TO ALL IN THE UPCSA
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.. (Isaiah 43:19)
Compliments of the New Year.
By the grace of God, we have come to the end of 2020; a milestone indeed. We are grateful to God for preserving us throughout the year, which has been difficult in many respects. Many lost loved ones, relatives and friends to COVID-19 and other causes of death. May their souls rest in peace. Many lost jobs and livelihood. Many more even lost hope.
God has, however, remained good and faithful, all knowing and ever powerful. We journeyed together and traversed the toughest of paths. As we get to 2021, may we be guided by the theme of the Moderator Designate: “Going back to basics”. Let us together comprehend the basics of our faith and express them in our daily living. The challenges that arise from the COVID-19 situation are set to continue. The basics as embodied, inter alia, in the values of the UPCSA (Love, Holiness, Scriptural, Integrity, Spiritual growth, and Servanthood) should help us as we work together to find meaning and purpose for our lives. In the spirit of UBUNTU, let us reach out to one another and uphold the sanctity of life.
Humanity is broken by the scourges of COVID-19 and gender based violence. The negative forces of empire continue to take advantage of the vulnerability of the masses and engage in acts of fraud and corruption. They exploit the weak and the impoverished. The forces of patriarchy continue to inflict pain and suffering on vulnerable women and children.
Let us join in God’s continuous project of making a new thing. It should begin with you and me. In the wilderness, let us make the way of the Lord.
We wish you all a happy and prosperous 2021. May God bless you abundantly.
Warmest regards,
Rev Dr Lungile Mpetsheni
Rhadebe
General Secretary