The Minister and Church Council
URC Congregations of Presbyteries Kraaifontein, Sarepta and SA Gestig
RE: Introduction of Congregational Witness Services
Dear Sisters and Brothers
I started as Minister in Synodical Services (MSS) for Witness Ministry and Congregational Ministry from 1 May 2018. With the support of Task Teams at Witness and Congregational Ministry, I am responsible for supporting URC and DRC Congregations within the Cape and Eastern Cape regions, in the development of their missional calling and ministry. So our focus is witness (mission) and congregations. Hence my responsibilities also include the support of the development of the ministry of the local congregations (Congregational Ministry) and the development of new congregations/faith communities (New Faith Community Development).
The task and aim of the Task Team for New Faith Community Development (NFCD) is to build on and enhance the work of Congregational Witness. We support and help with the development of new faith communities and want to ensure that these new communities begin, from the start, as missional communities. Hence the cooperation with partners and service providers like Fresh Expressions South Africa (FESA) and the Pioneer Course of Hugenote College. Their services include training (short and part-time courses) and coaching of leaders to lead their communities to become missional and transformative.
This is a mouthful and terms we in URCSA are not all familiar with. Hence this planned workshop with URCSA congregations to share with you the vision and goals of our services. The idea is not only to inform but also to encourage church councils and congregations within URCSA to tap into existing help, accompaniment and services to build their capacity and leadership. I, therefore, plea with congregations to at least send 2-3 representatives to come and listen and take the information (pamphlets, video clips, newsletters, etc.) back to their congregations.
You are therefore cordially invited to join our Information Session/workshop:
Venue: URC Belhar East (c/o St Vincent Drive and Sampson Street, Belhar)
Date and Time: 3 November 2018 from 11h00 till 15h00
Our programme will be:
10h00-11h00 Registration and Tea
11h00-11h10 Welcome and Opening (Rev R. Noemdoe – local Pastor)
11h10-11h30 Theory: Introducing the vision and goals of Congregational Witness, Congregational Ministry and New Faith Community Development
Rev. Stephen Pedro (MSS) and Rev. Gustav Meyer (Chairperson of NFCD)
11h30-12h30 Theory: Introducing the services of Fresh Expression SA
Rev. Phillip Botha (National Director of FESA)
Praxis: A story from the practice
12h30-13h00 Light Lunch
13h00-14h00 Theory: Introducing other Services available to Congregations
Pioneer School (Wellington): Rev Phillip Botha
Michelle Marais Studie Sentrum: Michelle Marais
14h00-14h55 Plenary Session: Questions and/or Group discussions
14h55-15h00 Closing: Rev. Andrè Reyneke (Chair: Congregational Witness)
Please rsvp before 31 October 2018 for catering and other logistical arrangements
Missional Greetings
Rev Stephen Pedro (MSS: Congregational Witness)
Rev Gustav Meyer (Chairperson of NFCD Task Team)