UCZ Bible Study: Looking on your faith

Muli shani! Greetings from Zambia!
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The United Church of Zambia provides weekly Bible Study guide sheets for use by church groups.  The outline provides a topic, an introduction to the theme, two or three main points relating to a particular Bible text, and questions for discussion.

While I was in Lusaka, we used this tool for the basis of a listener call-in radio programme at United Voice Radio.

At the Saturday morning meeting of Women’s Christian Fellowship (WCF) at Mindolo UCZ Congregation, Mrs Catherine Simwanda used the weekly material as her guide.

Perhaps you are part of a Bible Study group where you could use this material and feel connected to Zambian Christians.  Here is the resource with additions (in italics) from Mrs Simwanda.  (Thanks to Mrs Simwanda for allowing me to share her thoughts.)

Weekly Bible Study:  Looking on your faith

Topic:  Looking on your FAITH  (Examining our FAITH)

Bible Reading:  Job 23:11-23

Introduction:  Sometimes God seems to be far away.  How strong is your belief system, your FAITH?

Definition:   What is FAITH?  --the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1)
My fellow mothers and sisters in the Lord, the Christian life that you and I are called for is the life of FAITH.

1. You can’t be a mother without FAITH.
2. You can’t be a WCF without FAITH.
3. You can’t say ‘I am a Christian’ without FAITH.
4. You cannot overcome the temptation of this world without trust and FAITH in Jesus.
5. You and I are waiting for the coming of Jesus by FAITH.

Review of Bible Text
Job had so much trust in God.  The situation he went through pushed him to the end.  God seemed silent.

• Job had reached dead ends but his faith stood the test of time.
• Job’s spirit was backed by the word of God.  Listen to what he says in verse 11, ‘My feet have closely followed God’s steps.  I have kept to God’s way without turning aside.’  Look at verse 12 also, ‘I have treasured the words of God’s mouth more than my daily bread.’

Job faced a lot of temptations in his life time:

• Children died
• Properties were lost
• Buildings collapsed
• His wife tempted him to curse God
• His friends mocked and accused him of being wicked.

But my fellow women, I want us to look at how Job used his FAITH and TRUST in God despite all he went through.

1. Job understood that he was in the time of TESTING.  Therefore, as WCF, we must understand that one day we shall be TESTED, too.
2. Job’s faith was based on the Word of God.
3. This man treasured the Word of God even when he lost all he had.

Just like you here come to this Women’s Fellowship, not that all is well, but because of the FAITH you have in God.  And I, Mrs Simwanda, would love to encourage you to continue holding on to God and keep trusting Jesus.

Questions for Discussion

1. Job said, ‘Yet I am not silenced by the darkness.’  Are we  able to say what Job said or does darkness make us lose faith?   Trials may come and we may lose faith, but we should hold on to God always.
2. How often do we continue to work for God even when things are not going as expected?   We must always hold on to God and work for God.
3. Are you strong inside or are you a baby Christian always stopping when things don’t go your way?  Things might not be okay always but keep the Word of God inside you for your soul’s encouragement.  _______________________

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Wigs and fashion

 Muli shani! Greetings from Zambia!
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I have been amazed and impressed by the elaborate hairdos of many of the women I have met here in Zambia.  Many of the young women have long hair reaching far down their back.  Sometimes the hair is in small plaits/braids; other times just hanging loose.  Many have short straight bobs, or curly loose ringlets.  And the colours, as in Britain, range from lavender to glossy black.

In some church choirs all the women have not only matching outfits, but also matching hair with exactly the same texture, length and style.  Amazing!

Lo and behold!  These fancy dos are wigs!  Though hot, they are much cheaper than having plaits/braids woven in, which after a month or two need to be removed and new ones purchased and attached.  Cheaper, also, than dying one’s own hair and having to find the money for that ritual on a regular basis.  Rather, purchase a few wigs for instant access to a variety of hairstyles!

Sally, a third year Bachelor of Theology Student here at UCZ University, enlightened me…and showed me her wig collection.  She encouraged me to share this post and assures me it’s okay to share all this with you (smile).

Thanks to Sally!

Please pray for Sally and all the third-year students at UCZ University that they may pass their upcoming exams and feel confident in their call as they transition from the University to full-time ministry.
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Juliet Kamanga’s Morning Devotions

Muli shani! Greetings from the United Church of Zambia University in Mindolo!
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It has been a great joy to take part in the teaching of Homiletics again after a hiatus of so many years.

Each morning at 6:45 the University community gathers for morning devotions usually led by a student.

Juliet is a first-year student in the Bachelor of Theology programme. Her sermon illustration delighted the congregation and has been used several times as an example of a effective and memorable sermon illustration, given her topic ‘Be Alert’.  She agreed that I might share it and part of her message with you.

Theme:  Be Alert
Illumination prayer (before reading scripture)
Your word, LORD, is an inspiration to us.  As we interact with your word, stimulate our hearts. Amen.
Reading:  1 Corinthian 4:17-20

Illustration & Challenge   (taken from a longer message)
This theme reminds me of man who was coming from a drinking place to his home and he was very drunk. So he got on the boat and started to paddle, the man paddled for the whole night.  When the morning came, the man discovered that he was at the same place. The man actually forgot to untie the boat from the tree.

I challenge us therefore this morning to always be alert and cognizant of the way we conduct ourselves, not like the man that paddled the boat without untying it. As the day progresses these are the words we may reflect upon.

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Thus far the Lord has brought us - 1 Samuel 7.12

Muli shani! Greetings from Zambia!
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'Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen.  He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us.’'  -- 1 Samuel 7:12 (NIV)

Each year the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) focuses on a new theme.  For 2019 it is ‘Thus far the LORD has brought us,’ taken from 1 Samuel 7:12 (NIV). The theme then guides the planning of retreats, revival weeks, church conferences, Women’s & Men’s Christian Fellowship programmes, and even choir competitions and radio shows on UCZ radio stations.  Banners proclaim the theme; church magazines, calendars and service sheets highlight it; t-shirts and caps promote it; and preachers refer to it. 

The Paradise Congregation’s newsletter editor writes, ‘Indeed, when we look back in our lives, we can really praise and glorify God for how the LORD has brought us up to now.’

What theme might you like to adopt in church for next year, or the rest of this year? 

The UCZ theme invites us to give thanks to God for bringing us into this day, this era, this place, this time of potential, ‘thus far the LORD has helped us.  It reminds us to remember and celebrate how God has helped us along the way, up to this day.  When times are dark and difficult, we can be tempted to query where God is.  This verse encourages us, reminding us to remember that God accompanies us always on our journey through the ups and downs of life.

Prayer 
God, thank you for bringing us to this day and place.  May we be always grateful that you are our ever-present source of help and direction.  Amen.
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Ministry & the Mines

Muli shani! Greetings from Zambia!
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Revd Godfrey Gama, Minister at St John’s Mtendere United Church of Zambia, who visited our Salisbury and Andover URCs in May, worked in the mines for 5 years before starting theological training.  He worked underground for 18 months at Mopani Copper Mine in Kitwe, then in the Smelting Section of Konkola Copper Mine.

He is married to Ruth and they have two lovely children -- Taonga Ruth and Kondwani (Happy) Godfrey.  Please hold the Gama family in your prayers.


Photos:
Taonga Ruth in her Girls Brigade Uniform
Tod at dinner with Godfrey and Ruth

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Lost mail

Muli shani! Greetings from Zambia!

Wondering where the letters go?  I am wondering, too.  To date I've received no letters and I'm thinking none of the letters I wrote and posted my first week in Lusaka have arrived in the UK or USA.  It's a mystery.  A new 'E-letter system' is mentioned that has replaced the ordinary mail service, but what that is, I do not know.

This is the central Kitwe Post Office.  The cost to post a letter to the UK is K20, a bit more than £1.  Rather than writing letters, people purchase phone time and talk with Whatsapp. The times they are a changing!

 If I were to receive your letters, which hopefully I will in the next two weeks while I'm at the University, they will be delivered to this bank of postal boxes.

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Muli shani! Greetings from Zambia!

Thanks to Anne & Peter and Chris & Ted for identifying this English hymn, sung by every choir at the Choir Competition hosted by Mindolo United Church of Zambia.

It's New Every Morning is the Love by John Keebler (18 century), number 536 in Rejoice & Sing hymnal.

Singing is the Bethsaida Choir from Kwacha East Consistory UCZ.

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Sponsored walk -- carrying lots of water!

Muli shani! Greetings from Zambia!

Always something new happening!

Tod's departed for the UK and I'm walking in a sponsored 10 km walk here in Lusaka to raise funds for a church building project. If you'd like to sponsor me, please let me know with a message to this website or an email to revsgobledale@hotmailcom.

The Lusaka Presbytery is building a church house to avoid continuing to rent.  Seeing the many new churches around Lusaka and at Mindolo, this is surely possible.  The land is already purchased. 

As for the fund-raising walk... We're walking through the city of Lusaka.  I'll be accompanying Bishop Chomba and members of the United Voice Radio crew among many other church members and friends from throughout the Lusaka Presbytery. 

I'm assured there will be an emergency medical vehicle accompanying the walkers and plenty of water available, as it will get hot.  We're starting early to avoid the heat of the day.

If you'd like to sponsor me, please let me know with a message to this website or an email to revsgobledale@hotmailcom. 
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Bethsaida Choir -- Wow!

Muli shani! Greetings from Zambia!

Each choir participating in a Choir Competition designs their own uniforms and choreographs their entry down the central aisle and into position on the platform.  This vibrant choir, from Bethsaida United Church of Zambia, raised the roof with their processional singing of 'King of Kings', 'Nkosi namaNkosi'.

The women carry knobkerries:  the name derives from the Afrikaans word 'knop', meaning knob or ball and the Khoekhoe or San word 'kirri', meaning walking stick.  

The Bethsaida Choir has chosen garb traditional to the Ngoni People in the Eastern Province.  It's similar to that of the Zulu people of South Africa, the community in which we lived 1984-1990.  with the cowskin shields, headbands and waist-skirts.

Among the Zulu people the knobkerrie is called an 'iwisa' and is still used for ceremonial purposes.  Amongst the Ndebele people it is called 'induku' and was traditionally used in warfare.  We knew them to be used to ward off snakes.
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Malepo - Blessing

Muli shani. Greetings from Zambia.

Children are a blessing.  Tod and I delight in every mention, photo or skype with our two darling granddaughters, Cora now 21 months and Nova 6 months.

Children here in Zambia face many challenges just to stay alive: malaria, unclean water, and air pollution for starters.

Please pray for Mr Fred Kaluba and his family in Mindolo.  They are grieving the death of three-month-old Malepo (Blessing in English), Mr Kaluba's granddaughter.  Mr Kaluba is the groundskeeper at the UCZ University.





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Ministry is Dynamic -- Wellingtone C Bawalya, Zambia

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Muli shani! Greetings from Zambia!

Today I'm sharing with you the wisdom Wellingtone C Bawalya shared at morning chapel here at United Church of Zambia University.

But first, some singing!  As it's Thursday, chapel songs are in Lozi, spoken primarily in southwestern Zambia.  Lozi is one of the 73 languages of Zambia.

Student Bawalya shares his thoughts arising from 1 Corinthians 4:5-6...

We are called differently but serving the same God.

My parents, sisters and brothers in the Lord, mostly our estimation of ourselves is usually wrong, we are almost too hard or too easy on ourselves. Therefore, it is imperative to recognise that we are called and gifted differently from each other for different assignments; hence the need to commend and appreciate each other in our areas of calling without despising or judging anyone and this will bring unity, peace, love and tranquillity in the church, our community and society as a whole.

My parents, sisters and brothers in the Lord, ministry is diverse. I ask each one of us to be ourselves. Do not strive to be a copy cut of other people.  Many people today evaluate and judge others on unbiblical standards like the Corinthian church did, basing on the sense of humour, entertainment value, appearance, and status. When they evaluate you, judge you and compare you with others basing on what they think about you, don’t mind that.

Do what you can do according to your ability and calling. Remember that you are not others, nor are they you,  but you are you.  Just maintain your identity because your vocation is different from others.  It is not judging others that will prove us safe and happy.W
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Welcome to St John's Mtendere, United Church of Zambia

Muli shani! Greetings from Zambia!

St John's United Church of Zambia is located in the residential area of Mtendere on the outskirts of Lusaka, the capital city.

It's membership stands at about 3000 members, with active Women's Christian Fellowship, Choirs, Girls and Boys Brigades, Sunday School and Sunday worship.  This (above) is the 'wall-fence' that wraps around the church compound, similar to other churches in the Lusaka Presbytery.

This (above) is the street outside the church gate (to left of photo).

St John's choir has purchased a bus enabling the members to travel to various worship events and choir competitions.  

It parks inside the church compound walls.

Rev Gama's home, the manse, sits behind the church building.

This is the view (above) to the right as one steps out of the church compound gates.

The sanctuary of St John's UCZ Mtendere

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God's amazing creation

Muli shani! Greetings!

God's creation never ceases to amaze!  Rev Godfrey Gama and Mr Amon Banda hosted us to a day amongst God's fabulous creatures.

 Even a boat ride to view amazing birds - spoonbill storks, kingfishers, cormorants, plovers...

Our host, Rev Gama, enjoying his first game park visit.

This particular group of elephants include three orphans successfully adopted by a childless-female.


Creator of all life, we pray for the animals of all continents who are being displaced by human expansion, giving thanks for those mindful stewards of the earth who set aside land and those who continue the work to protect and care for God's creatures.

Encourage us to step forward accepting the responsibility you have given us as your stewards of creation.  Help us change our ways to walk more closely with you and all creation.  Amen.

Yes!  Tod arrived on 19 August, and we've been off-line since!  Wonderful to be sharing this Zambia journey together.
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Psalm 46:1-11 – a Zambian revision

Muli shani! Greetings from Zambia!

Psalm 46:1-11 – a Zambian revision

Creator who is our protector, power and ever with us

Even when the economy depreciates and political scandal rises,

Will not be shaken.

God is the source of happiness.

Your word brings joy to us.

Your presence, oh Lord, will always be with us to render help.

At the sound of your voice troubles come to a standstill.

God who fights our battles is always present in our midst.

Neighbours, see what the Lord has done.

You are the peace maker.

Be focused on me, for I am your God.

I cannot be compared with any.

The Lord who fights our battle is with us.

God of our ancestors is our protector.

Written cooperatively by a group of first year Bachelor of Theology students at the United Church of Zambia University, Kitwe: Derrick Phiri, Francis Kasunde Chilepe, Ezekiel Siwale, Likokoto Situmbeko, Philip Sinkala, Webster Nganyu, Augustine Nkonde.  

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I surrender all - blousing the 576

Muli shani! 

Greetings from Zambia!

22-25 August 

Lusaka Presbytery

Women's Christian Fellowship Annual Conference 2019

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576 women have been prepared during the year to join Women's Christian Fellowship.  On Sunday 25 August, all of them were 'bloused' with the WCF uniform:  black shoes and skirt symbolising darkness; red blouse symbolising blood (of Jesus); and white collar and headscarf symbolising light.  The 7 white buttons represent the seven 'Words of the Cross.'

'The Uniform represents a total transformation, meaning that we were in darkness, have been washed in the blood of Jesus and we now walk in the light of God who gives us strength to face each deay with joy in God's service.' (from the day's service sheet). 'The uniform originated from the Methodist Chjurch in South Africa dn Zimbabwe, which is one of the churches unified in the United Church of Zambia's formation in 1965.

2,000-3,000 members of WCF attended, including 70 from our partner congregation, St John's in Mtendere.

After kneeling and reciting the 5 vows of WCF, the candidates where literally dressed, while kneeling, by members of WCF -- blouse, belt and scarf put on. Then the Bishop and other ministers took the hands of the women, one by one, and 'lifted' them up to standing.  Many tears and great celebration. 
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