Hannes Noëth is the executive director of Solidarity Helping Hand. (Photo: Reint Dykema)
If there is one matter that needs to be emphasized anew, it is the important role that the church plays in society.
This is the opinion of Solidarity Helping Hand, which is hosting its third Helping Churches Congress this year. The first was presented in 2019, shortly before the announcement of the Covid-19 restrictions. After that, the institution could not meet for two years due to the restrictions, but last year it took place again in Pretoria. This year it will also be presented in Cape Town for the first time. The theme for 2023’s Helping Churches Congress is “Christ’s church – from agenda to practice”.
Hannes Noëth, executive director of Solidarity Helping Hand, says the purpose of the congress is to create a platform for role players to think together about the task of looking after each other, and to plan together about the way in which the society can carry out the command to love and care for one another.
“Solidarity Helping Hand focuses on community development, and we are well aware that it is not possible to develop communities without emphasizing and affirming the church’s role in society,” says Noëth.
The congress takes place on May 25 from 08:00 to 15:00 at the Vredenheim Wine Estate outside Stellenbosch, and on June 1, also from 08:00 to 15:00, at the Batterboys Village, Montana. Early bird tickets are available for both congresses until the 12th of May. Costs amount to R280 per person and R250 per person if three or more people from the same institution book tickets for the congress. After the 12th of May, the ticket becomes R350 per person and if more than three tickets are purchased at the same time by the same institution, the cost will amount to R300 per person. All tickets include a light breakfast and lunch.
The program promises to be very informative. It will focus on the who, what, where and how of being a church, the church in the community, the church and community development, the church and gifts in the congregation, and the church in theory and practice. The information will be particularly useful for church chairmen, church council members, teachers, pastors, deacons and welfare groups. All interested parties are welcome, but only a limited number of places are available.
“Come and participate in our conversation about vocation, focus, structures, red lights and joys in building a community.”
