Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa
Encyclopedia
The Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA) was formed and constituted in 1999 as the outcome of the union between the Reformed Presbyterian Church
in Southern Africa
(RPCSA) and the Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa (PCSA).
These two churches shared the same origin dating back to the 19th century when Britain
took over the Cape Colony
. Their distinctive characters were that the Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa was constituted among soldiers and settlers who arrived in the Cape in 1820, spreading North into Zimbabwe
and Zambia
. The Reformed Presbyterian Church on the other hand was a product of Scottish
missions intended for the indigenous Africans, which started at Lovedale Mission in Alice. It became autonomous in 1923.
The motto Nec tamen consumebatur is adapted from the Latin
translation of Exodus 3:2 "...The Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet it was not consumed"
In 2004 the UPCSA celebrated its fifth anniversary after having spent much of that time in forging structures of union.
Article 13 of the basis of union states that, as a condition of the union, both churches are to bring 4 associations each and the 8 associations would unite to form only 4 associations (one women's association, one men's association, one girl's association and one youth association).
Reformed Presbyterian Church
Reformed Presbyterian may refer to:* A mutually recognising set of churches listed at Reformed Presbyterian Church , including:** The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Australia** The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Cyprus...
in Southern Africa
Southern Africa
Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. Within the region are numerous territories, including the Republic of South Africa ; nowadays, the simpler term South Africa is generally reserved for the country in English.-UN...
(RPCSA) and the Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa (PCSA).
These two churches shared the same origin dating back to the 19th century when Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
took over the Cape Colony
Cape Colony
The Cape Colony, part of modern South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, with the founding of Cape Town. It was subsequently occupied by the British in 1795 when the Netherlands were occupied by revolutionary France, so that the French revolutionaries could not take...
. Their distinctive characters were that the Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa was constituted among soldiers and settlers who arrived in the Cape in 1820, spreading North into Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
and Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
. The Reformed Presbyterian Church on the other hand was a product of Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
missions intended for the indigenous Africans, which started at Lovedale Mission in Alice. It became autonomous in 1923.
The motto Nec tamen consumebatur is adapted from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
translation of Exodus 3:2 "...The Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet it was not consumed"
In 2004 the UPCSA celebrated its fifth anniversary after having spent much of that time in forging structures of union.
Presbyteries/Synods
The Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa is divided into Presbyteries and Synods (districts):- Amatola
- Central Cape
- Drakensberg
- eGoli
- Thekwini
- Free State
- Highveld
- Lekoa
- Limpopo
- Thukela
- East Griqualand - JH Soga Synod
- Mthatha - JH Soga Synod
- Transkei - JH Soga Synod
- Tshwane
- Western Cape
- Copperbelt - Zambia Synod
- Munali - Zambia Synod
- M'chinga - Zambia Synod
- Zimbabwe
Associations/ministry groups
The Basis of Union is a contract that was signed in September 1999 entered into between the Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa (PCSA) and the Reformed Presbyterian Church in South Africa (RPCSA). Under this contract, the two churches would join and become one: the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA).Article 13 of the basis of union states that, as a condition of the union, both churches are to bring 4 associations each and the 8 associations would unite to form only 4 associations (one women's association, one men's association, one girl's association and one youth association).
- The GCA (Girls' Christian Association) of RPCSA and JB (after Janet Burnside the wife of Rev. Tiyo SogaTiyo SogaTiyo Soga was a South African journalist, minister, translator, missionary, and composer of hymns. Soga was the first black South African to be ordained and worked to translate the Bible and John Bunyan’s classic work Pilgrim’s Progress# into his native Xhosa language.When Soga’s mother Nosuthu...
) of PCSA united to form IYZA (Inhlangano Yezintombi ZamaRhabe Amanyanayo) - The two women's associations united to form UPWF (Uniting Presbyterian Women's Fellowship)
- The PMA (Presbyterian Men's Association) of PCSA and the YMG (Young Men's Guild) of RPCSA united to form MCG (Men's Christian Guild)
- The two youth associations united to form UPCSA YF (Youth Fellowship).
See also
- ChristianityChristianityChristianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
- PresbyterianismPresbyterianismPresbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
- Reformed churchesReformed churchesThe Reformed churches are a group of Protestant denominations characterized by Calvinist doctrines. They are descended from the Swiss Reformation inaugurated by Huldrych Zwingli but developed more coherently by Martin Bucer, Heinrich Bullinger and especially John Calvin...
- Presbyterian polityPresbyterian polityPresbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
- World Communion of Reformed ChurchesWorld Communion of Reformed ChurchesThe World Communion of Reformed Churches is an ecumenical Christian body formed in June 2010 by the union of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Reformed Ecumenical Council...
- World Alliance of Reformed ChurchesWorld Alliance of Reformed ChurchesThe World Alliance of Reformed Churches is a fellowship of more than 200 churches with roots in the 16th-century Reformation, and particularly in the theology of John Calvin...