| Moffat Mission, Kuruman, South Africa November 19, 1999 Dear Friends  On a sandy path lined with big stones, halfway between the Moffat Mission Church built in 1838, and the Robert Moffat Library complex built in 1998 stands a thatched archway. Standing in the archway facing East you are looking toward the historic precinct of the Moffat Mission consisting of: the big stone church, the Moffat Homestead, Hamilton House, an old wagon shed, the ruins of the first school built in the region, and the rebuilt schoolroom which houses the printing press on which Robert Moffat printed the Setswana Bible which was the first Bible to be printed in an African language. It is important to look back, remember, and give thanks for the people who witnessed before us.  Facing toward the West you are looking at the new library complex where programs are being developed in fine new offices: The Kalahari Desert School of Theology (KDST) where Lawrence is working on a variety of courses for training pastors and laity; the Moffat Education and Leadership Institute (MEALI) program where Pelonomi Diameng is offering community leadership development courses. It is important to look ahead and envision new possibilities for the future. The arch symbolizes something important to us. It links the old and the new. It helps us to remember that there is and should be a strong link between the heritage of the mission and its present service to church and community. We often look to the past for clues to what God is calling us to do today. It also helps us to remember that there is a future toward which we are heading. A memorial stone on one of the pillars of the arch was unveiled by the Rev Des van der Water on Sunday, September 26th, 1999. The stone commemorates the arrival of the London Missionary Society (LMS) in 1799 and 200 years of Congregational mission and witness in southern Africa. Moffat Mission was host to 1,500 people that day and most of them passed through the arch. The service in the Moffat Church was conducted by the Rev Steve Titus, president of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA). The sermon was preached by the Rev Roderick Hewitt, a prominent minister of the United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Hewitt challenged the assembly, with the words of the prophet Haggai, to build up the people of God. He warned the church that it is time to be committed to the welfare of all peoples, rather than to "hurry off to your own houses". Hewitt's theme was reinforced by one of the ecumenical guests, the Rt Rev Njongonkulu Ndungane (Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town), who referred to the lack of economic justice in the world and division in the church. He called for a renewed commitment to church unity claiming that a divided church will fail to overcome poverty and injustice. Steve de Gruchy, Lawrence and I wrote a song for the celebration. It was powerful when 1,500 people sang it in response to prayers during the service. The tune is by Phil Porter, 1990 (see #742 in the New Century Hymnal). Gathered here we remember those who served We rejoice in all our blessings Now renew us in the power of your spirit God, hear our prayer Delegates to the UCCSA Assembly, meeting at Tiger Kloof, formed part of the congregation at Moffat Mission. They came from all parts of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Every corner of the historic church building and the grounds outside were filled with women, men and children from churches spread across Northwest Province and the Northern Cape from Mafikeng to Kakamas. The crowds left. The arch stands there on the path. Sometimes a visitor to the Mission will sit quietly in its shade. We have had a couple of services for small groups in the arch. We like to sit there and talk sometimes. Nearby Lawrence has planted camelthorn trees, a beautiful acacia that grows very slowly. We hope that the arch will gather other plaques, one to mark an anniversary of the ordination of the first Motswana minister, Maphakela Lekalake; another to mark an anniversary of the completion of the first translation of the Bible into Setswana. The arch will provide a spot for periodic remembering and celebrations that will gather from the past and point to the future. And so this lovely arch can also symbolize for all of us the place at the end of this millennium where we stop for a minute to remember all that has happened in the past. We give thanks and rejoice in all our blessings and look resolutely toward the future with renewed energy to serve the Lord in the years ahead. We pray for you a meaningful Advent and a joyful celebration of Christmas. We thank you for your interest and prayers, Carol C Gilley |