To: All Member Churches

Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa (LUCSA)

Dear Fellow Church Leaders,

Greetings and Solidarity Wishes

I greet you all in the loving name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. For some time now we have not been able to meet physically due to COVID-19, and even when we try to meet over a Zoom meeting, not everyone could participate for various other reasons.

For this reason, therefore, I am writing this letter to express my regret that COVID-19 has made our lives and fellowship very difficult. Communication has been a great challenge.

Many of our member churches have been affected negatively; lives lost and our countries’ economies shattered.

As I am writing, many in our region are still sick and lives are being lost daily. The number of infections is also rising rapidly due to the 3rd Wave Delta-variant. This situation is not looking good.

Still our God is in control and He speaks:

“Behold, I have heard the cry of my people, and I have come down to safe them.” Ex. 3:7-8

With our prayers to the Almighty God to intervene in our situation, we can rest assured that He has heard the cries of His people and, is about to intervene and restore life and joy to God’s creation as He promises: “I will make everything new; I am coming soon.” Rev. 22:20

I urge us all therefore, not to cease in praying until the situation is normalized. Let us keep faith and offer hope to those amongst us who have been greatly affected and left devastated by COVID-19 and its effects. Keep the faith, let us not lose hope. Be reminded that our God promised not to abandon us and promises “behold, I am with you to the end of time” Matt. 28:18-20. We can trust His Words.

Keep safe until we are able to see each other again.