THE ANNUAL REPORT OF IVORY PARK CONGREGATION.

Transcription

1 THE ANNUAL REPORT OF IVORY PARK CONGREGATION. PERIOD: 01 APRIL MARCH 2015 TO: CHAIRPERSON OF TSHWANE PRESBYTERY 1. INTRODUCTION The URCSA-Ivory park congregation under the guidance and the leadership of Emeritus Rev Dr SD Maluleke focuses on the wellness of its members and of the local community. The wellness is promoted through worship and sound preaching of the word of God. All church members and visitors are uplifted in their Christian life. Ivory Park URCSA congregation makes a positive impact in the lives of many local community members through its contribution in many community development programmes. Our church centre is a place of hope. The church is involved in many different activities that benefit both the members of the church as well as ordinary community members. 2. ASSISTING MINISTER Emeritus Rev Dr SD Maluleke remains a gift and a blessing to Ivory Park congregation. Today we are in this multi-purpose church complex because of his efforts and contributions he made through motivation, preaching, negotiations and fundraising skills. Allow us to thank him for all his selfless efforts and support. His love for the church and the community is reflected in all his works in the church. 1

2 3. BUILDING PROJECT 3.1 Church offices and Consistory/ Vestry Building of the offices and the consistory was completed during the church financial year. This includes roofing, plumbing, plastering, electricity, ceiling and glazing. Still outstanding is floor tiles, doors and painting. 3.2 Main Church Building The building of the main church building is almost done, what is left is the ceiling. Putting of the ceiling in the main church building is a project for We intend to do fundraising aggressively for this big project. We hope and believe that the Lord will give us strength and wisdom in this regard. 2

3 4. OTHER CHURCH ACTIVITIES 4.1 Sound System The church managed to buy the Sound System through fundraising is currently used in our church service. 4.2 Good Friday Weekend Revival We had a revival during the Good Friday long weekend starting Thursday (18:00) till Sunday. On Good Friday the theme was The Seven Sayings of Jesus on the Cross where all ministries took part in sharing the word of God on each saying assigned to each ministry. On Saturday we conducted the a funeral as one of our members passed on. CWM and CYM robbing (dikapeso) was also conducted on Good Friday. On Sunday of this weekend Holy communion was also served. 4.3 Church Choir Members of the church gathered to form a church choir with the aim of participating in the choir competitions. The choir conductor was not a member of Ivory Park but was requested from another congregation. He eventually got a job in Kimberley and had to relocate leaving the church with no conductor and as result the choir could not proceed with the practice as the songs were still half way and they could not get anyone to take over the choir conducting. Hopefully next year the congregation will get someone to assist the choir. 3

4 4.4 CMM The congregation has CMM which is also active and participates in church activities 4.4 Youth Month Church Service was conducted by CYM the whole month in celebration for Youth Month. The whole church supported them as they preached every Sunday of June. 4

5 4.5 Women s Month August is Women s month and CWM conducts church services for the whole month in celebration of Women s month. 5. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Ivory Park URCSA supports and is also involved in many community development projects and programmes. This includes the Art Centre, ECD Centre (Creche), Food garden and Centre for the Elderly. 5.1 Art Centre Youth from the Ivory Park and Ebony community gather in the art centre in our church yard to learn different art skills. The church opens the centre to these youth as way of contributing in youth development of the community and playing a role in keeping them out of the streets. 5

6 5.2 Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre Church also offers ECD services to the Ivory Park and Ebony community. Children between the ages 0-4 years attend this ECD classes. The place is secured and safe for these children. The head of this ECD centre is a member of our church. Though the centre, church accommodates to all community kids even if they are not members of our church. 5.3 Food garden Members of the church as well as community members work on this food garden. Different vegetables are planted. These vegetables are supplied to the orphanages, used to feed the children in our ECD centre and some are sold to community members and church members. 6

7 5.3 Centre for the Elderly A group of elderly women from the community decided to come together to deal will their loneliness and stress. The church invited them to hold their meeting in our church. They meet every Wednesday in the morning to pray, share their problems and support each other emotionally. They come from different denominations. They do different activities together including sewing, music and also play games. Spar supermarket, Pick N Pay and Shoprite also donate food parcels to them as way of contributing to their wellness. 7

8 5.5. Games for youth During school holidays, the youth from the local community gather to play soccer and many other different games in our church as we have a very big yard. During the week after school, children play soccer in our church yard. 6. RECOMMENDATIONS The presbytery accepts this report with appreciation. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL SCRIBE: MICHAEL MAKGATA 8