25th Anniversary Message from Moss

Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Christ. In celebrating the First 10-year anniversary for Turfloop Lutheran Youth League we have to sit back and think back to the years when there were only 9 members to the stage where you are today. In retrospect, so many lives have been changed, so many dreams realised, so many souls won to Christ, so many disagreements, frustrations, victories, life-changing projects, prayers to the elderly church members, prayers to Hospitalised patients, strong relations with others youths from local churches, strong impact and relations with other youths in Turfloop Parish, impact at Circuit, dicoese, ELCSA and international, leaders who were groomed, choristers who were trained, families that have been strengthened, and many more that continue to be done. It is always a great joy to me to talk about you and the work that we do. I was in Texas a few months ago and when I was asked to prepare a report on life-changing moments I chose to talk about some of the project that we do at church with the youth league...you are always close to my heart reagrdless of where I am and I can only come back stronger and better. Congratulations to the new members for making it through to this league, I know you will come out of here much different and stronger. As for all the fellow alumni, we can only share the stories of the moments we used to share and be greatful that Mrs C. T. Mahapa, The Late SP Manaka, Rev. Mogashoa were always there to guide us and also embrace Rev. Masislela's presence.
I know you are preparing to go to Cape Town, I have listened to all the choirs singing and you sound great, and I am confident that you will enjoy the music in Cape Town. I wish I was there but will always make sure that I am there in more ways than one. I hope you enjoy this anniversary as a sign of many more works to be done and victories to be won. We jsut had a huge Concert here and the choir of 120 voices just sang my favourite song "Linkulu Themba Lami" and it was wonderful mainly because it reminded me of Turfloop Lutheran Youth League.
Happy Anniversary
Moss
Youth Policy
Youth Policy
YOUTH POLICY
1. INTRODUCTION
As members of the ELCSA Turfloop congregation, the youth league is required to contribute and take part in all the activities of the congregation in order to develop leadership qualities and grow in responsibility within families and the community. Thus, the ELCSA Turfloop congregation youth league was established to strive for values of peace, justice, freedom and righteousness as embodied in the kingdom of God.
The main objective being to empower and develop the standard and quality of living in our communities, to contribute to the upliftment of the moral and spiritual values and development, and to provide guidance that will help our youth face future challenges with confidence. This is in line with our plan of broadening accountability and community support base, building organizational integrity, maximizing efficiency and strategic management capabilities of leadership of the league.
2. THE NAME OF THE LEAGUE.
The name of the league shall be "ELCSA Youth League Turfloop Congregation". This is in accordance with the rules and regulations stipulated in the ELCSA youth league constitution.
3. MEMBERSHIP3.1 Membership shall be open to young people from 12 years upwards including those who are in confirmation or baptismal classes and after for a period of six(6) months new members shall be installed by a pastor.
3.2 All members shall be recorded in the secretariat book.
3.3 A parish affiliation fee of R20.00 is payable per annum.
3.4 For fundraising purposes, a monthly contribution fee of R5 will be required to cover all local costs and minor occasions excluding distant transport.
3.5 A uniform will be prescribed on certain observed days such as Holy communion, Parish/Circuit/Diocesan activities and any other specific accessions.
3.6 The prescribed uniform is black & white, with the ELCSA emblem. However, the ELCSA youth League T-shirt can also be prescribed in other occasions.
3.7 Each member shall receive the emblem of the League, which shall remain its property and all members shall be liable for its replacements in case of loss.
4. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
4.1 The executive committee shall consist of seven members and subcommittees shall be appointed for special activities. The executive committee shall be as follows:- Chairperson,Voice-Chairperson, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, treasurer; Subcommittees: Entertainment committee
Fundraising committee
Disciplinary committee
The youth organizer [Patron] shall be an ex-officio member in the committee
4.2 DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
4.2.1 ChairpersonThe chairperson of the congregation council and shall
4.2.1.1 Be responsible to the Pastor and the congregational council and shall co-operate with the Parish Youth Organiser.
4.2.1.2 Safeguard the property of the Youth League.
4.2.1.3 Head and direct all programmes of the League.
4.2.1.4 Keep order in all meetings of the League.
4.2.1.5 Be an ex-officio member of the Parish Youth League Executive Committee.
4.2.1.6 Convene all meetings of the Executive Committee.
4.2.2 Vice-chaiperson
The vice-chairperson shall:
4.2.2.1 Act as the chairperson in the chairperson’s absence.
4.2.2.2 Directly deal with the interests and concerns of the league members.
4.2.2.3 Report to the Executive Committee of the concerns of all league members.
4.2.2.4 Together with the chairperson make sure that the league runs smoothly, becoming involved in the well-being of league members.
4.2.3 General Secretary
The General Secretary shall:
4.2.3.1 Be responsible for recording minutes of all Executive Committee gatherings.
4.2.3.2 Facilitate office administration.
4.2.3.3 Be responsible for keepings records of all activities of the league.
4.2.3.4 Be responsible for giving reports in all youth general meetings.
4.2.4 Assistant SecretaryThe Assistant Secretary shall:
4.2.4.1 Be responsible for facilitation of correspondences between the executive committee and league members.
4.2.4.2 Act as the secretary in the secretary’s absence.
4.2.4.3 Co-operate with the secretary in terms of minute recording.
4.2.4.4 Be responsible for keeping record of attendance of all members at all times.
4.2.4.5 Be responsible for external correspondences.
4.2.5 Treasurer
The Treasurer shall:
4.2.5.1 Be responsible for all financial records of the league.
4.2.5.2 Make available an annual financial statement to all members and stakeholders of the league.
4.2.5.3 To facilitate the collection of all the income.
4.2.6 Additional MembersThe two additional members shall:
4.2.6.1 Assume the status of any executive committee member in his/her absence.
4.2.6.2 Assist in minute taking during executive and general meetings.
4.2.6.3 Assist all other executive members upon request.
4.2.6.4 Be very much involved in all activities that take place among youth members.
4.2.6.5 Should make it their responsibility to take care of the executive committee.
4.2.7 Entertainment Committee
The entertainment committee shall:
4.2.7.1 Be responsible for drawing all youth programmes on all weekly gatherings(Fridays).
4.2.7.2 Co-operate with the executive committee and youth members in drawing the youth programme.
4.2.7.3 Encourage full participation of all youth members.
4.2.7.4 Co-ordinate all choral-related activities of the league.
4.2.7.5 Co-ordinate other entertainment activities such drama, dancing, etc.
4.2.8 Fund-raising Committee
The Fund-raising committee shall:
4.2.8.1 Initiate and lead the fund-raising campaign for the League.
4.2.8.2 Together with the Assistant Secretary liaise with external dealings.
4.2.9 Disciplinary Committee
The disciplinary committee shall:
4.2.9.1 Make sure that youth members’ behavior is acceptable.
4.2.9.2 Hear and trail matters by nay member of the league against any member(s) who infringe(s) his/her rights.
4.2.9.3 Assist the chairperson in guarding property of the league.
4.2.9.4 Assist the executive members in keeping order in all meetings.
4.2.9.5 Consult with the vice-chairperson in taking immediate actions on youth members.
4.2.9.6 Co-operate with all other executive members.
4.2.9.7 Together with executive committee should ensure that the behavior of the youth members is acceptable.
4.2.9.8 Members of the youth league shall be taken in for a hearing should behave inappropriately during church services.
ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY
All members of the youth league shall:
5.1 Be punctual at all meetings of the youth league especially members of the executive committee.
5.2 Participate in all activities of the Congregation, Parish, Circuit, Diocese and ELCSA.
5.3 Meet regularly every Friday.
5.4 Indicate all apologies to the Disciplinary Committee beforehand.
5.5 Co-operate with the pastor, the youth organizer(patron) and the executive committee.
5.6 Try by all means to attend all funeral affecting fellow members of the league. However, financial contributions or condolences shall be collected should the funeral affect a league member or members of their immediate family[e.g. biological parents, brothers, sisters, or legal guardians].
5.7 All cell-phones shall be switched off during youth gatherings.
SUPREMACY OF THE POLICY
The policy shall be binding to all members of the youth league.
REVIEW AND AMENDMENTS.
This policy shall only be reviewed and amended in the youth annual general meeting.
February 1998
ELCSA YOUTH CONSTITUTION
1. NAME.
The name of the league shall be the "Youth League of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa" abbreviated ELCSA Youth League, hereinafter referred to as the "League".
2. STATUS.
ELCSA Youth League shall be constituted according to the provisions of the constitution of ELSCA.
3. MOTTO.
"Here am I Lord, send me." Isaiah 6:8b
4. AIM
4.1 To help, co-ordinate, inspire, lead and direct the youth in Church
4.2 To grow in love, patience and faith in Christ through worship and study of God’s word;
4.3 To share experience and to reflect, deeply upon the Christian faith in relation to their daily lives;
4.4 To take part in all the duties of the congregation in order to develop leadership qualities within the Church;
4.5 To win others for Christ;
4.6 To develop in body; mind and spirit;
4.7 To grow in responsibility within the family and community;
4.8 To strive for the values of peace, justice, freedom and righteousness as embodied in the kingdom of God;
4.9 To perform such acts to further progress of the League.
5. MEMBERSHIP.
5.1 Membership shall be open to young people from 12 years upwards including those who are in confirmation or baptismal classes.
5.2 After a period of (six) 6 months a pastor shall install new members.
5.3 The names of members shall be recorded in a member book.
5.4 Any member who persistently disobeys the rules and regulations of the League or who falls under church discipline shall forfeit the right and privilege to use the emblem.
5.5 Any member who forfeited the above right and privilege shall be re-instated after a probationary period of at least three (3) months or if under church discipline, after absolution.
5.6 The Pastor of the congregation shall do such suspension and re-instatement.
5.7 The ELCSA Youth committee shall prescribe uniform for all members of the League.
5.8 Each member shall receive the emblem of the League, which shall remain its property. The member shall be liable for its replacement in case of loss.
6. ORGANISATION AND DUTIES ON THE CONGREGATION LEVEL.
6.1 Members of the congregation youth League shall:
6.1.1 Meet at least once per week
6.1.2 Elect from the registered members a committee consisting of chairperson, deputy chairperson, secretary, assistant secretary and treasurer. Two additional members shall be elected.
6.1.3 Abide by the decisions of the local League.
6.1.4 Have the right to ask for reports.
6.2 The congregation Youth Committee shall:
6.2.1 Hold office for a period of three (3) years being eligible for re-election.
6.2.2 Be installed by a Pastor according to the Altar Book.
6.2.3 Prepare the programme and see to its execution.
6.2.4 Contact those who are lax
6.2.5 Keep order among the Youth
6.2.6 Give reports to the Youth League and the congregation council.
6.2.7 Nominate sub-committees for special activities.
6.2.8 Prepare for the installation of new members and see to their registration.
6.3 The Chairperson of the congregational youth league shall:
6.3.1 Be responsible to the Pastor and the congregational council and shall co-operate with the Parish Youth organiser.
6.3.2 Safeguard the property of the Youth League.
7. ORGANISATION AND DUTIES ON THE PARISH LEVEL.
7.1 There shall be a Parish Youth Committee which shall:
7.1.1 Consist of all chairperson of the congregational Youth Leagues and Parish Youth Organizer.
7.1.2 Elect from amongst its members an executive committee consisting of Parish Youth Organizer as chairperson, deputy chairperson, secretary, assistant secretary and treasurer. The parish Pastor shall conduct the elections.
7.1.3 Meet at least once a quarter.
7.2 The Parish Youth Organizer shall:
7.2.1 Be elected by the parish Council out of the three nominees made by the Parish Youth Conference.
7.2.2 Give an annual report to the Parish Youth conference, the Parish council and the circuit youth conference.
7.2.3 Be a delegate to the Parish Council.
7.2.4 Hold office for a period of three (3) years, being eligible for re-election.
7.3 The Parish Youth Committee shall:
7.3.1 Take care of all activities of the league on Parish Level.
7.3.2 Co-operate with the circuit committee concerned
7.3.3 Have the chairperson, treasure and any of the two secretaries as signatories of Parish Youth Funds.
7.3.4 Hold office for a period of three (3) years, being eligible for re-election.
7.3.5 Be responsible to the Parish Pastor and Parish Council.
8. ORGANISATION AND DUTIES ON CIRCUIT LEVEL.
8.1 The Circuit Youth Committee shall be elected at a Circuit Youth Conference.
8.2 Nominations and voting shall be done by parish delegates.
8.3 Up to five (5) nominees shall be suggested for the chairperson. The two highest in the election shall be appointed chairperson and assistant respectively.
8.4 Up to five (5) nominees shall be suggested for the secretary. The two highest in the election shall be appointed secretary and assistant respectively
8.5 Up to five (5) nominees shall be suggested for treasurer and the one with the highest votes shall be appointed treasurer.
8.6 The Circuit youth Committee shall have all parish youth organisers as its ex-officio members.
8.7 The Dean shall chair every election of the Circuit Youth Committee.
8.8 The Circuit Youth Committee shall:
8.8.1 Organise all activities of the League on Circuit level.
8.8.2 Guide and educate Parish and Congregational Leaders and committees in the Circuit.
8.8.3 Submit an annual report to the Circuit Youth Conference and Circuit Council.
8.8.4 Hold office for a period of six (6) years, being eligible for re-election.
8.8.5 Be responsible to the Dean and the Circuit Council.
9. ORGANISATION AND DUTIES ON DIOCESAN LEVEL
9.1 The Diocesan Youth Committee shall consist of the Director, the chairperson, and secretaries of the Circuit Youth Committees. Up to three (3) additional members may be co-opted.
9.2 The Director shall be the chairperson of the Diocesan Youth Committee.
9.2.1 The committee shall elect among its members a vice-chairperson, secretary, assistant secretary and treasurer.
9.2.2 The executive of the committee shall consist of the director, the vice-chairperson, secretary and treasurer.
9.3 The Diocesan Youth Committee shall meet at least twice (2) a year.
9.4 The chaiperson, secretary and treasurer shall be signatories t the Diocesan Youth funds.
9.5 The Bishop shall conduct the elections.
9.6 The duties of the Diocesan Youth Committee shall be:
9.6.1 To guide the work of the League on Diocesan level.
9.6.2 To educate the Youth Leaders at all levels to co-ordinate and to plan programmes and youth activities at that level.
9.6.3 To report to the Diocesan Youth Conference, the Diocesan Council and Synod and the Church Youth Conference and to receive their directives.
9.6.4 Be responsible to the Bishop and the Diocesan Council.
9.7 The Diocesan Youth Director shall:
9.7.1 Be appointed by the diocesan council of the diocese concerned.
9.7.2 Be appointed for a period of six (6) years and may be re-appointed.
9.7.3 Work full-time during his/her term of office.
9.8 The task of the Diocesan Youth Director shall be:
9.8.1 To lead, organise, co-ordinate and administer youth work in the diocese.
9.8.2 To report to the Diocesan Council at least once a year.
10. ORGANISATION AND DUTIES ON CHURCH LEVEL
10.1 The Church Youth Committee shall consist of all Diocesan Youth chairperson and one additional delegate from each Diocesan Youth Committee.
10.2 The presiding Bishop shall chair every election of the executive of the Church Youth Committee.
10.3 The committee shall hold office for a period of six (6) years being eligible for re-election.
10.4 The committee shall elect from among its members the chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, assistant secretary and treasurer who shall elect form the executive of the committee.
10.5 The Church Youth Committee shall meet at least twice a year.
10.6 The Church Youth Committee shall have the Diocesan Youth Directors as its ex-officio members.
10.7 The duties of the Youth committee shall be:
10.7.1 To guide and encourage youth work in the church
10.7.2 To give reports to the Church Youth Conference, the General Assembly and the Church Council.
10.7.3 To convene a Church Youth Conference every two years
10.7.4 To administer youth funds at church level and to appoint signatories at Church Level.
10.7.5 To be responsible to the presiding Bishop and Church Council.
11. FINANCES
11.1 The annual statements shall be determined from time to time by the ELSCA youth committee.
11.2 On every level other ways and means of
raising funds shall be devised as long as they do not violate Christian ethics.
11.3 The congregational Youth league shall forward such percentages of the annual fee to the parish, the circuit, the diocesan and church levels as will be determined from time to time by church youth committee.
11.4 The funds of the Youth at its different levels shall be used to promote the League at the respective levels.
11.5 All moneys shall be kept in a bank account.
11.6 All treasurers shall be responsible to their respective committees and councils of the church.
11.7 All books shall be audited annually and audited statements be submitted to respective councils.
12. RULES OF PROCEDURE.
12.1 All committees shall draw up their own rules of procedure within the framework of its constitution.
12.2 Committee members not attending three consecutive meetings without reporting shall forfeit their positions in the committee.
12.3 All reports and apologies shall be given in written form.
12.4 The quorum of any committee shall be formed if half plus one of its members is present.
12.5 Vacancies in any committee shall be filled for the remaining period.
12.6 The church worker responsible on every level shall be an ex-officio member of the committee on that level.
12.7 A person serving in any committee at any level shall be eligible for re-election once only.
12.8 Voting shall be done by secret ballot.
13. DISSOLUTION.
If Youth Leagues are dissolved all their property shall become the property of the church.
14. AMENDMENTS.
14.1 Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Church Youth Committee at least two months before its meetings.
14.2 Amendments of this constitution shall need the approval of the Church Youth Conference and Church Council.
14.3 Any amendments shall require a two-third majority vote.