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Memorial service for Nelson Mandela Monday, 16 December, 10:00 – 11.00 Ecumenical Centre chapel, Geneva, Switzerland

Welcome and Introduction

Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit

Prayer

We offer you our thanks and praise, O God of all people, For leaders with the gift of wisdom, Who open the way to new possibilities.

We thank you for those who lead like a shepherd, from behind the flock, And who put others into the forefront.

We thank you for leaders faithful in the ways of peace Who make costly choices, Choices that challenge accepted wisdom, But which bear the fruit of righteousness and justice.

We mourn the death of Nelson Mandela. At the same time, we thank you for the life of this champion of justice and freedom for all people.

And so we gather in your presence, O God, To grieve deeply, yes, But, together with people of many colours, cultures and nations, To give you glad thanks.

Song: Alle nasies

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Quotation from Nelson Mandela

In September 1998, President Nelson Mandela spoke to the 53rd United Nations General Assembly:

„This is probably the last time I will have the honour to stand at this podium to address the General Assembly. Born as the First World War came to a close and departing from public life as the world marks half-a-century of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I have reached that part of the long walk when the opportunity is granted, as it should be to all men and women, to retire to some rest and tranquillity in the village of my birth. 3

As I sit in Qunu and grow as ancient as its hills, I will continue to entertain the hope that there has emerged a cadre of leaders in my own country and region, on my Continent and in the world, which will not allow that any should be denied their freedom as we were; that any should be turned into refugees as we were; that any should be condemned to go hungry as we were; that any should be stripped of their human dignity as we were. I will continue to hope that Africa's Renaissance will strike deep roots and blossom forever, without regard to the changing seasons. Were all these hopes to translate into a realisable dream and not a nightmare to torment the soul of the aged, then will I, indeed, have peace and tranquillity.

Last part of the Address by President Nelson Mandela at the 53rd United Nations General Assembly (21 September 1998):

Psalm 85:8-13

(Congregation reads the bold text.)

Let me hear what God will speak, for the Lord will speak peace to the people, to the faithful, to those who turn to God in their hearts.

Surely salvation is at hand for those who fear God, that glory may dwell in our land.

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Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

Faithfulness will spring up from the ground; righteousness will look down from the sky.

The LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before the Lord, and will make a pathway for God.

Quotations from Nelson Mandela Heidrun Tobler, South Africa

(As the next speaker comes to Podium 1)

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Mr. Mandela’s children, and grandchildren, have said that he taught them through spellbinding stories. But the world knows that he was also the master of the unforgettable phrase.

He said: “The time is always ripe to do right.”

“No one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails.”

“Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.”

Remembrance H.E. Abdul Samad Minty, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations.

Song: Siph’ Amandla South African freedom song (As Agnes Aboum goes to the podium.)

Remembrance Dr Agnes Aboum, Moderator of the Central Committee, World Council of Churches.

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Quotations Christine Housel, World Student Christian Federation

A leader. . .is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.”

There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.

It always seems impossible until it’s done.

To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

Song Oh, freedom South African freedom song

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Reading: I Corinthians 12:12-26 (selected) Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, YWCA (Read in xxx)

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many… (and) there are many parts, but one body.(…) 8

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” (…)

But God has put the body together (…) so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, gifts of helping, gifts of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31 But strive for the greater gifts.

Song Senzenina South Africa (Sung and hummed with the prayer.)

Prayers Ralston Deffenbaugh, Lutheran World Federation (Congregation reads the bold text.)

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We pray:

By the strength of his example, Mr. Mandela reminded us that we are all part of the same community, suffering and rejoicing together, but much needs to be done.

People still live in slums, in ghettos, in unjust prisons of all kinds. Apartheid may have changed its name, But in many places, it is still common practice, “routine”, “just the way things are.”

God have mercy on us.

We still allow members of the human community To suffer hunger and humiliation, Neglect and deprivation – To struggle for mere survival.

God, have mercy on us.

Times may be difficult, with shrinking resources, and disappearing budgets; But may we not let these facts frighten us, Rather, may they move us to action. May we remember that “the time is always ripe to do right.” Help us, O God.

Help us, O God.

Leaders are aging, and passing from the scene. But let us not long for the old days, good or bad, Rather, may we encourage and support new leadership, Who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Help us, O God

Let us not look away from what is staring us in the face, in our own community. Let us remember that “overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice.” Let us name the injustice And walk and work together To build ways of peace and justice.

Help us, O God.

Lord’s Prayer In our many languages.

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Passing of the peace of Christ As we share a sign of peace, we sing “Mayenziwe” – your will be done.

Song: Mayenziwe

Blessing Rev. Setri Nyomi, World Communion of Reformed Churches

May God, the merciful, the compassionate, bring the whole of the human fellowship, people of many faiths and philosophies, the living and departed, through truth to reconciliation and universal love.

We give thanks for the gift of life, looking forward to a world of justice and the establishment of peace.

Go forth from this place in joy - to love and to serve.

Amen.

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Anthem (Congregational) Nkosi sikelel’ I Afrika

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Postlude

Siyahamba, (reprise) Sizohambanaye