KZN Covid-19: Churches Respond

We have all seen the media and heard the discussions in the communities we lead - non-South African citizens are the target of anger, disappointment and frustration for many South Africans who are facing unemployment, poverty and hunger. Violence is on the rise with Afro-nationals fearing for safety of their families and livelihoods. Is there a role for the church at this moment? Do we turn a blind-eye given how much else we are dealing with in this season? Scripture suggests a radically different path is needed . And so what is our course of action?

In this panel discussion we were joined by Bishop Nathi Zondi (Executive, KZNCC) Pastor Robert Ntuli (Theology Team, KZN Covid-19 Churches Respond), Daniel Byamung Dunia (ASONET), Bishop Mataboro Samson (Key Ministries International), Zekhethelo Cele (Attorney, Lawyers for Human Rights), Pastor Tito Haguma (FORGE / UNHCR Social Cohesion Project), Solange Mbonigaba (Tearfund) and Peter Watt (SteerCom, KZN Covid-19 Churches Respond).

Please be in contact to join future discussions - www.covid19response.co.za

This is a recording from our weekly provincial prayer meeting. We haven't included the breakout room prayers, but have included the list of things we prayed for. Please pray along with us as you listen. Please also join us for prayers every Thursday from 9-9:30am via Zoom. Please email kzncccovid19@gmail.com to get the links. Thanks to the Msunduzi LEAN for leading these prayers.

In this episode, Pros Ndimande hosts a discussion with practitioners from Gauteng, the Western Cape and KZN who have been supporting the work of LEANs (Local Ecumenical Action Networks) since the Covid-19 Lockdown in South Africa. We look at where the idea of LEANs came from, what some of the work they've been doing has involved and what some of the theological thinking behind the work is. 

LEANs in KZN are supported by the KZN Covid-19: Churches Respond Project, a project which is convened by the KZNCC. For more info visit www.covid19response.co.za

Hlanganyela noMfundisi uSizwe Ngcobo kwi-webinar yokubonisana ngezingunquko eziphoqwa ukhuvethe ekwenzeni imingcwabo. Injobo enhle ithungelwa ebandla.

This session is in Zulu and looks at the practicalities of holding funerals during Covid-19.

For more about the project visit www.covid19response.co.za

So many in our communities have experienced grief and bereavement during Covid-19. Walking with families pastorally is difficult because of the requirements around social and physical distancing. In this webinar from August 2020 we reflect on the ways that this could be done. Thanks to Prof Moyo from UKZN for being the keynote speaker in this session, to Rev Mervyn Singh of the Anglican Church for being the discussant and Rev Philippa Cole of the Methodist Church for facilitating this discussion for us. For written notes, please visit www.covid19response.co.za. 

Our communities are under enormous stress and anxiety as a result of Covid-19 and the related lockdown and economic shutdown. How could we as the Church respond and support? What could a group of local churches - a LEAN - do to intervene and offer support and love to communities with major psycho-social stressors and needs? This podcast is based on a webinar we held looking at how Churches and LEANs could respond and what some of the basic considerations for putting together a counselling and pastoral care plan are. Enjoy!

This podcast is a recording of a webinar we held on the 23 July 2020 based around a discussion for church leaders needing to conduct funerals in the time of Covid-19. Panelists reflected on their experiences and reflections from hosting funerals together with the government regulations in these seasons and what these mean for church leaders. The conversation was hosted by Prof Kumalo of UKZN in leads this project's theology team. For the full session notes pop over to www.covid19response.co.za and look in the LEANs tab.  

This is a recording of a webinar held on the 11th August 2020 as a part of the KZN Covid-19: Churches Respond Project. The session was for local Church Leaders and members of LEANs asking questions around:

• Are you concerned about rising levels of gender-based violence (GBV) during COVID-19?
• Are you worried that survivors may not feel safe to speak to you about what is happening to them?
• Do you know what to do if they did?
• Are you grappling with biblical teachings to help address underlying drivers of violence, at home, in church and on the streets?
• Do you want to open up these conversations in your church, but worry about tensions it might cause?

The webinar was co-hosted with the WWSOSA and the KZNCC. For more information on the project visit www.covid19response.co.za