MCSA, Student Ministry
By: Augustine Joemath (Bishop)
Included in the call of the Mission project to re-establish the Moravian footprint in the Cape Town CBD; to restart the Moravian Congregation of the MCSA at Moravian Hill, District 6; the Provincial Board has identified the need and has given us, Bishop & Sr Joemath, the task to start with a ministry to our MCSA students.
This is firstly in view of the proximity of the University of Technology, CPUT, to Moravian Hill (we are on campus), but also the greater need to keep track of our students of the MCSA and assist with whatever need may be identified that hamper their studies.
The plight of our children who want to study but are hindered by struggling families due to unemployment, poverty, etc. and the bigger financial struggle of our country, have made this ministry a dire need to take hands and help secure the future of our young people, in particular, and that of the MCSA.
It is very often those students coming from rural areas, or those enrolling at educational institutions of higher learning (HEI’s) far away from home, who need our specific attention and support.
We have put together a team of Moravian members attached to some of the universities and colleges in Cape Town/KZN and hope to include more HEI’s as we identify such members to drive this ministry. These now are: Cape Peninsula University of Technology, University of Cape Town, College of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, Varsity College, Northlink College, University of the Western Cape, University KZN, as well as MYUSA…
This project could be directly linked to the work of our Youth under MYUSA as well as of concern to all our Districts, Congregations, other recognized and interested bodies of the MCSA.
This Ministry, as is the case with other ministries of our church such as the Prison or Hospital Ministry, cannot be the work of an individual or that of a committee only. We need the input and co-operation of all, esp. if we want to grow it throughout our SA Province.
We thus call on the assistance and guidance of the Districts and/or Congregations (whichever is applicable), and put to you the following guidelines:
- Identify all students in your Congregation who are studying at whichever HEI in your area or elsewhere in SA and inform us;
- Note all HEI’s in your area and inform us, esp. if there is a/are Moravian(s) working there;
- These tasks can be given to an individual, an existing group such as the Youth or a specifically formed group, but let us know who your contact group/person is;
- Establish a Student Ministry Fund (if you do not already have one) or support a Provincial Study Fund (that may be established/revived) e.g. through a collection or any other means of fund-raising, and inform us;
- Encourage your members to donate to such a fund or to support a student(s) directly (here some guidance is important);
- Invite students to services/gatherings/meals at church in order to show interest or support and not to lose them to other churches;
- Encourage and identify families who are able to host students in need of accommodation – ideally close to an HEI and inform us;
- It has been established that many hostel students (up to 70%) do not eat properly during their studies due to a lack of funds and therefore it may be necessary to assist with meals (either through funding or through invites);
- Encourage members to think of students when drawing up a Will if they have money available and are looking for a good cause to support;
- The clergy or other leaders (or a Congregation or a cluster of Congregations) in the vicinity of an HEI should look at a pastoral ministry to that institution(s) such as services or prayer/ counselling/guidance sessions or a society of Moravian Students (which is acceptable to those institutions already explored);
- Inform our Team or a Congregation of the movement of a student(s) should they change their HEI’s to whichever close to another Congregation;
- Motivate companies (e.g. your place of work, Municipalities, etc.) to support a student(s);
- Ensure that this news/information/support reach all young people who want to study so that they may not be put off by exorbitant fees or difficult conditions.
We are now involved with the studies of at least one student and have gained valuable information to assist others.
As a Church we need to be more aware of the plight of our students in order to do what Jesus expects of us: I was hungry, and you gave me to eat. I was homeless, and you took me in. I was thirsty and you gave me to drink… Their physical and spiritual needs should be of importance to us at a time when they are very vulnerable, open to prowling church/faith groups and esp. where a family is not close by or absent.
Yours in HIS service
Augustine Joemath (Bishop)