North Alabama "twinning" options with St Mark's

The focus of St Mark's outreach is on ministering to the youth ... on Sunday more than 40 kids attended Sunday school. That's a record. 

St Mark's and First Presbyterian Church, Alabama are "twinned." We have recently rekindled our links via the Marksman Online, e-mail and Facebook. But many of us may need more information on what the "twinning" concept is all about.  The St Mark's Editorial team Googled the very question we may have been asking of each other and up came the document below, which was drafted some five years ago. It was published on the North Alabama Presbytery web site and gives a great overview of what the concept is about and how our own Egoli Presbytery is involved.  From here we can build to the glory of the Lord.

All quiet in the still of a Yeoville morning .... ahead of the arrival of the choir through that door.


"WE RE-AFFIRM THE GIFTS AND NEEDS OF EACH PARTNER

NORTH ALABAMA PRESBYTERY

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SHARING (Gifts/interests/experiences NAP brings to this partnership)

Technology and faith

• Funds
• Presbytery revitalization
• Experiences with ecumenism and racial reconciliation and interfaith work
• Readings and programs in servant leadership
• Congregational core interest/support with committed leadership
• Worship renewal - cultural shifts
• Shared intergenerational education programs
• Library resources/resource center
• Renewal programs
• Women's ministries

Norman Mangena (in front) and Colleen Butler ...they are  two of the driving forces behind the Sunday school.

NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED (This partnership could help NAP grow to meet these needs)

• Mainline adaptation of Spirit-filled worship
• Help with true interracial fellowship
• Knowledge/experience of TRC
• Help with bridging the chasm between mainline and evangelical churches
• How to embody and live out cultural diversity
• Direct and personal relationships overseas
• Growth in mutual/partnership ministries - collaborative models

This is our "twin" ... First Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama 

EGOLI PRESBYTERY

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SHARING (Gifts/interests/experiences EP brings to this partnership)

1. As a result of being part of the African continent, our Denomination/Presbytery has the experience of the rich African spirituality which it can share to enrich the worship of other denominations which are not part of this continent. Therefore, African spirituality is what our Presbytery can offer to the Alabama Presbytery.

2. As South Africans emerging from a history of oppression, divisions, discrimination based upon race, color, culture, religion and having witnessed miracles in the early stages of our democracy, we can share with our brethren from Alabama Presbytery our experiences of a rainbow nation.

3. We can also share with our overseas brethren our experience of grace experiences during truth and reconciliation hearings which in some situations led to reconciliation and healing. Our willingness to dialogue critically about our past led to radical honesty which in turn led to forgiveness and reconciliation.

4. South Africa is a multi-racial and multi-cultural society and because of this rich diversity, we can share with our overseas counterparts the richness of different cultures which is reflected in liturgical variations of worship.

5. Due to our multi-racial and multi-cultural society, we have the opportunity to explore cross-cultural ministry and share the experience with our brethren.

Look at that garden ... this is a tribute to all the hard work the likes of Jane Henderson has put in over the years


NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED (This partnership could help EP grow to help meet these needs)

1. Due to unemployment which causes poverty, we will need projects that will lead to self-empowerment and self-sufficiency, i.e., Job Creation; economic empowerment through self-sustaining opportunities inside and outside the church. We will also need educational and developmental programs for both the clergy and the laity.

2. Twinning of congregations within our Presbytery is very important and this should be the first step to be taken by all congregations seeking partnership with congregations in the Alabama Presbytery. It's no use to establish a relationship with overseas congregations when we remain divided at home. We need to start in "Jerusalem" (at home) and move out in unity. It is very important how we present ourselves to the outside world. Our appearance will send a powerful message to the world. Twinning of congregations within our Presbytery will contribute positively to the partnership between congregations of the two Presbyteries. This approach will insure that no congregation is left behind and that the partnership benefit all congregations equally.

3. Partnership between our congregations and congregations in the North Alabama Presbytery should be transparent. Projects of funding between the two congregations should be incarnational with the emphasis on the practical aspect and with two-way interaction. This kind of partnership will automatically lead to the exchange of ministries between congregations or Presbyteries.

The garden of remembrance ... we honour all the great servants of the Lord, who have gone before.


WE RE-AFFIRM OUR EFFORTS TO FIND COMMON ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS

The following have been in process this past year (circa 2002):

• Mission Exchange Programs both ways
• Each Presbytery adopting one primary project/thrust in the other Presbytery
• Regular and varied communication on as many levels as possible
• The following have been explored in the last year:
• Youth and Women's Ministry exchange programs
• Mutual funding and volunteer support of Habitat for Humanity in SA
• Cultural and racial reconciliation information and program exchange
• Encouragement of extended pulpit supply both ways
• Congregation-to-congregation and project-to-project partnership activities."

I trust the above gave you all food for thought in planning how we build bridges between South Africa and North Alabama to HIS GLORY.

The St Mark's Editorial Team.