Iindaba
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• Christmas 2004 (message)
The idea of an 'event' to help with St Mary's financial problems, conceived by Richard Cock, grew and gave birth to the production of Handel's "Messiah" on Sunday 31 October. What a privilege to be among the 450 people who managed to get seats in the cathedral for this inspiring performance.
St Mary’s was a wonderful setting for “The Messiah”
and Richard Cock was amazing as he changed hats, from conductor to
harpsichord player, having to move from one place to the other within
the confines of the entrance to the chancel. The four soloists, Jill
Nock (soprano), Carmen Erwee (alto), Robert Leonard (tenor) and Musa
Ngqungwana (bass) were superb as was the choir of nearly seventy
singers which included members of the Cathedral Choir, the Port
Elizabeth Oratorio Choir, the Cantata Choir of East London,
“Variato” from Humansdorp, and the recently formed Nelson
Mandela Metropole Opera Ensemble. The Chamber Orchestra was led by
Donald Flint and included Eric Spencer the cathedral organist and
Master of Choristers. The diocese looks forward to many more such Spirit-lifting presentations. Pictures: To some are given the gift of superb voices - such blessed ones are Jill Nock (photo left) and Musa Ngqungwana (photo right) who thrilled the audience at St Mary's cathedral. With Jill is Eric Spencer, the cathedral organist and Master of Choristers.
Roy and his wife, Dorothy, joined St Mary's when they arrived in PE from Johannesburg 16 years ago. They joined the choir straight away and also sang in the Oratorio Choir for many years. Very handy at woodwork, Roy has willingly given of his talent to make, mend and beautify whatever he was asked to do for the church. He has also been an acitve member in many other duties - as has Dorothy.
The theme of the conference was, "Africa comes of age - an Anglican Self-Evaluation", and at the close a Communiqué was issued by Archbishop Peter Akinola, Chairman of the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa. Some of the points made in the Communiqué are that the Anglican Church in Africa has gone beyond the stage of mission "from the West to the rest", to that of mission "from everywhere to every-where" and must, therefore, seek to work for the transformation of the continent. The bishops say that this means proclaiming the Gospel in full and making it relevant to the health and political needs of the continent. They also say, "The church should enter into a creative phase of building relationships between Christianity and communities of other faiths for the purpose of fostering better understanding, respect and peaceful coexistence without compromising the Gospel of Jesus Christ." They envisage setting up of their own network of theological colleges on the continent to promote a conservative interpretation of Biblical teaching. They reiterated their Biblical position on the ongoing controversy on human sexuality and intended to work towards a continent devoid of injustice. The full text of the Communiqué, and a copy of all the motions and resolutions accepted and passed at the conference, are available from the Bishop's Office.
On Sunday 14 November members of the house church at Wells Estate were joined by two bus loads of parishioners from St Stephen’s for a rally of Christian witness.
During June 2003 Solomon Nkesiga, rector of Parish of Zwartkops River
Valley, having been advised to start a congregation in Wells Estate,
was led there by the Spirit one afternoon. He went through the
streets of the new settlement asking whether there were any Anglicans
in the area. The inquiry led him to the home of Florina Phuri and an
Anglican congregation in Wells Estate was born. With four family
members worship began, and soon the neighbours joined in to create a
visible and laudable presence that has since grown to nearly 50
members. This has made the group too large to meet in Florina’s
tiny house for the weekly MU prayers and Sunday services. It has
become a viable little church with potential for further growth. Wells Estate is a vast RDP area and Solomon Nkesiga has heeded the challenge, given to him at his induction by Bishop Eric Pike, to reach out to the areas beyond the river and plant new churches. Over the past two months Solomon has been helped by one of the diocesan ordinand's, Zola Xuba.
Pictures: Those who meet in Florina's house - With Florina
Phuri in her little house where the Wells Estate church began meeting
are Zola Xuba, Solomon Nkesiga, the rector of Zwartkops River Valley
Parish, and Welile Mabuya. Quick Links: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top | Homepage |
For more information about Iindaba,
contact the editor at iindaba@anglicandiocesepe.org.za
For
to us a child is born,
Three
groups of house church members and guests paraded from different
parts of Wells Estate to converge on a tent, which had been erected
outside Florina Phuri’s tiny house, for a service of praise and
worship. Along the way they had been joined by people who wanted to
know when and where this group of Anglicans met.