Overseas REPORT OF THE OVERSEAS COMMITTEE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2011 INTRODUCTION The Good News of Jesus Christ, which informs the work of your committee, can never be described as dull! Challenging, yes, dull, no! In response to this dynamic and transforming message the Overseas Committee has embraced with enthusiasm, humility and commitment the call to be part of the worldwide Body of Christ. As we struggle against the marginalisation of the Church and the Christian faith within our society we are encouraged and strengthened by our involvement with vibrant and growing Christian communities in Africa and Asia. Perhaps this provides us with an opportunity to consider an interesting question in the overseas context. In Luke's Gospel we read of the journey to Emmaus (Luke 24 vs 13-35) when two of Jesus' followers were accompanied on their walk by a stranger who taught them about the person of Jesus. It was not until they were sharing bread together that the followers’ eyes were opened and they recognised whose presence they were in. In all the Church’s work, but perhaps particularly in our overseas involvement, we have the opportunity to ask ourselves, "Which stranger will accompany us on our walk and what will they teach us about the person of Jesus and Scriptures?" As was said last year, it is a privilege to serve on the Overseas Committee. Overseas partnerships continue to be a joy as well as a challenge, full of encouragements and frustrations. Over the past year the committee has seen progress on some projects while there was little movement with others. Such is the nature of international development work. YOUTH EXCHANGE VISIT TO SCOTLAND IN 2011 The Overseas Committee would like to commend the Youth Committee on its vision for an ongoing partnership between young people from the United Free Church of Scotland and the United Congregational Churches of Southern Africa. The positive impact this exchange may have for all involved cannot be underestimated and we would like to thank the Youth Committee for inviting us to be part of this project through financial and practical support. MERRIWEATHER MEMORIAL – HERITAGE ROOM/ MOLEPOLOLE MUSEUM In last year's report your committee shared some of the frustrations involved in bringing this project to a successful completion. It was hoped that the discussions, with the Museum Curator and Government officials, held by the Convener and Vice Convener during their visit to Botswana in August 2009 would, ultimately, lead to significant progress being made. At the General Assembly of 2010 the committee was still awaiting a full breakdown of costs for the Exhibition in the Kgari Sechelle Museum in Molepolole. We have to report that this situation continued throughout the autumn session of meetings leading the committee to look at cancelling the project and moving to consideration of two alternatives: the setting up of a Dr Alfred Merriweather Memorial Scholarship for candidates for ministry coming from rural Botswana. setting up a Dr Alfred Merriweather Memorial Library in the House of Formation at the Moffat Mission in Kuruman. This library would then provide an invaluable resource to the candidates for ministry undertaking their studies in the House. It must be emphasised that the committee moved into this phase of discussion with some reluctance. We were and are fully behind the original vision of a Heritage Room in the 43
Overseas Dr Alfred Merriweather Memorial Church and this will still go ahead. However the lack of movement since the church was opened in 2006 has led to the conclusion that there is little enthusiasm for or commitment to this project by the Synod or the Government of Botswana. As always, central to our discussions have been the thoughts and feelings of Mrs Mary Merriweather and Mrs Joy Crosbie. E-mails were immediately sent informing them of the committee’s thinking, which they understood and sympathised with. Of the two new proposals the idea of a Scholarship met with their approval. Immediately before the committee meeting of 22nd March an approximate breakdown of costs was received from the Museum Curator. The sum of £19,500 was not only considerably over budget but also required the Overseas Committee to be responsible for structural repairs to the Museum Building itself, a suggestion which had already been rejected by the committee. As it was now clear that there would be no contribution of any kind from Botswana towards the completion of this project the committee felt that it had to withdraw its involvement. Work is now underway to draw up the criteria, application and monitoring processes for the Dr Alfred Merriweather Memorial Scholarship. As this Scholarship will help build up the Church in rural Botswana, your committee is confident it will be a fitting tribute to the inspirational work of Dr Merriweather. UCCSA ASSEMBLY 2011 The UCCSA Assembly will be held in Maputo, Mozambique between the 22-27th September 2011. The committee has agreed Patricia Johnston and Mary Macintyre will represent the Overseas Committee at the Assembly. FLYING MISSION The Flying Mission continue their ministry through its Care Ministries and medical outreach to remote communities in Botswana and Zambia. It is hoped to invite Mike Webb, Chief Executive Officer, to attend the General Assembly when there will be additional opportunities open to him to speak to interested groups The committee would like to congratulate Mr Malcolm McArthur on his book about the history of the Flying Mission. It will provide an invaluable source of information on one of the United Free Church's longstanding partners. REROTHLE CARE CENTRE The committee has been greatly encouraged by the ongoing development of this project, under the guidance of Flying Mission staff. Among ongoing activities there has been a campaign on the reduction of multiple concurrent partnerships which is the key driver of HIV and AIDS in Botswana; the garden has now been established with the Department of Agriculture donating plants and Flying Mission donating garden tools and shade netting for the seed bed. A further insight into the importance of projects like this came to us in a Update from Mercy Leshomo, Capacity Building Coordinator, Flying Mission Care Ministries: “Normally Christmas is celebrated with the excitement of Santa coming to give presents to children or maybe finding some presents hidden under children’s pillows Christmas carols songs and exchange of gifts. This has never been the case with children at Seherelela, their Christmas is normally the same as everyday and parents going out drinking and children left alone at home. The only options for 44
Overseas these children are to go out and collect wild berries or continues playing with their age mates at home. This time it was different as Flying Mission Care Ministries decided to host a Christmas party for the feeding program at Seherelela. The team set off from Gaborone at around 8am in the morning and arrived at 11:00am only to find there was no water in the village for past three days and was met by packed yard with 156 children and 40 caregivers. The water issue created a big problem as we could not cook as planned. We had to travel another sixty (60) kilometres to the nearest town to get bread for sandwiches - by the time the bread arrived it was almost after lunch and everybody waited patiently until lunch was served.” This Update concluded with the following plans for 2011: Continue with a feeding program while working on council requirements to be met by the Trust. Fund raising to start construction at the site for the classrooms. Install playground equipment for children jungle gym. The Overseas Committee originally committed to funding this project for 3 years however, we have been left in no doubt as to the importance of this project to the village of Seherelela and surroundings communities. Consequently the committee has decided to continue funding with a grant of £3,000 per annum for a further 3 years. BONGANI ORPHAN CARE PROJECT The situation within Zimbabwe remains a cause of great concern. The resilience of the people after years of repression can only humble us and we give thanks that the Church is providing a voice against a very brutal regime. Unfortunately, we have had little contact with Thelma and Gastina due to ongoing communication issues; however, the committee is continuing its support of this project as the situation within the country dictates the continuing need for the services provided by the Bongani Orphan Care Centres. The committee will contribute £6,000 per annum for a further 3 years. UCCSA TRAINING FOR MINISTRY During the past year the committee has worked closely with the UCCSA Executive to secure full details of this area of work with costings. We can now report that the House of Formation began work in January 2011 and has 6 full time students and 22 who are undertaking block release courses. Full time study courses last for 3 years. The committee is greatly encouraged by the number of candidates in training and have agreed to support this programme for 3 years by contributing £3,000 per year with discretion lying with UCCSA as to whether or not funds will support full time or part time students. MISSIONARY SECRETARIES UPDATE The past year has been a very busy and productive one for the Missionary Secretaries, Mrs Famie Crawford and Mrs Moira Currie. A number of new initiatives have been rolled out. These include: "Adopt a Mission Partner Scheme" which has been designed to help and encourage congregations, especially smaller ones, to better support the mission partners associated with our Denomination. There are various ways this support can be offered including - praying for the chosen Mission Partner; writing or e-mailing on a regular basis; sending greeting cards for birthday, Easter and Christmas; encouraging Sunday School and Youth Fellowships to be in contact with the mission partner; responding to requests for practical support e.g. sending food stuffs which cannot be 45
Overseas bought in an overseas location, local newspapers etc.
In Service Days in each of the 3 Presbyteries. The first was held in September 2010 in the Presbytery of the West. The second was held in the Presbytery of the East in March 2011. A date for the Presbytery of the North has yet to be agreed. The idea for the "Adopt a Mission Partner Scheme" came from discussions held during the first In Service Day in the Presbytery of the West.
Once again Missionary Sunday was celebrated on either the 20th or 27th February. The Overseas Committee considers this designated Sunday to be a very useful resource which helps to raise awareness of the work of the Mission Partners associated with the denomination. It is also an opportunity for people to consider their role in mission. If anyone has a suggested theme for Missionary Sunday 2012, which will be held on 19th or 26th February, please do not hesitate to contact the Missionary Secretaries. The Missionary Secretaries also ensure congregations are kept updated with the work of the Overseas Committee via the Prayer Letter. The committee would like to thank Mrs Currie and Mrs Crawford for their commitment to and enthusiasm for this very important role. REVIEW OF THE MISSION PARTNERS’ LIST Throughout the past year there has been some discussion around the need to update the Mission Partners List. The list came into being in the 1940's as a way of acknowledging active United Free Church members who were serving overseas with other agencies. Over the years the relationship between the Mission Partners now on the list and the denomination has become much more varied and complex. One concern was that anyone reading the list or the Mission Partner Folder would be led to believe that the denomination is an active "sending agency" when the reality is that everyone named has been sent by another agency and the denomination has no role whatsoever in their selection or posting. While the Overseas Committee is pleased to send the Mission Partners Christmas Gifts and, through the Missionary Secretaries, to be able to support them through prayer, emails, cards and telephone calls, it was felt that there was a need to clarify the status of those named and to actively work towards creating a situation where, either on its own or with selected partners, the Denomination is recruiting, selecting and sending active members on overseas postings. To this end, those named on the current Mission Partner List will now come under the heading "Mission Partners who are associated with the United Free Church" with a separate list being created for "our" Mission Partners. It is important to stress that there will be absolutely no change in the support those on the "associated" list will receive. The committee has also clarified the criteria which will be used to determine new additions to the "Mission Partners who are associated with the United Free Church List". They are as follows: anyone being added to this list should have a current, active link with a UF congregation the work must be overseas the person should be commended by minister/ Kirk Session normally the person should be going with a recognised agency the committee would need to be in agreement with the practices of the agency the person is going with The committee's strategy for recruiting and placing its own Mission Partners will be discussed in the section "Short Term Placements". 46
Overseas SHORT TERM PLACEMENTS For some time now there has been discussion as to how the Overseas Committee might recruit its own Mission Partners, either acting as the sole sending agency or in partnership with another agency. As part of the recruitment and selection procedure the committee would anticipate a discernment process where the person feels a sense of call to such work and speaks to their minister/ pastor or someone else with spiritual maturity. Potential applicants would also be encouraged to make early contact with the committee to discuss possible options – the approach would be similar to the process used when someone approaches the Ministry Committee because they have a sense of call. The committee recognises the value of working in partnership with other agencies and would seek jointly funded projects with other partners whose core values and vision match our own. A determining factor in whether the committee is the sole sending agency or if it is a joint venture may the length of appointment and the relationship with the receiving agency. Where it is a joint venture, the committee would focus on placements in Africa, China and Europe primarily working with: UCCSA Flying Mission SCCG Blythswood A list of possible opportunities is now available and is being circulated throughout the Denomination. This will be regularly updated. The committee is greatly encouraged and excited by this major development and the prospect of once again being in a position to send people overseas. Our prayer is that the denomination will embrace this area of work with equal commitment. SCOTTISH CHURCHES’ CHINA GROUP (SCCG) The SCCG has had a very successful year during which time:
a month long visit to China was made in November which included participation in the 25th Anniversary Celebrations of The Amity Foundation and the Celebration to mark the printing of the 80 millionth Bible by The Amity Printing Press as well as visits to partners in Nanjing, Shanghai, Shenyang and Inner Mongolia. plans have been drawn up for the second stage of the Spiritual Care Training when Rev Margery Collin and Ms Elaine McManus will return to Shenyang to provide more in depth training to Hospital and Diocesan Social Centre staff. discussions are underway for a return visit to Shenyang by Dr Joan Murphy and Mrs Sally Boa for the second phase of the "Talking Mats" training for Rehabilitation staff. staff from the Hua Xiang Hospital Rehabilitation Unit have spent one month at the National Spinal Injuries Unit and one month shadowing the Forth Valley NHS Rehabilitation Team. the SCCG and Friends of the Church in China (FCC) have co-sponsored 3 months English Language Study in the UK for Tan Hua, a member of the Amity Foundation's Disaster Relief Team. the SCCG has been asked to provide a Keynote Speaker for the second International Conference on Autism which will be held in Nanjing in October 2011. a teacher of English was sent to Nanjing for 4 weeks to work with Amity Foundation office staff.
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financial support has been given to the Amity Home of Blessings (a small residential and day care unit for young adults with learning difficulties) and the British and Irish Amity Teachers' Group, which currently has 6 teachers working in 3 Provinces. arrangements were made to bring a Catholic Sister and a Lay Person from Shanghai Diocese to look at services for the elderly and people with learning difficulties. The committee has agreed to an annual grant of £3,000 for the next three years.
CONCLUSION The committee is grateful to all who have been involved in its work throughout this past year. It has truly been a collaborative effort with different gifts and skills being brought to each task. The committee would also like to record its appreciation of the amount of work carried out by the office staff on its behalf. Without their input and guidance considerably less would have been achieved. In the name of the Committee: PATRICIA A. JOHNSTON THOMAS IRELAND JOHN O. FULTON
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Convener Vice Convener Secretary