eGoli Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname The Rev Armando Sontange M P O Box 4, [email protected] 072 393 9313 Kagiso, 1744 Alternates The Rev Sibusiso Zungu M PO Box 83062, [email protected] 082 705 9761 South Hills, 2136 084 972 7226 Elders First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Mr Nathi Ndlovu M [email protected] 082 808 5169

Alternates Mr Thabiso Molefe M [email protected]

eThekwini Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname The Rev Thabani Masikane M PO Box 54585 [email protected] 072 663 2244 Umlazi Alternates First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname The Rev Jeremy Smith M 49 Maurice Nicholas Rd, Pinetown [email protected] 072 324 7337 3610 Elders First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Ms Nonhlanhla Kweyama F P O Box 569, [email protected] 084 340 2842 Hammarsdale, 3700 Alternates First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Mrs Lorranine Carlyle F [email protected] 082 622 5053

Free State Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname P O Box 10140, The Rev John Gordon M [email protected] 083 492 2647 Beaconsfield, 8315 Alternates The Rev Thembisa Galela- PO Box 5343, thembisa.galela- F 083 492 2647 Thema Lengau, 9503 [email protected]

2 Elders First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Mr Herman Booysen M PO Box 30436, [email protected] 082 551 3901 Pellissier 9322 Alternates Mr F Moremi M PO Box 11653, Kutlwanong 082 666 0813

Highveld Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname P O Box 12744, adminbenoni@presbyterian. 072 650 1755 The Rev Roydon Blackwell M Benoryn, 1504 org.za Alternate The Rev Ruth Armstrong F P O Box 15823, [email protected] 084 500 7027 Lambton, 1414 Elders First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Ms Margaret Stillwell P O Box 96188, 082 447 2463 F [email protected] Brixton, 2019 Alternate c/o P O Box 14, 083 460 9812 Mrs N Dhlamini F [email protected] Boksburg, 1500

Lekoa Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Rev Linsby Motebele M P O Box 55, [email protected] 073 538 0775 Sebokeng, 1983 Alternate The Rev Ayanda Magula M PO Box 89, [email protected] 076 458 0409 Sharpeville, 1982 Elders First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Mr Jabari Lempe M 823 Radebe St, [email protected] 084 500 9814 Bophelong, 1911 Alternate D.M. Maimane M 468 Extension 6 072 622 2576 Jouberton, 2574

Limpopo Ministers First Name / M/ Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname F The Rev MK Maselesele M P O Box 411, [email protected] 082 595 0991 Vhufuli, 0971 om Alternates The Rev LDL Molaba M P O Box 299, [email protected] 076 535 5532 Mmphahlele, 0736 Elders First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Mrs Modiba ME F PO Box 416, [email protected] 083 985 0803 Polokwane, 0700 Alternates MA Phatudi F P O Box 1202, [email protected] 082 661 3294 Chunespoort, 0745

M’chinga Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Code: 00260 The Rev Reuben Daka M c/o P O Box 310227 [email protected] (0)97 775 8947 Lusaka, Zambia Elders First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Mr Benson Njobvu M c/o P O Box 310227 [email protected] Lusaka, Zambia (0)96 672 9464

3 Mthatha Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Code: 00260 The Rev Phindile Nqakwana M Presbytery of Mthatha, P O Box [email protected] 071 984 3913 144, Mthatha, 5099 074 131 4010 Alternates The Rev B Tupa M Presbytery of Mthatha, P O Box 073 481 6086 144, Mthatha, 5099 Elders First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname V.S. Letuka M Presbytery of Mthatha, P O Box [email protected] 082 390 8703 144, Mthatha, 5099 Alternates MW Mkentani M Presbytery of Mthatha, P O Box 078 442 6788 144, Mthatha, 5099

Munali Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Code: 00260 The Rev. Dr. Chris M Plot No. 234 Mo-O-Tunya [email protected] (0)97 768 1606 Mkandawire Livingstone, Zambia Elders First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Mrs Cecelia Kaluwa F Chawama Presbyterian Church, P [email protected] (0)97 776 7038 O Box 141, Chawama, Lusaka

Thukela Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname The Rev V Zepe M P O Box 141978, Madadeni, 2951 [email protected] 071 067 3804

Elders First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Ms I V T Nxumalo F P O Box 25189, Newcastle, 2940 [email protected] 074 894 0446 m 082 389 6260

Transkei Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname The Rev Xola Mluma M PO Box 641, [email protected] 083 511 4254 Nqamakwe, 4990 Alternates First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname The Rev Luyanda Matya M P O Box 1072, [email protected]. 083 422 8511 Butterworth 4060 za Elders First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Mr T Mbandazayo M P O Box 853, [email protected] 084 400 1503 Butterworth, 4960 Alternates Mrs LP Manitshana F 19 Emerald Avenue, [email protected] 045 807 7000/ Balmoral, Queenstown 5320 082 558 8422

Tshwane Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname The Rev Mantsi Mohapi M No 3 First Street, A.S.B [email protected] 083 457 7302 WaterKloof, Lyttleton, 0157 Elders First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Mrs Violet Baloyi F P O Box 271 [email protected] 082 927 6488 Soshanguve, 0152 Alternates

4 Mr. Harry Bopape M P O Box 118, [email protected] 072 991 6749 Mabopane, 0190 Western Cape Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname The Rev Peter Langerman M P O Box 180, [email protected] 082 785 2332 Durbanville, 7551

First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Mr Michael Ketani M 23 Ndabeni Street, Langa, 7455 [email protected] 082 2183770 .za 078 589 1764

Zimbabwe Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Code: 00263 The Rev David M P O Box EH 1, Emerald Hill, [email protected] (0)71 404 3656 Mushayavanhu Harare m Alternate The Rev Matorofa M c/o Gloag P O Box 1490 Gweru [email protected] (0)712 862 783 Mutonganvo Elders First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname 00263 Mr Munyaradzi Kwenje M [email protected]/ (0)77 242 5391 [email protected] Alternate Ms Mary Saopa F

Western Cape Ministers First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname The Rev Peter Langerman M P O Box 180, [email protected] 082 785 2332 Durbanville, 7551

5 First Name / M/F Postal Address E-mail Phone No Surname Mr Michael Ketani M 23 Ndabeni Street, Langa, 7455 [email protected] 082 2183770 .za 078 589 1764

6 IN MEMORIAM MINUTES

Report to Executive Commission 2015:

Rev Shadreck Mzamo Masuku:

Shadreck Mzamo Masuku was born on the 20th of October 1934 to the late Mangaliso Masuku and Maciwa Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna, Kwa Bulawayo. He obtained a Diploma in teaching and taught as a Primary School Teacher before he was called as an Evangelist in the Methodist Church.

Having trained as an Evangelist at Epworth Mission where he obtained a Diploma in Theology before He was called into the Ministry. He was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel in the Presbyterian Church in 1981. He later obtained a Diploma in Constructive Theology from the University of Westville now University of Kwa Zulu Natal.

He has served in many different Congregations in Zimbabwe before He was called to serve the St Augustine Presbyterian Church and later, the Khayelihle Presbyterian Church both in Umlazi until 2003 when He retired His whole career has been in the Ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

He believed in the power of prayer and he relied on it as an absolute standard for His life. It is through prayer that He conquered all circumstances, trials and tribulations that came his way in life, Family and his Ministry. His Ministry and his Family is the evidence of his prayerful life. There were many times in his life when he depended only on prayer. Whenever he encountered persecution and tribulations he receded into prayer and always sought God’s face and guidance. He always prayed in silence and in words for all those that he came into contact with. When he prayed he knew that God was listening and that he will never leave or forsake him. His prayers came from a place of deep meditation in the Word of God because he knew that God is the only source in his life. Prayer to him was like breathing and it was only through prayer that he forgave those that trespassed against him.

He leaves behind his wife Agnes Masuku (Ma Ndlovu) after 46 years of marriage: his only surviving brother Benjamin Masuku; his only surviving sister Ntombejele Mzizi; his 9 children- 8 Sons (Garfield, Thabani, Thamsanqa, Thembinkosi, Njabulo, twins Nkosinathi & Bongani, Ndabezinhle and 1 daughter Musa); 7 Daughters in Law (Phumzile, Ayanda, Hlengiwe, Thembela, Phumla, Sphesihle and Phumzile) together with 20 Grandchildren.

He was called to a higher service on the 31st October 2014. Jeremiah 33:3 was his favourite verse, it read as follows: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know”

Lala kahle Masuku, Zikode, Mlondo Ka Nqamakazi, Nhlane, Zwide Kalanga wase Gudunkomo, Mkhatshwa Ka Zimangele. Ukulwile ukulwa okuhle kokukholwa. Sizohlala sikukhumbula ezinhlizweni zethu

Rev Tlou Thamaga:

The Rev. Tlou Edward Thamaga, affectionately known as "Tiou" was born on the 15th August 1960, at the village of Ga Kobo (Moletji) in Limpopo (Polokwane). He is the second son of Mr. Franz and Motaki Thamaga. He started schooling at Mashashaba Primary. He matriculated at Karabi Senior School at Polokwane. He was a devoted member of Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. From the back ground he was a Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa. As a member of the Sunday school and MBB (Mokhatlo wa ba bacha) Youth fellowship of the Church in Bochum (Limpopo).

He was married to Reasetja Johanna Thamaga (Nee Maphoto), unfortunately passed on in August 2014, and they were blessed with three children, one boy and two girls. Tlou, Tshehofatso and Motaki.He responded to God's calling in 1996. He went to study. He studied at the University of the North doing B. theology from 1997 to 1999. On completion he was appointed to Sharpeville congregation as a probationer. On the 1st February 2001 he was licensed to preach the word of God, and started his Post Academic Training (PAT), and was appointed to St Andrews Congregation within the Presbytery of Mthatha. After he got an Exeat certificate in January 2002, he was ordained to the Holy Ministry of the Word and Sacraments by the Presbytery of Mthatha on the 25th March 2002, and the Presbytery agreed to appoint and induct him to the pastoral charge of Lower rainy Mission and V.V. Dipha Memorial. He was also assigned to be and look after of S.B.Ngcobo Memorial Congregation in the year 2002 and 2003.

On the 5th of February 2004, he received and accepted a call to Mpharane congregation within the bounds of East Griqualand Presbytery. He exercised his ministry at Mpharane congregation as from February 2004, and congregation he served with great humility, integrity and diligence. At Presbytery level, he. served as Convener of Ministry Committee from 2008 to 2010. President of M.C.G, He also served as Interim Moderator of Tsekong congregation from February 2010 to May 2013 and Upper Mkemane from May 2013

7 till he pass on. He passed away while he was serving as a Treasurer of the East Griqualand Presbytery. The Matatiele community in general, the UPCSA in particular, has lost a preacher, a teacher, a father, a Christian, a humble servant and a leader. The Presbytery of East Griqualand and the Mpharane congregation had lost a Priest (Moruti) who ministered beyond his reach; He is survived by his mother, Motaki. He will be missed by his three children son Tlou, two daughters Tshegofatso and Motaki.

8 MINISTERS EMERITUS

Report to Executive Commission 2015

Rev. Goodman B Buhlungu:

At a statutory meeting of the East Griqualand, Council held at St Columbus on 16th May 2015, it was resolved.

1.1. To note that Rev. G.B. Buhlungu will be retiring on 31 December 2015. 1.2. To approve a draft of a tribute to him and have the clerk name it to the Central Office

Rev. Gerard J Langeveld:

Extracts from the minutes of the Tshwane Presbytery Meeting held on 21st February 2015.05.09.

P_.1.1.3.Presbytery instructs the Clerk to ensure that application for minister emeritus on behalf of Rev's van der Spuy and Langeveld reaches the Executive Commission. Proposed seconded and accepted.

Rev. Prof. Maake Masango: No information at time of going to print.

Rev. Dennis van der Spuy:

Extracts from the minutes of the Tshwane Presbytery Meeting held on 21st February 2015.

The Presbytery of Tshwane in its council meeting on the 10 May 2014 has noted that The Rev. D. van der Spuy is about to go on retirement on the 31 May 2015. We hereby inform the Board of Trustees of the UPCSA pension fund as instructed by the Presbytery.

P 1.1.2. Presbytery requests the Presbytery Clerk to inform the Ministry Committee of General Assembly and the Board of Trustees of the UPCSA Pension Fund and apply to the General Assembly or its Executive Commission for the Minister to be declared a Minister Emeritus. Proposed, seconded and accepted.

PROPOSALS:

1. The Executive Commission grants the Rev G Buhlungu the status of Minister Emeritus from 31 December 2015 and a seat on the Presbytery within whose bounds he may reside.

2. The Executive Commission grants the Rev G Langeveld the status of Minister Emeritus from 31 May 2015 and a seat on the Presbytery within whose bounds he may reside.

3. The Executive Commission grants the Rev. Prof. Maake Masango the status of Minister Emeritus from 31 October 2015 and a seat on the Presbytery within whose bounds he may reside.

4. The Executive Commission grants the Rev D van der Spuy the status of Minister Emeritus from 29 February 2016 and a seat on the Presbytery within whose bounds he may reside.

9 TRIBUTES TO RETIRING MINISTERS

Report to Executive Commission 2015:

REV DENNIS DE STADLER:

The Revd Dennis de Stadler was born on the 9th March 1950 in Pretoria. He married Fee on the 29th September 1975 at Hogsback. They are blessed with three children, namely Liezel (31), James (28) and Mary (25).

He began his theological studies at St Bede’s Theological College at Umtata in 1978 and finished in 1980 with a Diploma in Theology and from TEEC. In the same year he obtained BTh through Unisa and in 1985 he obtained his BTh Hours at Rhodes University.

He was ordained as a deacon in 1980 and a year later he was ordained as a Priest.

A) Finances, Administration And Maintenance.

1. When the Revd Dennis de Stadler arrived at St John’s the Annual income was R40,000. The monthly income is now close toR70,000. 2. For a good many years we, as a congregation, were way behind with our Presbytery and General Assembly assessments. These are now 100% up to date. 3. For a good many years we struggled financially to make ends meet. We now have a surplus, whilst having maintained our financial commitments - even to the point of making a monthly contribution to a "Vehicle Fund." 4. As far as the buildings and grounds are concerned, these were badly in need of maintenance when he arrived. Not only have they been extremely well maintained, but with our new entrance and wall, are drawing admiration and plaudits. 5. The administration of the congregation's affairs is 100% - with an enthusiastic Session and very competent Stewardship Committee. 6. The Registers and Congregational Roll are up to date. 7. The Minute Book of Session is 100% up to date.

B) Presbytery Ministries

1. Served as Fellowship of Vocations co-ordinator for a period. 2. Served on Commission to Congregation of Impendle.

C) External Ministries

1. Arranged two highly successful pilgrimages to Israel (2008, 2012) with about 40 pilgrims on each. 2. Served regularly on Emmaus weekends on a number of occasions, both as Spiritual Director and Assistant Spiritual Director. 3. Since his induction in March 2008, he has constantly and consistently been a participant on the Dargle Congregation Council. He has arranged services and has personally done services for the congregation. 4. He has arranged teaching and "Quiet Days" for groups from outside the congregation. e.g. North African missionaries et al.

D) St John's Ministry

1. Throughout his years of ministry at St John's he has received regular affirmations about his visitation(s). Although this has never been his strongest suit, he has largely, “stuck to the task”. 2. Pastoral work, which includes marriage ministry, funeral and sacramental ministries (baptisms and Holy Communion), and ministry to the sick and dying, have been very well received and complimented. 3. Sunday worship services, have been extremely well received, and have been a particular source of spiritual satisfaction for him. He has thoroughly enjoyed the ministry of preaching/teaching. 4. There have been regular - albeit ad hoc - "Quiet Days", Men's and women's breakfasts, and "Passover Meals" arranged.

We at St John’s Gowrie are saddened by Dennis de Stadler’s retirement and will surely miss his teaching(s) and other pastoral support. Should he wish to pursue his teaching(s) and/or pastoral support activities elsewhere we would have no hesitation in furnishing our written support to anyone who requested it.

Yours Sincerely…..God Bless, Owen Tidbury, Session Clerk, St John’s Gowrie, Nottingham Road.

REV GOODMAN BUHLUNGU:

Bonisile was born on November 10, 1945 at Etyeni Location, in a small town of the Eastern Cape Province, known as Tsolo. As a minister he is a product of the late Rev. G.T. Vika, who was at the time in charge of Somerville, his home congregation within the bounds of the Mthatha Presbytery.

After matriculating in 1965 he tried to gain admission to a Teacher Training College in the Transkei, but was not successful. He decided to find a temporary job instead of wasting the whole year doing nothing. He ended up going to the mines, and was employed as a mine hospital clerk for a year. In 1966 he came back from the mines and got accepted at Cicira Training Teacher College, where he completed his training at the end of 1968.

He started to work as a Teacher in 1969. In 1973 he responded to a call to become a Minister. The then Bantu Presbyterian Church sent him to the Federal Theological Seminary in Alice in 1974. In that same year the Federal Theological Seminary was appropriated by the Apartheid Government, and the Seminary community moved to Mthatha and got accommodation at the St Peter's Anglican College. Even there things did not go well as the Transkei Government had the same negative attitude to FedSem as the government of South Africa and it made life unbearable for the FedSem. Consequently once again the Seminary moved to Plessislaer in Pietermaritzburg at the beginning of 1976, in which year Bonisile completed his ministerial training.

The General Assembly of the then Reformed Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa placed Bonisile at the Mafube Parish, in the Matatiele district at the beginning of the following year. In July, after a short stint of six months, following his ordination, he moved to the Ross Congregation in the Presbytery of Umtata. He was inducted to the charge of the Ross Congregation in August the same year. Part of the development work that he facilitated during the five years that he spent at Ross was the erection of sanctuaries at five outstations of the parish. At the main station a five I roomed out building was built that accommodated amongst others, the parish office.

In 1982 he responded to a call from Mbonda Congregation as was inducted to it on January 21, 1983. He was accommodated in the old manse which was very old dilapidated and virtually uninhabitable. In the same year he put up a new' manse. Other projects he embarked upon were the building of a sanctuary in the Mount Frere town, which was named after the late Rev. F.B. Mdani, a predecessor of his, who had served a very long period of time at Mbonda. At present he is busy building a new sanctuary at the main station to replace the old one. Because of financial constraints he has so far not finished erecting this new structure.

As a member of the East Griqualand Presbytery he has been an asset. He has served at the following congregations as an Interim Moderator: Balasi, Upper Mkemane, T.T. Dekeda Memorial Congregation, and Yekelo Mbali Memorial Congregation. From 1:995 to 1999 he served as a Moderator of the Presbytery of East Griqualand. In 1990, when there was a serious crisis of a clash between the Johannesburg Congregation and the STOFS Presbytery, the RPCSA, general Assembly chose him to go and help resolve the crisis. It took him a year to turn the situation around in Johannesburg.

Rev. Buhlungu will be retiring at the end of 2015 leaving a large vacuum in the leadership of the East Griqualand Presbytery. However, we, as his fellow Presbyters, shall forever be thankful to God for having honoured us with a long service of a minister of his calibre. It is our wish and prayer that God will bless his year of retirement and let then be peaceful time in which to enjoy happy memories of his thirty eighty years of labour in the Lord's vineyard.

REV GERARD LANGEVELD:

Born 27 February 1951 at Windsorton near Kimberley. Baptised 4 November 1951 at Makhado, (then Louis Trichardt) Attended several schools due to his father's occupation - Carolina(MP) Louisvale (NC); Bainsvlei(FS); Strydenburg (NC) and matriculated at the Hopetown High School(NC).

He was also confirmed in Hopetown. The Scripture Text that was given to him was Romans 1:16 "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes...." A sense of being called to the ministry of Word and Sacrament has grown ever stronger over years.

Studied at University of Stellenbosch from 1970 -1976. Completed BA Admission, BTh and Licentiate in Theology.

In 1975 he got married to Juriana and are blessed with 4 daughters. They and their husbands all serve the Lord. Gerard and Juriana have 5 grandchildren. Gerard served as minister of Word and Sacrament for 3 years in the Dutch Reformed Congregation Beaufort West, and for 24 years in the DRC Bellville.

11 Due to financial restraints of the congregation he went on early retirement in 2004. From the end of 2006 he was appointed Stated Supply to the Eshowe congregation of the UPCSA, till 2008, and thereafter to the St Andrew's congregation of the UPCSA in Emalahleni/ Witbank, 2009-2014.

In 2014 he was accepted as minister of Word and Sacrament of the UPCSA. That to him, was a day that the Lord has made. He rejoices in it and content.

REV. PROF. MAAKE MASANGO: Tribute to follow in Supplementary Papers.

REV DENNIS VAN DER SPUY:

Born in George in 1947, the second of 3 brothers, the family were members of the Dutch Reformed Church but changed to the Presbyterian Church due to the impact of Rev Charles Gordon and an English speaking orientation. The family transferred to Pretoria and he attended Brooklyn Primary and thereafter Pretoria Boys High. St Columba’s Hatfield became their next congregation. Dennis joined the very active youth group, run by his good friend Gerald McCann [now retired from the Baptist ministry]. At the age of 14, he attended an Easter youth camp run by the Church, accepted the claim of Jesus on his life and immediately felt called to the Ministry as a way of serving Christ. Finishing Matric in 1965 he attended Rhodes University, Grahamstown and for the next 5 years trained for the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, gaining the BA, BD degrees. Whilst at University, he met and married Pauline in 1968. Le-Anne, their eldest daughter was born in 1970. In line with the 2 year post academic training, he was assigned the congregation of St Stephen’s Rosettenville and was ordained there in early 1971. Two wonderful years of camaraderie took place at Linden where Eddie Perkins led the group. Their son Stephen was born in 1972. In 1973 Dennis was approached by the Kimberley Presbyterian Church to assist in the ministry there, since Rev Colin Stunden contracted cancer, and in fact died within a few months. The congregation then called him and for the next five years he enjoyed a wonderful and growing time in his life. It was during this time that their third child, Susan, was born. In 1978 he received and accepted a call from the George Presbyterian Church where he spent the next few years. This was to be a short tenure due to his disavowal of the strong influence of Freemasons within the congregation. He resigned from the congregation and returned to Pretoria where he became a Personnel Officer for the Noristan Pharmaceutical Group. In 1982 he was approached and accepted to become a Chaplain in the SA Defence Force as SSO English Literature at the Chaplain General HQ. This also entailed ministering to various units in Pretoria and an annual 6 week tour the Namibian border area. The spiritual welfare of those conscripted was very close to his heart and led to times of real ministry along with Chaplains of many other denominations. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel, continuing to serve in the Chaplain General HQ in an Air Force uniform as a chief of Staff. In the 20 years he spent there he was able to observe the political changes that occurred and to play a role in formulating the religious policy for the new SANDF dispensation. He was Chaplain to the highest forums of the SANDF. As part of the task he was able to minister to many of the SA Embassies and Consulates in the USA, Europe and Africa. It was a matter of principle to him that he was imbedded within the life of the denomination. He was Moderator of the Presbytery of Port Elizabeth. He assisted a number of congregations as Interim Moderator over the years. He preached whenever invited. He was editor of “Presbyterian Life” for 5 years. Dennis was also very involved with the Presbyterian campsite in Rocky Valley Krugersdorp and it was through his vision and drive that the first hall and swimming pool was built there. He served the Presbytery of Tshwane as Clerk for 9 years. It was Dennis who founded the Presbytery Youth Workers Executive in the then Presbytery of Transvaal East and it was this executive that brought significant groups of black and white teenagers together for volleyball days and camps in the late 1980's. In April 2002, he accepted the Call to St Francis Presbyterian Church, Waterkloof, Pretoria where he has ministered for 13 years to the time of retirement. His wife Pauline is presently Secretary to the SA National Parks Board and administers the CEO’s office. She will join him in retirement next year. Dennis will be remembered for his faithfulness to the church and his diligence in all that he did. Dennis is a creative thinker and the roots of many of the initiatives and outreaches in the Presbytery came out of his innovative thinking. He has always been willing to offer his organisational skills, his caring spirituality and grounded faith to the presbytery and to his colleagues and friends. His faith in and love for Christ and the gospel were always clearly the key priorities in his life. As Interim Moderator Dennis would carefully nurture congregations to a point of call and he was always gracious to younger colleagues – gentle in advice and willing to listen. For many years he opened his home for lunch with colleagues to discuss new Bible Study material, explore ways of reaching out and planting new churches, or equipping our congregations. He has been caring toward his colleagues, steadfast in his principles and faithful in proclaiming the gospel. Never seeking the limelight, he continued to work faithfully and diligently to build the church and serve and assist wherever he was asked to do so. A Christian for 54 years, a minister for 44 years, committed to the Reformed faith and to preaching Biblical Theology he now, God willing, looks forward to a time to publish [on line] the biblical studies material he developed for Bible Study groups. He says “Serving Jesus Christ has been the most wonderful privilege of my life”

12 OVERTURES

Report to Executive Commission 2015

1. CONCERNING ALLEGATIONS AGAINST PRESIDENT ZUMA:

In view of the facts that

1. South Africa is rife with corruption, not least in national, provincial and local government, as is evident in the unceasing stream of reports of it in our newspapers and on television; 2. this endemic corruption robs the country of vast amounts of money that could otherwise be spent on public services, hospitals, schools, the housing and relief of the poor etc.; 3. it also inhibits foreign investment in our country and thus damages its economic future; 4. the most notable and scandalous example of such corruption is the R246 million that has been spent on President Jacob Zuma’s palatial home at Nkandla in Kwazulu-Natal; 5. the Public Protector, after careful legal investigation, confirmed that this money has been misappropriated from the public coffers and called on President to repay at least some of it; 6. the General Assembly in 2014 refused to endorse a motion supporting this call on President Zuma to repay the money and calling on him to resign his office—on the grounds that: a) the matter had not yet been tested in court; and b) we should not make “political points”; and 7. this decision will be to the permanent shame of the UPCSA in future records of our time if it is not reversed, the Presbytery overtures the Executive Commission of the General Assembly to adopt the following form of the original motion, which • caters for the argument in 6(a) above by adding the words “if the allegations are true” and • opposes the argument in 6(b) as contrary to the witness of Scripture, the Reformed tradition and the UPCSA Confession of Faith that Jesus Christ is Lord of the whole of life, including its political sphere, and therefore the Church should speak truth to power and witness prophetically to the State against all injustice and corruption.

In view of 1. the allegations of misappropriation, or theft, of funds from the public treasury for the construction of President Jacob Zuma’s palatial home at Nkandla that the press has uncovered and that the investigations of the Public Protector have confirmed and 2. the encouragement that this misappropriation constitutes for the corruption that is so endemic in the body politic in South Africa, the Assembly calls on President Zuma, if the allegations are true, 1. to repay into the public treasury the money that has been misappropriated, or stolen, and 2. to resign his office and step out of the public square. The Executive Commission instructs • its press officer to see that this resolution is issued to the press immediately, on the day it is adopted; and • the Clerk to see that it is sent to President Zuma in a letter signed by the Moderator on its behalf.

Signed: Douglas S. Bax

THE REV. PD LANGERMAN WILL PRESENT THIS OVERTURE

PROPOSALS:

The Executive Commission resolves to deal with the Overture as follows:

1. Overture No 1 under the Church and Society Committee.

13 RETURNS TO REMITS

Report to Executive Commission 2015

Remit GA/14/01

2. The Assembly amends para. 16.104 to read:

(a) In all cases Ministers are required to discuss their proposal in detail with the Session and Congregation and to obtain the consent of the Presbytery before taking up new secular appointments. The Presbytery must then appoint an assessor to the Session to assist the Session in negotiating the new arrangement with the minister. (b) Those who have secular employment when these rules come into force are required to report to their Sessions and to seek to obtain the consent of the Presbytery, giving full details. Should the Presbytery not approve the position it must be renegotiated. Where Presbytery agrees to the minister taking up secular employment, Presbytery appoints an assessor to the Session to oversee the process. (c) If the minister wishing to take up secular employment has been inducted into the Congregation, then the induction ends on a date that the Presbytery sets. The minister must then be appointed for a specified period under new terms and conditions that the minister, Session and the Congregation mutually agree on. This agreement must stipulate all the emoluments, the terms and conditions of the appointment, including, but not limited to, working hours, leave provisions and related matters. This appointment, including all the terms and conditions of the appointment and the emoluments, must be approved at a special congregational meeting moderated by the assessor appointed by the Presbytery. Presbytery must then approve the appointment and all its terms, conditions, emoluments and other relevant matters. (d) If the minister wishing to take up secular employment was appointed to the Congregation, that appointment ends on a date set by the Presbytery, if it is not in any case due to end prior to the date on which the secular employment starts. The minister must then be re-appointed for a specified period under new terms and conditions mutually agreed to by the minister and the Congregation. This agreement must stipulate all the emoluments and the terms and conditions of the appointment, including, but not limited to, the working hours, leave provisions and related matters. This new appointment, including the terms and conditions of the appointment and the emoluments, must be approved at a special congregational meeting moderated by the assessor appointed by Presbytery. Presbytery must then approve the appointment and all its terms, conditions, emoluments and other relevant matters.

The Assembly adopted proposal 2 regarding amendments to paragraph. 16.104 of the Manual of Faith and Order and sent it to the Presbyteries for their consideration and approval under paragraph 12.50 (the Barrier Act) of the Manual of Faith and Order of the UPCSA.

REPLIES:

1.1 12 in favour (1 Conditional 1 not conditional) Nil Against

Amathole: In favour Central Cape: In favour Copperbelt: No submission at time of going to print. Drakensberg: No submission at time of going to print. East Griqualand: No submission at time of going to print. eGoli: In favour Free State: In favour Highveld: In favour Lekoa: In favour Limpopo: In favour (Not conditional) see report in Appendix A. M’chinga: No submission at time of going to print. Mthatha: In favour Munali: No submission at time of going to print. eThekwini: In favour uThukela: In favour Tshwane: In favour Transkei: No submission at time of going to print. Western Cape: In favour (Conditional) see report in Appendix A. Zimbabwe: No submission at time of going to print.

Remit GA/14/02

REPLIES:

1.2 12 in favour (3 not conditional) Nil against

3. The Assembly amends para. 16.25 to read:

When a pastoral charge becomes vacant or a specific date on which it will become vacant is set, the following steps are taken:

(a) the Presbytery appoints an Interim Moderator/Assessor; (b) Presbytery stipulates the remuneration to be paid to the Interim Moderator or Assessor as a per kilometre travelling allowance and pulpit supply, provided that the amount for pulpit supply and per kilometre travel may not be lower than that of the Presbytery or General Assembly minimum for pulpit supply and travelling allowances; (c) the Interim Moderator or Assessor, on the first convenient Sunday, notifies the Congregation of the vacancy or impending vacancy and instructs the Congregation to fill the vacancy as soon as possible; (d) whenever possible the Interim Moderator or Assessor interviews the outgoing Minister; and (e) with the outgoing Minister and the Assistant Minister, if there is one, not present, the Interim Moderator or Assessor meets with the Session and then with the Congregation.

The Assembly adopted proposal 3 regarding amendments to paragraph. 16.25 of the Manual of Faith and Order and referred it to the Presbyteries for their consideration and approval under paragraph 12.50 (the Barrier Act) of the Manual of Faith and Order of the UPCSA.

Amathole: In favour Central Cape: In favour (Not conditional) see report in Appendix A. Copperbelt: No submission at time of going to print. Drakensberg: No submission at time of going to print. East Griqualand: No submission at time of going to print. eGoli: In favour Free State: In favour Highveld: In favour Lekoa: In favour Limpopo: In favour (Not conditional) see report in Appendix A. M’chinga: No submission at time of going to print. Mthatha: In favour Munali: No submission at time of going to print. eThekwini: In favour uThukela: In favour Tshwane: In favour Transkei: No submission at time of going to print. Western Cape: In favour (Not conditional) see report in Appendix A. Zimbabwe: No submission at time of going to print.

Remit GA/14/03

REPLIES:

1.3 12 in favour (2 not conditional) see report in Appendix A.

4. The Assembly amends para.16.47 to read:

Before considering the Call the Presbytery must

(a) approve the emoluments offered; (b) satisfy itself that the Congregation is not in arrears in the payment of the previous Minister’s stipend and other emoluments; (c) satisfy itself that the Congregation is not in arrears in the payment of the assessments of the Councils of the Church or, if it is in arrears, that the Congregation has explained the circumstances of its failure to pay its outstanding assessments and that adequate arrangements have been made to settle the outstanding assessments; and (d) ascertain whether the incoming Minister has any outstanding loans either from the Church Development Loans Fund (or its successor, if any) or from any Presbytery and, if such loans exist, decide how they are to be handled.

15 The Assembly adopted Proposal 4 regarding amendments to paragraph. 16.47 of the Manual of Faith and Order and referred it to the Presbyteries for their consideration and approval under paragraph 12.50 (the Barrier Act) of the Manual of Faith and Order of the UPCSA.

Amathole: In favour Central Cape: In favour Copperbelt: No submission at time of going to print. Drakensberg: No submission at time of going to print. East Griqualand: No submission at time of going to print. eGoli: In favour Free State: In favour Highveld: In favour Lekoa: In favour Limpopo: In favour (Not conditional) see report in Appendix A M’chinga: No submission at time of going to print. Mthatha: In favour Munali: No submission at time of going to print. eThekwini: In favour uThukela: In favour Tshwane: In favour Transkei: No submission at time of going to print. Western Cape: In favour (Not conditional) see report in Appendix A Zimbabwe: No submission at time of going to print.

Remit GA/14/04

5. The Assembly inserts a new para. 14.18:

Rescinding a Decision

(a) Any member of a Council who was present or had registered an apology for the meeting where the decision in question was made, may, in a meeting of that Council, move that the Council rescind a previous decision of that Council. The Council must fully investigate the implications of rescinding the decision. If after such an investigation the Council is reasonably satisfied that no person will suffer prejudice if the decision is rescinded and that the implications of rescinding the decision will not adversely affect any person or party, it may rescind the decision. (b) Except where a party is or will be prejudiced as a result of a decision of a Council or if a decision of a Council is found to be unlawful or illegal, or made in error, a Council may entertain a motion to rescind a decision only at a subsequent sitting of a Council; (c) An Executive may not rescind decisions of a full Council, unless the Council grants permission to its own Executive to rescind decisions of the full Council. A Council may rescind decisions of its Executive.

The Assembly adopted proposal 5 regarding a new para. 14.18 of the Manual of Faith and Order and sent it to the Presbyteries for their consideration and approval under paragraph 12.50 (the Barrier Act) of the Manual of Faith and Order of the UPCSA.

REPLIES:

1.4 11 in favour (2 not conditional) see report in Appendix A 1 against

Amathole: In favour Central Cape: In favour Copperbelt: No submission at time of going to print. Drakensberg: No submission at time of going to print. East Griqualand: No submission at time of going to print. eGoli: In favour Free State: In favour Highveld: In favour Lekoa: In favour Limpopo: In favour (Not conditional) see report in Appendix A M’chinga: No submission at time of going to print. Mthatha: In favour Munali: No submission at time of going to print. eThekwini: Against uThukela: In favour Tshwane: In favour Transkei: No submission at time of going to print.

16 Western Cape: In favour (Not conditional) see report in Appendix A Zimbabwe: No submission at time of going to print.

Remit GA/14/05

REPLIES:

1.5 12 in favour (1 conditional) see report in Appendix A.

6. The Assembly inserts a new para. 15.4:

No Council of the Church may pressure an applicant who has made application for review to withdraw his/her application, either by threat or otherwise, prior to the Administrative Review Panel's hearing of the pending application. This rule applies inter alia to any Council whose decision is to be subjected to review.

The Assembly adopted proposal 6 regarding a possible new paragraph. 15.4 of the Manual of Faith and Order to the Presbyteries for their consideration and approval under paragraph 12.50 (the Barrier Act) of the Manual of Faith and Order of the UPCSA.

Amathole: In favour Central Cape: In favour Copperbelt: No submission at time of going to print. Drakensberg: No submission at time of going to print. East Griqualand: No submission at time of going to print. eGoli: In favour Free State: In favour Highveld: In favour Lekoa: In favour Limpopo: In favour M’chinga: No submission at time of going to print. Mthatha: In favour Munali: No submission at time of going to print. eThekwini: In favour uThukela: In favour Tshwane: In favour Transkei: No submission at time of going to print. Western Cape: In favour (Conditional) see report in Appendix A Zimbabwe: No submission at time of going to print.

Remit GA/14/06

REPLIES:

1.6 12 in favour (2 not conditional) see report in Appendix A

7. The Assembly amends para. 17.27 to read:

17.27 At the end of each academic year the Committee reviews the Student’s academic, personal and spiritual progress and approves or else declines to approve the Student’s year. The Committee may also review the Student’s progress at any time during the year. Any sanction by a court of Session, Presbytery, Synod or General Assembly in terms of para.18.6 counts against the student in this review. The Committee informs the Student of its decision within two weeks of the review.

The Assembly adopted proposal 7 in its amended form and referred it to Presbyteries for their consideration and approval l under paragraph 12.50 (the Barrier Act) of the Manual of Faith and Order of the UPCSA.

Amathole: In favour Central Cape: In favour Copperbelt: No submission at time of going to print. Drakensberg: No submission at time of going to print. East Griqualand: No submission at time of going to print. eGoli: In favour Free State: In favour Highveld: In favour Lekoa: In favour Limpopo: In favour (Not conditional) see report in Appendix A M’chinga: No submission at time of going to print. Mthatha: In favour Munali: No submission at time of going to print. eThekwini: In favour

17 uThukela: In favour Tshwane: In favour Transkei: No submission at time of going to print. Western Cape: In favour (Not conditional) see report in Appendix A Zimbabwe: No submission at time of going to print.

Remit GA/14/07

REPLIES:

1.7 12 In favour (1 conditional)

8. The Assembly amends para.17.39 to read:

17.39 a) The Committee, in consultation with the Presbytery Ministry Committee, may review the Probationer’s progress at any time during the period of probation and has the authority to remove a Probationer from the roll of Probationers. Any sanction by a Court of Session, Presbytery, Synod or General Assembly in terms of para.18.6 counts against the Probationer in this review. In the event of the Committee's deciding not to issue a Ministry Certificate it advises the Probationer of this and of his/her right to appeal to the General Assembly. b) When the Committee, in consultation with the Presbytery Ministry Committee of the Presbytery that licensed the Probationer, is satisfied that the Probationer has completed his/her academic studies and training as a Probationer and shows adequate ability in Ministry, it issues a Ministry Certificate to the Probationer. The Probationer may now receive a Call or Appointment. Any sanction by a Court of Session, Presbytery, Synod or General Assembly in terms of para.18.6 counts against the Probationer in this review. In the event of the Committee's decision not to issue a Ministry Certificate it advises the Probationer of this and of his/her right to appeal to the General Assembly.

The Assembly adopted Proposal 8 regarding amendments to paragraph. 17.39 of the Manual of Faith and Order and referred it to the Presbyteries for consideration and approval under paragraph 12.50 (the Barrier Act) of the Manual of Faith and Order of the UPCSA.

Amathole: In favour Central Cape: In favour Copperbelt: No submission at time of going to print. Drakensberg: No submission at time of going to print East Griqualand: No submission at time of going to print eGoli: In favour Free State: In favour Highveld: In favour Lekoa: In favour Limpopo: In favour M’chinga: No submission at time of going to print Mthatha: In favour Munali: No submission at time of going to print eThekwini: In favour uThukela: In favour Tshwane: In favour Transkei: No submission at time of going to print Western Cape: In favour (Not conditional) see report in Appendix A Zimbabwe: No submission at time of going to print

Remit GA/14/08

REPLIES:

1.8 12 in favour (1 conditional)

9. The Assembly amends para.12.50 (d) (ii) as follows:

The Assembly deals with proposals which, if adopted, would change the Constitution of this Church or its laws respecting doctrine, discipline, government or worship, in accordance with the following procedures...

(d) In reporting back the Presbyteries are to state clearly whether they approve of, or disapprove of, each proposal. They may also propose amendments to the proposals. A Presbytery that proposes an amendment or amendments to any proposal must make clear with regard to every amendment it proposes which of the following applies:

(i) the Presbytery approves the proposal as a whole even if Assembly does not accept that particular amendment; (ii) the Presbytery disapproves a particular item in, or part of, the proposal, but approves the rest of it; (iii) the Presbytery regards that particular amendment as of such importance that it disapproves of the whole proposal if Assembly does not accept the amendment.

A Presbytery may not abuse option (iii): where its real sentiments are in accordance with (i) or (ii), it may not resort to purporting (iii), in order to try to compel acceptance of the amendment. Moreover if a Presbytery does disapprove of the whole proposal unless it is amended and proposes more than one amendment, it specifies to which amendment or amendments the condition applies. If a report is not clear, the Clerk of Assembly is authorised to obtain clarification of its meaning. If the proposal originated with any General Assembly Committee or Commission, the Clerk informs the Convener of the Committee or Commission of each Presbytery's return and sends its Convener a copy.

The Assembly adopted proposal 9 regarding amendments to para. 12.50 of the Manual of Faith and Order and referred it to the Presbyteries for their consideration and approval under paragraph 12.50 (the Barrier Act) of the Manual of Faith and Order of the UPCSA.

Amathole: In favour Central Cape: In favour Copperbelt: No submission at time of going to print. Drakensberg: No submission at time of going to print. East Griqualand: No submission at time of going to print. eGoli: In favour Free State: In favour Highveld: In favour Lekoa: In favour Limpopo: In favour M’chinga: No submission at time of going to print. Mthatha: In favour Munali: No submission at time of going to print. eThekwini: In favour uThukela: In favour Tshwane: In favour Transkei: No submission at time of going to print. Western Cape: In favour (Conditional) see report in Appendix A Zimbabwe: No submission at time of going to print.

Remit GA/14/09

REPLIES:

1.9 12 in favour (1 not conditional) see report in Appendix A

11. Notice of motion M7:

The Assembly adopts the following:

1. a. The third sentence of Par 16.108 of the Manual of Faith and Order be amended to read as follows:

“Toward the end of each unbroken three year period the Minister may, after new discussions with the Session and Congregation about the continuance of the arrangements, apply to the Presbytery for approval for a further three year period.” b. The first sentence of Proposal 2 of the Manual of the Faith and Order Report be amended to read as follows:

“In all cases Ministers are required to discuss their proposal in detail with the Session and Congregation and to obtain the consent of the presbytery before taking up new secular appointments.” [Then the Paragraphs will be in line with other paragraphs in various paragraphs of the Manual that deal with the filling the Vacancy either by a Call or by Appointment; where in both processes the congregation is involved (see 16.35 – 16.40 for the Call and 16.58-16.59)]

The last sentence of Par 16.127 (a) be amended in a manner that will allow the discussion of the application for credentials where a Minister for genuine reasons cannot be present at a meeting where his application for

19 credentials is to be discussed.

The Assembly adopted the proposals and sent them to the Presbyteries to consider and approve under paragraph 12.50 (the Barrier Act) of the Manual of Faith and Order of the UPCSA.

Amathole: In favour Central Cape: In favour Copperbelt: No submission at time of going to print. Drakensberg: No submission at time of going to print. East Griqualand: No submission at time of going to print. eGoli: In favour Free State: In favour Highveld: In favour Lekoa: In favour Limpopo: In favour M’chinga: No submission at time of going to print. Mthatha: In favour Munali: No submission at time of going to print. eThekwini: In favour uThukela: In favour Tshwane: In favour Transkei: No submission at time of going to print. Western Cape: In favour (Not conditional) see report in Appendix A Zimbabwe: No submission at time of going to print.

APPENDIX A

REPORT FROM PRESBYTERY OF CENTRAL CAPE:

GA/14/02:

Central Cape Presbytery suggests that the proposal should be amended in the following way:

That point (d) be removed because clarity is needed as to the objectives of the interview.

Central Cape Presbytery considers that this amendment will improve the proposal, but approves the proposal, as a whole, whether or not the amendment is accepted.

REPORT FOM PRESBYTERY OF LIMPOPO:

REMITS FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

“Presbytery suggests that the following proposals should be amended in the way suggested below. Presbytery considers that these amendment will improve the proposal, but approves the proposal, as a whole, whether or not the amendment is accepted.” Remit: GA/14/01

(b ) change the word 'force' into 'effect. To read ...... when these come into EFFECT. TO READ "Those who have secular employment when these rules come into effect are required to report to their Sessions and to seek to obtain the consent of the Presbytery, giving full details. Should the Presbytery not approve, the position to must be renegotiated. Where Presbytery agrees to the minister's taking up secular employment, Presbytery appoints an assessor to the Session to oversee the process.

(c ) Add OR APPOINTED. Add and the Presbytery endorses Delete sentence starting with “This agreement ……….” Add working hours, leave provision after …… the emoluments. Everywhere the word Assessor be changed to Assessor(s) Add and further approved by the Presbytery after assessor(s). We propose these changes to avoid tautology in the clause. To read " If the minister wishing to take up secular employment has been APPOINTED OR inducted into the

20 Congregation, then the APPOINTMENT OR induction ends on a date that the Presbytery sets. The minister must then be appointed for a specified period under new terms and conditions that the minister, Session and the Congregation mutually agree on AND THE PRESBYTERY ENDORSES . . This appointment, including all the terms and conditions of the appointment and the emoluments, WORKING HOURS AND LEAVE PROVISION, must be approved at a special congregational meeting moderated by the assessor(S) appointed by the Presbytery. Presbytery must then approve the appointment and all its terms, conditions, emoluments and other relevant matters.(d) Delete the entire clause as it is a repetition of (c ) above. (c ) talks about induction whereas (d) talks about appointment.

Remit: GA/14/02

(b) Delete Presbytery stipulates the remuneration. Start the sentence with “The Congregation must pay the Interim or Assessor (s) as per kilometre travelling allowance and pulpit supply where necessary We add where necessary as the Assessor(s) may not conduct a service. To read "The Congregation must pay the Interim Moderator or Assessor(s) as a per kilometre travelling allowance and pulpit supply where necessary, provided that the amount for pulpit supply and per kilometre travel may not be lower than that of the Presbytery or General Assembly minimum for pulpit supply and travelling allowances;

(e) delete with to read In the absence of outgoing ……..” delete “not present” TO READ "In the absence of the outgoing Minister and the Assistant Minister, if there is one, the Interim Moderator or Assessor(s) meets with the Session and then with the Congregation.

Remit: GA/14/03

(d) add at the end of the sentence ….and transmit the information to the Presbytery the minister will be under its care and discipline. TO READ ascertain whether the incoming Minister has any outstanding loans either from the Church Development Loans Fund (or its successor, if any) or from any Presbytery and, if such loans exist, decide how they are to be handled and transmit the information to the Presbytery the minister wil be under its care and discipline.

Remit: GA/14/04

(a) delete from who was …………………………. To read Any member of a council may move that …….. Any member of a Council may move that the Council rescind a previous decision of that Council. The Council must fully investigate the implications of rescinding the decision. If after such an investigation the Council is reasonably satisfied that no person will suffer prejudice if the decision is rescinded and that the implications of rescinding the decision will not adversely affect any person or party, it may rescind the decision.

Reason: The statement as it stands disadvantages those members who were not members of the council from proposing a decision to be rescinded.

Remit: GA/14/05

17.27 add "and the Student’s home Session through Presbytery" TO READ "At the end of each academic year the Committee reviews the Student’s academic, personal and spiritual progress and approves or else declines to approve the Student’s year. The Committee may also review the Student’s progress at any time during the year. Any sanction by a court of Session, Presbytery, Synod or General Assembly in terms of para.18.6 counts against the student in this review. The Committee informs the Student and the Student's home Session through Presbytery of its decision within two weeks of the review." Reason: We want to have a connection with the Student’s progress

REPORT FROM PRESBYTERY OF WESTERN CAPE:

REMIT: GA/14/01: A Minister’s Employment outside the Congregation 2. i.e. Proposal 2 in the Report of the Manual Task Team Report to Assembly Presbytery proposes that the Executive Commission amend para. 16.104 to read as follows: (a) Any Minister inducted or appointed to a Congregation who intends to take up employment outside the Congregation must report this to the Session and the Congregation before applying for the employment. Any such Minister who when these rules come into force already has employment outside his/her Congregation without the consent of the Session and a Special Meeting of the Congregation must report this to the Session.

21 (b) In either case the Session then asks Presbytery to appoint an Assessor, who chairs the Session meeting at which the Minister and the Session negotiate how this will affect the Minister’s emoluments and other terms and conditions of employment in the Congregation (including working hours, leave provisions and related matters). The Assessor then chairs a duly convened Special Meeting of the Congregation to decide whether to approve the Minister’s intention and the terms and conditions. If the Congregation approves, the Session submits the decision with full details of all its conditions and terms, including emoluments, to Presbytery for its approval. If Presbytery disapproves, the position may be renegotiated.

Presbytery is opposed to the Minister’s forfeiting his/her call and induction and therefore considers that its proposed amendment is of such importance that it approves of the proposal as a whole only if its amendment is accepted (though not necessarily in the exact wording above).

REMIT: GA/14/02: Interim Moderators’ Remuneration and Duties 3. The Presbytery proposes that the Executive Commission amend para. 16.25 to read as follows: When a pastoral charge becomes vacant or a specific date on which it will become vacant Is set, the following steps are taken: (a) the Presbytery appoints an Interim Moderator/Assessor; (b) Presbytery stipulates that the maximum remuneration that may be paid to the Interim Moderator or Assessor is a per kilometre travelling allowance and fees for pulpit supply, provided that these may be no lower than the minimum that the Presbytery prescribes and those that the General Assembly prescribes; (c) the Interim Moderator or Assessor, on the first convenient Sunday, notifies the Congregation of the vacancy or impending vacancy and instructs the Congregation to fill the vacancy as soon as possible; (d) whenever possible the Interim Moderator or Assessor interviews the outgoing Minister; and (e) the Interim Moderator or Assessor meets with the Session and then with the Congregation, in both cases with the outgoing Minister and the Assistant Minister (if there is one) absent. Presbytery considers that its proposed amendment will improve the proposal, but approves the proposal as a whole whether or not its amendment is accepted. REMIT: GA/14/03: Congregations in Arears and Calling a Minister 4. Presbytery proposes that the Executive Commission amend para. 16.47 to read as follows: Before considering the Call the Presbytery must (a) approve the emoluments offered; (b) satisfy itself that the Congregation is not in arrears in the payment of the previous Minister’s stipend and other emoluments; (c) satisfy itself that the Congregation is not in arrears in the payment of the assessments of the Councils of the Church or, if it is in arrears, that the Congregation has specified circumstances that justify its failure to pay its outstanding assessments and that adequate arrangements have been made to settle the outstanding assessments; and (d) ascertain whether the incoming Minister has any outstanding loans either from the Church Development Loans Fund (or its successor, if any) or from any Presbytery and, if such loans exist, decide how they are to be handled. Presbytery considers that its proposed amendment will improve the proposal, but approves the proposal as a whole whether or not its amendment is accepted.

REMIT: GA/14/04: Rescinding a Decision 5. Presbytery proposes that the Executive Commission insert new para. 14.18 in the following amended form:

Rescinding a Decision (a) Any member of a Council may move that the Council rescind a decision it took at a previous meeting, provided that he/she was present at the meeting that made the decision or at that meeting had registered an apology for absence. The Council must fully investigate the implications of rescinding the decision before doing so. If after such an investigation the Council is reasonably satisfied that rescinding it will not adversely affect any person or party in any inappropriate way, it may rescind the decision. (b) Unless the decision of a Council will adversely affect any person or party in an inappropriate way or the Council comes to realize that the decision is contrary to the rules of the Church or the law of the land or made in error, a Council may rescind a decision only at a subsequent sitting; (c) A Council may rescind decisions of its Executive. Unless the Council grants permission to its Executive to rescind decisions of the full Council, however, the Executive may not rescind decisions of the full Council, except as para 13.8 provides for the Executive Commission of General Assembly.

22 Presbytery considers that its proposed amendment will improve the proposal, but approves the proposal as a whole whether or not its amendment is accepted.

REMIT: GA/14/05: The Right of Review 6. Presbytery proposes that the Executive Commission insert new para. 15.4 in the following amended form: No Council of the Church or any member of a Council may in any way interfere with the right of any applicant for review. Presbytery considers that its proposed amendment is of such importance that it approves of the proposal as a whole only if its amendment is accepted.

REMIT: GA/14/06: Review of Students’ Progress 7. The Presbytery proposes that the Executive Commission amend para. 17.27 to read: The Committee may review the Student’s progress at any time during the year. It in any case reviews the Student’s academic, personal and spiritual progress at the end of each academic year and approves or declines to approve the Student’s year. Any sanction by a court of Session, Presbytery, Synod or General Assembly in terms of para.18.6 counts against the student in this review. The Committee informs the Student of its decision within two weeks of the review. Presbytery considers that its proposed amendment will improve the proposal, but approves the proposal as a whole whether or not its amendment is accepted.

REMIT; GA/14/07: Review of Probationers’ Progress 8. Presbytery proposes that the Executive Commission amend para.17.39 to read as follows: (a) The Committee, in consultation with the Presbytery Ministry Committee, may review the Probationer’s progress at any time during the period of probation and has the authority to remove a Probationer from the roll of Probationers. Any sanction by a court of Session, Presbytery, Synod or General Assembly in terms of para.18.6 counts against the Probationer in this review. (b) When the Committee, in consultation with the Presbytery Ministry Committee of the Presbytery that licensed the Probationer, is satisfied that the Probationer has completed his/her academic studies and training as a Probationer and shows adequate ability in Ministry, it issues a Ministry Certificate to the Probationer. The Probationer may then receive a Call or Appointment. If the Committee is dissatisfied and decides not to issue a Ministry Certificate, it advises the Probationer of this and of his/her right to appeal to the General Assembly. Presbytery considers that its proposed amendment will improve the proposal, but approves the proposal as a whole whether or not its amendment is accepted. Presbytery points out, however, that the sentence it has deleted in (b) related to a preceding sentence that the Assembly itself deleted and thus does not fit in (b), although it does in (a).

REMIT: GA/14/08: Barrier Procedure 9. Presbytery proposes that the Executive Commission amend para.12.50(d)(ii) to read as follows: The Assembly deals with proposals which, if adopted, would change the Constitution of this Church or its laws respecting doctrine, discipline, government or worship, in accordance with the following procedures... (d) In reporting back the Presbyteries are to state clearly whether they approve or disapprove of each proposal. They may also propose amendments to the proposals. A Presbytery that proposes an amendment or amendments to any proposal must make clear with regard to every amendment it proposes which of the following applies: (i) the Presbytery approves the proposal as a whole even if Assembly does not accept that particular amendment; (ii) the Presbytery approves the rest of the proposal but disapproves a particular item in, or part of, it, unless that amendment is accepted; (iii) the Presbytery regards that particular amendment as so important for the whole thatit cannot approve any part of the proposal unless Assembly accepts the amendment. A Presbytery may not abuse option (iii): where its real sentiments accord with (i) or (ii), it may not resort to purporting (iii), in order to try to compel acceptance of the amendment. Moreover if a Presbytery does disapprove of the whole proposal unless it is amended and proposes more than one amendment, it specifies to which amendment or amendments this condition applies. If a report is not clear, the Clerk of Assembly is authorised to obtain clarification of its meaning. If the proposal originated with any General Assembly Committee or Commission, the Clerk informs the Convener of the Committee or Commission of each Presbytery's return and sends its Convener a copy. Presbytery considers that its proposed amendment will improve the proposal, but approves the proposal as a

23 whole whether or not its amendment is accepted.

REMIT: GA/14/09: Miscellaneous 10. Motion M7: (a) the third sentence of par 16.108 of the Manual of Faith and Order to read as follows:

Toward the end of each unbroken three year period the Minister may, after new discussions with the Session and Congregation about the continuance of the arrangements, apply to the Presbytery for approval for a further three year period. Presbytery approves this part of the remit. (b) the first sentence of para 16.104 of the Manual of the Faith and Order to read as follows: In all cases Ministers are required to discuss their proposal in detail with the Session and Congregation and to obtain the consent of the presbytery before taking up new secular appointments. Presbytery approves this part of the remit, but preferably as incorporated in 16.104, as it has proposed above.

24 CHANGES IN THE MINISTRY

Report to Executive Commission 2015:

Amathole

No changes to report.

Central Cape

No submission at time of going to print.

Copperbelt

No submission at time of going to print.

Drakensberg:

A Maramana Memorial Revd Zondi retired on the 31 August 2014 and was granted a seat in the Congregation Presbytery of Drakensberg. A Maramana Memorial Congregation became vacant. The Presbytery appointed Revd Mbanjwa the interim moderator. St John’s United The Revd Smart resigned from the 31 December 2014. St John’s United became vacant. The Revd N Fuller, minister at Upper Umngeni was appointed interim Moderator St David’s Uniting St David’s Uniting Presbyterian Church became a constituted congregation Presbyterian Church on the 9th November 2014 and became a vacant charge. Revd Mpho Khetsi minister without charge was appointed interim moderator from February 2014 Mpolweni Mission Revd KJ Xaba having been released by the Presbytery of East Griqualand was appointed to Mpolweni Mission on 1 January 2014. On 11 November 2014, the Presbytery of Drakensberg rectified his call to Mpolweni Mission and was inducted on the 25th January 2015. Revd Lindani Revd Lindani having been released by the Presbytery of Thukela in November 2014. He was received by the Presbytery of Drakensberg on 10 February 2015 and became a minister without charge, pending his application for seconded.

East Griqualand

No submission at time of going to print. eGoli

1. Rev John McKane severed the Pastoral tie between the Revd. John McKane and Linden Presbyterian Church on 30th June 2014, as he had resigned the charge.

2. The Revd. Scott Silver was inducted as a part time minister at St. Magnus Presbyterian Church, Randfontein on 16th November 2014.

3. The Revd. Stephen van Schalkwyk resigned his appointment as Colleague minister at St. Columba’s Presbyterian Church with effect from 01 January 2015.

4. The Revd. Dr. Tobias Steyn was inducted into the charge of Linden Presbyterian Church on 16th April 2015.

Free State

1. Rev J.K. Mapheto has been appointed as Minister to Ikageng Presbyterian Church for a period of five years. The date of his induction service will be decided at the meeting of the Executive of Presbytery on 18 April 2015.

2. Ramoeti-Masemola Memorial United Church (formerly Witsieshoek United Church)

Rev T.H Nkoana resigned from the charge to allow the congregation to apply for calling status in anticipation of calling a full-time minister. The charge is currently vacant, and Rev C.M.M. Letseleha was appointed Interim Moderator.

3. Rev J.K. Mapheto resigned from the charge at St John’s Presbyterian Church, Batho, in order to take up his appointment to Ikageng Presbyterian Church. The charge is currently vacant, and Rev J.F. Murphy was appointed Interim Moderator.

4. Zamdela Presbyterian Church

The Pastoral Tie with Rev I.G. Mosikare was severed on 18 March 2015. The charge is currently vacant and will be allocated an Interim Moderator by Presbytery at its meeting on 9 May 2015. The former minister, Rev Mosikare, was appointed Interim Moderator of Abner Rabaitsile Poho Memorial Presbyterian Church in Refengkgotso, Deneysville.

Highveld

1. Rev. Mamolotje Magagane, been appointed to a charge of Trinity Katlehong, was inducted and appointed as Stated Supply on the 21st September 2014.

2. Rev. Buhle Mpofu, having resigned his charge and accepted an appointment to Merebank Presbyterian Church within the Presbytery of Thekwini, was released from the charge of Ebenezer Vosloorus with effect from 31 October 2014, and transferred to the care and discipline of Thekwini Presbytery.

3. Mr. Douglas Bower, having completed his probation and accepted call to St. Columba’s Presbyterian Church within the Presbytery of Tshwane, was released from St. Andrew’s Brakpan with effect from 28 February 2015, and transferred to the care and discipline of Tshwane Presbytery.

Lekoa

1. Rev Kim Brown was transferred from Trinity UPCSA in Klerksdorp to Eglin United Church within the bounds of the Presbytery of the Western Cape on the 18 June 2014.

2. Rev Phamoli Motebele was transferred from All Saints UPCSA in Klerksdorp to BM Molaba UPCSA within the bounds of the Presbytery of Lekoa.

3. Rev Thando Mpambani was transferred from ST Anthony's UPCSA into the bounds of the Presbytery of Tshwane.

Limpopo

1. The Rev Fezeka Jobela was transferred to the Presbytery of Limpopo in August 2014. Rev Jobela is in full time employment with Department of Correctional Services in Polokwane. She is now a member of Mt Horeb Congregation.

2. The Rev Moses Boshomane retired on the 31st of December 2014 from the Seshego Congregation, Seshego. He is under the care and discipline of the Presbytery of Limpopo.

3. Rev Andre van Blydenstein having received a call from Gonubie Presbyterian Church in East London, in Amathole Presbytery was released from Mt Horeb Congregation with effect from the 31st of December 2014

4. Mr Lesego Lawrence Mokeng having received his exeat certificate was ordained and appointed to Lebowakgomo Congregation on the 22nd of February 2015.

5. Rev Dr Nedohe was appointed and inducted to the Confession Congregation, Makhado on the 14th of March 2015

6. Miss Nobuhle Gladys Mbatha was appointed and licensed to preach the Gospel of the Word in Stuartville Congregation on the 22nd March 2015

M’chinga

No submission at time of going to print.

Mthatha

No changes to report.

Munali

No submission at time of going to print.

26 EThekwini

1. The Rev D.T Gevers having been promoted to be the CEO of the Bible Society as from 01 December 2014 was released from Thekwini Presbytery to the care and discipline of the Western Cape Presbytery.

2. The Rev B. Mpofu having been appointed to the Merebank Presbyterian Church for a period of 3 years as from 01 November 2014 was inducted into the pastoral charge of Merebank Presbyterian Church on the 16 November 2014.

3. Mrs. C. Hlati having completed her Theological Training was appointed to serve her probation period at Esikhawini/St. John’s Groutville Congregation as from 01 January to 31 December 2015, was licensed to preach the Gospel on 24 January 2015.

4. Mr. B. Williams having completed his Theological Training was appointed to Glenwood Presbyterian Church to serve his probation period as from 01 January to 31 December 2015, and was licensed to preach the Gospel on 28 January 2015.

5. The Rev G. Vaaltyn having been appointed to St. Margaret’s Bluff for a period of 3 years was inducted into the pastoral charge of St. Margaret’s Bluff on 07 February 2015.

UThukela

1. On 04 the January 2015, the Presbytery received a probationer Mr. Sthembiso Ndlela. On 22 February 2015, he was licensed and is stationed at Jokweni Congregation under the supervision of the interim moderator, Rev. FD Mchunu.

2. Rev. T W Sangweni received a Call and inducted to the pastoral charge of the BW Zulu Memorial as full time minister, with effect from 15 March 2015.

Tshwane

1. Rev Jackie Barker was appointed the assistant minister at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Pretoria with effect 1st January 2014.

2. Rev Vuyo Mbaru resigned from ET Legodi Presbyterian Church with effect 31st March 2014 and he is now in the bounds of Presbytery of the Western Cape. Rev Sisanda Mpafi was appointed Interim Moderator

3. Rev Sisanda Mpafi resigned from St Peters Presbyterian Church, Mothutlung with effect 1st October 2014 and Rev Lentikile Mashoko was appointed the Interim Moderator with effect 1st October 2014.

4. Rev N Kohler resigned from the Saints Presbyterian Church, Centurion, Pretoria with effect 26th December 2014. He was transfer to the care and discipline of the Presbytery of the Western Cape. Rev Andries Combrink was appointed the Interim Moderator

5. Rev Douglas Bower was appointed minister of St Columbus Presbyterian Church, Hatfield, Pretoria with effect 1st March 2015.

6. Presbytery received Rev Thando Mpambani into its care and discipline with effect 21st February 2015 from Lekoa Presbytery.

Transkei

1. Rev. Mkanyiseli Hazeman Njobe, after receiving a call from Tutura Congregation, was inducted on the 11th January 2015.

2. The Presbytery of Transkei, after receiving a letter of transfer from the Western Cape Presbytery in respect of Rev. Thabo Noti, resolved to appoint him as stated supply at JL Sokupa Memorial from the 1st March 2015.

3. Rev. Sonwabo Kenneth Sihlahla, after receiving a call from Main Congregation, was inducted on the 15th March 2015.

4. Rev. John Mzanywa Mpongoshe resigned at Mbulu Congregation with effect from the 31st March 2015 and is a minister without charge under the care and discipline of the Transkei Presbytery.

Western Cape

1. The Rev MA Muller was inducted to the charge of St Kiaran’s Presbyterian Church on 03 August 2014.

27 2. The Rev K Brown was inducted to the charge of the Elgin United Church on 14 September 2014.

3. The Rev VR Brits was inducted to the charge of the Darling Presbyterian Church on the 28 September 2014.

4. The Rev G Vaaltyn was appointed to the charge of St Margaret’s Presbyterian Church on the Bluff, Durban, within the bounds of the Presbytery of Thekwini for the period 01 January 2015 to 31 December 2017. The Presbytery declared the pastoral tie between him and the Bridgetown Presbyterian Church be dissolved at the end of 31 December 2014 and that the Rev Vaaltyn be transferred to the care and discipline of the Presbytery of Thekwini effective from 01 January 2015

5. Presbytery, at its meeting on 02 December 2014 agreed to re-appoint the Rev M Mfene to the charge of the Tiyo Soga Memorial Church for the period 01 January 2015 to 31 December 2017. 6. Presbytery transferred the Rev T Noti to the care and discipline of the Presbytery of Transkei with effect from 31 January 2015. The appointment of the Rev TL Noti at the Masibulele congregation ended on 28 February 2015.

7. The Presbytery received the Rev DT Gevers into its care and discipline on 22 March 2015. He was transferred to Cape Town to take up the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Bible Society of South Africa.

Zimbabwe

1. Mr. Elias Simango was appointed to serve his probation in the congregation of Dzivarasekwa as from 1 January 2015, and was licensed and on the 31st of February 2015.

2. Mr. Brian Mazanhi, having completed his theoretical studies for the ministry, and having been appointed to serve his probation in the congregation of Budiriro, beginning 1 January 2015, and was licensed to preach and set apart to his appointment on 1 February 2015.

3. Mr. Tafadzwa Kasere, having completed his Theological Training, and having been appointed to Trojan (Mbare’s preaching Station) Uniting Presbyterian Church, in Bindura Town for the period of his probation, was licensed and set apart to appointment on 7 February 2015.

4. Mrs. Faresy Sakala, having completed her studies for the Ministry, and having been appointed to serve her probation in the congregation of Sunnyside Mtoko, beginning 1 January 2015, was licensed to preach and set apart to her appointment on the 14th of February 2015.

5. Mr. George Simbanegavi was appointed to serve his probation in the congregation of Robert Sinyoka as from 1 January 2015 and was licensed to preach on the 15th of February 2015.

6. Mr. Tatenda Garande, having completed his studies, was appointed to serve his probation, beginning 1 January 2015, was licensed to preach the gospel in the pastoral charge of Norton Presbyterian Church on the 21st of February 2015.

7. Mr. Clarence Tungunu was appointed to serve his probation beginning 1 January 2015, in the pastoral charge of Eiffel Flats Presbyterian Church in Kadoma, on the 21st February 2015.

8. Susan Mumba having completed her probation period and having received her Ministry Certificate from the Ministry Committee of General Assembly was ordained to the Holy Ministry of Word and Sacraments and was set apart to her appointment at Rugare Presbyterian Church, on 14 March 2015.

9. Simbarashe Thompson Nota, having received the Ministry Certificate from the General Assembly Ministry Committee and having fulfilled all requirements of being a probationer the Presbytery ordained and appointed him to the charge of Mufakose Presbyterian Church on 14 March 2015.

10. Everisto Musedza, having received his Ministry Certificate from the Ministry Certificate of General Assembly, was ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacraments and set apart to his appointment on part-time in the congregation of Epworth Presbyterian Church on 21 March 2015.

11. On Saturday 21 March 2015, Mrs. Glenis Magovere nee Mambi was ordained and inducted to the charge of Chitungwiza Presbyterian Church for a period of 5 year.

12. Mrs. Lydia Chituku Neshangwe, having received her Ministry Certificate of General Assembly, was ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacraments, and set apart to the pastoral charge of St. Andrew's with effect from 28 February 2015.

COMMITTEE REPORTS CLERK OF ASSEMBLY

Report to Executive Commission 2015:

INTRODUCTION:

This now effectively constitutes my third attempt to say good bye. My tenure of office comes to an end at the end of July 2015 as determined by General Assembly 2014 and I must say thanks to the UPCSA for showing confidence in me to hold this office for 10 years 7 months in total.

During this time I have worked under three different General Secretaries and 6 different Moderators and this has been an exciting journey in many respects. I have met many people and made many friends along the way and I would like to reiterate the comments I made in my report to Assembly last year in that I feel very privileged. I have also been blessed to work with a wonderful team in Central Office. While the personnel may have changed over the years the spirit has remained the same with everyone working consistently for the glory of God.

Thanks again for affording me the privilege of serving the UPCSA through this office.

This report covers the following activities which have taken place since Assembly last year:

1. General Assembly 2016. 2. Role as Principal Officer of UPCSAPF and PEPF. 3. Outstanding legal matters. 4. Submission of documentation to Councils of the church. 5. Management of Tiyo Soga House. 6. Changes to the format of Papers to General Assembly, Executive Commission. 7. Working in conjunction with the General Secretary. 8. Outstanding matters from General Assembly. 9. Returns to Remits.

1. GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2016:

The Presbytery of Amathole has been approached to hold the General Assembly 2016 within the bounds of the Presbytery. They have agreed in principle and may well have decided by the time Executive Commission takes place.

2. ROLE AS PRINCIPAL OFFICER OF UPCSAPF AND PEPF:

The Clerk of Assembly stood down as Principal Officer of both Pension Funds in December last year. This allowed the Funds to appoint an independent Principal Officer who could carry out the dual functions of Principal Officer and collection of contributions for both funds. This is dealt with in more detail under the report of the Pension Funds.

3. OUTSTANDING LEGAL MATTERS:

The matters concerning Ross and Rainy and Randburg Presbyteriaanse Kerk are still ongoing and we are very much subject to the vagaries of the legal system although there may be some light at the end of the tunnel in respect of the Ross and Rainy matter.

4. SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTATION TO COUNCILS OF THE CHURCH:

The perennial problem still persists with a number of Committees and Presbyteries still not submitting reports by the due date. This obviously complicates matters as it means that it is very difficult to meet the deadlines set by General Assembly last year. Councils of the church are a team process and success is dependent on everyone pulling together with a common purpose.

It also affects the Local Organising Committee and those involved with logistics as we did not even receive the names of Commissioners until well after the due date. This makes it difficult to plan important matters such as transport and accommodation and it also isn’t fair on those who comply.

Presbyteries and Committees need to consider planning their reports in good time and not waiting till the last minute as some seem to do.

5. MANAGEMENT OF TIYO SOGA HOUSE:

There are still concerns about the ongoing high cost of maintenance caused by the age and condition of the building. We are consistently having problems with the security of the property and may have to consider an

29 extensive overhaul at some stage. The condition of the carpets is also a major cause for concern and we may need to look into the possibility of changing to a more robust floor covering such as tiles. We are also having some serious challenges with the ability of the plumbing to cope with the number of people in the house coupled with the age of the piping etc.

6. CHANGES TO THE FORMAT OF PAPERS:

We have received a great deal of positive feedback on the new format and there seems to be consensus on it being a significant improvement on the previous format. It is important that any comments, particularly those related to any improvements, are sent through to this office. We must always strive to improve whatever we do and this is no exception.

7. WORKING WITH THE GENERAL SECRETARY:

There have been a number of projects undertaken by the General Secretary since he came into office and the Clerk has worked in close conjunction with the General Secretary on some of these. These projects include:

• The successful Youth Conference held this year. • The Consultation for the Moderators, Clerks and Treasurers. • Attending to various matters concerning CWM e.g. attending their regional Assembly. • The Consultation arranged for Committee Conveners. • Team building exercise to East Griqualand Presbytery.

8. OUTSTANDING MATTERS FROM GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2014:

The General Assembly in 2014 agreed to allow the Minute Book of the Finance Committee to be attested after General Assembly. This has now been completed and the Report of the Convener of the Records is attached under Appendix A.

9. RETURNS TO REMITS:

Remits GA/14/01/02/03/04/05/06/07/08 and 09 were sent down by General Assembly in 2014 in terms of the provisions of paragraph 12.50 of the Manual of Faith and Order set out below which state:

“(g) If a majority of Presbyteries report and of those Presbyteries which report a majority approve the proposal, the Assembly may enact it, with or without minor amendments which do not change its intention, or it may resolve not to do so, or to send it down again in an amended form. (h) If a majority of Presbyteries report and of those Presbyteries which report half or more disapprove, the Assembly passes from the proposal or sends it down again in an amended form. (i) If half or more of the Presbyteries fail to report, the proposal is sent down again with or without amendment.”

Based on the provisions set out above the Executive Commission may enact the remits with or without the minor amendments as set out in the report on returns to Remits found under separate cover in the Papers.

Of the 19 Presbyteries required to make returns 12 complied, which is more than fifty percent. Of these more than fifty percent agreed unconditionally (10) to each remit.

PROPOSALS:

1. The Executive Commission receives the report.

2. The Executive Commission resolves that, the dates for General Assembly 2016 be set as Saturday 9 July 2016 until Friday 15 July 2016.

3. The Executive Commission resolves that General Assembly 2016 be held within the bounds of the Presbytery of Amathole at a venue to be decided and failing that the incoming Clerk be entrusted to secure a suitable venue.

4. The Executive Commission resolves that:

i all Committee Conveners submit a full report to General Assembly in 2016; ii all reports to be considered by the General Assembly in July 2016 be submitted to the Clerk of Assembly by Friday 8 April 2016; iii all Supplementary Reports be submitted to the Clerk of Assembly by the end of May 2016; iv all Papers of General Assembly be made available to Commissioners, Presbytery Clerks and Committee Conveners at least 3 weeks before General Assembly; v all reports be posted on the UPCSA website at least 3 weeks before General Assembly and encourages everyone to make greater use of the website; vi the Papers, Supplementaries and Proceedings and Decisions of General Assembly 2016

30 (Yearbook) be distributed to Ministers and Presbyteries on a CD at the end of the year and that those who don’t have access to a computer or internet can make a request for a hard copy.

5. The Executive Commission notes the status of the matters concerning Ross and Rainy and Randburg Presbyteeriaanse Kerk.

6. The Executive Commission notes the challenges concerning the ongoing management of Tiyo Soga House.

7. The Executive Commission enacts, remits;

i GA/14/01. ii GA/14/02. iii GA/14/03. iv GA/14/04. v GA/14/05. vi GA/14/06. vii GA/14/07. viii GA/14/08. ix GA/14/09.

Subject to any amendments approved by the Executive Commission in terms of paragraph 12.50(g) of the Manual of Faith and Order of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.

8. The Executive Commission notes the report submitted by the Record’s Committee of General assembly 2014 as set out in Appendix A.

APPENDIX A

RECORDS

The Minute Book of the Finance Committee was attested at the Central Office on 11 November, 2014, in accordance with the decision of the General Assembly of July, 2014.

The following comments were made:

1. The minutes themselves were clear and the minute book was well kept. 2. However, each page should be initialed across the edge of the page preferably top and bottom – this had not been done consistently. 3. In one instance minutes had been signed and dated the same day as the meeting. 4. The minute book included a duplicate set of minutes. 5. In other instances, the dates of signing reflected the wrong year: 2013 instead of 2014.

The Finance Committee is urged to ensure that these points are taken into account and these errors not made in future.

MISS EM WHITE CONVENER RECORDS COMMITTEE, 2014 Assembly

31 GENERAL SECRETARY

INTRODUCTION

1. At the time of the submission of the report, I was seven (7) months in the office. I joined a dedicated, effective and efficient team in the Central Office, people who made it easy and comfortable for me to adapt in the shortest time possible. I had to hit the ground running, as the church has already been on a “cruise” mode and my predecessor had put in place programmes to be pursued.

2. My adaptation was made possible by a number of factors, including professional guidance and assistance of the Church Office Committee - especially through its convener, the well-structured and effective handing and taking over process with Ref Prof Pillay – despite the fact that he had to go through the same dynamics in his new environment at the University of Pretoria, and messages and prayers of support from within and outside the UPCSA.

3. The Presbytery of Tshwane, which I am a member of, organised a fitting induction service, in which the Moderator of the General Assembly preached. That was followed by great thanksgiving service organised by the Presbytery of Transkei, my home Presbytery. I felt blessed and empowered with the gestures of good will and words of inspiration.

4. I have, many times, referred to the topic of the position paper that I wrote in December 1988, in preparation for my licensing: “Christian ministry should be understood in light of him who came not to be served but to serve”. It is in that light that I approach this ministry as the General Secretary of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. I obtain so much fulfilment in serving the Church in this capacity.

METHODOLOGY

5. In his last report to the 2014 General Assembly, my predecessor delineated a number of issues as “A challenge to the UPCSA”. This and other reports and documents augmented my orientations process, and served as a point of departure. He referred, among others, to the following (not in any order):

a. Diversity, discrepancies and inequalities. b. People’s economic, social and political circumstances and lifestyles. c. Relationships to be centred in Christ who taught us the way of humility, love and care. d. Building of fellowship as we address inequalities, embrace diversity and share resources. e. Programmes, ministries, and activities to embrace the variety of gifts, contexts, diversity and differences within the UPCSA family. f. Need to create a community within the UPCSA from a strategic and structural point of view. g. Need to strengthen the lines of communication from the Central Office to Presbyteries and Congregations. h. Economic justice, gender justice and eco-justice (as raised in the Accra Confession). i. Church involvement in the transformation of society to become what God intended it to be. j. Church serving as a moral conscience of society. k. “To create a stable society the church needs to identify with the poor.”

6. I reflected on the culture of the UPCSA as encapsulated in the Vision and Mission statements, as adopted in the 2012 General Assembly. My predecessor conducted workshops in the Presbyteries on the same. It is important that all the structures and members of the Church should be encouraged to constantly re-align themselves and their activities with these noble principles that were. Indeed, each organisation gets strengthened by realignment with and reinforcement of its culture, which becomes bigger than individuals or groups cultures.

WHO IS THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA?

We are a diverse community of reformed Christians led by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, prayerfully seeking the will of God for our lives together and the world.

VISION To be a reconciled community of Christians exercising a prophetic witness to Christ.

MISSION We will proclaim our Triune God in Southern Africa through • Bearing witness to the saving love of Jesus Christ; • Building vital, reforming congregations for worship, ministry and discipleship; and • Visibly proclaiming the Kingdom of God through unity, justice, peace and love.

MISSION PRIORITIES We will adopt specific and measurable targets for the denomination against the following priorities and report on progress against these targets to the denomination through the General Assembly: • Evangelism. • Support the development of missional congregations. • Health, wellbeing and securing justice, • Engaging in reconciliation and unity. • Stewardship.

VALUES Together we have ascertained the following values to guide our behaviour to each other and the world: • Love. • Holiness. • Scriptural. • Integrity. • Spiritual growth. • Servanthood

7. The ministry of the General Secretary and the UPCSA falls and rises by the discipline to implement and attain the shared vision. The premise of my approach to this ministry is the desire of the UPCSA to become “a reconciled community of Christians”. Towards that, there is need for the building and maintenance of congruence and synergy. I hold the view that organisations should strive for and commit to engaging in conversations and relationships building, in order to achieve congruence and synergy.

8. I keep on interrogating the posture and organisational design of the UPCSA from a management perspective. From my orientation, management has to do with the six “M’s” (Men –Human Resources/Capital, Money, Materiel - Logistics, Machines - technology, Markets, and Methods). Based on these, I ask many questions about the UPCSA. I invite the members of the church to also embark in the search for answers to these and many other fundamental questions. The task should be done with a view to achieve continuous improvement (kaizen) and the church’s long quest for reformation and transformation. The list of questions is by no means exhaustive; a number of questions may still be added.

9. With regard to human resources/capital a. Who do we regard as forming part of our human resources/capital? b. What human resources/capital management practices do we have in place? c. How do we develop our human resources/capital? d. How do we manage knowledge? e. How do we care for our human resources/capital? f. How do we develop and groom (mentorship and coaching) leadership/management?

10. With regard to money a. How do we ensure the financial viability of the UPCSA? b. Who owns the UPCSA? c. Who are the shareholders?

11. With regard to material a. How are the properties of the UPCSA managed? b. How can the utilisation thereof be optimised for the benefit of the Church?

12. With regard to machines – technology a. How do we make use of the present day technology to advance the cause of the UPCSA? b. Do we all have access to it? If not, how do we ensure that all have access?

13. With regards to markets a. What does the UPCSA exist for? b. What services do we render? c. Who do we provide such services to? d. What are the expectations of the market? e. Do we meet the expectations of the market? f. How is the competition? g. Who are our partners? h. Who are our adversaries? i. If we close down, who shall miss us?

14. With regard to methods a. What methods do we use to do our business? b. Do they yield the desired results? c. How are they monitored and evaluated for effectiveness and for continuous improvement? d. What are the approaches to doing business that exist in the UPCSA? e. Are they deliberate (in accordance with Church design) or just spontaneous (happening by default)? f. Is there congruence?

SUGGESTED BROAD GOALS TO BE REACHED WHEN UPCSA TURNS 20 YEARS OLD

15. It is a common practice for organisations to set goals for themselves from time to time in pursuit of their shared vision, as it is reckoned that the realisation of a vision is a lifelong pursuit. Goals help organisations to be able to monitor and evaluate performance. A goal is an observable and measurable end result, having one or more objectives to be achieved within a more or less fixed timeframe. Congruence is a result of the alignment of goals to achieve an overarching mission. The goals are set so broadly. Before looking at the goals, take time to read the following statements by the two renowned strategists.

16. Sun Tzu: “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war and then seek to win.” “To fight and conquer in all battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.” “All men can see these tactics whereby to conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.” “Quickness is the essence of the war.”

17. Mao Tse-tung: “When you point at the moon to indicate the moon, instead of looking at the moon, the stupid ones look at your finger.” a. The UPCSA will be a missional church. b. The UPCSA will have mission oriented and holistically developed ministry. c. The UPCSA will promote the equality of all its members and congregations. d. The UPCSA will be attractive to all, including the youth. e. The UPCSA will reflect the demographics of its membership at all the decision making levels and forums. f. The UPCSA will have cohesive, efficient and effective administration at all levels. g. The UPCSA will be financially sustainable. h. The UPCSA will promote a positive image and raise its profile. i. The UPCSA will be a reconciled church.

18. It is envisaged the Executive Committee will adopt the goals for the entire church. Towards the implementation thereof, it is hoped that all the structures (including but not limited to Councils, Committees and Commissions, Associations, etc) and members of the church will determine objectives that will be applicable to their circumstances. The performance will then be measured and managed in line with the goals. It is also envisaged that the Assembly Business Committee (ABC), in conjunction with the Priorities and Resources Committee will establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, as ways and means of ensuring continuous improvement.

FOCUSED MINISTRIES

19. My predecessor, in his report to the 2012 General Assembly, made the following assertions:

34 “We need to develop ministries and resources to help us address these challenges (youth retention and development). Par 11 “We need to develop ministry material and offer training in the area of cross-cultural ministries and mission”. Par 14 “If we want to encounter growth and relevance we need to look at how we mobilise laity and how we acknowledge, appreciate and advance the gifts of all God’s people in the church. We will need to come out of our protected “clergy professionalism” to take seriously one of our most essential teaching in reformed beliefs: ‘the priesthood of all believers’”. Par 16

20. The calls by Ref Prof Pillay were considered seriously. The UPCSA has to pay attention to the specialised ministries. Some of the ministries are happening in certain congregations and circumstances, albeit in unstructured and therefore ineffective ways, in some cases. The following ministries are particularly identified:

a. Ministers’ welfare and development, including retired ministers. b. People with disabilities. c. Women’s Ministry. d. Men’s Ministry. e. Youth Ministry. f. Children’s ministry. g. Eco justice.

21. The Councils of the Church should engage in the ministries robustly and deliberately. It is suggested that the ministries should be placed as standing items in the agendas of the Councils of the church, where proper coordination and direction of this work should take place.

22. At the General Assembly level, the following developments have taken place already: a. Church and Society Committee and Ministry Committee have been approached to work on this ministry and develop guidelines that will be helpful to the Presbyteries and the ministers. It is hoped that in the 2016 General Assembly, a concrete report will be presented. b. Church and Society Committee has started working on people with disabilities ministry. Rev Jackie Barker availed her services to work with the Committee on this ministry. c. Rev Glynis Goyns will champion the eco-justice ministry, working together with the Church and Society Committee. d. An Inclusive Youth Ministry consultation was held at Koinonia, Johannesburg on 29 – 31 January 2015. The outcomes of the consultation were communicated with the church and are on the website of the church. One of the coordinators presented to the consultation of the Synods and Presbyteries Moderators, Clerks and Treasurers on the suggested way forwarded. Some documents are attached as appendices A and B. e. Women in the ordained ministry held a consultation at Lumko Institute, Benoni on 3 – 5 March 2015. One of the coordinators presented to the consultation of the Synods and Presbyteries Moderators, Clerks and Treasurers on the experiences of the women in the ordained ministry and the suggested way forwarded. The theme was “From Mara to Naomi.” Women ministers shared the experiences and stories in the ministry. A report that was compiled at the end of the Consultation is attached as appendix C. It should be encouraged that all the structures of the church should pay particular attention to issues of gender justice. There is a clarion call for change of negative mind set and to condemn patriarchy. This is spelt out in the statement by the women ministers calling for a public day to hold services for repentance and confession. The statement is attached as appendix D. It is suggested that such services should held during the month of August. f. Work is still to be done on men, women and children’s ministries.

23. It is encouraged that people that have skills and passion in any of the ministries should indicate, so that they are considered in the planning and execution of the work.

CONSULTATION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES’ CONVENERS

24. Towards the achievement of congruence and synergy, the office coordinated a consultation of all the General Assembly committees’ conveners at Lumko Institute, Benoni on 18 to 20 November 2014. The objectives of the consultation covered the following: a. To brief the General Secretary with regard to the operations of the General Assembly committees, considering the strengths, challenges and projections. b. To synchronise the work of the Committees in line with the vision and mission of the UPCSA. c. To build a strong team for the effective and efficient running of the mission of the UPCSA. d. To enhance and strengthen leadership, management and administration competencies for the effective functioning of the committees and provision of direction for the entire denomination. e. To determine the broad goals that committees should work towards.

35 f. To establish a framework and mechanisms for quality assurance, corporate governance, monitoring and evaluation.

25. The objectives of the consultation were achieved. The Priorities and Resources Committee was given a responsibility of convening a meeting of the conveners on an annual basis.

CONSULTATION OF THE SYNODS AND PRESBYTERIES MODERATORS, CLERKS AND TREASURERS

26. A consultation of the Synods and Presbyteries Moderators, Clerks and Treasurers was held at eMseni Christian Centre, Benoni on 13 – 15 April 2015. All the Synods and Presbyteries of the UPCSA were represented. The objectives of the consultation covered the following: a. Orientation with the new General Secretary. b. Alignment with the vision and mission of the UPCSA. c. Alignment with the new structure of the General Assembly committees. d. Positioning the UPCSA in contemporary times. e. Empowerment for effective ministry, mission, witness and administration.

27. It is considered that the objectives were achieved. A document that covers some of the highlights of the Consultation is attached for reference as appendix E. What came out so glaring is the need for the marketing and implementation of the Vision and Mission of the UPCSA so vigorously. There is also a need to have proper and effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms put in place so as to ensure the proper implementation of the UPCSA Vision and Mission, and the General Assembly resolution. It is reckoned that this work should be given to the Assembly Business Committee and the Priorities and Resources Committee.

TIYO SOGA HOUSE (CENTRAL OFFICE)

28. Life at Tiyo Soga House is so convivial. The staff of 12 strive by all means to provide excellent service to the whole church. In their planning session for 2015, which was done towards the end of 2014, the staff crafted a vision for the Office, as follows: “TIYO SOGA HOUSE: THE LIGHTHOUSE OF A RECONCILED COMMUNITY OF CHRISTIANS.” By this vision, the staff commit themselves to do the best to be of service to the whole denomination. In the same planning session, the staff presented and adopted activity plans, based on the standing goals for the Office staff, which are as follows: GOAL 1: Build relationships with the body of the Church. GOAL 2: Serve and empower the Presbyteries and Congregations. GOAL 3: Be good stewards of the Church’s money and resources. GOAL 4: Be custodians of information and its communication and dissemination. GOAL 5: Act as advisors on rules, policies and procedures of the Church. GOAL 6: Take responsibility for the administration of Church activities, for example General Assembly and/or Executive Commission. 29. The Church Office Committee gives necessary support to the staff at the office. The Committee conducted performance appraisals for the staff and had interviews with certain members. That boosted the morale of the members and, in the process, certain issued were clarified. 30. The Committee also conducted a service with the Holy Communion in January 2015, as a way of commissioning the staff for the New Year. The strength that was drawn from that service keeps the members going and productive. The service was followed by a meeting of the Committee with all the staff members in which the issues of organigram and accountability were emphasised. That helped to enhance and instil the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect among the members. 31. The staff do very well in receiving and entertaining the ecumenical guests of the Church. Some of the important guests that visited the office include a group of 12 members of the PC(USA) on a peace mission, the past Moderator of the Church of Scotland – Rev Albert Bogle, the Moderator of the United Reformed Church in UK – Mr John Ellis, the newly appointed General Secretary of the EPCSA – Rev TDY Sombhane. LEGAL MATTERS 32. The office handles different cases with different lawyers. It is hoped that the cases will be brought to an end. The church pays exorbitantly on legal matters. 33. J Leslie Smith & Company Inc in Pietermaritzburg. The cases that J Leslie Smith & Company Inc lawyers in Pietermaritzburg are handling show no or very slow progress, but are ongoing. They deal with the following three cases: a. Defamation case between Rev GF and Elder Matiso of Mthatha. b. Randburg Presbyterianse Kerk.

36 c. Sell of Mpolweni land. The lawyers allege that the delay in this matter is due to the slow government processes.

34. Mafungo and Tshaka Inc in Mthatha. Mafungo and Tshaka Inc deals with the Ross and Rainy matter. Progress is slow on all the three cases due to different legal dynamics that come to play. The Grahamstown High Court granted an order for the eviction of the ministers from the two respective congregations. Rev Tyani’s eviction was effected successfully. The Sheriff met some challenges with the eviction of Rev Skenjana. It is however hoped by the time the Executive Commission sits, the order will have been applied fully. PROGRAMME FOR THE RESTORATION AND REINTEGRATION OF ROSS RAINY BACK INTO THE UPCSA 35. The Presbytery of Mthatha has embarked on a programme to restore and reintegrate Ross and Rainy into the UPCSA. The Office and the Synod of Mthatha support the Presbytery in the programme in various ways. A call is made to the entire Church to support the Presbytery towards the successful execution of the plan. Some inroads have been in both churches. This is considered as one step towards achieving the ideal of a reconciled church. ZIMBABWE 36. The Presbytery of Zimbabwe, in its February 2015 meeting, resolved not to go into two Presbyteries at this stage. They rather opted to attempt to use a new model of Mission Commissions, in which some powers of the Presbytery are assigned to sub-regions to engage mission work and growth. Their six regions will be recognised as Mission Commissions. Below is an extract from the minutes of the meeting that was sent verbatim to the office. “Presbytery 1. Acknowledged that we are not in a position to implement the decision of the 2012 General Assembly on account of factors mentioned in the body of the report. 2. Agreed to request the GA to defer the implementation of that decision until the Presbytery of Zimbabwe gives a lead on the matter. 3. Presbytery

i. Resolved to restructure itself according to the Model proposed in the body of the report. ii. Agreed to the Terms of Reference assigned to the Mission Enabling Commissions in the body of the report. iii. Presbytery allowed all regions to learn, explore, prepare and report progress to the June Council meeting for the future appointment of Commissions by the PoZ once the boundaries are defined.”

37. The matter is brought before the Executive Commission with a proposal that the position of the Presbytery of the Zimbabwe should be upheld and supported and that the matter should be closed. PRESBYTERIES TOOLKIT 38. The toolkit was compiled and handed to the Synods and Presbyteries Officials during the Consultation. The Central Office endeavoured to make the toolkit as inclusive and comprehensive as possible. Presbyteries are requested to put the toolkit in use and give feedback to the General Secretary on their views about the effectiveness thereof. THE REV L MPETSHENI GENERAL SECRETARY

PROPOSALS:

1. The Executive Commission receives the report.

2. The Executive Commission adopts the nine (9) broad goals as the UPCSA strategic guidelines to be achieved when the UPCSA turns 20 years old.

3. The Executive Commission encourages the structures of the UPCSA to develop their programmes (objectives and activity plans) towards the attainment of the broad goals.

4. The Executive Commission requests the Assembly Business Committee and the Priorities and Resources to monitor and evaluate the UPCSA performance against the broad goals.

5. The Executive Commission Encourages the Councils of the Church to roll out the seven (7) ministries and place them as standing items in their agendas.

37 6. The Executive Commission notes and applauds the work that has been covered towards the rolling out of certain ministries including the Inclusive Youth Ministry Consultation held on 29 to 31 January 2015 and Women Ministers’ Consultation on 3 to 5 March 2015.

7. The Executive Commission encourages the inclusion of the youth and women in all the decision making structures of the Church.

8. The Executive Commission encourages the structures of the Church to study the report of the Women Ministers’ Consultation and promote gender justice.

9. The Executive Commission supports the call by women ministers for an act of repentance for sexism and encourage all the congregations and structures in the UPCSA to hold such services during the month of August.

10. The Executive Commission notes that a consultation of the General Assembly Committees’ Conveners was held on 18 to 20 November 2014.

11. The Executive Commission endorses the responsibility given to the Priorities and Resources Committee to convene annual meetings of the General Assembly Committees’ Conveners.

12. The Executive Commission notes that a Consultation of the Synods and Presbyteries Moderators, Clerks and Treasurers was held on 13 to 15 April 2015.

13. The Executive Commission encourages the structures of the Church to uphold the vision and mission of the UPCSA and align their life and work thereto.

14. The Executive Commission requests the Assembly Business Committee and the Priorities and Resources to continuously plan and execute monitoring and evaluation processes for proper implementation of the General Assembly and/or Executive Commission resolutions and for continuous improvement in the UPCSA.

15. The Executive Commission urges the members of the Church to support the efforts of Mthatha Presbytery to restore and reintegrate Ross and Rainy Congregations into the UPCSA.

16. The Executive Commission accepts and supports the request by the Presbytery of Zimbabwe for the deferment of the implementation of the General Assembly decision of establishing two presbyteries until the Presbytery of Zimbabwe gives a lead on the matter.

17. The Executive Commission notes that the toolkit has been distributed to the Presbyteries and requests Presbyteries to give feedback to the General Secretary on the effectiveness thereof.

38 APPENDIX A INCLUSIVE YOUTH CONSULTATION REPORTS BACK

Group 6 Some things already being done: ▪ Worship and Music teams ▪ Sports ▪ Life-skills, tutoring, mentoring relationships ▪ Conferences: (Some members sponsor kids) ▪ Youth Alpha, Youth Camps ▪ Holiday Clubs – Using teens to lead kids Bridging the Gap ▪ Make this kind of youth outreach a priority. ▪ Politics can be a big turn off ▪ Understand the role of youth workers ▪ Move away from delegating youth to a youth pastor. Involve youth in congregation affairs. Prevention better than cure – e.g. Conflict resolution training ▪ Involve parents in working with youth. ▪ Use teens to serve communion ▪ Identity and Purpose are KEY!!!!

Group 5 Current Situation ▪ Youth are being supported (even financially) ▪ Vulnerable youth are being practically supported. ▪ In Zambia they are encouraged to join JB and auxiliary’s ▪ Youth are represented at session and other key meetings ▪ Courses are being run to keep the young people active in the church. Threats ▪ Discipline of pregnant girls (not boys!!!!) ▪ Structures and groupings don't provide for the youth. They fall between the cracks. ▪ The lack of fun – too much legalism and traditionalism. ▪ They need space to exercise their giftings and abilities. ▪ Restrictions on Communion – Alienates the youth. ▪ Lack of uniformity in teaching – each minister does a different thing. ▪ Risk of losing the youth is high – “Fire-churches” are very attractive. ▪ Very often access to finances is difficult ▪ Long services.

Group 4 Strengths ▪ In some Presbyteries – no division – a huge strength and no gaps. ▪ Young people raise funds and have different programmes. ▪ Clear structure of specific dates and organisational structures. Opportunities ▪ Programmes that accommodate our needs ▪ Involvement of ministers and elders – eg praying before and after exams ▪ Circumcision prayers Threats ▪ Divisions in Church Associations – a heartache ▪ Lack of support from parents, church and associations ▪ Lack of support when moving away. Filling the Gap ▪ Between children's ministry and youth. End children at 12 youth seems to start at 30. Huge spread – Differing interests– the teens want to dance and the older ones want to read the minutes. ▪ Uniform is a problem. ▪ Children are busy with their studies.

Group 3 • Participation in drama, camps, programmes. Zambia – motivational speaking, Bible Studies Weaknesses Lack of support Lack of understanding of politics and polity. Lack of education around these. The age differences (National Policy – 15-35) But can we mix them in the same pot?

39 Opportunity The young people have energy, etc. They have networking skills Threats Migrating to the tent churches – the bands and relevant preaching Older folk don't want to adapt to change

Way Forward A lot to be done in preparation for this mindset change We need to see the potential and value of young people Be part of the government youth programmes Education around youth and policy

Group 2 Strengths - Many already covered... - Dedicated activities – revivals, Sunday school teachers, youth elders

Weaknesses - Lack of structured teaching - Doctrinal understanding is shallow - Youth are not considered trustworthy

Opportunities Our youth are hungry and there

Threats Covered

Way forward - Become relevant e.g. music - Mission opportunities should be sent their way - Diversity of approaches of ministers – lack of uniformity - Youth don't have access to ministers for pastoral care and counselling - Use the technology - Biological growth only – not bringing people in and following them up.

Group 1 Presbyteries have tried Bible Studies on relevant themes Career Guidance Involve youth in revivals

Weaknesses - Lack of mentorship - Use the associations to raise funds – affiliation fees are prohibitive - We are appointing “old” people. Don't appoint the “young at heart” appoint “youth” - Ageism – We won't listen to a “boy” preach. Or an unmarried person. - We don't use youth to collect, pray, etc

Additional Comments  Technology is useful but relationship much more important  We are a church of order, but we often beat our kids with the law books, where were we when they got into trouble.  NB that the 15-25 is a focus. We're not changing the structures – we're just placing an emphasis.  The group here is diverse and representative so that these changes will carry weight.  The concept is beautiful – the interpretation will different.  Don't just take token actions – don't let them collect the offering only – use them to count and write up the monies too.  We've focussed too much on the structure because we've lost sight of the MISSION. Minimise the business and get into mission.  Adolph Hitler – If you own the children – you own the future. This starts early – Sunday School.  Don't stand in front of kids unprepared – they will see right through you.  Give them a role – so often they lead in the community but they're not used into the church.  Give them space to make their own plans.  Are we listening to them???  The challenges around educational changes. No more religious education in schools. The kids have no Biblical background. There are challenges in terms of evolution etc

40  Satanism in the schools – a huge problem. We don't equip our children. Our Sunday Schools are weak.  Around teen pregnancies there is no prevention counselling, there is also not restoration counselling.  Our parents are not teaching their children well – we must equip our parents. Elders, children and or spouses are not in church.  When we go back we have to challenge parents. Parents often lose their children in 15-25. We can't be modest with our children – the world won't be. Indoctrinate them with the pure gospel while they are young. This is a joint effort.  We have to challenge the “matters arising” too.

On 29-31 January 2015 representatives from the Presbyteries gathered at Koinonia Conference centre to talk about Inclusive Youth Ministry. This conference was made possible by generous funding from the CWM. It was a significant and historical gathering. We listened to presentations, discussed and worshipped together. We were reminded that: - God comes to the world through the church, - that the family is at the heart of God's dealings with Israel and the Church. - Scripture recognises children and adolescents as valuable participants in God's Kingdom work.

Ps.78 Deuteronomy 4:6-9 4 We will not hide them from their children; These commandments that I give you today are to be we will tell the next generation upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, Talk about them when you sit at home and when you his power, and the wonders he has done... walk along the road, when you lie down and when you 6 so the next generation would know them, get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind even the children yet to be born, them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the and they in turn would tell their children. doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

The conference focussed on middle to late adolescents (around 15-25 years) because they ▪ Must make significant choices during this time of their lives ▪ Are particularly vulnerable to the pressures of broken society ▪ Have incredible energy, potential and a desire to make a difference ▪ Are dangerously neglected in the life of the church. While this does not negate the importance of our younger children or the value of our older youth, the conference felt that this focus was vitally important. We recognised four critical challenges for the church with regard to reaching our mid-late adolescents:

• To play a vital role in being role-models, parents and mentors to our young people. • To call our young people to take up responsibility and use their energy and passion to play their part in God's Mission in the World. • To build genuine community with them in our congregations. • To find their identity and purpose within Christ.

We realised that we need to repent:  We have failed to be a constantly reforming church (we've been resistant to change)  We have neglected our young people and have not listened to them.  We have divisions between old and young - we have age-based segregation.  We have stereotyped and have developed “us and them” mind-sets.  We have not listened to or included our young people in the life and work of the church.  We have failed to be good examples, mentors and companions to our young people. And so we call our Members, Sessions, Presbyteries, Assembly, Youth Pastors and Associations to a MASSIVE MINDSET

CHANGE: That we: 1. Recognise that every age group is valuable and important in the church, but begin by focussing on our young people aged 15 – 25. (Referred to as adolescents from here on) Minister to but also with and through adolescents. 2. Emphasise ministry through genuine caring relationships. (Sessions, Services, Activities, Youth Pastors and Associations are a means to this end.) 3. Don't delegate our adolescents to a structure or youth worker but develop a culture where the church will respond to the Needs (Challenges) of youth – to be wanted, to be needed, and to be seen as responsible members of the Christian community.

To this end we: 1. Have set up a task-team to promote and provoke the church at large to keep these issues in focus. (The team will work electronically – at no additional cost to the church) 2. Have set up a web-page www.upcsa-mad.org.za/YOUTH where you can download the proceedings of the conference and related resources. 3. Urge leadership within the Sessions and the Presbyteries to support youth ministry

41 Conclusion

We believe that God has spoken to the church through the conference. Let's hear the call of our young people: 1. “Youth – Tomorrow's church today!!” 2. “Empower the youth through Christ.” 3. “Let young people participate and love them for it.” 4. “Hear me, listen to me, allow me to be part and allow me to be me!”

APPENDIX B

STATEMENT BY UPCSA WOMEN MINISTERS AT THE END OF THE CONSULTATION THAT WAS HELD AT LUMKO RETREAT CENTRE ON 3 TO 5 MARCH 2015

We, the Women Ministers of the UPCSA, call on all Ministers, Sessions and Congregations, as well as the Executive Commission which meets this year and all Church Associations, to hold a day of public repentance for sexism, which is not just a cultural or historical problem, but a sin. (Dates to be set so that there is an act of repentance as part of Executive Commission and for all congregations the Sunday before or after this.)

In particular, we call on the UPCSA to confess to, and repent of:

1. All preaching and teaching which has not challenged the historical and cultural bias of patriarchy which goes contrary to God’s purpose in creation (ie that both men and women are made in the image and likeness of God); and contrary to God’s attitude to women as revealed to us through Jesus’ dealings with women in His ministry.

2. Specific attitudes and actions of individuals, Sessions and Committees which have made it difficult for women to respond to God’s call as elders and ministers in the UPCSA. Such attitudes and actions must be recognised as being contrary to God’s purposes and out of order according to Manual of Faith and Order.

Examples of this are

a) Congregations where women are never considered for eldership;

b) Ministry Committees (of Presbyteries) that discriminate against women during the processes of selection for ministry.

c) Questions to women in selection/calls to ministry that would be deemed totally inappropriately invasive if addressed to male counterparts.

d) The difficulty that women in Ordained Ministry have in being placed for probation and in being considered for call by some congregations;

e) The number of congregations that expect that when calling a woman as their minister, that they will be exempt from the minimum requirements in terms of stipend, housing and transport. Presbyteries have been remiss in not challenging these conditions when they are part of a call document.

3. Continued discrimination against women in the election of Committees and Office Bearers. Often because of cultural bias or bad habit, women are not even considered. The opposite of this is that unfair pressure is put on the small number of ordained women who are asked to join committees as “token women”, chosen not for their passion or competence, but for their gender. This is also degrading.

4. The persecution and abuse of women in leadership by both men and women in the Church. This includes a) sexual harassment; b) plans to deliberately break women ministers or destroy their ministry and c) the validation by some leaders of questions such as “What do you do if you are menstruating when the time comes to celebrate communion? ” in some communities.

42 5. Downgrading the value of all women members in the Church and failing to recognise the important role of women in the life and work and witness of the UPCSA. This includes unthinking attitudes which regard the roles of service and devotion that our members play as less important ministries than the ministries of leading, teaching and sacraments.

6. Paternalistic attitudes and actions which have made it difficult for women to be recognised as competent to lead in worship, in preaching, in Bible Studies and on Session and other leadership structures in the Church.

We recognise that this day of public repentance will only mark the beginning of a journey towards greater wholeness for us as a denomination. For this reason we encourage all ministers, Sessions and congregations to review their attitudes and actions regularly when it comes to sexism and to grow in the grace of our Lord.

43 APPENDIX C

CONSULTATION OF ORDAINED WOMEN MINISTERS FROM MARA TO NAOMI

47 48

54 APPENDIX D

AIDE MEMOIRE FOR CONSULTATION OF PRESBYTERIES MODERATORS, CLERKS AND TREASURERS HELD AT eMSENI on 13-15 APRIL 2015

Please note that this does not constitute a full record of proceedings but should be read in conjunction with the soft copies of the presentations made by different speakers to the Consultation.

The entries correspond to the original programme but due to time constraints experienced during the Consultation it was deemed necessary to shuffle presentations to fit them all into the time available.

DAY ONE

SESSION 2: Opening Devotions

Proceedings were constituted by the Moderator the Rt Rev Mukondi Ramulondi.

In his devotion he emphasised humility and repentance especially during current times with all the hatred around us.

i If we were humble and showed humility the eyes of God would remain in this place and there would be healing and forgiveness. ii That unless we became humble and repented we would never become “The church Jesus prayed for.” iii God hasn’t said he will reject the UPCSA but He may well teach us a lesson. iv That we need to go beyond just planning and strategizing as we are a house that has lost fellowship.

Rev P Nkosi led the Consultation in prayer and lifted up the Rev J Manda who had just lost his wife.

SESSION 3: Vision, Mission and Broad Goals

The General Secretary addressed the Consultation and outlined:

i The Objectives of the Consultation. ii The Importance of a shared vision and the need for synergy and congruence. iii The importance of working together. iv The need to engage in conversations and build relationships. v The need to create a community within the UPCSA. vi The 6 M’s of management. vii That he is still seeking answers to many of the questions he is asking.

A soft copy of Notes on his presentation was circulated and is attached to the Aide Memoire.

SESSION 5: UPCSA Globally, Ecumenically, Locally and Her Future

Rev. Dr Chris Mkandawire presented his paper which is attached for reference. Some of the points he raised included:

i Dealing with the question of “What is wrong with the church?” ii What do people say about the UPCSA? iii Who are we and have we lost our salt? iv We are still like teenagers and a lot of work still needs to be done. v He had to spend much of his time as Moderator of UPCSA trying to resolve conflict in the church. vi Are we a church which is really one? vii Have we developed the syndrome of being happy where we are? viii Do we tell people “we don’t do that anymore” as in the story of the retired doctor who refused to help someone in need of medical attention? ix We have a good structure but are we doing what God has called us to do? SESSION 6: Powers, Functions, Roles and Responsibilities of Presbyteries

Rev. Dr GW Marchinkowski presented a paper which was circulated and is attached for reference.

He drew attention to a number of the provisions of the Manual of Faith and Order contained particularly in Chapter 10 which has also been included in the Presbytery Tool Kit.

SESSION 8: SWOT analysis of group discussions

Rev Chris Judelsohn, as one of the facilitators led the Consultation in a SWOT analysis which is set out below:

Strengths • Consensus decision making model allows for everyone to be involved. • Strong in the education and training of our ministers • Participation/Training of Clergy • Christ is centre – all is possible • We do have a Vision & Mission – Manual • Cultural Diversity – Richness • Flexibility in styles of leadership • Empowerment of leaders/clergy/laity • Conciliar system √√ • Stick ability – Fight and fellowship • Rich in Human capital √ • Good at collecting information. • Decisions / polity

Weaknesses • Shared vision- no way of monitoring progress and evaluation • What distinguishes UPCSA from the rest • Not wise use of assets • Poor implementation of policy i.e. implementation of EXCO and Assembly decisions. • Slow to transform and tend to stay with traditional approaches. • Slow to change/relevance • Associations division • Lack of a real identity • Dwindling congregations • Focus on minor issues and not major issues. • Inequality of resources particularly finances. • No uniform liturgy • Clerical dress confusion e.g. stoles

Opportunities • Teachable clergy • This consultation is inspiring, as exposes us to good mentors. • Good mentors to be utilised • Untapped human resources • Networking/partnership with expat ministers • Reconciliation right = good witness • Large presence in society • Twinning of Congregations • Evangelising. The need for God! • Create a new Community in society • Use technology better • Reconciliation in Associations • Vacancies vs Students

Threats • Not married to the vision of the UPCSA • No clear strategy • Lack of grooming leaders • Inequality – race/finance • ‘Poverty’ mentality is to “Settle for the second best” • Failure to reconcile • Membership leaving • Ecumenical relationships with Churches with different views • Interim moderators!!!! o Stated supply o Expectations o Controls • Ministers not doing teaching • Independent mind set • Living with fear & suspicion

The following were also raised:

i Different forms of worship could be seen as strength.

56 ii We currently don’t have a consolidated Service Book and Ordinal with all the services and ordinals already adopted by Assembly. iii Need to discuss what is meant by reconciled. iv We are not a church which is in crisis. v We mustn’t be slaves to our liturgy. vi Need to spend time discussing what we have already agreed on. vii We must look at the core of our faith. viii Young people need to know who we are. ix We need a marketing strategy to help people understand the vision and mission.

DAY TWO

Rev. Jane Nyirongo led devotions on the theme “We want to meet Jesus.

SESSION 13: Confession or Confessing

Rev. Prof. Vuyani Vellem presented a paper which is attached for reference. Part of the thrust of his paper entailed:

i The difference between bodily confessing and the words of the Confession. ii The link between confession and culture. iii The balance between antiquity, ideology and emotion. iv That the UPCSA is in Africa. v That the artefacts of our faith must be seen towards integrating us into a formless amoeba.

SESSION 14; CWM Colloquium

Rev. M Cook presented a Paper which is attached.

SESSION 16: Pastor Pastorum in support of Ministers and their Families

Rev A Rodger presented a Paper which is attached for easy reference.

SESSION 17: Conflict Management/Resolution

Harry Bopape presented a paper which is attached.

SESSION 18: Mission and discipleship Committee

Rev Chris Judelsohn presented a paper which is attached for easy reference.

SESSION 20: Finance Committee and state of Presbyteries

The CFO presented a paper the notes of which are attached for easy reference.

SESSION 21 Priorities and Resources Committee

Rev B Gaborone presented a paper which is attached.

SESSION 22: Ministry Committee

The Ministry Secretary presented a paper and the notes are attached for easy reference.

SESSION 25: Church and Society Committee

The Rev. Tinashe Chemvumi presented a paper which is attached for easy reference.

SESSION 26: Youth Ministry

Rev. John Mokoena presented a paper which is attached for easy reference.

SESSION 27: Women’s Ministry

Rev R Armstrong presented a paper which is attached for easy reference.

57 DAY THREE

SESSION 35 AND 37: Leadership and Management “Managing Change: A Leader’s challenge”

Dr Amon Kasambala presented a presentation which is attached. Some of the points he raised included:

i Don’t expect but inspect. ii When did you last have a meeting with yourself? iii Sometimes we miss the bigger picture because we get lost in the detail. iv Spent time looking at the vocabulary of change e.g. different/ shift /transform etc. v If you can’t order your private world you can’t order the outside world. vi Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass but about learning to dance in the rain. vii Things are often won or lost in the mind before they happen. viii Denial is just the postponement of the inevitable. ix We are assured of today but tomorrow isn’t ours. x Be the change you would like to be in society. xi Nobody may see it but I will do it. xii Do NOT forget to “fly the plane.” xiii Everything we are involved in is a project and must be managed that way.

SESSIOM 38: Reflections on the Committee Presentations

The Rev BZ Mkentane presented a summary covering the reflections on the presentations, as follows:

CRITCAL ISSUES GOING FORWARD

1. ON VISION • Need to popularize the vision of the denomination amongst the Presbyteries and Synod leadership, Congregational Leadership and the entire membership of the Church. • Ensure broad ownership of the vision by the members of the denomination. Set timeframes and milestones for realization of the vision. • Presbyteries to identify and implement specific programs and activities towards this goal.( Refer to 9 goals suggested by the GS) • Develop tools for evaluation of vision and mission priorities. • Develop a baseline assessment of the state of Presbyteries with regard to understanding and implementation of the vision and mission priorities. • Develop performance indicators on implementation of vision.

2. ON MANUAL AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION • Need for care in implementation of provisions of the manual in resolving congregational challenges (e.g. congregations in unsatisfactory state). • Explore use of mediation before resorting to legal provisions of manual in resolving problems. • Denomination may consider developing a pool of mediators equipped to assist Presbyteries in resolving internal conflicts to minimise resort to legal approach and subsequent civil courts. • Presbyteries to do likewise for congregations in their jurisdiction. • Need to strengthen oversight role of Presbyteries in congregations. • How to safeguard ethical integrity of the denomination in view of prevalence of scandals implicating ministers of the denomination. • How to identify and management conflict. Encourage Presbyteries pay attention to matters related to conflict management and develop skills on conflict management.

3. ISSUES ON MINISTRY • Consider extension of the probation period to two years. • Strengthen communication with Presbyteries on performance of probationers/ candidates and supervisors. • Develop mechanism to support welfare of ministers (beyond probation who cares????) • Need for change of mind set towards vigorous attention to Ministry to Children, Youth, Women and People with disability. • Need to actively encourage women into ministry and other leadership position of the Church. • Need for training and development of leadership to enhance the ministry of the Church • Build the capacity of the leadership on understanding of Confessions of faith and how they are used by the Christian community.

4. MATTERS FINANCIAL • Need to increase percentage of congregations sending financial statements to central office. Develop a culture of reporting and compliance. • Do baseline survey on the percentage of congregations paying assessments and set targets to increase over period.

58 • Presbyteries to encourage, monitor and report regularly on performance of congregations.

SESSION 39 VOTE OF THANKS.

The Gensec presented his vote of thanks and left us with the thought:

SESSION 40 CLOSURE.

The Moderator closed the Consultation with devotions based on Psalm 133. During the devotions, emphasis was placed on the issue of xenophobia.

59 REPORT OF THE CHURCH ASSOCIATIONS WORKING GROUP

1. The 2014 General Assembly appointed the Church Associations Working Group (WG) with the following terms of reference to continue the work of bringing the Associations together:

“i) To organize meeting points for (representatives of) the two groups of the Associations to interact in all possible ways, to help build their relationship towards unity. Such coming together should be at least every six months, or more often as deemed necessary. ii) To look at the role and function of the Church Associations and formulate this into a common Constitution using the existing constitutions, without being restricted to them, addressing the issue of uniforms, and other such details pertaining to Associations. iii) To facilitate the interaction of the Associations at Presbytery and congregational levels…”

2. The Assembly appointed the following to serve on the WG: The Revs Rod Botsis and Jerry Pillay (as co-conveners), the Moderator of General Assembly (Rt Rev M. Ramulondi), the General Secretary (Rev L. Mpetsheni), the convener of the Assembly Church Associations Committee (Rev L. Mshumpela), and requested all 8 Associations to appoint a representative to serve on the WG. The following people were appointed by the respective groups to complete the membership of the Committee: Rev S. Ncapayi (UPMF), Rev L.P. Obose (MCG), Rev B. Hans (UPWF), Rev A. Nyoni (JB), Mrs S. Sontange (UPWW), Ms S. Ndima (IYZA), Mr V. Letuka (YF), Mr M. Maxamba (YA).

3. The WG met 3 times since its appointment in July 2014. At our first meeting in November 2014, we were simply overjoyed with the enthusiasm and desire by the representatives of the Associations to work positively to address the issues of the Associations bearing in mind that the majority of members of the UPCSA are really tired of the continued struggle and are hoping and praying for unity, peace and reconciliation. The meeting was unanimous in its understanding and interpretation of the General Assembly decisions and proceeded to engage on how best it could fulfil the mandate it was given. This meeting deliberated on a number of significant matters and very clearly expressed the following views:

a) It was generally agreed that the members of the Group should regard themselves as representing the General Assembly and, as such, place the interest of the UPCSA before the interests of the individual associations. The members should adopt the “we – us” attitude. Everyone should be part of the collective and should therefore serve as a champion of the process throughout. b) In the interest of bringing the whole church on board, and not appearing to have a “top-down” approach, we believe that we should consult as widely as possible with all parties concerned. It was decided that we should begin with bringing all the National Executives of all Associations together in a joint meeting in February 2015 to inform them of the GA decision and to engage and seek their participation in the way forward. c) Since there has been much pain, hurt and conflict at Presbytery levels, we felt that there is a need to send representatives from the WG to meet with the Executive Committees of the Presbytery and congregations. d) We would need to consider the role and continued work of the Church Associations Assembly Committee at the various levels of the Church. e) We need to ask the Assembly Finance Committee to set aside funds for the process of bringing the Associations together.

4. We are pleased to report that we managed to bring all the Executives of the Associations together in a joint meeting in February 2015. At this meeting we shared the background and decision of the General Assembly on Associations, availed opportunity to address issues, deliberated on a vision for Associations considering the rich diversity of the UPCSA membership, got the respective groups to envision this future together and consider ways in which they could jointly move forward. This exercise enabled the respective groups (men, women, youth and young woman) to find ways in which they can already start to work together. Of course, we are not able to implement most of these at this present time since it needs to go down to the respective structures of the Associations for dialogue and acceptance. We are hoping and praying that the energy, excitement and readiness that we witnessed at this gathering would be contagious at all levels of the Associations structures. However, we recognise with joy and thanksgiving the miracle that God has already lead us into and we know that if this prevails then all things would come together for the glory of God and the good of the Church. The WG sent out a communiqué immediately after this meeting in February which shares the sentiments and spirit of the meeting. It is attached at the end of this report for those who have not seen it.

60 5. The WG met again in March this year to prayerfully discern the way forward as it analysed the data captured at the meeting of the Executives in February, drew from what was shared, and considered ways in which it could seek the assistance of the leaders on the ground to help mobilise the objectives set out by the General Assembly for the Associations. Among other things, most serious attention was given to the setting up of Visitation Teams led by members of the WG to work with Presbyteries.

6. The WG appointed representatives from its members to visit Presbyteries with the following objectives to: a. Share and explain the General Assembly resolution on associations. b. Brief them on the appointment of the WG and the work done by the latter so far. c. Brief them about the workshop of the Executives of the Associations (all the 8 groups) and the outcomes thereof. d. Chart the way forward, starting from what we are doing now. This will be achieved through, inter alia, engagement, dialogue and interaction. e. Emphasise the need for the presbytery officials and associations to be fully involved in the process. f. Oversee the appointment of a Team on the Presbytery level to assist the Assembly WG in its work at the grassroots.

7. The Presbyteries will be visited sometime between May and November 2015. It is expected that the processes in the Presbyteries will each take place from Friday to Sunday, Friday being the arrival day. In the morning of Saturday the process should involve the Executive Committees of all the associations at the Presbyterial and Congregational levels. In the afternoon, the process should be open to the general membership of all the associations, where people will be allowed to ventilate for the healing of the wounds and differences that have existed among them. A revival service will be conducted on Saturday night, followed by the Sunday service with Holy Communion lead by the Presbytery Moderator or a proxy.

8. The WG appointed the following teams to visit the Presbyteries as mentioned below:

Serial Team Presbyteries to be visited No a B 1 Rev Obose and Mrs Sontange Highveld, Limpopo, Mthatha and Western Cape 2 Rev Dr Hans and Bro Maxamba Amathole, Ethekwini, Thukela and Tshwane 3 Rev Nyoni and Str Ndima Central Cape, Drakensberg, East Griqualand and Egoli 4 Rev Ncapayi and Bro Letuka Free State, Lekoa and Transkei

9. The conveners of the WG have written to the Presbytery Clerks and Moderators about the visit of the representatives from the WG, also stating that the Teams would be in touch with them to set up the event mentioned above as soon as possible. As already mentioned, we are hoping that this exercise would be completed sometime between May and November 2015. The conveners of the WG and General Secretary would be in touch with the Presbyteries in Zambia and Zimbabwe to set up a slightly different process.

10. It is our firm belief and conviction that given the length of time of the conflict within the Associations, the hurt, pain and sufferings it has caused within families, congregations and Presbyteries that much effort and time be given for our whole Church to have opportunity to find healing, restoration and forgiveness. Any other approach would short-change the process and put band aid on our ‘bleeding’ Church. True reconciliation and healing requires time and effort.

11. Such an exercise would certainly cost money and would probably require other resources as well. We are encouraging Presbyteries and the Associations to assist with these where possible. However, we are requesting the Finance Committee to set aside money for this purpose. In our attempts to try and secure funds we were made aware of our financial challenges as the UPCSA. It is our view that our finances are partly in this position because of the struggle of the Associations. In any case, we have to accept that because of this situation our Church is ‘sick’ and unless we deal with it, as we are currently doing, we will not grow as a church. So, we need to invest in this now with the hope of reaping the benefits of a healthy and spiritually growing denomination in the time to come.

12. We are aware that a process was previously set in place to write a much needed chapter on Associations in the Manual of Faith and Order. It is our view that this should be suspended for now until the process of writing the constitutions for the Associations is completed. What emerges out of this process will certainly impact on what eventually goes into the Manual. Hence, it makes absolute sense for the WG to complete this process first.

13. It is with joy and excitement that we share this report with you because we have been wonderfully surprised by the work of the Holy Spirit among us in the UPCSA. After all these years of conflict and strife among the Associations we are eventually seeing such incredible efforts by all parties that we are working with to find ways in which we can bring the Associations together and restore the unity and witness of the UPCSA in the world. Of course, the challenge is to get the people who think differently on board. We trust that God will continue to accomplish God’s purpose in and through us in the UPCSA.

Rev Prof. J. Pillay Rev. R. Botsis Co-convener Co-convener

PROPOSALS

1. The Executive Commission receives the report .

2. The Executive Commission notes with thanksgiving and appreciation the commitment and contributions of the Executives of the Associations to the process of implementing the decisions of the 2014 General Assembly, and encourages the Associations at the Presbytery and congregational levels to do the same.

3. The Executive Commission urges all Presbyteries to participate fully in the processes set out by the Working Group to bring about healing, reconciliation and unity of the Associations within its boundaries and the UPCSA as a whole.

4. The Executive Commission requests the Finance Committee to set aside an amount of R300 000 for the Working Group to continue with its work.

5. The Executive Commission agrees to suspend the endeavour to write a chapter on Associations in the Manual of Faith and Order until the process of the finalising of constitutions for the Associations has been completed by the Working Group.

62 FINANCE

1. MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE

The General Treasurer, Mr DH Anderson, the Moderator, the General Secretary, the Revs C Leeuw and T Nopapaza, Ms G Spelman, Mrs E Stopforth, Mr C Gauld and Mr R Johnson. Representatives from Zimbabwe and Zambia, Mr V Sinyoka and Mr Munthali respectively.

2. APPOINTMENT OF SUCESSOR TO POSITION OF GENERAL TREASURER

The Church Office Committee, the Moderator, Former Moderator and General Secretary supported the recommendation that Mr Ryan Johnson succeed Mr Anderson. The takeover will be a gradual one ending in June 2016 at the latest. The Executive Commission is requested to endorse the succession move.

3. GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECISIONS TAKEN AT POLOKWANE APPLICABLE TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE (a) Assessments

A proposal was submitted to the General Assembly b the Presbytery of the Western Cape calling for assessments to be based on a scale applied by the Dutch Reformed Church in the Western Cape. As this proposal did not provide any idea of what the impact of what such a proposal would have on the UPCSA, it was resolved that the Finance Committee research this method of determining assessments using the Western Cape Presbytery as the basis for this research that this project be tackled together with the assistance of the Rev Mike Muller. The Presbytery was, however, not able to obtain the financial details required from all members of the Presbytery. Without this information no meaningful conclusion could be arrived at.

Nonetheless the importance of moving forward to apply the DRC scale to the study undertaken by Mr Craig Smith in Tshwane in 2012 still needs further investigation. The reason for following this route is the wide spread of different of different income groups to be found in Tshwane the financial information on which to base a preliminary assessment.

Findings

The initial results applying the D.R.C. scales to the Tshwane Presbytery are not encouraging. On average the assessments payable would crop by 45%. Refer Appendix 1.

Given the serious financial position of the UPCSA, a drastic income reduction of this magnitude is not practical as a similar result is likely to emerge when applying the D.R.C. to all Presbyteries. We understand that D.R.C. has income from other sources (bequests, grants etc.) which makes them less reliant on assessment income.

To date proposals to ease the load on congregations have been based mainly on assessments payable. The approach of the Finance Committee to struggling churches has been to suggest they pay what they can as we understand the difficulties facing our members.

It must be stressed that this advice can only come from the Finance Committee. Presbyteries are not empowered to amend scales without the sanction of the Finance Committee flowing from the General Assembly.

However, assessments represent one side of the equation. As mentioned later in this report, consideration needs to be given to analysing all costs to ensure that every cent of expenditure is justified in order to achieve a balanced equation.

We will continue to use the results of the preliminary study to try to seek a workable solution.

The question of what the Finance Committee, and for that matter the General Assembly has done to alleviate the plight of struggling congregations is a valid one.

To refresh delegates’ memories, past decisions impacting on assessments need to be recalled, bearing in mind that at no stage has the Finance Committee been able to determine what the income base of the UPCSA is. The reason for this unsatisfactory state of affairs is that annual return and Financial Statements are provided by only 12.3% of the denomination.

A number of ideas were developed and approved by the General Assembly to assist congregations in the recent past.

63 (i) In 2012 the Church agreed to write off 50% of outstanding assessments subject to congregations agreeing to pay future assessments in full. This drew a response from 7 congregations.

(ii) The second proposal was to extend the maturity date of the above scheme to 31 December 2012.

(iii) The third plan was to agree to write off all outstanding assessments if the congregations, supported by a Presbytery analysis, could show that ongoing future assessments could be paid. Congregations responded to this relief measure and others are still striving to reach this stage.

Meanwhile, a 2% rebate was introduced in 2012 and extended last year to those congregations meeting their assessment commitments in full. The question we have wrestled with is, firstly should one not write off old outstanding balances as the recoverability is doubtful. This raises the questions of morality and ethics. Is it right to grant everyone relief when a good number of congregations have worked hard to meet the relief measures referred to above?

Secondly, and more telling, what sort of message would we be conveying to our members withhold payment long enough and it will be written off? Let us not bluff ourselves, steps have been and are still being taken to avoid payment assessments. The approach of many congregations on this and other issues here is the hallmark of the secular world rather than a clear cut Christian approach.

The future of the denomination is at stake. We fully understand the prevailing economic pressures but we also have evidence that the lack of appreciation how assessment income is spent results in lower contributions being made.

The Chief Financial Officer has been tasked with visiting all Presbyteries to ensure that our members obtain a realistic understanding of how the Church functions and the significance of ensuring that our cash flow from congregation increases to meet ever increasing demands.

The introduction of our invoicing system will commence in June 2015 for those who have not submitted financial statements and assessment forms but all congregations will still be liable for their full assessments as calculated according to the formulae. Presbyteries are urged to follow up on congregation’s administration and governance. This will go some way to determining income flow with more certainty.

(b) Property Title Deeds

• Deeds in Central office possession have been sorted by Presbyteries. • Response from congregations and Presbyteries has been poor even though General Assembly at Polokwane instructed that all deeds must be remitted to Central Office by November 2014. • Policy of no assessment relief without property details. The following has been included in the updated Rules of Assessments:

“7.2 All applications for assessment relief must be accompanied by: c) Copies of deeds of UPCSA owned land and buildings or proof from the institution which holds the deed where relevant.”

It was reported at the last General Assembly that 41.5% of congregations make no contributions to Central Funds. Presbyteries were instructed to submit written reports to the Finance Committee by 31 December 2014 explaining why congregations within their jurisdiction are making no assessment payment. Response from Presbyteries has been poor. It would seem that Presbytery Moderators, Clerks and Treasurers pay little heed to General Assembly decisions. This lack of response in a number of areas goes beyond the mandate of the Finance or any one Committee and needs serious consideration at the highest level.

The UPCSA must be one of the very few bodies which permits the tail to wag the dog. It is standard practice in all walks of life that if you do not pay your dues you lose your right to participate in decision making or voting. Some years ago Prof Kerr ruled that such a step in the UPCSA would be a violation of the Manual. A soft and easy answer which did nothing to resolve the Church’s problem.

Has the time come to show some backbone? Amend the Manual if necessary, but at least let’s

64 work forward and bring some discipline into a Church which is not moving forward. The minimum congregational contribution is no more than R1 200 per annum. If not even this amount is paid then the Finance Committee recommends no participation or voting at Presbytery or General Assembly gatherings by the offending congregations.

(d) Outstanding loans

Report on outstanding Church extension loans – see Appendix 2.

(e) Financial Reports of Associations

The Financial Statements of the following organisations for responding to the General Assembly decisions have been received: • Uniting Presbyterian Women’s Fellowship: • Men’s Christian Guild; • Youth Fellowship; and • Association of Church Choirs & Musicians.

(f) Frequency of General Assembly and venue for such meetings

General Assemblies requested that the Priorities and Resources and Finance should work towards establishing the practice of other mainline Churches and to establish whether it would be feasible for all General Assemblies to be held in or around Johannesburg.

There is no available information at present on Universities etc providing suitable conference and accommodation facilities.

Both the P & R and Finance Committee have concluded that a possible venue of General Assembly would be Rocky Valley. However, Rocky Valley would require substantial upgrading which, at a rough estimate, could be of the order of R3 million.

Obtaining information regarding meetings which correspond with our General Assembly has been surprisingly difficult to obtain. What we have been able to glean is as follows:

• Anglicans – very formal annual meetings always held in Cape Town where the Archbishop resides. Details of cost allocations and lay attendance has not been offered;

• Methodists – their Conference is an annual meeting at a different venue each year. Attendance has been reduced to 147 delegates comprising 3 lay persons and 3 Ministers per district to which must be added a youth leader, a Bishop and a district lay leader i.e. 9 persons for each of the 12 districts. Head office staff, committee conveners and Association reps. Making up the balance of attendees. The cost of transport for the 9 delegates is borne by each district. The total cost of the meeting is divided by the number of people attending. This cost is either paid by the district, association, department etc or by the people themselves. The cost per person for the last 2 Conferences has been held at R5 500. This has been achieved through practicing a policy of shared accommodation. The total cost was therefore R810 000 which is similar to the cost incurred by the UPCSA at Polokwane but for a church many times larger than the UPCSA; and

• Congregationists – they tend to follow our practice, meeting every second year. The meeting being hosted by a different synod. Ministers attend on a roster basis and are paid for by their congregation. The host synod arranges accommodation, venue etc. and estimates what registration fee would be necessary to cover the costs of delegates. This figure is then passed down to synods and from there to congregations but synods remain accountable for their delegates. It would appear that a large number of lay people attend these assemblies and presumably pay their own way.

Summary

It is clear from the two denominations reviewed above is that costs are borne by what we define as Presbyteries or congregations.

The Methodists meet annually, their number of delegates being of the size of our Executive Commissions. Moreover their emphasis on youth activities is clearly a feature of their growth strategy.

The reduction in the size of their Conference has reportedly increased effectiveness, reduced time waste and achieved valuable cost savings.

65 We will endeavour to expand on this research in time for the next General Assembly

4. FINANCIAL REVIEW

(i) The Audited Financial Report for the 12 months ended 30 June 2014 is included in this report as Appendix 3. When looking at this report one needs to remember that the comparative figures cover an 18 month period. The income Statement shows a small positive result for the first time in many years.

Investments have continued to perform strongly in line with market movements. The bulk of these investments are in respect of funds donated to the church for specific purposes. Income from these funds is allocated in accordance with the donors’ wishes.

(ii) The Unaudited Accounts to 31 December 2014 See Appendix 4, the comments are under the heading of Budgets.

(iii) Audit Convener’s Report The report, which is included as Appendix 5, covers the topic discussed at the April 2015 meeting which provides delegates with information as the audit scope for 2015, budget for audit costs, Churches wide risk analysis (Appendix 6) and progress on providing comprehensive insurance cover for office bearers at different levels.

The topic of audit of Congregational Accounts was not addressed at the last General Assembly. Finality needs to be reached in a responsible manner but which will also help cut small and medium sized congregations audit costs.

(iv) Sebideng Audited Financial Statements The Audited Financial Statements for Sedibeng Trust for the year ended 31 December 2014 are included as Appendix 7. Tight control by management and the boards has resulted in a very satisfactory set of accounts.

(v) The 10 year Analysis of Assessments Received from Presbyteries and Congregation is reflected in Appendices 8 & 9. Ranking of congregations paying assessments is attached as Appendix 12.

(vi) Unallocated Deposits

Appendix 10 is included to keep delegates abreast of changes to Unallocated Deposits. We are still receiving bank deposit advices with insufficient information to identify the depositor or the reason.

(vii) Budget Proposals 2015/2016

Before dealing with the budget for the next financial year, we need to recall that during the period 2009-2013 reserves were seriously depleted due to expenses exceeding budgeted income. This is not a sustainable situation.

The background to the budget now under review is not an encouraging one. Income received by the Central Office during the first few months has been disappointing. The economy shows no signs of an upward swing for some time to come. People in the 1 - 7 income groupings have been feeling the pinch. Against this background the CFO was requested to contact a number of our largest contributors to gauge their views. The feedback was negative in that most saw little sign of increased income and were looking at the unchanged budgets.

Towards the end of 2014 we indicated that we would be looking at a flat budget for 2015/16. This was not heeded in all quarters but the budget meeting achieved a common understanding that we cannot responsibly approve budget requests beyond last years’ figure. The message accepted by all is very clear: • strict control over all expenditure • prioritise expenditure • cut out unnecessary meetings and seminars • reduce travel costs • if necessary reorganise committee membership or structures • reduce the one way support from South Africa to Zimbabwe and Zambia

I am pleased to report that representatives at the Budget meeting fully supported this last point and proposed that the Central Office examine reopening bank accounts in Zimbabwe and Zambia so that their congregations could meet their own students’ needs. Previously there was an account at Standard Bank in Zimbabwe but this was closed due to non-compliance of the

66 banking laws as all signatories were South Africans and at this point the Finance Committee decided not to continue operating this account because of the hyperinflation prevailing at that time. Zimbabwean assessments were paid into this account and expenses such as travel costs were paid from this account. Finance Committee are investigating the feasibility of opening bank accounts in both Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The agreed budget is enclosed as Appendix 11.

The Appendices which support the report referred to above are as follows:

1. DRC comparison; 2. CEA Loans; 3. Audited Financial Statements - 30 June 2014; 4. Unaudited Accounts to December 2014; 5. Audit Convener’s Report; 6. Risk Analysis; 7. Sedibeng’s Audited Financial Statements – 31 December 2014; 8. Presbytery assessment analysis for 10 years; 9. Congregation assessment analysis for 10 years; 10. Unallocated assessments; 11. 2015/2016 Budget; and 12. Congregation ranking of assessments.

5. OTHER MATTERS

(a) Mpolweni New lawyers have taken over the case and are currently scrutinising the files.

(b) RB Hagart Trust This fund is still available to assist retired ministers, where possible with unusual medical expenses.

(d) Guild Cottage Supplementary papers.

(e) Gratitude Thanks to the CFO and his staff.

PROPOSALS

1. The Executive Commission receives the report.

2. The Executive Commission endorses the that the Finance Committee recommends the appointment of Mr Ryan Johnson as incoming General Treasurer.

3. The Executive Commission notes the report on assessments (a) extends current plan of agreeing to write off all outstanding loans for those congregations, supported by their Presbytery who can show ability to meet future assessments in full; and (b) extends 2% rebate until next General Assembly.

4. The Executive Commission appoints a multifaceted body to research non-compliance with General Assembly decisions with specific references to reports not sent to the Finance Committee.

5. The Executive Commission requests the Faith & Order Committee to report back to the General Assembly on what steps need to be followed to reserve attendance and voting at the Presbytery and General Assembly to congregations making a financial contribution.

6. The Executive Commission instructs all Associations who have not yet submitted financial reports to do so by not later than 30th September, 2015.

7. The Executive Commission requests the Finance Committee and the Priorities and Resources Committee to continue with the research into venue and timing of General Assemblies and to submit a final report to the next General Assembly.

8. The Executive Commission accepts Audited Financial Statements for 12 months to 30 June 2014.

67 9. The Executive Commission notes unaudited accounts for 6 months to 31 December 2014.

10. The Executive Commission notes Audit Conveners Report and accepts the Risk Analysis.

11. The Executive Commission approves the Sedibeng Trust Audited account for the year ended 31 December 2014.

12. The Executive Commission instructs Presbyteries to submit reports on Non-Contributory Congregations by 30 November 2015.

13. The Executive Commission notes the Annexures 8 – 10.

14. The Executive Commission approves the budget for 2015/16 endorsing the need for strict financial controls at all levels.

15. The Executive Commission authorises the Finance Committee to explore the opening of bank accounts in Zimbabwe and Zambia so that assessments from both countries can be directed to supporting their own ministry students.

16. The Executive Commission notes the Mpolweni feedback but expresses desire to see the matter brought to a conclusion.

17. The Executive Commission notes the source of support for retired ministers through the RB Hagart Trust.

18. The Executive Commission endorses thanks to the Investment Committee and the CFO and his staff.

68 APPENDIX 1

DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH COMPARISONS

TSHWANE PRESBYTERY - DRC COMPARISON

BASE-LINE DATA ACTUAL INCOME

2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

Centurion West 727 592 508 248 479 403 - 321 666 239 942 Emmanuel 1 051 547 1 069 252 941 516 824 168 639 671 607 171 431 871 Ga-Rankuwa 156 276 81 000 84 771 Jonas Lediga 293 875 309 285 234 445 166 402 171 499 Mabopane 234 716 203 092 160 137 161 178 149 306 316 164 849 Mamelodi 64 192 51 980 52 822 Rustenburg 163 922 105 372 146 659 66 259 Saints 649 940 580 636 603 375 521 769 551 906 462 883 461 712 St Andrews (Pretoria) 472 365 520 998 416 461 375 962 266 958 St Andrews (Witbank) 408 117 462 128 388 352 370 075 331 824 267 262 240 582 St Columba 550 061 591 015 582 416 380 397 377 540 408 708 St Francis 594 808 69 357 490 326 486 631 363 167 412 208 259 419 St Johns 794 060 641 501 546 291 516 988 507 835 474 178 St Marks 289 366 306 553 337 839 208 879 218 707 189 419 180 933 St Pauls 30 000 36 057 St Peters 43 573 St Thomas 28 918 53 385 Soshanguve 137 157 133 616 105 972 100 189 72 607 Trinity 1 116 682 1 285 696 982 399 891 294 842 586 Total income 4 458 451 6 402 318 6 983 960 4 520 270 5 035 876 4 502 823 4 152 739

SAME FIGURES USED TO TAKE AN ANNUAL AVERAGE:

Average Assessment AVERAGE at Current Up to 310/ 500/ 700/ 900 000 INCOME rate 310 000 499 999 699 999 899 999 plus

Centurion West 455 370 66 367 31 683 Emmanuel 795 028 127 505 70 254 6 441 Ga-Rankuwa 107 349 3 723 Jonas Lediga 235 101 26 718 14 106 Mabopane 153 370 12 007 9 202

Mamelodi 56 331 1 200 3 380 Rustenburg 120 553 6 100 7 233 Saints 547 460 82 943 41 395 St Andrews (Pretoria) 410 549 58 299 27 649 St Andrews (Witbank) 352 620 47 872 22 436 St Columba 481 690 71 104 34 052 St Francis 382 274 53 209 25 105 St Johns 580 142 88 826 45 317 St Marks 247 385 28 929 14 843 St Pauls 33 029 300 1 982 St Peters 43 573 300 2 614 St Thomas 41 152 300 2 469 Soshanguve 109 908 4 183 6 594 Trinity 1 023 731 168 672 100 272

Total income 6 176 615 848 556 68 865 140 925 86 713 70 254 100 272 467 029

69 APPENDIX 2

OUTSTANDING CEA LOANS

ACCOUNT NAME TOTAL DEBT

46 Rev SP Sam 4 238.19 83 Rev X Mzendana 15 072.29 121 Rev N Bhengu 29 264.66 123 Rev T Pitoyi 34 443.05 37 Rev DD Monokoane 55 737.22 115 Rev TMC Thobejane 20 922.03 81 Christ the Redeemer 31 180.65 38 Rev CB Kuzwayo 35 923.91 74 Langa PC 59 295.87 124 Rev TL Noti 10 614.03 118 Rev T Gosa 37 791.59 111 Rev S Chatikobo 34 363.18

TOTAL 368 846.67

70 APPENDIX 3 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- 30 JUNE 2014

THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (REGISTRATION NUMBER MM0021/01/04) ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2014

71 THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (Registration number MM 0021 /01 /04) Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2014 INDEX

The reports and statements set out below comprise the annual financial statements presented to the General Assembly:

Page

Financial Committee's Responsibilities and Approval 2

Independent Auditors' Report 3-4

Statement of Financial Position 5

Statement of Comprehensive Income 6

Statement of Changes in Equity 7

Statement of Cash Flows 8

Accounting Policies 9-11

Notes to the Annual Financial Statements 12- 17

The following supplementary information does not form part of the annual financial statements:

Detailed Statement of Comprehensive Income 18 -19

Page 1

72 THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (Registration number MM 0021/01/04) Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2014 FINANCIAL COMMITTEE'S RESPONSIBILITIES AND APPROVAL

The finance committee is required to maintain adequate accou nting records and is responsible for the content and integrity of the annual financial statements and related financial information included in this report. It is their responsibility to ensure that the annual financial statements fairly present the state of affairs of the church as at the end of the financial year and the results of its operations and cash flows for the period then ended, in conformity with the International Financial Reporting Standard for Small and Medium-sized Entities. The external auditors are engaged to express an independent opinion on the annual financial statements.

The annual financial statements are prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standard for Small and Medium-sized Entitles and are based upon appropriate accounting policies consistently applied and supported by reasonable and prudent judgements and estimates.

The finance committee acknowledges that it Is ultimately responsible for the system of internal financial control established by the church and place considerable importance on maintaining a strong control environment. To enable the finance committee to meet these responsibilities, the finance committee sets standards for internal control aimed at reducing the risk of error or loss in a cost effective manner. The standards include the proper delegation of responsibilities within a clearly defined framework, effective accounting procedures and adequate segregation of duties to ensure an acceptable level of risk. These controls are monitored throughout the church and all employees are required to maintain the highest ethical standards in ensuring the church's business is conducted in a manner that in all reasonable circumstances is above reproach. The focus of risk management In the church is on identifying, assessing, managing and monitoring all known forms of risk across the church. While operating risk cannot be fully eliminated, the church endeavours to minimise it by ensuring that appropriate infrastructure, controls, systems and ethical behaviour are applied and managed within predetermined procedures and constraints.

The finance committee is of the opinion, based on the information and explanations given by management, that the system of internal control provides reasonable assurance that the financial records may be relied on for the preparation of the annual financial statements. However, any system of internal financial control can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss.

The finance committee has reviewed the church's cash flow forecast for the period ended to 30 June 2015 and, in the light of this review and the current financial position, they are satisfied that the church has access to adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

The external auditors are responsible for independently auditing and reporting on the church's annual financial statements. The annual financial statements have been examined by the church's external auditors and their report is presented on pages 3 to 4.

cial statements set out on pages 5 to 17, which have been prepared on the going concern basis, y the fi ance committee and signed on its behalf by:

Date

Chief Fi Date

Page2

73 )

Box T+21 F E

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

To the General Assembly of The Uniting Presbyterian Church In Southern Africa

We have audited the annual financial statements of The Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, as set out on pages 5 to 17, which comprise the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2014, and the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and the notes, comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory notes.

Finance Committees' Responsibility for the Annual Financial Statements

The finance committee are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these an nual financial statements in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standard for Small and Medium-sized Entities. This responsibility includes: designing, implementing and maintaining internal controls relevant to the preparation and presentation of annual financial statements that are free from material misstatements, whether due to fraud or error; selecting and applying appropriate accounting policies; and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances

Auditors' Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these annual financial statements based on our audll We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing. Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the annual financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the annual financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditors' judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the annual financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditors consider internal control relevant to the organisation's preparation and fair presentation of the annual financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the organisation's internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the annual financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our qualified audit opinion.

74 Basis for Qualified Opinion

In common with similar organisations, it is not feasible for the organisation to institute accounting controls over cash receipts from donations, bequests and assessment income prior to the initial entry of the receipts in the accounting records. Due to the inherent limitations, it was impractical for us to extend the examinations beyond receipts actually recorded.

The church was unable to provide Title Deeds and supporting documentation relating to certain properties occupied by the church. Furthermore, deed searches noted properties in the name of the church which are not recorded in the financial statements and the values are unknown . Consequently, we were unable to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to satisfy ourselves as to the completeness, existence. valuation and classification of the property disclosed in the financial statements.

In common with similar organisations, the implementation of the accounting controls over the obtaining of supporting documentation in respect of grants and allowances is not entirely utilised. As a result it was impractical for us to extend the examination of supporting documentation for such expenditure beyond that of the approval by the finance committee and in accordance with approved budget allocations. Qualified Opinion

In our opinion, except for the possible effects of the matters described in the Basis for Qualified Opinion paragraph, the annual financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa as at 30 June 2014, and its financial performance and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standard for Small and Medium-sized Entities. Supplementary Information

Without qualifying our opinion, we draw attention to the fact that the supplementary information set out on pages 18 to 19 does not form part of the annual financial statements and is presented as additional information. We have not audited this information and accordingly do not express an opinion thereon.

l Betty & Dickson (Johannesburg) Registered Auditors

Per: Louis Quintal CA RA Partner

Date: Randburg

75 THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN A FRICA (Registration number MM 0021/01/04) Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2014 STATEMENT OF FINANCIA L POSITION AT 30 JUNE 2014 Figures in Rands Notes 2014 2013

ASSETS NON-CURRENT ASSETS Property and equipment 2 4 078 105 4 076455 Loans receivable 3 21130 29340 Investments 4 32 096983 29 063 175 36196 218 33168 970

CURRENT ASSETS Inventories 5 233 335 268 876 Trade and other receivables 6 521 217 1846 679 Cash and cash equivalents 7 5197 619 2 871 241 5 952 171 4 986 796 Total Assets 42148 389 38155 766

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES EQUITY Reserves 15609164 13 199 947 Accumulated loss (1 237 008) (1 255 395} 14 372 156 11 944 552

LIABILITIES NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Restricted purpose funds 8 23 727 528 21 995 878

CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and other payables 9 4 048 705 4 215 336 Total Liabilities 27 776 233 26 211 214 Total Equity and Liabilities 42148 389 38 155 766

Page 5

76 THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (Regist.ration number MM 0021101/04) Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2014 STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 18 months ended 30June Figures in Rands Notes 2014 2013

Revenue 13 10 246 742 14 163 127 Other income 26 000 74 985 Operating expenses (10 314 402) (17 313 946) Operating deficit 14 (41 660) (3 075 834) Investment revenue 15 60 047 31 960 ProfiU(daficit) for the year 18 387 (3 043 874) Other comprehensive Income: Available-for-sale financial assets adjustments 16 2 409 217 2 675 325 Total comprehensive Income/( deficit) for the year 2 427 604 (368 549)

Page6

77 THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (Registration number MM 0021/01 /04) Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2014 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY Available for Revaluation Total Accumulated Total equity sale reserve reserve on reserves loss on land and Figures in Rands investments buildings

Balance at 01 January 2012 10 053 464 471158 10 524 622 1 788 479 12 313 101 Total comprehensive loss for the 18 (3 043 874) (3 043 874) months ended 30 June 2013 Movement in reserves 2 675 325 2 675 325 2 675 325 Total comprehensive loaa for the year 2 675 325 2 876 325 (3 043 874) (388 549) Balance at 01 July 2013 12 728 789 471158 13 199 947 (1 255 395) 11 944 552 Total comprehensive income for the year 18 387 18 387 Movement in reserves 2 409 21 7 2409217 2 409 217 Total comprehensive Income for the 2409 217 2409 217 18 387 2427 604 year Balance at 30 June 2014 15138 006 471158 15 609164 (1 237 008) 14 372156

Page ?

78 THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (Registration number MM 0021 /01/Q4) Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 J une 2014 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 18 months ended 30June Figures In Rands Notes 2014 2013

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Cash generated from/(used in) operations 18 1 257 814 (2 838101) Interest income 60047 31 960 Net cash from operating activities 1 317 861 (2 806141)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Purchase of property and equipment 2 (116 750) (95 760) Sale of property and equipment 2 10000 24985 Net movement in investments (624 593) (479 848) Net cash from Investing activities (731 343) (550 623)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Movement in restricted purpose funds 1 731 650 (63 246) Movements in loans receivable 8 210 2079 Net cash from financ ing activities 1 739 860 (61167)

Total cash movement for the year 2 326 378 (3 417 931) Cash at the beginning of the year 2 871 241 6289 172 Total cash at end of the year 7 5 197 619 2 871 241

Page 8

79 THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (Registration number MM 0021/01/04) Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2014 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1. PRESENTATION OF ANNUA L FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the International Reporting Standard for Small and Medium-sized Entities. The annual financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for certain financial instruments at fair value, and incorporate the principal accounting policies set out below.

1.1 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

The cost of an item of property and equipment is recognised as an asset when: It is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the church; and the cost of the Item can be measured reliably.

Property and equipment are initially measured at cost.

Costs include costs incurred initially to acquire or construct an item of property and equipment and costs incurred subsequently to add to, replace part thereof, or service it. If a replacement cost is recognised in the carrying amount of an item of property and equipment, the carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognised.

Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impainnentlosses.

Land is stated at cost and is not depreciated as it is deemed to have an indefinite life.

Depreciation is provided using the straight-line basis over the expected useful lives of the assets to their estimated residual value.

The useful life of the property and equipment, have been assessed as follows:

ITEM AVERAGE USEFUL LIFE Buildings 50 years Furnitu re and fixtures 5 years Motor vehicles 6 years IT computer equipment 3 years

The residual value, useful life and depreciation method of each asset are reviewed at the end of each reporting period. If the expectations differ from previous estimates, the change is accounted for as a change in accounting estimate.

The gain or loss arising from the derecognition of an item of property and equipment Is included in profit or loss when the item is derecognised. The gain or loss arising from the derecognition of an item of property and equipment is determined as the difference between the net disposal proceeds, if any, and the carrying amount of the item.

1.2 TAXATION

CURRENT TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The organisation has tax exemption as a public benefit organisation under Section 30 of the Income Tax Act.

1.3 INVENTORIES

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of the bu siness less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

The cost of inventories comprises of all costs of purchase in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition.

Page9

80 THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (Registration number MM 0021/01104) Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2014 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.4 IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS

The church assesses at each balance sheet date whether there is any indication that an asset may be impaired. if any such indication exists, the church estimates the recoverable amount of the asset

if there is any indication that an asset may be impaired, the recoverable amount is estimated for the individual asset. If it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of the individual asset, the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs is determined.

If the recoverable amount of an asset is less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount. That reduction Is an impairment loss.

An impairment loss of assets carried at cost less any accumulated depreciation or amortisation is recognised immediately in profit or loss. Any impairment loss of a revalued asset Is treated as a revaluation decrease.

1.5 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

SHORT-TERM EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The cost of short-term employee benefits, (those payable within 12 months after the service is rendered, such as paid vacation leave and sick leave, bonuses, and non-monetary benefits such as medical care), are recognised in the period in which the service is rendered and are not discounted.

The expected cost of compensated absences is recognised as an expense as the employees render services that increase their entitlement or, in the case of non-accumulated absences, when the absence occurs.

1.6 PROVISIONS AND CONTINGENCIES

Provisions are recognised when: the church has a present obligation as a result of a past event; it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation; and a reliable estimate can be made of the obligation.

The amount of a provision is the present value of the expenditure expected to be required to settle the obligation.

1/Vhere some or all of the expenditure required to settle a provision is expected to be reimbursed by another party, the reimbursement shall be recognised when, and only when, it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received if the entity settles the obligation. The reimbursement shall be treated as a separate asset. The amount recognised for the reimbursement shall not exceed the amount of the provision.

Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses.

If the church has a contract that is onerous, the present obligation under the contract shall be recognised and measured as a provision.

Contingent assets and contingent liabilities are not recognised.

1.7 REVENUE

Revenue comprises the following: donation income, assessment fees, interest and dividends. Only assessments on income of congregations for the current period which are received before year end are accounted for.

1.8 BORROWING COSTS

Borrowing costs are recognised as an expense in the period in which they are incurred.

Page 10

81 THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (Registration number MM 0021/01/04) Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2014 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.9 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

The statement of financial position does not reflect the assets and liabilities of congregations, presbyteries, schools and missions, even where assets and liabilities of those entities may be registered in the name of The Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.

1.10 RESTRICTED PURPOSE GRANTS AND DONATIONS

Donations and grants received to be utilised for specific purposes are recognised as non-current liabilities on the date of receipt.

Any interest income earned on the unspent fund is credited to the restricted purpose fund balance and is not recognised as finance income in the organisation's income statement.

An expense incurred on the specific project is deducted from the restricted purpose fund and is not reflected as expenditure on the income statement.

Page 11

THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (Registration number MM 0021/01/04) Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 201 4

NOTES TO THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Figures in Rands

2. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

2014 2013 Cost Accumulated Carrying Cost Accumulated Carrying depreciation value depreciation value and and Impairments Impairments Land and buildings 4 006119 (337 179) 3668 940 3 889 369 (251 059) 3 638 310 Furniture and fixtures 70 015 (58 140) 11 875 70 015 (51 015) 19 000 Motor vehicles 749 504 (427 336) 322 168 774 375 (452 207) 322 168 IT equipment 119 685 (44 563) 75122 119 685 (22 708) 96 977 Total 4 945 323 (867 218) 4 078105 4 853 444 (776 989) 4 076 455

RECONCILIATION OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - 2014

Opening Additions Depreciation Total balance Land and buildings 3 638 310 116 750 (86 120) 3668 940 Furniture and fixtures 19 000 (7 125) 11 875 Motor vehicles 322 168 322 168 IT equipment 96977 (21 855) 75122 4 076 455 116 750 (115100) 4 078105

RECONCILIATION OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT- 2013

Opening Additions Depreciation Total balance Land and buildings 3 718 593 (80 283) 3 638310 Furniture and fixtures 26 125 (7125) 19 000 Motor vehicles 322 168 322 168 IT equipment 9195 95 760 (7 978) 96 977 4 076 081 95760 (95 386) 4 076455

Page 12

83 THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN A FRICA (Registration number MM 0021/0 1/04) Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2014

NOTES TO THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Figures in Rands 2014 2013

DETAILS OF PROPERTIES

PARKTOWN PROPERTY Parktown Erf 257, Parktown - Purchase price: 2009 3 104 880 3 104 880 -Additions since purchase or valuation 81 845 81 845 3 186 725 3 188 725

BLAIRGOWRIE PROPERTY Blairgowrie Manse, Erf 1686, Blairgowrie - Purchase price: 2002 162126 162 126 - Additions since purchase up until val uation 16 716 16 716 - Valuation 2003 471 158 471 158 - Improvements 2008 11 545 11 545 -Improvements 2010 41099 41 099 • Improvements 2014 116 750 819 394 702 644

•. 3. LOANS RECEIVABLE LOANS RECEIVABLE BALANCES CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING:

Church extensions 393 773 401 983 393 773 401 983 Impairment of loans (372 643) (372 643) 21130 29 340

The loans are unsecured and interest free with no fixed terms of repayment. In the absence of contractually agreed repayment terms, the fair value of these loans are deemed to be equal to the canying value. Long outstanding loans where repayments are not deemed likely are Identified at each balance sheet date and assessed for impairment

4. INVESTMENTS

AVAILABLE FOR FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS FAIR VALUE Unit trusts - Oikocredit 346 531 315 296 Unit trusts -Allan Gray Stable Fund 31 750 452 28 747 879 32 096 983 29 063 175

Fair values are determined annually at balance sheet date based on open market value.

5. INVENTORIES

Finished goods 255 310 303 465 255 310 303 465 Inventories (writ~downs) (21 975) (34 589) 233 335 268876

Page 13

84 THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (Registration number MM 0021101 /04) Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2014

NOTES TO THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Figures in Rands 2014 2013

6. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Prepayments 427 615 78672 Deposits 6298 8298 Other receivables 87 304 159 530 John Vieira • Gross 2 248 228 John Vieira • Provision (648 049) 521 217 1846 679

7. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents consist of:

Cash on hand 19191 15 325 Bank balances 5178 428 2 855 916 5 197 61 9 2 871 241

8. RESTRICTED PURPOSE FUNDS

Resbicted purpose funds comprise donations and bequests which are to be used for specific purposes only. Donations and bequests received for restricted purposes are not recognised as income but are recognised as a liability. Similarly disbursements made from these funds are not recognised as expenditure in the income statement but are offset against the liability.

Reserve exchange 39935 39 570 Justioe and Social Development Funds 849 628 850 173 Church Growth Funds 314 596 308175 Mission Program Support Fund 1 673 200 439652 EE Coutts Funds 5 540 261 5 359 375 David Watson Fund (3 238) (602) W Jardine and D M Craig 3926 PAYTS Studies (261 ) 8372 Presbyterian education/bursary funds 1 346423 1 347 536 Andrew Smith Bursary Trust 477 064 467 327 Century Thanks Giving Fund 843 069 905192 Robert Niven Trust 10 151 14 200 Alexander and Mary Robertson Kerr Memorial Fund 1 830 878 998142 External Mission Fund 61 968 60 703 Fedsem Educat.ional Fund 513 515 505990 J A SWan Will Trust 673 71 4 769 783 Mission Priorities 1 985 274 1916 91 7 Irene Cuthill Fund 94 9 313 R B Haggart Medical Help Fund 242617 25 255 Church extension loans 1 869 967 1 831 803 Guild Cottage Trust Fund 1 133 282 1 299 712 Sunday Schools Trust Fund 7 887 7727 Ministry Funds 1 863 552 2 436 097 K M C Duncan Legacy Will Trust 1 410 144 1 383664 Merge of old Funds 824 526 796 730 HHK Currie Fund 219 282 211 146 23 727 528 21 995 878

Page 14

THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (Registration number MM 0021/01/04) Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2014

NOTES TO THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Figures in Rands 2014 2013

9. TRADE AND OTHER PA YABLES

Non trade payables and accrued expenses 876 915 560857 Long leave fund 2 302 763 2 310 415 Other payables 424 327 633 578 Unallocated deposits 444 700 710 486 4 048 705 4 215 336

Unallocated deposits relate to amounts received by the church for which not sufficient information is available to apply such amounts.

10. AVAILABLE FOR SALE RESERVE

Balance at beginning of the year 12 728 789 10 053 464 Total comprehensive income 2 409 217 2 675 325 15 138 006 12 728 789

11 . REVALUATION RESERVE

Revaluation reserve arising from the revaluation of land and buildings:

Balance at beginning of the year 471 158 471 158

12. GRANTS

Grants include specific allocations made by the Ministry for training, accommodation, subsistence, university fees, student allowances against specific fund accounts shown as liabilities in the balance sheet, and allocations made from the centenary and thanks giving funds for various denomination projects, and supplementary pension and medical aid subsidies (i.e EE Coutts, various bursary allocations to be drawn on as and when required, ministerial training, ministerial formation, The FEDSEM educational fund, centenary and thanks giving funds).

13. REVENUE

Donations and bequests 536 217 453 Rental income 28 550 4400 Book sales 106176 370 755 Assessment fees 10111 480 13 570 519 10 246 742 14163127

14. OPERATING DEFICIT

Operating deficit for the year is stated after accounting for the following:

Profit on sale of assets 10 000 24 985 Profit on exchange differences 27672 Depreciation on property, plant and equipment 115 102 95495 Employee costs - Central office own expense 2 302103 3 784 827 Employee costs - Other UPCSA expense 1 432 653 1 250 493

Page 15

86 THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (Registration number MM 0021 /01/04) Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 J une 2014

NOTES TO THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Figures in Rands 2014 2013

15. INVESTMENT REVENUE

INTEREST REVENUE Loans 60 047 31 960

16. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

COMPONENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - 2014

Gross Tax Net

AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE FINANCIAL ASSETS ADJUSTMENTS Investment held 2 409 217 2 409 217

COMPONENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - 2013

Gross Tax Net

AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE FINANCIAL ASSETS ADJUSTMENTS Investment held 2 675 325 2 675 325

17. AUDITORS' REMUNERATION

Audit fees -The Uniting Presbyterian Church In South Africa 140 000 253 220 Audit fees - UPCSA Pension Funds 220 001 362 830 360 001 616 050

18. CASH GENERATED FROM/(USED IN) OPERATIONS

Surplus for the year 18 387 (3 043 874) Adjustments for: Depreciation 115 102 95495 Profit on sale of assets (10 000) (25 067) Interest received - investment (60 047) (31 960) Changes in working capital: Inventories 35 541 (95 175) Trade and other receivables 1 325462 (227 625) Trade and other payabtes (1 66 631 ) 490 105 1 257 814 (2 838101)

Page 16

87 THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (Registration number MM 0021/01 /04) Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2014

NOTES TO THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Figures in Rands 2014 2013

19. RELATED PARTIES

Relationships Members of key management The church collects subscriptions for Medical Aid and contributions for Pension Funds on behalf of its ministers.

RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS WITH KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL OF THE COMPANY OR ITS PARENT

RELATED PARTY BALANCES

BALANCES- OWING (TO)/BY RELATED PARTIES Church extensions loans 393n3 401 938

BALANCE RECEIVABLE FROM MINISTERS Medical Aid contributions 21 278 129 565

INCOME RECEIVED FROM VARIOUS PRESBYTERIAN MINISTRIES Assessment income 10111 480 13570519

20. CONTINGENCIES

Reverend G F Tyani is currently in the process of suing The Uniting Presbyterian Church and Mr S G Matiso for R1 000 000 for defamation of character. Management and its advisors cannot determined if the law suit will be successful, and are unable to reliably determine the amount of penalties and damages that may be payable.

Page 17

88 THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (Registration number MM 0021 /01 /04) Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2014 DETAILED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 18 months ended 30 June Figures In Rands Notes 2014 2013

REVENUE Donations and bequests 536 217 453 Rental income 28550 4400 Book sales 106176 370 755 Assessment fees 10 111 480 13 570 519 13 10 246 742 14163 127 Gross surplus 10 246 742 14163127

OTHER INCOME Recoveries 16 000 50 000 Interest received 15 60047 31 960 Gains on disposal of assets 10 000 24985 86 047 106945

Expenses (refer to page 19) (10 314 402) (17 313 946) Profit!(deficit) for the year 18 387 (3 043 874) -, .

Page 18

89 THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (Registration number MM 0021/01/04) A nnual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2014 DETAILED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 18 mo nths ended 30 June Figures In Rands Notes 2014 2013

OPERATING EXPENSES Administration and management fees (100 701) (527 754) Assembly (8 338) (110 869) Auditors' remuneration 17 (360 001 ) (616 050) Bad debts (4 844) Bank charges (78 271) (124 124} Bursaries (1 278 012) (2 334 887) Committee expenses - including travel (1 082 822) (2 592 006) Computer expenses (4636) (81 188) Conference costs (255 373) (292 961) Consultative Committee (1 0 000) (9 188) Depreciation (1 15 102) (95 495) Donations 32 965 (1 615) Employee costs - Central office own expense (2 302103) (3 784 827) Employee costs- Other UPCSA expense (1 432 653) (1 250 494) Grants 12 (1 160 930) (2 107 002) IT expenses (1 08 833) (105 138) Insurance (98 743) (81 329) Legal expenses (78 084) (319 665) ·. Moderator costs (306 385) (350 917) Motor vehicle expenses (1 94 681) (230 204) Other expenses (27 101) Printing and stationery (1 57 856) (431 746) Profit and loss on exchange differences (27 672) Repairs and maintenance (356 802) (392 980) Resource purchases (8 327) (291 024) Retrenchments (91 455) Subscriptions (53 015) (69 558) Sundry expenses - ministry and committees (585 453) (614 531) Telephone and fax (155 473) (402 095) (1 0 314 402) (17 313 946)

Page 19 .,.

90 APPENDIX 4

UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS TO DECEMBER 2014

EXPENDITURE 1 July 2014 to 31 December 2014 July 2013 - July 2013 - July 2014 - Budget 6mthVariance June 2014 Dec 2013 Dec 2014 Administration and management fees 100 701 191 111 20 000 -171 111 Assembly 8 338 16 850 7 500 -9 350 Assets written off 0 6 300 0 -6 300 Auditors remuneration 360 001 169 267 78 500 -90 767 Bad debts 0 0 0 0 Bank charges 78 271 41 299 35 667 -5 632 Bursaries 1 278 012 0 0 0 Committee expenses - including travel 1 338 195 1 140 570 1 071 738 -68 832 Computer expenses 4 636 629 6 279 5 650 Consultative committee 10 000 3 461 0 -3 461 Contingencies 0 0 75 000 75 000 Depreciation 115 102 0 48 471 48 471 Donations -32 965 0 0 0 Employee costs - Central Office 3 734 756 1 974 510 2 032 125 57 615 Grants 1 160 930 1 124 950 1 176 330 51 380 IT expenses 108 833 70 713 84 666 13 953 Insurance 98 743 81 080 49 236 -31 844 Legal expenses 78 084 1 368 147 223 145 855 Moderator costs 306 385 100 133 100 000 -133 Motor vehicle expenses 194 681 86 055 100 870 14 815 Other expenses 27 101 11 907 8 000 -3 907 Pension administration 0 56 800 85 000 28 200 Printing and stationery 157 856 123 125 53 500 -69 625 Profit and loss on exchange differences 27 672 0 0 0 Proprety Costs 0 0 101 408 101 408 Refreshments 0 58 153 33 250 -24 903 Repairs and maintenance 356 802 177 179 0 -177 179 Resource purchases 8 327 182 006 37 000 -145 006 Retrenchments 0 0 0 0 Subscriptions 53 015 23 427 114 000 90 573 Sundry expenses -ministry&committees 585 453 495 928 0 -495 928 Telephone and fax 155 473 65 973 88 426 22 452 Training 0 0 4 635 4 635 10 314 402 5 082 509 6 202 793 5 558 823 -643 971

91 INCOME : 1 July 2014 to 31 December 2014 July 2013 - July 2013 - July 2014 - Budget 6 mth Variance June 2014 Dec 2013 Dec 2014 2014 - 2015 Assessments 10 111 480 4 953 189 5 314 391 361 202 Book sales 106 176 46 534 0 -46 534 Donations and bequests 536 4 000 0 -4 000 Disposal of Fixed assets 10 000 100 668 0 -100 668 Dividends and interest 60 047 3 641 0 -3 641 Recoveries 16 000 477 0 -477 Rental income 28 550 18 000 0 -18 000 10 332 789 5 025 385 5 126 509 5 314 391 187 882

PROFIT AND LOSS : 1 July 2014 to 31 December 2014 July 2013 - July 2013 - July 2014 - Budget 6 mth Variance June 2014 Dec 2013 Dec 2014 2014 - 2015 Income 10 332 789 5 025 385 5 126 509 5 314 391 187 882 Expenditure 10 314 402 5 082 509 6 202 794 3 688 468 -2 514 327

18 387 -57 124 -1 076 286 1 625 924 2 702 209

92 APPENDIX 5

AUDIT CONVENER’S REPORT

UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA MINUTES OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 15 APRIL 2015 AT TIYO SOGA HOUSE AT 10:00 1. CONSTITUTION

The Convener, Colin Gauld, welcomed everyone to the meeting and opened with prayer.

2. PRESENT

The following were noted as present: Mr C Gauld Ms G Spelman Mr D Anderson (Convener – Finance Committee) Mr L Quintal (RSM – Auditors) Mr P Gohl (Accountant – associated - secretary)

3. APOLOGIES

The following apology was received: Mr R Johnson Mr G Jooste

4. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA

There were no items added to the Agenda.

5. AUDIT PLAN

Mr Quintal presented a generic Audit Plan which spelt out their audit approach and timing with the final draft annual financial statements to be released by 30 October 2015.

The estimated total audit cost which includes the PEF bank account and the PEPF and UPCSA Employees Pension Fund is R140 500. The UPCSA Fund audit will be completed for the financial year ending 31 December 2014 and thereafter the 6 months ending 30 June 2015 because of the amalgamation of the two pension funds.

RSM were requested to point out shortcomings and problems of control measures and policies. Mr Quintal stated that the situation had improved over the last two audits.

6. RISK ANALYSIS

Mr Gauld presented an Internal Risk Analysis and stated that the schedule had been disseminated to all the Conveners of all the Committees of General Assembly but had received no response or feedback at all.

It was felt that the schedule was a good starting point and Mr Anderson and Ms Spelman (who would categorise it into risks for Central Office, Presbyteries and Congregations) would co-ordinate and present a revised schedule, which will include a 3 year action plan, to the Finance Committee meeting next week.

7. INSURANCE – PUBLIC LIABILITY

It was pointed out that we must be selective in the risks that needed covering. Mr D Anderson stated that he was still negotiating with our brokers and this would probably not be completed for inclusion in the Excom report.

8. CLOSURE

As there was no other business for discussion Mr D Anderson closed the meeting with prayer at 11:20.

Confirmed this _____ day of ______2015

______Convener Secretary

93 APPENDIX 6

RISK ANALYSIS

Internal Risk Workshop (Uniting Presbyterian Church of South Africa) Risks are rated in terms of Impact, Likelihood, and Overall Outcome (High, Medium, Low)

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL ENVIRONMENT Risk Issue Context/Description Control/Action Plan Risk Rating Owner Impact Likelihood Overall 1 Inflationary The cost of services, for Expenditure is, and is to be H H H CFO Geoff pressures example electricity and contained within the budget. Jooste rates, is rising at an alarming rate, placing pressure on the Church. 2 Cost increases Costs (expenses) may Controls: H H CFO Geoff surpass increase increase at a much From 2013 vs. 2011, a 7.62% Jooste in assessment & greater rate, than the reduction investment current increase in

income income that the UPCSA Action Plans: derives. Expenditure is, and is, to be contained within the budget. 4 Cash Flow Poor cash flow or in- Controls: M M H adequate cash available, Presbyteries control and follow up may put strain on the with their congregations. UPCSA

Action Plans: Invoices will be sent in future for assessments due and payable. 5 Assessments not Congregations who do Controls: H H H being paid by not pay their A policy called the “Rules for Finance congregations assessments on time, Committee assessment” is in place stipulating place a great burden on Local the UPCSA in becoming how congregations should Presbytery more stringent in the way calculate, and pay over their it manages its cash assessments. available. 6 Determination of There are a number of Controls: M H M General assessments for congregations in _ Secretary congregations outlying areas, that do H with no not make use of any

accounting form of accounting systems system to reconcile their financial records. Action Plans: The General Secretary is to tackle This then means there is this with the associations. no accurate way to determine the accuracy and reliability of the numbers presented 7 Outsourcing The UPCSA outsources Controls: M L M CFO Geoff information its payroll, and with this A confidentiality agreement is in - Jooste comes the risk, that the place, and has been signed by all M pay-roll may not be run relevant staff. on time, that it is incorrect, amongst other Action Plans: things.

A risk of confidentiality may also arise in that the payroll company may release information to other parties, should a confidentiality 8 Outdated or over- This may result in Controls: M M M CFO Geoff priced service us not receiving a The CFO vets the agreement. The Jooste level agreements. service we paid for, or agreements are reviewed on an receiving a service we annual basis. did not pay for, which may have financial Action Plans: implications.

Who vets the agreement, and how often is it reviewed? 9 Not performing If each congregation Controls: H H H Audit audits or financial does not have an audit Committee

94 reviews on or financial review Colin Gauld congregations performed, errors may Action Plans: go undetected, as well New policy to be discussed at as an opportunity for General Assembly. fraud or embezzlement - Offertory more than R2mil. may arise. -> annual, full audit - Offertory between R1 mil. And R2 mil. -> Annual review audit. Offertory less than R 1 mil. Annual review audit performed by Presbytery appointed auditor. 10 Ensuring statutory Should statutory Controls: contributions are contributions be paid paid on time. late, fines or penalties may arise, but also, in

the case of workmen’s compensation for example, employees may not be covered in Action Plans: the event of an accident whilst on duty. 11 Ensuring Should contributions Controls: H M M-H Administ- contributions to be paid late, fines or rator medical and penalties may arise, but Andre pension funds are also, could result in

paid over on time. a medical claim not being paid out, due to the members account being in arrears, or Action Plans: even worse, a pension payout being delayed in the sudden unfortunate death of a member whose contributions are not up to date.

The Pension Fund Adjudicator may also levy fines and penalties when contributions are paid over late. 12 Insurance Cover The UPCSA needs to Controls: M M M Audit ensure that it has An annual review is Committe adequate insurance performed by the audit e cover in place, and that committee, Independent the cover is renewed on FIA official also checks. an annual basis. Action Plans: 13 Fidelity Cover The UPCSA should Controls: M M M Audit ensure that is has some An annual review is performed by Committe form of fidelity cover in e the audit committee, independent place for its office bearers, and that the FIA official also checks. cover is adequate or reasonable, to prevent Action Plans: office bearers from being sued in their personal capacity, in which case, they may not have the funds readily available. 14 Understanding of There are many church Controls: CFO Geoff Church Financial financial policies, and Jooste policies by these may not be

congregations understood by all Action Plans: congregations in the

denomination, or the interpretation may be An annual visit plan is to be drawn different to that, that and implemented where the CFO was intended, which visits each congregation. may result in altercations taking place and / or, an over or under- payment of assessments to the UPCSA for example.

Treasurers also change often and the policies and calculations are passed on to the new treasurer by the old one, which may not always be correct.

15 Losing the NPO The church needs to Controls: CFO or comply at all times Auditors submit returns annually Geoff PBO status with the various statutes to ensure Jooste Action Plans: that the NPO and PBO status is not affected in External any way. 16 Fraud Schemes The UPCSA has just Controls: M H M-H CFO Geoff been subject to an Any unusual requests to be referred Jooste international fraud to the Finance Committee in writing.

scheme where they General were tricked into The CFO and General Secretary will Secretary soliciting money to a approve. fraudster.

Action Plans: 17 Repayment of The UPCSA grants Controls: M H M Loans by Ministers loans to ministers and Guarantee of Presbyteries and staff staff, and runs the risk Approval by Finance Committee that loans may not be repaid. Action Plans:

This also applies to loans given to cross- border Ministers, etc. 18 Third party risk A risk could be the loss Controls: L L H of money through Action Plans: default by one of the third party service providers.

Systems 1 Integrity of Data This relates to the quality Controls: H M M Andre as well as the protection Back-ups are performed monthly, - of the Church’s data and and are kept off-site, but should be H record-keeping. changed to weekly. Action Plans: Data should be backed up weekly. 2 Disaster Recovery The UPCSA should ensure Controls: M L M CFO Plan that an adequate DRP is in Action Plans: Geoff place. This includes not The CFO is to develop a DRP and Jooste only data on machines, present it to the finance and audit but should something committees. every happen to the Tia Soga House, that the office could be relocated relatively quickly, with minimal disruption

3 Business The UPCSA should ensure Controls: Continuity that an adequate DRP is in There is in-house insurance cover. place. This includes not Email and telephony could be only data on machines, arranged within 48 hours. but should something Action Plans: every happen to the Tia Soga House, that the office could be relocated relatively quickly, with minimal disruption. This includes, telephones, email, fax, and the day to day running of the facility. 4 Retention of The UPCSA should ensure Controls: CFO Records the safe retention of Back-ups are kept at Metrofile. Geoff records for at least the Action Plans: Jooste minimum duration that Back-ups should be performed the law prescribes, and weekly. that these records are secure and fire-proof.

Human Resources 1 Empowerment Presbyteries not accepting Controls: empowerment. Leadership and coaching by Chief Financial Officer and General Secretary Action Plans: 2 Staff Retention The Church may possibly Controls:

96 face the loss of senior staff.

Action Plans: 3 Rewards Policy A structure should be in Controls: place to be able to retain staff.

Action Plans:

4 Diversity Having the correct mix of Controls: General employees per race group Secretary and gender, so as to comply with government legislation and Church Action Plans: policy (if applicable).

5 Confidentiality Confidentiality Controls: General Agreements agreements should be put Secretary in place, and be signed by all parties that deal with any form of sensitive Action Plans: information that may caused reputational and / or financial harm to the UPCSA. 6 Personnel records Personnel records should Controls: General complete, be up to date, Secretary and accurate, and should contain some minimum criteria, to ensure Action Plans: consistency throughout all files.

7 Job profiles and There should be clear job Controls: General performance profiles for each employee Secretary evaluations / office bearer, and such parties should undergo a formal job evaluation at Action Plans: least once a year, to identify any training or other needs that may need to be implemented.

8 Training of new Ministry ministers / Committee students

Infrastructure 1 Occupational Controls: H L M Health and Safety Health and safety checks are performed on an annual basis.

2 Age of building The building is very old, which not only costs more to maintain, but may also impact on insurance claims.

3 Insufficient office Controls: space? Action Plans: Consideration to be given for alterations. 4 Increasing utility Rates, taxes (if applicable) Controls: M H M CFO costs and water and electricity Monitor charges monthly - Geoff are increasing at an Action Plans: H Jooste alarming rate, which puts XXXX policy adjustment ??? financial strain on the UPCSA.

5 Unpaid utility bills This is an increasing Controls: H H H CFO problem as a number of Action Plans: Geoff congregations do not pay The CFO will incorporate this into his Jooste their utility bills. training, when he moves around the Because the properties various Presbyteries. are in the UPCSA’s name, the UPCSA then becomes liable for the outstanding amounts.

97 LEGAL

1 Reputational Risk The Church could possibly Controls: H L M General be brought into disrepute, Excellent staff relationships are Secretary by either, members, maintained, and are reviewed congregations, annually presbyteries and / or (Owner: ???, Due Date: ???) employees. Action Plans: The General Secretary and Moderator are to remain high profile (Owner: ???, Due Date: ???) Policies and procedures are to be improved, and to be regularly assessed (Owner: ???, Due Date: ???) Committees are to function effectively (Owner: ???, Due Date: ???) 2 Confidentiality of The Church body may be Controls: H L M General certain privy to sensitive and / or Confidentiality agreements have Secretary information confidential information, been signed by all staff and are in that must be treated in place. the stricktest of Action Plans: confidence. This should be done on an annual basis. 4 Compliance to Many statutory laws exist, H M M CFO legislation and the Church could be -H Geoff exposed in that it does Jooste not comply to a certain law or statute.

Other 3 Church Growth It is imperative for the H L L General Church body to grow, Secretary failing which, they Church will slow decline.

99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112

APPENDIX 8

PRESBYTERY ASSESSMENT ANALYSIS FOR 10 YEAR

113 APPENDIX 9 CONGREGATION ASSESSMENT ANALYSIS FOR 10 YEARS

114

115

116

117

118

119

120

121

122

123

124 125

126

127 APPENDIX 10 UNALLOCATED DEPOSITS AS AT 31 MARCH 2015

Doc Ref Date Reference Amount Cummulative SANTAM 2003/01/08 EFT -804.00 -804.00 SURPLUS 2003/01/23 AMT -100.00 -904.00 8325731 2003/01/30 23 -400.00 -1 304.00 FUNGIWE 2003/02/27 NKATU -1 000.00 -2 304.00 PNGBG 2003/03/26 POLOKWANE -807.92 -3 111.92 SANTAM 2003/03/27 EFT -1 000.00 -4 111.92 I KGOARE 2003/04/01 -300.00 -4 411.92 MAGTAPE 2003/04/17 -7 412.00 -11 823.92 F NKATU 2003/06/27 -500.00 -12 323.92 ASSESS. 2003/10/31 NELSON -300.00 -12 623.92 CAR 2003/11/26 REFUND -300.00 -12 923.92 HOUSING 2003/12/24 LOAN/PEN -3 787.50 -16 711.42 UPCSA 2004/01/13 -1 400.00 -18 111.42 MAGOBONG 2004/01/17 SIYABULELA -4 800.00 -22 911.42 TRINITY 2004/01/21 PC -2 400.00 -25 311.42 KUYUSA 2004/02/05 BOOK STORE -500.00 -25 811.42 TRINITY 2004/05/05 LANDSDOWNE -24.50 -25 835.92 KING 2004/05/24 WILLIAMS -9 385.00 -35 220.92 PC 2004/08/11 REFORMED -300.00 -35 520.92 CM 2004/09/20 NTWASA -334.50 -35 855.42 CM 2004/10/15 NTWASA -334.50 -36 189.92 M 2004/11/02 MASIKO -600.00 -36 789.92 A 2005/01/27 NDUKWANA -150.00 -36 939.92 GERVANS 2005/03/24 PTY -20.00 -36 959.92 4733925 2005/04/07 479 -307.38 -37 267.30 PENSION 2005/06/07 BEACON BAY -3 175.00 -40 442.30 XHOSA 2005/06/14 SPEAKING -86.00 -40 528.30 MODIEHIE 2005/07/16 HEIDELBERG -500.00 -41 028.30 STANCOM 2005/08/01 81667 UNIV -146.14 -41 174.44 UPCSA 2005/08/02 -500.00 -41 674.44 JACOBS 2005/08/25 REF0355 -300.00 -41 974.44 NKATU 2005/08/26 NV -50.00 -42 024.44 DURBAN 2005/09/15 REF0355 -300.00 -42 324.44 B 2005/09/22 MBNETYANA -4 786.05 -47 110.49 UPCSA 2005/09/29 MONTCLEAR -300.00 -47 410.49 FREDDY 2005/10/14 WEST END -300.00 -47 710.49 PENSION 2005/10/18 MINISTERS -2 200.00 -49 910.49 MED 2006/01/12 -28 231.00 -78 141.49 EGOLI 2006/01/30 VPWF -2 600.00 -80 741.49 ASSESS. 2006/02/22 -12 362.00 -93 103.49 ASSESS. 2006/02/23 2003 -13 000.00 -106 103.49 UPCSA 2006/04/11 ASSESS. -2 000.00 -108 103.49 NM 2006/05/05 MKHUNGELA -1 800.00 -109 903.49 NTIKELA 2006/05/16 NA -200.00 -110 103.49 LADYSMIT 2006/05/29 164339442 -7 800.00 -117 903.49 PRES. 2006/08/31 OF EGOLI -500.00 -118 403.49 LEBOGO 2006/09/06 EM -1 120.25 -119 523.74 MURRAY 2006/10/19 DE -50.00 -119 573.74

128 NA 2006/10/26 846298074 -260.00 -119 833.74 LEBOGO 2006/11/14 EM -1 120.25 -120 953.99 CBUS 2006/12/18 ASSESS. 2006 -20 401.66 -141 355.65 UNALLOCA 2007/01/01 -3 747.79 -145 103.44 UPCSA 2007/02/16 TRINITY -2 625.00 -147 728.44 ASSESS. 2007/06/28 2006 -29 936.00 -177 664.44 UPCSA 2007/07/04 -880.00 -178 544.44 UPCSA 2007/08/03 -880.00 -179 424.44 UPCSA 2007/09/04 -880.00 -180 304.44 PENSION 2007/09/06 ALBERTON -880.00 -181 184.44 LEBOGO 2007/09/07 EM -1 000.00 -182 184.44 LEBOGO 2007/09/07 EM -12 000.00 -194 184.44 PC 2007/09/17 REFORMED -880.00 -195 064.44 UPCSA 2007/10/03 -880.00 -195 944.44 THE MALL 2007/10/16 ST COLUMBAS -1 784.16 -197 728.60 BHENGU B 2007/10/19 LADYSMITH -1 800.00 -199 528.60 GONTSANA 2007/10/31 KOKSTAD -280.00 -199 808.60 UPCSA 2007/11/03 -880.00 -200 688.60 ASSESS. 2007/11/13 OCT/DEC -1 500.00 -202 188.60 UPCSA 2007/12/04 -880.00 -203 068.60 AID 2007/12/24 STUNBOKS -250.00 -203 318.60 6291 2008/01/04 UPCSA -880.00 -204 198.60 6333 2008/02/04 UPCSA -880.00 -205 078.60 6516 2008/04/14 P/FUND 0208 -1 281.85 -206 360.45 6553 2008/05/05 PENSION -1 281.25 -207 641.70 6582 2008/05/24 BFC JHB SUP -8 703.13 -216 344.83 6670 2008/07/22 M NTULI -600.00 -216 944.83 6719 2008/08/07 PP RATHEBE -500.00 -217 444.83 6805 2008/10/13 ASSESS. 2006 THS CONG -300.00 -217 744.83 6806 2008/10/13 ALICE082 -1 900.00 -219 644.83 6822 2008/10/28 ASSESS. -2 400.00 -222 044.83 6846 2008/11/05 PTA 828511 -500.00 -222 544.83 6902 2008/12/12 MANTJIE BT -320.00 -222 864.83 6923 2008/12/17 NCUKANA -700.00 -223 564.83 6908 2008/12/19 HEARTL. -70.00 -223 634.83 6910 2008/12/22 PTA ASS. -500.00 -224 134.83 SITHOLE 2006/11/30 F -200.00 -224 334.83 6641 2008/06/27 T2706 -140.00 -224 474.83 6667 2008/07/18 CREDIT TRSF -2 000.00 -226 474.83 T280109 2009/01/28 OVERPAYMENT -595.00 -227 069.83 T0201C 2009/02/01 P O BOX 630FFT 9830/722901926 -600.00 -227 669.83 T040309 2009/03/04 LAMOLA EDWARD FAUNA PARKS 719403 -3 000.00 -230 669.83 T170309 2009/03/17 NN LESAOANA MATATIELE -161.50 -230 831.33 T300309 2009/03/30 UPCSA VAN DER WALT -750.00 -231 581.33 T240409 2009/04/24 ASSESSMENTS9696 -7 632.00 -239 213.33 T140509 2009/05/14 0088//7609175978080 -89.41 -239 302.74 T080609 2009/06/08 CREDIT TRANSFER -45.68 -239 348.42 T080609 2009/06/08 CREDIT TRANSFER -2 000.00 -241 348.42 T170609 2009/06/17 AFRICAN BAPDS PAYMENT -89.14 -241 437.56 T150609 2009/06/15 CHEQUE DEPOSIT ASSESSMENTS -600.00 -242 037.56 T240809 2009/08/24 ASSESSMENTS9171 -7 632.00 -249 669.56 T101009 2009/10/10 CASH DEPOSIT -130.00 -249 799.56 T291009 2009/10/29 JOAN/REV NTONG A2910 -3 608.00 -253 407.56

129 T071209 2009/12/07 PAID INTO CONTRIBUTION A/C -263.00 -253 670.56 T281209 2009/12/28 DONATION RET MIN PENS FUND -762.00 -254 432.56 T070110 2010/07/01 ST PAUL'S ASSESSMENT -200.00 -254 632.56 T100110 2010/01/12 V MDLALOSE -1 323.00 -255 955.56 T120110 2010/01/12 UPCSA CONTRIBUTION ACCOUNT -263.00 -256 218.56 T120110 2010/01/12 PINELANDS -1 230.00 -257 448.56 T050310 2010/03/05 ST BARNABAS -60.00 -257 508.56 T050310 2010/03/05 AFRICAN BAPDS PAYMENT -102.31 -257 610.87 T150310 2010/03/15 ESTHER MKHWAN E1503 -300.00 -257 910.87 T070410 2010/01/07 AFRICAN BAPDS PAYMENT -102.31 -258 013.18 T100410 2010/04/10 UPCSA MABOPANE GA-RANKUWA -250.00 -258 263.18 T060510 2010/05/06 AFRICAN BAPDS PAYMENT -102.31 -258 365.49 T270510 2010/05/27 VUYI BATCHES WONDERPARK -300.00 -258 665.49 T010610 2010/06/01 DLUDLU HEIDELBERG -900.00 -259 565.49 T170610 2010/06/17 AFRICAN BAPDS PAYMENT -102.32 -259 667.81 T080710 2010/07/08 AFRICAN BAPDS PAYMENT -102.31 -259 770.12 T100710 2010/07/10 THUNDEZWA DYASI -900.00 -260 670.12 T230710 2010/07/23 MAGDELINE NTULI -800.00 -261 470.12 T290710 2010/07/29 REF JULY PARKTOWN 100 -2 812.00 -264 282.12 T200810 2010/08/20 CATS THIRD AFRICAN BAPDS PAYMT -102.32 -264 384.44 T300810 2010/08/30 WILFRED MAJOLA PINE CREST CASH -150.00 -264 534.44 T070910 2010/09/07 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CHEQUE DEPOS -2 700.00 -267 234.44 T160910 2010/09/16 AFRICAN BAPDS PAYMENT -102.32 -267 336.76 T061010 2010/10/06 PORT ELIZABTH 080390374 -6 748.81 -274 085.57 T081010 2010/10/08 AFRICAN BAPDS PAYMENT -102.31 -274 187.88 T081010 2010/10/08 INTER-CHURCH LIAISON BOARD -12 710.62 -286 898.50 T111010 2010/10/11 INTER-CHURCH LIAISON -5 549.22 -292 447.72 T181110 2010/11/18 ASSES SOUTHERNWOOD -29 803.00 -322 250.72 T181110 2010/11/18 L/L SOUTHERNWOOD -2 575.00 -324 825.72 T191110 2010/11/19 AFRICAN BAPDS PAYMENT -102.32 -324 928.04 T031210 2010/12/03 AFRICAN BAPDSPAYMENT -102.31 -325 030.35 T071210 2010/12/07 CHURCH GROWTH LOAN -500.00 -325 530.35 T120111 2011/01/31 AFRICAN BAPDS PAYMENT -104.65 -325 635.00 T120211 2011/02/12 AFRICAN BAPDS PAYMENT -105.39 -325 740.39 T070311 2011/03/07 AFRICAN BAPDS CATS THIRD PARTY -105.38 -325 845.77 T250311 2011/03/25 AFRICAN BAPDS CATS THIRD PARTY -7.07 -325 852.84 T090411 2011/04/09 AFRICAN PAPDS CATS THIRD PARTY -113.88 -325 966.72 T190511 2011/05/19 MODIBA KEMPTON SERV CHEQUE DEP -1 800.00 -327 766.72 T120811 2011/08/12 ASSESSMENT2010FREESTATEPRESBET -1 800.00 -329 566.72 T270911 2011/09/27 BOPHELONG EBENEZER -300.00 -329 866.72 T280911 2011/09/28 010278648 PRETORIA NOR -400.00 -330 266.72 T221011 2011/10/22 ST MICHAELS UNITED MAGTAPE CRE -700.00 -330 966.72 T070212 2012/02/07 SANDRA MANDLAZ 1702 CASH DEPOS -60.00 -331 026.72 T280912 2012/09/28 ST LUKES UPOSA DIMBAZ -610.00 -331 636.72 T121112 2012/11/12 PRISCILLA DINO LICE CASH DEPOS -1 000.00 -332 636.72 T160813 2013/08/16 ASSESSMENT 2010-2013 CASH DEPO -1 200.00 -333 836.72

Unallocated Deposits - 31 March 2014 516 161.79 Total Unallocated Deposits 31 March 2015 333 836.72 Allocated Deposits in 2014/2015 182 325.07

130 APPENDIX 11 BUDGET 2015/2016

2014/2015 2015/2016

APPROVED REQUEST RESTRICTED REDUCTION ACCEPTED

FUNDS

COMMITTEES Moderator 150 000 156 000 0 0 156 000 Moderator designate 50 000 52 000 0 0 52 000 Assembly business committee 137 312 137 312 0 0 137 312

Central Office 4 582 213 4 404 541 0 0 4 404 541 Sub Total 4 919 525 4 749 853 0 0 4 749 853 0

COMMISSIONS Executive Commission* 715 000 380 000 0 0 380 000 Legal Costs 294 445 250 000 0 0 250 000

Court of Assembly** 0 100 000 0 0 100 000

Sub Total 1 009 445 730 000 0 0 730 000

STANDING COMMITTEES Education and Training 137 920 141 081 0 0 141 081 Church Associations 80 563 80 337 0 0 80 337 Church Office 39 600 88 656 0 40 000 48 656 Communications 50 000 50 000 0 0 50 000 Ecumenical Relationships 250 000 250 000 0 0 250 000 Finance 31 500 32 760 0 0 32 760 Finance - Pension admin 40 000 45 000 0 0 45 000 Pension audit 170 000 178 500 0 0 178 500 Church & Society 203 000 508 000 330 000 0 178 000 Faith & Order 16 000 0 0 0 0 Ministry 2 489 092 4 910 438 445 601 1 914 250 2 550 587 Mission & Discipleship 1 100 000 1 300 000 150 000 0 1 150 000 Stewardship 55 000 87 000 0 0 87 000 Nominations 15 000 33 000 0 0 33 000 Priorities & Resources 141 000 302 000 0 160 000 142 000 Contingencies** 150 000 150 000 0 0 150 000

Mission & spouces 200 000 200 000 0 0 200 000

Sub Total 5 168 675 8 356 772 925 601 2 114 250 5 316 921

13 836 TOTAL 11 097 645 625 925 601 2 114 250 10 796 774

131 APPENDIX 12 ASSESSMENT RANKING

Assessments received Jan 2012 to Jun 2013 by Congregation Account Short Name Name Assessments % of Total Cum % Rank % of Congs 132 ASTIR STIRLING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 290 379 6.09 6.09 1 0.25 300 GMIDRAND MIDRAND PRES CHURCH 285 816 5.99 12.08 2 0.50 307 GSTCOPK ST COLUMBA'S PRES CHURCH 223 139 4.68 16.76 3 0.75 230 HKEMP GATEWAY UNITING PRES CHURCH 203 900 4.27 21.04 4 1.00 277 SEMMA EMMANUEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 195 477 4.10 25.13 5 1.24 290 GSTJAMES ST JAMES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 151 862 3.18 28.32 6 1.49 86 KHILL HILLCREST PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 150 000 3.14 31.46 7 1.74 315 GSTMUNG ST MUNGO'S UNITED 147 751 3.10 34.56 8 1.99 98 KSTMABB ST MARGARET'S PRESBYTERIAN 127 040 2.66 37.22 9 2.24 55 DSTJOGO ST JOHNS GOWRIE PRESBYTERIAN 123 870 2.60 39.82 10 2.49 7 WDURB DURBANVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHU 118 762 2.49 42.31 11 2.74 309 GSTGILE ST GILES' PRES CHURCH 115 105 2.41 44.72 12 2.99 275 STRIN TRINITY PRES CHURCH 110 347 2.31 47.04 13 3.23 268 SSTJOMI ST JOHN'S PRES CHURCH 109 518 2.30 49.33 14 3.48 296 GLIND LINDEN PRES CHURCH 107 056 2.24 51.58 15 3.73 91 KNORT NORTH DURBAN PRESBYTERIAN CH 107 000 2.24 53.82 16 3.98 21 WMOWB MOWBRAY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 89 136 1.87 55.69 17 4.23 19 WTABL TABLEVIEW UNITED CHURCH 80 224 1.68 57.37 18 4.48 32 WSOME SOMERSET WEST UNITED CHURCH 79 339 1.66 59.04 19 4.73 54 DUPPE UPPER UMGENI PRESBYTERIAN CH 78 842 1.65 60.69 20 4.98 430 GFOURWAY FOURWAYS UNITED 75 618 1.59 62.27 21 5.22 118 AGON GONUBIE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 72 534 1.52 63.80 22 5.47 103 KWEST WESTVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 69 455 1.46 65.25 23 5.72 137 AAULD AULD MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN 60 000 1.26 66.51 24 5.97 30 WSTKIA ST KIARAN'S PRESBYTERIAN CHU 56 575 1.19 67.70 25 6.22 6 WDARL DARLING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 55 943 1.17 68.87 26 6.47 232 HSTANGE ST ANDREW'S PRES CHURCH 55 800 1.17 70.04 27 6.72 27 WROND RONDEBOSCH UNITED 53 331 1.12 71.16 28 6.97 195 CGEOR GEORGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 52 584 1.10 72.26 29 7.21 266 SSTCOHA ST COLUMBA'S PRES CHURCH 48 084 1.01 73.27 30 7.46 33 WSTELL STELLENBOSCH UNITED 47 320 0.99 74.26 31 7.71 2 WBELL BELLVILLE PRES CHURCH 47 048 0.99 75.25 32 7.96 11 WGOOD GOODWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 45 196 0.95 76.19 33 8.21 156 LSTANHE ST ANDREW'S PRES CHURCH 42 896 0.90 77.09 34 8.46 58 GSTPAMUL ST PAUL'S UNITED - MULBARTON 38 840 0.81 77.91 35 8.71 261 SSAIN SAINTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 36 767 0.77 78.68 36 8.96 131 ASTPHZW ST PHILIP'S PRES CHURCH 35 876 0.75 79.43 37 9.20 189 SGRA GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 35 806 0.75 80.18 38 9.45 306 GSTBARUN ST BARNABAS' UNITED 34 744 0.73 80.91 39 9.70 129 ASTNICH ST NICHOLAS'UNITED 31 902 0.67 81.58 40 9.95 61 TTRIN TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 30 000 0.63 82.21 41 10.20 93 KRICH RICHARDS BAY PRESBYTERIAN CH 30 000 0.63 82.84 42 10.45 236 HSTJOBO ST JOHN'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 30 000 0.63 83.46 43 10.70 324 GTRINED TRINITY PRES CHURCH 30 000 0.63 84.09 44 10.95 295 GKRUG MOUNT FAITH PRES CHURCH 28 431 0.60 84.69 45 11.19 67 DMPOLW MPOLWENI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 28 400 0.60 85.29 46 11.44 127 ASTGEEA ST GEORGES PRES CHURCH 28 000 0.59 85.87 47 11.69 190 AADELP ADELAIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 25 521 0.54 86.41 48 11.94 215 CPORTA PORT ALFRED PREACHING STATIO 25 000 0.52 86.93 49 12.19 5 WCAMP CAMPS BAY UNITED 24 477 0.51 87.44 50 12.44 396 ASTJOHNS ST JOHN'S, KEISKAMMAHOEK 24 000 0.50 87.95 51 12.69 56 TLADY LADYSMITH PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 21 170 0.44 88.39 52 12.94 106 NGOOL GOOLDVILLE CONGREGATION 20 510 0.43 88.82 53 13.18 178 LVRYB VRYBURG UNITED 20 000 0.42 89.24 54 13.43 126 ASTCOQU ST COLUMBA'S PRES CHURCH 18 720 0.39 89.63 55 13.68 244 HTRIN TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 18 472 0.39 90.02 56 13.93 269 SSTMATO ST MARK'S PRES CHURCH 18 035 0.38 90.40 57 14.18 37 WKENI KENILWORTH COMMUNITY CHURCH 18 000 0.38 90.78 58 14.43 82 KESHO ESHOWE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 17 227 0.36 91.14 59 14.68 29 WSTGEWE ST GEORGE'S PRESBYTERIAN CHU 16 000 0.34 91.47 60 14.93 26 WRETR RETREAT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 15 000 0.31 91.79 61 15.17

132 ASSESSMENT RANKING

Assessments received Jan 2012 to Jun 2013 by Congregation Account Short Name Name Assessments % of Total Cum % Rank % of Congs 206 CSTCOPE ST COLUMBA'S PRES CHURCH 14 771 0.31 92.10 62 15.42 25 WPLUM PLUMSTEAD PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 14 703 0.31 92.41 63 15.67 317 GSTNINPK ST NINIANS PRES CHURCH 14 000 0.29 92.70 64 15.92 204 CSTANWA ST ANDREW'S PRES CHURCH 13 694 0.29 92.99 65 16.17 214 CTRINGR TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 13 618 0.29 93.27 66 16.42 212 CSUMM SUMMERSTRAND UNITED 13 491 0.28 93.55 67 16.67 165 FSTJOBL ST JOHN'S PRES CHURCH 13 238 0.28 93.83 68 16.92 60 TSTMADA ST MARGARET'S PRESBYTERIAN C 13 126 0.28 94.11 69 17.16 73 DEDEN EDENDALE UPCSA CONGREGATION 13 000 0.27 94.38 70 17.41 83 KFRER GLENWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHUR 12 500 0.26 94.64 71 17.66 202 COUDT OUDTSHOORN PRESBYTERIAN CHUR 12 006 0.25 94.89 72 17.91 279 NMAHW MAHWELERENG PRESBYTERIAN CH. 12 000 0.25 95.14 73 18.16 205 CSTBAKWA ST BARNABAS' PRES CHURCH 10 937 0.23 95.37 74 18.41 197 CKNYP KNYSNA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 10 896 0.23 95.60 75 18.66 17 WMAIT MAITLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 10 783 0.23 95.83 76 18.91 210 CSTTHKN ST THOMAS' PRES CHURCH 10 461 0.22 96.05 77 19.15 48 DALLPMB ALL SAINTS UNITED 10 170 0.21 96.26 78 19.40 211 CALLSE ALL SAINTS UNITED CHURCH 10 170 0.21 96.47 79 19.65 313 GSTMAGN ST MAGNUS PRES CHURCH 10 133 0.21 96.69 80 19.90 59 TSTANNE ST ANDREW'S PRESBYTERIAN CHU 10 000 0.21 96.90 81 20.15 113 EGILL GILLESPIE CONGREGATION 10 000 0.21 97.11 82 20.40 84 KGREY GREYVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 9 000 0.19 97.29 83 20.65 88 KAMANZIM AMANZIMTOTI UNITING PRES CHU 8 865 0.19 97.48 84 20.90 304 GRANDPK RANDPARK RIDGE UNITED 7 242 0.15 97.63 85 21.14 119 AJOHN JOHN KNOX BOKWE PRESB, BISHO 6 752 0.14 97.77 86 21.39 284 UJOHN JOHN KNOX BOKWE PRESB, UGIE 6 752 0.14 97.92 87 21.64 20 WMITC MITCHELL'S PLAIN UNITED 6 252 0.13 98.05 88 21.89 18 WMILN MILNERTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 6 000 0.13 98.17 89 22.14 133 ASTUT STUTTERHEIM & DISTRICT 6 000 0.13 98.30 90 22.39 314 GSTMARK ST MARK'S PRES CHURCH 5 000 0.10 98.40 91 22.64 102 KMARG MARGATE PRESBY CHURCH 4 800 0.10 98.50 92 22.89 130 ASTPAEA ST PAUL'S PRES CHURCH 4 065 0.09 98.59 93 23.13 312 GSTJOTU ST JOHN'S PRES CHURCH 3 900 0.08 98.67 94 23.38 223 TBWZULU DUNDEE CONGREGATION, UPCSA 3 600 0.08 98.75 95 23.63 43 DIMPE IMPENDLE CONGREGATION 3 600 0.08 98.82 96 23.88 292 CJJR JOL JJR JOLOBE MEMORIAL CHURCH 3 600 0.08 98.90 97 24.13 264 SSTANWI ST ANDREW'S PRES CHURCH 3 121 0.07 98.96 98 24.38 393 KKHAY KHAYELIHLE PRESB CHURCH 3 000 0.06 99.03 99 24.63 172 FSTPAWE ST PAUL'S PRES CHURCH 3 000 0.06 99.09 100 24.88 378 SPREM PREMIER MINE UPCSA P.C 2 500 0.05 99.14 101 25.12 257 SMAME MAMELODI PRES CHURCH 2 500 0.05 99.19 102 25.37 336 WMELKBOS MELKBOSSTRAND UNITED CHURCH 2 489 0.05 99.25 103 25.62 219 RCUNN CUNNINGHAM PRESB. CHURCH 2 400 0.05 99.30 104 25.87 107 CUITE UITENHAGE CONGREGATION UPCSA 2 400 0.05 99.35 105 26.12 255 SJONA JONAS LEDIGA MEMORIAL 1 800 0.04 99.38 106 26.37 225 TSTEADVI STEADVILLE PRES CHURCH 1 600 0.03 99.42 107 26.62 99 KSTPAKW ST PAUL'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 1 440 0.03 99.45 108 26.87 38 WDELF DELFT UNITED CHURCH 1 200 0.03 99.47 109 27.11 146 TULUNDI ULUNDI UNITING PRESBYTERIAN 1 200 0.03 99.50 109 27.11 272 SET LEGO ET LEGODI PRESBYTERIAN CH 1 200 0.03 99.52 109 27.11 369 RTUTUKA TUTURA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1 200 0.03 99.55 109 27.11 45 RMAIN MAIN CONGREGATION 1 200 0.03 99.57 109 27.11 47 RMACL MACLAY CONGREGATION 1 200 0.03 99.60 109 27.11 403 RCOLUMBA COLUMBA MISSION 1 200 0.03 99.62 109 27.11 179 FZAMD ZAMDELA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1 200 0.03 99.65 109 27.11 265 DSTDAVID ST DAVID'S UPCSA 1 200 0.03 99.67 109 27.11 325 CGLENAVO GLEN AVON PRESBY CHURCH 1 200 0.03 99.70 109 27.11 122 ASTANWE ST ANDREW'S PRES CHURCH 1 200 0.03 99.72 109 27.11 347 ST LUKE'S PRESBYTERIAN 1 200 0.03 99.75 109 27.11 267 SSTFRPR ST FRANCIS PRES CHURCH 1 000 0.02 99.77 121 30.10 278 SMABO MABOPANE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1 000 0.02 99.79 121 30.10

133 ASSESSMENT RANKING

Assessments received Jan 2012 to Jun 2013 by Congregation Account Short Name Name Assessments % of Total Cum % Rank % of Congs 200 CSTMATPE ST MATTHEW'S PRESBYTERIAN CH 800 0.02 99.81 123 30.60 15 WKUIL KUILS RIVER UNITED 750 0.02 99.82 124 30.85 375 WWPTNDI WPT NDIBONGO MEMORIAL CHURCH 600 0.01 99.84 125 31.09 111 RGCUW GCUWA MISSION 600 0.01 99.85 125 31.09 283 GALEX ALEXANDRA PREACHING STATION 600 0.01 99.86 125 31.09 176 LTRIN TRINITY PRES CHURCH 538 0.01 99.87 128 31.84 153 FSTANBE ST ANDREW'S PRES CHURCH 500 0.01 99.88 129 32.09 376 EYEKE YEKELO-MBALI MEMORIAL CHURCH 500 0.01 99.89 129 32.09 288 GBARA BARA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 350 0.01 99.90 131 32.59 36 WWOOD WOODSTOCK PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 300 0.01 99.91 131 32.59 308 WMASIPHU MASIPHUMELE FISH HOEK 300 0.01 99.91 131 32.59 337 RNJIK NJIKELANA PRESB CHURCH 300 0.01 99.92 131 32.59 104 RNDAK NDAKANA CONGREGATION 300 0.01 99.93 131 32.59 405 RLUNDIE LUNDIE MEMORIAL CHURCH 300 0.01 99.93 131 32.59 252 RIRVI IRVIN NJOLOZA PRESB. CHURCH 300 0.01 99.94 131 32.59 242 REEXO EE XOK0ZELA PRESB CHURCH 300 0.01 99.95 131 32.59 222 RDUFF DUFF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 300 0.01 99.95 131 32.59 333 LBMMOLAB BM MOLABA MEMORIAL 300 0.01 99.96 131 32.59 294 GKENS KENSINGTON UNITED 300 0.01 99.96 131 32.59 377 CZWI ZWIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 300 0.01 99.97 131 32.59 207 CSTJAAL ST JAMES (ZWIDE) 300 0.01 99.98 131 32.59 201 CNONZWA NONZWAKAZI PRESBYTERIAN CHUR 300 0.01 99.98 131 32.59 397 ADUNCAN DUNCAN VILLAGE UPC 300 0.01 99.99 131 32.59 344 DIEPKLOOF ZONE 3 300 0.01 100.00 131 32.59 346 JL SOKUPA PRESBYTERIAN 300 0.01 100.00 131 32.59 352 ZSTCOM ST COLUMBA'S PRESBYTERIAN 0.00 100.00 0.00 351 ZSTANB ST ANDREW'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 431 WWVMAS WV MASINDA MEMORIAL CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 41 WWORC WORCESTER UNITED CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 35 WVRED VREDENBURG UNITED 0.00 100.00 0.00 39 WTYGER TYGERBERG PRESBYTERIAN 0.00 100.00 0.00 34 WTRIN TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 57 WTIYO TIYO SOGA MEMORIAL 0.00 100.00 0.00 28 WSTANCP ST ANDREW'S PRESBYT. CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 31 WSALE SALEM UNITED CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 416 WPROTE PROTEA VALLEY CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 24 WPINE PINELANDS PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 0.00 100.00 0.00 23 WORAN ORANJEMUND UNITED 0.00 100.00 0.00 22 WNYAN NYANGA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 398 WMBEKWEN MBEKWENI PREACHING STATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 253 WMASIBUL MASIBULELE PRESBYTERIAN 0.00 100.00 0.00 16 WLANG LANGA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 341 WKUYASA KUYASA NUCLEAR CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 8 WKRAA KRAAIFONTEIN PREACHING STAT 0.00 100.00 0.00 14 WKHUN KHAYELITSHA UNITED 0.00 100.00 0.00 259 WJLZW JL ZWANE MEMORIAL PRES. CH. 0.00 100.00 0.00 13 WHEID HEIDEVELD-MANENBERG UNITED 0.00 100.00 0.00 12 WGUGU GUGULETU PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 128 WGORDON GORDON'S BAY UNITED 0.00 100.00 0.00 250 WGGNDZ GG NDOTYANA MEMORIAL CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 10 WGARD GARDENS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 136 WFREEBAV FREEMAN BAVUMA MEM 0.00 100.00 0.00 245 WELGI ELGIN UNITED COMMUNITY CHURC 0.00 100.00 0.00 9 WEAST EASTRIDGE UNITED 0.00 100.00 0.00 4 WBRID BRIDGETOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHUR 0.00 100.00 0.00 3 WBLUE BLUE DOWNS UNITED 0.00 100.00 0.00 40 WAURE AURET STREET UNITED CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 1 WATLA ATLANTIS UNITED 0.00 100.00 0.00 408 UWILLGAV WILLIAM GAVIN MEMORIAl CHURC 0.00 100.00 0.00 406 UVV DIPA VV DIPA MEMORIAL CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 368 UTPFINCA T.P. FINCA MEMORIAL CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00

134 ASSESSMENT RANKING

Assessments received Jan 2012 to Jun 2013 by Congregation Account Short Name Name Assessments % of Total Cum % Rank % of Congs 124 USTANUM ST ANDREWS PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 384 USOME SOMERVILLE PRESB. CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 218 USBNGCO SB NGCOBO MEMORIAL CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 66 UROSS ROSS CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 65 URAIN RAINY CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 340 UNUCLEAR NUCLEAR UMTHATHA CONGREGATIO 0.00 100.00 0.00 183 UMILL MILLER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 330 ULOWERR LOWER RAINY PRESBYTERIAN CH 0.00 100.00 0.00 394 ULOWERNG LOWER NGQWARA PRESBYTERIAN 0.00 100.00 0.00 329 ULOWERN LOWER NGQWARA PRESB. CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 286 UKHUL KHULANI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 423 UGT VIKA GT VIKA MEMORIAL 0.00 100.00 0.00 248 UERSK ERSKINE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 224 UDVSI DV SIKHUTSWA PRESB. CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 62 TVRYH VRYHEID PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 151 TNEWC NEWCASTLE CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 72 TMSIN MSINGA CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 285 TJOKW JOKWENI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 79 TGORD GORDON MEMORIAL CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 247 TERNE ERNEST NTULI MEMORIAL CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 110 TENDUMIS ENDUMISWENI PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 221 TDOUG DOUGLAS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 419 STHUMED THUMEDI MAKGAHLELA CON 0.00 100.00 0.00 271 SSTPEMO ST PETER'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 69 SSTJAME ST JAMES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 263 SSTANPR ST ANDREW'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 273 SSOSH SOSHANGUVE PRESBYTERIAN CHUR 0.00 100.00 0.00 305 SRUSTP RUSTENBURG PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 382 SRUIG RUIGHOEK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 379 SPRET PRETORIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 280 SMAMGA MAMELODI GARDENS PRES CHURC 0.00 100.00 0.00 392 SKHAY KHAYAKULU UNITING 0.00 100.00 0.00 270 SHIGHVEL HIGHVELD COMMUNITY CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 254 SGARA GA RANKUWA PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 399 SCENTURI CENTURION WEST PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 334 RNCIS NCISININDE PRESB. CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 42 RMBUL MBULU CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 87 RMALA MALAN CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 112 RKMANAK K MANAKAZA MEMORIAL 0.00 100.00 0.00 140 RKIDS KIDSTON CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 184 RDDST DD STORMONT MEMORIAL CONG 0.00 100.00 0.00 138 RBUTT BUTTERWORTH PREACHING STATIO 0.00 100.00 0.00 260 NWILLIAM WILLIAM MPAMBA MEMORIAL 0.00 100.00 0.00 276 NWILL WILLIAM SAMSON MEMORIAL 0.00 100.00 0.00 256 NWEIR WEIRDALE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 410 NTZANEE TZANEEN CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 365 NSTUA STUARTVILLE PRESB. CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 274 NSESH SESHEGO PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 316 NPPOLOKW POLOKWANE PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 0.00 100.00 0.00 360 NPHAL PHALABORWA PRESB. CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 258 NMOUN MOUNT HOREB PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 413 NMATANGA MATANGARI PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 414 NMAKWAR MAKWARELA PRESBYTERIAN 0.00 100.00 0.00 281 NLEBO LEBOWAKGOMO PRESBYTERIAN CHU 0.00 100.00 0.00 220 NDONH DONHILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 187 NBLAA BLAAUWBERG CONGREGTION UPCSA 0.00 100.00 0.00 174 LSTTISE ST TIMOTHY'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 173 LSTSTVA ST STEPHEN'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 181 LSTSIMA ST SILAS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 343 LSTPETED ST PETERS UNITED CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 395 LSTPETEB ST PETER'S, BOIPATONG 0.00 100.00 0.00

135 ASSESSMENT RANKING

Assessments received Jan 2012 to Jun 2013 by Congregation Account Short Name Name Assessments % of Total Cum % Rank % of Congs 171 LSTPASH ST PAUL'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 411 LSTMARKS ST MARKS' VANDERBIJL 0.00 100.00 0.00 168 LSTMACA ST MATTHEW'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 167 LSTLUVE ST LUKE'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 320 LSTILF STILFONTEIN PRESB. CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 251 LSTDAVKU ST DAVIDS PRESBY CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 387 LSTDAVID ST DAVID'S PRESB CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 162 LSTANWE ST ANDREW'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 182 LSTANVA ST ANTHONY'S PRESB. CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 323 LSOLO SOLOMON RATHEBE MEMORIAL PC 0.00 100.00 0.00 169 LALLSAIN ALL SAINTS PRES. CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 75 KTRAF TRAFALGAR PREACHING STATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 366 KTEMB TEMBALIHLE PRESB CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 335 KSTJOHNS ST JOHN'S (GROUTVILLE) 0.00 100.00 0.00 97 KSTGEORG ST GEORGE'S PRESBYTERIAN CH 0.00 100.00 0.00 101 KSTEL STELLA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 94 KSTAUUM ST AUGUSTINES PRESBYTERIAN 0.00 100.00 0.00 89 KSTANUM ST ANDREW'S SCOTBU (UMZINTO) 0.00 100.00 0.00 100 KSHAL SHALOM PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 92 KPINE PINETOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 90 KMERE MEREBANK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 85 KHIGH HIGHLAND HILLS UNITED CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 141 KHAMM HAMMARSDALE CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 95 KESIKHAW ESIKHAWINI PRESBY CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 81 KERNE ERNEST REIM MEMORIAL 0.00 100.00 0.00 80 KDURBUN DURBAN CENTRAL UNITED CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 78 KCLER CLERMONT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 77 KCHRI CHRIST THE REDEEMER 0.00 100.00 0.00 76 KBERE BEREA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 338 KBEACHM BEACH NISSION PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 74 KALFR ALFRED COUNTY PRESBYTERIAN 0.00 100.00 0.00 417 HWATTVIL WATTVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 0.00 100.00 0.00 426 HTSAKANE TSAKANE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 240 HSTPEUSE ST PETER'S UNITED 0.00 100.00 0.00 241 HSTPETE ST PETER'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 239 HSTPEDU ST PETER'S (DUDUZA) 0.00 100.00 0.00 319 HSTPAAL ST PAUL'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 238 HSTMISP THE TREASURER 0.00 100.00 0.00 237 HSTMADA ST MARK'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 235 HSTDANI ST DAVID'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 234 HSTANBR ST ANDREW'S, BRAKPAN 0.00 100.00 0.00 233 HSTANBE ST ANDREW'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 287 HRAPODIL RAPODILE STREET PRESBY CHURC 0.00 100.00 0.00 229 HHEID HEIDELBERG PRESBYTERIAN CHUR 0.00 100.00 0.00 243 HEBEN EBENEZER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 144 HEAST EAST RAND CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 231 HDT PLAA D.T. PLAATJIE MEMORIAL 0.00 100.00 0.00 228 HDALP DALPARK PREACHING STATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 227 HCRYS CRYSTAL PARK PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 367 HBDYANTA BD YANTA MEMORIAL CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 249 HALMAJ ALFRED MAJA MEMORIAL 0.00 100.00 0.00 226 HALLSAIN ALL SAINTS UNITED 0.00 100.00 0.00 321 GSTSTRO ST STEPHEN'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 322 GSTRUB STRUBENS VALLEY UNITED 0.00 100.00 0.00 318 GSTPATR ST PATRICK'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 311 GSTJOEV ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST 0.00 100.00 0.00 303 GRANDBG RANDBURG PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 185 GPARKMOR PARKMORE TRANSITION CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 302 GORLA ORLANDO PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 301 GMOLE MOLETSANE PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 298 GMEAD MEADOWLANDS PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00

136 ASSESSMENT RANKING

Assessments received Jan 2012 to Jun 2013 by Congregation Account Short Name Name Assessments % of Total Cum % Rank % of Congs 297 GMAYF MAYFAIR PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 293 GKAGI KAGISO PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 282 GJOHA JOHANNESBURG PRESB. CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 291 GHAMI HAMILTON MEMORIAL PRES. CH. 0.00 100.00 0.00 299 GDOBS DOBSONVILLE PREACHING STAT 0.00 100.00 0.00 289 GDAXI DAXINA PREACHING STATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 217 GCENT CENTRAL JOHANNESBURG CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 63 FWITS WITSIESHOEK UNITED 0.00 100.00 0.00 342 FWELK WELKOM CONGREGATION OF UPCSA 0.00 100.00 0.00 374 FVILJ VILJOENSKROON PRESB CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 175 FTHABA THABA NCHU-BOTSHABELO UNITED 0.00 100.00 0.00 170 FSTMOMO ST MONICA'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 180 FSTLUHO ST LUKE'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 0.00 100.00 0.00 166 FSTJOMA ST JOHN'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 164 FSTAUMO ST AUGUSTINE'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 159 FSTANVE ST ANDREW'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 163 FSTANLE ST ANDREW'S CONSTANTIA 0.00 100.00 0.00 157 FSTANKR ST ANDREW'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 155 FSTANHE ST ANDREW'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 154 FSTANBO ST ANDREW'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 150 FPHOM PHOMOLONG PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 0.00 100.00 0.00 149 FPARY PARYS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 401 FIKAGENG IKAGENG TRANSITIONAL CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 148 FFRAN FRANKFORT-VILLIERS PRES CHUR 0.00 100.00 0.00 262 FEBENKOP EBENE/KOPPIES PRESBY CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 158 FBREN BRENT PARK PREACHING STATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 152 FARPO AR POHO MEMORIAL CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 371 EUPPE UPPER MKEMANE PRESB CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 125 ETSEK TSEKONG CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 364 ESTIR STIRLING MEMORIAL PRESB CHUR 0.00 100.00 0.00 96 ESTCOKO ST COLUMBA'S PRESBYTERIAN CH 0.00 100.00 0.00 386 ESPRI SPRINGSIDE PRESB. CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 380 ERIET RIETVLEI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 348 EPABA PABALLONG PRESB CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 332 EMPHA MPHARANE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 147 EMBON MBONDA MISSION 0.00 100.00 0.00 46 EMAFU MAFUBE CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 188 EBUCH BUCHANAN CONGREGATION, UPCSA 0.00 100.00 0.00 186 EBALA BALASI CONGREGATION, UPCSA 0.00 100.00 0.00 108 DTRINES TRINITY PREACHING STATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 64 DSTMICHA ST MICHAELS UNITED 0.00 100.00 0.00 51 DSTJOPMB ST JOHN'S UNITED 0.00 100.00 0.00 53 DSCOTT SCOTTSVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CH 0.00 100.00 0.00 52 DRICH RICHMOND PREACHING STATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 362 DPIET PIETERMARITZBURG PRESB CHURC 0.00 100.00 0.00 361 DPHOL PHOLELA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 50 DNORT NORTHDALE PREACHING STATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 49 DMIDL MIDLANDS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 44 DGLEN GLENBAIN CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 142 DESTC ESTCOURT PRESB CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 246 DENTAMBE ENTAMBENI PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 0.00 100.00 0.00 213 CTHEM THEMBALETHU PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 339 CTANTYI TANTYI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 209 CSTPANB ST PATRICK'S PRES /J JOLOBE 0.00 100.00 0.00 208 CSTMARPE ST MARTIN'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 203 CSTANSE ST ANDREW'S PRESBYTERIAN CHU 0.00 100.00 0.00 177 CSOME SOMERSET EAST CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 199 CMAKA MAKANASKOP AND THEOPOLIS 0.00 100.00 0.00 429 CLINGEL LINGELIHLE 0.00 100.00 0.00 326 CKWAZ KWAZAKHELE PRESBYTERIAN CH. 0.00 100.00 0.00 145 CJYHL JY HLISO MEMORIAL 0.00 100.00 0.00

137 ASSESSMENT RANKING

Assessments received Jan 2012 to Jun 2013 by Congregation Account Short Name Name Assessments % of Total Cum % Rank % of Congs 139 CJEFF JEFFREY'S BAY CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 196 CHILL THE HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 160 CGRAA GRAAFF REINET PRESB. CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 161 CCSOMERS SOMERSET EAST CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 327 CCMMAKWE M MAKWETU MEMORIAL 0.00 100.00 0.00 310 CCGARO GARDEN ROUTE PRESBYTERIAN 0.00 100.00 0.00 193 CBLUE BLUEWATER BAY UNITED 0.00 100.00 0.00 192 CBEDF BEDFORD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 191 CARCA ARCADIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 331 C D.MSOG D. M SOGA MEMORIAL 0.00 100.00 0.00 402 AWINTERB WINTERBERG PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 135 AWHEA WHEATLANDS PRESBYTERIAN CHUR 0.00 100.00 0.00 134 ATARK TARKASTAD PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 0.00 100.00 0.00 143 ASTUA STUART MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN 0.00 100.00 0.00 117 ASTJOHN' ST JOHN'S UNITED CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 123 ASTANKI ST ANDREW'S PRES CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 71 ASEMP SEMPLE MEMORIAL CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 70 AQUEE QUEENSTOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHUR 0.00 100.00 0.00 363 APIRI PIRIE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 121 APARK PARKSIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 105 AMGWAL MGWALI CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 120 AMDAN MDANTSANE PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 0.00 100.00 0.00 109 AMACF MACFARLAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 0.00 100.00 0.00 328 ALOVE LOVEDALE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 0.00 100.00 0.00 198 AKHON KHOBONQABA PRESBYTERIAN CHUR 0.00 100.00 0.00 427 AHENRYA HENRY ARENDS MEMORIAL 0.00 100.00 0.00 404 ADR NTSI DR NTSIKELELO CONGREGATION 0.00 100.00 0.00 116 ADORR DORRINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHUR 0.00 100.00 0.00 194 ADAVI DAVIDSON MEMORIAL 0.00 100.00 0.00 115 ACAMB CAMBRIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 0.00 100.00 0.00

138 UPCSA PENSION FUND

Report to the Executive Committee 2015

1) Merger with the Presbyterian Employees’ Pension Fund

 The proposed date for the merger is 1 July 2015, to allow time for all the necessary steps of the merger to be completed.  All processes are being monitored by the Merger Committee in conjunction with the Actuary and Fund Administrator.

2) Trustees

 Composition of the current Board of Trustees is as follows: A. Wentzel Chairman and Employer Trustee D. Anderson Employer Trustee G.C. Kelly Employer Trustee Dr. N. Mashalaba Employer Trustee C. Gauld Alternate Employer Trustee The Rev. R. Botsis Member Trustee The Rev. C. Judelsohn Member Trustee The Rev. C.W. Leeuw Member Trustee The Rev. D. Potgieter Member Trustee T. Borrill Alternate Member Trustee

 Where a Trustee is absent from two consecutive meetings the Chairman will arrange to meet with the Trustee to establish if the person is able to continue as a Trustee and fulfil the required duties.

3) Principal Officer

 With the retirement of Tom Coulter as Clerk of General Assembly and as Principal Officer, it was necessary for the Funds to appoint a new Principal Officer, it was agreed by a committee that Lizané van der Merwe would be appointed as the new Principal Officer with effect from 1 January 2015.  Her contact details are as follows:  Lizané van der Merwe  Cell: 073 350 8064  E-mail: [email protected]

4) Membership

 All Ministers of congregations of the UPCSA in South Africa are required to join the Fund.  At 31 December 2014 the fund had 129 contributing members, 117 deferred beneficiaries, 13 non- contributing members, 47 deferred pensioners and 119 pensioners, this includes one member with two deferred beneficiary records and 10 members who have both a deferred beneficiary and active record.

5) Fund Contributions

o Any contributions paid which are not a full contribution amount cannot be accepted by the Fund and are returned to the Congregation. This may have tax implications and will result in a contribution not being allocated to the member for a specific month.

o Contributions received timeously (on the last working day of the month) ensures that there are no delays with the reconciliation of contribution schedules and/or payment of benefits.

139 6) Pension Fund Contributions Bank Account

 Only Pension Fund contributions should be paid into this bank account, unfortunately other payments, such as assessments and long leave are still being paid into this bank account. 7) Late Payment Interest (LPI)

 In terms of legislation (Section 13A of the Pension Funds Act), LPI shall be payable from the first day following the expiration of the period in respect of which such amounts were payable.  Contributions are payable within seven days from month end to the Fund, if the contributions are not paid on time the Employer is liable to pay LPI on these late contributions.  If contributions are not received on the last day of the month from the Congregation, it is not possible to complete a full reconciliation of that month’s contribution schedule by the seventh day of the month to ensure payment to the Fund is made on time. The due date for contributions to be received from the Congregation is therefore on the last working day of the month and not the seventh of the next month.  An application has been made to the Financial Services Board for the Fund to be exempted from this rule, however this has not been approved and the rule still applies.

8) Members being declared Deferred Beneficiaries

 In terms of the Rules of the Fund it confirms, should full contributions not be received for three consecutive months, such member shall become a “Deferred Beneficiary” and the fund credit of such a member shall be retained in the Fund as a paid-up benefit until death or retirement.  It should be noted that the administrative cost to maintain this record will be deducted from the available fund credit by the fund administrator until the available fund credit has been depleted.  The impact on the member after they become a Deferred Beneficiary is that they can only access the fund credit plus investment returns either on retirement or death.  It also means that the member will no longer receive any additional benefit (death or disability) over and above the fund credit (i.e. no insurance will be in place for the member from the Fund).  The member will be required to reapply to the Fund to become an active member by completing a Detailed New Entrant Form, at which time a new member record will be created by the fund administrator and a new accumulation of funds will start (upon receipt of the full contribution).  It is being investigated with the fund administrator if it is possible to have a single fee for members with multiple deferred beneficiary records.  It should be noted that this can be avoided if contributions are paid monthly as required (timeously and correctly).

9) Inspection visit by the FSB

 The queries raised in the inspection visit by the Financial Services Board and the exemption applied for as a result of the queries are still pending approval from the Financial Services Board.  The compliance of the Fund with legislation will be investigated in detail after the merger.  A Governance Sub-Committee was also formed to assist the Trustees in this matter.

10) Governance

 The Trustees are conscious of the need for good governance.  A Governance Sub-Committee has been established to identify the critical policies to have in place at the time of the merger and to review any additional policies after the merger as required in terms of legislation.

11) Rates of contribution

 The current rates of contribution are as follows: • Member: 7,5% of Stipend • Congregation: R1360 or R905 (Subject to being recognised as a Congregation B)  In order for a Congregation to be recognised as a Congregation B, the Congregation must be approved by the Presbytery responsible for the Congregation by 1 January of each calendar year.  This is seldom applied for, instead contributions are simply not paid, which results in members becoming Deferred Beneficiaries.

12) Rule Amendments

 The revised Rules of the Fund (incorporating all amendments to the original rules) were registered by the Financial Services Board on 9 September 2014.  Due to queries raised on the statutory valuation report of the Fund as at 31 December 2013 and as a result of the impending merger, the revised Rules had to be amended.  Rule amendment 1 has been submitted and is currently pending approval by the FSB.

140 13) Merger Committee - Church Representative

 The Church has to identify a representative to form part of the Merger Committee.

14) Investments

 The Trustees would like thank the Investment Sub-Committee of the Finance Committee of General Assembly for the diligent manner in which it has looked after the investments of the Fund.  The Funds Asset Value as at 31 December 2014 was R229 800 000.

15) Pensioner Benefits

 As from 1 January 2015 all pensions were increased by 10%.  In addition all pensioners were paid a bonus of R2500.

16) Responsibility of members to plan for their retirement

 The Trustees cannot emphasise strongly enough the need for members to seek appropriate independent advice and to prepare adequately for their retirement including ensuring that they have some liquidity.  The Principal Officer has implemented a new process whereby members within 5 years from normal retirement will receive a “Pre-retirement letter” providing guidance on the options available.  Members will again be provided with a “Pre-retirement letter” 3 years before normal retirement.

A. WENTZEL CHAIRMAN

PROPOSALS

1. The Executive Commission receives the report.

2. The Executive Commission instructs the Church, through the office of the General Secretary, to thank the advisors and contractors to the Fund for the assistance given to the Trustees over the past period.

141 PEPF PENSION FUND

Report to the Executive Committee 2015:

1) Merger with the UPCSA Pension Fund

2) Trustees

 Composition of the current Board of Trustees is as follows:

G.C. Kelly Chairman and Employer Trustee E. Stopforth Employer Trustee Vacant Employer Trustee* B. Mahlangu Member Trustee J. Botha Member Trustee T. Heslop Member Trustee

*The Church has to appoint an Employer Trustee due to the retirement of C.V. Henley.

3) Principal Officer

 With the retirement of Tom Coulter as Clerk of General Assembly and as Principal Officer, it was necessary for the Funds to appoint a new Principal Officer, it was agreed by a committee that Lizané van der Merwe would be appointed as the new Principal Officer with effect from 1 January 2015.  Her contact details are as follows: Lizané van der Merwe Cell: 073 350 8064 E-mail: [email protected]

4) Membership

 The Fund is open to all employees of congregations of the UPCSA in South Africa, this includes Secretaries, Domestic helpers, Gardeners and Central Office Staff (other than Ministers).  At 31 December 2014 the fund had 57 contributory members, 9 non-contributory members, 6 deferred pensioners and 29 pensioners.

5) Fund Contributions

 This is still a major concern.  Contributions are not paid on time (last working day of the month) and monthly as required.  Remittance advice forms should be provided with proof of payments.  Payments should reflect the member’s initials and surname to ensure that the contributions are allocated to the correct member.  In terms of legislation (Section 13A of the Pension Funds Act) – o “The Employer of any member of a Fund shall pay the following to the Fund in full: • any contributions which, in terms of the Rules of the Fund is to be deducted from the member’s remuneration and • any contribution for which the Employer is liable in terms of the Rules.” o Any contributions paid which are not full contribution amounts cannot be accepted by the Fund and are returned to the Congregation. This may have tax implications and will result in a contribution not being allocated to the member for a specific month. o Contributions received timeously (on the last working day of the month) ensure that there are no delays with the reconciliation of contribution schedules and/or payment of benefits.

6) Pension Fund Contributions Bank Account

 Only Pension Fund contributions should be paid into this bank account, unfortunately other payments, such as assessments and long leave are still being paid into this bank account.

142 7) Late Payment Interest (LPI)

8) Rates of contribution

 The current rates of contribution are as follows: • Member: 5% of Salary • Congregation: 13.2% of Salary  Members joining after 30 June 2015 will pay contributions of a Congregation B.

9) Rule Amendments

 Rule amendment 10 that deals mainly with unclaimed benefits and the provision for members to become deferred beneficiaries after three consecutive months of no contributions paid, was registered by the FSB on 10 July 2014.  The Financial Services Board normally requires a Fund to consolidate its rules after the registration of 10 amendments. However, in light of the impending merger, the rules were not consolidated. Instead, rule amendment 11 was drafted to provide for the merger to take place and the eventual closure of the Fund.  Rule amendment 11 is currently pending approval by the Financial Services Board.

10) Investments

11) Pensioner Benefits

 As from 1 January 2015 all pensions were increased by 6%.  In addition all pensioners were paid a bonus of R1270.

12) Governance

 The Trustees are conscious of the need for good governance.  Most of the policies required by PF130 have been put in place for the Fund.  The main policy that is outstanding is the Investment Policy Statement.  In view of the impending merger, it was decided to include the design of this policy as part of the governance of the UPCSA Pension Fund post-merger.

13) Responsibility of members to plan for their retirement

 The Trustees cannot emphasis strongly enough the need for members to seek appropriate independent advice and to prepare adequately for their retirement including ensuring that they have some liquidity.  The Principal Officer has implemented a new process whereby members within 5 years from normal retirement will receive a “Pre-retirement letter” providing guidance on the options available.  Members will again be provided with a “Pre-retirement letter” 3 years before normal retirement.

G.C. KELLY CHAIRMAN

PROPOSALS

1. The Executive Commission receives the report.

2. The Church thanks the advisors and contractors to the Fund for the assistance given to the Trustees over the past period.

143 CHURCH OFFICE

Report to Executive Commission 2015

1. Members

The Rev Professor Dr M J Masango (Convener), the Rev Lungile Mpetsheni (General Secretary), Mr D Anderson (General Treasurer), the Right Rev M Ramulondi (Moderator), Rev R Muntali (Moderator designate) the Revs Z A Makalima, and S Mtetwa, Mr H Chivhangu, Dr I Taylor, Mr H O Cochrane, and Ms P-J Kirkby.

2. Mandate and Activities

The purpose and membership of the Church Office Committee of the General Assembly is set out in 13.48 – 13.51 of the UPCSA Manual of Faith and Order. The committee meets about 3 to 4 times a year to evaluate and respond to the church office life and staff issues as well as recruitment of new Church Office staff members. The last meeting of the year typically focusses on staff appraisals.

3. Confidentiality agreement

At the first meeting of the newly elected COC Committee after the 2014 General Assembly, members agreed to draft a Confidentiality Agreement to be signed by all COC members. This was to help ensure the confidentiality and protection of sensitive and confidential staff matters and COC Committee decisions. The Confidentiality Agreement was compiled with the input from a Labour Lawyer. All but one member of the COC Committee has to date been available to sign the Agreement.

4. Central Church Office Organogram

Members of the COC COMMITTEE worked on an updated Central Church Office Organogram. The newly appointed General Secretary Rev Lungile Mpetsheni would take a major role in aligning job descriptions as part of his project to restructure the Central Church Office.

5. New Staff Appointments

The General Assembly held in July 2014 approved the Rev Lungile Mpetsheni’s appointment for the next 5 years. Rev Mpetsheni took up his position as General Secretary in August 2014.

The following other new appointments were made:

5.1 Accountant for the UPCSA – Mr Philip Gohl (started 22 September 2014). The recruitment and appointment of Mr Gohl was handled by the Chairman of the Finance Committee Mr Doug Anderson and the General Secretary; 5.2 Receptionist Ms Poppy Rakgomo (started August 2014); 5.3 Mission and Discipleship OLSM Appointment in conjunction with the Mission and Discipleship Committee (part-time position accountable to the Mission and Discipleship committee who will also do the incumbent’s annual performance appraisals) - Ms Eddie Stopforth.

6. Staff, performance appraisals, team building and value’s meeting

6.1 Central Church Office Staff members

The COC Committee was very pleased with overall good performance by all Central Church Office Staff. The following persons are employed at the Central Church Office:

(i) Rev L Mpetsheni (General Secretary, started in August 2014) (ii) Rev Dr EA Germiquet (Ministry Secretary) (iii) Mr G Jooste (Chief Financial Officer) (iv) Mr Tom Coulter (Acting Clerk of Assembly) (iv) Mr P Gohl (Accountant, started November 2014) (v) Mrs J Botha (PA to the General Secretary) (vi) Ms T B Mahlangu (Bookkeeper) (vii) Ms C Kasambara (PA to the Ministry Secretary) (viii) Ms P Rakgomo (Receptionist, joined in August 2014) (ix) Ms L More (Cleaner) (x) Mr J Makgoka (General Worker) (xi) Ms E White (PEF Administrator)

144

6.2 Staff appraisals

Increments of 3% - 6% were approved for staff members in the November 2014 COC Committee meeting. These increments were based on available funds in the UPCSA. A few salary adjustments were made to some of the administrative staff as was appropriate and necessary based on cost of living and market related salaries.

6.3 Team building meeting with COC Committee members 28 January 2015

The COC Committee Convenor Rev Prof Dr Masango and five other COC Committee members met with the Central Church Office Staff on 28th January 2015. The meeting was opened with a communion service with all available staff members led by the Moderator, Right Rev M Ramulondi. Thereafter the Convenor introduced the COC Committee members present, and explained the role of the COC Committee. On behalf of the COC Committee he stated that the COC Committee undertook to not only commit themselves to fulfil their mandate as COC Committee members for the Central Church Office to the best of their abilities and gifts, but to provide pastoral support when needed to staff members. COC Committee member Ms Peta-Jean Kirkby then presented a brief values’ workshop preceded by an icebreaker which encouraged all present to connect son a more informal, personal level with one another.

7. Clerk of Assembly

At the 2013 Executive Commission the COC Committee was mandated to recruit a new Clerk of Assembly, which the committee was tasked with but could not complete for 2014. At their November 2014 meeting the COC Committee selected a Search Committee (called Task Team) to deal with the vacancy created by Mr Tom Coulter’s retirement. Mr Tom Coulter was appointed for a seven month contract at the July 2014 General Assembly to serve in the capacity of Clerk of Assembly until he would be replaced by a new incumbent.

The following COC Committee members agreed to serve on this Task Team: Rev Prof Dr Maake Masango (Convenor), the Rev Lungile Mpetsheni (General Secretary), Mr D Anderson (General Treasurer), the Right Rev M Ramulondi (Moderator), Rev Zolani Makalima, Ms Peta-Jean Kirkby, Dr Inette Taylor, and the Past- Moderator Rev Rod Botsis (co-opted given his involvement in work on the Clerk Recruitment in 2014). Mr G Jooste (CFO) was involved in the initial stages and felt it not appropriate to be part of the panel interview since he would be working too closely with the new Clerk of Assembly. Rev Mpetsheni also excused himself from the panel interview.

The Task Team AGREED on a following timeline for the recruitment and appointment of the new Clerk of Assembly (see page 3). Six applications were received. The Task Team met on 16 February 2015 where they carefully considered all applications. They shortlisted the six applicants to four applicants who were found to be most suitable with regards to their UPCSA experience, former roles in the denomination and respective skillsets. All four applicants accepted an invitation to be interviewed by available members of the Task Team on 6 March 2015 at St Columba’s Church in Parkview Johannesburg. Members of the Task Team panel were the Convenor Rev Prof Dr M J Masango, the Right Rev M Ramulondi (Moderator), Rev Rod Botsis (Past- Moderator), Revs Z A Makalima and Dr I Taylor. The interviewing panel shortlisted two suitable candidates.

Both candidates agreed to do psychometric testing on separate days at the practice of Dr Taylor (in her capacity as Psychologist). Dr Taylor and the Convenor Rev Prof Dr M J Masango (in his capacity as Psychologist registered with the American Psychological Association) conducted feedback interviews with the candidates. Both candidates received assessment reports from the interviewing Psychologists containing the results of their psychometric tests and feedback interviews. They were both invited to make corrections and comments where appropriate before final reports would be sent to the COC Committee Task team. The Psychologists assured the applicants of the confidentiality of their results, and informed them that once the members of the COC Committee Task Team read their reports, their reports would be destroyed. The candidates were told that only Task Team members , and not the wider COC Committee, would read their reports.

At the time of this COC Committee Report to the 2015 Executive Commission both applicants had received their Confidential Psychometric feedback reports.

Actions taken after the last date on the table will appear in the COC Committee’s supplementary report to the 2015 Executive Commission.

145

24 December 2014 Job Description and 1. Minutes of Task Team meeting of 8 December 1. I Taylor parameters of package 2014, Draft Job description and Vacancy 2. All Task Team members finalized by Task Team and Advertisement from meeting to be compiled and distributed to the other sent to Task Team members: 15 December 2014. members of COC. 2. Task Team members receive and suggest corrections/adjustments to the Minutes and Job

Description by 20 December 2014 6 January 2015 Job Description and Vacancy Similar procedures to be followed as with the 1. M Masango, L Mpetsheni, Advertisement to be recruitment of the General Secretary Joan Botha, and Web site distributed by Post, manager electronically and posted on the UPCSA Website from /at Central Office to all relevant stakeholders. 31 January 2015 Deadline for all applications 1.All applications and CV's to be sent to the COC 1. M Masango and another Convenor as was the case with the Recruitment of Task Team member the General Secretary. 2. All Task Team members 2. The Convenor to appoint another authorised COC

Task Team member to receive application documents in order to accommodate problems with the Post Office and Internet. 3. The Convenor sets meeting for COC Task Team members to meet in February to discuss all applications. February 2015 (day Shortlisting of applications All Applications and CV's discussed and shortlisted 1. M Masango and All Task to be decided) and Team members possible second round in March 2015 (if there were not/too few suitable applications by February 2015). 15 April 2015 Final Selection (process to be 1. Process to be decided 1. Interviewing panel : decided, e.g. panel 2. Possible Psychometric assessment which will, if M Masango, L Mpetsheni, interviews of shortlisted decided, be done under standardised conditions D Anderson, P-J Kirby, applicants) using relevant procedures and instruments including I Taylor and Z Makalima a job-related in-basked exercise, followed by a 2. I Taylor and M Masango confidential feedback report to be read and then (in their capacity as destroyed by members of the Task Team, and also registered Psychologists) given to the incumbent for Career Development

purposes. 30 April 2015 Finalization of Package Finalize package with Finance and incumbent 1. D Anderson, G Jooste and designated others (to be decided) May/June 2015 Incoming Clerk of Assembly Exact dates will be negotiated with the Incoming L Mpetsheni, G Jooste, spends two weeks job Clerk, the outgoing Clerk and other relevant staff of T Coulter (outgoing Clerk) shadowing / hand-over with the Central Office. with Incoming Clerk outgoing Clerk of Assembly July 2015 COC presents recruited To be decided and prepared by relevant Task Team M Masango and/or incoming Clerk of Assembly members representative to Executive Committee 1 August 2015 New appointed incoming Standard procedures, final details to be decided. M Masango, L Mpetsheni,

Clerk of Assembly to start at D Anderson and G Jooste the Central Office

CONCLUSION

The COC Committee has been energized and inspired by the involvement of the New General Secretary Rev Lungile Mpetsheni, who has, on all accounts, found his feet very fast and has provided excellent leadership. His metaphor of a Lighthouse continues to be an inspiring one and the COC Committee takes its commitment to the Central Church Office Staff and wider church seriously, and endeavors to function as a purposeful “workship” to help the UPCSA be a beacon of light for Southern Africa in the foreseeable future.

THE REV DR PROF MAAKE MASANGO CONVENER

146

PROPOSALS

1. The Executive Commission receives the report.

2. The Executive Commission thanks Mr Tom Coulter (outgoing Clerk of the Assembly) and Mr André Prinsloo (former Accountant for the UPCSA) for their work and years’ of service to the denomination.

147

AARP AND COURT OF ASSEMBLY

Report to Executive Commission 2015

1. Members of the AARP and Court of Assembly.

The following serve as members of the AARP and Court of Assembly:

Rev Dr GW Marchinkowski (Convener), Mr TW Coulter (Clerk). The Revs P Baxter, CW Leeuw, Prof MJ Masango, VP Mabo and Prof VS Vellem. Elders HG Booysen, R Fourie, CM Gelese, Prof P Havenga, T Lubanga and L Mbandazayo.

2. Matters dealt with by the AARP and Court of Assembly.

No matters were dealt with by the Court of Assembly during the period under review since Assembly 2014.

The following activities can be reported on under the auspices of the AARP.

1. The Matter between Mr C Mbele was not pursued any further as per the decision of the General Assembly in 2014 and is now considered closed. 2. The matter between R Hauptfleisch and Tshwane Presbytery was determined by the Small Committee of the AARP as it found that the matter had “no reasonable chance of success” in that they could not discern an “administrative decision of a council” as required by para. 15.1 of the Manual of Faith and Order. 3. The matter between J Gordon and Tshwane Presbytery was heard by the AARP and dismissed. 4. The matters between Mqalo and others and Amathole Presbytery, and between Rev SO Loni and Amathole Presbytery were heard. These two matters were conjoined (heard together) and dismissed by the AARP. 5. Matter between Rev J Smith and Rev H Wolmarans. This was referred back to the Court of eGoli Presbytery as the court of first instance.

3. Outstanding matters from General Assembly.

The following were referred to the Faith and Order Committee and should come before this EXCO under that committee:

1. Provisions on the condonation of late submission of applications to AARP or Court of Assembly. 2. Provision to allow the AARP Court to continue as long as it starts with a quorum. 3. To revisit the terms of reference of the Small Committees of the Court and AARP. 4. Determining when a decision of the Small Committee can be taken on review to the AARP. 5. Looking at a structure/process to determine the frequency of AARP/Court meetings. 6. Looking at time frames as they affect the provisions of para. 15.12 of the Manual of Faith and Order.

4. General matters.

It has become increasingly apparent to the Court/AARP that many people do not understand the provisions of the Manual as they relate to approaching the Court/AARP to act as court or panel of “first instance.”

It is important the Court of Presbytery first meets to hear the matter. Should the applicant or respondent then approach the Court/AARP to recuse itself due to perceived bias or having predetermined the matter and the Court/AARP consequently finds itself no longer quorate then the Presbytery Court/AARP can refer the matter to the Court/ARP of Assembly as the court of first instance.

The Court/AARP is also of the view that some matters would be better dealt with by way of mediation. The Court would like to have a meeting on the subject in the New Year and suggest a way forward to the 2016 General Assembly.

PROPOSALS

1. The Executive Commission receives the report.

2. The Executive Commission encourages the Faith and Order Committee to finalise the outstanding matters from General Assembly 2014 as set out in their report to this Executive Commission.

148 PRIORITIES AND RESOURCES

Report to Executive Commission 2015

Membership of the committee

The Revs Boitumelo J Gaborone (convenor), Mukondeleli Ramulondi, Dr Robert Munthali, lungile Mpetsheni, Jane Nyirongo, Dr Eddy G Germiquet (Representative of the ministry committee), Mutorofa Mutangonova, Melanie Cook, Sipho Ncaphai Mr Thabo Molaba, Mr Tsietsi Molebatsi, Mr Doug Anderson (representative of finance committee), Mrs V Jekwa. The committee has recognise a need and resolved to co-opt Mrs Eddie Stopforth to its number. The committee has only had two meetings since the last General Assembly.

The report

This report is mainly due diligence report aimed at bringing the Executive Commission up to speed with regard to the work of the committee.

Committee evaluation

The committee still believes that it is important for committee work to be reviewed. It is considering reworking the current evaluation template. And come up with a peer review mechanism which will allow for intercommittee evaluation to ensure that expediency of committee work.

The Frequency of General Assembly

The Committee was instructed by General Assembly to work with the Finance committee to investigate the possibility of and effects of reducing the frequency as well as centralising General assembly meetings so as to make it affordable and simple for the church to meet.

The two committees have been working together on this matter. A number of issues have been investigated so far among others: • The frequency, structure, cost and financing of denominational council of other denominations. As well as the challenges they were facing with regard to their councils. • The effect on the office as well as the term of office of the Moderator. • The difference in finances that has resulted from reducing the frequency of the General Assembly to the current frequency. • The possibility holding of General Assembly meetings at a central venue. • The possibility of upgrading of church own facilities as the host venues of the General Assembly. • The possible effects on the form, frequency, size and work of the executive commission as well as the work of church in general as well the committees. At the time that the report was compiled the committee was of the opinion that there is still a need for more investigation before it can be in a position to make a report.

Ministers and spouse conference

The proposed date for the ministers and spouse conference is the 2nd to the 4th of October 2015. The preparations for the conference are underway.

Emeriti ministers

Recognising that valuable that retired ministers are a valuable source in the church, the P&R will be working with other General assembly committees, Presbyteries as well retired ministers to look at the possibilities of engaging as well as caring for minister emeriti.

Committee terms of reference

The committee is still investigating the terms of reference as per instruction of General Assembly

Monitoring and evaluation

The denomination does not have monitoring and evaluation tool. There are no means or tools to assess the business of the church and the Assembly. A number of General Assembly decisions are not followed upon and to appraise the church performance for continuous improvement.

149

The General Secretary implored the Committee to buy into the vision of setting monitoring and evaluation tools.

CONVENOR THE REV JB GABORONE

PROSOSALS

1. Executive receives the report.

2. Executive ratifies the addition of Mrs Eddie Stopforth to the P&R Committee.

150 MINISTRY

Report to the Executive Commission 2015

INTRODUCTION Membership: elected at the 2014 General Assembly in Polokwane. Rev AR Nemaukhwe (Convener); Rev Dr EA Germiquet (Ministry Secretary); Rev MA Black; Rev E Chirwa; Rev C Moore; Rev P Neshangwe; Rev B Russel; Rev Prof VS Vellem; Rev Prof JLP Wolmarans; Mr GC Kelly; Mrs N Mntambo and Dr I Taylor.

Early in 2015 Rev T Mpambani tendered his resignation as it clashes with his training for chaplaincy work.

CHALLENGES The major challenge facing the Ministry Committee is the serious cut to the 2015/2016 budget necessitated by the reduced income from assessments to General Assembly. As the Ministry Committee’s budget was nearly halved, it is self-evident that serious changes will need to be considered.

Some of the measures being considered are:- 1. Presbyteries to contribute an amount of (R2,000 or equivalent for every candidate which they recommended, who is invited to the Selection Conference. 2. Students to be responsible for 20% (or more) of their housing and academic fees. Home congregations and sending Presbyteries could play an important role in supporting those whom they have recommended. This would also have the beneficial effect of home congregations and Presbyteries requiring some form of accountability from “their” candidates. 3. Using telephone conferencing or Skype for some of the Ministry meetings. This would save some of the heavy travelling costs that each meeting entails. 4. The awarding of grants for Post Ordination Studies and Training to be reduced or eliminated. About R300,000 is paid annually. 5. The number of candidates invited to Selection and eventually selected may also need to be reduced to affordable numbers. 6. The holding of two PAT Conferences a year may need to be reduced to one with the second conference run and hosted regionally in various venues for Probationers in close proximity.

Such proposals and others will be discussed at its May 2015 meeting and proposals to the Executive Commission will be included in the Supplementary Papers.

NEW FORMS OF MINISTRY The Ministry Committee has begun to look at other possible forms of ministry as well as investigating whether the Selection of candidates should also include in its criteria people who indicate a specific ministry, (e.g. Rural ministry, inner city street ministry’ self-supporting ministry, sustainability ministry etc.) A Task Team headed by Rev B Russel is working on this. The training of candidates along the lines of “one size fits all” may need to be revised with specialist training offered in special cases.

RETIRING MINISTERS AND LEAVING MINISTERS VERSUS NEW MINISTERS On average the number of new ministers has been 10 per year and this has been roughly equal to the number of ministers retiring and/or leaving. However, in the recent past the number of generally young ministers emigrating has increased, with more thinking about emigration. Likewise the number of ministers seeking secondment is also on the increase. If this trend continues there will be an ever increasing number of vacant congregations. The Ministry Committee had an in depth discussion as to the reasons behind this trend and came to the conclusion that further investigation and reflection was necessary. Future reports will hopefully bring some clarity.

THE SEDING TRUST The Sedibeng Trust has agreed in principle to finance a large portion of the costs involved in making Lovemore Home in Harare suitable for the accommodation of our UPCSA candidates studying at the Unites Theological College. The aim of the project is to make Lovemore House (which was purchased for the UPCSA and managed by the Presbytery of Zimbabwe) something similar to Sedibeng House in Pretoria. A memorandum of Understanding between the Sedibeng Trust and the Presbytery of Zimbabwe has been agreed upon. A Management Committee has been set up to appoint a Manager for the House and to decide on the upgrades needed in order to make the house suitable for the housing of students.

ADMISSION OF NEW MINISTERS AND READMISSION INTO THE UPCSA 1. Rev Dr TS Nedohe The 2014 General Assembly “provisionally admitted” Rev S Nedohe into the ministry of the UPCSA (Manual 17.55). A favourable report on Rev Nedohe’s work has been received from the Presbytery of Limpopo. The Executive Commission is therefore requested to “confirm” Rev Nedohe’s admission into the UPCSA.

2. Dr M Raphesu Dr Raphesu resigned from the UPCSA ministry in 2007 in order to access his pension money. He needed the

151 money to pay off a bond on a property. Although Dr Raphesu has now passed retirement age, he nevertheless wishes to be reinstated as a minister and accorded the status of “minister emeritus”. The Ministry Committee had a long interview with Dr Raphesu and came to the conclusion that as he was neither seeking nor able to be a serving minister, it would not be wise to reinstate a person to the ministry in order to accord him/her the status of minister emeritus. It needs to be noted that the status of Minister Emeritus also accords the person a seat on the Presbytery wherever he/she resides.

Although the Ministry Committee is very conscious of the contribution and sacrifices made by Dr Raphesu during and after the apartheid era, it nevertheless recommends that Dr Raphesu not be accorded the status of minister emeritus.

SELECTION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE MINISTRY A total of 28 applications were received. At the pre-selection meeting on the 15th April 2015, 15 applicants were invited to attend the Selection Conference due to be held from the 28th to the 31st May 2015. The names of candidates selected will be given in the Supplementary Papers. The Ministry Committee once again emphasises the need for Presbytery Ministry Committees to work together with the GA Ministry Committee. Candidates who decide to take the initiative begin some studies on their own should at least be guided by their minister or Presbytery Convener to register with one of the six UPCSA recognised institutions. It is a great pity to see some candidates arrive for selection and to have to tell them that the Seminary where they obtained their Diploma is not accredited and no credits for their courses can be granted. The Ministry Committee also continues to receive applications approved and forwarded by Presbyteries which are puzzling. Some candidates should be used by their Presbyteries as Lay Preachers and be placed in congregations as Stated Supply rather than be sent for selection.

STUDENTS FOR THE MINISTRY The list of students currently studying for the ministry is as follows:-

NAME INSTITUTION COURSE YEAR

1 Gwangwava, Garikai UTC Dip Theol Final Year

2 Kekana, Mary Anne Pretoria BA Theol Final Year

3 Lungu, Beaton JMU BTh 1st Year

4 Manabile, Nelson M Stellenbosch BTh 3rd Year

5 Manzi, Khayalethu TEEC Repeating at own cost

6 Masunda, Shingi E JMC BTh Final Year

7 Masikane, Eric J TEEC

8 Mathabatha, Doctor G JMU BTh 3rd Year

9 Mhlanga, WIllingmore JMU BTh 1st Year

10 Mlalandle, Yolisa TEEC BTh 2nd Year

11 Mosinki, Matshediso Stellenbosch BTh 2nd Year

12 Mshumpela, Bongani D Pretoria Dip Theol Final Year

13 Mtonga, Emary JMU BTh 1st Year

14 Mususa, Biggie JMTUC BTh 3rd Year

15 Paskwababiri, Allan I Pretoria BTh 1st Year

16 Riley, Chantal On leave of absence

17 Ritchie, Lance L TEEC

18 Ruka, Luyanda JMTUC BTh 2nd Year

152 19 Ruzivo, Sam JMTUC BTh Final Year

20 Sibanda, Pascal UTC Dip Theol Final Year

21 Smit, Andries (Kokkie) TEEC BTh Final Year

22 Stoffberg, Peter J TEEC BTh

23 Subroyan, Cecil TEEC BTh Final Year

24 Tem, Roger M Pretoria BTh Final Year

Masibulele Dunjana, who was selected at the 2014 Selection Conference, indicated in February 2015 that he was not prepared either to register for the studies nor to take up residence at Sedibeng House as had previously been arranged with him. The Ministry Committee, at its Feb. 2015 meeting therefore noted that he had withdrawn himself as a candidate for the ministry.

Face to Face, CWM Programme. It is a pleasure to note that our student Ms Shingi Masunda (studying at Justo Mwale) was selected to attend a six week international programme in the Netherlands for young theologians.

PROBATIONERS FOR 2015 There are presently 15 Probationers. See list below:

SURNAME AND NAME CONGREGATION PRESBYTERY

1 Garande, Tatenda Norton Zimbabwe 2 Hlati, Caroline St John’s and Esikhaweni eThekwini 3 Kadewe -Sakala, Farisi Sunnyside, Mutoko Zimbabwe 4 Kasere, Tafadzwa Trojan, Bindura Zimbabwe 5 Kesa, Sikhumbuzo S DV Sikhutshwa Memorial Mthatha 6 Lungu, James Bwacha Copperbelt 7 Mazanhi, Brian Budiriro Zimbabwe 8 Mbata, Nobuhle G Stuartville Limpopo 9 M’hone, Kennedy Misisi Munali 10 Mkandawire, Judith St Phillips Munali 11 Ndlela, Sthembiso D Jokweni uThukela 12 Simango, Elias Dzivarasekwa Zimbabwe 13 Simbanegavi, George Robert Sinyoka Zimbabwe 14 Tungunu, Clarence Eiffel Flats, Kadoma Zimbabwe 15 Williams, Brett J Glenwood eThekwini

COOPERATION WITH OTHER CHURCHES AND INSTITUTIONS Cooperation with the Ministries Council of the Church of Scotland has been most beneficial. Last year (2014) two Probationers from Scotland attended our August PAT Conference and in October 2014 two UPCSA Probationers were privileged to visit Scotland. All people involved in this contact have expressed their appreciation for the enriching experiences it provides.

MINISTERIAL MARRIAGES The Ministry Committee once again draws it to the attention of Presbyteries that unless Presbyteries refer matters pertaining to the breakdown of Ministerial marriages to the Ministry Committee, no action or assistance can be offered to ministers going through these severe challenges. The Ministry Committee is aware that a number of Ministers’ marriages are experiencing difficulties and that some have even finalised their divorces, but nothing was ever referred to the Ministry Committee. In the past ministers who have experienced such difficulties and who have sought the help offered by this working group have found assistance and in most cases healing in their marriages. This is therefore a plea for Presbyteries to refer the matters of ministerial marriages to the Ministry Committee’s working group. The working group is a “sub- committee” of the Ministry Committee and confidentiality is maintained and personal details of ministers not discussed in the Ministry Committee meetings.

SECONDMENTS 1. Rev Sibusiso Lindani. Rev Lindani has already joined the SAPS as a chaplain. The Ministry Committee received a request from him to recommend to the Executive that he be Seconded to this position. The Presbytery of Drakensberg supports his request. The Ministry Committee therefore

153 recommends that he be seconded as a Chaplain to the SAPS.

2. Rev Hein Barnard. Rev Barnard has already taken up a position with the Bible Society in Gauteng. The eGoli Presbytery, which received his transfer from Central Cape Presbytery, supports his application for secondment. The Ministry Committee therefore recommends that he be seconded to the Bible Society.

POST ORDINATION STUDIES AND GRANTS In order to assist ministers who are receiving grants for post ordination studies to be more closely accountable to the Ministry Committee, the Executive is requested to support the following proposals: 1. Honours students to complete their studies within two years of registration. 2. Masters students to complete their studies within four years of registration. 3. Doctoral Students to complete their studies within six years of registration. 4. All students receiving grants to submit an annual progress report signed by the supervisor or course coordinator. 5. All students to submit a hard copy or electronic copy of their thesis on completion. 6. Each student is granted one year’s grace during which they can put their studies in abeyance. Should a minister not complete his/her studies in the required time, the full amount of the grant is to be paid back free of interest. In case some of the required courses have been passed the sum to be repaid will be calculated proportionally. These payments are to be repaid in monthly instalments. The number of months for the repayment will be equal to the number of months for which the student was registered and for which a grant was awarded. In the case of a default the Ministry Committee has the right to take special circumstances into account.

REV AWEDZANI NEMAUKHWE CONVENER

PROPOSALS

1. The Executive Commission receives the report.

2. The Executive Commission confirms the admission of Rev S Nedohe into the Ministry of the UPCSA.

3. The Executive Commission does not readmit Dr Raphesu into the ministry of the UPCSA.

4. The Executive Commission notes the Students for the ministry as listed.

5. The Executive Commission notes that Mr Masibulele Dunjana has withdrawn as a candidate for the ministry.

6. The Executive Commission notes the Probationers as listed.

7. The Executive Commission Seconds Rev S. Lindani as a Chaplain to the SAPS.

8. The Executive Commission Seconds Rev H Barnard to the Bible Society.

9. The Executive Commission agrees to the requirements of accountability for Ministers receiving POST Grants as set out in the body of the report.

154 EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Report to Executive Commission 2015:

Convener: The Rev. Dr M Young,

Members: The Rev Dr GW Marchinkowski, The Rev M Cook, Ms M Mosotho, Mr B. Njobvu, The Rev N Moyo, The Rev X Vatela, The Rev MA Thema, Dr Zwelethemba Mpono, Dr S Stofile, Ms E White. Rev PS Mbanjwa, Mr G Matika, Ms E Stopforth.

This committee has met once since the General Assembly of 2015, the committee welcomed Mrs Eddie Stopforth who replaced Mrs Liz Kenyon as the person overseeing elder training. Mr. Gilbert Matika the convenor of the Northern region of the Zimbabwe Education Trust was appointed to the committee to represent the Presbytery of Zimbabwe.

The Education and Training Committee has been given oversight in the following areas within the ministry and mission of the UPCSA.

1) The work being done in various schools in Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa; these involve both High Schools and Primary Schools. 2) Looking into the work of many of our pre-schools with regard to Early Child Development. (ECD) 3) Elder training that is needed throughout the denomination. 4) Presbyterian Education Fund. (PEF)

Early Childhood Development:

This is a herculean task which has been undertaken by Ms M Mosotho. Her work is ongoing and whenever she can she visits both Presbyteries and early learning centres in an attempt to help raise the level of care that takes place in these centres.

Schools under our care:

We have a number of schools in all three countries, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia. In all three countries, the staff employed by the respective schools are doing an outstanding job under very difficult and trying circumstances. Each country has its own policy for education and one of the challenges of this committee is to work within the bounds of each national education policy.

Unfortunately the current economic climate within all three countries and the denomination (UPCSA) has impacted on the work we have been able to do. For example, we would love to reward many of our dedicated staff for their wonderful work, but simply are unable to do so. Educators in Zimbabwe and Zambia, who are paid by their respective governments, have not received increases or bonuses for a number of years.

Schools in South Africa:

Pholela.

To date this school remains our greatest challenge. After many years of working hard to get the school back onto a sound footing, the UPCSA was forced to enter into a lease agreement with the Kwa Zulu Natal Education Department, (I say forced, if we had not entered this agreement the school would have been expropriated by the department.) In terms of the lease agreement the KZN Ed. Department was to ensure that the state of the buildings was maintained, all overheads were paid for and the school would maintain its Christian ethos. Unfortunately the department has NOT kept its side of the agreement in any way. Whilst increasing the number of pupils they have not developed the required infrastructure, visa-vi classroom maintenance, adequate ablution facilities, the water reticulation infrastructure has deteriorated, electricity bills have not been paid, and, on numerous occasions Eskom has turned the lights off for months on end. On more than one occasion St. Columba’s Parkview has raised money to ensure Eskom turns the lights on, only to be confronted with exactly the same problem a few months down the road.

After a meeting with the CFO (UPCSA) and the convenor of the Education and Training Committee, the department promised to rectify all of the problems, to date nothing has been done. Dr Keith Wimble Chairperson of the Turntable Trust in Bulwer offered to take up the cause with government on our behalf. Sadly, at the time of writing this report no further progress has been made. United Church Schools.

This particular school in the Yeoville area continues to do remarkable work. Due to money allocated from the Swan Trust they have managed to upgrade their campus and improve their administration building.

155 Unfortunately we have not had a report from the school in Gouldville, as a visit there has not taken place this year. This visit is scheduled for later on in the year.

Schools in Zimbabwe.

I am very happy to report that despite some very serious challenges the schools in Zimbabwe under the watchful eye of the Zimbabwe Education Trust which oversees the work of the Northern and Southern Regions are doing really well. The reconciliation that has taken place within the Presbytery of Zimbabwe, between the north and the south has enabled the trust to do its work of ensuring that all the schools in this country under our jurisdiction are well looked after. As with any constitution, the Trust document, which is the basis for the Trust’s work, needs ongoing evaluation, I am happy to report that this is all taking place at present.

As for the individual schools all of them are doing well, with our two A level schools, Mondora and Gloag, finishing within the top one hundred schools in Zimbabwe. Our newest school “Lekkerwater” is in the process of building a high school component and with various people offering to help with funding the foundations have been laid and hopefully, within the near future the building will be complete and we will have another high school in Zimbabwe.

We have managed to secure reliable sources of water for all of our schools and one of the primary schools now has solar energy panels which drive the borehole pumps. Through ongoing donations we still provide a feeding scheme for all of the primary schools where every child is given one meal a day.

Schools in Zambia.

In Zambia we have a mixture of well-developed private schools and very rural schools which have a symbiotic relationship with their local congregation. The need in this country is great and what was most heart-warming to visit schools where teachers and parents of the local communities had taken great interest in the schools. In some cases we have teachers who are willing to teach, even though they do not get paid. The schools are well supported by the local Presbyteries and it encouraging to see the passion with which education is carried out.

PEF. (See Appendix 1)

As this is my last report as the convenor of this committee I would like to thank all of those who have served with me on this committee for their tireless work. I would also like to thank all of the congregations and individuals who have contributed so generously to the work of our schools and pray that you will continue to do so.

REV. DR MARTIN YOUNG CONVENER.

PROPOSALS

1. The Executive Commission receives the report.

2. The Executive Commission instructs the Nominations Committee to appoint a new convener to replace Rev Young and encourages the Nominations Committee to seriously consider Rev M Cook.

3. The Executive Commission expresses its sincerest thanks to all whose donations to the PEF ensure the ongoing work of the fund and thanks the members of the task team for their role in its continued work.

4. The Executive Commission declares Sunday, 18 June, 2016 PEF Sunday and requests all congregations to hold a retiring offering for the PEF on that Sunday or another of the congregation’s choosing in June, 2016.

5. The Executive Commission urges all Ministers and Session Clerks to screen applications stringently, by checking that applicants have completed the forms correctly and in full, and included all required documentation, before they sign the forms.

156 APPENDIX 1

PRESBYTERIAN EDUCATIONAL FUND

Report to the Executive Commission 2015

The Task Team

The following serve as members of the Task Team: The Rev Tieho P Letsheleha (Co-ordinator), The Revs Melanie Cook and Phofedi E C Lediga, Mrs Nomsa Doyoyo, Mrs Wyn Eyre, Mrs Tshepiso Lediga. Administrator: Miss E M White

The Task Team has met three times since the 2014 General Assembly.

Financial Statements and contributions received. • As at 30 June, 2014 PEF investment capital was worth just under R7,3 million, an increase of about R200,000. • As reported to the 2014 General Assembly, the increased income that the PEF was blessed with as a result of the Finance Department’s investigations and restoration of funds in 2012/2013 financial period, as well as the fact that it was an eighteen month period, was a once off benefit. • It was expected too, that income from dividends and interest for the 2013/2014 year would drop, but the drop was far bigger than expected resulting in just R 91,605.88 received from interest and dividends. This impacts on the amount available for bursary awards in the 2014/2015 year. • It is still too soon to begin year on year comparisons since changing to the new financial year, however it must be said that donations from congregations have dropped considerably and without the gifts received from the Robert Niven Trust, AMS HADEN, and those in memory of Brain Hawksworth the amount available for awards would be even smaller. Special thanks must be made to these donors. • Midrand and St Andrew’s, Benoni continue to grant substantial gifts to the PEF. • The Presbyteries of Mthatha and Transkei continue to contribute annually on behalf of every congregation in their Presbyteries. (The reason the schedule does not show this for Transkei, is because of the change in the financial year.) • In order to maintain the impetus and increased giving which characterized the 40 year celebrations in 2012 all congregations and individuals are encouraged to contribute generously to the PEF on a regular basis in that same spirit of giving. This remains necessary since awards still cover no more than a third of recipients’ tuition costs, and families must still pay for boarding where necessary, books, uniforms and transport, all of which is a huge financial burden on under-resourced families. Our contribution may well be only 10 to 20% of the full cost to the family. The fact that the PEF is not able to offer larger bursaries means that too many of our recipients have to delay or forego their studies as they have outstanding fees that they are not able to meet. • A detailed schedule of donations received appears at the end of this report. • All individuals, associations and congregations that have donated to the PEF are thanked for their valued support. • Congregations are reminded that the PEF has its own bank account and that all donations should be paid directly into the PEF bank account and notification should be sent to the administrator. • The banking details of the PEF appear on the website and are available from the administrator on enquiry. Deposits made into the general UPCSA bank account can be mistaken for assessment or other payments and without written/emailed documentation, there is no way of knowing that the donation is for the PEF. • It is likely that the PEF will have to draw on investments to meet the intended pay-out for 2014/15. • Based on current income (from investments and donations) there is no chance of any excess to be reinvested to grow the capital. This emphasizes the need for continued giving, at least at the 2012 level.

Awards made in 2013/14 • A schedule of awards made for study between July, 2013 and June, 2014 appears at the end of the report. • Sadly the PEF had to recover money paid on behalf of two recipients who had subsequently obtained full bursaries. The schedule of awards has been adjusted accordingly. • It must be emphasised that PEF assistance will only be made if the applicant/the applicant’s family has contributed towards the fees themselves. Where no family contribution is made, the PEF will not assist, and where this is found to happen when a PEF payment has already been made the PEF payment must be refunded to the PEF. • Similarly it must be emphasised that the PEF will not make any payment until the learner/student has enrolled/registered and already paid any registration fee required. Requests for payment of registration fees cannot be considered.

157 Application Forms and Applications received for assistance in 2015 • Application Forms are available on the UPCSA website. These can be printed out, completed and submitted to the PEF Administrator. Unfortunately it is not possible to submit applications online. • Applicants must post completed forms to the administrator to reach the office by the cut-off date, or arrange for the forms to be delivered by someone visiting the Central Office. • Scanned forms may not be submitted by email unless the original form and documents are already in the mail. The application will not be dealt with until the mailed copy arrives. Any email sent is only to alert the administrator to the fact that the form is on its way and may be delayed in the mail. • Printed forms are made available only for congregations that have no internet access as electronic copies of the form are sent to all Presbytery Clerks and ministers who are on email. Presbyteries are asked to honour this arrangement and not use up the printed copies for congregations that can print their own forms. • The postal strike severely hindered the timely capture and processing of application forms in the second half of 2014 as there was no way of avoiding late receipt of applications. • However in many cases applications are submitted without any heed given to the deadline date and it must be emphasised again that the deadline for submission of applications is 30 September each year. • Ministers are requested to ensure that potential applicants know about the fund and have application forms in plenty of time. They are also requested to ensure that all required documentation is submitted with the application form and that end of year reports/results are submitted without delay. • The standard of compliance, as far as completion of the application forms and submission of documentation, is very poor and this causes further delays in processing the forms. • Ministers are requested to stress the need for applicants to stick to deadlines and to submit all requested documentation timeously. This includes the final results, reports for the year. Final decisions are based not only on June results, but on the November/December school or college/university results. Failure to submit these reports/results not only delays the decision–making process, it also puts the applicant at risk of not receiving any assistance as it is impossible to follow up on a one by one basis with every applicant. • Ministers are requested to assist the PEF in making it clear to applicants that they must reapply annually. Bursaries do not get continued automatically and assistance in subsequent years is not guaranteed. It is dependent on the applicant’s most recent results, family circumstances, the total number of qualifying applicants and the amount of money available for disbursement. • At the time of writing this report approximately half the end-of-year results for 2014 have still not been received. • Applicants continue to submit applications without proof of acceptance to a college or university and without having any idea of what they hope to study. They also do not follow up by forwarding any letter of admission to an institution. As a result of this and the continued disregard for the submission of required documentation, applicants will in future be responsible for submitting proof of registration for the year in which they hope to be assisted, and a copy of their fees statement as soon as registration / enrolment has been made in the new year. Anyone who has not submitted this proof of registration will be assumed not to be studying and will not be considered for an award. • ALL reports/results must be certified as true copies of the original by a commissioner of oaths or the applicant’s minister. Faxed copies MUST be followed by the original certified copy, since alterations cannot be detected on the faxed copy. • Ministers are requested to assist in improving the quality of applications by checking the application forms thoroughly before signing them and also by explaining the conditions of the bursary to the applicants and their families. The Information Sheet supplied to all ministers is available precisely to assist in this matter.

Audit • The audit of the PEF is an integral part of the audit of the UPCSA and as such any problem in the PEF would affect the outcome of the UPCSA audit. • The auditors require that the PEF produces confirmation from every school/college/university of receipt of award payments made and proof that the amount received was allocated to the correct learner/student at the institution. • The proof required is by means of the learner/student’s fees statement showing receipt of the amount paid by the PEF. • Obtaining the above continues to be problematic and the PEF requests all recipients and their families/gardians to assist in obtaining these documents to ensure a clean audit, good governance of the funds entrusted to the PEF and good stewardship of the UPCSA’s resources. • In future all students will have to sign a letter of consent granting the educational institutions permission to submit these statements to the PEF. • The Task Team has agreed that no further assistance will be given to an applicant until the confirmation of the receipt of amounts already paid has been received by the administrator. Should the PEF not receive a clean audit it will compromise the audit of the financial statements of the UPCSA.

Decisions of the 2014 General Assembly and related matters • In line with the decisions of the 2014 General Assembly, all congregations (throughout the UPCSA) are requested to promote the work of the PEF and make donations to the PEF. • Over the years PEF Sunday has been set as the Sunday closest to Youth Day in South Africa, 16 June, to add relevance to the call for support, since the Fund’s aim is to assist our youth to gain a good education. The General Assembly decision made provision for another Sunday in June for a special offering should the chosen date be unsuitable for theological or other reasons. This maintains the connection with Youth Day/ Youth month. However the PEF is grateful to be remembered in whatever way possible on any chosen day in the

158 year. • Many members of the UPCSA, including lawyers, business people, ministers and more, acknowledge that they would not be in the positions that they are in today had they not received assistance from the PEF (or from the former RPCSA before union). The benefits of supporting the PEF are ongoing and just as relevant today as they were when the Fund was established in 1972. For this reason the task team urges the denomination to increase its support of the PEF in every way possible. • The Task Team requests that PEF Sundays be used to actively advertise the work of the PEF and to make the existence of the fund known to members. Congregations are requested to keep the work of the PEF in their prayers. This request is made so that even if the congregation does not take up an offering for the PEF on PEF Sunday, the fund will still be prayed for and its work promoted on that day. • In accordance with Decision 5 of the Education and Training Committee, the PEF reports that two conferences were attended in the second half of 2014, the Youth Consultation was addressed in January, 2015, and plans are in place to attend further Associations’ conferences. The General Secretary, the Rev Lungile Mpetsheni has been very supportive and has taken the message of the PEF to a number of meetings that he has attended. • Where possible the PEF has attempted to comply with Decision 5 by entrusting the task to a representative of the PEF who is already attending the conference, since otherwise compliance with this decision would have cost implications for which it has no budget.

Corresponding Trustees • Presbytery Moderators and Clerks are reminded that each Presbytery should have a person, preferably a member of the Presbytery Education and Training Committee who will liaise with the PEF Administrator and undertake the advertising of the PEF and reporting to and from the Presbytery on PEF matters. Presbytery Clerks are requested to notify the PEF administrator of the name and contact details of these liaison persons/commissioners. Only four Presbyteries have done so to date. • The Trustees thank those Corresponding Trustees who have actively promoted the Fund and diligently reported to their Presbyteries and vice versa.

Data Base Sadly, as a result of pastoral commitments the Rev Gavin Lock has not been able to make any progress on work towards a new data base for the PEF, and the task team is looking at other options.

Administration The Trustees wish to thank the denomination for continuing to support the work of the PEF by carrying the cost of the administrative function of the fund.

TP LETSHELEHA CONVENER PEF TASK TEAM

159

PEF AWARD RECIPIENTS FOR JULY, 2013 to JUNE, 2014

TOTAL: July, 2013 to SCHOOLS UNIV/COLL June, 2014 RAND RAND TOTAL PRESBYTERY NO. AMOUNT NO. AMOUNT NO. RANDS SOUTH AFRICA AMATHOLE 2 13 950.00 1 7 922.20 3 21 872.20 CENTRAL CAPE 5 18 500.00 3 28 601.03 8 47 101.03 DRAKENSBERG 3 11 000.00 3 14 600.00 6 25 600.00 EAST GRIQUALAND 1 6 000.00 1 6 000.00 eGOLI 5 20 400.00 6 34 750.00 11 55 150.00 eTHEKWINI 2 6 100.00 3 21 315.00 5 27 415.00 FREE STATE 2 6 500.00 1 6 500.00 3 13 000.00 HIGHVELD 1 1 750.00 1 1 750.00 LEKOA 1 1 500.00 1 1 500.00 LIMPOPO 1 7 500.00 1 3 500.00 2 11 000.00 MTHATHA 2 8 500.00 2 8 500.00 S CAPE REGNL COM. 1 895.00 1 895.00 TRANSKEI 2 11 750.00 1 5 500.00 3 17 250.00 TSHWANE uTHUKELA 1 3 000.00 1 2 000.00 2 5 000.00 WESTERN CAPE 2 10 500.00 9 57 500.00 11 68 000.00 ZAMBIA COPPERBELT 1 7 950.00 1 7 950.00 M'CHINGA MUNALI ZIMBABWE ZIMBABWE 16 45 764.39 2 21603.84 18 67 368.23

TOTAL 46 172 714.39 33 212 637.07 79 385 351.46

160

PEF: DONATIONS RECEIVED as at 30 June, 2014

If you believe a contribution has been made and is not recorded here, or that the amount recorded is incorrect, please contact the PEF administrator. Thank you.

TOTAL 2013 2014 July 2013- PRESBYTERY CONGREGATION Jul-Dec Jan-June June 2014 AMATHOLE Presbytery St Andrew's, KWT 529.00 529.00 St Georges, East London 1 000.00 1 000.00 0.00 1 529.00 1 529.00 2 CENTRAL CAPE Presbytery JY Hliso Memorial 1 317.30 1 317.30 M Makwetu Memorial 2 000.00 2 000.00 Nonzwakazi United 600.00 600.00 St Andrew's, Som East 500.00 500.00 1 000.00 St James', PE 713.00 713.00 The Hill 2 450.00 2 450.00 Trinity, Grahamstown 1 000.00 1 000.00 Zwide 1 700.00 1 700.00 6 513.00 4 267.30 10 780.30 8 DRAKENSBERG Presbytery Upper Umgeni 2 437.00 2 437.00 0.00 2 437.00 2 437.00 1 EAST GRIQUALAND Presbytery Mpharane, Matatiele 250.00 250.00 250.00 250.00 1 eGOLI Presbytery Diepkloof Zone 3 533.00 533.00 Midrand 12 000.00 12 000.00 24 000.00 St Giles 372.00 372.00 St Mark's, Yeoville 1 000.00 1 000.00 St Patrick's, Diepkloof 500.00 500.00 13 872.00 12 533.00 26 405.00 5 eTHEKWINI Presbytery Amanzimtoti 1 000.00 1 000.00 Khayelihle 1 500.00 1 500.00 3 000.00 Margate United 500.00 2 000.00 2 500.00 2 000.00 4 500.00 6 500.00 3 FREE STATE Presbytery St Andrew's, Kgotsong 500.00 500.00 St John's, Bloemfontein 1 240.00 1 240.00 St Paul's, Welkom 1 016.00 1 016.00 Witsieshoek United 223.00 223.00 0.00 2 979.00 2 979.00 4 HIGHVELD Presbytery St Andrew's, Germiston 500.00 500.00 St Andrew's, Benoni 13 500.00 13 500.00 St John's, Boksburg 994.90 994.90 14 994.90 14 994.90 3 LEKOA Presbytery All Saints, Klerksdorp 1 200.00 1 200.00 1 200.00 1 200.00 1

161

TOTAL 2013 2014 July 2013- PRESBYTERY CONGREGATION Jul-Dec Jan-June June 2014 LIMPOPO Presbytery Blaauwberg 500.00 500.00 Donhill 500.00 400.00 900.00 Gooldville 1 000.00 1 000.00 Lebowakgomo 800.00 800.00 Mahwelereng 500.00 500.00 Makwarela 500.00 500.00 Matangari 500.00 500.00 Mount Horeb 300.00 300.00 Polokwane 500.00 500.00 Seshego 500.00 500.00 Stuartville 500.00 500.00 800.00 5 700.00 6 500.00 11 MTHATHA Presbytery D V Skutshwa 400.00 400.00 Erskine 400.00 400.00 G T Vika 400.00 400.00 John Knox Bokwe 400.00 400.00 Khulani 400.00 400.00 Lower Ngqawara 400.00 400.00 Lower Rainy 400.00 400.00 Miller 400.00 400.00 S B Ngcobo 400.00 400.00 Sommerville 400.00 400.00 St Andrews 400.00 400.00 T P Finca 400.00 400.00 V V Dipa 400.00 400.00 William Gavin 400.00 400.00 Nuclear now Constituted Cong 400.00 400.00 0.00 6 000.00 6 000.00 15 SOUTHERN CAPE George Presby 1 145.00 1 145.00 REGIONAL COMM Knysna 500.00 500.00 Oudtshoorn 453.50 453.50 953.50 1 145.00 2 098.50 3 TRANSKEI Presbytery JL Sokupa 200.00 200.00 0.00 200.00 200.00 1 TSHWANE Presbytery Emmanuel 5 500.00 5 500.00 Mamelodi East 1 000.00 1 000.00 St Columba's, Hatfield 340.00 340.00 St Francis, Waterkloof 500.00 500.00 St Mark's, Moregloed 1 817.55 1 817.55 Trinity, Lynnwood 2 000.00 2 000.00 10 157.55 1 000.00 11 157.55 6 uTHUKELA Presbytery Msinga 4 040.00 4 040.00 Newcastle 2 000.00 2 000.00 2 000.00 4 040.00 6 040.00 2

162 TOTAL 2013 2014 July 2013- PRESBYTERY CONGREGATION Jul-Dec Jan-June June 2014 WESTERN CAPE Presbytery Bellville Presby 3 929.10 3 929.10 Darling 2 000.00 3 000.00 5 000.00 Mitchells Plain 400.00 400.00 Pinelands 1 845.00 1 845.00 Somerset W United 2 528.65 2 528.65 St Kiaran's, Fishhoek 600.00 600.00 Stellenbosch United 1 000.00 465.00 1 465.00 7 773.65 7 994.10 15 767.75 7 ZAMBIA Presbytery 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 ZIMBABWE Presbytery 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 SUB TOTAL 45 519.70 69 319.30 114 839.00 73 ASSOCIATIONS, TRUSTS, INDIVIDUAL DONORS WOMEN'S Amanzimtoti WF 500.00 500.00 ASSOCIATIONS Central Cape UPWF 500.00 500.00 St Barnabas' WF (eGoli) 300.00 300.00 500.00 800.00 1 300.00 3 MEN'S ASSOCIATIONS eGOLI MCG 1 300.00 1 300.00 0.00 1 300.00 1 300.00 1 YOUTH Youth Fellowship (Assembly) 2 500.00 2 500.00 2 500.00 2 500.00 1 TRUSTS Robert Niven Trust 31 515.31 31 515.31 Interest on RNT (backdated) 12 107.01 12 107.01 S Tabata (Residual) 10 819.19 10 819.19 St Columba's Trust 5 000.00 5 000.00 31 515.31 27 926.20 59 441.51 BUSINESSES AMS HADEN (R Haden Instr Services (Pty) Ltd) 46 000.00 46 000.00 IN MEMORY OF BRIAN HAWKSWORTH: Greg Mills 500.00 500.00 THEBE INVESTMENT CORP (PTY) LTD 10 000.00 10 000.00 David John 200.00 200.00 Mr Jefrey van Roen 1 000.00 1 000.00 Mr C Briggs 250.00 250.00 WM Simpkins 1 000.00 1 000.00 PM Udal 200.00 200.00 Allan and June Wentzel 500.00 500.00 The Samsons 200.00 200.00 K & J Simkins 2 000.00 2 000.00 NEIL and DAVID RODGER: The Rodger Family 500.00 500.00 16 350.00 16 350.00 INDIVIDUALS GR Jooste 200.00 160.00 360.00 200.00 160.00 360.00 SUB TOTAL 34 715.31 92 536.20 127 251.51 OVERALL TOTAL 80 235.01 115 855.50 242 090.51 The Trustees of the PEF thank all congregations, Presbyteries, Associations and individuals who have contributed to the Fund.

163 COMMUNICATIONS

The Communications Committee consists of the following members who were appointed at the 2014 General Assembly: The Revs. J Mokoena, MA Muller (convener), M Mzinyathi, and L Qina; Mr B Boshielo, Mrs G Kelly and Mr I Wilson.

Currently the key areas of involvement of the Committee are: a) Publishing the Presbyterian Link

The Presbyterian Link (PL) is published three times a year, namely Easter, just after the General Assembly/Executive Commission (August), and then at Christmas time. The PL strives to be a means of keeping our denomination informed of developments in the church in general; but more specifically from the point of view of the Moderator and the General Secretary. Our vision is to see this publication become a valued source of information and inspiration to its readers over time. Our greatest challenge is still the effective distribution of the PL. Due to the very high costs of printing and postage, distribution must be seen as a community effort. The electronic version of a PL is easily emailed to our members via their respective church offices. Presbyteries and local churches with photocopying and/or printing facilities can produce copies of the PL for those without email and those congregations who do not enjoy the benefit of such facilities. Once published the PL is placed on our website for viewing and downloading. The quality and nature of the content is also a community project. Every person’s input is welcomed. b) Managing the UPCSA Website

Our new church website, www.unitingpresbyterian.org, is almost complete. It represents the denomination on the internet and provides the UPCSA with a ‘worldwide’ platform from which to proclaim the Good News, provide information to the general public about the church and make known the church’s stance on issues relating to justice, ethics and other related societal matters. A dire shortage of ‘staff’ to maintain the content on the site has been the problem. Despite offers of help, no one has yet come forward. Besides presenting information, two features remain important: “Find a Congregation” and “the resource order forms”. It is hoped that in the near future we may be able to implement a PayPal system for the ordering of resources. c) The UPCSA Facebook Page

This is the denomination’s public space in the world of Social Media. It is slowly growing in the number of people who have “Liked” the page, thereby creating a link to it with their own Facebook page. This means that any activity on our page will be made known on their page. Currently our page is being very well administered by the Rev. A Combrink.

Meeting of the Committee The committee met on 12 March 2015 and the following matters were raised:

i) It was agreed that the Committee would press on with publishing the Presbyterian Link as it had since December 2013. Attention needed to be paid to distribution in the rural areas, where often the PL was not shared. The Committee discussed the possibility of Presbytery Clerks as well as Session Clerks being requested to take on the role as communications officers and to aid in the distribution of the PL, since they might know where assistance is required.

ii) Due to the lack of qualified staff to maintain the website, a budget allocation for training had been made and at least one other committee member along with an additional person would be sent for training in the WordPress environment.

iii) The Committee decided to explore the development of a smartphone application (also for iPhones) which would provide users with: • News about the church via a Push Service; • Calendar Events; and • Easy links to the Facebook Page and Website.

THE REV MIKE MULLER CONVENER

164 PROPOSALS

1. The Executive Commission receives the report.

2. The Executive Commission encourages Presbyteries and Congregations to assist in the effective distribution of the Presbyterian Link 3. The Executive Commission encourages Presbytery and Congregation members to submit articles to the Committee.

4. The Executive Commission instructs each Presbytery, if it has not yet done so, to appoint its Presbytery Clerk or some other suitable person as its Communications Officer, and to request this person to assist, where possible, with the distribution of the Presbyterian Link to congregations who do not have the ability to produce copies themselves.

5. The Executive Commission requests the Session of each Congregation to appoint its Clerk or some other suitable person as its Communications Officer, and to request that this person assist, where possible, with the distribution of the Presbyterian Link to members who may require a printed copy.

165 CHURCH ASSOCIATIONS COMMITTEE

Report to the Executive Commission 2015

Introduction

The Committee continues to carry out its objectives in order to fulfil its mandate as laid out in its terms of reference. This period from the last General Assembly had been a busy one as members of this committee were fully occupied with the work of the Working Group of the General Assembly on Associations. Work of the Committee

The Committee through the Convener has been invited and attended the conferences of all Associations and communicated the decision of the 2014 General Assembly related to Associations. All Associations have welcomed the decision of establishing a Working Group to unite them in terms of the Basis of Union. Conferences of all Associations have pledged their commitment to this process and have all submitted their representatives as asked by the General Assembly. CAC prays and hopes that this matter will now be resolved once and for all so that Associations can now be able to focus on what they were established for in the first place, to TELL THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE WORLD.

The UPWF and MCG have had their elective conferences in August and September 2014 respectively. It is with interest to note that the MCG had representatives of Men’s Association all the way from Kenya in East Central Africa. This is a great opportunity for the Southern African Christian men to learn from other African Christian brothers in the continent.

It accords me a great pleasure to report that as agreed Associations have now aligned their objectives with the Mission and Vision statement of the Denomination. Their activities are now concentrated on Evangelism in order to fulfil their main objective which is “to present Jesus as Lord and Saviour and extend the Kingdom of God” to the citizens of Southern Africa.

Constitutional amendments

In 2014 General Assembly there were some annexures regarding to Constitutional Amendments that were not included in the Assembly papers and it was agreed that they be referred to the Executive Commission. The Committee is still engaging those Associations which had constitutional amendments with the purpose of delaying this pending the outcome of the Working Group.

Conclusion

Due to the work of the General Assembly Working Group on Association, at the time of writing this report Associations except the youth fellowship had not submitted their reports. All these reports will be included in the supplementary report. . THE REV M.L. MSHUMPELA CONVENER

PROPOSALS

1. Executive Commission receives the report.

2. Executive Commission notes the work of the Committee.

166 ECUMENICAL RELATIONSHIPS

Report to Executive Commission 2015

1. INTRODUCTION

The ERC held two meetings since the last General Assembly. The first meeting focused on the handing and taking over between the outgoing and incoming Conveners and on the implementation of the 2014 General Assembly resolutions. The members of this committee are religiously committed to attend the meetings and support the work of the committee. The members are Rev L Mpetsheni (Convener), Rt Rev M Ramulondi (Moderator), Rev Dr R Munthali (Moderator Designate) Rev Z Mtyhobile, Rev P Nkosi, Rev G Msiska, Rev T Chilanga, Rev M Pataki, Rev R Armstrong, Rev P Nyawuza, Mr TW Coulter, Mr M Kwenje and Ms E White. The ERC resolved to invited and associate Rev Dr RM Munthali, the Moderator Designate. He already participates in the ERC meetings.

The first part of the report is a due diligence report, covering the implementation of the General Assembly resolutions. The report goes on to discuss ecumenical developments in Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, mentioning highlights of what is taking place in the three countries. The report further discusses the global ecumenical forums that the UPCSA is a member of, ending with a discussion on the bilateral relations with other churches.

2. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2014 GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECISIONS

2.1 Translation of Accra Confession. The ERC, through the General Secretary, asked Presbyteries and the Synod of Zambia to assist with the translations into the respective languages, as follows: 2.1.1 Tshivenda and Sepedi to be coordinated by Limpopo Presbytery. 2.1.2 Setswana, SiSwati and Afrikaans to be coordinated by the Tshwane Presbytery. 2.1.3 Sesotho to be coordinated by the Free State Presbytery. 2.1.4 IsiZulu to be coordinated by eThekwini Presbytery. 2.1.5 IsiXhosa to be coordinated by Amathole Presbytery. 2.1.6 Shona and Ndebele to be coordinated by the Zimbabwe Presbytery. 2.1.7 Zambia Presbytery to consult broadly and decide as a Synod which languages would be applicable.

Once all the translators are identified and the office is informed, a workshop will be convened for all to understand the spirit and context of the Confession, which will assist immensely towards the good quality of translation. It is hoped that by the time the Executive Commission meets, the workshop will have been conducted and deadlines for the submission of the translations set. In that case an additional report will be presented verbally in the Executive Commission.

2.2 Contributions towards the Work of the SACC. The ERC ensured that contributions were made towards the SACC work. The UPCSA participated in and paid towards the process of SACC Renewal that took place on 27 November 2014.

2.3 Conveners of Presbyteries’ Ecumenical Relations Committees. The General Secretary sent a circular to the Presbyteries requesting them to send information that may be of good assistance in the management and maintenance of the partnerships. The responses are still awaited.

2.4 Initiating Talks on Unity with UCCSA. The Moderator and the General Secretary held a meeting with the President, General Secretary and General Treasurer of the UCCSA at Joseph Wing Building (UCCSA Central Office) on 23 January 2015. The Moderator tabled the resolution of the UPCSA 2014 General Assembly. The official of the UCCSA welcomed the idea with much appreciation, stating that they have been waiting upon the UPCSA to initiate the discussions. It was agreed that the two churches need to set up teams to direct the negotiations further. The UCCSA officials presented a report on this matter to their Executive Committee. The matter was accepted and the Executive Committee resolved to urge all their structures (including the associations) to be ready and open to engage the corresponding structures of the UPCSA towards the attainment of the ideal. A letter is sent to the two churches under the signatures of the two General Secretaries. The UPCSA Executive Commission should therefore appoint a team of negotiators to work with the UCCSA team and ask the church structures to cooperate with the corresponding structures of the UCCSA.

2.5 Engagement and Partnership with other Reformed Churches in Southern Africa. The ERC is engaged with the work of building relations with the churches, as advised. The strategy adopted included the following:

2.5.1 The Synod of Zambia and the Presbytery of Zimbabwe were encouraged to identify and start

167 engaging churches within the two countries that we may open discussions with. The United Church of Zambia (UCZ) and the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) are some of the churches the UPCSA is going to work with 2.5.2 The United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of South Africa (EPCSA) will be given priority. See item 9 below for more info on EPCSA. 2.5.3 The UPCSA will continue the journey already started with Dutch Reformed family and General Secretary will work in conjunction with Rev Prof Pillay in this regard. This work has to be approached with great circumspect, due to the dynamics of the discussions between the two churches. 2.5.4 Ministers are encouraged to capitalise on and optimise the relations with colleagues that were established during training at the respective universities and seminaries, and in other environments. 2.5.5 Theological institutions, including Justo Mwale and United Theological College should be encouraged to promote ecumenism in/trough their curricula and otherwise. 2.5.6 Encourage all the structures of the church to engage with the corresponding structures of the churches that the UPCSA has relations with, especially CUC churches.

2.6 Letters to Rev Dr Setri Nyomi, Rev Gevers and Rev Barnard Congratulatory letters have been sent to these servants of God, as per the decision of the General Assembly.

3. ECUMENICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN ZAMBIA, ZIMBABWE AND SOUTH AFRICA

3.1 ZAMBIA This part of the report covers ecumenical activities for the Church in Zambia, covering the period January 2014 to March 2015. The report discusses issues on TEEZ, Justo Mwale Theological University College, Council of Churches in Zambia, Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation and the Memorandum of Understanding with the Presbytery of Philadelphia of PC(USA).

3.1.1 Theological Education by Extension in Zambia (TEEZ). The UPCSA is actively involved in the management of the organization. Currently the Synod of Zambia Moderator, the Rev Jane Nyirongo holds the office of the Vice Chairperson, Elder Timothy Chiumia is the Secretary General and Elder Fresher Maphiri is one of the Trustee members. The representatives attended all the Executive and bi-annual Committee meetings, including the recent one which was held in February, 2015. The organization has employed a new Executive Director with effect from 2014. The Executive Director now is the Rev Ackson Banda who comes from the Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ).

The UPCSA through the Synod of Zambia has paid K8, 500.00 out of the K10, 000.00 towards the purchase of the utility vehicle for the organization. The purpose of the vehicle is to enhance training programmes in rural areas. The balance of the money need to be paid by June 2015.

The Council of the Synod of Zambia has resolved to make the programmes of the TEEZ compulsory to members of our Church, especially those vying for leadership positions in the Church. This is to encourage and empower our members with basic theological knowledge for effective service delivery.

3.1.2 Justo Mwale Theological University College (JMTUC) The Rev Sauros Phaika, Rev Edward Chirwa and the Secretary of the Ministry Committee of General Assembly sit on the Board of the institution. The University College has also introduced many programmes for the youth and women, which are open to all members of the participating churches and to the community. The UPCSA students are in good health and are doing well on school programmes and weekend church activities, as all are allocated to Congregations for weekend attachments.

3.1.3 Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) The UPCSA involvement with the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) is good. The Moderator attended all meetings for Heads of Churches and she represented the Church (UPCSA – Synod of Zambia) to some of the international gatherings. Many members and ministers of our Church are participating in different programmes of the institution in different departments and levels in our communities, but of particular interest are the programmes for Social and Economic Justice Committee. Through this Committee, the Churches speak in a prophetic voice to the government and to the mining industry, which is still the base of the Zambian economy.

In quest of opening new mines and job creation, most rural people have been displaced from their native land and have been relocated to new places with minimal compensations. There are huge environmental injustices. Air and water pollution is increasing every day at the expense of human health. Big potions of land are sold to prospective investors, thereby denying the rights of its citizens to own land, and many other issues.

168 In view of the above, it is gratifying to note that the Churches under the umbrella of the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) have taken a critical role of advocacy. The Church has carried out many seminars, sensitizing the traditional leaders, workers, Church leaders and the general public through news-letters, robing the Non-Government Organizations (NGO) and Government departments in the mining areas, and the rest of the country about issues of human rights, environmental justice, better conditions of its workers and many more.

The Synod of Zambia has paid the affiliation fees to the institution up to date.

3.1.4 Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation (MEF) The UPCSA, through the Synod, is also a member of Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation (MEF). Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation is now owned by the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) and the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC). The institution offers a variety of courses to benefit the citizens.

3.1.5 Memorandum with the Presbytery of Philadelphia of the PC(USA) and the Synod of Zambia As reported in the previous report, we are pleased to tell the Committee that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed involving three Churches, the UPCSA – Synod of Zambia, the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) and the Presbytery of Philadelphia. NOTE: The ERC observed the usage of the name Presbyterian Church of Zambia in the aforementioned MOU. The Moderator and the General Secretary were asked to follow this matter up with the Synod of Zambia, as it perceptively leaves confusion and may affect the unity of the church.

3.1.6 Translation of the Accra Confession and the Ten Questions on Baptism The Council Meeting of March 2015 resolved and assigned the Education and Training Committee to do the work with urgency it deserves. Names of people who will do the work would be communicated to the General Secretary. NOTE: It is hoped that by the time the Executive Commission meets, the matter would be settled.

3.1.7 Letters from the Moderator and General Secretary The UPCSA community in Zambia expressed sincere gratitude to the General Assembly Moderator, the Rt Rev Mukondeleri Ramulondi and the General Secretary, the Rev Lungile Mpetsheni on their timely letters to comfort the people of Zambia during the period of national mourning and to congratulate the people of Zambia on the peaceful manner in which the elections leading the current president were done. Those letters were circulated to all Presbyteries, so that messages from our leaders could be disseminated to its members. The community further thanks the Moderator for attending as the head of the UPCSA the funeral of the late President Sata.

3.2 ZIMBABWE

This part of the report covers the ecumenical developments in Zimbabwe. It touches on the beneficiaries of the partnerships, partnerships with Denver Presbytery, Church of Scotland and United Reformed Church, affiliations to ecumenical bodies, and Outreach Foundation.

3.2.1 Partnerships. The following congregations and institutions of the presbytery of Zimbabwe are benefiting from Presbytery of Zimbabwe partners: Lomagundi, Mbare, Highfield, St Peters Gweru, St Andrews – Bulawayo, Budiriro, Schools Trust and Church and society. From time to time, these institution and congregations will be asked to give reports that will be incorporated into the ERC Reports to each presbytery council meeting and ultimately to the General Assembly ERC.

3.2.2 Cerebrating 10th year anniversary partnership with Denver. The Presbytery partnership with Presbytery of Denver is reaching 10 years. The Presbytery of Zimbabwe is in the process of organising the tenth anniversary cerebrations at a place, date and time to be chosen and confirmed. The Presbytery of Denver will send representatives of their Presbytery to the cerebration. The Presbytery ERC proposed that this should be done during the family gathering camp that is being organised by the Associations committee of the presbytery of Zimbabwe. The Presbytery hosted Rev Stanley Jewell from the Presbytery of Denver who was on Sabbatical Leave, serving at High Field Congregation from the 17th of February 2015 to 17th of March 2015.

3.2.3 Our partnership with Church of Scotland. The Presbytery partnership with the Church of Scotland is going well. Church and Society Committee of the Presbytery was given funds for chicken project at Lovemore and Rev Chilanga received scholarship to study Master of Science degree in development studies at the Women University in Africa.

3.2.4 Partnership with United Reformed Church (URC). The Presbytery MOU with URC needs to be looked into and be revised. The Moderator of URC, Mr John Ellis is due to visit Zimbabwe on the 17th of April 2015 until the 20th of April 2015. He will be in Bulawayo, during the time the Moderator of our General Assembly visited Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

3.2.5 Ecumenical Bodies. The Presbytery plans to appoint representatives to the following Ecumenical bodies: Christian Care, Bible Society, Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Heads of Denominations

169 (H.O.D) and PC(USA) (for the maintenance of relations with the structures in this church). 3.2.6 Outreach Foundation (PC(USA) Charity Organisation. Members of the Outreach Foundation are coming to Zimbabwe to visit our Church and Society programme and the CCAP, from the 27 of April to the 1st of May. NOTE: An updated report will be given verbally in the Executive Commission.

3.3 SOUTH AFRICA

This part of the report covers the life and work in the South African ecumenical sphere. It presents the work of the SACC, which has had some difficulties recently. The CUC is worth following, as it deals with interesting issues of church unity. A word is said about the Conventus Reformatus XVII. More on this will be covered in the next report, after receiving information from the attendees of the last meeting. Lastly, a reference is made to para church organisations.

3.3.1 South African Council of Churches (SACC). The rededication of Khotso House Chapel and the renewal of the SACC were conducted were held on 27 November 2014. A lot of information on the life and work of the SACC is in the document entitled “Khotso House Update to Members of the SACC NEC NCLF” that is attached as an appendix. The SACC also released two statements regarding 1) Press release on the release of Mr Mandela and 2) Statement on political intolerance in South Africa, following the 12 February Parliamentary incident.

a. National Church Leaders Forum. The Forum consisting of the heads of SACC member churches was launched in a meeting held on 24 March 2015. Archbishop Thabo Makgoba was elected chairperson and Rev Prof Plaatjies van Huffel as deputy chairperson. Among others the meeting looking into the following matters:

i. Khotso House Ownership. The Presidium has to look at different option regarding the ownership of Khotso House. ii. Poverty Issue. For 2015 – 2015, concentration should be given on education and the youth, as a way of addressing poverty eradication. iii. On the National Crisis. The meeting unanimously agreed that stern action has to be taken for the church to claim its prophetic position and encourage prophetic action. A note was made of distinctions like “Palace prophets”, “Church in the palace” and “Church in the chapel”, all that attesting to a sad reality of a divided church in South Africa. It was agreed to hold a policy conference to coincide with the date of the Central Committee in September 2015. Meanwhile, churches are urged to continue praying for the situation in RSA which contributes among others to high poverty levels. The following dates/events are to be used for special prayers: i) Good Friday/Easter Services, ii) 26 April 2015 a day before the 21st Anniversary of the SA democratic elections, and iii) Pentecost Day

b. Letter on Severance Arrangements with Rev Pataki. A letter with the signature of the SACC President was received explaining the settlement made between the SACC and Rev Pataki towards the severance of the ties between the two. Rev Pataki also acknowledged and confirmed the contents of the letter. The ERC however resolved to voice its disquiet to the SACC regarding the manner in which the matter was dealt with. It took a lot of pushing and reminding before the letter was sent to the UPCSA, since the Moderator and the General wanted to establish the facts, so as to have the matter put to rest.

c. Observations of Doctrinal Inconsistencies. The ERC members also made observations of doctrinal variations in the statement of the SACC. Of particular note is the phrase: “As we invoke the spirit of Nelson Mandela, our Ancestor of Hope…” The invocation of the spirit of the dead and reference to the ancestor of hope were found to be inconsistent with the Christian doctrine. The use of the name of Mr Nelson Mandela is deemed to be troublesome, as he is not viewed in the same manner by all. d. Letter to the SACC for Audience with the Presidium. Thus the General Secretary was asked to write to the SACC asking for audience with the Presidium where the Moderator and the Gensec will express concerns on the following issues: a) doctrine as reflected in the SACC statement, b) how the SACC used the names of political leaders in statements e.g. Mr Mandela, c) we are not treated as equal members when it comes to the release of statements, and d) the matter relating to Rev Pataki. NOTE: It is hoped that a report on this matter will be presented to the Executive Commission.

3.3.2 National Church Leaders Consultation. Note the extract from the invitation from Arch Bishop Makgoba: “I am writing to you in my capacity as the Chairman of the Church Leaders Consultation but also as an Executive in Residence at the Wits Business School, to an interfaith gathering on 20 May 2015 to be held at the Wits Business between 18h00 and 20h00. The theme of the gathering is “Non Nobils Solum Nati Sumus – Not for Ourselves Alone”. I would like us to wrestle with the following questions:

1. Is Religion a Context for Violence?

170 2. Where to from here together?”

The Moderator Designate will represent the UPCSA, since the Moderator and the General Secretary will be in Scotland for the General Assembly. NOTE: An updated report will be given at the Executive Commission.

3.3.3 Church Unity Commission (CUC). CUC held two meetings during the period under review. Some of the areas of concern include the following:

a. Membership of the CUC. The CUC has to consider opening its membership to other churches. Currently, some churches have observer status.

b. CUC Documents for Institutional Memory. CUC has requested member churches to submit copies of all the resolutions that have ever been taken with regard to CUC matters. This is done to preserve institutional memory for the organisation. The UPCSA is working on this. By the time the Executive Commission sits, this information will be in the CUC office.

c. Ministry in the International Airports. Churches are encouraged to participate in the International Airports ministry. The UPCSA will approach Highveld Presbytery for OR Tambo, eThekwini Presbytery for King Shaka Airport and Western Cape Presbytery for Cape Town Airport. d. Marriage Officers and Home Affairs. The CUC is in constant engagement with the Home Affairs department over the issue of marriage officers. This is an ongoing debate.

e. Week of Prayer Material. This material has been circulated to the UPCSA for use.

f. Relationships between established United Churches and Regional Leadership. There is growing concern about the relationships between the Regional Leaderships (Presbyteries in the UPCSA context) with the United Churches. It is encouraged that the Leadership should acquaint themselves with CUC Constitution and enrich the unity of the church in their areas of jurisdiction. This includes oversight of ministers in the United Churches and attending important services that are held in the United Churches, eg licensing/ordination services and celebration of unity.

g. Unity and Mission Consultation. The second Unity and Mission Consultation is being planned as follows: i. Suggested dates: 16-18 August 2016 ii. Venue: Randpark Ridge United Church in Gauteng iii. Suggested Keynote Speakers - a variety including the Pentecostals and Charismatics. The names will be announced as soon as consent is received from speakers. iv. Theme: “What will the Church look like in 2040?” The theme will be helped by considering the recent books: “Nuwe Drome” and “Nuwe Leiers” by Dr Nelus Niemand and “The Church Jesus Prayed for” by Michael Cassidy. In addition to that, topics of Theological Training and Formation are considered vital to the topic. v. Regional Consultations will take place in 2015

h. Trajectories of Unity i. Co-operation in Ministry and Mission at Local Level ii. Development of common Preaching and Liturgical Resources iii. Co-operation in Training of students and Post-ordination training – planned meeting iv. Development and strengthening Centres of Hope v. Doctrine Committee - Ministry of oversight and other doctrinal issues - Western Cape focus

3.3.4 CONVENTUS REFORMATUS XVII A meeting of Conventus Reformatus XVII was held in Pretoria on 3 to 5 Mach 2015. The UPCSA could not attend and extended apology. There will be celebrations in 2017.

3.3.5 Worship Conference. Ekklesia organised a Worship Conference that was held at Somerset West over the period 17 to 19 March 2015. This was organised in the style of similar conference that is from time to time held at Grand Rapids. Approximately 25 members of the UPCSA attended the conference, including seven (7) members from the ERC. The Committee recommends that the Faith and Order Committee should harvest some of the ideas shared at the conference for incorporation in the worship life of the UPCSA.

171 4. COUNCIL FOR WORLD MISSION

4.1 Economy of Life Colloquia. CWM has planned a series of 3 colloquia on economy of life for each region. The economy of life is based on the Sao Paulo statement that was circulated to the church. The first round for Africa region was in Namibia on 16 – 20 January 2015. The next round will be in Madagascar on 27 – 31 July 2015. The third and final round will be announced in Madagascar. UPCSA representatives are Rev Jane Nyirongo, Rev Melanie Cook, Rev John Mokoena, Rev Lungile Mpetsheni, Mr Munya Kwenje and Mr Geoff Jooste. It has been urged that churches should strive for consistency and not change the representatives, for the sake of continuity. The teams were tasked to work out implementation plans in their respective environments. A representative will present to the Consultation of Moderators, Clerks and Treasurers.

4.2 Team Visit Programmes. CWM has embarked on a five year programme to assess the performance of member churches in establishing and developing missional congregations. Member churches have been asked to identify their preferred visit dates and also forward five names of members that will participate in the visit teams. I submitted visits dates in November 2016 or March 2017. The following names were sent to participate in the visit teams: Rev Dr George Marchinkowski, Rev Jane Nyirongo, Rev Melanie Cook, Rev Zwai Mtyhobile and Rev Tinashe Chemvumi.

4.3 2016 CWM General Assembly. The 2016 CWM General Assembly will take place in the Republic of South Korea on 19 – 23 June 2016. This will be preceded by the meeting of the Executive Committee on 9 – 13 June, and the Council on 13 – 16 June. A letter of invitation and detailed information is still awaited.

4.4 Training in Mission (TIM). Khulumani Mahlangu, originally from Zimbabwe but currently residing in the Western Cape, has attended TIM 2015, hosted by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and Kiribati Uniting Church from 6 March to 12 December 2015.

4.5 CWM Face to Face Programme. Ms Shingirai Eunice Masunda Face to Face Netherlands 12 April to 23 May 2015. Another opportunity has been availed for later in the year and the Ministry Secretary will identify a candidate.

4.6 Capacity Building Funds. The UPCSA benefited from the CWM funds towards the Inclusive Youth Ministry that was held on 29 – 31 January 2015 and the Consultation for women in the ordained ministry that was held on 3 – 5 March 2015. The reports for both events have been sent.

5. WORLD COMMUNION OF REFORMED CHRISTIANS (WCRC)

WCRC held an event to mark the tenth anniversary of the Accra Confession in Hannover, Germany, 3-5 November 2014. The following is an extract from the correspondence from the WCRC: “A recent global consultation marking the 10th anniversary of the Accra Confession is recommending that the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), its member churches and ecumenical partners should work to address economic and environmental injustices ‘in a more integrated manner that analyses and responds to these unjust social, political and economic realities’.”

6. AFRICA COMMUNION OF REFORMED CHRISTIANS (ACRC)

ACRC held a consultation to mark the 10th anniversary of the Accra Confession in Nairobi, Kenya on 22 to 25 September 2014. ACRC Southern Africa sub region took a decision to organise its own consultation that will focus on the same subject and on reviving the reformed family life in the sub region. The initial date of March 2015 was not practical. The dates will be set for the second semester of 2015, subject to confirmation by the member churches. The member churches have been asked to submit their events in the second semester, so that the organisers may identify dates that are likely to be conducive for all.

7. WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES (WCC)

The WCC announced the following events to be followed by all: 7.1 Seven Weeks for Water: 16 February to 5 April 2015 (inclusive of the Lent period). The 2015 theme is “Towards water justice: A pilgrim of justice and peace”. 7.2 A week of prayer for Christian Unity: 17 – 24 May 2015. The theme will be “Jesus said to her, ‘give me to drink’”.

8. ALL AFRICA CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES (AACC)

The AACC has not communicated so much, since the last General Assembly. The 2014 Annual Report and

172 the statement from the Zambia Council of Churches were circulated to the church.

9. BILATERAL RELATIONS

The ERC has over the period attend to the following matters on bilateral relations:

9.1 Evangelical Presbyterian Church of South Africa (EPCSA) Synod.

The General Secretary attended the Synod of the EPCSA and conveyed fraternal greetings. The EPCSA extended an open invitation to the UPCSA to its 140 Anniversary that will be held over the period 8 to 12 July 2015. The members of the UPCSA have been encouraged to attend. The EPCSA has been invited to attend and/or to send fraternal delegates to the UPCSA Executive Commission. The EPCSA appointed Rev TDY Sombhane as the General Secretary, following the death of the previous General Secretary. Rev Sombhane paid a courtesy call to the UPCSA Central Office. Together with the UPCSA General Secretary, they made a commitment to work towards improved relations between the two churches.

9.2 United Congregational Church in Southern Africa.

The relations with UPCSA have been discussed above. In addition to that, the two churches have agreed to work together on issues related to CWM. Also, the General Secretary wrote a letter to the meeting of the South African Synod of the UCCSA, wishing the well.

9.3 Church of Scotland General Assembly.

The Moderator of the General Assembly and the General Secretary have been invited to attend the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland over the period 15 to 22 May 2015. The General Secretary will also spend few days thereafter for orientation and strengthening relations with the Church.

9.4 Presbytery and Congregational relationships/partnerships with structures of other Denominations.

The ERC reemphasised the need to have information on the relationships/partnerships that the structures of the UPCSA enjoy with the structures of other denominations. This will help keep the officials of the church abreast of the developments and be able to engage with the members of those churches when they meet in the ecumenical fora that they attend. The General Secretary is waiting for responses from the Presbyteries to a circular that had been sent addressing the issue.

CONVENER THE REV L MPETSHENI

PROPOSALS

1. The Executive Commission receives the report.

2. The Executive Commission asks the Nominations Committee to nominate a team of negotiators to work with the UCCSA team.

3. The Executive Commission encourages the UPCSA structures to cooperate with the corresponding structures of the UCCSA, within the parameters that will be set by the negotiating teams.

4. That the Executive Commission encourages all the structures of the church to engage with the corresponding structures of the churches that the UPCSA has relations with.

5. That the Executive Commission notes the ecumenical developments in South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

6. That the Executive Commission notes that ties between the SACC and Rev M Pataki were severed.

7. That the Executive Commission notes the continued involvement of the UPCSA with the CWM and other ecumenical bodies.

8. That the Executive Commission congratulates the EPCSA for the 140 years of existence and asks the Moderator and the General Secretary to represent the UPCSA in the celebrations. (T)

173 APPENDIX A

SACC CONDEMNS GROWING INTOLERANCE AND PREJUDICE

Friday February 13, 2015.

The South African Council of Churches decries the fast growing social and political cancer of intolerance, prejudice, impunity and mutual disrespect. The events of this week are particularly alarming, and should waken us all to the urgency of a turn-around if this country is to live up to its promise, founded on the values of our nation, embodied in the person of Nelson Mandela. In this context, on Wednesday February 11, the SACC and the Nelson Mandela Foundation collaborated with the Constitutional Court to mark the celebrated release from 27 years of imprisonment, of Mr Nelson Mandela. On this day we also recognized that 47 ago the dismantling of District 6 in Cape Town began on the same date of February. Even as we listened to Chief Justice Mogoeng extolling the virtues of the South African constitution; and as we followed Archbishop Makgoba leading a pledge to uphold the Madiba's values: To liberate all people from the continuing bondage of poverty, depravation, suffering, gender and every other discrimination. And to join the New Struggle for Social Cohesion and end of inequality.

...The wires were reporting that the SRC of the Durban University of Technology was calling for the expulsion of Jewish students from the university because they held different views on the Israeli- Palestinian conflict.

The previous weeks Gauteng Province was engulfed in xenophobic campaigns against non-South African traders in our communities, an exaggerated and indiscriminate response to the criminal shooting of a teenager by a Somali trader in Soweto.

It was against this backdrop that the nation watched in shock, the unprecedented developments at the State of the Nation Address in the National Parliament. We had been encouraged by Pastor Ray McCauly's initiative to broker an agreement between the ANC and the EFF over procedures for the day. It is clear to us that a much more thoroughgoing engagement and intervention is urgently required to look at the fundamental issues and practices that are dragging the country and its institutions onto a slippery slope.

As the SACC we are gravely dismayed by the Thursday developments in parliament, which threaten to undermine the foundations of our democracy; and calls for a cooling of temperatures for to explore ways of taking forward the efforts that can ensure that the centre holds.

We are alarmed by the growing racial, ethnic and potentially religious signs of intolerance and prejudice manifest in the xenophobic clashes in Gauteng, the possibly ethnic differences underlying the Malamulele debacle that keeps children from school, and the apparent anti-Semitic tendencies behind the position of the SRC in Durban.

As we invoke the spirit of Nelson Mandela, our Ancestor of Hope, we call on the organs of State and Civil Society to help nip this cancer in the bud, and look at it as a trend that may get out of hand to plunge the country into an unmanageable social discord. To this end the SACC will itself be exploring with relevant parties, initiatives towards meaningful solutions.

No one should think that this does not affect them. The social and political cancer of intolerance, prejudice, impunity and mutual disrespect is, tragically, reaching out to all aspects of South African society. The message of Pastor Martin Niemoller during Nazi Germany comes alive for us today:

"First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist; Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew; Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak out for me".

BISHOP MALUSI MPUMLWANA SACC ACTING GENERAL SECRETARY [email protected] 0760417244;

174 APPENDIX B

To: Members of the NEC and Leaders of Member Churches From: Rt. Rev'd Malusi Mpumlwana, Acting General Secretary, SACC. Subject: Request for the First Quarter NEC meeting, and Update with Submissions for Urgent Consideration. Date: February 23, 2015

Dear Leaders of the Oikoumenē,

Compliments of 2015, with the greater hope that this will indeed be the year of our visitation! I write to brief the leadership on a few matters - Khotso House Refurbishment with pressing considerations; National Office staffing, with decisions to be made; engagement with the ANC, the Presidency of the Republic; and the general national political scene. In addition we need to conclude on the outstanding matter of the leadership of SACC National Church Leaders Forum decided last year by the Central Committee, and postponed last October. The update is thus intended for both the NEC members and heads of member churches.

With this update is a request for two meetings towards the end of March - NEC Monday March 23: 10h00 - 16h00, and Church Leaders Tuesday March 24: 10h00 - 15h00. Kindly consider the matters raised here in that light. We are also proposing a calendar of meetings for the rest of the year, for your kind consideration, so that when we meet in session, we can visit those dates and make adjustments as your individual calendars instruct, with room for negotiation for mutual accommodation. The proposed calendar is at the bottom of this update.

1. Khotso House:

As we all know, our office has been in meetings with Kagiso Trust to implement our agreement for the refurbishment of Khotso House. You will recall that Kagiso generously increased their offering from R6 million to R8 million, this to accommodate the high professional services costs of architects and other technical services to get the project underway, for we are actually supposed to employ these services. We met with professionals, assisted by Thebe Holdings, another friendly organization, thanks to Kagiso leadership. We told the technical people we wanted them to quote on what it would take to make Khotso House a top-end real estate to fetch handsome revenues for the SACC. They came back to us with a quote of just under R20 million! Even with a Kagiso start of R8 million, we were not half way there! What then could we do? So we asked them to abandon the idea of a top-end real estate, and just do a basic face lift. They said yes they would, but that most of the primary things are just to make our building compliant in terms of present day regulations. We said fine, do that and get back to us; guess what, it came to some R15 million - that against Kagiso's R8 million? SACC would have to come up with the balance. Of this R15 million, R4 million would be recovered from the tenant that comes in. And thus the minimum that we needed to guarantee immediately was R11 million, of which R8 million was on soft loan through Kagiso Trust. This means that as we speak, the SACC must come up with at the very least, R3 million to arrive at R11 million. This in the hope that along the way a tenant will kick in with the necessary R4 million. Otherwise the SACC should be looking at a balance of some R12 million, if we are to realize the idea of a top end rental revenue stream. The challenge is that, the work needs to be authorized to begin end of February, if not, we risk escalation that will only increase our liability. On your behalf, I have had to give assurance to the partners, that the SACC cannot fail to raise at least the first R3 million (can we??). I propose that we do not abandon the idea of the top end real estate for good revenues into the future. You only have one shot at this, with the kind of hand-holding support we have from Kagiso Trust. I make bold to challenge us to think creatively on this. Here are some ideas to think around as action options:

1. Member-Church Ownership of Khotso House: One option is for the SACC leadership to decide to make Khotso House a property co-owned with member churches, so that what profits it will make, will yield some dividends for member-church shareholders. The building was evaluated at some R15 million, and after R20 million upliftment, it should be worth no less than R40 million. Leadership can decide to open this offer to a wider range of friendly-minded organizations in terms of values - Manyanos or Lay Associations of member churches, etc. Even Kagiso itself could conceivably purchase shares. The projected annual revenue of the building is in the order of R5 million. We have yet to do a full analysis of rate of return, which we shall have done by the time NEC meets. If, in principle, the NEC and NCLF were open to considering this, we should then be able to give you the proximate numbers of revenue streams. I believe it would be a worthwhile investment, not just a charitable act, even though it is indeed one, for we are in desperate need!

2. Approaching the Markets: If the churches would not buy, nor approve the option just proposed, then we have to go to the commercial banks to raise capital at whatever premium. This will be tough as we are not in good standing, given the record of our financials, and we would not have an immediate guarantee of revenue to service the debt from day one.

175 3. The Lottery: The third option, which may not go down well with every member church, is to approach the National Lotteries Board for assistance with our capital shortfall. This would require the sanction of the leadership, hence your consideration. We request NEC and NCLF to attend urgently, to the matter of our part of the financing without which we cannot begin the refurbishment project.

2. SACC National & Provincial Office Staffing: In order to make the national office function we need to staff it with a core operational staff of no more than 10, to drive the work and maintain Khotso House, while we strengthen the provincial offices with the hiring of key institutional drivers in each province:

1. Provincial Staff: As discussed in the strategic plan, we need to make for coherence of SACC identity and national offering. To achieve that, we need to be sure that we have a common financial and program accountability. We are less likely to achieve that if we do not employ the critical positions in all provinces. Otherwise we shall have as many stand-alone SACC's as there are provinces, common only in their surname - SACC. This is something that needs be taken up and agreed with Provincial Executive Committees, and maybe have the Central Committee consider authorizing the inclusion of provincial chairpersons into the NEC, also to recognize that the real work of the SACC is in the regions of the provinces. The three key provincial positions are: 1. Ecumenical Officer / Provincial Secretary (whatever title they go by); 2. The Finance Officer and 3. The Ministries Officer (Program Officer).

2. Head office: In its heyday the SACC had over 50 personnel. Today we seek to have our effectiveness through provincial ministrations, led and coordinated from the national secretariat. The proposed staff complement is as follows: 1. The General Secretary (to be recruited, paid by SACC) 2. PA to the GS (to be recruited, paid by SACC) 3. Research Officer (recruited and paid by SACC, for the Council to operate from an informed position, & to liaise with research institutions on key areas of in-depth and coordinated research.) 4. The Secretariat Manager: a hold-all point person and sort of Chief of Staff/Company Secretary person (Barbara Manthata, salary donated by Safika Holdings) 5. The Administration, HR & Finance Manager (Current Libertas Property Manager, paid by Libertas) 6. A Bookkeeper (to be recruited and paid by SACC - possibly shared with SACC Gauteng) 7. The Director of Ministries & Provincial Liaison (Rev Gift Moerane seconded and for first 12 months paid by Gauteng) 8. The Director of Marketing & Communication (Currently on short term volunteer basis, Ms. Shirley Koaho, donated for now but soon paid by SACC) 9. Admin Assistant-cum-Receptionist (Current Mrs Martha Thaga at Libertas, paid by Libertas) 10. General Assistant (Current Mr Joseph Vilanculo, paid by Libertas for the property, but could also be SACC handyman)

The matter of the Libertas staff needs some motivation and explanation. Since the retrenchment of SACC staff, the Libertas staff led by Property Manager Ms Puleng Zulu have partnered with the Gauteng Council's staff led by Rev. Gift Moerane, to work with Ms Rinel Hugo to give a modicum of a living SACC management, with Ms Zulu serving as unofficial SACC finance manager. Since the NEC has now moved to bring the ownership of Khotso House into the books of SACC by way of SACC assuming 100% shareholding of Libertas, the Libertas staff have become much more institutionally associated with the SACC. In addition, as we work for Khotso House to have reduced number of tenants, if not a single big one, there should be less management demand in absence of a multi-client portfolio of tenants. In this context we propose that Ms Zulu becomes the Manager for Administration, Human Resources and Finance of the SACC, supported by a bookkeeper who will in the short term (some ten months), be assisted by the donated support from Deloitte. This is, of course, a broader mandate for Ms Zulu, but well within her capacity and experience.

I have asked Ms Zulu to work out a draft stipends schedule with Deloitte help, for all these positions, taking account of where they currently are, and where they may have been had there been modest adjustments at SACC over time. I want her to draft the wage budget as though we are actually paying all these people, instead of donated or seconded services. In fact, Safika Holdings requires us to say how much in our system, we are to pay Mrs Manthata, so that they can peg their donation in that context. We are urgently looking therefore, at the basic working conditions that we should offer, which need your urgent considerations, from there we shall seek to secure the wherewithal to go forward. But most certainly we propose that the NEC humbly requests Gauteng and Libertas to donate or second the services of their personnel for the first 12 months while we are finding our feet. Thus SACC will remain for now, with the direct responsibility for the GS, the PA, the Marketing Director and Bookkeeper, #1, # 2, #3, #6 & #8 in the national office listing above.

176

3. Staffing Decisions: We need the NEC to attend to these staffing matters. The Presidium may consider taking the initiative for now, and perhaps invite some NEC members into an ad hoc Human Resources Committee to apply its mind and make recommendations to NEC on the key areas of HR decision that need to be made at this time. To recap, these are: 1. We request the approval of the staffing plan proposed herein, including the provincial personnel that needs to be concluded with provincial executives. 2. Now that the matter of the former General Secretary, Rev. Pataki, has been resolved, we need to fill this position. 3. We request a decision to absorb Libertas staff into the national office of the SACC with new roles as described above - Ms Puleng Zulu, Ms Martha Thaga, and Mr Joseph Vilanculo. 4. We ask the NEC to please request the SACC Gauteng to formally second Rev. Moerane to the national office while paying him, and appoint someone else as Gauteng Ecumenical Secretary.

4. Engagement with the ANC: In November 2014, the Presidium and the Acting General Secretary met with the Secretary General of the ANC and his Deputy, along with a couple other ANC NEC members, at the request of the ANC, to discuss matters of national interest, as they put it. In the event, we all agreed that such a meeting between the two organizations ought really be between the SACC Presidium and the ANC Top Six. Such a meeting would be convened soonest, and would require a position paper to be prepared by the SACC. It has now been suggested that it might be a two-day meeting, after the focus on the SONA will have passed. The Secretariat and Presidium consider this meeting as of great importance, and to be followed by similar meetings with other major political parties.

5. Engagement with the Presidency of the Republic: In March 2014, soon after the new executive had been elected at the Triennial Conference, President Siwa wrote to President Zuma to propose a courtesy call to introduce the new SACC leadership. No acknowledgement of this request was received, and almost out of the blue this last January, 10 months following the request, a letter offering a date came from the Presidency. But it seemed to clash with a busy day of the beginning of the Cabinet Lekgotla the last week of January. We took advice and requested a rescheduling of this courtesy meeting, while we strengthened the commitment to the meeting with the ANC Top Six. Meanwhile, we received an invitation to attend at the Union Buildings, a meeting between President Zuma and religious leaders, to launch what would be the Presidential Religious Working Group. We requested some members of the NEC to be the SACC delegation at the meeting - Rev. Dr Andre Bartlett who is also chair of the Gauteng Council, and Rev Mzwandile Molo of Bethesda Methodist Church in Berea. They were joined as SACC delegates, by Rev. Dr. Kobus Gerber who had already been invited in his own right. They will share their report with the NEC at the next meeting. What is clear, however, is that we need to think seriously about interfaith relations and organization. There remain unresolved structural issues.

6. The General Political Environment in RSA: The general political situation in South Africa at this time requires special attention, and we should not try to address it in this little update note. Suffice to say that we have had three specific responses to the developments of the past week: 1. The statement issued by the President in his capacity as Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church. 2. The statement by the SACC Secretariat. 3. And the direct request of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in SA, with a "Proposal for a Summit to look into the Political Landscape in South Africa and the Response Thereto". 4. The Catholic Justice and Peace Unit, supported by the Bishops Conference, is calling for a national summit on the electricity crisis. They have prepared a think piece issued in the form of a statement on the matter. We shall mail this separately for your attention. We propose to have a full discussion on these matters and have an NEC position to be shared with the Church Leaders the following day, on the necessary actions.

7. The National Church Leaders Forum: On October 23, 2014, we had hoped to launch the National Church Leaders Forum and elect its representative leader as first amongst equals. In the wisdom of Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, we needed more time to ruminate over the issues of the leadership of this body. "Is it not premature to launch this?" he cautioned. "Might we not adopt the model we did today as we journey towards this under the leadership of the NEC? We want to have two more NEC’s to really wrestle with this and put some of the major questions together", suggested Archbishop Makgoba. Among the questions he raised were: What are we birthing? A parallel structure?

After explanations were given that this was indeed a longstanding resolution of the SACC Conference, which was recommitted at the 2014 Central Committee to be effected, account was taken of the Archbishop's concern that there were not enough heads of churches to elect a representative leader. Therefore, it was resolved:

177

To postpone the action of electing a Chairperson of the Church Leaders Forum, but to declare the structure as constituted, and that the president of the SACC remains chair until the heads of churches decide who should be the new head of the CLF at a later stage.

We appeal to the leaders of member churches to please make every effort to come to the meeting of March 24, and that we should settle on this matter as it is critical for our coherent functioning. There are too many pressing national matters that need the gathering of heads of churches, sometimes by themselves, without the Council's elected Executive, to consider the kind of action for which they would wish to call on their congregations for prayerful consideration and/or action, something the NEC could not quite do.

8. In conclusion: This memo addresses matters that should serve before the NEC meeting, as well as the NCLF. However, it is evident that some of these will need to be attended in some way more immediately. For this reason, we intimate that the Presidium may wish to find ways of addressing the most pressing ones. It is thus proposed to have the NEC on Monday March 23, followed the next day March 24, by the National Church Leaders Forum on the Tuesday. But the idea is that we have the opportunity to consult the heads of member churches on decisions and matters considered by the NEC, especially as we debate matters of national interest. We trust that this may all be possible, with God's grace. Further below is the proposed 2015 schedule of meetings for the attention of your offices, and feedback for finalization at the NEC and NCLF meetings on March 23 and 24.

We thank you for your kind attention. Yours for a United Christian Witness!

Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana

Proposed 2015 SACC Governance Meetings

Central Committee (CC) Annually, September 2 - 3 NCLF Twice a year, March 24; September 1 (eve of CC) In March we propose an agenda that includes the pressing State and political issues. NEC Quarterly March 23; June 23; Sept 1; December 3 Finance Committee Quarterly: March 5; June 11; August 25, November 24 Presidium Monthly Core staff team Fortnightly Provincial Secretaries Twice a year, March 31, September 4 with Secretaries General of member churches for one of these.

178 CHURCH AND SOCIETY

Executive to Executive Commission 2015

Committee Members;

Ms S Mtwa, Mrs C.N.Pona, Mrs G.Kelly, Rev G. Mufanebadza, Rev V.Mbaru, Rev J.Smith, Rev T. Letsheleha, Rev P.Nkosi and Rev T. Chemvumi The committee has so far met twice since the last General Assembly. The committee was over hauled. We now have a new committee, so we have to spend a lot of time on orientation and re-assigning new responsibilities. Update on terms of reference

i. To analyze the state of the nation and the church in S.A, Zimbabwe and Zambia and present to the General Assembly its view on these matters and especially on issues of justice in the Church and Society. ii. To over see and facilitate the UPCSA’s response to the AIDS pandemic in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia and to catalyst to local action within the existing structures. iii. To assist the UPCSA with issues of gender and equality and discrimination, as they relate to Christian faith and living in church policies. iv. To promote debate on issues of social justice and reconciliation within and beyond the UPCSA. v. To conduct dialogue with other churches on justice issues. vi. To take part in broader debates on justice issues in councils of churches and interfaith discussions. vii. Formulating opinions and make statements on pressing social and economic issues in liaison with the UPCSA General Assembly.

Issues from the last General Assembly

1. The committee was tasked to deal with a number of issues;

a. Pimville house

A task team has been appointed that is engaging the errant tenant and the community. They have so far had very progressive and fruitful dialogue. A full report will be given at the next General Assembly.

b. People living with Disabilities

The committee was instructed to undertake research into the needs of the people living with disabilities in the denomination. The committee is currently working with Jackie Baker who is doing the research and hopefully a detailed report will be given by the next General Assembly.

c. Harm Reduction

‘Harm Reduction’ refers to policies, programmes and practices that aim primarily to reduce the adverse health, social and economic consequences of the use of legal and illegal psychoactive drugs without necessarily reducing drug consumption. Harm reduction benefits people who use drugs, their families and the community.

The harm reduction approach to drugs is based on a strong commitment to public health and human rights.

Harm reduction is a targeted approach that focuses on specific risks and harms. Politicians, policymakers, communities, researchers, frontline workers and people who use drugs should ascertain:

• What are the specific risks and harms associated with the use of specific psychoactive drugs? • What causes those risks and harms? • What can be done to reduce these risks and harms?

Harm reduction targets the causes of risks and harms. The identification of specific harms, their causes, and decisions about appropriate interventions requires proper assessment of the problem and the actions needed. The tailoring of harm reduction interventions to address the specific risks and harms must also take into account factors which may render people who use drugs particularly vulnerable, such as age, gender and incarceration.

179 Evidence based and cost effective

Harm reduction approaches are practical, feasible, effective, safe and cost-effective. Harm reduction has a commitment to basing policy and practice on the strongest evidence available. Most harm reduction approaches are inexpensive, easy to implement and have a high impact on individual and community health. In a world where there will never be sufficient resources, benefit is maximised when low-cost/high-impact interventions are preferred over high-cost/low-impact interventions.

Questions for reflection

Consider the cost of supplying narcotics to the users and how the Department of Health will allocate money, medical personnel and resources that should otherwise have been employed in the roll-out treating the TB and HIV/AIDS pandemics afflicting Africa?

Should the Church be seeking to heal and restore people trapped in addiction or should it agree with secular governments that offer no hope and only consider the drug problem in terms of money spent on prevention and rehabilitation?

Under a secular humanist government’s dogma, there is no moral or legal incentive for addicts to face and deal with their addiction. Any incentive for rehabilitation has been destroyed. How would such an addict be encouraged to re-enter society?

What will happen to the families of these government sponsored addicts?

What impact will this “Harm Reduction” policy have on the “Wonga” community and other drug addicts with the republic of South Africa?

How will police enforce laws and prosecute people that commit crime whilst under the influence of government issued drugs?

See Annexure 1 on the analysis of the extracts from New drug Master plan for South Africa

Human Trafficking

Human trafficking has now come to be known as the new form of Slavery. The prevalence of the Human Trafficking in South Africa and Southern Africa needs to be properly stated as there are no accurate figures, but in reality is human trafficking is currently being perpetrated. Human trafficking relates to the movement of people, against their will, for purposes of exploitation. The nature of the exploits varies. Some people cooperate with the perpetrators of Human trafficking as they are promised good salaried jobs like in the Republic of South Africa. With high levels of poverty, unemployment, collapsed African economies, the perpetrators have taken advantage of such. Dubious employment and scholarship agencies are mushrooming locally and abroad.

Civil Unions

The General Assembly of 2008,report on Human Sexuality dealt, and gave a position on the issue regarding Civil Unions. The report also dealt on whether a Minister in the UPCSA may perform civil Union or not. Within the Republic of South Africa, marriage officers under the Marriage act 25 of 1961, do not have the right to perform a Civil Union unless granted the permission/ authority by the respective ministry/ Department. The permission is accorded to the Denomination and not individuals. As of now the denomination has not “opted in” hence no Ministers may perform Civil Unions. The matter need to be discussed within the denomination so as to come up, whether to re-affirm the same position or otherwise. The Church and Society urges the Faith and Order Committee to promote constructive debate on the matter and recommend a way forward.

Issues of Crime and violence There is a growing tendency that whenever people stage a demonstration, criminal elements also manifest. People vandalize utilities that help the communities. Looting is also rife during the so called service delivery protests. One would think that these protests are called as an excuse for crime. Communities need to be reminded not to destroy infrastructure that they will require later. As the church through our congregations, we have got to teach and build the capacity of the general populace to preserve basic infrastructure and all the much needed delivery system. Great awareness is required as nations prepare for election, like The Local Government Elections in the Republic of South Africa. When people campaign they forget that there will a life tomorrow. As a Church we need to join hands with other civil organization that campaign for peaceful voting processes. On the other hand there have been student demonstrations in the Republic of South Africa regarding the Memorial Statues. They called for the removal of colonial statues at the Universities. The extend of how this will distort the History of a nation needs to be analyzed.

180 Xenophobic Attacks

There have been brutal episodes of violence against foreigners in the Republic of South Africa. It’s really sad when neighbors kill each other. Community intervention through Conflict resolution and peace strategies need to be employed. This is now the second time it’s happening. We comment the Moderator and the General Secretary for the statement that was circulated within the Church. The statement has been attached to this report for those who did not read it. Nkandla Issue We are aware and deeply concerned about the delay in finalizing the investigations, as the delay compounds injustice. We do therefore urge the government to thoroughly hold people accountable for their actions. Once the matter is finalized an opinion will be formulated.

Environmental issues and Eco-justice

Developed nations of the world, consume more of the earthly resources, causing the rapid depletion of natural resources and degradation of the environment by rampant pollution. The link between the economic justice and environmental justice is clear and increasingly urgent with climate change severely impacting the marginalized and vulnerable who are far less able to cope with the crisis or adapt to the changes being faced. The church and Society Committee, with the service of Rev G. Goyns wishes to raise awareness and coordinate the environmental work of the UPCSA. The call is to encourage people to be good stewards of God’s blessings. Our Premises and the surrounding environment must bring honor and glory to God’s name, by the friendly care of the land. The committee pleads that at the next General Assembly , time be allocated to an environmental theme on one or two days of the General Assembly, to emphasize the centrality of eco justice issues to our Christian Belief and Presbyterian emphasis on Sola Scriptura.

Building Capacity

To enhance and effectively do the work of Church and Society, a workshop for all Presbytery Conveners has been arranged to be held in July 2015. The Presbytery structures on Church and Society need to be activated, as useful supporting structure for the Committee. This will help to regulate information and other process. Currently the Task Force Leaders are struggling to work through Presbyteries as some do not have a corresponding Committee or a focal person for Church and Society issues. Association also do Church and Society work, we do urge them to work through their Presbyteries so that we can also highlight the Good work being done within the denomination. There are also congregations doing very well in terms of the Church and Society work, we do encourage them to share such activities through their Presbyteries and the Task force Leaders. We need to celebrate such good work that we do on behalf of the denomination.

Zimbabwean State of the Nation

The economy continues to decline with no alternative being put in place. The much publicized diamonds seems dried up, yet they were the other avenue of hope. The situation in Zimbabwe is not promising anything better. Peace Workshops The workshop on Peace and reconciliation are still going on within the different regions of the Presbytery of Zimbabwe. The Workshop Presentations have the following objectives: (1.) Creating space and platforms for educating church leaders on social justice issues and to prepare them to educate their parishes and communities, (2.) To provide an opportunity for engagement of church leaders on social issues and concerns of important national development, and to increase dialogue between the church and politicians, (3.) To equip church leaders with the capacity to assess, measure and advice local politicians on social justice issues, and how they can help protect citizens during political contestations, (4.) To evaluate, monitor, document and verify community specific concerns of social and/ or political activities that are anticipated and need to be addressed in a systematic and sustainable way during the national polls.

On Conflict Resolution they covered some of the following; Conflict Resolution: - What is conflict? - What causes conflict? - What are the effects of conflict? - What are the types of conflict? - Are there any negatives or positives of conflict? - What should we do?

THE REV TINASHE A CHEMVUMI CONVENER

181

PROPOSALS

1. The Executive Commission Receives the Report

2. The Executive Commission notes the progress on the Pimville house.

3. The Executive Commission instructs the Faith and Order committee to facilitate discussion and come up with a position on Civil Unions.

4. The Executive Commission encourage peaceful participation of our members in RSA in the forth coming Local Government elections.

5. The Executive Commission urges all Ministers and Elders to familiarize themselves with the SA New National Drug Master Plan.

6. The Executive Commission comments the Government of South Africa for its bold stand against the April Xenophobic attacks.

182 APPENDIX 1

HARM REDUCTION

The new South African Drug Master Plan is a policy document used by the Government to provide protocols for the management of the drug situation in South Africa.1 Recent changes have been implemented and updated version of the SA National Drug Master Plan includes a term that is controversial; this term is “harm reduction”.

At the outset there must be a clear differentiation between the therapeutic use of Methadone (or similar drugs) to manage the withdrawal symptoms of the addict undergoing rehabilitation and the use of Methadone (or similar drugs) on a Harm Reduction or maintenance programme

The therapeutic use of Methadone over a short period of time is a recognised and accepted medical practice. Under this treatment, the addict/user is weaned off the hard drugs

Harm reduction is different in that it involves the long term or indefinite supply of Methadone (or similar drugs) in the place of drugs illegally obtained by the addict/user.

Harm reduction is a term that generally involves:

• The government supply of free needles to drug addicts • The State providing free drugs or drug paraphernalia • Legalising/decriminalising certain drugs like dagga • Methadone maintenance (or substitution therapy) programs – long term provision of Methadone/Suboxone • Providing clinics and areas where drug addict can use drugs • Ultimately to legalise the use of all drugs like they did in Portugal

In the new South African Drug Master Plan in Appendix 3 on page 167 it clearly states; “Support proven opioid treatments, including detoxification, and inpatient and outpatient pharmacotherapy” 2

The flawed Philosophy behind harm reduction

• Addiction is treated as a disease like diabetes • There is no implied hope of recovering • Addicts remain in drug scene • There is no social integration • Addicts are thus permanently dependant on social welfare

Maintenance programs The drugs used in “harm reduction” such as Methadone and Suboxone are addictive. Methadone is a full opioid agonist and Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. (Suboxone has Buprenorphine, an agonist + Naloxone, an antagonist added) Therefore long term use of these drugs keeps a drug addict addicted

Problems with needle exchange programs There are numerous problems associated with “needle exchange” programmes, for example 1) Some countries are moving away from harm reduction policies like the Netherlands who are closing some of their “coffee shops”. 2) In some countries where they tried needle exchange programs (in order to supposedly prevent the spread of AIDS) there was a HIV outbreak 3) The drugs used in substitution therapy programs are addictive and the patients just get addicted to a new drug. 4) These programs are paid with taxpayer money and therefore we the public should have a say. 5) There is a huge need for more rehab centres so why waste our tax money on clean needles and substitution therapy that is controversial and lacks evidence of effectiveness. 6) The government is seen as supporting and financing the addict to continue his self destructive behaviour. 7) The police can’t enforce laws against people who are using “government issued needles” when the government provides the tool used to commit the offence 8) Drug addicts spread HIV/AIDS through reckless sexual practices while “high” on drugs, not just dirty

1 http://www.dsd.gov.za/cda/

2http://www.dsd.gov.za/index2.php%3Foption%3Dcom_docman%26task%3Ddoc_view%26gid%3D414% 26Item...

183 needles. 9) In countries with needle exchange programs addicts continue to share needles 10) Our goal should be to eliminate substance abuse, not to find a cleaner and safer way to do it. 11) Harm reduction programs are very expensive (financially, health wise and socially) 12) Addicts loose their motivation to stop with substance abuse. It will cause the addict to have hardly any reason to stop abusing drugs.

The real question is whether the hoped for harm reduction:

1) Will justify sending out a mixed message that will threaten to undermine society’s other anti-drug efforts – especially those preventative educational efforts aimed at dissuading young audiences from choosing to engage in substance abuse. 2) Can we really hope to encourage and motivate the youth to stay away from drugs or change drug habits while at the same time handing out the very “tool” used purely for substance abuse 3) There is a powerful symbolism in the State providing paraphernalia for drug abuse 4) In some countries more people start using drugs due to the encouragement of government funded clean needles, - the government seems to be condoning their drug addiction. 5) If in our preventative strategies we warn them that they will have to face the consequences of their personal choices, what should they think when at the next moment “intelligent” health professionals give formal sanction to a project that facilitates substance abuse? 6) Many die from drug overdose, vehicle accidents etc due to their continue drug addiction. 7) The government can be seen as financing self destructive behavior

The solution

• Our goal should be to do away with substance abuse – not to find a cleaner and safer way to do it. • Drug abuse, no matter in what environment it takes place, remains destructive to both the individual and society • Harm reduction actually prolongs substance abuse and supports drug addicts in their self destructive behaviour • Drug addiction is curable even years after being dependant on a certain drug and even if the drug addict has to try numerous times.

Harm reduction is actually harm production because it:

⇒ Facilitates the use of drugs ⇒ It is a sign of societal resignation ⇒ The only way through which it would lead to a decrease in drug abuse would be through addicts dying out over a period of time

Further South African considerations that may accelerate or exacerbate “harm reduction” policies ⇒ An established “wonga” community ⇒ High levels of unemployment and pervasive social grant dependence

Further points for reflection ⇒ The associated risk and link to increased rates of suicide has not been adequately researched. ⇒ Consideration of the role of the Church of Christ as the messenger of hope and healing

SUBMITTED BY REV JEREMY SMITH

APPENDIX 2 ZIMBABWE TASKFORCE REPORT

Introduction

We present this report to the meeting at a time when the economic environment is biting heavily on the nation of Zimbabwe. The economic situation continue to worsen as more and more companies close rendering more people jobless. We read in the papers that 52 companies have closed down operations in 2014 and 6890 employees retrenched. We are very much aware that the rainfall distribution has not been even and in other parts of the country such as Chipinge and the Matebeleland south and some other parts of Masvingo the government would soon declare them to be in need of food. Against that we also have other districts of the country where there was excessive flooding such as Muzarabani. The 2015 season has mixed

184 fortunes for the nation. Back to School South west congregations

Ahead of the new way of doing ministry to children at risk most of our congregations in south West have started gathering school supplies for children at risk in our own congregations as well as those in some of schools. This is how it goes; a call for help from congregants is announced for members to contribute any school supplies like books, pens, pencils, school uniforms and even text books. An identified group of children in both secondary and primary will be given some of the things they require and this way ministry to the needy is done. This is one simple way of addressing some struggles among our members and even the members of our society. At least almost everyone can play a role in children at risk and or in community and societal struggles. This model of ministry is working well in the South West region. It could be adopted by other regions also. We want to thank you all for your prayers, your advice, financial contributions, constructive criticisms, encouragements and many more to mention. All the money and work spend at Lovemore Home was worth spending. Here are the results of the five boys who were doing O Levels 1. Tichaona Baradza 5As,4Bs and 2Cs 2. Munashe Kamangira 4As,4Bs and 2Cs 3. Jefta Guvaza 4As,4Bs and 1C 4. Abednego Kuhomera 4As, 4Bs and 1C 5. Solomon Jacob failed all the subjects. We have managed to secure them places at Gloag High School. Outreach Foundation has promised to pay $350 per child this term and the foster parents of Tichaona and Munashe have agreed to pay $200 and we will be short of $50. The other 2 Jefta and Abednego, we are short of $250. We appeal to well wishers to help.

Climate Change and Ecology

As a committee one of our members Rev Chikanya had a privilege to attend a workshop on climate change and ecology. The workshop was run by the organization called, “SAFEI, which stands for Southern African Faith Communities Environmental Institute.” Part of the training was awareness on what we can do to conserve our environment especially in as far as Health, Water, Agriculture, Biodiversity and continuously rising water levels. Just to quote some of the realities, Malaria kills approximately 300,000 children annually. This means 25 000 children die every month. Of which we can always do something to reduce these statistics and problems. It is crucial for us as a church to consider positive change towards a better country and even healthier environment. Consequences of climate change will result in Desertification. • Drought/ famine • Extreme cold or heat • Storms • Deforestation • Poverty • Diseases like Malaria, Bilharzias, Cancer etc • Floods As a church how are we being good stewards of our environment? We must change our attitudes and consider what really value in life, how we produce goods and what we consume. For in many ways we are destroying our beautiful planet.

Workshops

We have rescheduled our Peace and reconciliation workshops due to the Licensing services that were happening in our Presbytery. The proposed dates are as follows: North West---- 6th and 7th March, Eastern 10th and 11th April, South West 24th and 25th April, Harare West and East 27th and 28th March, Central 17th and 18th April. We successfully held a workshop in North West region.

Conclusion

My sisters and brothers let us not be daunted by the seemingly bleak picture. Our Presbytery has got a bright future. As Jesus said in Matthew 19 vs 26b “…. With men (people) this is impossible but with God all things are possible”. All we need to do is to apply our God-given talents to bring this ship afloat again.

SUBMITTED BY – REV G MUFANEBADZA

185

APPENDIX 3

SA TASKFORCE LEADERS REPORT ON CHURCH AND SOCIETY ISSUES

1. INTRODUCTION

I greet you all in the name of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. The convenor introduced the South African task force leader to South African Presbyteries. It is unfortunately that one presbytery responded, which is Lekoa. The leader had to call some presbyteries to ascertain out who Church and Society convenors are. This report carries the work that is happening in different congregations from two (2) presbyteries; Western Cape and Thukela. The reason for the leader to report about these congregations is because he is a resident Minister in the Western Cape and managed to discover the work that is happening at Newcastle Congregation.

2. WESTERN CAPE

a) WPT Ndibongo Memorial (Nyanga East Area)

In October 2014 WPT Ndibongo Memorial Congregation launched its vision and mission. One of its objectives is to establish partnerships with community structures. In July 2014 at Philippi area next to Nyanga East where the above congregation resides, four (4) family members were shot dead while they were attending bereavement prayers in one of their relative. WPT Ndibongo memorial MCG and members of the congregation visited the family and prayed with them. In August 2014 a child was raped, killed and kept under the bed in Gugulethu (next to Nyanga East) by her three (3) uncles. Members of the congregation visited the family and offer prayers. All these families are members of the community not of WPT Ndibongo congregation. Since January 2015, WPT Ndibongo church preaches the word of God to the streets of Nyanga East once a month. On the 08 February 2015 WPT Ndibongo church participated to the crime prayer which was organised by the Nyanga SAPS station as part combating crime within the society. It was this congregation who lead the service in music, and their minister preached the Word.

b) J.L. Zwane Memorial (Gugulethu Area)

J.L. Zwane is the congregation that works with the community of Gugulethu for many years. They run different projects such as: • Nutrition = A number of people from Gugulethu (100+) and school children (130+) are benefiting to the project every day.During December holidays food parcels are being distributed to families.

• School (education) programme = School children visit the church every day after school hours to be assisted with their school work. • HIV/Aids programme = People living with HIV/Aids visit this congregation every Tuesdays afternoon for support group meetings. These meetings help them to accept their situation and find ways to manage their health better. • Hospice = Zwane is also running a hospice to care for Gugulethu people who are living with HIV/Aids and cancer. • Home based care= people are employed by the church (center)to help those who live with HIV/Aids (critically ill at their homes). • Leadership development programme= leaders from various organisations attend this programme. Young ministers from different denominations attend the programme to equip leadership skills and knowledge sharing. • Marimba band = It also has a marimba band which is played by young people to keep them occupied with something they enjoy.

The congregation has been blessed with a centre where they run all the above projects.

c) Masiphumelele Congregation (Masiphumelele Township – Fishhoek)

From the 18th -23rd November 2014 Masiphumelele Congregation held a no drugs campaign. On the evenings of the 18th to 21st November 2014 congregation held alcohol and drug abuse prayers in the evenings. On Sunday the 23 November 2014 members of the congregation marched on the streets of Masiphumelele Township with pluck cards that discouraged alcohol and drug abuse amongst the people. 3. THUKELA PRESBYTERY

NEWCASTLE CONGREGATION (Madadeni Township)

The above congregation is running various programmes such as nutrition, orphanage, dress a child and education.

186 • Nutrition = seventeen (17) schools around Madadeni Township are benefiting from the project. • Dress a child = Children of Madadeni are the beneficiaries. • Orphanage programme = A number of orphans benefit from programmes. • Education = Five (5) students with better marks are taken to tertiary institutions to further their education. • Since there is not enough space at Newcastle congregation they are building a centre which will cater for them to run these projects successfully.

4. LEKOA PRESBYTERY

The above presbytery has established a new committee which has not functioned yet. We hope it will be up and operating soon and will report in the future.

5. ACCIDENTS

On February 2015 fire broke up in Philippi (Western Cape). Hundred and seventeen (117) shacks were involved. This accident left people without accommodation. It was reported that no one was injured; and we thank God for that. Again on March 1 2015, fire broke up in the Cape point of Cape Town. This fire started from Muizenburg, Ou Kaapse Weg, Chapman's Peak, Hout Bay, until Tokai forest. It took days to extinguishthe fire and people who were affected received help. It is sad to announce that there are families who lost their houses and forest animals lost their homes and lives. It is so sad to hear that the pilot of the helicopter (Willem Hendrik “Bees” Marais), declared dead after its crash while it was helping to extinguish the fire. May his soul rest in peace.

6. INVITATIONS

On the 24 and 25 November 2014 task force leader was invited to attend an international summit that was organised by the Diocese of False Bay (Anglican Church) in the Western Cape. This summit was on 16 days of activism against gender based violence. It was called WE WILL SPEAK OUT COALITION. Guests from African countries were part of the summit. At the end of the day of the 24th a pledge was signed by different organisations that were there. South African task force leader had to pledge for the UPCSA as he was the only one who attended. There is a workshop/ conference invitation from integral mission (Durban) from 11th May to 15th May 2015. The theme of the conference is CALL TO COMPASSION AND JUSTICE. Each day will have its topic.

7. SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

On February 12 2015president of South Africawas giving a state of the nation address. It is sad to report that the nation address turned into chaos after Economic Freedom Front (EFF) political party interrupted the president’s address (Mr Jacob Zuma). EFF members were questioning the president about the payback of the money that was used to renovate his private house in Nkandla (KZN). EFF members were removed from the chamber by the security guard. DA members followed EFF members as they believed that their (EFF) removal was unconstitutional.

8. CHALLENGES

Task force leader discovered that nothing much is happening in South African presbyteries. He tried to contact some of the presbyteries to establish who the church and society convenors are. He managed to find them and talked with. It was discovered that they are not sure about their role as convenors.

9. IN CONCLUSION

After attending WE WILL SPEAK OUT COALITION it came to my mind that the church has to take the community seriously and respond to what is happening in our societies. The church has the power to deal with any challenge that disturbs God’s creation. It can deal with any violence in the community. It needs to offer healing, peace and the love of God to people. It is the voice of the voiceless and the breaker of the silence. The church should not be silent anymore. Task force leader is so concerned about the presbyteries that do not have or take seriously the work of church and society.

SUBMITTED BY REV V. MBARU

187 FAITH AND ORDER

Report to the Executive Commission 2015

The Faith and Order Committee The following are members of the Faith and Order Committee: Douglas Bax (Convener), Adv. Shaba, David Macdonald, Dirk Gevers, Jaco Bester, Knowledge Zinduru, Reuben Daka, Rob Calder, Rory Spence, Thando Lubange, Tony Robinson The Committee conducts all its business by email. It serves mainly to co-ordinate the work and reports of various “Task Teams”, or subcommittees. This year the Committee reports the work of the following Task Teams: Manual, Confessions of Faith, Human Sexuality and Service Book.

1. Rewriting the Manual The General Assembly in 2014 adopted various amendments and additions to chapter 2, 4, 10 and 16 of the Manual of Faith and Order, including substantial new provisions for the Order of Lay Ministries. Because these amendments and additions affected or were added to longer sections of the Manual, the Assembly Office undertook to reprint part of chap. 4, a large part of chap. 10 and the whole of chap. 2 and 16 with the amendments incorporated. The Clerk of Assembly compiled all the material and sent it to the convener of the Faith and Order Committee to be vetted in terms of para 13.52 of the Manual. On working through it the Faith and Order Committee convener realized that in terms of para 13.52 (b), (c) and (d) the opportunity should be taken to rewrite much of it, in order to clarify obscurities, eliminate unnecessary duplication, rearrange some material, correct cross-references gone wrong as a result of previous revisions to the Manual, add new cross-references and generally recast it into a simpler, more lucid style of English. The Basis of Union was also due to be printed and needed some missing punctuation marks to be supplied and typos to be corrected. Ordinarily all this work, except that on chap. 2, would have been referred to the Manual Task Team, but its new convener was overseas for an extended period over the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015, and the new Manual Team was not yet functioning. By default the work fell into the lap of the convener of the Faith and Order Committee. It turned out to be an exacting, time-consuming task that was completed only at the beginning of March this year. The end product was submitted to the Faith and Order Committee and the Assembly Clerk for approval, and a few further changes were made as a result. This explains the Central Office had to delay printing the material and was able to make it available for purchase only in early April. The convener thanks the members of the Faith and Order Committee who checked the material and: • Peter Langerman, the ex-convener of the Manual Task Team, for helping to clarify a number of obscurities and amending the Flow Chart at the end of chapter 16, and • Theo Groeneveld and Chris Judelsohn, as members of the Ministry and Discipleship Committee, for checking and rechecking the rewording of the provisions for the Order of Lay Ministries. The convener of the Faith and Order Committee must accept responsibility, however, for the final redraft. This applies in particular to paras redrafted to clarify obscure wording. A specific example is the final sentence in para 16.56 in the Manual, which stated: “Such a petition is not subject to review.” This made little sense and was reworded to read what seemed to be intended: “The decision to grant such an extension is not subject to review.” The following paras seem to need further redrafting, in terms not merely of wording but of substance, and were therefore referred to the Manual Task Team for consideration: • para 10.84 (on the procedure followed in appeals to the AARP), which need to be reviewed or updated; • paras 4.19 and 17.37, which disagree (see Proceedings and Decisions 2012, p.536, no. 4(d)); and • paras 16.118 and 16.150(c), which disagree and apparently confine ministers from other Churches to being appointed only to be Church Development Evangelists in ours, which we surely do not insist on.

2. Church Associations and the Manual The Church Associations Committee in a supplementary report to the 2012 Assembly proposed a draft “Chapter on Church Associations” for inclusion in the Manual. The draft chapter sought to define what an Association is, how Associations are to be formed and governed and what their status and relation to the General Assembly should be. It included the proposal that a conference of Associations constitute a Presbytery and as such appoint commissioners to Assembly. It also proposed that the Assembly refer the draft chapter to the Manual Committee. (Supplementary Papers for the 10th General Assembly 2012, p.335,337f.) In the event the Assembly referred it to the Faith and Order Committee (Proceedings and Decisions 2012, p.468), under which the Manual Task Team now falls.

In its report to the 2013 Executive Commission the Faith and Order Committee discussed this whole proposal and pointed out the serious problems with the notion that a conference of Associations constitute a Presbytery with the right to send commissioners to Assembly. On the other hand it agreed that formal recognition of the Associations in the Manual was long overdue and proposed that the Executive Commission instruct “the Church Associations Committee and the Faith and Order Committee to establish a joint task-team to draft a Chapter on Church Associations for inclusion in the Manual” for presentation to the 2014 General Assembly. The report also suggested that: • in preparation for the drafting of the chapter the Church Associations Committee establish what particular powers and responsibilities the Associations would like to have entrenched in the laws of the Church (e.g. the right to own property) and

188 • the UPCSA investigate how its sister denominations, especially those in the CUC, deal with their Church Associations in terms of their laws. (See the Papers for the Executive Commission 2013, p.122–124). The 2013 Executive Commission duly adopted the proposal instructing “the Church Associations Committee and the Faith and Order Committee to establish a joint task-team” to draft such a chapter for inclusion in the Manual for presentation to the 2014 General Assembly (Proceedings and Decisions of the Executive Commission 2013, p.240).

In the event the departure of Neil Meyer, who was convener of the Faith and Order Committee at the time, and the appointment of Peter Langerman as his successor for only a year (until the 2014 Assembly) resulted in the project’s being postponed. The present convener of the Faith and Order Committee, after obtaining advice from the General Secretary, earlier this year contacted the following about this instruction: Lulama Mshumpela, the convener of the Church Associations Committee, Lulamile Obose, who was involved in the writing of the draft chapter, and David Macdonald, the present convener of the Manual Committee (after he came back from overseas). The General Secretary’s suggestion was that the project be an appendage to the current project to unite the Associations. Lulama Mshumpela’s response to this was that the two projects were different, with different terms of reference, and should be kept separate, but the co-conveners of the General Assembly Working Group on the Associations could be asked for input. He has agreed as convener of Church Associations to request the Associations for submissions on the chapter, and was concerned that the matter not be rushed. At the time of the composing of this report the composition of the joint task team was still under discussion. It is hoped to have the draft chapter ready for the 2016 Assembly.

3. Manual and Human Sexuality Task Teams David Macdonald, a Cape Town lawyer of some standing, has kindly agreed to take over the convenership of the Manual Task Team, which falls under the Faith and Order Committee, and has recruited members for the new Team. An interim report from the Team is printed hereunder. Dr Robert Steiner has agreed to become convener of a new Human Sexuality Task Team under the Faith and Order Committee. Although he is still in the process of putting his Task Team together, it has produced a report, which is also printed hereunder.

4. Doctrine, Ethics and Discipline The Doctrine, Ethics and Discipline (DED) Committee reported to the Assembly in 2012 that it wished to hand its work over to a new committee (Papers for the 10th General Assembly 2012, p.139), which in terms of the new arrangement means a new Task Team under the Faith and Order Committee, and listed a number of different “outstanding issues” needing to be deal with. The 2012 Assembly approved the list, referred it to the Faith and Order Committee and discharged the DED Committee (Proceedings and Decisions 2012, p.425, 470b). Now that the Task Team on Confessions has finished drafting the Confession and some of the other work it has had in hand, and as it is merely an Ad hoc Task Team anyway, the question arises whether it and the DED Team-to-be should not be collapsed into one. That is certainly an option for the future, but for the present the Confessions Task Team has a number of projects still engaging it, and the list of outstanding DED issues is quite different. The Faith and Order Committee is therefore looking for a suitable convener for a new DED Task Team. It hopes to report on this in a supplementary report.

DOUGLAS S. BAX CONVENER OF THE FAITH AND ORDER COMMITTEE [email protected]

PROPOSALS

1. The Executive Commission receives the report of the Faith and Order Committee and with it the reports of the Manual, Ad Hoc Confessions of Faith, Human Sexuality, and Service Book and Ordinal Task Teams. T2. The Executive Commission reminds all Presbytery Moderators and Clerks and all Ministers, Session Clerks and Sessions that the following amended reprints of the Manual of Faith and Order are now all available from the Assembly Office: chapter 2 (including the English Language Liturgical Consultation version of the Apostles’ Creed, the new versions of the “Nicene” Creed and the UPCSA Confession of Faith, and an amended preface to the Declaration of Faith), parts of chapters 4 and 10, chapter 16 (including the new provisions for the Order of Lay Ministries) and the last page of Appendix F. Together with these is also new Appendix G of the Manual (the Basis of Union).

189 MANUAL REPORT

The Manual Task Team The new Manual Task Team consists of the following members, who have all agreed to act on it: David Macdonald(Convener), Dirk Gevers, Thanduxolo Lubango, and Rory Spence, who are all members of the Faith and Order Committee, and together with them Lungelo Mbandazayo, Garikai Mfanebadza (Zimbabwe) and Waicha Ndlovu (Zambia). Douglas Bax as the Faith and Order Convener is a member ex officio. Because the Team had to be reconstituted, it took some time to identify and obtain agreement to serve from a enough qualified members able to represent all the countries within the UPCSA, and as the convener was overseas for some time, this was finalised only in February this year. The Committee conducts all its business by email.

Work The issues with which Task Team is presently concerned are: • procedural aspects of the Court of Assembly and the Assembly Administrative Review Panel (AARP), particularly with reference to para 10.84, which has been referred to the Task Team for review or updating; • other issues raised by the AARP (see the Papers for the General Assembly 2014, p.175f.); • Art 10.54 regarding commissions; which raises wider issues regarding dissolution of the pastoral tie, which is frequently the outcome of a commission's work; • the marriage of aliens, and what a minister who is a marriage officer should do when asked to solemnise a marriage between two people one of whom is a refugee or both of whom are refugees without a valid permit of residence and unable to return to his/her/their own country or countries (an issue referred to the Manual Task Team by the Service Book Task Team); • reviewing Chapter 16, Section 12, Order of Lay Ministries, to see whether any of its provisions can be shortened, simplified and clarified without detriment to it, in response to a request from the convener of the Mission and Discipleship Committee; • participation in the joint task team to be appointed to draft a chapter on the Associations for inclusion in the Manual • the following paras, which the convener of the Faith and Order Committee has referred to the Manual Task Team as seemingly in need of redrafting (see the Faith and Order Committee Report): o paras 4.19 and 17.37, which disagree (see Proceedings and Decisions 2012, p.536, no. 4(d); and o paras 16.118 and 16.150(c), which disagree and apparently confine ministers from other Churches to being appointed only to be Church Development Evangelists in ours, which we surely do not insist on. The new convener is aware that he has some time to get to grips with the work of his Task Team. However, the matters involved are such that the Task Team could hardly have dealt with them in time for it to draft proposals for the Executive Commission before the deadline for reports on 10 April 2015. Before finalising draft amendments or additions to the Manual on the AARP the Task Team will need to consult the AARP and the relevant committees for input. Initial worksheets that define the issues referred to and their implications and seek to prompt discussion of the possible alternative solutions have been prepared and at the time of the drafting of this report were being finalised for circulation to the members of the Task Team. It is hoped that a Supplementary Report will be able to report further progress of work on specific issues.

DAVID MACDONALD CONVENER OF THE MANUAL TASK TEAM [email protected]

190 CONFESSIONS OF FAITH REPORT

The Ad Hoc Confessions Task Team The Task Team consists at present of the following: Local members: Douglas Bax (convener), Heinrich Asch, Eleanor Gaunt, Cornelis Jongeleen and David Smit. Corresponding members: Jaco Bester. Andries Combrink, Glynis Goyns and Greg van der Lingen. The convener thanks those who contributed to its work. The Task Team has operated in the past year by email. The above Faith and Order Report mentions the rewriting of parts of the Manual in 2014-2015 under para 13.52(b), (c) and (d). This included the rewriting of chapter 2, which fell under the Confessions of Faith Task Team. The convener: • rewrote the Explanatory Note at the beginning of chapter 2; • recast the layout of the Declaration of Standards (without changing any of its wording); • rewrote the Note before each of the Creeds; • corrected a typo in the wording of the Apostles’ Creed; • changed the version of the Nicene Creed to that which Assembly enacted in 2015; • bracketed the filioque (the phrase “and the Son”) in the Nicene Creed, in accord with what was mentioned in the report last year, and added a footnote explaining that this was not part of the original text of the Creed; and • substituted the up-to-date version of the UPCSA Confession (see below) for the 2007 version. These changes were then submitted to the Confessions Task Team and approved by it.

1. The Confession of Faith: Stylistic Amendments Out of a concern that the UPCSA Confession of Faith should be in as elegant English as possible the convener submitted it (as amended in 2014) to Stanley Ridge, an Elder of the UPCSA and Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Stellenbosch, for a final vetting of its English. Prof. Ridge kindly worked through the whole Confession with great diligence and proposed a considerable number of amendments. He and the convener then discussed these proposals. Some of them affected the substance of the Confession; after discussion these were dropped. Others concerned clarification and style; in the discussion the convener accepted some of these amendments, proposed alternatives to others and questioned or rejected yet others. Further discussion followed. The convener compiled the end result and submitted it to the Confessions Task Team, which approved all the amendments. Appendix A below, without repeating the whole Confession, compares the unamended and the amended texts and identifies the amendments with underlining. The Task Team agreed that, as the amendments are to the wording of the Confession for the sake of greater clarity or better English, and not to its substance, none of the amendments needs to be adopted and remitted to Presbyteries under the “barrier procedure” (Manual, par. 12.50-51). They all do need to be enacted by the Executive Commission, however. In the meantime the Clerk of Assembly was anxious to include the new recension of the Confession (along with the new version of the “Nicene” Creed) in the reprint of chapter 2 and the other redrafted chapters of the Manual. As the amendments are stylistic and not substantial, it was felt that it would be safe to include it in the reprint. This did, of course, run the risk that the Executive Commission might not agree to every amendment—in which case corrected pages will have to be produced for all those who have bought the reprints. The instruction to the Translation Task Teams to note all the amendments that the Assembly and the Executive Commission have so far enacted in translating the Confession needs to be repeated for the new amendments enacted this year. This is so even though as stylistic changes some of them may well make little or no difference in the vernacular languages.

2. The Confession and the WCRC The General Assembly in 2010 sent the Confession to the World Communion of Reformed Churches with a request for comment (Proceedings 2010, p.413, no.4). The aim of this was to see if the WCRC had any criticisms or suggestions for its improvement and to make the Confession known to the WCRC (in case any other member Church of the WCRC might want to consult it in drawing up its own confession, for instance). After theologians appointed by the WCRC had examined it, Setri Nyomi, who was the General Secretary of the WCRC, sent a very positive statement which was recorded in the 2014 report (Papers 2014, p.191). A copy of the new 2015 recension of the Confession needs to be sent to the new General Secretary of the WCRC.

3. The Confession of Faith: Introduction, Footnotes, Précis, Catechism As last year’s report noted, the Confessions Task Team now needs to continue its work on: • an Introduction to the Confession; • footnoting the full Confession with biblical texts; and • drafting a précis of the Confession to serve as a teaching aid for new church members, and for lay people and church groups who find the full Confession too long. The intention is that, besides the printing in the Manual, the full new recension of the Confession be printed along with the Introduction and footnoted biblical texts (and possibly the Essential Doctrine for Ordination as a Minister or Elder) in a separate small booklet. This would be available for purchase on a cost-recovery basis, for use in preparing sermons and in teaching and study groups. The UPCSA has inherited a good catechism from the RPCSA, but the Task Team plans to draft and propose one more closely related to the Confession, when it has the time to do so.

191 4. The UPCSA Website: Other Confessional Documents Now that the UPCSA has a new website, all the confessional documents displayed on it need to be examined. It has a section displaying the Declaration of Standards and the Subordinate Standards of the UPCSA, in the following order: • the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed • the Apostles’ Creed • the UPCSA Confession of Faith and • the Declaration of Faith for the Church in Southern Africa. It also has a section with the title “Other Confessional Documents”, which now contains the following documents in the order: • the Westminster Confession of Faith • the Twenty-Four Articles of Faith • the Scots Confession • the Heidelberg Catechism • the Belhar Confession • the Accra Confession • the Belgic Confession. The Declaration of Standards mentions, besides the Creeds, the UPCSA Confession of Faith and the Declaration of Faith, the Westminster Confession and the Twenty-Four Articles because they represent our immediate confessional heritage from the RPCSA and the PCSA. For this reason it is appropriate that all these documents be on the website. When other confessional documents were also put on the website, the Confessions Committee/Task Team suggested that if other confessional statements were being displayed as well, the Scots Confession should be, because it also represents our heritage, though at a stage further removed. (The Scots Confession is not as comprehensive as the Westminster Confession, but avoids some of its faults.) This was done. But the version of the Scots Confession on the website has a subheading indicating that John Knox was sole author of the Scots Confession, which is incorrect and contrary to the Reformed tradition that confessions are consensus documents. This should be corrected. The Confessions Committee/Task Team did not propose the adding of the other confessional documents to the website. The Heidelberg Catechism is not part of our own heritage, but was presumably placed on the website at the request of one or more of the Ministers from the Afrikaans Reformed tradition who have joined our Church. This is appropriate, as the Catechism is the most famous and widely respected and loved of all Reformed catechisms and should be studied. The Task Team last year proposed that a better translation of the Catechism, which the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRC) and the Reformed Church in America (RCA) approved in 2011 (http://www.crcna.org/sites/default/files/HeidelbergCatechism.pdf) replace the translation on our website and a new introduction to it that the Team itself provided replace the introduction previously on the website. The Assembly agreed, but at the time of the composing of the present report this still needs to be done. The Belhar Confession is specifically relevant to the South African situation. The Executive Commission in 2011 approved “all the contents” of this confession and embraced “all its sentiments and values”. The VGKA has also produced a summary that is intended for liturgical use, like our own Declaration of Faith, and was used at our General Assembly in 2014. The Task Team proposes that the Executive Commission this year formally approve this summary for such liturgical use in the UPCSA (see Appendix B) and to that end place it on the website as well. The Accra Confession, despite its name, is in more than one sense not really a confession of faith but a tract for the times. Indeed some of its analysis can be questioned. But it is relevant to Africa and has been approved by the UPCSA Assembly. The Task Team proposes to offer an introduction to this document in a future report. The Belgic Confession (Nederlandse Geloofsbelydenis, 1561) is also not part of our own heritage. It was presumably like the Heidelberg Catechism placed on the website at the request of one or more of the Ministers who have joined our Church from the Afrikaans Reformed tradition. Like the Heidelberg Confession it does serve to acquaint us with the confessional heritage of the Churches in the Dutch Reformed tradition in southern Africa, to some of which at least the UPCSA must surely draw closer in the future. But the UPCSA has never approved it in any way, and it should therefore not be headed “THE CONFESSION OF FAITH”, as the new website still names it, despite what last year’s report stated about this. (The document on the website is a protected pdf document that is difficult to amend.) It also has problematic aspects. The present introduction fails to point out any of these problematic aspects and is misleading in calling the Belgic Confession “The oldest of the doctrinal standards of the Reformed Churches”, which it is not; several other Reformed confessions preceded it. The Task Team therefore proposes a new introduction on our website (in Appendix C below) for this Confession. The Leuenberg Agreement (or Concord) is a historic statement that most Protestant Churches in Europe have signed. It has succeeded in bridging the traditional historical differences in doctrine and order that for centuries divided these Churches (primarily the Lutheran and the Reformed). The Confessions Task Team last year provided a translation of, and an introduction to, the Agreement and proposed that these be placed on the website, and the Assembly agreed. At the time of the composing of this report, that had still not yet been done. The Confessions Task Team report last year raised the question whether the Barmen Theological Declaration (1934), which was the theological basis of the Confessing Church in Germany in its struggle against the Nazification of the Church, should not be placed on our website together with an introduction. It plans to bring a proposal to this effect in a future report, along with a rationale for this and an introduction to the Declaration. (The Barmen Declaration, in contrast to the Belgic Confession, specifically opposes the notion of more than one source for theology and ethics.)

5. The “Nicene” Creed The Assembly Clerk sent the English translation of this Creed that the Assembly enacted in 2014 and all the

192 material providing the rationale for it to the English Language Liturgical Council, as the Assembly instructed, but has received no response to its request for reaction and comment, despite the ELLC’s own request for such material. Another attempt to solicit reaction will be made.

6. Confirmation Course The Executive Commission in 2009 instructed the Confessions Committee “to draft a course on the basics of the faith for use in preparing young people for believers’ baptism or ‘confirmation’—when it has finished its other work” (Papers, Proceedings and Decisions of the Executive Commission 2009, p. 49, 290). The Assembly in 2012 followed this up with an instruction to the Faith and Order Committee “to complete the writing of the Confirmation Course”. That is more easily said than done, but the Confessions report last year did offer a lesson on the doctrine of the Lord's Supper. This topic was chosen because teaching on it is so urgently needed in our Church. It is important that Ministers and others who instruct young people try out these lessons and send their comments to the Task Team. The Team needs to know whether this is the kind, and level, of material they would like in the “course on the basics of the faith”. Despite the request for comment last year, no comments at all were received. (We hope that this does not mean that last year’s lesson is not being used at all!) This year a lesson on the doctrine of Baptism and the Public Profession of Faith, or “Confirmation”, has been drafted. It needs a little more work and will therefore be presented for approval not in this but in a Supplementary Report. We ask for comments on both last year’s and this year’s lessons to be sent to the convener.

DOUGLAS BAX CONVENER OF THE CONFESSIONS TASK TEAM Email: [email protected]

PROPOSALS 3. The Executive Commission enacts all the amendments to the Confession of Faith proposed in Appendix A to the Report. T4. The Executive Commission thanks Professor Emeritus Stanley Ridge in Stellenbosch for his work on the Confession. T5. The Executive Commission instructs the webmaster to replace the revised version of the UPCSA Confession of Faith presently on the UPCSA website with the 2015 recension, incorporating all the amendments that the Executive Commission has enacted this year. T6. The Executive Commission instructs the Translation Task Teams in their translations of the Confession of Faith to note all the amendments that the Assembly and the Executive Commission have enacted up to the present. T7. The Executive Commission follows up the 2014 General Assembly’s thanks to the World Communion of Reformed Churches for its response to the Assembly’s request for an assessment of the Confession by sending the WCRC’s new General Secretary a copy of the 2015 recension of the Confession. 8. The Executive Commission a) officially approves and commends the summary of the Belhar Confession in Appendix B for use as a liturgical declaration of faith in services of worship; and b) instructs the webmaster to place it after the Belhar Confession on the Church website. 9. The Executive Commission instructs the webmaster to: a) remove the title “THE CONFESSION” above the Belgic Confession on the new UPCSA website; b) replace the present English translation of the Belgic Confession on the new website with the translation on the website www.rca.org/resources/belgic-confession; and c) replace the present introduction to the Belgic Confession on the website with the introduction in Appendix C below.

APPENDIX A Amendments to the Confession of Faith to be Enacted in 2015

Prelude From: The good news in Jesus Christ declares that God created all things through him, in the overflow of divine love, and thus created them all very good. All the vast universe is the theatre of God’s glory. The heavens declare this glory, and human beings were created to express it in word and deed. They were to glorify the Creator by delighting in communion with God and one another, by rejoicing in creation and the blessings of life on earth, and by loving and serving God and one another. This remains God’s purpose for humankind and is the reason why we exist…. The good news declares also that in Jesus Christ God has acted to redeem and sanctify us…. To: The good news is* that God created all things through Jesus Christ, in an overflow of divine love, and thus created them all very good. All the vast universe is the theatre of God’s glory. The heavens declare this glory, and human beings were created to glorify the Creator in word and deed: by delighting in communion with God and with one

193 another, by rejoicing in creation and the blessings of life on earth and by loving and serving God and one another. This remains God’s purpose for humankind and is the reason why we exist…. The good news is also that in Jesus Christ God has acted to redeem and sanctify us, and so restore us to the purpose of our being**…. Rationale: *Prof. Ridge’s point is that “agency” should not be attributed to “good news”. **See the first paragraph concerning “the reason why we exist”. (To make the connection clearer, “existence” should stand here in place of “being”, but this was unfortunately realized too late to include in the reprint of the Confession.)

1. The Human Predicament From: 1.1 Human beings were created in the image of God, creatures little lower than the angels. As the story of Adam and Eve portrays, however, the paradox and tragedy is that humankind has from the beginning yielded to temptation and turned away from God…. Instead of living for, and with, God and so also for and with others they have come to live primarily for themselves. To: 1.1 Human beings were created in the image of God, as creatures little lower than the angels. As the story of Adam and Eve portrays, however, the tragic paradox is that humankind has from the beginning yielded to temptation and turned away from God…. Instead of living with and for God, and so also for other human beings, we have come to live primarily for ourselves. From: 1.4 …. We sin individually and corporately…. Sin misuses our greatest technological advances, so that instead of we pollute and ruin the environment and deplete the earth’s resources, overpopulation spreads hunger and starvation…. To: 1.4 …. We sin individually and collectively…. Sin misuses our greatest technological advances, so that instead of caring for the creation we pollute and ruin the environment and deplete the earth’s resources, overpopulation spreads hunger and starvation…. From: 1.7 …. Even though it may well be of relative value, a false god is anything other than God to which we give absolute value or in which we put our final trust and so make into an idol…. To: 1.7 …. Even though it may well be of relative value, anything other than God to which we give absolute value or in which we put our final trust and so make into an idol is a false god….

2. God the Son, Revealer and Reconciler From: 2.2 God alone can make God known, and did so in the history of Israel and above all in and through Jesus Christ. For Christ is God’s own own eternal Wisdom and Word, by whom God made all things. As such he is himself God. As the Word he, alone, is the revelation, or self-communication, of God become flesh, the visible representation of the invisible God, the human face of God in history. Thus he alone reveals God as God truly is…. To: 2.2 God alone can make God known. God did so in the history of Israel and does so above all in and through Jesus Christ. For Christ is God’s own eternal Wisdom and Word, by whom God made all things. As the Word he, alone, is the revelation of God become flesh, God’s self-communication, the visible representation of the invisible God, the human face of God in history. As such he is himself God and alone reveals God as God truly is…. From: 2.3 …. Thus in him God condescended fully to share our creaturely human reality. To: 2.3 …. Thus in him God condescended fully to share our creaturely reality as human beings. From: 2.5 …. He was crucified, as a rival king to Caesar, along with two bandits, or insurrectionists…. To: 2.5 …. He was crucified along with two bandits, or insurrectionists, on the charge of being a rival king to Caesar…. From: 2.9 As both divine and human, Jesus Christ is the only Mediator between God and people, the only Saviour for all humankind. Exalted to God’s ‘right hand’, he is our eternal Advocate and High Priest who always lives to intercede for us. To: 2.9 As both divine and human, Jesus Christ is the only Mediator between God and people, the only Saviour for all humankind. Exalted to the ‘right hand’ of the Father, he is our eternal Advocate and High Priest who always lives to intercede for us. From: 2.10 Jesus Christ reigns at God’s right hand as Lord over all the universe and over every area of human life,

194 private and public. To: 2.10 Jesus Christ reigns at the Father’s right hand as Lord over all the universe and over every area of human life, private and public.

5. The Trinity From: 5.6 In condescending to be known by us God yet remains transcendent, holy and mysterious. God’s triune being is a mystery but are to adore eternally but that we can know only dimly and in part. To: 5.6 In condescending to be known by us God yet remains transcendent, holy and mysterious. God’s triune being is a mystery to be eternally adored, though comprehended only dimly and in part.

6. Revelation, Scripture, Preaching and Personal Witness From: 6.2 By grace alone, however, in the power of the Holy Spirit, God’s Word breaks through our spiritual deafness, convicts us of sin and moves us to repent and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. To: 6.2 By grace alone, however, God’s Word breaks through our spiritual deafness in the power of the Holy Spirit, convicts us of sin and moves us to repent and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. From: 6.5 Scripture consists of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments commonly accepted as fully canonical…. To: 6.5 The Scriptures consist of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments commonly accepted as fully canonical…. From: 6.7 The ultimate authority of Scripture itself rests on its Spirit-inspired witness to Jesus Christ, who lived, died and rose again for the world’s salvation, and on the inner witness of the Spirit that God in person is speaking to us in and through the words of Scripture…. In all revelation God is sovereign and speaks in the present. To: 6.7 The ultimate authority of Scripture itself rests on its Spirit-inspired witness to Jesus Christ, who lived, died and rose again for the world’s salvation, and on the inner witness of the Spirit that in and through the words of Scripture God in person speaks to us. In all revelation God is sovereign and speaks in the present. From: 6.10 …. To hear the Word of God in the Bible and in preaching we need ears opened, and hearts enlightened, by the Spirit. To: 6.10 …. To hear God’s Word to us in the Bible and in preaching we need ears opened, and hearts enlightened, by the Spirit. From: 6.13 The Spirit does not reveal truth that differs from that in Scripture, but opens our minds to the gospel and impresses on them its truth. To: 6.13 The Spirit does not reveal truth that differs from that in Scripture, but opens our minds to the gospel and impresses on them its truth and what that means for us and our times. From: 6.15 ….. As the herald and living embodiment of God’s grace and coming rule, as the Galilean Jew who identified with the poor and oppressed, having nowhere to lay his own head, as the victim of the religious and political powers at whose hands he died for our sins and as the Lord who rose for our justification and was exalted as sovereign over all of life, he is the liberating Word that is the key to the interpretation of all Scripture….. To: 6.15 ….. As the herald and living embodiment of God’s grace and coming rule, as the Galilean Jew who identified with the poor and oppressed, having nowhere to lay his own head, as the victim of the religious and political powers at whose hands he died for our sins and as the Lord who rose for our justification and was exalted as sovereign over all of life, Christ is the liberating Word that is the key to the interpretation of all Scripture…..

7. The Sacraments From: 7.3 The spoken Word, in preaching and in the liturgy, constitutes these rites as sacraments. It does so by explaining what they signify and so making clear their promise and offer of grace. Only by trusting in God’s promise signified by the sacraments and articulated in the accompanying words do we receive their power. Otherwise the sacraments have no saving effect. To: 7.3 The spoken Word, in preaching and in the liturgy, constitutes these rites as sacraments. It does so by explaining what they signify and so articulating their promise and offer of grace. Only by trusting in God’s promise signified by the sacraments and articulated in the accompanying words do we receive their power. Otherwise the sacraments have no saving effect.

195 From: 7.4 …. Yet as the very Word of God Christ is the essential content of the sacraments, just as of Scripture , preaching and personal witness. He is personally present in the sacraments; his Word and Spirit are the source of all their power. To: 7.4 …. Yet, as the very Word of God, Christ is the essential content of the sacraments, just as he is of Scripture and of right preaching and personal witness. He is personally present in the sacraments; his word and Spirit are the source of all their power. From: 7.5 The sacraments remind us of the incarnation, death and resurrection of Christ, which accomplished our salvation in the past. Through the Word and sacraments together Christ offers, effects and affirms that salvation in the present…. To: 7.5 The sacraments remind us of the incarnation, death and resurrection of Christ, which accomplished our salvation in the past. Through word and sacrament together Christ offers, effects and affirms that salvation in the present…. From: 7.10 God’s grace in the sacraments and ordinances of the Church is not to be denied to any church member on account of failing to pay church dues. To: 7.10 God’s grace in the sacraments and ordinances of the Church is free. It is therefore not to be made to depend, for instance, on the paying of church dues!

8. Baptism From: 8.2 Baptism is with water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It may be either by pouring on water (signifying spiritual cleansing) or by immersion (signifying dying to the old life of sin in order to receive new life)…. To: 8.2 Baptism is with water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It may be either by pouring on water (signifying spiritual cleansing) or by immersion (signifying dying to the old life of sin and being raised to new life)…. From: 8.7 Thus it is not on the basis of their understanding or ability that human beings receive God’s gift, but through the grace of God alone. But infant baptism is not a social custom or a cultural rite of passage after birth; it is not to be administered indiscriminately. To: 8.7 Thus it is not on the basis of their understanding or ability that human beings receive God’s gift, but through the grace of God alone. Nor is infant baptism a social custom or a cultural rite of passage after birth; it is not to be administered indiscriminately. From: 8.9 Baptism initiates the children into the covenant, grafts them into the body of Christ and engages them to be the Lord’s…. To: 8.9 Baptism initiates children into the covenant, grafts them into the body of Christ and engages them to be the Lord’s….

10. Natural Revelation From: 10.2 God, who is holy and transcendent, is hidden from sinners…. To: 10.2 Thus God is hidden from sinners in holiness and transcendence…. From: 10.3 Thus it is not by seeing or recognizing the majesty and power of God in nature or the universe that one comes to real knowledge of God. Instead it is only by first coming to know God in Jesus Christ, in the humiliation, weakness, shame and suffering of the Cross and in the victory of the resurrection, that we come to know the true and living God…. To: 10.3 Thus it is not by seeing or recognizing the majesty and power of God in nature or the universe that one comes to real knowledge of God. Instead it is only by first coming to know God in Jesus Christ, in the humiliation, weakness, shame and suffering of the Cross and in the victory of the resurrection, that we truly come to know the living God…. From: 10.4 Reason and nature by themselves are inadequate also to answer the question how we should behave. God’s Word alone does that clearly and fully. To: 10.4 Reason and nature by themselves are inadequate also to answer the question how we should behave. God’s Word alone does that clearly and adequately.

196 13. Election and Covenant From: 13.3 God’s covenant is an everlasting covenant. Although the people of Israel were disobedient, God did not cast them away for ever, but instead made a new covenant of grace with them. For God remains faithful even when we are faithless. To: 13.3 God’s covenant is an everlasting covenant. Although the people of Israel were disobedient, God did not cast them away for ever, but instead in grace renewed the covenant with them. For God remains faithful even when we are faithless.

14. The Victorious Rule (‘Kingdom’) of God From: 14.2 Jesus thus heralded God’s imminent coming as King to triumph over all the powers of evil and rule victoriously in a transformed world…. To: 14.2 Jesus thus heralded God’s imminent coming to triumph over all the powers of evil and rule victoriously in a transformed world….

15. Grace, Justification, Regeneration and Faith From: 15.5 …. Faith comes through hearing the good news and is confirmed by the sacraments. Much more than belief in right doctrine, it is accepting the living Christ as Lord and trusting in him alone as the Saviour who fulfils all God’s promises of mercy and grace. It is our acceptance, in humility and gratitude, of God’s surprising acceptance of us. To: 15.5 …. Faith comes through hearing the good news and is confirmed by the sacraments. Much more than belief in right doctrine, it is accepting the living Christ as Lord and trusting in him alone as the Saviour who fulfils all God’s promises of mercy and grace. Faith is our acceptance, in humility and gratitude, of God’s surprising acceptance of us. From: 15.9 Faith consists not only in believing with the heart but also in bearing witness with the mouth. No faith is firm that does not bear witness. To: 15.9 Faith consists in believing with the heart, but it bears witness with the mouth and by the way we live. No faith is firm that does not bear witness.

16. Grace, Gratitude and Ongoing Sanctification From: 16.3 Ongoing sanctification in the way we live thus follows justification, initial sanctification ,and regeneration…. To: 16.3 Justification, cleansing, initial sanctification and regeneration through union with Christ is followed by ongoing sanctification in the way we live….

18. Worship and Prayer From: 18.1 ….Jesus Christ, our incarnate, risen and exalted Lord, has by his own obedience and sacrifice of himself opened the way and won access to God for all. He is not only God’s Word to humankind but the obedient human response to that Word and as such the true minister and agent of worship…. To: 18.1 ….Jesus Christ, our incarnate, risen and exalted Lord, has by his own obedience and sacrifice of himself opened the way and won access to God for all. He is not only God’s Word to humankind but, by his life and ministry, himself the obedient human response to that Word and as such the true minister and agent of worship…. From: 18.5 Despite our unworthiness, then, God accepts worship and hears prayer that is offered in Christ’s name, and so is in accordance with God’s will…. To: 18.5 Despite our unworthiness, then, God accepts worship and hears prayer that accords with God’s will and is offered in Christ’s name…. From: 18.6 The Lord’s day in particular is ordained for corporate worship and the celebration of Holy Communion, as a time to delight in God. For on this day the Lord rose from the dead, made himself known to his followers and ate with them. It is a time to rest from our work and let God’s Word and Spirit work in us. To: 18.6 The Lord’s day in particular is ordained for worship together and the celebration of Holy Communion, as a time to delight in God. For on this day the Lord rose from the dead, made himself known to his followers and ate with them. It is a time to rest from our work and together attend to God’s Word and seek the fullness of the Spirit.

197 From: 18.7 Corporate worship, meditating on Scripture and daily private prayer are all integral to Christian life…. To: 18.7 Worship together, meditating on Scripture, and daily private prayer are all integral to Christian life…. From: 18.8 True prayer, like all true worship, begins with God. Through the Word and the Spirit God calls, moves and enables the people of God to pray…. To: 18.8 True prayer, like all true worship, begins with God. Through the Word and the Spirit God calls, moves and enables us to pray…. From: 18.9 …. Prayer is offered to God alone. It is addressed primarily to the Father through the Son and in the Holy Spirit, though also to the Son and sometimes to the Spirit. To: 18.9 …. We pray to God alone. Prayer is addressed primarily to the Father through the Son and in the Holy Spirit, though also to the Son and sometimes to the Spirit. From: 18.10 Prayer comprises glorifying and adoring God, confessing our sins, waiting upon God, giving thanks, praying for others and for ourselves and dedicating ourselves to Christ’s service. To: 18.10 Prayer includes glorifying and adoring God, confessing our sins, waiting upon God in silence, giving thanks, praying for others and for ourselves and dedicating ourselves to Christ’s service. From: 18.12 God commands us to pray, for prayer is a weapon without which we cannot walk in God’s way and prevail against the power of evil. Indeed God calls us to pray without ceasing, that is, to be constantly prayerful in mind, heart and conscience. To: 18.12 God commands us to pray, for prayer is a weapon without which we cannot walk in God’s way and prevail against the power of evil. Indeed Scripture calls us to pray without ceasing, that is, to be constantly aware of God’s presence and prayerful in mind, heart and conscience.

19. Vocation, Money and Rest From: 19.2 …. God calls us to live as though everyone’s poverty were our own and our wealth were everyone’s. We are to live simply and be faithful stewards…. To: 19.2 …. God calls us to live as though everyone’s poverty were our own and our resources were everyone’s. We are to live simply and be faithful stewards….

20. The Image of God From: 20.4 We are not to measure others according to our own image but to receive one another as human beings created in God’s image. Christ calls us to minister in particular to the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, those in prison and widows and orphans as to himself. To: 20.4 We are not to measure others according to our own image but to receive one another as human beings created in God’s image. Christ calls us to minister to him himself by ministering in particular to the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, those in prison and widows and orphans.

21. Marriage, Sex and Children From: 21.7 God calls some people to be celibate for the sake of their vocation. To: 21.7 God calls some people to be celibate for the sake of their calling in life. From: 21.10 …. Parents have the right to discipline their children in love, but not to abuse or oppress them. To: 21.10 …. Parents have the responsibility to discipline their children in love, but have no right to abuse or oppress them.

22. The Church From: 22.8 …. The one Body anticipates, and is a sign of, when God will unite all things with Christ as their one Head….

198 To: 22.8 …. The one Body anticipates the union of all things with Christ as their one Head that God plans….

23. Church Order From: 8.18. Jesus Christ alone is the High Priest who offers the sacrifice that reconciles us to God. By baptism he consecrates all Christians to be members of the royal priesthood. Thereby they have immediate access to God through him…. To: 8.13. Jesus Christ alone is the High Priest who offers the sacrifice that reconciles us to God. By baptism he consecrates all Christians to be members of the royal priesthood. As priests they have immediate access to God through him…. From: 23.4 …. Thus ordination does not set a person apart from the people of God but in their midst, to serve them. In particular it charges the ordinand to equip the people of God for ministry and mission…. To: 23.4 …. Thus ordination does not set a person apart from the people of God but in their midst, to serve them. In particular it charges the person being ordained to equip the people of God for ministry and mission…. From: 23.5 Christ, the Lord of the Church, came among people as a servant. Likewise all offices in the Church are to serve, not lord over, the people of God…. To: 23.5 Christ, the Lord of the Church, came among people as a servant. Likewise all offices in the Church are to serve the people of God, not lord it over them….

24. The Keys and Church Discipline From: 24.6 The Lord of the Church charges it to rebuke members who spread serious heresy or fall into scandalous behaviour…. To: 24.6 The Lord of the Church charges it to rebuke members who spread heresy or fall into scandalous behaviour….

29. Providence From: 29.1 …. Neither the stars nor any other power but God alone controls the ultimate course of all events and holds the future in hand…. To: 29.1 …. Neither the stars nor any other power but God alone controls the ultimate course of all events and has the future in hand….

30. God’s Final Victory From: 30.2 …. To live by faith in the crucified and risen Christ means to hope in his coming and universal rule. To: 30.2 …. To live by faith in the crucified and risen Christ means to put our hope in his coming and universal rule. From: 30.5 Everyone who has died will be raised and appear before Christ, who will judge every person’s works and the secrets of every heart. Though we can place no limits on the mercy of God toward all humankind, sin condemns us all to be cut off from God’s grace in hell for ever. But those who put their trust in God’s mercy and grace in Christ will be raised in transformed, glorified bodies like the body of their risen Christ and face the judgement without f e a r, f or their Judge is their Saviour. To: 30.5 Everyone who has died will be raised and appear before Christ, who will judge every person’s works and the secrets of every heart. We can place no limits on the mercy of God toward all humankind. Without the gracious intervention of Christ sin would condemn us all to be cut off from God’s grace in hell for ever. But those who put their trust in God’s mercy and grace in Christ will be raised in transformed, glorified bodies like the body of their risen Christ and face the judgement without fear, for their Judge is their Saviour.

199 APPENDIX B BELHAR CONFESSION: LITURGICAL FORM

The Executive Commission of the UPCSA in 2011 gave thanks to God for “the Belhar Confession and the historic role it has played in the history and witness of the Church in southern Africa”, approved “all the contents” of the Confession and embraced “all its sentiments and values”. The following is the official liturgical summary of the Belhar Confession. The Executive Commission in 2015 officially approved and commended the summary for use in services as a liturgical declaration of faith (like our own Declaration of Faith for the Church in Southern Africa). L: We believe in one God, Father Son and Holy Spirit, who gathers, protects and nourishes the Church from the beginning of the world to the end. C: The Church is holy; the church is universal; it is the fellowship of God’s children, called together from the whole of humanity to proclaim God’s wonderful deeds. L: We believe that the reconciling work of Christ gives birth to a uniting Church, because Church unity is a gift from God and a goal we need to strive for. C: The unity of the Church must become visible so that the people around us can see how separation and hatred are overcome in Christ. L: We believe that genuine faith in Jesus Christ is the only condition for membership in this Christian Church. C: We praise God that race, class, gender, or culture does not determine who belongs to this Church. L: We believe that God has entrusted to the Church the message of reconciliation; and that the Church is called to proclaim and embody this reconciliation; to be peacemakers; and to believe and to witness that God conquers all powers of sin and death, of hate, bitterness and enmity, through his life-giving Word and Spirit. C: We praise God that the gospel does not separate people on the basis of race, gender, class, or culture, but is the power of reconciliation in Christ. L: We believe that God wants to bring about true justice and lasting peace on earth; we believe that God is, in a special sense, the God of the suffering, the poor and the downtrodden. C: We praise God who gives justice to the oppressed and bread to the hungry; who sets captives free and makes the blind to see; who protects strangers, orphans and widows. and obstructs the plans of the wicked. L: We believe that the Church belongs to God and that it should stand where God stands: against injustice and with those who are wronged C: We commit ourselves to reject all forms of injustice in ourselves and amongst us; and to struggle against all forms of injustice and every teaching that allows injustices to flourish. L: We are called to confess and to do all this in obedience to Jesus Christ, our only Lord, even if authorities or laws oppose this, even if punishment and suffering may be the consequence. C: Jesus is Lord! We will follow Him! To the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be honour and glory for ever and ever! Amen.

200 APPENDIX C THE BELGIC CONFESSION Introduction The UPCSA has never adopted or approved this Confession. The webmaster has placed it on our website for the purpose of information, as an important Reformed confession and specifically the confession of faith of the Dutch Reformed Churches. In Afrikaans it is called Die Nederlandse Geloofsbelydenis but in English “the Belgic Confession”, after its Latin title Confessio Belgica. Belgica used to refer to the whole area that today is divided into the Netherlands and Belgium. During the 16th century Philip II of Spain ruled this area. He was determined to root out the Protestant faith in it and with the help of the Spanish Inquisition severely persecuted the Reformed Churches in it. In this situation a clear and comprehensive statement was needed to show that the Reformed faith accorded with Holy Scripture and the early Christian creeds and was not inciting revolution. To this end Guido de Brés (Guido de Bräs or Guy de Bray), a Reformed minister in the Netherlands, with the help of a few others, wrote this confession in 1561, in French. At the time de Brés was a hunted man, preaching illegally in the Lowlands. In composing it de Brés used the confession called the French or Gallican or Huguenot Confession or Confession of La Rochelle (1559), the first draft of which John Calvin had written. The Belgic Confession is, however, no mere revision but an independent composition. The Reformed Christians received it with immediate enthusiasm and translated it into Dutch. A copy of the Confession was sent to King Philip II the following year, together with a petition in which the senders declared that they were ready to obey the Government in all lawful things, but would “offer their backs to stripes, their tongues to knives, their mouths to gags, and their whole bodies to the fire” rather than deny the truth expressed in this confession. The hope that the persecution would end was not fulfilled, and de Brés himself died as one of the many thousands of martyrs for the faith in 1567. But the Reformed Churches continued to regard the Confession highly, and synods at Antwerp (1566), Dort (Dordrecht, 1574) and Middelburg (1581) adopted it. Meanwhile, in 1568, 17 northern provinces revolted. Under the leadership of William the Silent, the northern provinces continued their resistance and, in 1581, seven of them established the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. The war continued, on and off, until 1648. In the 1590s the Arminian controversy broke out. Jakobus Arminius (Jakob Hermanszoon) had studied under, among others, Theodore Beza in Geneva, who emphasized a (supralapsarian) double predestination more than John Calvin (or the Belgic Confession) did. Arminius reacted against this, although he still held to a partial doctrine of predestination. After he became professor of theology at the University of Leiden in 1603 the controversy grew more acute. After his death in 1609 his followers became more confrontational and in a document they called The Remonstrance (1610) published their objections to the Belgic Confession and the teaching of Calvin and Beza. The Dutch Calvinists reacted bitterly, all the more so because of all the martyrs who had died for their faith and the continuing insecurity of their theological and political hold on the Low Countries. The conflict almost led to civil war. The famous National Synod of Dort met in 1618-19 to settle the matter. It condemned Arminianism and against the points in the Remonstrance set out “the Five Points of Calvinism”: the total depravity of humankind, unconditional election, limited atonement (Christ died only for the elect), irresistible (or irrevocable) grace, and the unchallengeable perseverance of the saints. It also adopted the Belgic Confession (with changes in wording but not content). Bitter persecution of the Remonstrants followed. Since then all office bearers of Dutch Reformed Churches in Europe, America and elsewhere have been required to subscribe to the three subordinate standards: the Confession, the Canons of Dort and the Heidelberg Confession. All three are still regarded as among the main statements of uncompromising Reformed belief. The Confession has many strengths. On the other hand aspects of it are also open to criticism. This has been recognized by Dutch Reformed Churches themselves. For instance, the Dutch Reformed Church in North America (renamed the Reformed Church in America in 1867) adopted the Belgic Confession as promulgated at Dort in 1792 as one of its three confessional standards, but also adopted Explanatory Articles stating that its constitution omitted “whatever [in the Confession] relates to the immediate authority and interposition of the Magistrate in the government of the Church” and qualifying the denunciations of Anabaptists and others in Article 36. The Christian Reformed Church in North America, which broke away from this Church in 1857, revised the text of the Confession in 1938 and 1985 to redefine the relationship between Church and State and to drop the denunciation of “Anabaptists” and “other anarchists”. From a modern point of view one may criticize the Confession’s “pre-critical” view of Scripture. (For instance, in Art. 9 it quotes I Jn. 5:7 as Scripture). But this is a quibble. More seriously we would criticize the following two aspects of it:

1. The Source(s) of Revelation The first draft of the Gallican Confession, which Calvin and others wrote, began with God self-revelation in the law, the prophets and the gospel and made no appeal to any revelation in nature. The Gallican Confession itself, by contrast, begins with an article describing God’s attributes in the abstract and then goes on to state in its second article: God reveals himself to human beings; firstly, in his works, in their creation, as well as in their preservation and control. Secondly, and more clearly, in his Word…which was afterward committed to writing in the books that we call the Holy Scriptures. The Belgic Confession follows this pattern, beginning with a similar article about God’s attributes and then stating in a second article: We know God by two means:

201 First, by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe, since that universe is before our eyes like a beautiful book in which all creatures, great and small, are as letters to make us ponder the invisible things of God: God's eternal power and divinity, as the apostle Paul says in Romans 1:20. All these things are enough to convict humans and to leave them without excuse. Second, God makes himself known to us more clearly by his holy and divine Word…. God—with special care for us and our salvation—commanded his servants, the prophets and apostles, to commit this revealed Word to writing. The second sentence in this article does accord with Rom. 1:20, as it claims. The problem is the words before it, “We know God by two means”, which misinterpret what Paul means in this verse. For what Rom. 1 states is that although “what can be known of God” (v.19) is clearly evident in the world as God’s creation, fallen human beings “suppress the truth” (v.18), so that they neither honour nor give thanks to God and are plunged into spiritual folly, darkness and idolatry (v.21-23, cf. Wis. Sol. 13:1-9, on which Paul’s statement is based). The Confession thus fails to make clear that the “knowledge” through creation suffices only to leave people without excuse; no real knowledge of God is effected beyond that (cf. Calvin’s Comm. on Romans, ad loc., I Cor. 1:21 and Ac. 17:30). It teaches that there are two sources of the knowledge of God for faith and theology that are both valid and effective: revelation in nature and revelation in Scripture. Even though the second is clearer than the first, the first is presented as also a means, indeed the first means, to a real knowledge of God and so a revelation to which preaching and theology can appeal, and that quite apart from the grace of God in Jesus Christ (cf. K. Barth: Church Dogmatics II/1, p.143). Reformed orthodoxy and 19th century Reformed liberal theology (Friedrich Schleiermacher) attached high importance to this preliminary natural revelation. But this was contrary to the original Reformation principle of sola Scriptura, i.e. that preaching and theology have only one norm, namely God’s revelation in Jesus Christ alone as it is attested in Scripture. Certainly Calvin recognized God’s revelation in nature, but he insisted that unless we look at it through the “spectacles” of Scripture all our knowledge of God can be only dull and confused (Inst. I.vi.1, xiv.1, Comm on Gen.: “Argument”). The Confession misleadingly quite fails to make this point. This opened the door for theological students from the Dutch Reformed Churches in South Africa who studied in Germany and especially Holland in the 19th century and the first half of the 20th to fall prey to the influence of “Romantic” theology with its stress on creation or “nature” as a separate, normative source of revelation especially concerning the nature of humankind and ethics. The result was a political theology that directly contradicted the New Testament’s emphasis on the unity of all Christians of every race and nation (Jn. 17:20-23, I Cor. 12, Gal. 2:11ff., 3:28, Eph. 1-4 etc.) by making made empirically observed natural and cultural differences between the races the basis of an ethical norm in the political “sphere”, and even for the structure of the Church. This became the basis of the ideology of apartheid.1 One can argue therefore that in taking a confessional stand against apartheid the Dutch Reformed Sendingkerk should first of all have revised the Belgic Confession before it resorted to drafting the Belhar Confession. We may contrast with the Belgic Confession on this point the UPCSA Confession, especially Art. 6 and 10. ______Footnote: 1 See D.S. Bax: A Different Gospel. A Critique of the Theology behind Apartheid (Johannesburg: PCSA, 1979), esp. p.28-46.

2. The Relation between Church and State In line with Calvin’s attitude and like the Westminster Confession, the Belgic Confession also has a very Erastian view of the relations between Church and State in Art. 36 (though less so in Art. 28). Article 36 states that: And the government's task is not limited to caring for and watching over the public domain but extends also to upholding the sacred ministry, with a view to removing and destroying all idolatry and false worship of the Antichrist; to promoting the kingdom of Jesus Christ; and to furthering the preaching of the gospel everywhere; to the end that God may be honoured and served by everyone, as he requires in his Word In Calvin’s case this line of thinking led to his support for the execution of the Unitarian, Michael Servetus, by the Genevan authorities. In the Dutch Calvinists’ case it led to their persecution of the Remonstrants. And a phrase like “idolatry and false worship of the Antichrist” was in the 16th (and 17th) centuries particularly promoted intolerance toward Catholicism. In the 21st century analogous thinking has led to all the fighting and killing between Sunnis and Shi’ites, the persecution of Christians in Muslim countries and attacks by Muslim extremists on western countries. We therefore deplore such attitudes today and such intolerance and persecution of other versions of the faith or, for that matter, of other religions, let alone when it is State-supported. “For it is the Government’s duty, not to promote any one religion, but to protect the Church by ensuring freedom of belief and worship for all” (UPCSA Confession of Faith, Art. 25.3.) The Belgic Confession, again like the Westminster Confession but in this case unlike Calvin, also makes no provision for the Church’s prophetic task vis-à-vis the State. (Contrast the UPCSA Confession, Art.25, esp. Clauses 1-2 and 7-10.) For the above reasons if the UPCSA ever unites with any of the Dutch Reformed Churches, it should not accept this confession as a subordinate standard for the united Church, at any rate as it stands.

202 HUMAN SEXUALITY

The Human Sexuality Task Team The Task Team was reconstituted at the beginning of March 2015 and at present consists of: Robert Steiner (convener), Petson Kabala (Zambia), Selina Palm and Tamarin Philpott. We still need to recruit members from other groups and specifically from Zimbabwe and would welcome volunteered nominations.

1. Attitudes to People of Different Sexual Orientation As we know, gender does not fit into prescribed categories. But one of the serious problems in all of our societies has been and is the great intolerance the majority heterosexual group, especially but not only heterosexual men, shows to people of different sexual orientation to the extent that they have resorted to violence, including, for instance, the rape and murder of lesbians. Few church members may be guilty of having practised such violence, but the attitude of intolerance that breeds it is in fact rampant also in the Church. Historically the Church’s general stand on human rights has often been poor. Its attitude to, and treatment of, homosexual people in particular have fallen appallingly short of Jesus’ fundamental command to love people of every kind. The Church therefore needs to counteract this intolerance instead of ignoring it or pretending that there is no problem. For this reason, and based on the positive experience of a long-standing partnership of a congregation like Rondebosch United Church with IAM, the Task Team urges that Presbyteries and individual congregations invite IAM to conduct workshops on the theme of sexuality and diversity for their members. IAM can be contacted via email ([email protected] or [email protected]) or telephone (021 975 8142 or 083 611 2124). Alternatively, Petson Kabala, minister in Lusaka, is willing to run workshops and can be contacted at [email protected] or on his cell telephone at 097 850 9225. Appendix D is an encouraging report of a recent workshop of this kind held in the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Lusaka, Zambia. Together with the outline of its programme it gives a good overview of the structure and content of this sort of workshop. (The English of a few participants’ responses has been slightly touched up.)

2. The Abuse of Children Another very serious and common problem in our societies is the abuse of children. The Task Team plans to provide material and suggest facilitators to run regular workshops on the sexual abuse of children, in order to empower individual congregations to think of appropriate interventions. In the meantime we would like to encourage ministers and Sessions to consult organisations working in the area of sexual abuse to discuss how their congregations can support the work of these organisations. Appendix E below offers recent statistics on the abuse, including sexual abuse, of children in South Africa. (Unfortunately we have not been able to find equivalent statistics for Zimbabwe and Zambia.) Appendix F below seeks to provide a theological rationale for, and model sermon about, the particular responsibility of congregations towards children, as both the most vulnerable members of our society and Jesus’ model for discipleship.

ROBERT STEINER CONVENER [email protected]

PROPOSALS 10. The Executive Commission urges every Presbytery to contact Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM), in order to set up Training of the Trainer (TOT) courses on Sexuality and Diversity within their boundaries. 11. The Executive Commission urges every Presbytery to establish contact with at least one organisation working to counter sexual abuse in its area, in order to find out how its congregations can support that organisation’s work. 12. The Executive Commission commends the sermon in Appendix F to all ministers, preachers and teachers.

203 APPENDIX D Report on Training of the Trainer (TOT) Training on Sexuality and Diversity 18–19 February 2015, Zambia

1. Acknowledgement The TOT Training on Sexuality and Diversity that took place in Lusaka was made possible through the partnership of the Dette Resource Foundation and Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM).

2. Background IAM’s management team met the Program Manager of the Dette Resource Foundation in September 2013 at the Dialogue on Transformative Theological Reflections on Sexual Minorities hosted by Inerela+ South Africa. Both organisations highlighted their willingness to partner each other in empowering people of faith to become more inclusive in their attitudes towards, and treatment of, lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and intersex people. In February 2015 the Dette Resource Foundation invited IAM to partner them on a TOT Training session on Sexuality and Diversity. Dette Resources Foundation (DRF) is a Christian, non-governmental organization whose vision is a society where human rights for all are respected regardless of social or economic status, political affiliation, race, sex, cultural differences and religious affiliation. It was founded in 2004, in Lusaka, Zambia. It promotes collaboration between religious, civil and national institutions that pursue similar missions and objectives to itself. INERELA+ is an international, interfaith network of religious leaders, both lay and ordained, and women and men, who are living with or are personally affected by HIV. INERELA+South Africa is the SA office.

3. Objective The training created a space for critical theoretical reflection on the complexity and inter-sectionalty of issues related to gender and sexuality. It especially aimed to empower church leaders to engage creatively with the diversities of gender and sexuality. The need to develop safe spaces for dialogue rather than debate was discussed in the light of the contextual strategies developed by IAM. Contextual Bible reading was explored as a potential tool to facilitate creative dialogue. The training further aimed to highlight human rights in relation to HIV and AIDS, with the specific focus on stigma and discrimination.

4. Outcome After completion of the training the participants were able to: • understand something of the complexity of the issues related to gender and sexuality; • understand the value of IAM’s dialogue approach; • see the potential of contextual Bible reading as one that facilitates creative dialogue; • understand the impact of stigma and discrimination and how human rights apply to those with HIV and AIDS.

5. Training Venue: Lusaka Date: 18–19 February 2015 Facilitators: Ingrid Schoonraad (IAM South Africa); Rev Ecclesia de Lange (IAM South Africa); Rev Petson Kabala (Uniting Presbyterian Church for Dette Resource Foundation); David Musonda (Program Manager, Dette Resource Foundation) Participants: 23 participants from different Churches attended: Rev Petson Kabala (Uniting Presbyterian Church); Mamoletsane Khati; Samual Kasankha (People of Destiny International); Paul Kasoukomona (Engender Rights Centre For Justice); Evangelist Lightwell Nyirenda (Presbyterian Church); Rev Agnes Mulenga (United Church of Zambia); Minister Allan Sakala (Reformed Church); Harrison Jere (Reformed Church); Kabwe Gift Mushiba (S.D.A); Minister Tellas Alfred Shumba (Reformed Church); Lemmy Lasco Siwisha (New Apostolic Church); Esther Musonda Katulwende (Independent Churches of Zambia); Zebbies Mumba (Reformed Church); Rev Davie Kaunda (African Methodist Church); Rev Wedson Kamanga (Reformed Church); Teta Vundamina (Pentecostal/Trans Bantu); Womba Wanki (UCZ); Rev Eneless Chiloto (Reformed Church); Pastor Margaret Banola (Reformed Church); Justina Zulu (African Methodist Episcopal Church); Sipho Tembo (RCZ); Marc Mnuca (Roman Catholic); David Musonda (Dette Resource Foundation); Jane Kaluba (Dette Resource Foundation)

6. Evaluation Comments 6.1 The facilitators were able to create a safe space that encouraged participants to participate authentically in dialogue. Through this they came to understand the complexity of sexuality and gender issues and the impact that prejudice and discrimination have on the human dignity of people. 6.2 The participants were made aware of their own prejudices and each identified one thing they would like to do differently from then on, e.g.: • learn to be more accepting of the diversity of people • understand that homosexuality is born with the person • be more analytical in all circumstances and study every life issue critically • accept diversity • not discriminate against anyone • stop discriminating and hating straight people (answer from a homosexual person) • in moments of anger control what I say and mind my words • accommodate everyone, including homosexuals

204 • stop the marginalization and discrimination of people of different sexual orientation • look at lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people differently from now on • be free to accept as human gay people who behave like girls • stop judging • accommodate whomever comes my way or needs help from me

7. Stumbling Blocks that Hinder Faith Communities from becoming more Inclusive Identified and Discussed 7.1 Patriarchy as a Stumbling Block • Patriarchy needs to be named and shamed—people do not understand patriarchy and need to be educated • The need to realise the interconnectedness of the stumbling blocks in regard to sexual orientation is essential • We need to address the fear of confronting patriarchy • Role models who challenge patriarchy should be identified • Traditional leaders need to be included in safe spaces like this training, as they rule even the educated • We have to question culture radically, e.g. cultures in which women believe that men love them only if they physically hit them • Men need to affirm women and support them to find their voices 7.2 The Church as a Stumbling Block • The Church needs to become aware of its judgemental attitude and start to create safe spaces for homosexuals and their allies • Radical leadership is needed in the Church • It is important to start probing the knowledge and idea of homosexuality in small ways • People need more information to understand homosexuality—and to be sensitized • Since the youth seems to be more progressive, we need to identify and explore the potential of the youth • The church is slowly becoming more open and introspective, and such moving towards change is important • The Church should stop labelling and mind its own business (comment from a homosexual person) • Accept that homosexuals are in the church but be aware of the backlash, e.g. that clergy can be targeted and lose their jobs • There is a need to create safe spaces and support structures for clergy, as well as LGBTI’s, their parents, families and friends (a strategy on this is needed to move forward) • We need to know how to use and understand the Bible • To ask questions that can provoke dialogue is essential, but people are afraid to start • The church needs to rethink its doctrines, e.g. the doctrine of sin • Properly trained pastors are needed, not people with “a short Bible Study course, who call themselves ministers” 7.3 Alleged UnAfricanness as a Stumbling Block • The allegation that homosexuality is unAfrican is used as an excuse. • The Government should create platforms that open discussion to eradicate this myth. 7.4 The Clergy’s Lack of Commitment as a Stumbling Block • It was highlighted that to change attitude/behaviour in regard to homosexuality is a journey and not “an overnight process”. In time numbers will increase, and more clergy will become committed to include LGBTIs • The clergy need to accept LGBTIs, rather than chase them away • The legal system hinders clergy from moving forward: they are fearful and would rather hide • The lack of information leads to fear; clergy are fearful of the topic and the discussion • The clergy’s ignorance needs to be challenged with knowledge. They need to become passionate and commit themselves to one-on-one meetings. This needs to be prioritized • Some clergy are in denial that the LGBTI issue is one of human rights, dignity and justice • The growth from February 2014’s workshop to today’s training is acknowledged – people have moved

8. Feedback from Participants on what they Learned at the TOT Training: • Pseudo-homosexuals have complicated the space for natural homosexuals (those born homosexual) • Dialogue versus debate • The importance of a Safe Space • Human rights and how to respect other people in the church and community • Conflict management styles • Accept any human being made in the image of God • Religion needs to change • Contextual Bible Study is very empowering • Homosexuality is not a sin and should not be discriminated against • How to move with the issue of homosexuality and how to look at the Bible differently • It is hard to walk in someone else’s shoes • Dialogue is the best tool • Homosexuals are born, not made

9. Feedback on how the training could be improved: • By increasing the number of homosexual attendants or patriots [“patriots” is a name given to heterosexual allies who are passionate about working towards a more inclusive church/community] • By including traditional leaders • An extra day or two added

205 • It needs more members to participate, so that the knowledge can be spread • You need more workshops in the Copper Belt, southern and northern regions, so that more people are reached • Focusing on the Bible, especially Lev 18:22 • Plenty of time is needed, because some of the issues seemed to be rushed

10. Other Comments and/or Suggestions from Participants: • This was a good start for Zambia • This type of workshop was helpful in my Christian journey • The workshop should be done again, because more knowledge is needed since the topic is not so easy • Hope to share this workshop soon • Great workshop • A good workshop that provided the opportunity to find space for the voiceless • Well done!!! • It was excellent! • More time is needed to allocate to certain topics that are very sensitive • The approach should always use the “owl” (not the “shark”) approach (a conflict management style), where you come with open minds for dialogue, more especially with church leaders present • My suggestion is that we have to continue mentoring so that we share the challenges for our community • We need to have it (the training) again

11. Photograph of the Group

12. Plan of Training PROGRAMME: TOT TRAINING ON SEXUALITY AND DIVERSITY 18 – 19 FEBRUARY 2015 (LUSAKA - ZAMBIA)

Day Time Activity Responsible Wednesday 08:30-9:15 • WELCOME & DEVOTION David, Ingrid, Ecclesia 18/02/2015 (45 min) • Introduction (Individuals & Organisations) • Registration & Group Photograph 09:15-10:30 • INTRODUCTION TO DIALOGUE & THE (1 hour 15 min) WHEEL OF CHANGE: Ingrid • Difference between Dialogue & Debate • Creating Safe Spaces • A Call For Specific Skills Ecclesia 10:30-11:00 TEA/COFFEE (30 min) 11:00-12:00 DIALOGUE CONTINUES: (1 hour) • A Call For Specific Skills: Conflict Ingrid Management • Dialogue Process 12:00 – 13:00 • Human Rights in relation to HIV and Aids David, Ecclesia (1 hour) with specific focus on Stigma and Discrimination 13:00-14:00 LUNCH (1 hour) 13:00 -15:30 TERMINOLOGY: Ingrid (1 hour 30 min) • Question Box • LGBTI and SOGI

206 15:30-16:00 TEA/COFFEE (30 min) 16:00-17:00 GROUP WORK: Ingrid (1 hour) • How to Overcome Stumbling Blocks? Thursday 08:30-9:00 Devotion & Logistics David 19/02/2015 (30 min) 09:00-09:45 GROUP REFLECTION ON: Ecclesia (45 min) • Basic summary of your churches history and church decisions regarding same sex relationships • What keeps you from engaging LGBTI Christians? 9:45-10:30 Alternative strategies to Bible interpretation: Ecclesia (45 min) Contextual Bible Studies

10:30-11:00 TEA/COFFEE (30 min)

11:00-12:30 GROUP REFLECTION ON: Ecclesia, Ingrid (1 hour 30 min) • Contextual Bible Study: Old Testament

13:00-14:00 LUNCH (1 hour)

14:00-15:30 GROUP REFLEXTION ON: Ecclesia, Ingrid (1 hour 30 min) • Contextual Bible Study: New Testament

15:30-16:00 TEA/COFFEE (30 min)

16:00-17:00 • Reflection on Workshop David, Ingrid, Ecclesia (1 hour) • Evaluation • Closure

207 APPENDIX E

The above table is depicts crimes committed against children from 2005–2014. It shows that the number of reported sexual offences1 in 2014 was 22781, that is, about 62 sexual offences against children every day. Makoae et al.2 show in their research that 61% of key informants indicated that data on the number and severity of cases of sexual abuse of children was not available. This indicates that there are many sexual offences toward children that go unreported. Another report3 gives us the distribution of sexual violence against children by race, with the following statistics: 10% within black communities, 5% within coloured, 10% within Indian communities and 17% within white communities.

______:Footnotes ֹ ◌ ֹ

1 “According to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act of 2007, implemented on 16 December 2007, the rape category was changed to sexual offences, to accommodate a whole range of categories not previously catered for (which include incest, paying for sex, bestiality, sexual violation of a corpse, and distribution of child pornography.) As a result, figures from then on are not comparable with previous ones.” 2 Makoae, M., Roberts, H., & Ward, C. L. 2012. Child Maltreatment Prevention Readiness Assessment: South Africa. Human Sciences Research Council. 3 Violence against Children and the consequences for South Africa. Meeting held on 3 Sept 2014. For report visit: https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/17477.

208 APPENDIX F “Making Space for the Vulnerable Child” “They brought children for him to touch. The disciples rebuked them, but when Jesus saw it he was indignant, and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me; do not try to stop them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you: whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.’ And he put his arms round them, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.” (Mark 10:13-16) This brief story opens up some interesting perspectives on the significance of children in Jesus’ ministry. It is a familiar story about Jesus and the children which is often trivialised and the point of which is therefore easily missed. This story is about more than Jesus being nice to kids, because they are “so sweet and innocent”. Indeed it is not in fact “the sentimental, romantic, and heart-warming incident” (Adrian Dieleman) that people often see in it. The story instead makes a profound statement on the dignity and worth of children and has therefore been referred to as the Magna Carta of children, affirming their rights to be appreciated and valued highly. Mark tells us that Jesus is sitting in a house talking with his disciples when some parents come to bring their children to him. They want Jesus to touch their children. As someone put it, These parents are not hero-worshippers who want the thrill of this popular man touching their children. They are not sending their children to Jesus to get his autograph. It is not a superficial and shallow thrill that they are after. Rather, they want Jesus to change the lives, to touch and shape the hearts of their children. (Dieleman) For in many biblical stories touching is a means of bringing a blessing. Whenever Jesus touches someone, that person is changed in some way. Think of the woman who had been bleeding for 20 years; when she touched Jesus, she was healed. Think of the man born blind; when Jesus touched him he was given sight. But as these parents bring their children to be blessed, the disciples chase them away. Is it that they consider Jesus to be too important and busy? Or do they see children as bothersome? Maybe “they want to keep Jesus free to attend to more important matters. They do not think children are important enough to receive Jesus’ attention.” (Dieleman) Ironically, “These disciples thought that Jesus needed protection from bothersome children. But what Jesus points out is that the children needed protection from…adults.” (Ray Stedman) Jesus made it very clear that his disciples should go out of the way and let the children come “and not to put roadblocks in the path, obstacles arising out of their own selfishness…”(Ray Stedman) I wonder, how may we be in the way, when it comes to encouraging the children to come to Jesus, at home or in church? Are we being too protective, too selfish? In some ways it is rather surprising that the disciples act in this fashion. Because it was just a short while before, and you can read this in Mark 9, that Jesus had taken a child in his arms and said: “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me” (Mark 9:37). How important children are to Jesus becomes quite clear also when Jesus angrily exclaims in the same chapter (Mark 9:42): “And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.” If one wanted to paraphrase Jesus’ words one could say: “If anyone gets in the way and prevents children from coming to me, if anyone somehow by example or words or attitude or deeds causes them to lose faith or be weakened in their faith in me, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.”(Dieleman) No doubt, these are very harsh words. What sparks them off? Why does Jesus take such a strong interest in children? And how come that all of Jesus’ encounters with children lead to either a situation of confrontation with his disciples or an occasion of teaching for the disciples?1 In the light of these two passages leading up to the story of this morning it should become clear that Jesus’ concern is not built “on any idealistic notion of children…” (Ched Myers). In other words Jesus’ particular interest in children is not fuelled by admiration for their innocence, curiosity, playfulness or sense of wonder—all those things we often admire in a child and tend to read into the story. No, Jesus’ concern as expressed in the passages mentioned, was driven instead by a strong awareness of their powerlessness, vulnerability and dependency. Indeed, the child in the Gospel of Mark “represents another category of those marginalized and dominated (like the women, the poor, and the unclean)” (James Ailey). What we know from socio-historical studies is that “The child was, in fact, the ‘least’ in familial and societal structures; children were easily dominated and exploited because of their vulnerability, dependent as they were on adults” (James Ailey). Jesus’ critique is therefore an invitation into a new reality of community and family, where the “least” are not only included but are moved into the centre of the faith community by becoming a model for discipleship.2 For Jesus goes on to exclaim in our passage: “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Once again the warning not to read any idealistic or romantic notion of the child into the text. No, the children become a model for discipleship not because of any particular virtues but because of their very powerlessness and vulnerability.

209 Jesus thus invites his followers to rid themselves of a naïve notion of childhood by entering the space of “the vulnerable child” (James Ailey). “Receiving the kingdom of God as a little child” implies the welcome and blessing of Jesus for us as we recognize ourselves to be as vulnerable and needy as a little child. Jesus call us not only to make space for children among us, but also to make space for “the vulnerable child” within us!6 In doing this we will sense our own powerlessness and vulnerability and discover Jesus’ ministry as an experience of God’s graciousness for the weak and vulnerable. It is in this sense then that welcoming and blessing the children epitomizes God’s gracious reception of the vulnerable and needy. This story therefore poses a tremendous challenge to adult Christians and cannot be treated as a sweet little story for Sunday School. The challenge Jesus poses to the adults is that inclusion in God’s kingdom is sheer gift. Only “the vulnerable child”, the one who knows his or her powerlessness, vulnerability, and dependency on God’s grace is able to enter that kingdom. And only those who have given space to “the vulnerable child” within themselves will be able to give more space to children in the community of believers and understand why these children become a model for discipleship. ______Footnotes: 4 Cf. Hans Rüdi Weber, Jesus und die Kinder . 1980. 5 Peter Müller, In der Mitte der Gemeinde. Kinder im Neuen Testament. 1992) 6 Cf. Manfred Kock: “Wir müssen nicht nur Raum schaffen für Kinder, wir müssen auch für das Kind in uns Raum schaffen“ (”We must not only make space for children; we must also make space for the child within us”).

210 SERVICE BOOK REPORT

Report to General Executive Commission 2014

The Service Book Task Team The following have served as members of the Service Book Task Team (SBTT): Local members: Rob Calder (convener), Douglas Bax, Eleanor Gaunt, Zephney Kennedy, Bonisile Mdyesha, and Natalie van Rooyen and for part of the period 2014-1015 Brad Croucher, Fundiswa Kobo, Mzwamadoda Mfene and Kim Brown. Corresponding members: Andries Combrink, James Elias, Alan Maker, Lesley Masterson, Pip Masterson, Neil Meyer. Liturgical consultant: Keith Griffiths, Anglican priest and CUC Liturgical Consultant. The convener thanks all the members who have contributed to the work of the Task Team.

1. Order for the Public Profession of Faith (“Confirmation”) The SBTT last year submitted a revised Order for the Public Profession of Faith for approval, use and comment, so that it could consider any suggested amendments and submit the Order for adoption this year. In the event it has received no suggested amendments or comments. It therefore proposes that the Executive Commission this year formally adopt the Order, as set out in Appendix G. This includes the profession of faith and the revised promise of commitment for this Order and the Order for Believers' Baptism. (See the Supplementary Papers 2013, p.201-204, Papers for 2014, p.223.)

2. Order for Funeral or Memorial Services and Directions for their Conduct Like the Worship Committee that was its predecessor, the Service Book Task Team understands its mandate as to provide guidance for the conduct of worship and seek the renewal of worship in our denomination as well as to provide texts for Orders of worship. It has therefore in previous reports presented sets of Directions for the Administration of Baptism and the Public Confession of Faith (“Confirmation”) and for the Celebration of Holy Communion, which the Assembly and Executive Commission have duly approved and adopted. The SBTT in 2013 submitted • a parallel set of Directions for the Conduct of a Funeral or Memorial Service (in the Papers for 2013, Appendix K, p.155-158), with the proposal that the Executive Commission approve this for study and comment; and • an Order for the Conduct of a Funeral or Memorial Service (in the Papers for 2013, Appendix L, p.158-164), with the proposal that the Executive Commission approve this for use and comment. In the event the Executive Commission adopted the first proposal but amended the second to read: The Executive Commission a) sends the Order for a Funeral or Memorial Services in Appendix L to all Sessions for comment and feedback to the committee by 28 February 2014; and b) commends it to the attention of all Ministers for use and comment, calling for comments to be sent to the convener of the Service Book Task Team. The SBTT welcomes any feedback from Ministers or Sessions on the Orders it proposes. Indeed it normally proposes any Order it drafts for approval, use and comment first, before then in the following year proposing it for adoption in the light of any comments, or feedback, it receives and any further reflection on it. But in the event it received no feedback at all from any Session or anyone else on this Order. Despite enquiries, it was also unable to find out, or figure out, why its own proposal was amended so as to “commend” this particular Order instead of “approve” it at this stage, or what the intended difference in wording was meant to convey(!), and why this Order was referred in particular to Sessions for comment and feedback. The SBTT therefore in 2014 proposed to the Assembly: • that it adopt the same Order for use in our Church and instruct the webmaster to place it on the website • that it adopt the Directions (in an amended version) for implementation in our Church and instruct the webmaster to place it on the website . In the event the Assembly amended the proposals so as • only to approve the Order “for use and comment”, not adopt it “for use in our Church”, and place it on the website; and • only to approve the amended Directions “for implementation and comment”, not adopt it “for implementation”, and place it on the website. Again the SBTT has received no comment or feedback and is mystified by the amendments delaying the adoption of both items. They necessitate that it again propose them for adoption this year. The Order is printed in Appendix H below without any amendments and the Directions in Appendix I. The Directions were amplified in two particular ways in 2013-14: • to meet the problem that psychiatrists who have specialized in the study of grief have pointed out that many clergy fail to help the bereaved effectually.1 The amplifications sought to remedy this by setting the Order for Funerals in its pastoral context with guidelines on grief and the care of the bereaved. The guidelines are the distilled essence of several books on grief and on the conduct of funerals. The guidelines should therefore be of help, especially to ministers who have had little or no training in pastoral psychology. Such guidelines are especially necessary in our societies in which so much violence and so many unnatural deaths occur.) • to include a rule against the exclusion of women from burials. This is because some congregations, particularly in some rural areas, practise such exclusion. The basis for the exclusion is the notion that a death caused by an accident must have been effected by a witch. The exclusion of all women is thus meant to preclude the witch from attending the burial. This is a problem in other denominations as well. (It is an especially difficult problem,

211 of course, when the Minister is a woman!) There are indeed reports that women in some areas are still being killed or having their houses burned down on suspicion of being witches. The UPCSA needs to make a stand against this superstition. (Is this superstition what motivated the amendments to the SBTT’s proposals?)

1 E.g. C.M. Parkes: Bereavement. Studies of Grief in Adult Life (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1975), p.198.

3. Statement on Sexism and Language The SBTT has so far received eight written reactions to its document on this topic, from the following: • the Consultation for Women in Ordained Ministry in the UPCSA, which was held early this year; • the Presbytery of Tshwane; • the Session of Centurion West; • the Church Council of St John’s United Church, Pietermaritzburg; • two women ministers in the UPCSA, who sent in separate comments; • a two male Elders, one from Centurion West and one from St Columba’s in Pretoria, in a joint reaction; • a minister emeritus. Besides this the Moderator of the Presbytery of the Western Cape held a meeting of Elders and others interested in his congregation to discuss the document and invited others in the Presbytery who were interested to attend. The reactions have varied widely in sentiment—and in length. Some have been positive or very positive, some very negative. One critical reaction is 66pp. long! The SBTT is grateful for these reactions and will give careful consideration to them all before formulating its response. In the meantime it would point out only one thing: the document did not seek to “change Scripture”, as one reaction suggested, but to explore what Scripture as a whole says and to interpret what it means, for instance, in using the term “Father” for God. The Consultation for Women in Ordained Ministry asked one of those who attended it, Jackie Barker, to draw up a simpler but academically competent document for congregations and other groups on the biblical understanding of women. The SBTT should perhaps in any case wait for this before formulating its own response to the reactions sent to it. Meanwhile, however, other Presbyteries and Sessions have not yet responded to the decisions of the Assembly calling on them to discuss the document, as its topic is so important, a proposal to that end is included below. The discussion will also contribute to the preparation of a short statement on the use of inclusive language in worship for the Service Book and Ordinal. (The 2014 Assembly instructed that the document “Sexism and Language” be placed on the website. This has apparently not been done yet, which must have inhibited its easier distribution and discussion. The convener will endeavour to see that it is placed on the website before the Executive Commission meets.)

4. Order for Commissioning to the Order of Lay Ministries In 2014 the Mission and Discipleship Committee (M&DC) proposed, and the Assembly adopted, new sections in chapter 16 of the Manual on the Order of Lay Ministries. This meant that a new Order for Commissioning to the Order became necessary. The M&DC asked one of its members, Jaco Bester, to draft an Order, which he did on the basis of the Order for Admission to the Order of Lay Preachers and submitted to the SBTT. The SBTT has spent considerable time revising this in consultation especially with Theo Groeneveld and Chris Judelsohn of the M&DC. The result is in Appendix J, and a proposal is appended for it to be approved.

5. Combined Order for Believer's Baptism and the Public Profession of Faith

The SBTT has also spent some time on an Order combining Believers’ Baptism and the Public Profession of Faith (“Confirmation”) in the same service. This Order may possibly be completed in time for the Supplementary Reports; otherwise it will be submitted in 2016.

6. “Kinetic Worship”: Body Posture Mathemba Tati presented the following overture from the Presbytery of Limpopo to the Assembly in 2014: The scriptures of the Old and New Testament are all inspired by God and the Holy Spirit used His servants to pen them down. During the reading of the Torah the Israelites used to stand. However it has been observed that in the UPSCA services and in some specific congregations, that 1. Congregants stand for Old Testament only. 2. While others stand for the gospels only. 3. Others stand for both Old Testament and New Testament reading. 4. Others do neither of the above mentioned. 5. The last one is during the introit, when the service is commencing, the elders and the minister enter the Church lead by the clerk with the Bible. The members also stand as the word enters. The Church gives liberty for difference of opinion on issues that do not affect the substance of faith. This may not be affecting faith but it has liturgical implication that makes the practice to be questioned by many observant members. It is with this in mind that the quest for a resolute position that can easily apply to all our membership should be found. Since it is one denomination, I overture the venerable General Assembly to re-evaluate, and review the practice and take a stand that will be the standard practice for the whole denomination. The theological basis of the practice to be investigated and then a resolution be found, as to whether the denomination can continue to practice the standing when reading the scriptures in its liturgy. (Papers for the 11th General Assembly 2014, p.36, 472f.)

212 In the event the Assembly “agreed by consensus that the overture fall away, as the Service Book Committee was already working on the issue and would report on it” (p.473). Though the SBTT has done some work on this issue, it has had to give priority to the Order for Commissioning to the Order of Lay Ministries, which has taken some time to complete in consultation with the M&DC. It has also given priority to the Combined Order for Believer's Baptism and the Public Profession of Faith. It will report on the issue in due course, however.

7. Ordinations and the Church Unity Commission In 1995 all the member Churches of the Church Unity Commission adopted a Mutual Acceptance of Ministries. This • accepted that “the ordained ministers of word and sacrament in the member churches of the CUC have been called and ordained by God in Christ through his church and exercise a sacramental, preaching, teaching and pastoral ministry in the church of God and not simply in the particular church to which they belong”; • permitted “such ordained ministers, while remaining ministers of their own churches, to exercise such ministry within the (name of the church) when duly authorized or appointed to do so”; and • authorized the CUC “to seek consensus on the ministry of oversight; and to prepare proposals for the full reconciliation of the ordained ministers of its member churches” (http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Church+Unity+Commission+%28CUC%29.+%28Southern+Africa%29.- a092136481). In the wake of this these Churches increased their participation in one another’s ordinations. In 1997 the CUC issued the following statement on the significance of this participation, to be read on such occasions, if so desired: Ministers of other Church Unity Commission Churches are taking part in this ordination service. Their participation affirms that our churches accept one another’s ordained ministers as called and ordained by God in Christ through his church. While remaining ministers of their own churches, they may exercise their ministry within any of our churches when authorised to do so. Memories are short, and recently it has been noticeable that some ordinations in the UPCSA take place with no or few ministers or priests from other denominations present, and they sometimes take no part. Presbytery Moderators and Clerks need to be reminded of the CUC decision, and this statement that they can use. They should make sure that all local CUC clergy are invited to attend and to gather around the ordinand with the UPCSA clergy for the laying on of hands and the prayer of ordination. This serves as a powerful ecumenical symbol of our unity in Christ and that ordination is into the Church catholic, or universal. (Indeed if an Anglican bishop were to lay on hands at every UPCSA ordination, this would eventually remove the main problem in the way of union between the Anglicans and the UPCSA!)

8. Bible Versions and Hymn-books A wide range of English versions of the Bible, with very different methods and standards of translation, is now published. In this situation a proper review that examines and evaluates the different versions would be helpful to our Ministers and members. The SBTT still plans such a review for a future report. Similarly a wide range of modern hymn-books in English is now available, some denominational and some not. Many churches now seem to select English hymns from various sources, including the internet, rather than use hymnbooks. But acquaintance with the best new hymn-books would be an advantage at least to the worship leaders of all English-speaking congregations. The SBTT has tried to arrange for a few of the best of these books to be reviewed, but has so far not managed to find competent people willing to do the reviewing. Any offers of help in reviewing such hymn-books or offers of reviews will be welcome! The problem of the need for modern hymn-books in the vernacular languages in our three countries remains. In its last report the SBTT drew the attention to the TV programme “Gospel Time” on TV 2 at 8 p.m. on Sunday evenings. This broadcasts many new hymns in South African vernacular languages.

The SBTT would again stress the need for Ministers and worship leaders to examine the theology of the hymns they choose. Some new hymns, including some offered on the internet, are poor in theology, like some old hymns as well.

9. Other Tasks Other items that the SBTT is planning to look at are: • an Order of Thanksgiving for, and Blessing of, a Child (on this see the Papers for 2014, p.222f.), • a leaflet for godparents, • an Order for an Agape Meal for use in house churches; • an Order for Marriage; • leaflets on guidelines for the reading of Scripture and praying in church. (In many church services the lections from Scripture are read very poorly. The most common errors are reading too fast, failing to pause or pause long enough, reading without expression and failing to make enough eye contact.)

10. Word and Worship Advent Sunday 2014 to Christ the King Sunday 2015 is the fourth liturgical year for which the series Word and Worship. Liturgical Resources and Sermon Suggestions and its Afrikaans equivalent, Woord en Fees, have being published. Both series are based on the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), which means that Word and Worship has now begun to cover the three-year cycle of the RCL for the second time, and it will continue with the publication of fresh material for the years ahead, if enough sales continue. It is organized and published under the auspices of Ekklesia, a body connected to the University of Stellenbosch and its Kweekskool. The content of the English version is prepared by clergy in South Africa from a fairly wide range of denominations, including our own.

213 (The Afrikaans version has a different content.) The contributions in it are inevitably uneven, but it is a very useful aid. The Central Office of the UPCSA has generously subsidised copies of the English series for Ministers of the UPCSA and we commend this as a resource.

ROB CALDER CONVENER Email: [email protected]

PROPOSALS 13. The Executive Commission adopts the Order for the Public Profession of Faith (“Confirmation”) in Appendix G below for use in the UPCSA. 14. The Executive Commission adopts the Order for a Funeral or Memorial Service in Appendix H below for use in the UPCSA. 15. The Executive Commission a) adopts the Directions for the Conduct of a Funeral or Memorial Service, as amended in 2014 and printed in Appendix I below, for implementation in the UPCSA; b) draws the attention of all Ministers to the Directions. 16. The Executive Commission a) approves the Order for Commissioning to the Order of Lay Ministries for use and comment in the UPCSA; and b) instructs the webmaster to place it on the website. T17. The Executive Commission requests all Ministers (and any others) who have translated any adopted UPCSA Orders of worship into any vernacular languages in South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe to inform the convener of the Service Book Team and the Clerk of Assembly of this and send them copies, so that records of them can be kept and copies be made available. T18. The Executive Commission reminds all Presbytery Moderators and Clerks and all Ministers and Sessions that the General Assembly in 2014 sent the Statement on Sexism and Language (Supplementary Papers 2014, p.387-401, and on the website) a) to all Ministers. Sessions and worship leaders for discussion and comment, and b) to all Presbyteries with the instruction that they distribute and discuss the Statement. The Executive Commission urges all Session and all Presbyteries that have not yet done so to send their responses and comments to the convener, by 28 February 2016. 19. The Executive Commission a) reminds all Presbytery Moderators and Clerks of the Mutual Acceptance of Ministries; and b) instructs them to see that the local clergy of all other CUC Churches are invited to attend and to take part in all clergy ordinations in the UPCSA. T20. Executive Commission a) thanks all Ministers who have continued to work for, and contribute to, the Word and Worship series and its Afrikaans equivalent, Woord en Fees; and b) commends the latest and the forthcoming volumes in the series to all UPCSA Ministers and preachers, as a resource for preaching and worship.

214 APPENDIX G

ORDER FOR THE PUBLIC PROFESSION OF FAITH AND REAFFIRMATION OF THE BAPTISMAL COVENANT (“CONFIRMATION”1) See the “Directions for the Administration of Baptism and for Public Confession of Faith ('Confirmation')”. The service begins with the Order before Holy Communion. Lections may be chosen from those listed in the Order for Baptism. A sermon appropriate to the occasion is preached. The Order below follows the sermon. Any person besides the Minister who has instructed, or helped to instruct, the candidates should take part, at least by saying the words assigned below to the Session Clerk. The parts in brackets are optional.

Prologue This is an important day in the lives of [number] (young) people who are going to step forward in a moment. What will it mean for them? God made a covenant with people, declaring, “I will be your God and you shall be my people.” Jesus sealed that covenant with his blood. The parents of these (young) people brought them as children to be baptized into the covenant and that people. Professing their own faith, they promised to nurture their children in the way of the Lord. The children were then baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and the Church prayed that they would receive the gift of the Spirit. They have since been taught what it means to believe and the Spirit has brought them to put their trust in Christ. So today they come to reaffirm the covenant of their baptism by confessing their own commitment to Christ as Lord. We for our part will reaffirm them as fellow members of God's people, of Christ’s Church and pray for the Spirit to fill them and equip them to serve the Lord and witness to him faithfully. So now, as (the Session Clerk) reads each name, will that person please stand and come forward to the font…. Each person so named comes forward to stand at the font. The Minister may then say, I call on all the parents of these young people. When you brought your children to be baptized, you promised to bring them up in the way of the Lord. Do you recognize that the time has now come for them to be responsible for their own walk with God and to follow Christ in whatever way he calls them to serve him? If so, will you, the parents, please stand. Prayer Let us all stand. Let us pray. O God, we thank you that your Son Jesus Christ, sealed your covenant of grace with us and that your Holy Spirit has written it upon our hearts. Help each of these (young) people standing here before us now to witness humbly, sincerely and gladly to their faith in you and their commitment to you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Vow The congregation sits. If the candidates have learned the words by heart beforehand, the Minister may say: As you stand before God, I call on you all to confess the faith into which you were baptized. The candidates then say audibly and at deliberate pace, either individually or together, I put my trust in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour, in God as my Father and in the Holy Spirit as my Helper and Guide.

215 Alternatively, the Minister recites the vow as a question, and the candidates respond individually, as each is named: As you stand before God, I ask each of you now to confess the faith into which you were baptized. Do you put your trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, in God as your Father and in the Holy Spirit as your Helper and Guide? I do. Let us now all stand and join with these (young) people in together all confessing our faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed. The congregation stands and all say the Creed together.

Testimony One or two or more of those taking the vows may bear brief personal testimony to God’s work of grace in their lives. The congregation sits for this.

Hymn to the Holy Spirit

Blessing The congregation remains standing. All who have come forward, please kneel. The Minister lays hands on each person with the words, [Name], may God enable you to live in the power of the Holy Spirit who was promised to you in and through your baptism and keep you always faithful to Christ. or [Name], may God by the power of the Holy Spirit who was promised to you in and through your baptism keep you always faithful to Christ.2 The congregation then sings the Aaronic blessing, or says together:

The LORD bless you and guard you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD look kindly on you and give you peace. Num. 6:24-26 REB All those kneeling stand. The Minister says: Through your baptism and your faith in Jesus Christ God has washed away all your sins, stripped off your old self with its behaviour and given you a new self in Jesus Christ. He has made you one with his chosen people. Among them there is no Jew or Gentile, no white or black, no servant or master, no male or female; for Christ is all and in all. Gal. 3:28, Col. 3:11 By your baptism God has also ordained you each to take your part in his mission to the world in accordance with Jesus’ words: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judaea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth Ac. 1:8

Promises The candidates say together: In dependence on God's help I turn away from sin and evil to serve and witness to Jesus Christ as Lord, seeking his righteousness in my own life and his justice and compassion in the world. I commit myself to be a faithful member of the family of God, to join in its worship and fellowship, to be diligent in reading Scripture and in prayer, Cf. Ac. 2:42 and to care for the poor.

Alternatively the Minister addresses those who have professed their faith. In dependence on God's help do you turn away from sin and evil to serve and witness to Jesus Christ as Lord, seeking his righteousness in your own life

216 and his justice and compassion in the world? Do you commit yourself to be a faithful member of the family of God, to join in its worship and fellowship, to be diligent in reading Scripture and in prayer Cf. Ac. 2:42 and to care for the poor? I do. The Minister then says: May the Holy Spirit fill you with gratitude for all that God has done for you and help you keep the solemn promises you have made today.

Question to the Congregation I now address all the members of this congregation. As these (young) men and women have reaffirmed the covenant God made with them in their baptism, do you reaffirm them as fellow members and witnesses with you in the worship and mission of the Church and will you as a congregation love and support them in this?

We welcome you with joy and thanksgiving to share with us in Christ's ministry to the world, for in him we are all one. Alternatively the Minister calls the members of the congregation to signify their welcome by standing, and after a pause asks all others present to stand.

Prayer The congregations stands. Let us pray. O God of love and grace, we thank you for your work of grace in all our lives, that by water and the Spirit you cleanse us from our sins and give us new birth. We thank you for every one of these brothers and sisters who has today witnessed to the faith they have in you and so affirmed the covenant of baptism. The congregation says together: We pray for them that they may daily increase in your Holy Spirit, be rooted in the fellowship of your Church and have life abundant. We know your gifts are many, O Lord: make known to them the particular service to which you call each person and equip them for that service. Help them to share the gospel of Christ with others and to seek his justice and peace in the world. Keep them faithful to you all their lives, until at last they take their places in your eternal Kingdom. And grant to the rest of us a new resolve to follow you faithfully wherever you lead us, O God, in the power, love and joy of your Holy Spirit, to your honour and glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The congregation sits.

Right Hand of Fellowship The Minister addresses those who have confirmed their baptism: (The Elders and) I now give you the right hand of fellowship in recognition of you as brothers and sisters in Christ and of our common calling to witness to him and work for him in the world. We also invite the rest of the congregation to do the same after the service. The Minister (and Elders) give the right hand of fellowship to each candidate. An anthem may be sung while this takes place.

217 Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities The Minister then addresses the candidates: Your names are now included on the Roll of adult members of this congregation. Enter fully, then, into the worship, life and ministry of the Church, and exercise your privileges and responsibilities in it. (The Session Clerk) may hand each candidate a confirmation certificate and/or a memento from the congregation. Hymn The Minister announces a hymn of commitment. The candidates take their seats in the front row(s) of the church.

Holy Communion The service proceeds with Holy Communion. The Minister serves the bread and wine to the candidates. After the benediction and commission they proceed with the Minister to the front door and stand there with the Minister. As the congregation leaves the church, they give those who have professed their faith the right hand of fellowship. Endnotes to the Order: 1 Scripture provides no basis for viewing confirmation as a sacrament, so that it is incorrect to speak of being confirmed. (See the PCSA Papers for General Assembly 1990, p.32-43.) But the name “confirmation” persists. 2 As baptism, not “confirmation”, is the sacrament by which Christ imparts the Spirit to faith, the blessing should not purport to be an actual sacramental imparting of the Spirit or the fullness or power of the Spirit.

APPENDIX H

ORDER FOR A FUNERAL OR MEMORIAL SERVICE

Some of the alternatives below (some in round brackets) are for use if the deceased had explicit faith. Others are for when the deceased had no explicit faith. The prayers in bold are to be said by the congregation. For this they will need to be printed and distributed beforehand or be projected overhead. (Otherwise the Minister says them alone.)

Entry The coffin is brought, closed, into the church. It is either placed at the entrance of the church, to be carried in at the start of the service, or else directly placed in the front of the nave, with the feet towards the holy Table and/or the pulpit/lectern. When the coffin is carried in at the start of the service, the Minister first calls the people to stand and face the entrance. The pallbearers or the family may then place a white pall over the coffin. The Minister then says, for all the congregation to hear: All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death… in order that, as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. Rom. 6:3-5 Or As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Gal. 3:27 In his/her baptism [full name] was clothed with Christ. At the day of Christ’s coming he/she shall be clothed with glory. The reader, carrying the Bible, and the Minister then precede the coffin into the church.

GOD’S CALL

Call to Worship One of the following scriptural sentences is said: The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut. 33:27 RSV

218 Or Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Ps. 124:8 One or two of the following are also said: Job declared: I know that my Redeemer lives and that at the last he will stand upon the earth…; then in my flesh I shall see God whom I shall see on my side. Job 19:25-27 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matt. 5:4 Or Jesus said: Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matt.11:28 Or In the tender mercy of our God the dawn from on high will break upon us to give light to those who live in darkness, under the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Lk. 1:78f. Or We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. Rom 14:7-9 Or Jesus said: I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Jn. 11:25

Welcome Welcome to you all, members of this church and visitors, as we come together to give thanks to God for the life of [first and last names], to commit him/her into God's hands and to show our love and support for the family in their time of grief. The Minister may add: When Lazarus died, Jesus came to be with Mary and Martha. He saw Mary weeping and was himself deeply moved. Jesus wept. So when a loved one dies, we too may weep and know the grace of tears.

THE PEOPLE’S APPROACH

Hymn of Praise

Prayer of Praise The congregation remains standing. Let us pray. Eternal and almighty God, our Creator, we praise you because as morning after morning the brightness of the dawn disperses the darkness of the night, so you dispel the dark cloud of death that hangs over humankind in the wake of sin with the splendour of the Sun of Righteousness, who is risen with healing in his wings— Mal. 4:2 Jesus Christ our Lord. We praise you for your glory and for your grace and pray that you will shine in our hearts with a light that chases away every shadow of despair Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Or Holy, immortal God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, whose love and mercy are infinite, we praise you because for your own love’s sake

219 you created us mortals and breathed life into us. We bless you because you will not let grow cold forever the hands that have been raised to hallow your name, the hearts that longed for your rest. the eyes that looked for your glory. You will not let perish in death for ever those whom you have called to eternal fellowship and communion with you. You give to them a share in the mystery of the death and resurrection of your Son. You are worthy to receive blessing and honour and praise through Jesus Christ our living Lord. (Adapted from an Old Catholic Church prayer)

Prayer of Confession Let us confess our sins to God. Forgive us, O God, that we are so unworthy of your love. For we have not lived as we ought to live; nor have we loved as we ought to love. We have not kept your commandments, and our years are soon past. Lord, God, have mercy upon us. Forgive us all our sins, all our failures, and heal us of all our vain regrets. By your mercy in Christ Jesus raise us to a new life, so that as long as we live, we may serve you, until, dying, we enter into your nearer presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Assurance of Grace Hear the good news: Christ lived for us; Christ died for us; Christ rose for us; Christ reigns in power and prays for us. All who trust in him are forgiven. Or Hear the good news: God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners, Christ died for us. Rom. 5:8 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness. 1 Pet. 2:24 Or God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.

(Life Story and Tributes)

(Hymn)

GOD’S WORD

Prayer for Illumination

While we live, we are always being given up to death. 2 Cor. 4:11 Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Jn. 6:68 Let us pray. Let the light of your Holy Spirit illuminate your Word, O God, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom and in your gospel discover our peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Or Almighty God, whose love is everlasting, and who can turn the shadow of death itself into daybreak, help us to listen to your Word with believing hearts, so that, through the comfort of the Scriptures we may learn to have hope

220 and be lifted above our darkness and despair into the light and peace of your presence. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Or Almighty God, our refuge and our strength, our present help in trouble, help us, we pray, to trust in you, and to hold firmly to the promises of your Word, that we may receive grace in this and in every time of need. through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The congregation is seated.

Scripture Lessons Listen to God speak in the reading of Holy Scripture. Two or three lections should be read. A Psalm may be read responsively. Possible lessons are: Job 2:11-13 Rom. 6:3-11 Matt. 5:1-12 Job 14:1-2,5-10,14-17 Rom. 8:9-18 Matt. 11:25-30 Job 19:21-27 Rom. 8:18-28 Matt. 25:1-13 Job 21:7-17,23-26 Rom. 8: 31-39 Matt.28:1-10 Ps. 16 1 Cor. 15: 1-12 Mk. 16:1-8 Ps. 23 1 Cor. 15:12-26,55-57 Lk. 7:1-17 Ps. 32:1-7, 10f. 1 Cor. 15:35-44 Lk. 23:32-33,39-43 Ps. 39:4-8,11-12 I Cor. 15:48-57 Lk. 24:1-11/12 Ps. 90:1-12/17 2 Cor. 4:6-18 Lk. 24: 13-32/35 Ps. 103:1-19,22 2 Cor. 4:13-5:10 Jn. 3:16-21 Ps. 116:1-9,12-17 Eph. 1:11-20 Jn. 5:19-29 Ps. 118:5-7,14-23 Phil. 3:4b-16,20f. Jn. 6:27-40 Ps. 121 1 Thess. 5:1-11 Jn. 6:47-58 Ps. 130 2 Tim. 2:8-13 Jn. 11:17-27 Ps. 139:1-12,17-18 Heb. 2:8b-17 Jn. 11:32-44 Eccl. 3:1-14 Heb. 11:1f.,13-16 Jn. 14:1-6,19,25-27 Isa. 25:6-9, 26:3-4 1 Pet. 1:3-9 Jn. 20:1-18 Isa. 26:2-9,19 1 Jn. 2:28-3:3 Jn.21:1-15-19 Isa. 40:1-11,28-31 Rev. 7:9-17 Isa. 43:1-7 Rev. 14:1-3,6f.,13 Isa. 55:1-3,6-13 Rev. 21:1-7 Isa. 65:17-25 Rev. 21:22-22:5 Dan. 12:1-9 Note: Some lections are included to articulate the desolation, despair or even anger of the bereaved . The congregation may be invited to stand for the lection from the Gospel, which may be introduced with the words: Hear and believe in the good news of the gospel. After the reading of the Scriptures, the Minister may lead in prayer: Eternal God, we praise you for your Word, which is a light to us in our darkness. Help us both to hear and to believe the promises you have spoken; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A short silence may follow each lection and this prayer.

Sermon The sermon is preached in exposition of a Scripture lection. It begins: In the name of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is appropriate for the sermon to conclude with an Ascription of Praise and to be followed by a period of silence.

Statement about the Word and Sacraments As an alternative to the ceremony with the pall at the start of the service, the following, if it is appropriate, may be said either after the tributes or here. At the Lectern/Pulpit (The apostle Paul declares:) The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, as it is written, “Whoever is righteous through faith shall live.” Rom. 1:16f.

221 [Name] heard the gospel and put his/her faith in Christ. At the Font As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Gal. 3:27 By his/her baptism [name] was clothed with Christ; At the day of Christ’s coming he shall be clothed with glory. At the Table The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? 1 Cor. 10:16 Through the sacrament at this Table [name] was kept in communion with Christ and his Church. It is a communion that continues with all the saints in glory.

THE PEOPLE’S RESPONSE

(Creed/Credal Hymn/Anthem) Unless it will be said at the graveside or the crematorium, the people may stand to say a creed or liturgical confession of faith together. Alternatively a credal hymn or an anthem may be sung.

Prayer of Thanks The people remain standing and say together: O God, before whom the generations rise and pass away: we praise you for all your servants who, having lived this life in faith, now live eternally with you. Especially we thank you for (your servant) [name], for the gift of his/her life, (for his/her baptism through which you laid claim on his/her life, for your grace shown to him/her, for the work of your Holy Spirit in his/her life for his/her trust in Jesus Christ and walk with him,) and for all in him/her that was good and kind and faithful. Here specific service and/or characteristics may be mentioned. We thank you that for him/her death is past (and all pain in this life is ended), and that we can now commit him/her into your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Or We thank you that for him/her death is past and that he/she has entered into the joy you have prepared for those who love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Pastoral Prayer God of all grace, who in Jesus Christ our Saviour brought us eternal life: we give you thanks that by this death and resurrection he overcame the power of death and sin and opened your kingdom to all who trust in you. Grant us to know that because he lives, we may live also, and that neither death nor life, nor things present, nor things to come, shall be able to separate us from your love, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Or O Heavenly Father, who in your Son Jesus Christ has given us a true faith and a sure hope: help us, we pray, to live as those who believe in the forgiveness of sins, the communion of saints, and the resurrection to life everlasting; and strengthen this faith and hope in us all the days of our lives; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. Or Almighty God, who in Jesus Christ promised that in your house are many places to dwell: grant us faith to see beyond our touch and sight some sign of your reign and, where our vision dims, to trust your love, which never fails. Lift from us the weight of sorrow

222 and give us all such a good hope in Jesus that we may bravely walk this earthly way and at last be joined in glory with those whom we love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who was dead but is risen, and to whom be honour and praise, now and forever. Amen. Or O God our Father, we thank you that those whom you love pass from this world into a world of light even though our earthly frailty and sadness hides that light from us. But draw near to us in our need: be a father and mother to all who have lost their fathers or mothers; be a close Companion to all who have lost a husband or a wife ; be a comfort to all parents who have lost a child. Comfort us all in our sorrow. Help us to lift up our hearts to remember the promise of your new creation when your kingdom will come and all the world will be young again, and we shall rejoice with our loved ones in the presence of your glory through Jesus Christ who lived and died for us and lives for ever. Amen. (Hymn) If the committal is to take place elsewhere, at a graveside or a crematorium, the service concludes with a hymn, the Commission and the Benediction.

THE COMMITTAL The people stand. The Minister may invite the family to come forward and stand around the coffin. They may place their hands on the coffin for the committal, to symbolize their release of the deceased into God’s hands. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. I Pet. 1:3f. O God, who has ordered this wondrous world and who knows all things in earth and heaven: so fill our hearts with trust in you, we pray, that by night and by day, at all times and in all seasons, we may without fear commit those who are dear to us to your never-failing love for this life and for the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Or Holy Father, we thank you that [name] was baptised in your name that he/she is a forgiven sinner, cleansed by the blood of Jesus and that your Holy Spirit, who raised Jesus from the dead, abides with him/her in accordance with the sign of his/her baptism,, so that now he/she no longer knows in part but instead sees face to face and knows the fullness of your love, even as you have always fully known and loved him/her. Grant therefore that he/she may shine in glory, transformed to be like our Saviour in all his resurrected majesty. For truly she is now a sheep in your pasture, a lamb of your Fold. So we now commit his/her earthly body to be consumed (or to return to the dust from which it was made), trusting in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection through Jesus Christ our Lord. Or Almighty God, we now commit our departed brother/sister to you and your great mercy, as we commit his/her body to be consumed (or to its last resting place), earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in the sure hope that you will resurrect all those who trust in you to eternal life, in union with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Thus we eagerly await our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transfigure our weak, mortal bodies to be like his own glorious body,

223 by the power with which he is able to subject all things to his rule. Phil. 3:20f. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 1 Cor. 15:57 Jesus said: Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one; I was dead, and see, I am alive for ever and ever. Rev. 1:17f. Or Jesus said: This is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose not even one of those whom he has given me, but raise them all up at the last day. For it is my Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and has faith in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up on the last day. Jn. 6:39 If the family have come forward for the committal, they now return to their places. If the committal is at a graveside or a crematorium and the Apostles’ Creed has not been said after the sermon, it is appropriate for the Minister to lead the believers present in saying it as the coffin is lowered, or at least say it him/herself. Alternatively he/she may say: There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Rom. 8.1 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? We are convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 8:33-35,38f. Amen.

Final Prayers The Minister may offer more than one of the following prayers: Almighty God, Father of all mercies, giver of comfort, deal graciously, we pray, with all those who mourn, that, casting every care on you, they may know the comfort of your love. O God, who has called us from death to life: we offer ourselves to you; and with your church through all the ages we thank and praise you for your redeeming love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Or O God, whose days are without end, and whose mercies cannot be numbered: make us deeply aware of the shortness and uncertainty of life; and let your Holy Spirit lead us through this present world in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives; so that having served you in our day and generation, we may be gathered to be with all the faithful who have preceded us in the fellowship of your Church militant, in the confidence of a sure faith, in the comfort of a holy hope, in favour with you our God, and in perfect peace with all our fellow men and women. So raise us at the end of time, when your Son comes in glory and makes everything new, so that then (together with [name] and with all your people we may share the never-ending life of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Or Abide with us at the evening of the day, O Lord, the evening of the day, the evening of life, the evening of the world. Abide with us when the night of tribulation and fear, the night of bitter death, comes upon us.

224 O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in your great mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Notices If any brief notices are announced (for example, an invitation to tea), the congregation are seated for these.

Hymn

GOD’S SENDING Commission Jesus said: I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever has faith in me, even though he die, will live, and everyone who lives and has faith in me will never die. Jn. 11:25f. Go forth therefore and proclaim the good news to all the world. Or Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who comforts us in our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Cor.1:3f. Go from this place, therefore, and make it your ministry to bring comfort and hope to others.

Benediction Jesus said: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. Jn. 14:27 So may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus for ever. Phil. 4:7 Amen. Exit Will the pallbearers please take their places. The Bible, the Minister and the coffin, in that order, process out through the main entrance.

APPENDIX I

DIRECTIONS FOR THE CONDUCT OF FUNERAL AND MEMORIAL SERVICES

Bereavement

Bereavement is a trauma that tears away a relationship with a loved one and all the companionship and hopes and aspirations for the future tied to the relationship. It therefore brings deep emotional shock. The shock may stun people, causing them to feel numb and unable immediately to accept the loss, a state of denial or disbelief. They may feel as though they are a dream. This state of numbness and unreality is a sort of natural tranquillizer that helps to buffer the news at first. They may also be left disoriented and confused, with a distorted sense of reality. As time passes the reality begins to sink in, and the pain increases. This is necessary, because the mourner needs to move on, accept the reality of the death and work through grief. Deep sadness, desolation, loneliness, aching emptiness or inner turmoil may overwhelm the bereaved, especially if the death is sudden or untimely. The pain may feel physical. Another frequent reaction is anger or resentment, even rage. This may be directed against the doctor or nurses or against the deceased (for dying or dying first). In the case of the death of a child, it may be against a spouse. Questioning God or anger with God (for allowing the death to happen) is also normal. (This may also be expressed against the minister, as God's representative.) Continuing anger can take the form of aggressiveness, irritability and quarrelsomeness. Anger may also be directed against oneself, in the form of guilt or self-reproach. A Minister should not judge such anger or guilt, but help to analyse and identify its real cause.

225 Mourners may also react in the opposite way: with anxiety (even hysteria), fearfulness, fatigue, weakness, defeat, helplessness, apathy, despair, morbid self-pity, depression and loss of purpose or of identity. They may have acute swings of mood. And they may become disorganized or dysfunctional. Parents who lose a child may experience “survivor guilt”, a feeling that they have no right to go on living or enjoying life. Mourners need to work through their grief. Repressed or unresolved grief can become chronic and lead to emotional problems, substance abuse and mental and physical illness. They need support in facing up to the reality of the loss and a future without the deceased, so that they can emotionally reorient themselves, to rebuild their lives.

Visiting the Bereaved

A Minister may be asked to visit where a person has just died to pray over the deceased. This may involve simply a Scripture lection and a prayer or may include any other elements from the following: Comforting sentences of Scripture Prayer of praise for God's love and care in every situation (Hymn) Scripture lections, including an appropriate Psalm (See the list of lections in the Order for a Funeral) Prayer of thanks for the life of the deceased Prayer of thanks for God's victory over death in Jesus Christ Prayer entrusting the deceased into God's hands Prayer for comfort of the bereaved Silent Prayer (Lord's Prayer) (Hymn) Blessing

The Minister should in any case meet with the family after a death and gently encourage them to speak about the deceased. Certainly the comfort of the gospel and the assurance of God's love and victory over death in Jesus Christ are important in the longer run, but the first need of bereaved people is someone to listen to their memories and what they feel, perhaps over and over again, and share their pain—not a sermon or lesson in theology. (That was a mistake Job's friends made.) They need to talk about the deceased and perhaps about unfinished business in their relationship. They should be encouraged to express their feelings, without being judged or criticized or told to get over it. “Give sorrow words. The grief that does not speak knits up the overwrought heart and bids it break” (Shakespeare). Children too need to share their feelings with someone. People need to know that it is OK to weep (or even yell or scream), that a good cry is indeed psychologically necessary to release painful and damaging emotions. They should be encouraged to find time for tears, as Jesus did (Jn. 11:35, Isa. 53:3), and not bottle them up. Expressing grief in words and in tears will gradually relieve its pain. If people feel angry with God, they should be encouraged to express their feelings to God, like some of the psalmists —even to shout at God. Indeed it helps mourners to know what feelings bereaved people commonly experience and that their sense of unreal-ity and other feelings, dreams and even hallucinations, are natural and normal, that they are not going insane and that their pain will eventually recede. (Thinking of suicide is also normal, but if such thoughts are intense or frequent, a psychotherapist should be brought in.) Sedatives or tranquillizers are best avoided. They (like alcohol) mask, distort and delay reality. People who resort to them for the funeral often regret afterwards that they cannot recall it clearly. The best therapy is in any case for the bereaved to face up to the reality of their loss while relatives, friends and fellow Christians rally around in support. The longer grief work is postponed, the more difficult it becomes to do effectively. (Persistent sleeplessness may, however, need mild sleeping pills for a few nights to break the pattern.) The Minister should never suggest that anyone's death was God's will. He/she should stick to simple, straightforward words that do not disguise or avoid reality with the bereaved, including children. Children should be told, gently, that a loved one has died, and why (unless it was by suicide). Children often suffer from the illusion that they were somehow responsible for the death and need to be assured that they were not. It is appropriate to end a visit by reading a relevant Bible passage, praying with the bereaved and perhaps singing a hymn or reciting a psalm together.1

Who “Qualifies” for a Funeral?

The funeral or memorial service, especially of a believing Christian, should take place in church with the congregation present, unless circumstances prevent this. A church is also much better than a chapel attached to a crematorium: some people find the lowering of the body of a loved one into the combustion chamber very traumatic. A Minister should never refuse to conduct a funeral service or to conduct it in church on the grounds that the deceased was not baptized or a practising believer or a paid-up member of the congregation or of a church association or failed to attend church, or was a suicide. Such refusal contradicts Jesus’ attitude to outsiders, sinners and the poor, and his death for the justification of the ungodly (Rom. 4:5, 5:6). (See the UPCSA Confession of Faith, Art. 7.10.) On the other hand everything that the Minister says at the service should be authentic. If the deceased was not a believer or a church member, any wording that implies that he/she was is to be avoided. Alternatives in the Order

226 that apply only if the deceased was a believer should be used only if that is known. The Minister should not give the impression that the Church subscribes to the folk belief that everyone who dies automatically “goes to heaven”. At the same time it is not for the Minister to judge anyone. God alone will judge us all on the Last Day; meanwhile he offers us his grace in Jesus Christ and calls us all to repent.

Planning the Funeral

The Minister should plan the funeral or commemoration service with the family: what music will be played, which hymns will be sung, whether tribute is to be paid to the deceased and, if so, who will pay it. Any recorded secular music that is at all inappropriate should be excluded, whether before, during or after the service. The Minister may choose the Scripture lection(s) from those listed in the Order for Funerals or may choose to discuss with the family which lections to choose and preach on. The singing of psalms or hymns and their number (usually two or three) depend on circumstances and the number of people who will attend. Family members or friends may be invited to take part in the service. Anyone reading the lessons should have training in reading or at least should practice reading them, preferably with someone present as a guide. (See the document “Reading the Lections in Church”.) Pictures of the deceased, flowers or other decorations should not be placed on or in front of the lectern, pulpit, font or holy Table, turning it into a stand or obscuring it.2 If a video is played or photographs are shown on a screen, this should be before and/or after but not during the service, unless briefly in an interlude or one photograph on the screen. If leaflets or song sheets are printed, the family should appoint greeters to welcome the worshippers at the front door(s) and hand these out. No one taking photographs or videos should in any way interfere with the service or distract worshippers. If they are allowed at all, the Minister should insist that they stand right at the back or the side, against the wall, or sit in the pews, remain still and not impede anyone’s view. The Minister alone is in charge of the service. There should be no other “Master of Ceremonies”.

Viewing the Deceased

Some bereaved people become upset later because their memories of the deceased become blurred and seem unreal. If the body has been removed from the home and, if they wish to, the Minister should encourage mourners to visit and spend time with the deceased at the mortuary or funeral parlour before the service. This will help them to accept the reality of death and to fix the image of the deceased in their minds. If the coffin is opened for viewing at the church, this should be before the service, in the corner of the vestibule or an adjacent room. The coffin should be closed before the service starts (perhaps with an appropriate short prayer) and thereafter remain closed.3 (A mother whose baby is born dead or who dies in hospital should be allowed to hold and say goodbye to the baby.) Viewing a deceased parent or sibling in the company of a parent or someone close (unless the body was mutilated) may also help a child ward off troubled fantasies. But then it should be explained to the child beforehand that the body becomes cold.

Expense

Status and show should be of no concern at a funeral. A family should not spend a large part of its savings, let alone go into debt, in order to provide an expensive funeral, coffin, wake or tombstone. Ministers should discourage such extravagance and the notion that due honour to the deceased as an ancestor demands it. Informing the family that the coffin will be covered while it is in church can help in this regard. The same simple white pall should be used for all coffins. It should be left on the coffin until the coffin is placed in the hearse. Ministers should also discourage the expectation that families are obliged to provide eats for all who call on them to console them or eats for a wake for all those who attend the funeral.

The Funeral Service

The Minister should understand the purposes of the funeral service and its ritual as: • to help the bereaved recall memories of the deceased and express how much they feel they have lost in him/her (in the tributes); • to provide a ritual occasion for grieving, in the company of family and friends; • to validate their grief but also help them work through it and accept the reality of their loss; • to facilitate an occasion to confess to God any guilt or repentance they feel in relation to the deceased; • to comfort the bereaved by placing their loss in the context of God's providence and loving care and assuring them that the deceased is in God's hands and that God is with them in their present crisis; • to testify to the gospel in a way that brings hope and the knowledge that God's promises are also for the future; • to enable the bereaved to say goodbye to the deceased and commit him/her to God in worship; and • to help the bereaved face up to the future with hope, not despair. Children as young as five can attend a funeral, if they wish. This can be a way of saying goodbye for them. But the rite of the funeral should be explained beforehand, and the child should not be accompanied by someone overwhelmed with grief. An adult should stand by to take a young child out, if he/she becomes restless or unhappy. (On the other hand all tears should not be hidden from children.)

227 The Central Focus

A funeral or memorial service naturally focuses on the deceased and the bereaved. But its central focus should be on God as the one who in Jesus Christ gives us life and in the face of death gives us hope and comfort. The main emphasis should be the gospel’s promise of final triumph over death in the light of Christ’s death and resurrection. It should express solemn awareness of the certainty of death and judgement, but strike a note of confident hope and joy that in Christ God has conquered death and delivered from condemnation all who by grace receive the free gift of righteousness (Rom. 5:12ff., 8:1ff.). In that sense every funeral should be an Easter service.4 Thus both the sermon and the liturgy should proclaim not the immortality of the soul, as though human beings were inherently immortal, but the victory over death that the grace and power of God have accomplished and will accomplish in Christ. This does not mean that the service should exclude lament (or even anger) in the face of death and bereavement. It should make place for the confession of sin and the assurance of grace to all who put their trust in Christ. It should show solidarity with the bereaved and commend both the deceased and the bereaved to God’s grace and mercy. A good practice is to have a leaflet on the gospel’s promises in the face of death available for the family and visitors to take home.

The Coffin

The coffin should be brought into the church and be present in the service, whenever possible. This pays due recognition to the deceased. It also helps the bereaved more concretely to pay their last respects to the loved one, accept the reality of their loss, say farewell, as it were, commit the deceased into God's hands, and so find closure. The coffin is brought, closed, into the church either before or at the start of the service. If it is carried in at the start of the service, the Minister first calls the people to stand and face the entrance. The coffin may then be covered with a pall. This is both: • to signify that Christ covers our unrighteousness with his righteousness (with appropriate scriptural words relating baptism to this); and • to avoid any display of how costly or inexpensive the coffin is. The Minister leads the pallbearers and the coffin into the church. The coffin should be carried in (and out) feet first. It should be placed in the church in front, so that if Christ’s advent were to occur, the dead person, on being raised, would face the Table and the lectern/pulpit.

The Order

The Minister should greet the bereaved family, when they arrive at the entrance to the church. The Order for a Funeral or Memorial Service is: God’s Call Call to Worship (appropriate sentence or sentences from Scripture) (Covering of the Coffin) The People’s Approach Hymn of Praise Prayer of Praise Prayer of Confession of Sins Assurance of Grace to Believers (Tributes) God’s Word Prayer for Illumination Scripture Lessons Sermon The People’s Response (Creed) Prayer of Thanks for the Life of the Deceased Pastoral Prayer for the Bereaved Committal Final Hymn God’s Sending Commission Benediction

Tributes

If tributes are paid, they should preferably be no more than two or three and not be too long. Too many or too long tributes displace the prayers and the reading and preaching of God’s Word from the central place and focus. Tributes should not make the deceased out to be a better Christian than he was. Where it applies, they should express thanks to God for his grace or goodness in and through the deceased. The Minister should ask those paying tributes to practise them aloud beforehand and to time them to ensure that they last no more than 4–5 minutes. Ideally tributes, like the lections, should be rehearsed in church, with the Minister advising on posture, audibility, eye contact etc. It is appropriate for the tributes to be preceded by, or

228 begin with, a short outline of the life of the deceased. Various places in the Order are possible for tributes. One mooted place is before the service starts, so that they do not form part of the service itself. But then the event as a whole begins by focusing not on God but on the deceased. Other places are before the Prayer for Illumination and the Lections or, if there are only one or two short tributes, just before the sermon. Long tributes can be paid at the wake, if there is one.

The Sermon

If no separate tribute is paid, the sermon itself may begin with a short outline of the life of the deceased. But the sermon as a whole should not degenerate into a tribute, or eulogy. It should, as always, be an exposition of Scripture and its promises. It should ordinarily focus on God’s victory over death in Jesus Christ and the hope that the gospel holds before us. If the deceased was a believer, it should refer to his/her baptism as a sacrament that stands in continuity with Christ’s death and resurrection and the seal of God’s promises to him/her (Rom. 6:1-11). It should reach out to all those present, calling them to assess their own readiness to face death and to put their faith and hope in Jesus Christ. If the deceased was a believer, it should refer to the baptism of the deceased and applies their saving effect to the believer It should also call on the congregation to assess their own readiness to face death and to put their faith in Jesus Christ. It is appropriate for the congregation, if it consists all or mainly of church members, to respond to the sermon by standing and saying together the Apostles’ Creed or some other liturgical confession of faith or singing a credal hymn.

The Prayer of Thanks and the Pastoral Prayer

The Prayer of Thanks should give thanks for the life of the deceased, for God’s grace shown to him/her, for the work of the Holy Spirit in his/her life and his/her trust in Jesus Christ if he/she was a believer, for all in him/her that was good, kind and faithful, and for whatever way in which he/she may have served the Church or society. The Pastoral Prayer should commend the bereaved to the grace and mercy of God and to the care of the congregation. The deceased person should be commended to God and his mercy, but from a Reformed point of view prayer for the dead is inappropriate.

Holy Communion

An ancient custom going back to the early Church is to celebrate Holy Communion at a funeral. For Communion celebrates the death and resurrection of Christ and thus his triumph over death for the sake of his people. It also expresses union with the deceased, in that death is no barrier to communion with one another in the Lord. But whether it should be celebrated depends on whether the deceased was a believer and what the family wants. It may be inappropriate, if it will divide those who feel unable to partake from those who will partake. The most appropriate place for Holy Communion, if it is celebrated, is between the Prayer of Thanks and the Pastoral Prayer.

The Committal

In a village it is appropriate to process straight from the service in church to the graveside for the burial, with the Minister leading. One or more hymns may be sung on the way. By order of the General Assembly no adult person may be excluded from any part of a funeral or burial service, or any place of burial, by reason of his or her gender. If the body is to be cremated, the Committal may either form part of the service in the church or be said at the crematorium. If the body is to be buried, the Committal is said at the graveside. As the coffin is lowered, it is appropriate to recite the Apostles’ Creed or another liturgical confession of faith or to recite Jn. 11:25-26, if this has not been done already. When the Committal is not said in church, the service proceeds directly from the Pastoral Prayer (to the liturgy of Communion, if it is celebrated, and then) to the final hymn, the Commission and the Benediction. If the body is cremated, it is appropriate for a short liturgy to accompany the later interment or scattering of the ashes.

The Exit

At the end of the service the Minister leads the pallbearers with the coffin out of the church, the bereaved family following immediately. The family then greets the congregation either at the church door or in the church hall, if a wake is held there.

Follow-Up

The funeral is only an early act in the process of working through grief, which tends to reach its peak in the second week of bereavement. It is important that the Minister, or at least a pastoral worker or a trained Elder, visit the bereaved after the funeral and at intervals during the next year: • to continue helping them face up to the reality of their loss; • to encourage them to remember their good and bad times with the deceased rather than block out such memories; • to listen with empathy to any feelings they express about the deceased (including real or unreal guilt and perhaps anger or hostility), no matter how emotionally without inappropriate probing; • to help them review their relationships with the deceased, work through any anger and regrets and find release

229 through making explicit why they are angry or regretful and through forgiveness; • to help them see that though they can never retrieve the past, life still has things to be lived for and looked forward to; • to listen to their anxiety and fears about the future but help them find courage to go on, even when they feel they cannot; • to nudge them slowly to move on from the past, face the challenge of the future and start the effort of planning to rebuild their lives; and • to help them return to their social relationships and activities, when they are ready. Scripture readings and prayer at the end of such visits continue to be appropriate. Mourners should be encouraged to find strength and comfort at church and possibly by joining a church or Bible study group. If painful memories hinder that, such feelings should be recognized, but the importance of facing up to the pain and the great healing that faith, worship and the sacraments can bring should be explained. They can also be assured that many in the congregation have experienced similar losses and feelings and would empathize with them. Mourners often lose their appetite, lose weight and lose energy or suffer headaches, dizziness, blurred vision or palpitations. They need to be encouraged to eat and drink properly. Exercise and rest are important. (Regular exercise helps to combat depression.) Music can also help. So can writing a memoir of one's spouse. When they feel ready, the Minister can encourage the bereaved to feel their way back slowly to ordinary life and resume their social relationships and activities or find new ones. The grieving process takes time; it may take several years. A mourner needs to work through it at his or her own rate and may need continuing support for some time. The Minister can ask others who are suitable to give that support (and advise them how). Grief groups can be of great mutual help. Grief often distorts one's perspective or prevents proper concentration. It is therefore usually best for mourners to postpone for six months all major decisions about selling a home, moving, changing jobs etc.

Anniversary Service

The anniversary of the death often renews pain and sadness for the bereaved. An ancient Jewish and Christian custom that can help with emotional healing is for a private service of memory to be held on the anniversary. This can be held in church or at home or at the graveside and include the dedication of the gravestone or the internment or scattering of the ashes, if that has not yet happened. (See the Order for the Unveiling and Dedication of a Gravestone.) If the mourners so wish, this should provide an opportunity for them to tell the story of the deceased again and/or express their feelings.

Endnotes to the Directions: 1 A simple but very helpful devotional paperback for bereaved people is Philip W. Williams: When a Loved One Dies (Minneapolls: Augsburg Fortress Publishers, republished in 2001). Second hand copies are available on the internet, also in the earlier British edition, which is now out of print: Everlasting Spring—when a loved one dies (1977). 2 See the document “The Reformation and Renewal of Worship” in the Service Book. 3 It was a practice in the early Church, however, for the officiating presbyter to salute the deceased with a kiss of peace after Holy Communion. 4 The Order for funerals in the Book of Common Worship (1993) of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is headed: “The Funeral: A Service of Witness to the Resurrection”.

APPENDIX J

ORDER FOR COMMISSIONING TO THE ORDER OF LAY MINISTRIES

The Order of Lay Ministries includes in it a variety of particular offices such as Lay Preacher, Pastoral Visitor, Pastoral Administrator, Youth Pastor, Youth Leader, Worship Leader, Choir Director, and Association Office Bearers. A member of the Church is received into a particular office in the Order of Lay Ministries in consultation with the Administrator of the Order of Lay Ministries and on the authority of Presbytery and is commissioned either at a service of worship in his/her church or at a special Presbytery service. (See the Manual of Faith and Order, chap. 16, section 12.) A Lay Preacher, for instance, may be commissioned at Presbytery to make him/her more widely known than just in his/her own congregation. Family and friends are invited. The reading of the Vow must be properly prepared. In a local service the Order for Commissioning follows the Offertory after the Sermon in the Order before Baptism or Holy Communion. The sermon should focus at least in part on the particular ministry, or ministries, to which the candidate is, or the candidates are, being commissioned. If more than one person is commissioned in the service, plural forms are substituted as necessary, but each candidate is commissioned separately to his/her own particular ministry. If Holy Communion is celebrated, it follows the commissioning. For suitable lections in commissioning a Lay Preacher see those listed in the Order for a Minister’s Ordination and Induction.

230 Some possible lections for other offices are: Num. 11:16f.,24-30; Ac. 11:19-26; Rom. 12:1-13; I Cor. 1:26-2:5; 12:1-11/12; 12:14-26; 12:27-13:7; Eph. 4:1-16; Matt. 9:35-10:15; 28:16-20; Lk. 10:1-20; Jn. 15:1-16.

Statement of Intent The Minister/Moderator stands behind the Holy Table, facing the congregation and reads the Statement: All Christians by their baptism are called to share in the ministry of Christ to his people and his mission to the world. In his name we are now to commission our brother/sister [full name] within this calling to be a member of the Order of Lay Ministries in the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa and to ask God to bless him/her in this work.

The Narrative The Session/Presbytery Clerk reads the narrative: [Name] offered him/herself as a candidate for the Order of Lay Ministries and has been examined and trained under a committee appointed to discern and report on his/her fitness for the Order. At a meeting of Presbytery on [date] the committee recommended, and Presbytery approved, that [name] be admitted to the office of [the particular office] in the Order of Lay Ministries. Presbytery directed that an Edict be read at all services of public worship in [name’s] church for two successive Sundays calling for any objections to his/her doctrine, character or conduct to be lodged with its Session Clerk within two weeks of the second Sunday. [If the scope of the candidate’s ministry is to be wider than the local congregation, for instance with a lay preacher, the following is added: Objections were also called for at the meeting of the Presbytery on ….] No objection was offered. All this having been done according to the Church’s law and usage, we now proceed to commission [name] as a member of the Order. The Minister/Moderator invites the candidate to stand in front, facing him/her.

Vow The Minister/Moderator takes in hand a copy of the Vow and says to the candidate: Brother/Sister[name], so that we may commission you to the Order, the Church requires you to take this Vow in the presence of this congregation/of Presbytery. The Minister hands the Vow to the candidate, who faces the congregation/Presbytery and reads aloud: I, [full name], own and confess God as my Father, Jesus Christ as my Saviour and Lord, and the Holy Spirit as my Helper. As far as I know my own heart, I am moved to enter this ministry by zeal for the glory of God, love for the Lord Jesus Christ and the call of the Holy Spirit. I accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the uniquely authoritative and sufficient witness to Jesus Christ and in that sense the Word of God for faith and life. I accept the Creeds and Confessions of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa in the way that the Declaration of Standards sets out. I affirm the doctrine and form of government of the UPCSA to accord with Scripture. I promise to be loyal to this denomination as part of God’s Church, to abide by its laws and discipline and to seek its unity and peace. With God's help I commit myself to study the Scriptures faithfully, to give myself to daily prayer, to live a holy life, to seek to develop the gifts and skills I need for this ministry and to carry it out with all due diligence and humility.

231 Alternatively, especially if more than one candidate is involved, the Minister puts the following questions to the candidate(s) and he/she/they answer individually as indicated. They may say the responses either separately or together, but “I do” should not be changed to “We do.” Do you, [full names], own and confess God as your Father, Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord, and the Holy Spirit as your Helper? I do so own and confess. As far as you know your own heart, are you moved to enter this ministry by zeal for the glory of God, love for the Lord Jesus Christ and the call of the Holy Spirit? I am so moved. Do you accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the uniquely authoritative and sufficient witness to Jesus Christ and in that sense the Word of God for faith and life; and do you accept the Creeds and Confessions of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa in the way that the Declaration of Standards sets out and affirm its doctrine and form of government to accord with Scripture? I do so accept and affirm. Do you promise to be loyal to this denomination as part of God’s Church, to abide by its laws and discipline and to seek its unity and peace? I do so promise. Do you commit yourself to study the Scriptures faithfully, to give yourself to daily prayer, to live a holy life, to seek to develop the gifts and skills you need for this ministry and to carry it out with all due diligence and humility? I do so commit myself, with God’s help. The candidate signs the Vow on the Table and returns it to the Moderator/Minister. If the service is in the face of the local congregation, the Minister says: Will you, the members of [name] Church, welcome and support [name] as a member of the Order of Lay Ministries? If so, please stand. Pause Will all others present please stand. If the service is at Presbytery, the Moderator asks all to stand.

Prayer The candidate faces the front and kneels. Let us pray. Almighty God, we thank you that you have commissioned your Church to witness to your gospel in the world and that in every generation you call men and women from different walks of life to different ministries for building up the body of Christ. We thank you that you have called … [name] to this ministry. Without your help we have nothing to offer, and you alone can equip us for the tasks to which you call us; so hear now the prayers of your people for your servant as, in humility and silence, he/she confesses his/her need of you. Pause for silent reflection and prayer. Graciously assure him/her that you forgive and accept him/her and renew him/her in the power of your Spirit. May he/she know your hand upon him/her as you commission him/her to this service. Equip him/her for his/her work and witness;

232 make him/her faithful and diligent; and use him/her to nurture and build up your people. Help every one of us, we pray, to be faithful witnesses to you in the world, each in the way you call us, so that more and more people may come to know your power to save and liberate in Jesus Christ our Lord. In his name we pray. Amen.

Admission and Commissioning In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Head of the Church, and by the authority of this Presbytery, I now solemnly admit you, … [name], to the Order of Lay Ministries and commission you to exercise your gifts as a …. May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will and work in you what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Heb. 13:20f. NIV

Right Hand of Fellowship The congregation sits. The Minister/Moderator offers his right hand to the candidate, saying: To signify our common calling to serve the Lord Jesus Christ I give you the right hand of fellowship in his name.

Hymn An appropriate hymn is sung. If the service is in a congregation, it continues with Holy Communion or concludes with the Commission and Benediction. If it is at Presbytery, Presbytery proceeds with its meeting, and the Moderator pronounces the Commission and Benediction at its end.

Commissioning of the Congregation Jesus said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matt.28:18-20 Or Jesus said: You did not choose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Jn.15:16 Or Jesus said: Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I send you. Jn.20:21

In the power of the Spirit, go into the world. Serve the Lord and witness to him. We go in the name of Christ.

Benediction

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Num.6:24-26

Exit If the Bible is carried out through the main entrance, the new member of the Order and the Minister following it to the entrance.

233 STEWARDSHIP

Report to the Executive Commission 2015

Stewardship Committee:

The following serve as members of the Committee:

Convener: Rev T H Hans Members: Rev M Pataki; Mr M Gwele; Rev SP Sam; Rev H Fortuin; Mr Dlodlongwane; Mrs Nomawabo Mntambo ; Mrs N Sibeko Corresponding Members: CFO Mr G Jooste and Conveners of Presbytery of Zimbabwe and Synod of Zambia

Introduction:

Since the nomination of the new convener and the committee, it is with regret to report and bring to the attention of the Executive Commission the following:

a) No official hand- over has taken place b) No official minute book of the previous committee is in place c) No positive communication with the previous secretary. He would only respond when approached by the previous convener d) No positive response from all other members either telephonically or electronically except Rev S P Sam and Rev H Fortuin. e) Only two sets of previous meeting’s minutes were forwarded to the new Convener f) Rev M Pataki declined acceptance of his nomination due to having accepted to serve in another Assembly committee.

Consultation with the Nomination’s Convener

An approach was made to the Convener informing him of the situation. He was further advised that certain members have been co-opted to serve in the committee and also their willingness to serve as members subject to the ratification by the Executive Commission. The following members were co-opted and the Executive Commission is requested through the Nomination’s Committee to appoint them: Mrs Welekazi Sokutu: Amathole Presbytery Rev Dr Bukelwa Hans: Central Cape Presbytery Rev Bonisile Mdyesha: Western Cape Rev S P Sam; Amathole Presbytery Rev H Fortuin: Western Cape

A telephonic consultation with the co-opted members has since taken. This consultation assisted the Convener to be able to submit a budget for 2015/2016

The committee is scheduled to meet in Port Elizabeth on 30 April and 01 May in order to map a plan of action for the committee.

REV TH HANS CONVENER

PROPOSALS

1. The Executive Commission receives the report

2. The Executive Committee appoints the new members to the committee

3. The Executive Commission notes with regret the non-functioning of some of the members of the committee

234 MISSION AND DISCIPLESHIP

Report to the Executive Commission 2015

The Mission and Discipleship Committee of General Assembly considers it a privilege to have been given the task of being a catalyst for future thinking in the UPCSA and an encouragement to the Church to become more missional. The Committee meets twice a year but it is at work in the Church in various ways throughout the year as it’s members visit focus Presbyteries and other gatherings in the denomination, as Grants are made across the UPCSA to purchase land, support ministers, and fund new church development. Also, our website reaches ministers and leaders with new and free to print resources and our conference inspires members to build missional congregations.

In the past year, the committee met on 26 & 27 August 2014 and on 8 & 9 April 2015. The members of the committee are:

The Revs. Jackie Barker, Theo Groeneveld, Chris Judelsohn, Petson Kabala, Motorofa Mutonganavu, and Armando Sontange, Mrs Hlubi Dhlamini, Mrs Sheila Hunt (Secretary), Mrs Maneo Mohapi, Mrs Mmakobo Mosotho and myself.

1. MISSION SHAPED MINISTRY

In October 2013, both the General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church and the Provincial (South African) Synod of the Anglican Church adopted resolutions embracing the belief that the development of “missional” congregations lay at the heart of the future direction of the Church. The value of “Fresh Expressions”, a UK ecumenical movement was endorsed and both denominations resolved to further explore these.

As far as the UPCSA is concerned, at the July 2014 Assembly, the Assembly resolved:

“The Assembly (a) applauds the fact that the M&D Committee is studying the “Fresh Expressions” initiative of the Church of England (UK) and becoming involved in its ecumenical structures; (b) instructs the committee to investigate the Mission Shaped Ministry apprenticeship offered by the Universities of Stellenbosch and Pretoria for use in the UPCSA and report to the Executive Commission in 2015; (c) encourages the committee to present new models of how “congregations” might be shaped in the future to the Executive Commission in 2015”.

Meanwhile, during 2014, the Convener, the Rev T Groeneveld and the eGoli Presbytery M&D Convener, the Rev. S Zungu, were trained in the Mission Shaped Ministry Course and all three did the “Train the Trainers” Course, thereby being certified to teach the MSM. In the Presbytery of Amatola, the Rev. Chris Moore is also certified to teach. The Revs. Jacques Murphy in Free State, and Brian Smith and Thabani Masikane in Thekwini are also trained as trainers. The Convener believes it is essential to make opportunities for more and more of our ministers and lay leaders to complete this course. The committee set aside R 50 000 of its budget in 2014/15 to provide part sponsorship.

1.1. Mission Shaped Ministry Courses and future involvement At present, there are 10 MSM Courses running or planned for 2015 (See appendix 1). It is hoped that in 2016, there will be at least two or three more. Several of our ministers and lay leaders are now enrolled in the Course. The course needs deliberate marketing and personal invitations.

Recently (November 2014), the Convener was appointed to the National Executive Committee of Fresh Expressions (South Africa). This body is the national working group of a Not for Profit Company which is the official “franchise holder” of the Fresh Expressions ministry here in South Africa and all the MSM courses are under its supervision. The Convener holds the portfolio for training (oversight of train the trainers courses) and is in office until the middle of 2018.

It has been announced that the next International Conference of Fresh Expressions will be held in Cape Town from 16 to 18 February 2016. The Convener is on the national organising committee. We hope UPCSA ministers and lay leaders will make every effort to attend.

1.2. Developing Resources for Missional Congregations The Committee is in the process of compiling four information brochures on Missional thinking for ministers and lay leaders in the UPCSA. These will cover topics such as “Everything is changing.”, “What is a Missional congregation?”, “What does it take to grow the Church?” and “Thoughts on Leadership and Discipleship in a Missional Church”.

We hope that these resources will “create a buzz” about these issues and assist congregations in embarking

235 on processes of change.

1.3. Consulting with International and local Ecumenical Partners Locally, the FE movement has become an excellent place to consult with leaders of the Dutch Reformed Church, United Reformed Church, Methodist Church and Anglican Church. There is opportunity to compare notes on a variety of M&D related issues. Internationally, an opportunity was recently given for the Convener to accompany the General Secretary and Ministry Secretary to the Church of Scotland. The Convener spent a day with the Rev. Alastair Bull (Full time M&D Secretary) and his staff. The Church of Scotland are fully involved in FE in Scotland. A process, called “Future Focus” was investigated and this Convener believes it will contribute to the development of a mission audit process that could be rolled out in the UPCSA. The committee hopes to have something to offer the UPCSA by the 2016 General Assembly. The Council for World Mission has a similar package that may also be used. This is being investigated.

1.4. The Missional Congregations Project At its meeting in April 2015, the Committee resolved to create a three year project called “The missional congregations project” to begin from Executive Commission 2015 and end at Assembly 2018. The Committee appointed the Convener to lead the project, noting that he will step down as Convener of the Committee at the Assembly in 2016 and give his time completely to the project for its last two years. There will be no honorarium attached.

The Committee resolved that the project shall:

(a) facilitate the UPCSA’s involvement in FE (SA) through the project leader’s involvement in the FE (SA) Executive and regionally in Gauteng; (b) encourage (in a deliberate and strategic way) the involvement of ministers and lay leaders in regional MSM courses throughout Southern Africa (offering bursaries where possible); (c) produce a resource for UPCSA congregations to assist them to look strategically at their future and help them become more missional; (d) provide a research function into contemporary literature and endeavour in the area of emerging and missional models of Church including consultation with ecumenical partners; (e) produce a bimonthly electronic newsletter for the UPCSA on missional Church; (f) distribute appropriate resources at the instruction of the committee; (g) seek opportunities to input on this subject at Presbyteries, Associations, PAT Conferences and in the INSPIRE Conference.

1.5. Models of Ministry Discussion A joint meeting of a delegation of the Ministry and Mission & Discipleship Committees was held on 29 October 2014. It was a fruitful first conversation but only a start. Brent Russell had been appointed to lead this area on Ministry Committee side. At the moment, consultation is being made with our ecumenical partners and a next meeting is expected soon after the Executive Commission.

2. INSPIRE CONFERENCE 2015 The Committee has arranged (is still arranging) the 2015 INSPIRE Conference which will be held from Wednesday 23 to Friday 25 September at Emseni Conference Centre in Benoni (as it was in 2013). The intention would be to allow participants to: Learn (through workshops and skills training), Share (provide opportunities to see different ways that God is working), Be Inspired (offering meaningful times of devotional thought and worship).

The theme of the Conference will be “Rediscovering Church” and the keynote address will be “Building Missional Congregations.” A series of workshops will be offered. Each one will be repeated twice. A conference brochure will be available at Executive Commission.

3. MOBILIZE

3.1. The Order of Lay Ministries

The OLM Administrator took up the appointment on 1 January 2015 and has been active in “getting the Order off the ground”. A letter was circulated to all Presbyteries to inform them that the OLM was “open for business” and that all queries should be addressed to the administrator. Guidelines outlining the application process have been drafted and will shortly be circulated as widely as possible. Two official forms have been created. One is for use by a candidate including all needed personal information (this is submitted to the relevant Session). The other is a mechanism for (a) the Session to submit and recommend the application to

236 the Presbytery and (b) the Presbytery to approve the application and pass it on to the OLM administrator for further attention. This process is in line with what has been prescribed in the Manual in this regard. The structure of the OLM database has been set up. Support packs have been prepared to assist congregations. These will, eventually, consist of Job descriptions for the individual ministries covered by the OLM (these are being provided as a guide; congregations would of course be free to use only whatever is appropriate to their circumstance). In addition, a guide on the interview process, a letter of appointment/ employment contract (also a guide) and information relating to suitable additional training has been prepared.

So far, job descriptions have been created for a Children’s Ministry Leader/Co-ordinator, Youth Pastor, Worship Leader/Co-ordinator and Pastoral Co-ordinator/ assistant. The guide on the interview process is complete and a letter of appointment and draft employment contract are under discussion. Some work has been done on possible further training but this is in the very early stages. The administrator has responded to all queries received. Generally, information is being sought about the scope of the Order and about training and potential cost. A misconception that has frequently been addressed is that the OLM is a qualification, ie that a candidate “becomes a Lay Minister”. This is not the case – being part of the Order simply means that that the Church has recognised the candidates dedication, interest and trustworthiness in serving the Church in a particular ministry. Several queries have related to Lay Preachers – some questioning the Lay Preachers’ place within the order and most in relation to the required training. The committee will address this in the supplementary report. A letter has been circulated to Presbyteries, requesting all existing Lay Preachers to register with the OLM.

Theo Groeneveld has done wonderful work on the Foundations Course. The first module is complete and the rest should be completed by the time Executive Commission meets.

3.2. Work of the Faith and Order Committee The Committee wishes to record its thanks to Assembly’s Committee on Faith and Order for spending a considerable amount of time working on the OLM section of the Manual of Faith and Order (as instructed by the last Assembly). Also, the Committee has prepared a service for the setting apart of members of the OLM. Both these tasks have been completed with a level of collaboration between the two committees that displays the best characteristics of being Church. The Executive should feel proud!

3.3. Special Projects of the Committee After the Assembly in 2014, the committee adopted two Special Projects: Grace Presbyterian Church in Linda, Livingstone and a new Church Development in the Vembe district of Limpopo Presbytery. The Committee has decided to a continuing journey for two years to a max of R30,000 per year. As regards Grace, we are assisting them to build a sanctuary. In the Vhembe district, we are assisting them to put up a small structure.

4. RESOURCE 4.1. National Congregational Life Survey

Late last year, a pilot project was run between a few Gauteng Churches, completing the National Congregational Life Survey. At time of writing, we await the results of the pilot project. Should this be positive, we will roll this out in terms of the GA2014 decision.

4.2. Website

The Committee’s website continues to be a major resource offered to the UPCSA. www.upcsa-mad.org.za Members of the UPCSA are encouraged to use the website. In addition, the Church of Scotland’s M&D website contains valuable tools: www.recourcingmission.org.uk

5. INVEST 5.1. Grants in aid of Stipend, CDEs and Property The Committee has continued to provide Grants in aid of Stipend to congregations of the UPCSA. In addition, it has approved “Super Grants” to Ross and Rainy congregations in Mthatha Presbytery in support of the General Secretary’s plan to reintegrate them into the UPCSA. The budgets for the next financial year will be: R230 000 for Zambia, R150 000 for Zimbabwe and R 312 000 for South Africa.

The Committee continues to support Church Development Evangelists. Budgets for the next financial year are R130 000 for Zambia, R135 000 for Zimbabwe and R88 000 for South Africa. With regard to property grants, we have distributed R 90 000 in R15 000 portions in the last period and a budget of R100 000 is available in the next financial year.

5.2. Minimum Stipends for 2016

237

The committee has followed the instruction of the Assembly in doing the following: First, we have expanded the Zambian minimum Stipend from a single band to the five bands characteristic of the other two countries. Second, we have begun to standardise the differential between the bands to between 7 and 8 percent.

The Committee agreed to propose the following as minimum Stipends for 2016:

Zambia Travel Allowance: ZK 275 0 – 5 years ZK 2 915 Pulpit Supply: ZK 275 6 – 15 years ZK 3 150 16 – 25 years ZK 3 400 26 – 35 years ZK 3 670 35 years + ZK 3 965

Zimbabwe Travel Allowance: US$ 150 0 – 5 years US$ 840 Pulpit Supply: US$ 50 6 – 15 years US$ 907 16 – 25 years US$ 980 26 – 35 years US$ 1 060 35 years + US$ 1 140

South Africa Travel Allowance: R 5 500 0 – 5 years R 7 000 Pulpit Supply: R 500 6 – 15 years R 7 565 16 – 25 years R 8 170 26 – 35 years R 8 903 35 years + R 9 760

6. REACH

6.1. Africa Enterprise

Africa Enterprise has been our Mission Agency of focus since last General Assembly. More information will be available at the Executive Commission as to how Presbyterians can assist this Agency.

6.2. October is Mission Month In view of the positive response to Mission month last year, the Committee is again developing resources for October on the subject of Mission. The Committee encourages Presbyteries to arrange Pulpit Swaps and Associations to organise Revival services on the theme of Mission during October. The theme for this October will be “Rediscovering Mission”. A series of Sermon outlines would be prepared as well as daily Devotions, as was the case in 2014.

6.3. CWM Partners in Mission The Committee would like to draw attention to the Council for World Mission’s programme called “Partners in Mission”. Ministers and members of the UPCSA are encouraged to participate in this programme. Further, we encourage Presbyteries to consider ways we could host “partners” from other CWM Churches in pastoral settings, in theological institutions and in other roles.

7. OTHER MATTERS The Committee has become aware of “U-Pres” Student Christian Societies at tertiary educational institutions. We affirmed their work and we request local Presbyteries to adopt them and appoint someone to care for them. These groups will be contacted and requested to send reports to M&D to help us understand their

238 needs and challenges.

CONVENER G. MARCHINKOWSKI

PROPOSALS 1. The Executive Commission receives the report.

2. The Executive Commission: (a) notes the progress made by the Committee in getting the UPCSA involved in the Fresh Expressions/Mission Shaped Ministry Movement; (b) calls upon ministers and lay leaders to sign up for MSM Courses in centres where these will be run in 2016; (c) notes that the International Conference on FE will take place in Cape Town from 16 to 18 February 2016 and encourages ministers and lay leaders to attend; (d) resolves to send a delegation consisting of the Moderator, the General Secretary, the Conveners of the M&D Committee and Priorities and Resources to the International Conference (in Cape Town) to represent the UPCSA.

3. The Executive Commission: (a) confirms the creation of “The Missional Congregations Project” for three years from Executive Commission 2015 to General Assembly 2018 in terms of para. 1.4. of the report; (b) confirms the terms of reference of the project as describe in 1.4.

4. The Executive Commission: (a) notes that the Committee has complied with the Assembly’s decision to run a second Inspire Conference from 23 to 25 September 2015; (b) notes that the venue will be Emseni Conference Centre in Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa and that the theme will be “Rediscovering Church”. (c) encourages especially lay leaders but also ministers of the Church to sign up.

5. The Executive Commission: (a) celebrates the fact that the Order of Lay Ministries is now open for business; (b) encourages Sessions and Church Councils to familiarise themselves with the rules and procedures of the Order and to identify lay leaders within their congregations who could become members of the Order; (c) encourages Sessions and Church Councils who have already appointed lay leaders to ministry positions included in the OLM to consider assisting these persons to apply to become members of the OLM; (d) instructs Presbyteries to forward the names and contact information of all Lay Preachers within their bounds to the OLM Administrator by 31 August 2015.

6. The Executive Commission celebrates the UPCSA Mission and Discipleship website and encourages all ministers, elders, leaders and members to use the website. 7. The Executive Commission sets the minimum Stipends, monthly travel allowances and pulpit supply fees for Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa as outlined in section 5.2. of the report.

8. The Executive Commission resolves: (a) to designate the month of October “Mission month” for congregations within the UPCSA for the second consecutive year; (b) that the M&D Committee again construct a series of Sermon outlines that may be used by preachers during “Mission month” and distribute these to all ministers and Session Clerks of congregations of the Church; (c) that the M&D Committee is developing additional resources for use in the Church during Mission month.

9. The Executive Commission: (a) notes the Council for World Mission’s programme called “Partners in Mission”; (b) encourages both ministers and laity to participate in this programme.

10. The Executive Commission: (a) affirms the work of the UPres Student Groups in South African universities; (b) requests local Presbyteries where these are present to adopt them and i. appoint someone to care for them.

239 APPENDIX 1

MSM COURSES CURRENTLY RUN IN 2015

Cape Town Started 9 April. Meets Thursdays 09h00 to 13h00 at The Warehouse, 12 Plantation Road, Wetton, 7700. The Administrator is Claire May. Tel: 021 797 6332

Strand Started on 30th April. Meets Thursdays. The Administrator is Christo Benade. Tel: 079 092 7666.

George Started on 17-18 April. Meets on Tuesdays from 08h30 to 13h00 at NG Kerk George South. The Administrator is Sharon Roberts. Tel: 083 299 7677.

Port Elizabeth Started 17 March. Meets on Tuesdays from 08h30 to 13h00 at Anchor of Hope Church, 1 Edward Street, Central, Port Elizabeth and in May and August, a two day Session is held at St Luke Retreat Centre, 10 Park Lane, Central, Port Elizabeth. The Administrator is Danie Mouton. Tel: 041 365 3159.

East London Started 27 February. Meets on Thursdays from 18h00 to 21h30 at Moreleta Park Congregation, 1353 De Villebois Mareuil Str, Moreletapark. and in May, a weekend Session is held at Heron Bridge School in Northriding, Johannesburg. The Administrator is Jana de Lange. Tel: 076 835 5525.

Polokwane Started Wednesday 4 March. Meets on Wednesdays from 09h00 to 16h00 at NG Pietersburg Noord, 31 Dr Annecke street, Hospitaalpark, Polokwane and in May a weekend Session is held at Heron Bridge School in Northriding, Johannesburg. The Administrator is Hannes Bezuidenhout. Tel: 083 382 1275.

Pretoria Started Saturday 7 March. Meets on Wednesdays from 09h00 to 16h00 at St. Albans Anglican Church, 5 Durham Road, East London. and in July, a Friday/Saturday Session is held. The Administrator is Chris Moore. Tel: 043 735 1213.

Johannesburg. Started Saturday 7 March. Meets on Saturdays from 09h00 to 16h00 at Bedfordview Methodist Church, cnr Van Buuren & De Wet Streets, Bedfordview. and in May, a weekend Session is held at Heron Bridge School in Northriding, Johannesburg. The Administrator is Jana de Lange. Tel: 076 835 5525.

Durban Started 21 April. Meets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 09h00 to 16h00 at Camp Jonathan, near Eston in the Kwazulu Natal midlands in April, June, September and October. The Administrator is Pieter Grobler. Tel: 082 293 2795.

APPENDIX 2

CWM PROGRAMME: PARTNERS IN MISSION

The mission in which Christians engage is God’s mission. God sent God’s Son into the world. The risen Christ sent his disciples to continue his ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit. Christians today share in this mission.

One of the main aims of personnel sharing is to learn from one another in partnership. CWM’s founding document, Sharing in One World Mission states, “We believe that we become participants in mission not because we hold all the answers and all the truth, but because we are part of the body of Christ. All of us are still searchers. We have glimpsed the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, and what we know we love. But there are varieties of Christian experience and of Christian community we have not entered. There are doubtless many ways in which Christ comes to men and women that we have never seen. Therefore, we seek a form of missionary organisation in which we may learn from each other, for in that fellowship we

240 believe that the Holy Spirit speaks to all through each.” The sharing of people is therefore multi-directional. Every church has something to offer and something to receive. Partners in Mission go from North to South, South to North, South to South, and North to North. This mulit-directional sharing should be “person-oriented”, and not merely “task-oriented”. There is an emphasis on personal character, spirituality and vocation. Each sharing of a partner in mission should strengthen the mutual relationship between the churches involved.

Ms.Nneoma Chima Partners in Mission Coordinator

The sharing of people is fundamental to who we are and how we work. A mission from everywhere to everywhere is made possible by the significant number of individuals who have offered themselves to serve on the mission field, locally and abroad; and the support of churches, willing to send and receive them. We are heartened by the quality of the work of those on the field; the extent to which learning and growth are taking place among the partners in mission; and the significant ways in which the ministry and mission of churches are being enriched and expanded.

2013 saw the change in name from Missionary to Partner in Mission, which more accurately recognizes that the sender and receiver are equal partners in the relationship to which the other is responding; and that the missionary (partner in mission) is accountable to the leadership of the receiving, and not the sending church. This change in name has helped provide clarity to those so engaged as to the nature and dynamics of the missionary journey on which they have embarked.

There are currently 51 partners in mission serving through CWM. These mission partners are involved in a variety of activities such as; theological education, pastoral ministry; medical and health care; activities involved with the counselling and care of HIV/AIDS victims; project administration and community work.

241