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Item Small Christian Communities (SCCs) Promote Family Ministry in Eastern Africa(Hekima review, 2013) Healey, JosephThe nine AMECEA Countries are preparing for the III Extraordinary World Synod of Bishops on "The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization" to take place in Rome from 5-19 October, 2014. In Eastern Africa Small Christian Communities (SCCs) are part of the consultation process and answered 11 of the 39 questions in the poll.Research on the 120,000 SCCs in Eastern Africa reveals that SCCs elect lay ministers/animators/coordinators for specific groups such as couples (married and engaged), youth and children andfor specific pastoral ministries such as Catechesis, Justice and Peace, Religious Education, Sacraments and Spiritual/Religious Formation. A SCC is a communion of families.The SCC is an important support group for families and promotes a family culture. The SCC is both a place and a path for pastoral care and evangelization. This praxis of SCCs in Africa is contributing to the development of the theology of the Church as Family of GodItem Promoting Small Christian Communities in Eastern Africa in the Light of The Joy of the Gospel(Tangaza University College, 2014-03) Healey, JosephPope Francis is very popular in Africa and his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospelhas received an enthusiastic response. The Paulines Publication Africa (Daughters of St. Paul) based inNairobi published the first African English Edition in November, 2013 with a delightful cover photo of the pope embracing a little African girl. The book is No. 24 in “The Pope Speaks Series.” The book is very popular and now is in it s Fourth Reprint with a total of 11,000 copies already printed. The exhortation has been translated into French, Swahili and other African languages. Catholic in the Local Churches in Eastern Africa immediately began using the book in private and public prayer, homilies, talks, recollection days, retreats, workshops, seminars and classes in the constituent colleges connected to the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). The pope‟s pastoral, practical, down to earth style appeals to many people. The book has been very helpful and inspiring to members of the 120,000 Small Christian Communities (SCCs) 1 in the AMECEA 2 Region.Item Innovations and New Trends in Small Christian Communities (SCCs) in Africa Today(Hekima review, 2009) Healey, JosephToday there are over 90,000 Small Christian Communities (SCCs) in the eight AMECEA countries of Eastern Africa. Kenya alone has over 35,000 SCCs. The past year has seen innovations in the development of SCCs in Africa including Highlights of the SCC Practicum Papers, Case Studies of SCC Involvement in Peacemaking/ Peacebuilding and in the Kenyan Lenten Campaign 2009 and Expanding the SCC Global Collaborative Website. A careful assessment of these experiences can help chart new trends in the future of the Catholic Church in Africa. This can lead to deeper theological reflection especially in the context of evolving a contemporary African Christian Theology than includes African Narrative Theology and the Theology of the Church-Family of God in AfricaItem How African Small Christian Communities Implement the Pastoral and Missionary Vision of Vatican II(Tangaza University College, 2013-07) Healey, Joseph G.As we continue to celebrate the 50-year Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council we recall the historical foundations of African Small Christian Communities (SCCs) in the People of God Model of Church and in the communion ecclesiology of Vatican II.A study of five documents of Vatican II reveals that Small Christian Communities are one of the great fruits of the council and an awakening of the church as the People of God. The founding fathers of AMECEA had a vision of implementing Vatican II’s ecclesiology of communion in Eastern Africa that focused on the communion (koinonia) and service (diakonia) aspects. Both African Synods built on the foundations of Vatican II and highlighted the pastoral and missionary role of SCCs. We can look at the praxis of SCCs in Eastern Africa though the lens of the three speakers at the Theological Symposium 2013. Pastoral, parish-based SCCs are part of the “new face” of the parish and a significant part of a new way of being parish from below. The parish is a communion or network of SCCs within the “communion of communities” ecclesiology. We are optimistic that the experience of SCCs as a New Model of Church from the grassroots as witnessed by SCC members in Africa will bring significant changes in new pastoral structures corresponding to our contemporary communion ecclesiology and the ecclesial reality on the local level.