letter head series 2012 - urcsasekhukhune.co.za -5th series 2017(1).pdf · visitation, care giving,...

Chief Executive Administrator/Saakgelastigde: Mr. Tebogo Phatudi

Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa Verenigende Gereformeerde Kerk in Suider Afrika

Northern Synod / Noordelike Sinode 33, Silverton, 0127

(082) 965 7269 [email protected] / [email protected] Fax: (086) 530

6006; Tel: 012 820 1015/6/7

July/August 2017

Fifth Issue of 2017 - Newsletter Series

Dear friends, brothers and sisters,

Greetings!!!Allow me to share with

you from the heart thought relating to

Trinity - The Greatness of Three in

One "Then God said, 'Let us make

mankind in our image, in our

likeness, so that they may rule over

the fish in the sea and the birds in the

sky, over the livestock and all the

wild animals, and over all the

creatures that move along the

ground.'" - Genesis 1:26

The Trinity is an often misunderstood

word. It is a theological term to

describe God as three persons in one.

The actual word, Trinity, is never

mentioned in the Bible, but the

concept is definitely found in the Old

and the New Testaments.

In the very first chapter of the Bible,

God says, “Let Us make man in Our

image.” Who do you think “Us” and

“Our” is? There is no indication of

God being married, so it’s not His

wife. And Angels don’t “create,”

they are a creation of God. There is

only one logical answer. It’s God the

Father, God the Son, and God the

Holy Spirit. Look in Matthew 28:19-

20, where Jesus gave His disciples

the Great Commission stating they

were to teach and baptize in the

names of the Godhead, "Go ye

therefore, and teach all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the

Father, and of the Son, and of the

Holy Ghost: Teaching them to

observe all things whatsoever I have

commanded you: and, lo, I am with

you always, even unto the end of the

world."

When Jesus, the Son, was baptized,

God’s Word tells us that God, the

Father, spoke from Heaven and said,

“This is my son. I’m proud of Him.”

(My paraphrase.) Then, God (the

Holy Spirit) descended upon Him in

the form of a dove. All three were

there; all three are one God. It’s a

mystery our finite human minds have

a hard time grasping. But the Trinity,

God as three in one, fills us with

wonder at the unexplainable

greatness of God.

Prayerfully yours, Tp


2

News from the Church Officers

The Moderamen informs

congregations and congratulates the

Moderator, Dr Rev Raletsatsi Moraka

on his reappointment as the DVC

(Deputy Vice Chancellor) for Student

Affairs at the Tshwane University of

Technology. He is wished well in the

task ahead of taking peoples

university forward.

Notable dates

Date Event

21 July 2017 Executive Committee

mtg

22 -23 July

2017

Ministers and spouses

empowerment retreat at

Royal Elephant Hotel,

15-16

September

2017

Synodical Commission

2017

11 – 14

October 2017

General Synodical

Commission to be held

at Kathu, Phororo

regional synod.

ANNUAL CONVENTION 2017

On the 7th

May 2017 we had

Northern Synod URCSA Convention

at Saulspoort Presbytery, Moruleng

Stadium.

Congregations are humbly reminded

of the R10’000.00 contributions per

year for five year cycle fundraising

drive to rebuild our Church office.

Congregations are at liberty to make

monthly stop order payments of

R1000.00 into the Synod fundraising

account for a period of five years.

This is with the hope of easing

financial pressure of paying lump

sum at once.

All members of the Believers

Community as legal entities are also

welcomed to donate their financial

contributions or in kind. Any

monetary contributions can be

deposited into the following account:

Account name: URCSA Northern

Synod

Account No: 9296427518

Account Type: Depositor Plus

Savings

Reference: Name of

congregation/Depositor

Bank Name: ABSA

DIBUKENG BOOKSHOP

It is with regret that Dibukeng

Bookshop has to announce the

closure of Dibukeng Brits. Since

2009 this branch has not been able to

stand on its own and had to be

supported by the Pretoria branches.

As you are aware we moved to a

smaller, more affordable premises,

but even saving 50% on the monthly

rent could not save this shop from

becoming yet another Christian


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Bookshop to close down. On the

recommendation of the auditors and

after consultation with the relevant

church office commission, we have

no other option but to close the

branch. The economy of area is not

favourable and since books are

considered to be luxury items people

simply cannot support us any longer.

The profit on Bibles and all church

goods is limited and one cannot keep

a store running on continuous losses.

Dibukeng Hooftak has a postal

service to all areas and you are

welcome to phone, fax or email your

orders to us at (012) 326 8737/8 or

(012) 323 0841, fax to (012) 323

5825 or [email protected]

Be assured that our other three

branches will continue to serve

URCSA and the body of Christ as

best as possible.

Kind regards

Suzanne van Rensburg

General Manager Dibukeng

MINISTERIAL FORMATION

TEAM (CMPW)

Dear Elders, Kindly receive the

information of the Ministerial

Formation Task Team of the

Northern and Southern Synods;

NEWS FROM NTS

Contact sessions

The final contact session for NTS

students will take place from 24-27

August 2017. It will be held in

Johannesburg for the first time, at the

17 Shaft conference centre in Crown

Mines.

On Sunday 27 August there will be

a licensing ceremony in the

morning service of the Botshabelo

congregation in Diepkloof, Soweto.

This is also the first time that an NTS

licensing ceremony will be held in a

congregation of the Southern Synod.

Since the two regional Synods are

equal partners in the ministerial

formation programme of NTS, the

MFTT decided that licensing

ceremonies should alternate between

the Synods, where possible.

New applicants for ministry studies

in 2018

Applications for admission to the

2018 ministerial formation

programme of the URCSA close on

31 August 2017.

Members of the church who believe

that God is calling them to the

ordained ministry are encouraged to

apply to the MFTT (Ministerial

Formation Task Team) on the

prescribed application form, which

can be requested from the NTS office

in Sunnyside

([email protected] or 012

343 4114). It is possible to study on a

part-time or full-time basis. More

information on the study programme

can also be obtained from the NTS

office.

mailto:[email protected]



4

NTS principal post

The NTS advertised the post of a

principal but did not make an

appointment. It has therefore decided

to re-advertise the post (see below).

The deadline for applications is

Friday 28 July 2017.

Invitation to Apply

Principal of URCSA Northern

Theological Seminary

General

The Management Committee of the

URCSA Northern Theological

Seminary invites applications from

URCSA ministers for the post of

NTS principal.

Duties

Managing the ministerial formation

programme of the Southern and

Northern Synods of the URCSA,

with the following dimensions:

Arranging contact sessions,

developing in-house courses,

training mentors, and recruiting

new students;

Raising funds for the ministerial

formation programme, in

collaboration with the MFTT and

the SMFAs of the two Synods;

Liaising closely with all NTS

students (full-time and part-time)

and with the URCSA ministers

serving as their mentors;

Building strong partnerships with

URCSA congregations where

students do practical work;

Administering the reports and

documentation of all NTS

students, in collaboration with

the NTS administrator;

Reporting monthly to the

Seminary Management

Committee.

Scope of work

This post requires the incumbent

to be present at the NTS

seminary in Pretoria on weekdays

from 8 am to 4 pm and on

weekends, when required;

The appointment will be for an

initial term of 3 years, with a 6

months’ probation period;

The initial term can be extended

by the NTS management,

depending on the performance of

the appointee and available

finances.

Requirements (“must have”)

An ordained URCSA minister in

good standing, with at least five

years ministry experience in (a)

congregation(s);

A creative theological thinker

who is intellectually active and

who can give content to the NTS

motto: “African Reformed

praxis”;

Knowledge of the URCSA’s

governance structures and its

ministerial formation

programme;

A team player with intercultural

competence, who can help to


5

develop a clear vision for NTS

and build solid partnerships with

stakeholders;

A mature spirituality and wise

leadership skills;

A strong work ethic, with proven

managerial and ICT skills;

Good communication and report

writing skills.

Recommendations (“good to have”

– added advantage)

Personal experience of NTS;

A proven track record in

theological research and

education;

Experience in financial

management or project

management;

Experience of ministry with

young people and students.

Salary

A package of R240,000 pa

(inclusive).

Closing date for applications

Friday 28 July 2017

Content of application

An applicant should submit the

following:

An up to date curriculum vitae

Certified copies of academic

qualifications

A testimonial by the church

council of the URCSA

congregation in which he/she

is serving, to confirm his/her

good standing

The names and contact details

of three references

Enquiries

For the full job description and other

details required in the application,

please contact Ms. MP Morobi

([email protected]), 012

343 4114 or 079 838 2657

Note

The NTS reserves the right not to

make an appointment.

An applicant who has not heard

from NTS within 30 days of the

closing date should know that

her/his application was

unsuccessful.

Choirs 2017

Mr Segone - secretary of the

Synodical choir committee, reminds

and shares this data:

1. Be informed that Sub region 3

will be hosting the Synod music

competitions of the Northern

synod which will be held on

26/08/2017, From the Northern

Synod Music Commission

Secretary General, AM Segone.

CORE MINISTRY FOR

SERVICE AND WITNESS

(CMSW)



6

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR

HIV/AIDS PROJECTS

The Core Ministry for Service and

Witness of the General Synod,

hereby invites Presbyteries,

Congregations or any other Ministry

or Organization within URCSA, who

has an active HIV/Aids project and is

in need of funding, to apply to the

Ministry for assistance. In the past

we have been blessed with funding

from the United Protestant Church in

Belgium for HIV/Aids projects

within URCSA, and as ministry has

recently entered into a new

agreement with their Commission

Kerk en Wêreld to continue with

such funding. Part of the agreement

reached is that:

The money must be distributed

equitably to at least 10 partners

within URCSA and must

include all regions, on

provision that there is an

HIV/Aids project.

That the aim of such projects

must be to support

emotionally, spiritually and

materially, communities or

individual persons suffering

from HIV/Aids, through

visitation, care giving, pastoral

counselling or any other

means.

Interested parties can apply by

submitting a short essay or overview

of their project by the end of July

(e.g. what the project is about; the

means of current funding; etc.), to the

Scribe of the CMSW, Rev. MP

Manasse at e-mail:

[email protected].

OFFICE OF BELIEVERS

MATTERS / OFFICIAL

NOTICES

CONGREGATIONS/

PRESBYTERIES

The Church Office wishes all

Congregations and Presbyteries well

in their planned prayer meetings and

planned projects in this year’s church

calendar year.

In terms of Stipulation 39.1.2, the

following Presbyteries announce its

annual meeting dates:

No Presbytery Scheduled meeting Dates

1 Bethesda 30 June – 02 July 2017 @ Soekmekaar Congregation

2. Garankuwa 13 -16 July 2017 @ URCSA Akasia

3. Bethesda 30 June -2 July 2017 @ Soekmekaar

4. Hammanskraal 06-09 July 2017.



7

POSTS ADVERTISEMENTS:

1. Nil noted

*****

MINISTERS:

CALLS RECEIVED:

1. The Presbytery of Barberton

notifies the Synod that Nelspruit

congregation has called Rev. Sello

Johannes Motsiri-Kharoli who

was at Bloemhof congregation

and has accepted the call.

2. The Presbytery of Garankuwa

notifies the Synod that Rev KLA

Kgafela of URCSA-Emmanuel

congregation received and

accepted a call to serve

Polokwane congregation.

3. The Presbytery of Bethesda

notifies the Synod that

Soekmekaar congregation has

called Rev ST Motsoare and

awaits his response.

Prayers are requested to guide our

brothers and sisters to grow in their

ministry.

CALLS ACCEPTED

1. Rev. Sello Johannes Motsiri-

Kharoli from Bloemhof

congregation accepted a call to

serve Nelspruit congregation. His

induction will be on 05 August

2017.

2. Rev KLA Kgafela accepted a call

to serve Polokwane congregation

and was inducted on 10 June

2017.

DEMISSION LETTERS

1. The Presbytery of Hammanskraal

notifies the Synod that Rev

Sehoole of Makapanstad is to

receive her Demission Letter on

the 01 July 2017 and will

present her last sermon at

Tladistad on the 02 July 2017

PRESBYTERY MEMBERSHIP

NOTIFICATION (Stip 23.5.8)

3. Rev MP Matsepe – 03 June 2017

is declared a member of

Mamelodi Presbytery

4. Rev KLA Kgafela – 10 June 2017

is declared a member of

Polokwane Presbytery

5. Rev MR Magobya – 24 June

2017 is declared a member of

Letaba Presbytery

6.

IN MEMORIAM

The following beloved members

passed on:

1. The late Emeritus Ds Dr

Hendrik Jacobus Mőller,

affectionately known as Oom

Hennie – retired CEA URCSA

Northern Synod


8

Our thoughts are with Danie Mőller

and his family with the passing on

their father, Dr Hennie Möller. He

passed on Thursday night, 15 June

2017 after sudden health

deterioration.

He was born on 4 October 1935 and

has profound trampling tracks in the

Ministry. He trained as a missionary

at Wellington Training College. He

was legitimized as a minister in 1958.

Ordained at Beaconsfield in 1959,

where he later served the following

congregations: 1964 Dobsonville,

1971 Mamelodi, 1981 Sekr vir

Rentmeesterskap, Orienteering en

Leierskap He was Moderator of the

NGKA Northern Transvaal (now

URCSA Northern Synod) – 1976 and

1980 and before his retirement he

was the Chief Executive

Administrator (1985 - 2001) and

responsible for Stewardship-training

in the Synod.

He spent the last 15 years at

Helderberg congregation, Western

Cape and was involved with

missionary projects in Mozambique.

Fortunately, we know now, whether

we live or whether we die, we belong

to the Lord. The Lord has Oom

Hennie's tent fold and let him rest in

the place He had prepared for him.

To die is also part of God's grace and

care and he too was ready to go. RIP

Oom Hennie.

2. Elder Dingizulu Poulos Mnisi

of Dullstroom congregation

(05/08/1947 – 07/06/2017)

passed on after short illness.

He was a leader elder working

closely with Prof C Landman

at Dullstroom.

3. MmaMoruti V Mnisi of

Melodi Ya Tshwane

Passed on and was laid to rest on 09

June 2017

May the Souls of the departed Rest

in Peace inclusive to the

unannounced and noted members

of our believers’ community.

5 Dates To Note And Diarize:


9

1. Dates of note for the cutoff date of

contributions submissions to be

added in the Newsletter series in

the 2017 year.

No

Month Series

Closing Date

for

Contributions

1 Sept/October 23/08/2017

2 Nov/December 26/10/2017

2. CMM Prayer weekend

The 4th

Annual CMM Northern

synod Prayer Weekend will be

held from 08 – 10 September

2017 at Nelson Mandela Hall,

Hammanskraal. Mamelodi Sub-

Region is the host. Theme: 1

Samuel 3: 9-10: “Speak Lord, I

am listening”

3. CWM General Synod Congress

The Christian Women Ministries

Ready for its General Synod

Congress

Approximately 500 CWM members

across the seven Regions of the

Uniting Reformed Church in

Southern Africa (URCSA) will be

gathering for their 5th General Synod

Congress scheduled to take place on

13 – 16 July 2017, at the Birchwood

Hotel in Boksburg. The Congress’s

theme is, “by grace we shall witness

to the nation” (Act 1:8). The CWM

General Synod Executive Committee

has been hard at work to ensure that

the congress becomes a success and a

worthwhile experience for all the

delegates alike. The committee also

held its annual and last meeting prior

to the Congress, in February 2017 in

Gauteng. As the host region, the

Southern Synod is waiting in

anticipation to welcome the congress

in its beautiful but chilly home

ground – the City of Ekurhuleni in

Gauteng Province.

In outlining, the congress objectives,

the CWM General Synod President

Mme Dr Matlhodi Teu, stated that, in

order to fulfill the purpose of the

2017 General Synod CWM


10

Congress, the following objectives

have been identified by which the

delegates from all the seven regions

may be empowered to share the good

news within their families,

congregations and presbyteries;

among their fellow believers, and in

ever expanding circles in the world of

Christianity. The congress aims to:

Promote and implement a

lifestyle of prayer, praise and

worship that will impact our

church and community;

Build networks among women

in the URCSA CWM that

encourage bonds of friendship,

mutual support, and creative

exchange of ideas and

information;

Bring women's unique

perspectives on issues facing

the Church to decision making

bodies’; and

Provide opportunity for

spiritual growth, enrichment,

education, and creative

ministries’ activities to enable

women to develop a sense of

personal responsibility,

commitment and persistence to

the whole mission of CWM and

that of the Church of Jesus

Christ.

The official opening ceremony

focusing on the congress constitution

and rules, and the opening address by

President Teu will take place

between 14h00 and 18h00 on the 13th

July 2017. One of the key highlights

of the day, preceding the opening

ceremony, will be the donation of

1000 and more sanitary towels to

selected schools, through the

Gauteng Education Department

District situated around the

Birchwood hotel. This demonstrates

a caring gesture by the women in the

service of Christ and His church –

CWM members.

The next day, will focus on

congress’s business sessions in terms

of various reports presented by the

CWM General Synod President,

Secretary, Treasurer and the seven

regions. The day will be concluded

with a gala dinner to be attended by

the delegates and invited guests.

Delegates will be hard at work on

day three, through plenary and most

importantly commissions in

deliberating on key issues as

informed by the 2016 – 2024

URCSA strategic plan and other

related matters. Since this is an

elective congress, elections will be

held on this day in the evening. The

congress will be concluded with a

sermon and the induction of the

newly elected CWM General Synod

Executive Committee on Sunday the

16th July 2017.


11

Through the General Synod

Executive Committee, a

comprehensive congress advocacy

and communication strategy has been

developed. The strategy aims to:

Share the URCSA CWM

General Synod Congress key

messages and proceedings

through its three phases – Pre,

During and Post Congress.

Ensure that the CWM activities

are better known in and outside

the URCSA family.

Share information about the

CWM programs and projects.

Have positive effect on the

potential and prospective CWM

members.

Celebrate CWM’s

achievements and impact in the

URCSA family.

Let us continue to pray without

ceasing for the success of the

Congress.

Follow us on our Congress

Facebook Page:

URCSA CWM General Synod

Congress.


12

4. WORKSHOP 2017

SMJM

Ministers

&

Church

Council

members

Date: 1st – 2

nd September 2017

Venue: Mamelodi Dienssentrum

Cost: R500.00 per delegate Time: 17h00 on 1

st September 2017

Description:

This workshop is

aimed at church

council members


13

FROM THE CEA’s TRAIL…HA KENTSE KE TSAMAYA LE

DIPHUTHEHO……… SECRETARIAT TEAM

Remember that God is firmly in control and encourages us to bring our needs and the

needs of others to him. 03 June 2017

Rev MP Matsepe ordination and induction as Mamelodi

East congregation minister

Mamelodi East Sunday school choir rendering welcome

song for Rev MP Matsepe


14

24 June 2017

Rev Maruma of Botanang, Rev MR Magobya of Meetse A

Bophelo and Rev M Malatji of Namakgale are the Northern

Synod newly inducted female ministers

Rev M Malatji and Rev MRI Motloutsi welcome Rev MR

Magobya who joins the ministry of women ministers at Letaba

Presbytery.


15

01 July 2017 Bethesda Presbytery Commission invited the CEA to be a guest

at the Presbytery sitting from 30 June – 02 July 2017. The CEA

gave a talk on Stewardship and Financial Management in

accordance with Synodical Forms and URCSA Northern Synod

Church Order and Supplementary Stipulations for 2015.

The CEA is humbled by the enthusiasm shown by the Bethesda

Presbytery as the host for 2018. All Community of Believers

members are requested to market and publicize the event at all

levels and areas where they are at all times.

Bethesda Presbytery 2017 in session 1 July

2017

Bethesda Presbytery

Commission 2017/2018

2018 Convention Organizing Committee appointed at the Presbytery session meeting.

Regards Eld Tebogo Phatudi and Team @ Mamelodi

Dienssentrum – 01 July 2017

May the Almighty Lord bless you.

Yours in His service,

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