The Assembly, comprising delegates, Directors and Trustees, ecumenical partners, resource persons, staff, stewards and guests, provides the CWM member bodies and partners, through their delegates, the opportunity to worship, study, and reflect together; network and fellowship with each other within the CWM partnership of churches and the ecumenical community; receive an update on the work of CWM; and to appoint Directors to serve on the Council for the ensuing period. The Assembly is a festive and celebratory event.
Date
12 -19 June 2020Location
Johannesburg, South AfricaDelegates
5,000Speakers
24 Professional Speakers
Theme Of The Assembly
The theme for the 2021 Assembly is “Rising to life with Jesus”. The theme is meant to inspire God’s people to claim God’s victory over death and destruction in all forms, and to pursue God’s life-flourishing alternative for all.
The Strategic Planning processes and engagement with member churches leads us also to focus on the theme of “life.” The formation of the theology statement focuses on the reality that “Babylon has fallen” and that empire has lost, therefore we can focus on the new possibilities of renewed life. At the 2021 Assembly, the new strategic framework will be presented, therefore there would be an overlap between the new CWM theology statement and the Assembly theme. Another feature of the Strategy Planning process is the call to radical discipleship and to ask what does following Jesus mean as we look towards new life. In contributing to the formulation of the theme, the hosting churches offered insights on the book of Revelation reflecting on God’s promise that God’s people will overcome and be vindicated.
Your Hosts
United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA)
The UCCSA is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic church denomination which is united across five southern African countries – Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. It was formed on October 3, 1967 when Congregational Union of South Africa, the Bantu Congregational Church and London Missionary Society united as one. Born out of unity and for unity, their ethos is undergirded by the spirit of ubuntu and bana ba tshipa tshwaraganeng (‘the children of the meerkats look out/care for each other’).
Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA)
The UPCSA is a diverse community of Reformed Christians led by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, prayerfully seeking the will of God for their lives together and the world. They envision being a reconciled community of Christians exercising a prophetic witness to Christ. Their mission is to proclaim the Triune God in Southern Africa through bearing witness to the saving love of Jesus Christ; building vital, reforming congregations for worship, ministry and discipleship; and visibly proclaiming the Kingdom of God through unity, justice, peace and love.
FAQS
Where is the location of the 2021 Assembly?
The Assembly will be held at the OR Tambo hotel and conference centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. It will be jointly hosted by the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) and the Uniting Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa (UPCSA). This is also where all participants will be accommodated.
Is a visa required to travel to the Republic of South Africa?
Most nationalities are exempt from visa requirements for visits to South Africa. Please confirm by doing a quick check on the Republic of South Africa’s department of Home Affairs website if your nationality entitles you to visa exemption.
It is the responsibility of the traveller, not CWM, to fill out and submit applications for travel visas. CWM will assist with visa documents to support visa applications, but is not responsible for submitting the application. Additionally, please note the following important points regarding visa applications and CWM’s travel management policy:
- The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from date of first entry into South Africa
- The passport must have at least 2 blank pages
- CWM will only issue a flight ticket upon confirmation of possession of valid visa to travel to South Africa, as well as any transit visas that may be required.
- On this occasion, CWM will not be able to facilitate flight travel date extensions or re-routings, unless in cases of emergency of which proof will be required.
- Seat pre-selections cannot be guaranteed. Delegates are encouraged to manage their own seat selections directly with the airline online or at check-in desks.
- Delegates will cover any extra charges for seat pre-selection.
How will travel to Assembly be organised?
Most travel will be organised regionally. The CWM personnel in each region are the first points of contact for delegates in their respective regions. Travel to the Assembly will follow the same process and will be handled by the same persons as the pre-Assembly orientation gatherings.
What are the arrangements for accommodation?
Participant will each have access to their own room with a private bathroom. Delegates are welcome to share rooms should they choose to. However, kindly inform a member of CWM Staff immediately if you will share rooms so that we may amend the hotel room count while we still can.
What expenses will be covered by CWM?
CWM will cover the cost of bringing the participant to the Assembly, including travel insurance, accommodation, all scheduled meals, and repatriation. CWM will not cover the costs of room service (unless if pre-authorised and subject to extenuating circumstances), international phone calls, alcoholic beverages, spa treatments and other incidentals.
What should delegates bring to Johannesburg?
It will be winter in Joburg, and temperatures will normally range between 17° to 3°C. Delegates are encouraged to bring sufficient warm clothing, including appropriate footwear. In addition, participants are encouraged to pack:
• A suitable attire for church visit.
• Your country’s traditional dress for cultural night.
• Travel adaptor for South Africa.
• Medication, if applicable.
• Flags of your country and your church, where applicable
How can delegates keep up to date with Assembly information?
Further information regarding the Assembly will be shared via email and also can be found online on <a href=”http://www.cwmassembly.org” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>www.cwmassembly.org</a>. There is also the official Assembly Facebook page here: <a href=”https://www.facebook.com/cwm.assembly” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>https://www.facebook.com/cwm.assembly</a>
Event Location
Birchwood Hotel & OR
Tambo Conference Centre
Viewpoint Road Bartlett,
Boksburg, 1459, South Africa