COVID-19 – what can we do on congregational level?
Dear sisters and brothers, the pandemic as a result of Covid-19 and the burden of the lockdown has increased anxiety, levels of frustration and it has a huge impact on the economy. But we have the assurance that we are not left alone in this situation. Jesus said in Matthew 28:20 “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” These words are encouraging to me in these days. Yes, the going is tough, but I am not left alone. He is right here with me. He is where you are. He is everywhere, even where people feel a deep loneliness. May His ever presence give us hope and strength to keep on living and serving as His Body. May the Lord grant that we stay healthy and protected.
The SACC has launched a campaign called: “The Church to Drive Down Infection Rate – To Love to Save Lives.” – As a blessing to South Africa, the church must collectively go on a campaign to drive down the infection rate; to go out on a drive to love in order to save lives. Let us give the COVID Combat our evangelical fervour – let us “go and make disciples” of the “Stop Corona” message and habit. We now all know what it takes to stop the spread of the virus:
The Big Seven
We all know this. What we now need to do, in order to save the nation, is to go on a massive demonstration of living what we know must be done, and preach it as church. Let us say to each other, love your neighbour and preach this basic life-saving lifestyle! Let us love and save lives; “Love and Save Lives!”
Challenges in facing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Racism
Social ills are highlighted a.o. by movements against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in ‘Thursdays in Black’ and Black Lives Matter (BLM) against racism. Disrespecting human life and degrading the other to an object, play a huge role in these underlying social ills. Inequalities, poverty, discrimination and we hear reports of murders on farms of both farmers and employees; we hear of murders in rural and urban communities; we hear of murders of little children, of young and old people – murdered with no regard for the other. GBV has become a daily occurrence as men brutally rape and kill women and children, where women kill men and men kill men. There is an escalation of gang-related violence and murders due to rival disputes. The abuse of alcohol and substances lead to domestic violence, crime and murders. One life lost is a lost life too many. All these are senseless acts of brutality and need to be condemned in no uncertain terms.
The Pastors Convocation has drawn up a Statement against GVB and Racism expressing its concern and condemning such acts. In it we call on the congregations to not only act against such atrocities but to create awareness of these social ills. Therefore we call all congregations to ring the church bells at 12:00 noon on a Wednesday thereby informing the wider community of where we stand on these issues and to confess that we too deal with racism and violence that sometimes rage in our own hearts; as Jesus says in Matthew 15: ”It’s from the heart that we vomit up evil arguments, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, and cussing. That’s what pollutes.”
We are united in prayer as we seek the Lord’s protection for our homes, neighbourhoods, farms and places of work. May He protect us with His guardian angels and give us the courage to stand up where wrong happens, even when it appears in the form of jokes demeaning women and children.
Congregations and Pastors
The Church of the Cross congregation, Bellville has elected Pastor Schalk Treurnicht as their pastor. He has been appointed as pastor from 1.7.2020. We wish the congregation and Schalk a fruitful journey in working together to the glory of God.
St Crucis, Beaconbay – Due to travel restrictions and circumstances related to the pandemic Pastor Oziel de Oliveira will stay on longer to serve in the congregation.
Bishop Gilbert Filter
