Sights and Sounds of the Sunshine City
Feel it! It is here!
Yes, in just under a fortnight Zimbabwe’s capital Harare, otherwise known as the Sunshine City will reverberate to sights and sounds of holy exaltation, glorified singing and hearty fellowship as members of the Body of Christ converge in Harare for the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA) General Assembly Executive Commission from the 10th – 14th of July 2017.
“Behold! How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.”
This famous Psalm by David, aptly capture the scenery in God’s own Sanctuary, where we are all accommodated in our diversity. It resembles a higher degree of unity and indeed the convening of the Assembly’s Executive Commission in Harare is about celebration, it is about rejoicing in the Lord and it is about building a stronger family.
“As is traditionally the case, we will be opening the General Assembly Executive Commission with a Communion Service open to everyone,” said Reverend Tinashe Chemvumi, the Moderator of the Presbytery of Zimbabwe.
Encouraging members to pray for the Executive Commission
“We will be celebrating this communion service under the theme ‘Spirit driven church’ and it is our prayer that we wholly respond to this great call of being ushered by the Holy Spirit.”
Preparations
Rev Chemvumi said that the Presbytery was satisfied with the preparations thus far and that response of every member has been encouraging.
“It is very humbling and encouraging that almost all our members played a part in one way or the other in preparing for the coming of the General Assembly Executive Commission and to us we feel we are writing our own piece of history,” he said.
“The weather is really soaring and while we have made every effort to ensure that every person is kept warm, carrying adequate warm clothing is a sure must.”
Worship
The Worship Service is part of the Commission’s itinerary, which also includes a Celebratory Service for the 500 Years of Reformation to be held at Highlands Presbyterian Church, east of the city centre.
Venue
The official Commission business will take place at Silveira House, a prayer retreat centre on the outskirts of Harare. It is a Catholic Church based organisation named after the first Jesuit priest to come to Zimbabwe. Silveira House is a credible institution that has enjoyed a good name and reputation spanning 47 years. This background has often seen Silveira House gaining access to some places and groups which other civil society organisations are not able to reach in the current sensitive political environment.
Delegates
The Commissioners to the Executive Commission consist hail from the 19 Presbyteries of the UPCSA as well as Ex-Officio members. The come from South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. One minister and one elder is commissioned to attend the Executive Commission from each of the 19 Presbyteries.