It was important to get all the congregation involved in worship together. The children were most faithful in attending and being on time and volunteering! They were the greeters and the ushers. They helped collecting the offering. They participated in the teaching/children's moment where we learned and taught the congregation new songs. They took up and blessed the offering. They cleaned up the sanctuary after worship and then raced around the outside of the building to be first to arrive at Sunday School. Couldn't ask for more faithful members who wanted to learn and grow in responsibility and faith! Here Rowan and Josey help with the offering and in the background Roche' looks on.
And now we begin the most important part of the service. We witness the confirmation of a young woman's faith and welcome her into full membership in the Kalkfeld Congregational Church, UCCSA.
I explain...
We still have all the lovely Advent and Christmas decorations that the children made and put up. The UCCSA symbol is on the wall and the pulpit cloth- the cross on a banner, with the dove representing the Holy Spirit, and an olive branch of peace in its mouth.
Aunty Sarah Kotze is a Deacon in the church who comes to witness.
Jan Kotzee is also a Deacon in the church, and is Venessa's Grandfather. What a proud day for him!
There are a lot of questions...
Questions for the Venessa who confirms her faith and indicates her commitment to the Church of Jesus Christ.
And we bless her.
We declare her a member.
We celebrate together- everyone is so proud!
A smile for her Oupa.
Then I ask the congregation to extend the right hand of fellowship to Venessa, welcoming her as a full member of the Kalkfeld Congregational Church, UCCSA and the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa.
Venessa is greeted by Garrett who is an elder of the church.
By Jimmy Heyman the Secretary of the Namibia Synod, UCCSA
The Incoming President of the UCCSA Rev. Philip Strydom greets her.
Her grandmother/Ouma Aunty Poppy who raised her with Oupa.
We begin singing as she works her way to the back of the sanctuary.
Her cousins are here from Windhoek to support her and take pictures.
And finally she returns to the front.
Where her Oupa prays for her.
We are all so proud of her and Pastor loses it- not for the first or last time.
Ms Venessa Kotzee a new proud member!
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