Mission Unit
MISSION UNIT MANDATE (The Methodist Book of Order p 97)
Conference directs the Mission Unit within the Presiding Bishop’s office under the leadership of the Unit Director to:
- promote and encourage theological reflection and study in the area of mission;
- stimulate and encourage theological reflection and programmes of action on issues and proposals concerning evangelism and church growth, development and economic empowerment, spirituality, justice and service, renewal and inter-faith relations in contemporary society, and to advise the Conference and the Districts;
- be a channel of communication between the Districts and Connexional Executive on relevant mission matters;
- promote research on moral and ethical issues which affect civil society and the Church;
- amplify the prophetic voice of the church through advocacy, lobbying and monitoring organs of civil society;
- network with other churches, national and international agencies which promote mission;
- monitor and facilitate the work of the Connexional Mission Coordinators.
KEY PROGRAMMES / DRIVES OF THE MISSION UNIT
- Food Security & Land Development
- Multi-purpose project – Semonkong, Lesotho
- Skills empowerment programmes
- Mission Boat – Mozambique
- Combatting Human Trafficking in SADC
- Alcohol & Substance Abuse
- UNAIDS 90:90:90 Targets for 2020
- Chaplaincy to mines and tertiary institutions
DESKS WITHIN THE MISSION UNIT:
HEALTH & HIV/AIDS DESK:
The Health & HIV & AIDS Desk:
- Coordinates MCSA response to HIV & AIDS across the Connexion in accordance to the Conference 2005 HIV Resolutions
- Ensure establishment of structures and support for HIV & AIDS Ministries in all Districts
- Mobilizes resources to enhance HIV work and maintains donor-relations
- Represents MCSA on Platforms that deal with HIV & AIDS
- Collects and disseminates information & publications on HIV & AIDS
- Monitor funded HIV & AIDS programmes and report to both MCSA and funders
Activities include:
- Enhance budding and established interventions to HIV & AIDS across the Connexion
- HIV Training and Capacity building across Connexion
- Make presentations on HIV work at MCSA district and Connexional gatherings
- Development, highlighting and replication of best practices across Connexion
- Networks with partner organisations & government departments representing MCSA
- Organise HIV events according to health calendar such as candle-lighting & World AIDS Day
- Establish and or support Community Home-Based Care groups to look after people Living with HIV & AIDS (PLWHA) as well as Orphaned and Vulnerable children(OVCs).Some of these groups are made up of youth
- Establish in Methodist facilities Community- based HIV management Centres/Sites such as Hospices, Health restoration centres, non-medical counselling sites
- Encourage the running of the “Full Battery of Tests” including HCT at all Methodist gatherings
- Running, in Methodist facilities, soup Kitchens for OVCs coupled with after-care programs and psychosocial/spiritual support
Key programmes of the Desk include:
- Hospice/s Support
- HBC Training
- NCD (Chronic illnesses)Management Programme Roll-out
- Implementation of UNAIDS 90:90:90 Targets for 2020
- Documenting of Role played by MCSA in its Response to HIV & TB- a journey of 10yrs
CHILDCARE DESK:
- Safeguarding & Child Participation
- Facilitate capacity building
- ECD Training
- Strengthen children’s services programmes
- Produce a “Volunteer Policy Guidelines” document
JUSTICE AND SERVICE DESK
- Public Policy, Research and Advocacy
- Gender-based Violence Training
- Human Trafficking Awareness & Training
- Empowering Women in Leadership & Addressing Discrimination within the MCSA
- Strategies to intervene on Human Rights violations
EDUCATION DESK
- Strengthen Mission Schools in Lesotho & Swaziland
- Set up After School Care Centres
- Strengthen Chaplains at Universities and Methodist Schools
PARTNERSHIPS AND MISSION AREAS:
- Zimbabwe
- Angola
- Tanzania
- Mozambique
- Malawi
- UMC General Board of Global Ministries
- EmK Germany
- Methodist Church in Britain
- Church of the Resurrection
HOW MISSION IS RESOURCED:
1 MCSA member contributions
- Mission & Extension Fund
- Pula Fund
- Mission Resource Fund
2 Partners:
- Methodist Church in Britain
- United Methodist Church in Germany
- General Board of Global Ministries
- Church of the Resurrection
- Global Fund
- Motsepe Foundation
RESOURCES AVAILABLE FROM THE MISSION UNIT
- Posters
- MCSA HIV & AIDS Strategy Booklet
- Children’s Policy Booklet
- Human Trafficking Resources