Pray for South Africa on Sunday December 5, 2010

Pray for South Africa on Sunday December 5, 2010

Lectionary Text and Prayers for South Africa: Matthew 3:1-12 

God of Justice and Truth, we pray for those who today caution us about the consequences of living divorced from you and our neighbors. We repent for often not listening. This morning’s newspaper in South Africa provides no shortage of issues against which you speak and warn. Page 23: We pray for the many victims of rape, 1,300 per day. We thank you Inanda Seminary students are safe at school, have a chaplain and access to counseling. Page 46: We pray for 83% of South Africans who can’t afford private medical care. We thank you that Inanda Seminary students have school nurse and access to descent health facilities. Page 49: We pray for the 40% of students (who do not drop out first) who will fail this year due to poor education. We thank you that 100% of Inanda Seminary’s girls will pass and graduate. Thank you for Jesus Christ, who calls us to comfort, educate and heal. Give us strength to continue making your “paths straight”. Amen.   

(Prayer by Susan Valiquette & Scott Couper)

Global Ministries International Partners in South Africa:

  • South African Council of Churches: This council consists of the joint work of 26 member churches.  The SACC focuses its ministry on social justice, the integrity of creation, and the alleviation of poverty.
  • Theological Education by Extension College: This college, supported by nine member churches, helps prepare students for ministry, whether lay or ordained.  The college is ecumenical and students come from Catholic, Anglican, Reformed, and African Independent backgrounds.
  • United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) – South Africa Synod:  The UCCSA – South African Synod consists of over 250 churches, divided into 11 regions.  Within the Synod one can find many different cultures and languages, making the SA Synod an example of reconciliation in the new South Africa. ∩╗┐

Global Ministries Missionaries in South Africa:

Scott Couper and Susan Valiquette are members of First Congregational Church (UCC), Winter Park, Florida. Scott and Susan serve the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA). Both Scott and Susan live at and serve the Inanda Seminary in Inanda township (near Durban), South Africa.  Scott serves the school as the Development Manager.  Scott also serves local churches as a pastor. Susan serves the school as the Chaplain and a teacher.

Kristine Tisinger, a member of University Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Fort Worth, Texas, will serve the Theological Education by Extension College (TEEC) in Johannesburg, South Africa. She will work as an administrative assistant in the Academic Department and Library. She will begin her term of service as a Global Mission Intern this summer.

Jonathan and Dawn Barnes, members of the Seventh Street Christian Church, Richmond, Virginia, served the Kei Regional Council of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA). They worked as a development officers in the Kei region of the Eastern Cape of South Africa. They are currently sharing their ministry in churches in the U.S. and are up for re-appointment to the UCCSA in Mozambique.