Something has gone wrong in our country. The most basic value of respect for one another as humans has been destroyed to a large degree. This is confirmed by the high incidence of :

Murder and rape Crime and violence Neglect of people with disabilities Poverty Discrimination against women Loneliness of people Disrespect towards people

Neglect of children Homophobia Violence against those who are vulnerable Xenophobia Racism Discrimination against and marginalization of people Labelling and stereotyping

The dignity of people is undermined through systemic realities when: the sick do not have access to medical treatment, children are denied access to adequate education, people with disabilities experience marginalization and discrimination, people do not have access to basic services, people are unemployed because they do not have access to jobs.

The dignity of people is undermined through our intentional of unintentional behaviour when: Women are viewed as inferior because they are women. People are excluded on grounds of their sexual orientation. The poor are left destitute. People are judged on the basis of the colour of their skin. People do not receive adequate pay for their services and are exploited. When we think and talk about people in generalised, stereotypical and prejudiced terms.

When power relations are managed in such a way that people are oppressed and abused, they experience the undermining of their human dignity.

When people are excluded or treated as inferior their voices are not heard. This is humiliating and diminishing.

The Bible talks a different language. The Bible teaches:

God values all people and gives them dignity. God enters into relationship with all people. God becomes human. Jesus gives his life for people. He gives people a new life in Him.

Jesus touches those who have been rejected by society.

He heals the sick and sets the possessed free.

He confirms the worth of women and children in society.

He transcends boundaries and reaches out to those who are not valued.

He forgives and delivers people from their past.

He grants people his grace and peace.

People discover their worth when they receive his love and respect and feel valued.

God reaches out to every person and wants to be in a relationship with each person despite his/her abilities, qualities, achievements, background, contributions or percieved lack thereof. The dignity of each person lies in the fact of God’s love and God’s relationship with each person.

God sent the Holy Spirit so that we can follow God in this and gives us a new life in the Trinity.

In the Season of Human Dignity the commitment of the four sister churches commit ourselves to: 1. Preach the God-given dignity of all people; 2. Engage with people in such a way that we will confirm the dignity which God has given all people; 3. Embody the respect that we have for one another in our unity;

4. Motivate all South Africans to see, hear and experience all other people as gifts of God; 5. To promote four values: RESPEK | RESPECT LUISTER | LISTENING OMARMING | EMBRACEMENT SELFLOSE LIEFDE | SELFLESS LOVE

How do we want to do this? By singing the Biblical message of human dignity; by creating safe spaces where people can listen to one another; by sharing stories which will promote understanding; by jointly contemplating and exploring the meaning of God’s commitment to people; By developing new language of faith;

by circulating reading and study material; by crossing boundaries and joining hands in order to learn from each other; by embodying the values of the Season. We will be Jesus’ disciples by acknowledging and celebrating the God-given human dignity of all people.

Through the Season of Human Dignity we want to: 1. Proclaim the love of God; 2. Follow Jesus our Lord in his compassion for people; 3. Embody what we believe and confess about God’s love in our relationship with all people; 4. Contribute to the healing of our country in this way.