Rev. Lydia Neshangwe, Moderator Designate of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA), a partner denomination of the Church of Scotland (CoS), and Moderator of the Council for World Mission (CWM), brought greetings on behalf of the overseas guests and delegates at the CoS General Assembly held in Edinburgh. In her address on 21 May 2023, she drew attention to the VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) conditions we all operate in.
The CWM Moderator said that volatility in politics and uncertainty in society have led to mental unwellness in all societies, and the complexity of business, technology, and relationships has been both beneficial and detrimental. The ambiguities of culture and religion and its multiple interpretations pose challenges in shaping church ministry and our service to God and society.
She explained that they came to the Assembly not because they lack their own assemblies but because they are members of one family – body of Christ – gathering to fellowship, celebrate, mourn, learn and discern alongside their brothers and sisters in Church of Scotland.
Bound by the love of Christ and shared hopes and dreams for the next generation, Rev. Neshangwe affirmed the General Assembly’s theme “remember who you are”, and urged delegates to “remember ‘whose’ they are”. She encouraged them to look past disheartening circumstances and be galvanized by God’s call to serve where they are placed and beyond.