During a special service held at Worcester United Church reverend Johan Els was appointed as the new minister.
The position has been vacant for the last two years after reverend Mario van Zyl retired at the end of February 2020. He served as minister for 20 years.
The Worcester Congregational Church, which was established in 1888, was reconstituted in 1998 as united Congregational and Presbyterian Church under the name Worcester United Church.
Reverend Els is the holder of a B.Th degree, a Bachelor of Divinity, and an Honours degree in Philosophy, and recently also obtained a Master’s degree in Clinical Pastoral Therapy.
Prior to his new appointment he served as minister in the Dutch Reformed Church in Bellville and Durbanville for 21 years. Although it is most unusual for a DRC minister to be appointed in a Presbyterian / Congregational church, he aims at strengthening the ties between the two denominations.
Reverend Els has an affinity for presenting spiritual courses, training and equipping people and leading outreaches for the sustainable rehabilitation of homeless people.
In his spare time he enjoys mountain-biking, golfing and part-time study. He is married to Andrea Du Plessis-Els, an occupational therapist and they have six children.
Sunday Services and Sunday School at 09:00 have resumed since the partial lifting of Covid restrictions.
V For more details on online services follow the Worcester United Church on Facebook and other church activities are available from the church secretary at 023 3472896 or email: info@unitedchurch.co.za.
