UCZ Synod United Church of Zambia
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ!
It is Christmas time again! Warm greetings to you from all of us here at the United Church of Zambia Synod Headquarters in Lusaka!
Brothers and Sisters, Allow me to take a few minutes to thank God for His loving faithfulness that has led us all the way through 2016.It is not by mighty nor by power that we have come this far. Indeed in so many ways ‘Christ has led us to fullness of life’.
I would be failing in my duty if l do not recognise your passion and commitment to the construction of the Synod Investment and Office Complex in Woodlands. The contributions you have been making towards this mission project have facilitated what we can now see on Mosi-O-Tunya plot. It is a marvel to the eye. Seeing it, the visiting CWM Africa Mission Secretary said, “The UCZ is ahead of the New International Financial and Economic Architecture (NIFEA)”.
In this regard, the 2016 November Synod Executive meeting resolved to declare 2017 “a year of resource mobilisation” in which, each one of us shall be required to contribute at least a minimum of K2 every week for the whole year. This contribution should be given the first priority by every member of the United Church of Zambia in 2017.
In this year’ Christmas message, l would also like to bring to your attention that the 28th Synod Council in June 2016 reviewed the 2015 and 2016 theme, “Christ, lead us to fullness of life” and brought it to an end. The new 2017 theme shall be, “Revive thy work O Lord” from Habakkuk 3:2. I therefore call upon each one of you to approach 2017 with hearts of expectation, determination and commitment to what God is about to do in our individual lives, families, church and the nation at large.
As Christmas comes ever closer, we would encourage you to use the lessons that were prepared by our Mission and Evangelism Department for 2016 Advent week of prayers and reflection in our respective congregations and homes.
This year’ advent messages come with hope of the soon coming Lord and King Jesus Christ. They will counter the prevailing words of hatred, violence, murder, false prophecy, hunger, disease, division, and despair that mark our world today. This week will offer some space to reflect and pray as congregations, families and individuals. The prayers shall include an opportunity for the traditional candle lighting as we turn our hearts and minds to the meaning of Christ’s coming into our world.
Brothers and Sisters as you enter Advent week of prayers and reflection, we assure you of our prayers and blessings in the journeys you are making in your own situations to where Jesus is born amongst you. We pray that this year’ Christmas season reflections will light our way to a Christmas of renewal as we proclaim Christ life amongst us as grounds for hope and healing. And, as we are sent on from the stable discover afresh a mission that begins at the margins of our world and announces love and transformation rooted in glory to God and peace on earth.
With these words, I wish each one of you a blessed and enriching Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2017.
Sincerely Yours in Christ’s Servic.
