UNITED
CHURCH OF CHRIST IN ZIMBABWE
NEW HAMPSHIRE CONFERENCE, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
UKAMA/PARTNERSHIP COVENANT:
A LIVING DOCUMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST IN ZIMBABWE AND THE
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
(Approved
November 2002 and revised July 2006)
VISION
“That They May All
Be One” John 17:21
The mission of our Ukama/Partnership is to share with each other and to learn
from each other about the spiritual, mental and physical needs of our members
and to grow together in our faithful response to our call to witness and
ministry.
BIBLICAL AND HISTORICAL
FOUNDATION
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the
body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ . . . Indeed, the body
does not consist of one member but of many.” (I Corinthians 12:12, 14 NRSV)
The Ukama/Partnership between the United Church of Christ
in Zimbabwe (UCCZ) and the New Hampshire Conference, United Church of Christ
(NHCUCC) is based primarily in the call by God to be brothers and sisters in
Christ, and therefore, to be friends in Christ. It is based secondarily in the
historical traditions of the Congregational missionaries who left New England
to bring the Gospel to
THE “UKAMA” CONCEPT
The “ukama” concept embraces friendship and sharing each other’s joys and
burdens. In most cases ukama is
celebrated and realized to be fruitful when people share a meal together -
hence the Shona saying: (ukama igasva hunozadziswa nokudya), translated “the
relationship is not complete until food is shared together”. We share a meal
together.
In
naming our relationship "Ukama/Partnership", we intend to bring about
a deeper understanding that we are all children of God, regardless of who we
are, where we are or what we are doing. Ukama/Partnership is understood as a
relationship in which each partner enters as an equal into common ministry.
Each partner is expected to bring respect and genuine desire to enter the lives
of the other, not as a benefactor nor as a recipient, but as equals with
strengths and needs that enhance the even growth of the relationship.
Ukama/Partnership
is not conditional. It has no time limit
as long as
We
can also look at Ukama/Partnership in the context of koinonia - communion or
fellowship. Ukama/relationship/koinonia/fellowship leads to diakonia - which is
Christian service with one another. We can also look at “ukama hwechikristu”
Christian Fellowship.
OPERATING PRINCIPLES
The
Ukama/Partnership is a relationship between the three conferences of the UCCZ
and the NHCUCC. It is primarily lived
out in partnerships between paired local churches of the UCCZ and the
NHCUCC. The UCCZ and the NHCUCC shall
establish and maintain Ukama/Partnership committees that are broadly
representative of their respective constituencies and that are accountable to
their appropriate governing bodies.
These committees are charged with keeping their respective governing
bodies fully informed of partnership activities. The day to day administration of the
Ukama/Partnership will be facilitated by the two committees.
Responsibilities
of the Ukama/Partnership committees
1.
Establishing and reviewing programs and policies pertaining to
Ukama/Partnership.
2.
Receiving and considering applications from churches to establish
Ukama/Partnerships.
3.
Sharing information and experiences such as
special events, services, video and audio tapes, newsletters, reports, and
letters. Other programs are also encouraged, such as stewardship development, Christian Education projects,
development projects, and experiential programs for mutual support and
education.
4.
Organizing exchange visits, work camps, pastoral exchanges, or visiting
lectureships at theological seminaries.
5.
Exchanging suggestions, guidance, and advice on matters pertaining to
our mutual relationship.
6.
Communicating regularly between the two partnership committees via
email, teleconferences, face-to-face, newsletters, or by website.
7.
Developing and maintaining a common internet web site containing
helpful information about the Ukama/Partnership. The URL for this web site is http://www.ukama.net.
8.
Informing the UCCZ Synod, New Hampshire Conference, and Global
Ministries of Ukama/Partnership activities.
9.
Common Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ and the
Christian Church, Disciples of Christ is to be considered a full partner in
this Ukama/Partnership. In that spirit, both the UCCZ and NHCUCC commit
themselves to communicating and consulting with them regularly.
Responsibilities of the local church
1.
Abiding by this covenant.
2.
Communicating regularly with
the partnered church to keep the relationship thriving.
3.
Communicating partnership
news within their own congregation.
Sharing of news from personal correspondences is encouraged.
4.
Consulting the
Ukama/Partnership committees about program development, financial programs, and
travel.
5.
Planning church-to-church exchanges
in consultation with the respective Ukama/Partnership committees.
OUR EXPECTATIONS FOR UKAMA/PARTNERSHIP
As
the UCCZ and the NHCUCC, we expect:
1. To
give and receive spiritual nourishment through prayer, moral support in times
of joy, sorrow, hardships, and celebrations.
2. To
encourage exchange visits in several ways.
Trips should be planned well in advance and in consultation with the
Ukama/Partnership committees,
coordinators, and Conference Superintendents.
These ways include:
a. Conference and Synod events such as Annual Meetings
(NHCUCC), Annual General Meetings (UCCZ), or any important functions like
centennial celebrations. Delegate
participation between the UCCZ and NHCUCC is encouraged. Regular meetings of
the UCCZ Synod Annual General Meeting (AGM), Ruwadzano AGM, Christian Youth
Fellowship AGM, Volunteers AGM, Conference AGMs, and NHCUCC Annual Meeting are
examples of such meetings.
b. Professional personnel exchanges of pastors,
theological lecturers, researchers, doctors, nurses, teachers, tradespeople,
and others.
c. Local congregation to local congregation exchanges.
d. People traveling overseas on
business trips or short-term educational events.
3. We
expect to share in special events such as an annual Ukama/Partnership “Big”
Sunday celebration in
4. The Ukama/Partnership will also
celebrate Christian Care Week, held in September in
5. We expect to share in the areas of
religious, theological, social, political, economic, technological and cultural
information.
6. We expect an
Ukama/Partnership that recognizes cultural patterns that deviate from one
another, which are neither better nor worse, but are simply different. Our mutual relationship offers opportunities
and challenges for understanding and learning from one another.
7. We
expect transparency, honesty, and mutual accountability in our
Ukama/Partnership. We encourage direct and complete communication where the two
parties take responsibility for their own needs and concerns.
8. Should
unrest occur within our churches, we expect partners to stand by one another
and mediate if invited.
9. Ukama/Partnership
should be based on mutual sharing of information and experiences such as
special events and services, video and audio tapes, newsletters, reports, and
letters. There should also be joint
programming and cooperation around activities such as periodic visitations,
work camps, and personnel exchanges. These might include an exchange of
pastors, development of stewardship programs, Christian education projects, development
projects, lecturers at theological seminaries, and other programs for mutual
support and education.
SHARING
RESOURCES
The
primary purpose of the Ukama/Partnership is to create relationships of mutual support
for each other. In a number of Paul’s letters to young churches, he opens by
thanking God for each church, and for their faith and their love for each
other. Then he goes on to ask for their prayers. Mutual support begins with
praying for each other. However, our mutual caring for each other inevitably
leads to a desire to reach out to each other in more tangible ways. Although
Paul states in Philippians 4:12-14 that he is content whether rich or poor,
nonetheless he gratefully accepts the help that is offered. In II Corinthians
8:1-2 and in Romans 15:26-27 he points out how the Macedonians, although very
poor, were led to share what they had very generously because of their joy in
their faith. Both spiritual blessings
and material blessings can be shared.
We
acknowledge that we are gifted differently and this imbalance hovers at the
edges as we walk together in faith. We
are coming to an understanding through the meaning of “ukama – the little we
have we share”, that we are called to support one another, especially when a
part of the family is in a time of struggle.
We
acknowledge that there is a struggle with giving and receiving – how much,
when, who is able. We celebrate the
enabling power that money has to do many wonderful things, even as we recognize
its potential problems.
Several
ways have been established to support the mission and ministries of the
UCCZ. Individuals and churches in
1. The Local Church Development Enabling Loan
Fund (LCDELF) – The purpose of the fund is to strengthen the ministry of
the UCCZ through Conferences and local churches through the construction of
church buildings, parsonages, church halls, bore holes or other appropriate
projects. Up to 50% of a donation may be
designated by a donor for a specific project, the remainder will be allocated
as determined by the two Ukama/Partnership committees. The two
Ukama/Partnership committees shall establish and maintain policies and
procedures for the use and administration of the fund.
2. The HIV/AIDS fund –This provides
HIV/AIDS education and prevention, care for people living with AIDS, and basic
support and educational fees for HIV/AIDS-affected orphans. Up to 50% of a
donation may be designated by a donor for a specific church or conference.
3. Christian Care – This is an ecumenical
relief agency in
4. Benjamin C.L. Crosby
Scholarship fund. This fund provides assistance
with education at the United Theological Seminary in
To
contribute to any of these funds, send a check to the Finance Office at the New
Hampshire Conference,
FINANCIAL POLICIES
A.
Overall principles:
1. The
Ukama/Partnership committees will collaborate to develop their annual budgets.
2. Justice, fairness, and equity are key in all decisions
regarding the sharing of resources.
3. We strive to foster mutual accountability with respect and
trust.
4. We seek to benefit the entire UCC church communities of
5. All money shall flow through the respective Ukama/Partnership
committees.
6. Ukama/Partnership committees and Coordinators have a broad
and unique perspective on both needs and resources and shall be consulted
regarding all sharing of resources.
B. To implement these principles:
1. Financial mechanisms will be set up through financial
institutions mutually acceptable to the two Ukama/Partnership committees. The
committees will maintain mutual involvement for the sake of both accountability
and management.
2. All monetary contributions will focus upon projects that are
identified and endorsed by the two Ukama/Partnership committees for the benefit
of the Ukama/Partnership at the local church level as well as the Conference to
Synod relationship.
3. Designated funds will be established through the mutual
agreement of the two Ukama/Partnership committees.
4. All undesignated contributions will be allocated at the
mutual discretion of the two Ukama/Partnership committees.
5. Travel and education funds will be maintained by the two
Ukama/Partnership committees.
6. The Ukama/Partnership shall be open to specific requests
from third parties or organizations to which the United Church of Christ, USA
and the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe are ecumenically related, such as
the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, Christian Care, Heifer Project International,
United Theological College, Habitat for Humanity, and the National Council of
Churches. When such requests relate to
the Ukama/Partnership, the structure and strategy shall be mutually agreed upon
by the two Ukama/Partnership committees.
7. In the event of an emergency, confirmation should come from
the New Hampshire Conference or the UCCZ Synod.
The disbursal of any funds, supplies, or equipment shall take place
through and pending approval by the Ukama/Partnership committees.
8. The office of Global Ministries will be informed of any
sharing of financial resources between the New Hampshire Conference and the
UCCZ that does not flow through the Global Ministries office.
9. Any questions or inquiries that churches or individuals have
regarding financial matters are to be directed to their respective Ukama/Partnership
committees.
C. Procedures for Relief Funding and Program Development:
1. Disaster Relief Funding: Any relief efforts will be
identified and communicated by the Ukama/Partnership Coordinator of the affected
region in consultation with the Ukama/Partnership Committee, the
Ukama/Partnership Chairperson (UCCZ), and the Church Superintendents
(UCCZ). If disasters occur in
2. Program Development and Funding: All programs will be
started by the local church or Conference where it is to take place. All such programs needing funding must be
officially identified and approved and prioritized by both Ukama/Partnership
Committees in consultation with the NHC-UCC and UCCZ Synod.
3.
Mutual development projects will be identified annually or every two
years. These programs may include, but are not limited to well drilling,
irrigation projects, and HIV/AIDS programs.
Programs will provide opportunities for all churches to contribute
financially and will encourage self-sufficiency for start-up enterprises or
cooperatives, such as the sale of crafts, clothing, or specialty food items.
UKAMA/PARTNERSHIP ACCOUNT
A separate joint account of the three Conferences of the UCCZ will be maintained
for the purposes of depositing and disbursing all funds received from the New
Hampshire Conference-UCC and UCCZ.
The
name of the account designated for Ukama/Partnership is “UCCZ Conferences
Ukama/Partnership Fund”. The UCCZ Ukama/Partnership Committee will administer
all the funds. All designated funds will
be used as such while the two Ukama/Partnership committees will agree on the
use of all undesignated funds.
The
three treasurers of the UCCZ Conferences plus any other approved persons in the
Ukama/Partnership Committee will be signatories of the Fund.
CONCLUSION
The Ukama/Partnership is a spiritual journey together. Friends invite friends
to walk with them, sit with them, eat with them, listen to one another, share
the joys and concerns of one another, wait on the flooded rivers together, and
cross the bridges together. This spirit
is captured by the African theologian John Mbiti when he said “I am because you
are, since you are therefore I am.“ We
are members of Christ’s family sitting around the fire together, sitting around
the fellowship table together.
This
document shall be available in printable form on the resources page of this Web
site: http://www.ukama.net.
APPENDICES
Glossary
of terms.
List
of previous revisions.
Organizational
structures of the UCCZ and NHC-UCC as they relate to Ukama.
History
of the Ukama/Partnership.