Mission Statement
The Ukama Mission Group works to further the commitment of the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe and the New Hampshire Conference, UCC to walk together in faith and to serve together in ministry among God’s people. This effort is supported by Common Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ.
The heart of the relationship is the love of Christ and the call “That they may all be One”. John 17:21
Meeting Schedule
The Ukama Mission Group meets:
Every third Wednesdays
4:00 to 6:00 PM
via Zoom
Delegation Visit From UCCZ-2023!
Rev. John Matiza, president of UCCZ, and his wife, Ketani Matiza, have arrived! We regret that other invited guests will not be with them because their visa applications were not approved.
We’ve scheduled four public gatherings while they are here:
Wednesday, June 21 at 11:30am at the Lancaster Church (please contact Rev. Pam Spain to RSVP)
Friday, June 23 5-8pm at the Wakefield Church
Monday, June 26 5:30-8pm at Brookside Church in Manchester
(an all-Ukama gathering, potluck dinner and program)
Tuesday, June 27 5-8pm at the Walpole Church
Everyone is welcome at any of these events. We’ll update details here on our Ukama page.
In addition, the Matiza’s will be joining selected churches for worship and/or meals and fellowship.
Following their time with us, the Matiza’s will be attending the UCC General Synod in Indianapolis.
They will have room for packets of letters and other items which they can take to our partner churches. Please get your packets to a member of the Ukama Mission Group by Tuesday, June 27. Additionally, if you plan to send money, please let Sara Marean know by way of an email to smarean@nhcucc.org. Funds need to come as cash.
Much of the expenses for this visit are covered by OCWM funding of the Conference’s Mission and Spending Plan. However, we appreciate any additional financial support you can provide. You may mail a check to the Conference office. We will have donation baskets at each of the gatherings.
Please be in prayer that God will enable us to make the most of the Matiza’s visit.
-posted June 17th
Zimbabwe Shares The Love
Click on the image above to hear the children singing "This Little Light of Mine"
Past Ukama Happenings
Ukama Sunday Set for October 23, 2022
The New Hampshire Conference will celebrate our partnership with the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe on Sunday, October 23. We give thanks for the relationship we have with our spiritual family in that country. Download resources for observing this celebration that take into consideration the various ways are churches are worshiping in this endemic world.
As has been the custom for many years, the Ukama Mission Group invites congregations to receive an offering to address a need mutually agreed upon between our Mission Group and the Ukama Committee of the UCCZ. This year, that appeal will enable UCCZ churches to contribute to children’s educational expenses. Children in Zimbabwe are required to wear uniforms, and families are expected to pay school fees. Many families cannot afford to cover these expenses.
Download the flyer detailing this opportunity >>
Ukama Sunday - October 24, 2021
On Sunday, October 24, the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (UCCZ) and the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ (NHCUCC) will celebrate 25 years in a partnership known as “Ukama” -- a Shona word which describes a relationship much like family. Currently, 47 congregations in the New Hampshire Conference are partnered with a church in the UCCZ.
Ukama Sunday is a great way to affirm the blessings of this relationship, or revive a relationship which has languished. The Ukama Mission Group suggests that Ukama churches here reach out to your partner church and look for ways to share greetings as part of our celebration.
You’ll find resources for celebrating Ukama Sunday in this guide. While safety concerns have kept many churches from singing together, there are fine recordings of Shona singing available through the resource guide.
View greetings from UCCZ: https://www.facebook.com/100002649071436/videos/4453532391403437/
Welcome and Installation of UCCZ President, Rev. John Matiza, on April 25, 2021
The United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (UCCZ) gathered on April 25th to install its new president, the Rev. John Matiza. Rev. Matiza has been serving as the church’s president since January 1, 2021. The New Hampshire Conference United Church of Christ offers a collection of blessings for Rev. Matiza and the UCCZ upon this special occasion. ( Watch the blessings video at: https://youtu.be/z222GG8rTEw ).
You can also read Rev. Matiza's Inaugural Address >>
Appeal Update February 2021
Individuals and churches have contributed over $12,000 for food relief in Zimbabwe. What an astounding expression of generosity and solidarity between NHCUCC and UCCZ! We continue to receive photos of the food distribution and share them here:
Appeal Update December 2020
Good news! We have already sent two installments of $2000 each to address the food insecurity in Zimbabwe. We’ve received photos via WhatsApp of jubilant people expressing joy and dancing around bags of mealie-meal.
Ukama Sunday Set for October 25, 2020
The New Hampshire Conference will celebrate our partnership with the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe on Sunday, October 25. We give thanks for the relationship we have with our spiritual family in that country. Download resources for observing this celebration that take into consideration the various ways we are worshiping this fall.
Appeal 2020
Bulletin/Newsletter Announcement: The Ukama Mission Group of the NHCUCC has launched an appeal to assist the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe to purchase food and seed for its members. The appeal will go from June 1st through October 31st to encompass Ukama Sunday in October, with funds transmitted periodically as travelers go to Zimbabwe or wire transmissions are deemed safe.
“ People are suffering because of hunger… Most of these people are informal workers and during these days they have nothing to live on… As a nation we are experiencing drought and the rural part of Zimbabwe is mostly affected, there is no food. “ Tennson Mucheri, UCCZ Ukama Committee Chair
Checks can be made to NHCUCC with the notation: Zimbabwe Appeal on the memo line.
Mail contributions to: NHCUCC 140 Sheep Davis Road Pembroke, NH 03275-3711
Download a flyer that may be included in mailings and newsletters.
May 27, 2020 - Update on Ukama Partners in Zimbabwe
The Ukama Mission Group held a Zoom gathering to share news about our partner churches and the overall conditions in Zimbabwe at this time. Two partners from Zimbabwe as well as Americans recently returned from Zimbabwe shared their impressions of life in that country. Fortunately, the coronavirus has not spread there to any great extent, but the country is on strict lockdown, which is worsening an already dreadful economic situation. But there is hope!
To learn more, connect, and explore ways we can support our Ukama Family watch a replay of this gathering at: https://youtu.be/GG_98yK46bQ
"Rally Your Ukama" Webinar
On August 28, 2019 the Ukama Partnership Mission Group presented a webinar featuring representatives from churches with vital, sustainable partnerships. They shared their experiences and offered practical suggestions for reviving a partnership. The webinar was recorded and is posted one the NHCUCC YouTube channel. Watch a replay of the webinar at: https://youtu.be/GFmYTEnEF54.
"Ways to Give" Webinar
On March 27, 2019 the Ukama Partnership Mission Group presented a webinar discussing ways to financially support the churches and ministries of the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (UCCZ). The webinar was recorded and is posted one the NHCUCC YouTube channel. Watch a replay of the webinar at: https://youtu.be/bj6VFDxNMO8.
Meet the Zimbabwe Delegation who visited NH in October 2018
Rev. Dr. Menson Mpofu, Sitshengisiwe Tsododo, Abigail Sithole, Samuel Mwayingeni, and Danniford Mupangi Masunungure
Learn more about our guests from Zimbabwe >>
Resources
- Shona Greetings and Phrases
- Worship Resources for Ukama Partnership Sunday 2021
- Shona Hymn - Akuna Zina Kunga Jesu
- Ways to Give
Partners
- Partnered Churches
- Crosby Scholarship Fund for Theological Education in Zimbabwe
Update August 2018
Crosby Scholarship
Learn More
Related Websites
- United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe: http://uccz.org