Link with the United Church of Zambia (UCZ)

Bethel Congregation Chilanga, near Lusaka

 

At the September 2009 Church Meeting, the World Church Committee was given approval to seek a link with a UCZ congregation in the Lusaka Presbytery. This is in response to a Wessex Synod initiative encouraging local churches to develop links.

Initially, we were looking to form a link with a church in Lusaka where the Revd. Agnes Mulenga was the Minister. But we discovered that Agnes had moved pastorates to Chilanga about 12 miles south of Lusaka.

Initially, we were looking to form a link with a church in Lusaka where the Revd. Agnes Mulenga was the Minister. But we discovered that Agnes had moved pastorates to Chilanga about 12 miles south of Lusaka.

Revd. Agnes visited Chandlers Ford from 10 to 12 May 2010 and we discovered that she is an outgoing, approachable and committed Christian. It didn’t take us long to decide that we did indeed want to forge a link and Agnes suggested that we link with her Bethel Congregation, one of five churches that she leads.

When Revd. Agnes Mulenga visited us in May 2010 she asked us if we could make a banner for Bethel Church in Chilanga. As a member of the Bethel Congregation was visiting us we decided we would like to give them this Welcome Banner which we feel is very appropriate

We pray that the banner will be a reminder of the link between our churches and that it will be a blessing.

We received the following letter of thanks from our friends in Zambia:

‘Yes indeed, our member Mrs. Liness Ng'andwe arrived safely and we thank you most sincerely for the banner (cloth) and the small cups for Holy Communion which you sent us. We have so far even placed the cloth in front, at the altar with that powerful message which is loud and clear, it has really changed the outlook of our church and the Christians and Rev. Agnes are so delighted! May the Lord continue blessing you so abundantly! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Recently, we received the following information from the Church Secretary at Bethel:

‘Let me just in brief update you on the structure of our church, The United Church of Zambia. The church is composed of four major organs, we call them "courts". The lowest court is a SECTION where there are members. These members from sections meet for mid-week prayers in their respective sections and these sections are led by elders and deacons who are elected at the Congregation council meetings.

The term of office for elders is 4 years while that of deacons is 2 years. These leaders cannot serve for more than two terms. The second court is a CONGREGATION where all sections meet for Sunday worship as well as on Wednesday for prayers. Leaders of all the committees, groups and sections meet quarterly to review the performance of the Congregation, Committees and groups. This is what we call the CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING. The third court is the CONSISTORY which is currently led by Rev. Agnes Mulenga as a chairperson; this is where matters from the Congregations and beyond the jurisdiction of the congregation are dealt with.

The CONSISTORY COUNCIL MEETINGS are held annually and may be called as the Chairperson calls them from time to time depending on the issues needing urgent attention. The composition of such meeting are:- The Chairperson, The Secretary and vice and the Treasurer, who are elected after 2 years and can serve to a maximum of 2 terms. Other leaders of the Consistory Council are all Congregation office bearers and all Consistory Committee Convenors.

The fourth court is the PRESBYTERY which is Composed of the Bishop as Chairperson, the Secretary and the vice and the treasurer, others in this committee are all Consistory leaders, who are the Congregation Chairpersons, who are normally the Reverends, the Consistory leaders, i.e. the Consistory Chairpersons, their Secretaries and Treasurers. The Presbytery meet to review the performance of Consistories and deal with other related matters from the mother body which is THE SYNOD being the administrative offices of the church. Synod is composed of the Synod Bishop, Synod General Secretary and The Finance person, these normally deal with issues pertaining church policies and alike.

I hope this somehow is going to give you some rough image of our church. Best regards to all the Christians, and to your family and friends.

"Maranatha!"

GOD BE WITH YOU AND BLESS YOU.

Bornface Abednego Silomba’ 

Latest News in January 2011

A group of 7-8 of us are planning a 14 day visit to Chilanga in September this year. We hope to worship with them see something of their church life and meet lots of people. We will stay with host families which will give us an insight into how Zambian people live. 

We also plan to have a few days seeing the Victoria Falls and to visit a game park.