Christians of the Presbyterian Church in Cameron, in Menchum Presbytery, and at PC Naikom in particular, have celebrated the 63rd PCC day in pump and pageantry, and in full respect of COVID-19 measures as social distance was respected, as well as the wearing of face mask and washing of hands before getting into the church.
Celebrated under the theme Keep Watching, and drawn from the book of 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong the celebration gave an opportunity for the man of God, Rev. Avo Martin in his sermon, to call on the Christians to be awake and to keep watching especially at a time when out country is going through turbulence, and no one seems to know where to go. He also used the opportunity, to call for consistent prayers for the return of peace while praying for the repose of the souls of the children massacred in Kumba and Ngarbuh.
"Christians must be ready at all time. you must have the Courage, be faithful, prayerful and have hope in God. Dixit Rev. Avo Martin, Presbyterial Secretary, Menchum Presbytery.
This year's celebration was characterised by liturgical singing on this year's theme, Bible drill and brain trust. Prior to this day, christians took part in so many activities such as sports, clean up campaigns and a football match pitting male christians born in 1957 against female christians born same year.
Speaking to Presbyterian christians this year, The Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba, Moderator of the PCC, thanked them for the maturity and commitment they demonstrated towards the Church during post electoral trials.
"The times have become so unpredictable that we now see ourselves increasingly just living each day at a time. This calls us to be alert, vigilant and faithful to our God, to be more dependent on Him as individuals and as a community of faith. The secret of Christian life is to be watchful and ready at all times. The word of the Lord says; "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong" (1Cor.16:13)."
Celebrated in COVID-19 era, the 63rd PCC day was a unique opportunity for the Moderator to reiterate to christians that we are vulnerable to this pandemic because we are all mortals. Though some have died and many others live in fear, we need not lose hope nor faith.
The Moderator's message also carried a balance sheet of the achievements for this current mandate, despite the huddles brought about by the socio-political crisis, and further crippled by the advent of COVID-19.
Other giant projects are ongoing and are intended to give our church, not only a stable financial base necessary for greater transforming evangelisation, but to also ensure the financial independence and self sufficiency of the church.
"Let us claim these investment projects, own them, talk about them, be proud of them and patronize them. They are the institutions and property of your Church, not those of any leader or individual of the Church because the leaders and individuals come and go, but the PCC remains."
The conclusive statement of the Moderator of the PCC, Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba, summarises this Year's theme of Keep Watching, and a call for all christians to love one another and give peace a chance in all situations.
"Everything that is happening around us challenges us not to slumber, but to stay awake and keep watching. Watching calls us to be as wise as serpents and as humble as doves. We must keep watching by praying fervently for divine strength, protection, wisdom and deliverance from the forces of oppression and destruction in our society. We must also Continue to be one another's keeper by reaching out to the suffering and displaced brethren around us. We will not remain inactive, but continue on our path of progress and seeking justice, peace, love, Care, forgiveness, reconciliation, healing, deliverance and the ultimate good of our Church, country and humanity; while keeping watch and abiding in His wisdom and strength!"
Comments